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Posted by CDNRatMan
- July 11, 2013, 14:45:55 PMAH ok ..then start to practice slow riding and balance.......
Posted by draconarmy
- July 11, 2013, 12:54:28 PMthanks everyone but I think many of you misunderstood. im not riding to Sturgis, she is being trailered there. I was more worried about laying it down at the slow speeds of Sturgis
Posted by chief
- July 11, 2013, 12:15:43 PMYeah, don't go too quick... you really need to ride the bike around in parking lots, around the block, etc. until you are comfortable with it. It is a heavy bike... you need to be able to handle it on hills, corners etc.
My personal opinion is two weeks worth of riding isn't going to get you prepared to ride from Kansas to Sturgis.
First... the winds on the Great Plains is really a problem... the big fenders make it worse. Been there... it will wear you out. Secondly, as you get tired the bike feels like it weighs more.
My recommendation: Put off riding to Sturgis until next year... go in a cage. In the meantime, ride the bike in safe areas until you get used to it. Learn how to pick it up when you drop it... you will drop it... and you really need to learn how to pick it up properly.
Posted by DC
- July 11, 2013, 08:26:19 AMI'm not sure about the buyer's remorse part. The 1500 is a great bike.
I think what you're saying is that you'd rather have more seat time before going on a long ride. If you've taken the MSF course already, then transfer all those exercises to your Drifter in a parking lot at first. Practice stops at different speeds. That's where I had to gain the skill on my Drifter. . . . predicting how the weight will react in different stopping scenarios.
After practicing in the parking lot, then gradually hit some local roads. As my MSF instructor said "Practice Makes Permanent".
Posted by John Hopkins
- July 11, 2013, 07:01:50 AMYes the drifter is not a good bike for a newby, a 250cc might be better..
However..
If you are well rested and the roads are well surfaced and you can keep calm then the long ride to Sturgis will soon have you riding like a pro..
Here are some hint's that will help..
On a long run choose the path that is clearest.
Allow anyone to overtake, ride at a speed that is comfortable.
Do not try to keep up with a group..If you are riding with a group it is their job to ride at the speed of the slowest rider..not the other way round..
Don't try to race..your bike only has a top speed of about 107mph flat out..other bikes can easily go faster than you..
When you are feeling comfortable and the road is smooth, remove one hand from the handlebar, start off by just opening your fingers, then release and hold and release and finally rest your hand on your thigh..This prevents the 'death grip' that tires you out quickly.
Stop and rest and drink when you stop for gas, take a short walk to remove the tension from your legs and back before riding on.
Make sure you know the route before you start because if the other riders go too fast you can catch up at the end of the day..
Don't drink alcohol before or during a ride.
All of the above is common sense but you may think you are under pressure from other riders to do something they do...you are not...
This is your first ride..enjoy it..
John.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- July 11, 2013, 06:59:57 AMWell being Army and so you have to be smart, agile, strong, fit, and you have the power to over come and conquor. Ok that being said, just get comfortable and relax and you will be fine, once you think you have it ace you will be in trouble. Never ride faster then your guardian angel can fly and you are ok. Just remember your ability and what you are comfortable with and ride to that level.
Posted by Bucko
- July 11, 2013, 00:58:29 AMQuote from: draconarmy on July 10, 2013, 21:27:22 PMYour FIL has obviously never ridden a bike half the size of a Drifter.the FIL (father in law) kkeps assuring me that these girls handle like a bike half its size.........am I in trouble?
Posted by draconarmy
- July 10, 2013, 21:27:22 PMso I just got my endorsement last month. about a week after leaving the inlaws house for my new duty station here in Kansas, the father in law calls me about the 1500 I now own. they are going to trailer it up along with his two tone drifter then about a week latler we are supposed to head to Sturgis. now im beginning to worry that I bout way to much bike for my first go, considering im 5' 10" 130lbs soaking wet. Monday will be my first chance to ride (army mandated and funded MSF course) think they got little 250s for us to ride. the FIL (father in law) kkeps assuring me that these girls handle like a bike half its size.........am I in trouble?
*my one saving grace is I am comfortable with manual trannys