"Shifts are pretty bad...just because I SUCK!" - LOL Not bad dude. Watch those turns. You need to take them wider. To improve your shifts just let off the throttle more. Think of it as one hand in, the other hand out. Great choice on the 500.
When you upshift, you're probably on throttle. So you roll off throttle + clutch in -> shift up -> clutch out + throttle roll on When you downshift, you should be off throttle already. Ease clutch in to not unsettle bike, down shift, blip throttle while easing clutch out then off throttle again.
I'm driving motorcyclee for about 6 years now This is how MotoChrisp did too last month, now he's so good. Keep up practicing and believe me someday you're gonna laugh to yourself.
quick tips brother, try not to start it unless you are on it holding the clutch it could be in gear, do not cover the front brake unless you will use it. that bad habit can lead to a very bad accident. Other than that you look pretty decent, Although i recommend taking the MSF course, it could save your life. Stay safe and have fun
Great video. You did very good considering no riding experience especially on a 500. I am about to take my MSF course in a couple of weeks. I can't wait!
i love this video, i love how raw it is. its like im right there with you as youre learning, going thru you're internal process of everything which is amazing. makes me excited to get my first bike
Nice riding brotha! Watching this definitely lowered my anxiety on getting my first bike which is tomorrow! I’m getting a brand new R3 and plan on keeping it as long as I can. Stay safe my man!
Watching this from the UK. Where you are limited to a maximum of 125cc after a compulsory basic course. And then only ride bigger bikes after you've passed your test. Of which there are 2. It takes guts to ride a 500cc with no experience. You did well not to drop it when you stalled the first time. I suggest you do some courses. After a year or two, and some courses, try some track days. You'll learn so much from them. Some general tips. Practice feathering your clutch. Its a leaver, not a switch. Learn about trail breaking. Practice slow speed manoeuvring. Of which keeping your speed constant will help keep you upright. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. You're right about needing to think about a lot of stuff. It will get better and become easier in time. Get comfortable with controlling your bike before playing in too much traffic. You'll find you sometimes have to do the thinking for the other drivers as well as yourself at times. You've picked a nice bike to start on. Enjoy it and ride safe.
Unfortunately there is no true beginniner course in the US. MSF assumes you already have that 125cc type experience. My class had 9, 3 were asked to leave, 3 had experience before showing up. They were the only 3 to pass. They spend like 10 minutes on the friction zone, then move onto cone drills. Only way you have the muscle memory after that is if you already ride dirt bikes or motorcycles. He should learn really good clutch+throttle putzing around like this. Then be in great shape for the MSF class.
Your right there is a ton going through your head... people who don't ride don't realize your sometimes trying to do 8+ things all at the same time... It is a lot.. I've only been riding for a year and I still suck at it. But I know that every time I go out there I get a little bit better!
Once you feel comfortable enough on the road, take it to a nearby parking lot and do some drills for low speed. Uturns, Slalom, do some laps and practice pressing to lean into a turn, stop and go, quick stops, swerves. Get some cone pucks from Revzilla, not expensive. Set up some courses in a parking lot. HIGHLY recommend to take an MSF class. Many states let you waive the DMV skills test if you take the course, don't know where you live so check locally to makes sure. HAVE FUN!
Returning rider here in the UK. A 500 as your first bike - I wish! You did well there, lucky there was nothing on the roads as some of your turns made me cringe haha. Credit to you for taking your bike out in the rain, remember new tyres need breaking in before they grip well. Get yourself some training and ride safe.
Sweet video and bike! I think the best way to learn is the way you’re doing it for sure. Putting yourself in an environment where you can do your own thing, learning what it likes, what it doesn’t like. Understand these bikes are super durable and reliable!! Keep making videos! And dude you can see the progress throughout the video hell yeah
Good job. I’d encourage you to take as many classes as you can. I’ve been riding for 35+ years, and those classes will teach you good foundational skills & “know-how” tips that will stay with you forever and mainly, will keep you safe. Great choice on the bike. The Ninja 500 is a bike that is good to learn on, but fantastic to grow into. Just be glad that you found the bike close by you, and you don’t have the rule that I do: I ride home every bike I have ever bought (unless the condition doesn’t allow). The last bike I rode home last fall was from Cleveland, Ohio to Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.
im currently 16 and my dream has always been to get a motorcycle and just enjoy riding im starting a cashier job soon and i plan on saving up all my money my mom and dad are gonna help me with my insurance and half for the ninja 400 but i need to get my drivers license first but this video is a inspiration if that makes any since.
Hey man, just a tip. When you're cruising down a three-lane roadway, stay towards the center. Be right out there in Plain View! Don't ride along the edge and get too close to the curb. Be visible! And, be purposeful. At intersections, be sure it's clear (the most dangerous place for a motorcycle) and just gun that mother across the intersection! Just a couple tips I remember from,MSF course.
Yo, my first real bike was a ninja 500 too. Loved that bike. Good idea to wear the gear. No matter how hot it gets remember why you wear it. I would recommend taking the MSF course, they teach you some good stuff. Excellent first run man, keep it up.
