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[WFP]

Thanks!

Hi Bill.

[blondeharleygrrl]

Hi everyone,

Wow, I can't thank you enough for the advice on braking and stopping/starting on a hill.  I have printed out many of your posts and started placing them in a 3-ring binder to re-read while lounging in front of the tv.

Dirk and I went out for a practice today.  Like in any relationship there's bound to be issues.  We had some today.  

Maybe V can answer this....is it possible, due to the forks, to do the "S" in the box with the V-Rod? I practiced the "S" today and Dirk was throwing his weight around.  *sigh*  It was so difficult I wonder if it can be done.

Many have suggested my learning on a smaller bike.  My only issue with that is, for example, the Nighthawk 250 was easy to ride.  I rode dirt bikes as a teen, and by class on Sunday I was zipping around the course, shifting, and having no major issues (until test time!)  Yesterday was my first practice with Dirk since the course, and I suddenly felt like I'd never ridden before because the V-Rod foot pegs and shifter are positioned differently.... more up front.  More weight.  It's a completely different experience and handling.  I feel like I'm starting from scratch.  I want to learn on the V-Rod if possible because I believe it's important to master the beast.

I still can't go up my inclined driveway without "duck walking."  The problem is anxiety.  I know that I have to give it more throttle to make the slight hill.  My class instructor told me to duck walk until I gain confidence and then go for it.  That's what I'll have to do.

I stop in the driveway middle on purpose sometimes so that I must start on the incline.  I'm doing much better with that.  I hardly roll backwards.  I just have to do the maneuver more smoothly.

[hogasm]

Julia,  My wife "Bluefelix" started riding on a Honds 250 Rebel. I gave it to her for her birthday. She practiced in our neighborhood for 3 months then we both went to the safety course. I had been riding for over 30 years and did not want to go, but the good husband that I am [smiley=nervous.gif] , I went with her. I learned that I had many bad habbits. She scored 100 on both the written and riding parts of the course.  I didn't do as well, but I did pass.

Before the course we tried many different bikes for Kathy, and ended up with a 2003 Low Rider. After many miles she upgraded to a Street Glide. The Low Rider had less rake which made it easier to handle than a Wide Glide and a V Rod. This made the bike easier for her to handle.

Don't let the $250 keep you from taking the class again. We kept the course books and still look back  over things we encountered while on the road.

Good luck you have many new friends on this site rooting for you.






her to handle.

[ultrafxr]

Good luck you have many new friends on this site rooting for you.

 [smiley=banana.gif] [smiley=jalapeno.gif] [smiley=cherry.gif] [smiley=carrot.gif] [smiley=orange.gif] [smiley=apple.gif] [smiley=cucumber.gif] [smiley=mango.gif] [smiley=pepper.gif] [smiley=pineapple.gif] [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

[TheVgirl]

YES, YOU CAN but not with beginner techniques.  In fact, when I took the MSF course, they told me I could not use the rear brake/friction zone method because it was an advanced method and that I could only ride into the box, shift to 2, and make the figure 8.  Uh, I couldn't do it without putting my foot down without riding the rear brake and clutch (friction zone).  

My advice on the S is to master it in class and then try in on the Vrod in twice the space and then keep going smaller.  I will tell you that you could make a double U-turn on a SEEG in less space than you can the Vrod.  But don't decide to get rid of the Vrod just because it's a little hard for you to maneuver right now.  If I was YOU, I would stop beating yourself up about buying a bike too big and tryin to "master the beast" and just enjoy what you got and ride it when you can.  It's winter time!!!  It will be too cold to ride before long anyway and no one will know the difference anyway.  Some wimps have already parked their bikes sooooo....don't worry.  Go to www.georgia.gov and reschedule the class and take it at North Metro Tech.  Tell the instructor up front that it's your 2nd class and what you need to work on.  Have your friend bring Dirk up on Sunday.  After you pass the class, ask the instructor to let you ride through the course on your Vrod.

About starting up an incline.  The reason it was easier with the Nighthawk is it is a manual clutch and you've got a juice (hydraulic) clutch on the Vrod.  The first time I rode the Vrod, I popped the clutch several times.  When I talked to the service manager at Earl Small that DCFiremann recommended, he told me he did the same thing because it takes a little time to get acclimated to a hydraulic clutch.  Once you get used to it, you'll have your feet up and on the pegs almost instantly.  Have you ever drove a stick shift?  Different manufacturers, makes, models?  Well, they are all just a little different.  It just takes some practice.

