What happens if you can't handle a middleweight motorcycle, then, buy a heavyweight motorcycle. www.ridelikeap... www.motorcycle... www.tabperform... / ride.like.a.pro.inc
I think being happy on the bike (it shows) having fun even while taking a class is great .. Priscilla has it then add Jerry's generous teaching skill.. is a winning combination.
The old man that taught me to drive tractor-trailers always said "Every problem has a reason for existing. Figure out the reason & you've solved half the problem. The rest is just working out the solution."
That was impressive. She went from barely being able to take off to rockin those cones. Funny how people think a bigger bike is "upgrading." There is something to be said for heavy bikes being good at interstate travel, but for doing anything with finesse, lighter is better.
I want to get back on the road. It has been 30 years so I bought an old 250 cruiser to get my sea legs back. I think a person should start out light for safety.
I started on an '05 dyna low rider and I agree with you. I dropped my bike many times. It's possible to start on a big bike but not what I would recommend
Great video! Same here with regards to law enforcement motorcycle riding instruction, “get your braking done before the corner “, “stay in line with the motorcycle, we don’t lean to the inside “. My riding went up 50% after studying these techniques. To bad this wasn’t taught in motor school
You are a good teacher. I taught my self to ride in the back yard going around trees on a Honda twin. This young lady is riding a bike 4 times the weight as the Honda I learned on.
That issue with the rear brake made me wonder if maybe the brake pedal on the Chief needed adjusting. But Priscilla made great strides with the Sportster. Glad to see somebody make such great improvement in just one day!
I have the 04 Road King, I'm not used to using the brake pedal for anything other than stopping. I'm learning it is great to control speed while keeping power to the rear wheel. I'm always surprised at how little power it takes to go slow and steady. I had that experience again today waiting in traffic. I'm getting to the point where every time I slow to crawling my foot is already on the rear brake and it surprises me each time. I don't even use brake pressure all the time anymore, I'm better at controlling the clutch and throttle but I can creep in traffic without putting my feet down now.
I literally dont understand why people want to buy such big bikes for beginners. Always start with something small till you get better. My friend almost layed my husbands road king cause he couldnt handle a bigger bike than he thought
I may be wrong but I started out with a little 125 cc single. All I was allowed to ride on was the local gravel roads and the trails around the farm. “Yes”, I fell down or sled out a few times but I learned motorcycle dynamics. Throttle control and brake coordination was amplified on dirt and sand. I think the next big learning experience came with a few track days on a 750 cc inline four. From my experience a small bike until needed basics are learned. On a motorcycle you must crawl before you can walk. You don’t know how fast you can go till you fall down.
I love the people who buy a Road King, then learn how to ride. It is my opinion that everyone should start out on a dirt bike or at least a Rebel 250. People are too cought up on looking cool.
Riders put their feet down without thinking that the bike weighs much more than they do. I've known at least 1 rider who after doing that caught his ankle on the bag breaking it which resulted in many months of recovery after a surgery repair. She is a fast learner, fights that instinct, and made much improvement from great instruction.
@@motorman857 sadly about 250 miles / 5 hour one-way trip from Dallas or East Texas. I bought your DVD a long time ago and will have to get it out and go do the work. Your posts are very encouraging, thank you.
She definitely has the right attitude, and fearless about leaning. 3.5 hours of doing training would wear anyone out, I don't blame her. Nice of you to give/sell her the one on one, since you see her potential. Jayman...
I love these videos but it takes me back to that horrible day when I went through the beginner class to get my M endorsement. I did that day on my road king, I made so many mistakes and I knew what was happening but the stress of someone watching me just made things so much worse. Not to mention the over $5000 of upgrades and engine work I paid the following week. The 12" bars were a huge improvement for my size, the new cam chain tensioner replacement that was needed after the class, well it was an upgrade I guess haha. Anyway I was riding shortly after on a main side street in my parents neighborhood and I came to a closed street and made a u-turn without any thought. In that stupid class I was so tense I could barely do it. I probably had 30 feet but did it much tighter than that. I don't measure things that stress picks up but I can tell by how far I lean the bike and just common sense that tells you how tight it was, no problems. Every ride is a practice session for me though, I try to push myself a little more each time and learn something new each ride. This doesn't apply to this class but I did notice I wasn't using counter-steer enough, corners are so much better now. I'm finally adjusting to the new friction zone and throttle sensitivity, I think that was probably more difficult than any other change. I might still do some fine tuning on my cables, yes cables I ride an '04, I'd probably like to loosen up the throttle a little more, it is still a bit sensitive and it is the same for my clutch. I may just get used to it as it though. Thanks for the vids J! The improvements she made that day were amazing, the weight, as you said, is intimidating at first, but learn what you are doing and you soon find out it doesn't matter much.
I could never take one of these classes for that very reason- somebody is watching, waiting for me to screw up. I know when I screw up, I don't need someone to tell me. What I would really like though is a nice big flat parking lot to practice in.
