what first?

[Wes Hopkins]

Hi Gang, This past weekend I picked up my new (to me) 03. I haven't been on a bike in many years, and when I used to ride it was in the dirt on my little XR. (I'm 26, so it wasn't *that* long ago, but still....) Needless to say, street isn't dirt. I've been reading the provincial Motorcycle Handbook, following this email group, and quizzing a buddy of mine who's been riding for a few years. I've also signed up for a proper bike safety course but that doesn't start until next month. Still, after talking with Ed in a seperate email I realized that I haven't quite slipped into my motorcycle mindset yet, and I can probably benefit greatly from the combined wisdom of the group. That said, what would your best riding tips be for staying safe and having fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just give a new rider one piece of advice, what would it be?) Also, any riders up in the Ottawa area? Many thanks! Wes [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[don cain]

Ride like no one can see you.............. -don

On 4/13/05, Wes Hopkins wrote: > > Hi Gang, > > This past weekend I picked up my new (to me) 03. I haven't been on a bike > in many years, and when I used to ride it was in the dirt on my little XR. > (I'm 26, so it wasn't *that* long ago, but still....) > > Needless to say, street isn't dirt. I've been reading the provincial > Motorcycle Handbook, following this email group, and quizzing a buddy of > mine who's been riding for a few years. I've also signed up for a proper > bike safety course but that doesn't start until next month. > > Still, after talking with Ed in a seperate email I realized that I haven't > quite slipped into my motorcycle mindset yet, and I can probably benefit > greatly from the combined wisdom of the group. > > That said, what would your best riding tips be for staying safe and having > fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just give a new rider one piece of > advice, what would it be?) > > Also, any riders up in the Ottawa area? > > Many thanks! > > Wes > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > >

[Doug Krogel]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, don cain wrote:

> Ride like no one can see you.............. >

Ride like all the cagers can see you ... and they're trying to kill you. Doug.

> -don > > > On 4/13/05, Wes Hopkins wrote: > > > > Hi Gang, > > > > This past weekend I picked up my new (to me) 03. I haven't been

on a bike

> > in many years, and when I used to ride it was in the dirt on my

little XR.

> > (I'm 26, so it wasn't *that* long ago, but still....) > > > > Needless to say, street isn't dirt. I've been reading the

provincial

> > Motorcycle Handbook, following this email group, and quizzing a

buddy of

> > mine who's been riding for a few years. I've also signed up for

a proper

> > bike safety course but that doesn't start until next month. > > > > Still, after talking with Ed in a seperate email I realized that

I haven't

> > quite slipped into my motorcycle mindset yet, and I can probably

benefit

> > greatly from the combined wisdom of the group. > > > > That said, what would your best riding tips be for staying safe

and having

> > fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just give a new rider one

piece of

> > advice, what would it be?) > > > > Also, any riders up in the Ottawa area? > > > > Many thanks! > > > > Wes > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > Archive Quicksearch at:

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html

> > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >

[mrodub]

Ya, you must stay alert at ALL times. Anything can happen at any time. Scan the road ahead for potential problems, and yes, that SUV will pull out infront of you when you least expect it. I don't mean to scare you, but most of the bike accidents I've heard of have been due to lack of attention. But off-road, it's just you and Mother Earth. Have Fun! Mike

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Doug Krogel" wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, don cain wrote: > > Ride like no one can see you.............. > > > Ride like all the cagers can see you ... and they're trying to kill > you. > > Doug. > > > > -don > > > > > > On 4/13/05, Wes Hopkins wrote: > > > > > > Hi Gang, > > > > > > This past weekend I picked up my new (to me) 03. I haven't been > on a bike > > > in many years, and when I used to ride it was in the dirt on my > little XR. > > > (I'm 26, so it wasn't *that* long ago, but still....) > > > > > > Needless to say, street isn't dirt. I've been reading the > provincial > > > Motorcycle Handbook, following this email group, and quizzing a > buddy of > > > mine who's been riding for a few years. I've also signed up for > a proper > > > bike safety course but that doesn't start until next month. > > > > > > Still, after talking with Ed in a seperate email I realized that > I haven't > > > quite slipped into my motorcycle mindset yet, and I can probably > benefit > > > greatly from the combined wisdom of the group. > > > > > > That said, what would your best riding tips be for staying safe > and having > > > fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just give a new rider one > piece of > > > advice, what would it be?) > > > > > > Also, any riders up in the Ottawa area? > > > > > > Many thanks! > > > > > > Wes > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > > > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

[matteeanne@yahoo.com]

Actually, most accidents happen with people who are not familiar with a bike (noobs, or people who borrow other peoples bikes) Just be overy cautious for the first six months. Hedge on the side of caution. The first and formost place you could blow it is taking a corner faster than you know how, or the bike is capable of. Wait till you know it like you wife before you try to get it on. You have a great bike btw Sean A-18, extremly tired from a grizzling 200 mile ride in the Olympic Mountains in a world class storm, I am in bliss after a couple of frosty's..... --- mrodub wrote:

