| Author | Message | ||
     Buella_de_ville |
Hi everyone. I am a new rider (XB9S) and my husband is teaching me how to not kill myself. Yesterday I went on the road for the first time to the store and back. Woohoo a whole 2 miles of road. Yep it is stupid but I was so terrified that I almost did not do it. I have ridden 5 times total and dropped my bike twice. Yep, we have ordered extra brake handles and foot pegs because I sure like breaking those. Can I get a discount on these parts? HEHEHE! I seem to like the security of the parking lots. What is so funny is we went to the Summit Point races on Memorial Day weekend and I found my passion. I WANT TO OWN THE CORNERS! So next spring I plan to take the classes with my husband, Rasmonis. I am having the most amazing time of my life learning all about the bikes, road, and facing my fears. I just wanted to say thanks to Rasmonis and all of his friends for accepting me and being so willing to answer all of my questions. I have really enjoyed meeting everyone! | ||
| Brineusaf |
Every bit of road counts, regardless of the length. Everyone will drop/has dropped a bike before. The sponsor section should be able to hook you up with 10% badweb discount on any parts you might need. Glad you've begun to embrace the sport everyone here shares, welcome to the family! Ride Safe. | ||
| Jlnance |
Hi Kay, Welcome to BadWeb, you'll really like it here. And congrats on learning to ride. I learned 2 years ago, so I can appreciate what an achievement it is. If I may offer some advice, don't wait till the spring to take the class. It's much cheaper to drop their bike than it is your own, and safer as well. You won't be sorry you took it. | ||
| Bearly |
OH, great another Newbee! Me too! Yea I'been riding awhile but when on the street it was always on some Bearly legal knobby tired bike. Keep up the great attitude! Here's me following my work mate on his ZZR1200. He was most impressed when he road the bike here on Skyline Drive (and Hwy 211).  | ||
| Terminator |
Welcome Buella and Bearly, Ride On!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Hey buella, WELCOME...good luck with everything! I hope what you mean by taking the class, pertains to racing school.. You've taken a beginner riding mclass already I hope..if you haven't, you are really missing out. As for the brittle footpegs, I invested in a set of Buell Traction footpegs..they're billet pegs and they are far far stronger. I had the same issues and found these pegs truly hold up when the bike goes down. They run about $75.00, but they're worth every penny. have fun and enjoy your Buell baby!!! HUGS Angela (Message edited by angelwild327 on June 12, 2006) (Message edited by angelwild327 on June 12, 2006) | ||
| Buella_de_ville |
Hi all, Thanks to all who have replied. I am registered for a beginning riding class but could not get in until Sept so I have to wait. My husband bought me my XB9S 4 weeks ago and I just could NOT let it sit there. So I went and got my permit so I could learn during the summer. As far as the racing...we will be taking those classes next year. I definitely can't wait for that. Hopefully I will know how to ride the thing by then. I am curious to know if anyone else was scared to get out on the road at first. If so, how long did it take for you to feel confident and comfortable? Angela...thanks for the info on the footpegs. I will be checking those out tonight. Oh, one more BIG item...I got my first official "Hello hand signal". I know it's kind of gay but I was sooooo thrilled. I even did it back. Woohoo! | ||
| Slaughter |
Oh, one more BIG item...I got my first official "Hello hand signal". I know it's kind of gay but I was sooooo thrilled. I even did it back. Woohoo! Don't EVER lose that thrill. It's cool to be "welcomed" by total strangers, isn't it? I've been riding quite a while and still get that feeling. | ||
| Buella_de_ville |
Thanks Slaughter. I hope to feel like this the rest of my life. So you race!!! What a feeling that must be! What type of racing do you do? Locally or nationally? | ||
| Buella_de_ville |
Brineusaf....I noticed that you live in Ramstein. We lived in Landstuhl for 3 years from 92-95. Loved it! Thanks for serving for the USA!!!! Bearly...Noticed you live in VA. My husband, Rasmonis is the pres of the Frederick Brag chapter here in MD. They ride every weekend. He posts the rides every week and they meet at the local HD dealership. Check it out on Stormfronts /DC/VA/MD thread. The more the merrier! | ||
| Slaughter |
Nope - just locally at Willow Springs - I have raced at other locations and done track days here and there. I'm paying down a TON of debt right now, letting Bartels use my racebike as a "B" bike til I start again next year. I would like to see if I can put in a serious effort starting next year and see if in 3 years, I can get back to where I was when I wadded it up a year ago February. | ||