@@spartanx169x Those are all over the place, just find one. Today I was stuck in a parking lot behind a bunch of people looking for a parking spot and I clicked it into neutral...oops I was making a very tight uturn and by the time I got back into first gear I brushed the curb. Oops hahaha. No big deal, it could have been though. Every turn is practice, every red light is practice, every stop sign is practice. Today again at a red light I was going as slow as I could wagging the handlebars back n forth, I eased the throttle and the clutch and it went straight, those kind of moments really teach you to use the clutch and throttle, maybe a bit of rear brake. It surprises me how the bike steady's up as soon as you put the smallest amount of power to the rear wheel. Always work on it, try it, watch the videos and every ride is practice. Keep it up!
I think the biggest thing that people don't realize is that the faster you go in a turn the wider you go. that is why you use your rear brake so you don't go too fast. this is really important when you are on a hill. uphill is easy but down hill you gain speed and the only way to slow it down is with the rear brake.
I taught my ride how to ride and then she took a mc class to get her endorsement, iwould like to see her take advanced riding class, i taught her the friction zone but for some reason she was struggling with it in class. We went to the HD dealer parking lot where they were giving the class after the first day and went thru it multiple times. She passed with no problems. Friction zones is every thing at slow maneuvers.
I learned many years ago my fear of leaning wasn’t as great as my fear of crashing. There has been times I’ve said oh shit too fast and leaned that bike until sparks were flying. I was scared but I knew what I had to do.
Under great guidance, Priscilla improved considerably during this video. Can you say Jerry, if she went away afterwards, did the homework suggested and progressed another level?
Can i comment on your friction zone explanation? I have a 2022 Indian chief and the friction zone on that bike is up high. It is very hard to pinpoint it...Interestingly enough the 2023 versions of the bike have an improved friction zone like a sport bike lower end one....which is intersting
He had her using the curb to learn cluth control. A wall is better...put your front wheel on a wall, slip the clutch out without stalling or spinning the back tire.
Hi Jerry. There were times I can full lock for two to three seconds but getting scared in an instant to fall. Any tips to prolong the full lock? Thanks.
Can you get a bike licence in America without a practical test? In Australia skills like the slow race and cone weave need to be demonstrated and passed before you're allowed to ride on a public road.
Yes the bike is too big but the lady is really trying and she has made great progress! Hats off to her. What I don't understand is didn't she have to go through these slow turn manoeuvres and all the other basic riding skills like friction zone, brakes etc, during the initial training in order to get her driving licence?
Yep it's the case again of getting a big bike that you don't know how to ride. As you say Jerry in the US so many peeps only do the basic msf course & then buy baggers & have no idea how to ride them. Should be mandatory (like in my country) to do not only basic bike courses, but also midsize size & large cruiser / bagger classes before buying big bikes.
Wow, she is making great progress! I have a soft spot for fellow Indian riders. I have one of your videos and will make the pilgramage down to Tampa for an in person class, went to A&P school in Clearwater and love the area. Thank you for making us better riders.
there are certain things a motorcycle should not have. a phone holder, the bike requires all of your attention, u dont need that piece of shit screen distracting you. whatever is on it, can wait. My bike came with one, was the first thing I took off. A cup holder.... good lord....
I started out on my first bike ever, on a Harley 2018 Road King. I didn't even know how to shift. After getting some tips from local motor officers including state, county, and city; I've learned to never ever out my feet down while the bike is moving and to learn the feel of my friction zone and the sound of my motor RPM's. Learning slow speed has increased my enjoyment a thousand fold.
She's doung better on the HD for onlynone reason. Her feet ate more beneath her body. You should be on a bike that easily permits these drills while standing.
b careful--i just turned 70 and im a lady with over 53 years of solo riding I got my 2002 heritage new. Went great till a bout 2 years ago. Started feeling uncomfortable. I bought my bike as a second owner of which previous only had it 3 months. Then over the years friends would ask me Jan, was this bike ever wrecked? It rides terrible! My recall was Not that i know of! Riding and cornering were not a problem fo r me. One was my mechanic, who, after having new tires put on, said, your back brake is almost shot. Uhh--well--FIX it!!! He said no time, itll be okay. So the front was grabbing alot more than the rear. Then, guess what! On 3 different occasions, coming to a SLOW stop--which u kinda do when u get my age--and BAM! Right on the ground. The 2nd time i landed on my shoulder, and pulled a muscle. The third time, BAM again i went-this time hitting my head on the pavement. My husband had to pick up the bike b cos i cant. And hes 75. and has 2 hernia surgeries I ended up going to the Er 3 days later. I had a helluva bump on my head that ill have 4 a month ( no, ive never worn a helmet in 50 years ) The ER doc said--i think its quittin time. Thanks to the guys that did upright my bike !!! Case in point--if that nechanic sent me on my way the way he did--i trust this guy with my life. So after these recent injuries, ive had to hang up the handlebars. Ive never been in an accident, thank god. Most guys would tell me i rode better than THEM! My point is, dont just trust your mechanic. U have to know your own bike and your own body. Stuff doesnt heal too well at our age. So please, gals, be careful.
I think the forward controls and floorboards are throwing her off, maybe more so than the weight. The sportster with mid-controls gave her better balance and feel immediately.
Just thinking out loud! What about fit? Can her hand grab the brake lever easily? Does she need a lever like you promote? Or an adjustable one? Same for the rear brake can her foot get on the brake lever ? Or is she reaching for it, a change in seat to move her for easier access? Same with the bars maybe a fit is needed, i am 6’4” 36” inseam and i have to fit bikes to me or else i am all bunched up and dangerous to myself and others.