first time driving a bike this weekend....

[takirb]

finally got my katana 750 back late friday night from the shop, she runs! doesn't idle the greatest, and it's running too rich along with stumbling down low ( i think that's due to the K&N's i installed). anywho, saturday morning i took it out for the first time, what fun!!!! i was a bit scared at first 'cause 35mph feels like 80mph, but it was great! i have the gear changing down pat, and i'm learning how to take turns. it's just weird to me having to be at like 25mph+ to take a sharp turn. i'm not sure if i'm supposed to be going that fast, but that's the only way i can keep from taking the turns too wide and coming close to the ditch on the other side of the road lol it's also taking some getting used to controlling the throttle and clutch with my hand, changing gears with left foot and braking with the right. i have a hard time gearing it down, finding neutral, stopping with the foot pedal and putting my foot down when i come to a stop, all at the same time. but my biggest problem is starting out. i can't seem to start from a dead stop and turn out of a road/driveway without going clear into another lane. any tips or pointers? i'm thinking one reason i'm having a difficult time just starting off is 'cause it bogs so much down low, i have to keep it revved a good bit so it doesn't stall or bog. this is my first drive/ride on any motorcycle of any kind (excluding 4 wheelers, but never even ridden a dirt bike), can't wait to get off work and practice more...

[Range]

congrats....bikes are different then cars...need a fair amount of gas and clutch to get her moving

practice in a BIG parkinglot turning....you should be able to turn at slow speeds....try feathering the clutch a little at slower speeds!
Remember at slow speeds, NEVER use the front brake when the bars are turned...you WILL dump it.
I assume you know the theory of countertseering? At speed, PUSH the direction you want to turn in a corner...the harder you push, the more the bike leans, and VOILA....turns are easy!
you have to ride a bike differently between slow speed parking lot stuff and high speed riding, takes TONS of practice....feel free to ask for help anytime you need something cleared up

[Meikol2]

First off...COOL!

I love my Kat and riding her, welcome to the club.

Now, do what Range said. Please get into the MSF if you haven't signed up already. A lot is to be learned. Sounds like you are letting out the clutch a little fast, while not being ready to turn.

Don't forget to wear gear. Also, do some "carb" searches on the forum, sounds like a little tuning is definetly needed. Did the shop mess with the carbs?

[StraKat]

Like Range said...Practice, Practice, Practice!!! You'll be surprised how fast all the movements
become second nature. But learn the skills you need in a safe environment, there's alot to learn.
Also, be sure and invest in some good gear. Jacket,
gloves, helmet at the least. And wear them ALL THE TIME! Have fun & stay safe.

[WildKat]

Congrats on the kat and welcome to our club ! She'll treat you right, and last you a good long time. 8)

[fulcrum]

Re: first time driving a bike this weekend....

that's the only way i can keep from taking the turns too wide and coming close to the ditch on the other side of the road

Stop looking at the ditch. Seriously. Look where you want to go. And make sure you look up and through the corner. The bike will follow.

i have a hard time gearing it down, finding neutral, stopping with the foot pedal and putting my foot down when i come to a stop, all at the same time.

Okay, brake with the right hand, clutch in, gear down a whole bunch, keep the clutch in and pop your foot down. Then deal with the netrual while stopped, or just keep it in 1st. Your rear (foot) brake does not add a lot to braking as a whole.

but my biggest problem is starting out. i can't seem to start from a dead stop and turn out of a road/driveway without going clear into another lane.

I did that too. You are looking at the line you want to avoid, and as such you are riding straight at it. Yep... seriously. Play around starting and stopping in a straight line as much as you can without corners involved. Once that is sorted, do the start at the corner thing. If really uncomfy, just stop a little early if you can, so that you have a bit of straight before leaning and turning. When turning right from a stationary stop, try looking about 100 yards down the road you are turning into (in your lane), don't look at the road in front of the bike.

One other tip. Practice emergency braking. Ride in a straight line, then bang on the brakes. Start at a slow speed and work your way up. Always brake from the same spot and try to reduce the length of your stopping. At first just clutch in and ignore the gears (change down once stopped). Once you are comfy with that, change down while doing it. Just work at learning the feel of the brakes before you need them.

And as Range said, learn in a big carpark.

[ThAzKat]

Everyone is leading into the right direction. Always practice in a large open area, free from any opsticals. I still find myself working the clutch to find it's grab point with front brake fully aplied and no throttle to insure you remember where the clutch grabs before you go on the road. When the clucth grabs the engine will drop in RPM, release slowly.

Best advice you can ever get is PRACTICE and take the riding school.

[WildKat]

you gotta walk before you can run man. just dont try to practice too much at one time. take each step and get comfortable before you start another one. that last thing u need to have is second guessing urself on something basic when ur learning something more advanced.

[woobie]

Practice practice practice like the others have said, But it sounds like your doing great.

I'd say the most important thing right now is to get the bike running smooth. Your having to pay too much attention to the keeping the bike from bogging and distracting yourself from other things. As a new rider there are far more important things to have to worry about, Like cars .

Go find a nice big empty parking lot and pratice your take offs, and turns from a dead stop to get the hang of things .

[md86]

Besides , it really IS easier to ride a smooth running bike . I fought my carbs for a whole summer , and when I finally got them pretty good , it was MUCH easier taking off from a stop . It's really unnerving when you give it a little throttle and nothing happens , then a little more and you take off ! It's not supposed to act like an on/off switch , but more like a potentiometer , in that it's VARIABLE !

[Meikol2]

quit with the big words, geesh!

[md86]

I like big words , they make me sound smart ! Why use a big word , when a diminuative one will suffice , eh ?

[WildKat]

and sounding intelligent is half the battle!!