First Motorized Solo Ride!

[Shortie]

Ok, so it wasn't exactly on a big girl motorcycle but it was the first time I've ever ridden a motorized bike on my own.

I am the proud owner *snicker* of a 1972 Chaparral ST80 dirtbike. She's a gem alright... the brakes are drum front and back, the clutch is a bit finicky, and the throttle is less than precise. But she's mine, she's definitely rideable, and it is a FREAKING BLAST! 

I've never ridden a dirtbike, but with just a couple quick reminders from my beau I rolled off and in no time I was bombing around, using all 4 gears (go ahead and giggle), downshifting pretty well to slow, and overall doing a pretty decent job of ripping around on it for a noob.

Taking off initially was a little weird, but once I had been on it for a while it felt so natural! I was really surprised by how at home I felt on it. I didn't feel nervous at all, and the longer I was on it the more I just wanted to ride it harder, ride it faster. On my second lap I was already thinking about how I could afford a more modern bike with a little more oomph. 

Since the brakes are drum front and back they don't exactly stop on a dime, so I had to practice using the front and back in tandem.

Two observations made by both my beau and myself:
1) I have a tendency to look down to shift. I suspect this won't be such an issue once I ride it a bit more and really learn the bike. I don't do it all the time, but I do it enough that it needs addressing.
2) As I ride I don't always look far enough ahead, though when I'm turning the bike I am turning my whole head in the direction I want to go.

So, my assignment to myself for the next time I ride is to work on these two things, especially looking down when shifting. I think I do it primarily because it's an action I'm not used to executing. Luckily where I ride is pretty open with little danger of running into something, but I realize that this is a dangerous practice and the sooner I get used to keeping my head up and my eyes ahead the better.

Obviously a little dirtbike that only weighs about as much as I do with nubby tires is a lot different than a street bike, but are there any drills or things I could do on it in the next couple weeks? My BRC is the weekend of the 19th/20th.

I really think being able to ride my dirtbike around will give me a little boost of confidence and help calm my nerves for the MSF class.

Yay!

[mcgalinmd]

from my MSF instructing, most students look down as they are not: a. keeping their foot near the shifter; b. are unfamiliar with foot shifting; c. both a and b!

If you can get the beau to hold the bike and you practice while the bike is still, that will help for b.
When you ride, keep your foot right next to the shifter - not under or on top, but just touching the side of the lever.  That way you can feel the shifter with your foot and not have to look for it.  That will help for a.

And yes, the more you do it - the better you will get.  You'll be surprised after 24 hours of the "info" sinking into your brain at how much better and more comfortable you will be the next time you go out.

 

[Kyna]

Wow, it sounds like you are getting some good experience in.  I'm jealous, you are going to be so prepared before your MSF class.  I'm glad you are really comfortable on a bike.  I feel like just feeling comfortable on a bike is an excellent first step to riding out on the road.  Yeah!  Sounds excellent.  Have fun.

[Shortie]

I really think being familiar with motorcycles in general and having been a passenger for so long really made it easier to ride the dirtbike. Being a tomboy has its perks I guess  . I imagine learning to ride must be pretty daunting for someone who's never been on a motorcycle before!

[dolci]

That sounds awesome.  Although I had gotten my "M" last October, the first real riding I did was doing Cornerspin.  It gave me huge amounts of ocnfidence and comfort.  Congratulations!!! [moto]

[Grio]

Very cool...
You are riding that dirt bike on the street, no?  Dirt bikes don't use much of the front brake while in the dirt, so be prepared to feel a big change when you jump to your bandit.  (Translation: go real easy on the brake when you first make the change till you get used to it).
I'm sure beau will take care of you.

[somegirl]

Very cool, sounds like good preparation for your MSF class.

One drill to work on is looking through turns.  That will be key for nearly all the exercises you do in MSF.

[Shortie]

Very cool...
You are riding that dirt bike on the street, no?  Dirt bikes don't use much of the front brake while in the dirt, so be prepared to feel a big change when you jump to your bandit.  (Translation: go real easy on the brake when you first make the change till you get used to it).
I'm sure beau will take care of you.

I stayed mostly in the grass for my first time out, that way if I did go down it wouldn't be so bad. I was being a naughty girl and riding semi-squid style; helmet, tank top, no gloves, jeans, and low top hiking boots so I didn't want to push my luck. I did go up the road and back a few times (dead end street) but I took it easy on the pavement because I wasn't sure how the old nubbies would behave.

I will probably look for a used chest protector on eBay or something. Riding without the proper gear isn't my style.

[lauramonster]

At MSF school, (not band camp) one of the instructors gave a shrill whistle after I rode past, and I quickly turned and stopped to see what the emergency was.  His comment was 'See, I knew your head could turn'.  I sheepishly got back into line, and payed better attention the next time I went around. 

We all do it starting out.  It's amazing how quickly this will be so familiar, you won't have to think about it!!!

You're doing great.  It really is fun - just a lot to remember, but so much fun.  It's worth it!!

[Ducatista]

Congrats!  More saddle time = more confidence!  [moto]

[Shortie]

I went out on the 80 again the other night, though I couldn't really go far due to the fact that I need to find a bulb for the headlight. We taped a big flashlight to the handlebars in a feeble attempt to gain at least a little bit of visibility but all we really accomplished was creating a great system for raccoon hunting in the trees

I was mindful of not looking down to shift and didn't do so once. Whereas it was so dark in the back field I got plenty of practice downshifting to scrub speed as it was easy to go in hot with the wood pile quickly approaching 

Still working on keeping my eyes up and further than a few feet ahead of my front tire, but at least now I've kicked the added distraction of looking down to shift.

Yesterday I told Tony to hop on Craigslist find me another dirtbike  I don't know if he wants to see me on a more modern bike with some giddyup and real suspension as I think he fears I will be hell on two wheels! 

[TiNi]

sounds like good experience for you biposto 

i should have rode in the dirt sooner myself...
we have a treacherous driveway of loose gravel, with a switchback mid-way up,
and riding my monster up it was nerve racking until i was invited to ride dirt bikes in a cornfield with some friends.
all i needed was to feel the back end slide a little in the dirt, the experience helped a bunch!

have fun  [moto]