An update.....Second time out!

[ekjensen]

Ok, well I promised that I would post an update when I went out riding for my second time, so here it is, LOL!

It was about a month ago that I last got to ride - at least. To remind everyone, I have a YZ125 and am totally new to the world of dirtbikes. The first time out I spent a few hours on it. Well, yesterday we went out again. and spent another few hours out there. Well, actually if you count only riding time, I've probably only spent about 3 hours so far on it.

So my progress to date? I can ride!!!!! Well.....almost, LMAO! The first time out I spent my time mainly figuring out how to flip from side to side on my bike comfortably - figure out how to get from one side to the other, LOL! I can't touch the ground on this bike unless one foot is up in the air. So I had to figure out how to start on one side to kickstart it, then flip to the other side to put it in gear, then find a side that was comfortable to start out on. Anyhow, that was about it.

So since it had been so long since that time, I was worried I had forgotten it - but I hadn't! Yay! So I started out right where I left off. My hubby said that he had been thinking about my last time out and realized that the problem I was having was that I was letting the clutch out too fast. So he got on the bike and showed me how slow to let it out so that I could just go down the road at jogging speed. That was our goal for yesterday. So after watching him a few times, I got on, and he had his hands on the bars standing beside me so that I could totally concentrate on the clutch and throttle and not worry about anything else. He helped out with his hands over mine so I got a good idea, then I did all the controls my self. Anyways by the time we had to go I had gotten to the point where he would run beside me - hardly touching the bike if at all (more as a crutch for my brain, knowing he was there, LOL) and I could toodle down the road!!

I am sooo happy!! I was starting to believe all these people who were telling me that it is too much bike for me to learn on. I hated that! I was starting to believe them. However, I was and am too proud to borrow someone else's bike right away. This is the bike I have, I want to learn on MY bike! So I kept telling my hubby to just let me give it at least 3 or 4 tries on this bike, then if I am not making progress, fine I will borrow another bike, whatever. But if I do make progress, then let me learn on my own bike!

I am soo happy I can do it!!

So now that I am not so worried about the throttle, and not so worried about riding on the bike while it is moving etc, I am going to practice on a smooth start (I can do it sometimes, sometimes not, lol) and stopping too. Then I'll be able to start out, toodle down the road, and stop on my own without dumping the bike, LOL!

Anyways, so that's my update! :)

I'll have more to report this weekend!

aje

 

[MudnRocks]

Great attitude!! Your making good progress. Your husband sounds perfect, encouraging and patient. You go girl.


Kimberly

 

[CaNaDiAn,Eh?]

Hey, I knew you could do it!!! Just remember practice makes perfect. Pretty soon you will be a full out mx racer giving ricky carmicheal a run for his money, lol!!!! Good Job, have fun riding!!!

 

[KDXgirl]

Congratulations! now that youve started you'll pick it up really quick, the first bit is hard, once u get moving you'll be fine.
Its great to see more girls out there giving it a go!

 

[Michelle]

Sorry you thought we were putting you & your bike choice down.
There is one thing you need to realise about both the guys & gals that frequent this forum (esp. the ones that do post) - we're very protective of the gals. There aren't enough of us riding that we want to see someone put off riding by her partner/friend by his choice of bike. We'd rather see someone who wants to go for it, enjoys learning to ride, isn't scared of the bike (yes, it happens plenty).

It may mean some of our posts come across as harsh or the recipient takes it the wrong way, but we go by what info we receive. We're not there, we can't see your expressions as you type (or you ours). Smilies don't always cut the mustard ;)

Anyway, one last thing & I'll get off my soapbox - I learnt mainly on a YZ80 & remember how hard it was to ride - I'd learnt the basics on other bikes. I could cope with it, but not everyone could. Man, I miss that bike sometimes lol

Anyway, good on ya & keep at it. Good to hear you're still keen.

 

[firecracker22]

Good to hear it! I knew you could. You definitely sound like you have the right attitude.

You also sound like you have a great teacher. That will help you out a lot--I never had someone to show me the basics the right way like you do.

Congrats, keep at it, and keep us posted.

 

[ekjensen]

Oh, Michelle, it wasn't this board that I was refering to at all!!! :)

I had quite a few people I know telling me that it was too much bike for me to learn on, they'd say,"That is way too much bike, you should borrow your brother in law's". He has an old honda 4 stroke 200. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to be able to say that I learned on MY bike, that I learned on the YZ125. I really didn't want to borrow my brother in law's. Not to say I wouldn't ever, I just wanted people to give me a chance before telling me what I can and cannot do!

Anyhow, I wasn't at all refering to anything anyone on this board said, so not to worry!! I find all of the posts here really very informative! Especially the women's posts, doesn't matter what you are saying!
I'm sorry my post came across that way, I should have been more clearer.


Anyways, thanks for hte encouragment! Makes me want to go out and do some more riding now! I will be going out again this Sunday.

And I agree, there aren't enough women riders out there. I still get people looking at me strangely wondering "why on earth do you want to do that?" I just respond with,"Why not?? Looks fun to me!" Heck, I didn't let anyone stop before if it is something I want to do, why would I stop now?

I am so glad I picked this awesome sport is all I can say!

My hubby is a great teacher, he'll smile too when I tell him what you all said, I know, LOL!! I have alot of catching up to do before I get to where he is at - if I ever get to that level of riding!

I am one happy rider!

aje

 

[cactusreid]

Keep in mind the lower gearing& flywheel weights that we told you about. they will help you in control the 125 as you learn.( you can easly pull them back off as you progress). my bet is that you leave them on -I ride a GasGas EC 300 with a huge flywheel/lowered gearing,and I love it. Im 44 yr's young,a good (noncompetitive) cross country rider,and this style of dirtbike is the best I've ever been on.Most people in this sport can never use the amount of power that the average dirtbike puts out-so try to tune it in to the type of rideing you do. After all you got into the sport for FUN!!! Enjoy and glad to here of your progress.

 

[dirty~d~]

That's great to hear EK. :thumb: You have a great attitude and, from what it sounds like, a pretty kewl teacher. ;) A little patience and a lot of determination is all that that bike needs. Way to go chica! We expect more ride reports as you progress.