DO YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU WHAT I REALLY THINK?  I think you need to give yourself a little break.  Give yourself some time to digest it all and some time for your body to rest and your brain to comprehend it all.  Wait a few days before trying it again.  Even world-class athletes take a day off, Julia!!!!!

[TheVgirl]

BTW, if anyone wants to borrow a Rebel for a month or so to practice, I have a 1986 Rebel 250 in the garage...it is in almost as good shape as the ones in the MSF class...

...but you have to come and get it up here...

I'm the backseater on that bike...really, I ride it from the pillion...

/Bill

Hey I'll buy it from you for my sons (all 4 of them) to learn to ride on!  And I'll even come to Mass to get it and see the Hazletons while I'm at it!!!!

[Midnight Rider]

Hog is right, as is Ultrafxr...we're pulling for you!!!  You'll get it and then wonder how you ever thought it was hard.  But you really never stop learning how to ride...that's part of the wonderful experience of riding on two wheels!!!

About the Vrod...I have the 06 SE version, and also an Ultra Classic...they are two totally different "feeling" bikes.  Surprisingly, the Ultra is more nimble (think Shriners in a Parade), but if you think the Vrod is heavy, you ain't felt nothin' 'till an Ultra gets over just a little off it's center of gravity.  Personally, I think the Vrod handles GREAT in curves at any speed other than really slow...it will hold a line extremely well, IMO.  At slow speeds, the front end feels like the handlebars want to flop over one way or the other because of the rake of the front end, sort of like a chopper.  You may indeed have trouble with the S turns in a tight box, not because of your skill, but because of the ability of the bike itself!!  Unless you know what the DMV test is going to be like, or can practice the same things they'll have you doing in a parking lot somewhere, it might be a good idea to do the MSF course on the Nighthawk again, just to get the test out of the way on a lighter, more manuverable bike.  Or go to a HD dealer and do the Rider's Edge on a Buell...they are really nimble.

Duck walk!! Nothing wrong with that...just keep doing it and in a couple of days the whole starting/stopping on a hill will be something you don't even have to think about any more. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]  Sounds like you're being very sensible about this whole thing and know your limits.  The anxiety about each manuveur will dissipate as your overall confidence grows and you get more familiar with how the bike feels under you.  Keep up the good work!!

[pumkinownerswife]

Julia, Stop listening to us let the instructer teach you everyone has there own opinion. I still here the voices in my head from when I first started. All the advice has been good but it might  start making you think too much instead of reacting to the bike. Read your material you were given and take the class again really I feel for you. I took my class without talking to anyone first just went and did it. It is to late for that but V said take a break and  I agree.


Helen [smiley=carrot.gif]

[Screamin]

Some us are "naturals" that easily learn, most of us require being educated like any other skill. Tell, show, try, coach, repeat all of those things are important. I don't think you're going to get a heck of a lot of learning off the internet but w/ the right instructor you will. The stakes are so high here that mastering the basics is not an option but a necessity. Any good student wants to soak up all of the knowlege they can and put it into practice. Good luck w/ the redo of the class and know that we're all pulling for you to pass, enjoy and live!!  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[Fired00d]

It'd be easier if it was S.E.X.:

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Hmmm, now I know the meaning behind your avatar. [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Screamin]

Hi Bill.

[WFP]

I'll let you borrow it but I am keeping it for my nieces as their first bike!

/Bill

Hey I'll buy it from you for my sons (all 4 of them) to learn to ride on!

[WFP]

I will not tell you what to do but I will tell you what happened to my wife.  She took the class, passed and was riding and dropping a Honda Shadow VLX.  She then decide she preferred to be a backseater.

One of her biggest problems was forcing the bike like it was a bicycle....manhandling it.

Anyone will tell you that we just ask the bike to do what needs to be done to ride it does the work.  These things weigh upwards of 800 pounds...they do the work we just ask very nicely...and nearly everytime they comply.

/Bill

Hi everyone,

Wow, I can't thank you enough for the advice on braking and stopping/starting on a hill.

[TheVgirl]

Julia, Stop listening to us let the instructer teach you everyone has there own opinion. I still here the voices in my head from when I first started. All the advice has been good but it might

[cigarmike]

Dont ride with other un-experienced riders when new Julia, New riders will ride better and learn faster by only riding with 50+ yr old married men.