first ride on my ridgeback
- Thread starter nick52
- Start date
Kdub
Active Member
Nice bike nick. Some advice I gave a buddy when he first got his ridge....when turning right or left, especially from a complete stop is the feather the clutch. As in get rolling and keep it on the edge of engaged and disengaged. That way if you are going to fast for the turn just pull it in use your rear brake and get back in line before feathering it out again. This is the complete opposite of what your course is going to teach. They say have it all the way and under total power before you start your turn. The problem is they aren't riding bikes that are 9 feet long and produce 100 horse. I find this way is a lot easier since these bikes produce so much torque.
nick52
Member
kdub
thanks im practicing feathering or slipping the clutch thru a turn from a complete stop but wasnt using my rearbrake until i got a pm just earlier where another member pointed out i should be dragging my rear brake thru the turn keeps the bike in control and keeps it upright
thanks ive learned the most from you guys we ride the same bikes you guys can actually teach me more than they can when it comes to these bikes which are in a class of their own
so thank you for taking the time to point these things out to me
keep the shiny side up
thanks im practicing feathering or slipping the clutch thru a turn from a complete stop but wasnt using my rearbrake until i got a pm just earlier where another member pointed out i should be dragging my rear brake thru the turn keeps the bike in control and keeps it upright
thanks ive learned the most from you guys we ride the same bikes you guys can actually teach me more than they can when it comes to these bikes which are in a class of their own
so thank you for taking the time to point these things out to me
keep the shiny side up
That's all you gotta focus on! Keep the tires under you :2thumbs:
The rest will come with saddle time pretty soon you wont even think about what your doing it comes natural!
Olddoger
Member
Hey Nick, congrats on the bike. I just got my Pitbull 3 weeks ago and love it. Put about 750 miles on so far. 175 yesterday. Since I live in the sunshine state riding everyday is a givin. Been riding all my life, 64 now and finally got a chopper and never thought I would. FYI, take it slow and use the clutch, it's your best friend! The course is a great thing, but good ole common sense goes a long way. Mix them and you'll do fine. Bob
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RAW Blue Rider
Active Member
Ridgebacks Rule!!
Congrats and Happy Motoring!
RAW
Congrats and Happy Motoring!
RAW
nick52
Member
yes they do! thanks fellas
another suggestion when you are doing slow turns is to hang your ass off the opposite side for counter-balance. also helps to keep it upright.
Fibersnake
Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
Great looking bike and know that you will enjoy it greatly the more you get out and ride. Taking the MSF course is a very good idea, especially if you are a new rider (even old riders will get something out it). You may want to go to their site and get some good tips and information also.
A few things I would recommend, learn counter steering properly and you will be able to take corners and turns much better than you could ever imagine.
Learn to use both your brakes evenly when stopping and the rear properly for entering some curves.
Keep you eyes focused ahead but do not get distracted and look at somewhere you do not want to go. beleave me, you bike will go where you heads goes is you are not careful. Be surprised how many have drove off a road, missed a turn, or ran into to something for the simple reason they paid to much attention to something on the side and got focused on it.
Assuming the traffic around you will do the most unepected things. Be prepared for the fool to pull into your lane, cut you off, throw something out the window without knowing you are there. Ride smart and safe at all time and even when situation push your limits, stay calm, do not let road rage get you or get in a pissing contest with a cager (laws of gross tonnage).
Wear proper protective gear. No matter how cool it is to be out there in t-shirt, Ray-Bans, shorts and sneakers with novelty helmet (which many of us do even when we know better-me included except shorts), when you go down, after they are scrubbing your torn skin and road rash with a stainless steel brush, or you have no palm left on your hand, or blinded in one eye, cannot remember the time of day or your name, it is too late to say, I should have worn some protective gear like good leather, boots, proper goggles, gloves, helment. Even more important as a new rider, smart for an old rider (but sometimes we are not the smartest - ;-)
Most importantly, ride your ride to your skill level and abilities. If riding with other, do not be shy to let them know you are new, most riders will respect that and try to keep things a little more to those skills.
