VFR Discussion Group -> yay my first bike

anybody have any tips on rideing they might want to share. This is my first time even on a motorbike, and boy oh boy it's nothing like my mountain bike.

How long have you ridden? Have you taken a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class or are you going it along?

If you took the class, you should have the basics down. Ride is what I say. The more time you put on the saddle the more confidence you'll gain. Keep you weight off your hands by gripping the tank with your knees and at speed push your handlebar grip in the direction you want to corner. I.E. Push up on your left grip to make the bike start left etc.

There are also great books out there to read. One I suggest is Proficent Motorcycling by David Hough. Its a great refrence for a beginner. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Welcome to the family.

Bert

Take a rider course if you haven't already. Read some books. Don't scrimp on good gear. Don't go faster than you feel comfortable. Read 'The Pace' by Nick Ienatch.

I'll echo taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Beginner's Rider Course. It's a great introductory course with both class and range time. Not sure where you are, but you can go to http://www.msf-usa.org to find a local place that conducts the course.

I'll also echo Proficient Motorcycling.

There's a couple sites/forums that are geared towards new riders. One that I learned a lot from and still participate in quite a bit is : http://www.beginnerbikers.org Read the forums, and ask what you need to ask...you'll get good information, and won't get flamed for asking "noob" questions.

Take it easy, don't push your limits, get some training, wear the proper riding gear, don't let more experienced peers pressure you beyond your skill and comfort level (ride your own ride), don't drink and ride, look where you want to go, learn proficient throttle control, practice practice practice evasive maneuvering and braking skills, ride like you're invisible and the few other drivers powerful enough to see you, are out to get you...etc, etc, etc :)

Best of luck to you...keep the rubber side down.

edit:Just reread this, and let me change "don't push your limits" to "be aware of your limits" ... you only improve by pushing your limits...gently...but don't let the desire to keep up with the taillight in front of you or get the headlight that's riding your ass off push you far beyond your limits....be patient with the learning experience...again, Good luck.

I would echo all of the above. Some here have had the VFR as a first street bike but I suspect that a majority of folks here would recommend a more forgiving bike as a first one. It commands nearly a hundred horses, so it can get into sticky situations with less forgiveness time than smaller lighter bikes.

Respect it and it will serve you well.

Oh yeah: welcome aboard. I suspect that you will like it here at this forum.