| Jlnance |
I am curious to know if anyone else was scared to get out on the road at first. Of course.  I remember on the first day, getting the bike up to 25 and thinking I was flying. If so, how long did it take for you to feel confident and comfortable? I made it a point to ride every day. I was unbelievably better after a week. After 8 weeks I went on a BRAG ride, which involved interstate highways and mountain roads. I did fine, though it was mentally exhausting for me to do a day in the mountians. The more experienced rides went to the go kart park that night. I went to bed. | ||
| Jlnance |
Here is a link the MSF class materials. Go ahead and read them even if you can't take the class yet. | ||
| Wademan |
Buella, If you want to feel comfortable on your bike there is no faster way than by taking a MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) Beginners class. By taking that class and passing you will be given a full motorcycle endorsement by the state. I have only been riding for 3 years and hands down it was the most valuable thing I did. Highest cost I have ever heard for the class was in the low one hundreds. Please, please, I urge you to look into it. Safe riding. Wademan | ||
| Diablobrian |
Welcome to the fold. We all drop our bikes. I drop mine on the left side way too often. (Bum leg) I converted over to solid billet pegs of my own design and it has saved me clutch levers and turn signals already. Don't let familiarity breed contempt. Keep the sense of wonder and awe. Remember the other people on the road ARE out to get you. Whether it's intentional, or not. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Buella, I'm a newer rider, myself...almost a year now. First time I went out I was petrified, but found it wasn't as bad as I thought. I didn't attempt to ride before I took the class, however, and I am glad I did it that way. You may want to call them OFTEN and have them call you if there are any cancellations or to keep you on a list to get in sooner. That's how I did it, and I went from having to wait 2 months, to getting in two weeks after I first called. After I learned, my friend would ride my bike to a big parking lot almost every evening for me, and just watch me ride and help me with things that were troubling me. We did that for about 2-3 weeks...it was VERY valuable. I had a hard time because my bike was just too tall for me and I dropped it quite a bit. I always dropped it when I was stopped and the main reason was because I had a bad habit of turning the front wheels...like when you're stopped at a corner, where you will be making a turn...KEEP THE FRONT WHEELS STRAIGHT... If there is absolutely no way you can take the course, go to the book store and get a book or two, I HIGHLY recommend "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough...the MSF book is concise, but this one's got a load of useful info. While I'm sure your husband is a great help, it's nice to have things explained in a variety of ways, giving you the opportunity to better grasp concepts which are not intuitive. Riding a motorcycle has many components that do not come naturally. Please be safe and practice in safe places.. I find that being a woman is an advantage in traffic. I dress pretty girly on a bike, always in full gear, armored jacket, full face helmet, boots and armored gloves (doesn't matter how hot it is, the road will eat you alive when you meet it with skin) I keep my ponytail down and wear a girlish backpack/purse...and weird as it might sound, I find people take notice of me and I think for the most part it keeps me just a little safer in traffic. At this point, I always ride with experienced riders. I will eventually reach the point where I'm comfortable riding alone, but for now, it's worth it even though I feel like I have a babysitter. HAVE FUN! BE SAFE! Angela | ||
| Rasmonis |
Thanks everyone for all of the good advice and words of encouragement. I've been telling K about how awesome the Buellers on the Badweb are for months now and how eager everyone is to welcome new riders to the Buell family. Your support is greatly appreciated. Ain't I lucky?  | ||
| Honu |
Buella, Welcome to the maddess!! My wife has had her 9s for two years now and still loves it. And yes she has dropped it a few times. Buell Frame Pucks and Dark Horse Moto axle sliders has kept dents and scrapes to a minimum. Have Fun! | ||
| Davy_boy |
Welcome . | ||
| Kootenay |
