Being overwhelmed by the sensation of speed is a classic symptom of not looking far enough ahead too. Know how when you're driving fence posts far into the distance look like they're barely moving, but if you look at the ones right beside the car they're just a passing blur? If you're not looking far enough ahead you get an amplified sense of speed. And do a search for helmet fitment on Youtube. There are some good videos that I wish I'd seen before I got my first lid.
[QUOTE=wheelsofsteel;5768661]All of the above is fantastic & useful advice! If I where to add my $0.02 I would say spend some time on the freeway &/or longer straighter roads you know ever inch of. I'm not saying stop the parking lot practice! I think the sooner you begin to be calm & more comfortable at higher(highway) speeds you will build up your confidence. also help get used to the noises, wind & traffic. Of coarse DON'T do anything you are not comfortable with doing yet! The fact is that you will be driving over 40mph more often than parking lot speeds, especially with a nice new bike.
Sounds like your doing the right things & asking the right questions so keep putting the miles on & it will only get easier & more enjoyable
Happy riding....
Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app[/QUOTE
I'm getting used to the speeds already. I have been riding on the streets the last few days on my own and It's really not as bad as I thought. Last night I went to my Costco parking lot then I took her and rode around on my local roads and had her up to 55 mph. Was not bad at all but putting the shield down on my helmet helps a bunch. I had it open at first because it kept getting fogged up and I couldn't see. Also, getting low behind the windshield helps lol.
another thing you can do to get a little lower behind the windshield is scoot your ass back in the seat a little bit and actually lay on the tank. it's comfy on the highway I switch between ducking and sitting as high up as I can and letting the wind hold me up as much as possible for long highway hauls.
oh, and you definitely want that visor down at anything like, say... 20+?
I remember one time I really cracked the throttle open from a stop with my visor halfway up. Boy, was that a mistake. The visor grabbed the wind like a sail and damn near beheaded me.
P.S. Nice bike
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I think it might be the wind but why does it seem like I'm going so damn fast when I'm only doing like 35 40mph? I'll be honest, I'm 30 and just bought my first bike k5 750 20th anniversary. I took the training before I got my license bought the bike and then did my research. I admit I did this backwards and maybe I should of bought a slower bike but It's to late to look back now. I haven't done anything stupid and I used to ride little dirt bike in my teens but that's the extent of my experience. I'm practicing at my local Costco parking lot at night and I'm feeling better about riding and more comfy. Still trying to get my turns\steering down. Any tips? Just seems that the wind makes it seem like I'm going faster than I really am or maybe I need to lay on my tank a little more.
I have a feeling that I'm going to get flamed for this thread.
The only time it's "too late to look back" is after you've crashed and are permanently injured. IMHO, sell it and snag a 250 or something like that before it actually is too late to look back.
Also, the Arai helmets have the lock on the front that can be slid over a tad to crack the visor so it still lets a little air through but safely keeps the visor down.
That being said... oh to be a noob again, discovering speed and the openness again. Reminds me of early in high school when a friend announced his new discovery... that white stuff comes out of your penis if you play with it too long.
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Yup, you guys were right. I got a little over 100 miles so far and I guess it was just my nerves at first. Been driving all around my area and i def got used to all the wind. I love riding my bike. I still haven't done anything crazy or taken her past 75 but It's a blast to ride. Low speed maneuvering still sucks but I'll get better and I still need to work on my counter steering but I'm getting there.
When I go on long road trips down the interstate I start finding an indicated 90 feeling slow... but mind you that's with my speedo ~12% off and the cars booking it too.
I think it might be the wind but why does it seem like I'm going so damn fast when I'm only doing like 35 40mph? I'll be honest, I'm 30 and just bought my first bike k5 750 20th anniversary. I took the training before I got my license bought the bike and then did my research. I admit I did this backwards and maybe I should of bought a slower bike but It's to late to look back now. I haven't done anything stupid and I used to ride little dirt bike in my teens but that's the extent of my experience. I'm practicing at my local Costco parking lot at night and I'm feeling better about riding and more comfy. Still trying to get my turns\steering down. Any tips? Just seems that the wind makes it seem like I'm going faster than I really am or maybe I need to lay on my tank a little more.
I have a feeling that I'm going to get flamed for this thread.
Most likely your visual skills and getting used to the feeling of being out in the open. As a few others have said, when you don't look far enough ahead when you are riding then your sensation of speed goes up and it feels like you are going much faster than you really are. The same is true if you allow your vision to narrow down and kind of tunnel.
It is a really good idea to work on improving your visual skills by challenging yourself to look farther ahead. Instead of looking 10-20ft in front, push yourself to look 30-40ft. Then push your visual skills out wider and see more of the total road around you and you will start to see how the sensation of speed changes.
Good luck and ride safe! (you should also look into taking a more advanced riding school, I might know a good one )
Misti
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i didn't even pay attention to his screen name that makes it even better OOPSMYEYE
I'll let him comment on that but i know he has to have a sense of humor about it with a username like that...
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