Have fun and enjoy the open road, safely and for many miles and years to come.
A few things I would recommend, learn counter steering properly and you will be able to take corners and turns much better than you could ever imagine.
Learn to use both your brakes evenly when stopping and the rear properly for entering some curves.
Keep you eyes focused ahead but do not get distracted and look at somewhere you do not want to go. beleave me, you bike will go where you heads goes is you are not careful. Be surprised how many have drove off a road, missed a turn, or ran into to something for the simple reason they paid to much attention to something on the side and got focused on it.
Assuming the traffic around you will do the most unepected things. Be prepared for the fool to pull into your lane, cut you off, throw something out the window without knowing you are there. Ride smart and safe at all time and even when situation push your limits, stay calm, do not let road rage get you or get in a pissing contest with a cager (laws of gross tonnage).
Wear proper protective gear. No matter how cool it is to be out there in t-shirt, Ray-Bans, shorts and sneakers with novelty helmet (which many of us do even when we know better-me included except shorts), when you go down, after they are scrubbing your torn skin and road rash with a stainless steel brush, or you have no palm left on your hand, or blinded in one eye, cannot remember the time of day or your name, it is too late to say, I should have worn some protective gear like good leather, boots, proper goggles, gloves, helment. Even more important as a new rider, smart for an old rider (but sometimes we are not the smartest - ;-)
Most importantly, ride your ride to your skill level and abilities. If riding with other, do not be shy to let them know you are new, most riders will respect that and try to keep things a little more to those skills.
Have fun and enjoy the open road, safely and for many miles and years to come.
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JR03CHOPPER
Well-Known Member
Nice Bike. Congratulations again. Stay safe.
BigDogBro1
Made in the USA
I know the feeling and it was GREAT the first time out....ENJOY! Welcome!
Ray
Well-Known Member
Agrees ,, I call mine the "Scooter", with a slow southern dr a w ! T h a S c ooooo ter! You will love it as you get more used to it. I end to let my right heal feel the road going into right hand turns , keeps the pipes off the ground too. As you get more used to it it will become second nature. People ask me what it like to ride a ridged frame and I always try to look surprised like I didn't know it didn't have shocks on it.
It is not a trail rider for sure. The first time I rode the Dragon on it I talked myself out of a ticket clocked at double the speed limit. Keep a tender on it in cold weather, keep it clean, and enjoy tha Scooter to the very fullest!Congrats!!
Ray :flag:
nick52
Member
thanks fibersnake,
i have the protective gear gloves boots and a jacket the jacket is a little loud in its graphics but it has the armor, helmet i have the dot approved, and i have the half shell which i dont wear to often till i get comfortable, and yes i look where i want the bike to go i stay expecting the worst from cagers im familliar with road rash, scrape with cops, and lastly ive had many offers to ride with guys and i do let them know im green dont want to ruin anyones time on the road or hold anyone back everyone here has been very supportive i couldnt be happier to be here talking with you guys
thanks
standuprick
Active Member
Congrats on the new and first bike. Just take it easy on it. Speed in turns will kill you. Very expensive bike to wreck. Enjoy your new freedom. Ive been riding dirtbikes since 14 and street since 18. Im almost 45. Wrecking is the worst. Ride your limits and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new freedom.
outdoorsman26
Well-Known Member
after riding for 9yrs I broke down and took the saftey course and learned alot!!! ya I rode up on my mastiff and the other people looked at me, but f'em in the end I was able to help others and recieved help from the instructors!!! my advise is to get out of the city and just cruise thru the country at YOUR pace, get to learn it and you will love it!!.
take your time and have fun!!!!!!!!
take your time and have fun!!!!!!!!
nick52
Member
well fellas the safety class is almost done, i had to go 3 consecutive fridays this friday i had to go thru major changes to get there had to drive my wife to work then come home, and head out east this friday coming im taking my bike i should get some looks when i pull in i think ill take a lap around the course, i am learning alot and these small bikes are okay and in the end ill be licensed but i think the course offers alot for a new rider as well as the one with experience