Buella, welcome to this forum. I love the name, "Buella de Ville!" I just wanna comment on a couple of things. First off, don't get me wrong, I think the XB9S is a great bike (I own an XB9R myself), but I don't know that I'd want to learn on it. Is there a particular reason you chose that as your very first bike? Secondly, as far as breaking the footpegs go--I recently broke one of mine (see my "Footpeg Broke" thread) and after a fair bit of thought, I'm replacing them with stock. Yes, the stock pegs are not as strong as billet--but I'd rather break a peg than one of the frame bosses the pegs attach to, if it comes to that. | ||
| Buella_de_ville |
Hi everyone! I just went on another ride. It was about 20 miles. I learned a lot and got more comfortable with shifting gears and taking curves which are plentiful here. I was very nervous because we went through the city which meant dealing with the traffic lights and intersections. I called ALL of the schools that offer the Basic Riders Course to get on waiting lists but I was told that I had to go as a stand by every week to see if someone does not show up so I can take their spot. So that's what I am going to do. I am still keeping my slot for the class in September but I sure hope I can get in before that. Regarding First off, don't get me wrong, I think the XB9S is a great bike (I own an XB9R myself), but I don't know that I'd want to learn on it. Is there a particular reason you chose that as your very first bike? Well, The 12 was too big! Just kidding. I fell in love with the bike because it fit perfectly between my legs and my feet touch the ground and it is light enough for me to handle. I did not want a blast because too many of our friends grew out of it within months. I wanted to learn on the bike that I wanted. Angela...that is exactly how I dropped my bike those 2 times. I know now to keep my front tire straight. I think your idea of having girlie stuff is a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing that! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey, if it gets that much more notice in traffic you'll see the guys on the board wearing girlie stuff too! Another great book is "Total Control" by Lee Parks. Great information in it. Just remember that books are better for someone that has mastered the basic riding skill set. Some of the techniques are not really beginner friendly. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Buella.. do any of your local harley dealers have the Riders Edge class?? If so, maybe you can get into one of theirs quicker? | ||
| Rasmonis |
I visited the local area dealers that offer Riders Edge early in the spring and they anticipated being booked through September by the end of May. There are only 2 or three near us that offer Riders Edge training. Back then, I did not anticipate: a) Having a bike for K b) That she would be so enthusiastic about riding Oh what I'd pay for a working crystal ball! | ||
| Buella_de_ville |
Hi all! I checked all the HD shops in Maryland and they are all booked till the end of Sept. AAARRRRGGGGHHHH! I want to take a class right NOW! Hey, if it gets that much more notice in traffic you'll see the guys on the board wearing girlie stuff too! Well, is pink your color? If so go for it!!! I'm sure all the girls will whistle as you go by. HEHEHE! | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Here's my girlie jacket..I want to try something for my helmet, like the mohawk guys have and suction cup some red pigtails on...I'm weird like that tho...  | ||
| Buella_de_ville |
That is an awesome jacket! Rasmonis created a patch for me that I am having made to put on the back of my plain black jacket. When it is done I will post a picture. FYI...I read the thread regarding using rear brakes vs only the front ones. I am learning to use both and I am not having any problems with it...I stop very smoothly. But I am just a beginner so what do I know! | ||
| Djkaplan |
Grrrl talk. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey, I wore a pink hat at homecoming! | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Buella, The best advice is to learn your machine, inside and out...research stuff online, if something doesn't sound right, look it up, ask all the questions you can, practice in a safe place, parking lots seem like a waste of time, but they are damn safer than learning basic stuff on the streets, and even when you've gotten better, you go back to those lots and practice more advanced stuff. Without a decent amount of stress free practice time, it's very very difficult to get out of a close and dangerous situation, because you don't have the skills and knowledge to save yourself. No matter how well you actually physically ride, our skills can always be better. Arm yourself, girl...no one can save you but you... HUGS Ang |
