Learner Rider

My second day of being a motorcyclist was rainy!

I slept in through the only dry part of the day in the morning and had to watch my bike out there on the street under its new cover, begging for attention. But as a two-day-old rider, without any decent wet weather gear, I decided I’d have to leave it be.

Thankfully, the third day rose nice and dry, though today it was Very Windy. Nevertheless, I took a ride around my favourite block a few more times, having to go quite slowly for pedestrians on one of the quieter back streets where university students were pouring out from the Sydney Uni campus.

Throttle control is still not all there yet - I speed up after changing down sometimes, and sometimes go into 1st unnecessarily - which is not a great idea particularly when cars are following. The engine pulls some pretty decent braking power dropping into 2nd and even more into 1st, so it’s possible to deccelerate dramatically without even touching the brakes - meaning no illumination of brake lights either!

Clutch control is getting more confident though… I’ve realised not to be afraid of riding that clutch to keep control when taking off, or driving very slowly. I’m told motorcycles all have many clutch plates for this reason (maybe other reasons too that I’m unaware of).

I’m still quite bad with the indicators as well - this is a problem when driving straight with an indicator un-cancelled - with other traffic not knowing your true intentions. There have been a few occassions I’ve wished for an L plate up front, so traffic might expect the unexpected even from in front of me…

Of course the best thing is to drill it into my muscle memory to flick that switch back to centre after every turn. At three-days old, the task involves actually looking down to visually find and check the switch! Obviously I can’t afford to drop my eyes from the road, so I have to remind myself that the indicator lights on the instrument panel are not as far (visually) away from the road as the switch itself. Keep drilling it in after every turn: (1) go round, (2) cancel indicators… drive on. I’ll get there, but this is clearly a catch for the young player!

And as for the Wind… well, that was also kinda freaking me out - especially when feeling unsteady waiting at traffic lights… gotta keep that foot further out, prop the bike… wouldn’t it look great to let it fall to a gust at the lights? (not!)

But apart from stopped and slow, the wind turns out not too bad. A bit noisier, and more clothes flapping, but quite cosy in the helmet, and the forward bike motion seems to leave the wind for dead… (at least at 50kmph….) Well anyway, the evening traffic was building up around my block, and I’m not yet up for venturing further across the gauntlet of surrounding main streets, so I’m calling that a wrap for today.

Looking forward to tomorrow already of course!