Learning To Ride

Hi all
I'm wanting some advice really, similar to earlier!
I'm needing to consider motorbike to work along the motorway about 70 mile return journey. Being female, short-5ft I'm considering Honda Shadow 750 Spirit but want to do direct assess course all at once! what do you think is best & most cost effective way to get into this?
Advice would be helpful  

I felt exactly the same way about my v-star 650 when I first got it.  I've got about 1200 miles on it.  I have no problem going 65 now, but it was pretty unnerving for the first 500 miles or so.  I don't know if a heavier bike would be more stable in the wind, but I do like how nimble my 650 is in city traffic.

I have been riding without a windshield, which may have been part of my problem early on.

But you definitely get much more comfortable with your machine after 1000 miles.  It's like night and day.  

Well, it's comforting to know that I am not the only person having this problem.  I can say that I have gotten to the point where I'm reasonably comfortable at 65 - 70 mph, very comfortable at 60 - 65 mph.  Now, I have got to work on my cornering at higher speeds.  I sometimes ride with a friend who is a very experienced rider, and I fall way behind in areas where there are a lot of curves.

Next week, I am planning on test riding a 1300.  Stay in touch, and I will let you know if I feel more stable at higher speeds.  

Encouragement to all. It's not the bike, it's the developing biker that you're dealing with. Push the envelope cautiously, and in a few years you'll find yourself comfortable on  most any bike.  I still occasionally take my old KLR-250 out on the highway, and it's a fly weight.  The difference is experience, and you'll get there.  

I couldn't agree more.  For those of you who are thinking about getting a bigger bike to try and offset the wind factor, learn to ride with the wind first.  Sooner or later you will always come across a 2 lane road with a semi going Mach oh my god in the other lane and you will get blown into the shoulder, or close to.  Learn how to ride in all conditions and it will benefit you as a rider in the long run!

Be Safe
Kirk  

Just so you know...and anyone else who is struggling with a smaller, lighter bike on the highway...I did buy a VTX1300R and riding this bike is 30 - 40% different than my previous 750.

It is so much more stable, so much more solid feeling.  Highway riding is a lot more fun with it.  

I ride a 1800 suzuki boulevard m109. I also had issues riding on the highway in the beginning. I ended up buying a windshield from suzuki which sucked, didn't help. Then I brought one from rifle.com they make some good windshields and it works nice. I just came back from vacation did 3600miles and had no issues.  

A final comment.  I bought a Honda VTX1300R, and I've got to tell you that it has made a world of difference in my riding.  It is so much more stable and smooth than my 750.  Find out for yourself, but if you can afford a larger, more expensive ride, I suggest you go for it!  

SHIELD:  You put a windshield on a M109R?  That's a very naughty NO NO.  (same goes for the V-Rod, VTX1800F, Warrior, etc)  This is the equivalent of putting a trailer hitch and luggage rack on a Ferrari!!!1

Indadman:  congrats on the VTX1300.  That is a very nice ride.  

indadman:
I had never been on a motorcycle until taking a motorcycle safety class in June.  I eventually bought a used Honda 750 Shadow Aero, which I really like.

I started out training in my own neighborhood, spent a lot of time in a parking lot just learning to successfully turn from a stopped position.  

After a little over 800 miles on my bike, I'm pretty good in the city.  At the same time, I have not been able to get comfortable at highway speeds.  I feel unstable at anything over about 55 mph, and grooved payment really bothers me.

So my question to all of you veteran riders is this...do I just need to keep pushing the envelope relative to highway speed, or is my bike tool light?  Or put another way, would I feel more comfortable, more secure on a larger, heavier bike?

Any thoughts you might have are appreciated.

Two weeks ago I purchased a 2007 Boulevard.  It has been 35 years since I was on a bike ( a 250cc)  This is a much larger bike than I remember.  Like the other person I  am taking sub-division streets, parking lots, and country roads.  I have two concerns, though.  One, when I shift I jerk and secondly, the turn signal does not click offafter a turn.  Is it lack of experience or am I doing something wrong.  Thans for any advice.  

Yeah just keep on ridin.it.I started ridin this year in april.allready 6k on my 06 shadow aero 750.  

Further more,this is my first motorcycle,and only the third one I've ever ridin.Learned on a rebel 250.Rode my father-in-laws,1100 v-star,then got my 750.No windshield on it.I ride almost every day of the week,to and from work,about60 to 80 miles,depending on which way I go.Two highways to chose from, Two different speeds to pick,weather also plays a factor on it as well.So honestly just keep on ridin it,if your not comfy on a small bike,do you really think it going to be any different on a bigger one? Oh by the way I've gotten it up to about 90mph on a grooved highway,faster is better.Keep it on two wheels,and ride safe.  

I recently bought my first bike, a Yamaha Virago 750.  I've got just over 1200 miles of riding experience and I just had my 28th anniversary of my 29th birthday.  I know how you feel.  My daily commute is nine miles of insane ppl doing anywhere between 65 and 80 on a highway that has a 55mph posted speed limit.  My best tip is this... Wear a full-face helmet any time you're going to travel at over 45 mph... Obviously Full Face is safer at ANY speed, but it really helps you concentrate on the important stuff when you can close the face shield and calm the wind.  

I have been ridding since I was 16. Started with a honda 90 and worked my way up. Back then the biggest bike besides harley was a honda 450. Now I am 58 and ride a harley low rider screamin' eagle. I have had 12 bikes over the years and found that a big cruiser is the most comfortable for me. I am currently looking for either a yamaha stratoliner or harley roadking. I think the best thing for you to do is get the time in the saddle. You will always have wind   buffeting on big highways, especially interstates. when a tractor and trailer passes you or you come up behind one. Just be careful and their is nothing like experience. Happy ridding  

ok i need a little advise im 6 ft 270 lbs and i want to learn how to ride can you all tell me if i should go to a riding school or buy a bike and teach my self i can ride just never had a bike and also what would be the best bike to start with given my size