Hey all! I am a new rider and have been riding on a permit for a few weeks now. I am comfortable on my bike (silver and red) but tend to get nervous in traffic. My husband has been teaching me to ride in a control area (he rides a 2004 R1). I know I need to in order to get comfortable and build confidence but alittle nervous because I am still trying to get use to the cluth/ trottle control. Starting on inclines get to me because I don't want to choke out and have people waiting on me. Also I am short 5'3" and I worry about stopping on uneven pavement and dropping my bike. I NEVER thought I would ride but I am loving it so far I just need CONFIDENCE!
Also I am looking for modifications. I would love to lower it an inch but my husband thinks it would be a bad idea due to the handeling issue. Would be great if I could find some thick sole shoes that will give me the height without lowering but no luck. I bought some nitro boots and I couldn't touch the ground so I am stuck wearing my Lugz boots. Anyone know where I can find some good riding boots?
Any suggestions on confidence boosters would be greatly appreciated!

Hey any Utah Riders?

 

hello and welcome!

you could lower the bike an inch. i don;t think it would effect the ridibleity too much. only if you are going to do some serious cruve ridding. if you are going to just cruise then you should be fine.

also icon makes some good boots.

 

Hey welcome, you should post some pics up. What color is it?

 

Hello and welcome to the boards. Congrats on your first bike. The most important thing I can reccomend is to take a MSF class if you haven't already. That will go along way to help with the confidence issue. After that, it just takes doing it. The best way I found to start was at night, when there is less traffic out on the roads. Start small and then once you build up some confidence, go on a ride with your husband in rush hour traffic. You will feel better with someone with you and it's how you get over your fear.

As far as lowering the bike, your husband is 100% right. Do not lower it. Look into boots with a better & thicker soul like you are doing. You can also shave some of the foam off the underside of the seat. That will give you an extra 1/2 inch or so of sitting lower.

 

welcome..I agree with Neon...night time is a great time to learn, good luck with the new bike and get some pics up of her.

 

Here's a good article you should read to decide if you should lower your bike or not: http://sportrider.com/tech/146_0210_lower/

Congrats on the new bike and ride safe

 

Thanks everyone, I went out on the interstate the other morning. My best ride so far. I can't ride at night on my permit. I am waiting in line for the basic motorcycle class. I have a friend that teaches it and he has givn my pointers to practice. The hardest thing is going to be the figure 8 in the box I think.
I am going to look for boots with a higher heel rather then lowering. My husbands lowered my rear shocks preload settingand I am able to touch the ground enough to feel comfortable.
Due to my work hours I don't really ride much during the week and I find myself stiff in turns and my hands go numb alot. My husband tell me to loosen up on the grips alittle and try not to be as tense.

My bike is silver and red..looks a little like clean 929's. I added some girl stickers.."throttle girl" on the tail and "silly boys motorcycles are for girl"s on the front. Not interested in putting too many on and of course a pink ribbon in memory of my aunt.


Thanks for the article Tool.

 

Welcome and congrates, how many miles have you ridin now, and have you installed any mods yet?

 

He is exactly right. Alot of people (espically new riders) get the death grip on the handle bars. I still do every once in awhile. Remember to not hold on to the grips so tight. Use your legs & thighs to support yourself on the tank and use your upper body strength to hold you upright (not your arms & wrists). Keep your elbows bent and kind of move your arms up and down from time to time to relax the tension. Also look into a set of newer & better padded grips for your bike. It all just takes practice and time riding.

 

Just a few stickers if that is consider mods. I also but on some red and black cbr grips, cbr tank pad to match and Black windscreen. Fender eliminator is next.