> > > Ya, you must stay alert at ALL times. Anything can > happen at any > time. Scan the road ahead for potential problems, > and yes, that SUV > will pull out infront of you when you least expect > it. > I don't mean to scare you, but most of the bike > accidents I've heard > of have been due to lack of attention. > But off-road, it's just you and Mother Earth. > Have Fun! > > Mike > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Doug Krogel" > wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, don cain > wrote: > > > Ride like no one can see you.............. > > > > > Ride like all the cagers can see you ... and > they're trying to kill > > you. > > > > Doug. > > > > > > > -don > > > > > > > > > On 4/13/05, Wes Hopkins wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi Gang, > > > > > > > > This past weekend I picked up my new (to me) > 03. I haven't > been > > on a bike > > > > in many years, and when I used to ride it was > in the dirt on my > > little XR. > > > > (I'm 26, so it wasn't *that* long ago, but > still....) > > > > > > > > Needless to say, street isn't dirt. I've been > reading the > > provincial > > > > Motorcycle Handbook, following this email > group, and quizzing a > > buddy of > > > > mine who's been riding for a few years. I've > also signed up > for > > a proper > > > > bike safety course but that doesn't start > until next month. > > > > > > > > Still, after talking with Ed in a seperate > email I realized > that > > I haven't > > > > quite slipped into my motorcycle mindset yet, > and I can > probably > > benefit > > > > greatly from the combined wisdom of the group. > > > > > > > > That said, what would your best riding tips be > for staying safe > > and having > > > > fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just > give a new rider > one > > piece of > > > > advice, what would it be?) > > > > > > > > Also, any riders up in the Ottawa area? > > > > > > > > Many thanks! > > > > > > > > Wes > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > > >

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html

> > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: > www.dualsportnews.com > > > > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: >

http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html

> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: > www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > > >

__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/

[John Eickerman]

What I did 5 years ago after I bought my brand spanking new SV650 was to ride it around the neighborhood for the first couple weeks to get use to the bike and not have to worry about traffic too much. Once I got comfortable with it, I got on busier streets and went faster. Getting on the interstate and going 55-60, I thought I was going to get blown off the bike! Now, I just smile back to those days. I took the MSF course before I bought the bike, and I had NEVER ridden a motorcycle before taking the course, and excelled at the class. I was hooked when I hit the starter button for the first time. So, ride around slowly, get use to the bike, leave your high beam on during the day and watch out for others. Enjoy your new ride! John Eickerman Seattle

[Bill Emmack]

Just this morning I was almost creamed by a Big Ass Truck that didn't even slow down for his red light as I entered the intersection with a full green light. Luckily he slowed down *a little bit* to make a right turn into my lane, so my reflexes were sufficient to save my hide. When I caught up with him a block later, he said (what else?), "Sorry, I didn't see you!" "I know! You were too busy running a red light!" Be alert. The world needs more lerts. BE SF, A9 --- John Eickerman wrote:

> > What I did 5 years ago after I bought my brand spanking new SV650 was > > to ride it around the neighborhood for the first couple weeks to get > use to the bike and not have to worry about traffic too much. Once I > > got comfortable with it, I got on busier streets and went faster. > Getting on the interstate and going 55-60, I thought I was going to > get > blown off the bike! Now, I just smile back to those days. I took > the > MSF course before I bought the bike, and I had NEVER ridden a > motorcycle before taking the course, and excelled at the class. I > was > hooked when I hit the starter button for the first time. > > So, ride around slowly, get use to the bike, leave your high beam on > during the day and watch out for others. > > Enjoy your new ride! > > John Eickerman > Seattle > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > >

__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/

[Michael T]

C who? Michael T 02 KLR650 A16 85 Venture Royale AMA222213 lasvegasrider@... -----Original Message----- From: don cain [mailto:dlcain@...] Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 6:39 PM To: Wes Hopkins Cc: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Tips for a noob Ride like no one can see you.............. -don

On 4/13/05, Wes Hopkins wrote: > > Hi Gang, > > This past weekend I picked up my new (to me) 03. I haven't been on a > bike in many years, and when I used to ride it was in the dirt on my little XR. > (I'm 26, so it wasn't *that* long ago, but still....) > > Needless to say, street isn't dirt. I've been reading the provincial > Motorcycle Handbook, following this email group, and quizzing a buddy > of mine who's been riding for a few years. I've also signed up for a > proper bike safety course but that doesn't start until next month. > > Still, after talking with Ed in a seperate email I realized that I > haven't quite slipped into my motorcycle mindset yet, and I can > probably benefit greatly from the combined wisdom of the group. > > That said, what would your best riding tips be for staying safe and > having fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just give a new rider > one piece of advice, what would it be?) > > Also, any riders up in the Ottawa area? > > Many thanks! > > Wes > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ > courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Yahoo! Groups Links

[Stuart Mumford]

> -----Original Message----- > That said, what would your best riding tips be for staying safe and having > fun on my new bike? (or, if you could just give a new rider one piece of > advice, what would it be?) > > > Wes

Hi Wes, my one piece of advice for a new rider is "Just because you can twist it that far doesnt mean you should". Ride fast and take chances, CA Stu

[Chris]

ATGATT, All The Gear, All The Time. Get full gear head to toe, proper armored riding gear. Full gear means that with most beginner mistakes, you pick up the bike and go home, has worked for me once already Then take the MSF or similar Beginning Rider's Course. I took a 15yr break in riding before buying my KLR a couple years ago and the course was the best thing I ever did. I'm sure it has saved my skin more than a few times since. I decided not to ride until I took the course and discovered that I was much rustier in skills than I'd even imagined. Also, another tip, with MSF, most of the courses are Fri evening, Sat, Sun. You can just walk in with your course registration slip or exact change in cash and get on the stand-by list in case there is a no-show. I got there two hours early and walked right into the first class available in my area...which is on paper, booked for months in advance. Rainy weekends are a better bet, at least around here, most people won't show in the rain.