First Road Ride

So I have successfully completed my motorcycle training and safety course to get my endorsement to get my motorcycle license.

It has been a grueling 3 weeks to get back on a motorcycle again. Through a unique opportunity I have a chance to train with a veteran rider and use the other motorcycle the family owns. It is a win win situation where the motorcycle gets used and won't go to waste and I get to learn the road on a motorcycle.

I have been well prepared and ordered all my gear for the opportunity to ride. I bought a full face helmet because that is what I wanted to wear when I started and a full padded Cordura jacket with my gloves and heavy boots (later I found I need protective pants too).

These are the bike as we got ready to go.

I will tell you three weeks doesn't seem like a long time however it was almost like re-learning what I already learned. One thing I did not take the time to practice was the friction zone of this "new to me" motorcycle. Ever motorcycle is different and I had learned the motorcycle in my training course so well it was hard to re-learn a new machine.

Not even 2 minutes on the motorcycle and I turned the throttle too much and laid the bike down in the neighbors yard across the street.

*Note to self, play with the clutch and throttle to figure friction zone, OK got it*

Once back up we hit the road.

I had never been on an incline before on a motorcycle when we have come to an state highway intersection. The result was that I dumped the clutch and smashed the throttle. Well what happens when you fall back from the handle bars? You grasp the throttle to hang on because the right handle bar controls the throttle. Needless to say I laid the bike down in the middle of the intersection pinning my leg up against the rear fender. As I laid there waiting for James to return and help me up I again thought to myself...

*Note to self, play with the clutch and throttle to figure friction zone, OK got it*

Here is what happen to my boot, pants and leg.

My boot was missing part of the front tip leather and my pants have abrasions on them. The fender had taken a deep cut out of my leg which I had to shave around to get the band aids to stick to. My knee which took the impact of the weight as I went to the right side was very swollen and hurt to walk on for awhile. However no major damage to me or the motorcycle thanks to the engine guards which were in place on the frame for protection.

After all that we continue to ride on our way to eat dinner at a local Diner. Total trip was around 60 miles that day.

I made it back to the house and continue to ride for another day.

Moral here is to practice your friction zone, learn your bike, and keep your mind free of panic to ride safe.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

The Start of my further Interest: Motorcycle Lessons

So in reflection of the gas prices getting higher I started to find interest in motorcycles to curb the economy strain from the pump. So I decide to look around at options for learning how to ride a motorcycle because I have never done so previously. I found that my local Harley Davidson Dealership offers a course put on by the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) offering this course every week and weekend. Nice thing about this class it that is can be offered after typical work hours for most people.
Through out this course students learn the mechanics of riding a motorcycle, the road rule, and general concepts of safe riding techniques. Well the course will not teach a student everything it is much more in depth then learning on your own, also as of June 2009 the course is required by law to get your motorcycle lessons.

The course offers you a chance to ride on a real motorcycle. If any who have never ridden before starts this course the 500cc Buell Blast (picture below) looks like a monster when you first start. By the end of the class the same motorcycle looks like a little puppy dog.

Each motorcycle has the students name placed on them to identify both the rider and the motorcycle when you enter the driving range for you two days of learning.

Many people find that two days are not enough, I believe the same.

I feel the class should be a full week of riding and learning the concepts, however I understand cost and maintenance of the program would be expensive if that were the case. A ride must ride about every week to keep skills up and once out of the class a student must be able to ride a motorcycle.

The class offers a limited rental of a motorcycle from the dealer for 50% off which can be used to rent any particular motorcycle within 30 days, which is a pretty sweet deal.

All in all the course was a ton of fun and I highly recommend every rider takes the course.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02