I just bought a MT-03 for my first bike about a week ago and man can I relate to how this first ride went. lol You definitely have some decent shifting despite your remarks. Just a few things I’ve learned in my 5 hours or so of practice this week is I’ve definitely noticed the engine breaking is very drastic in lower gears. Torque is much more prevalent in those lower gears as well when you’re going under 20. I’ve found myself staying in 3rd and 4th a lot when going around the neighborhood between 25-35. In those gears the engine breaking and jerkiness is definitely a lot less harsh. Keep it up man and definitely hit up an MSF course when possible. I have mine in a couple weeks and plan to go out every day. Bikes now up to 37 miles on it for me. 😂
Good stuff, smarter than me for sure. Just picked mine up last week, no msf course…. Or prior experience and decided to drive it home from the dealership. Was scared shitless but knowledge of manual cars helps a ton. You’ll get more confident with shifting and starting, turning and everything very quickly
I bought my 2024 ninja 500 abs 3 days ago as well haha. Had a co worker drive it out the lot for me. Having fun so far, got a bit of riding experience, taking the msf course next month! 🔥
Just release the clutch smoother when you shift. Smooth is fast you can be smooth and fast. Everything you do should be smooth and progressive. Not 0 to full throttle, not full clutch no clutch, just ease it in and out dont abruptly grab the brakes or the clutch. Deliberate and smooth, not jerky and twitchy. It gets a lot more fun when you can stop shifting at 3000rpm (after 100 miles) and after 4000 rpms (500ish miles) and then after 5000 rpms at 600 miles after your first oil change and service.. Being able to ride the bikes at higher rpms is so much more fun! even just cruising around town in 2nd gear 30ish mph at 5000rpms, the bikes way more responsive both in slowing down with engine braking and quickly having to speed up to maneuver. after I was clear to rev the bike way up more consistently it makes the bike feel so much better and more fun.
When taking off don’t be afraid to give it some gas. Don’t rev is super high but you can give it more gas. The bike won’t move till you hit that clutch threshold. That will help with stalling
Nice to see another noob out here giving it a try. I had never ridden a motorcycle except as a passenger, I’ve been riding for 10 months now on a CFMOTO 450SS and my first 15 minute ride from the dealership after practicing in the parking lot for all of 10 minutes, I stalled twice and that was at a major intersection stop light. 😅😅 The way you’re learning is WAAAAY smarter than that squid stuff I did when I started. I’m now able to ride long distances and highways, twisty roads, etc. I’m still a beginner, but after taking the BR2 course for my license a while back, things got a little easier during slow speed stuff. Keep it up.
I think an experienced rider can give you better examples and concentrate on helping you more than the MSF course. If there is one around, it would be good to learn from that person. But you are doing just fine so far.
Great bike to learn on. Got a 2015 Ninja 650 with 2000 miles on it. Picked it up a week ago and I've already put 1000 miles on it. It's very forgiving, just be careful on it. Happy riding!
Please take the msf class brother! It definitely will help you and will possibly save your life one day. The rear brake will help you out a lot more than a front brake at slow speeds. The reason why you are almost dropping the bike when stopping it's because you're coming to a stop with the front brake and your handlebars slightly turned. That will almost always cause the bike to fall. Using the rear brake will give you more control. Also while riding slowly you are not in the friction zone with the clutch. Your clutch is all the way out while writing under 10 mph. The throttle won't be as jumpy if you stay in the friction zone and learn to use it well. Check out motojitsu, be the boss of your motorcycle and ride like a pro. They will point you in the right direction. Be safe
Don't think I ever would've made it this far without the course, man. Great job! I heard you complain about your shifts a lot, try to focus on letting go of the clutch smooth. It can still be fast, just don't let go of it all at once. There's a bit of a balancing act between it and the throttle even when shifting at higher speeds, but just improve the smoothness of your left hand and the rest comes naturally.
I've been riding a little while now, something that will happen sooner or later is you're gonna drop that bike. Don't feel bad about it if you do, we've all done it, hope you love that bike and keep on riding and stay safe out there
Relax ur hands, stay on with your back and legs. Save the rev matching for after you can drive her comfortably. Wait for a dry day to practice tbh. Dont touch the front brakes when you're rolling under 20kmph. Remember to routinely clean and relube ur chain. Beware your tire pressure and chain slack remain at the recommended levels. I'd swap that stock exhaust as soon as too. Literally, no one can hear it, and it could get you hurt cos ppl will do dumb driver things without realising you're there.
Not bad, brave to hit wet pavement on a brand new bike with brand new tires just keep everything smooth with the hands. Bikes respond instantly to rider input and smooth is key. That said, probably a bit more forgiving of a bike than my 1900cc behemoth of a cruiser. So much torque I can barely even get it to do under 20 without a little clutch feathering. Take the course though man. After the MSF you'll have a lot more control and you won't be risking your new bike to get it!
Beautiful bike bud. Ride safe 🙏🏼 Edit: first time on the bike and it’s raining lol wild. Keep in mind that the road is the most slippery when it first starts to rain. Also, get comfortable with leaning the bike a little when turning from a stop. Remember, lean, look and go.
Got my R7 today, I got tired of my R3, one tip I would have is not downshifting to first while going more than 10 mph. Every bike is different and I’m not familiar with Kawasaki, but I usually don’t even downshift to first unless I know I’m stopping, and I don’t revmatch first because I hold the clutch in until I’m moving again. Like you said, downshifting to first is pretty heavy on the engine breaking. But ride your own ride, whatever is comfortable for you, just sharing some of my experience from driving manual cars and a bike 👍 enjoy it!
A dry day would've been better for confidence, but hay, you rode while the ground was wet. Gotta start somewhere, good job and be-careful. Look alive, head on swivel and always ride defensively 👍
Not bad bro! I've got a small tip tho, when stopping don't only apply one brakes use both front and rear(also remember progressive breaking) to get that muscle memory in for when you need to brake in an emergency.
A little tip to help you not stall out as much, if you hear it kinda puttering like a lawn mower about to run out of gas that’s how you know you need to input a good bit more throttle
Please do not listen to the guy telling you not to cover your front brakes. Always ALWAYS have atleast two fingers at the lever. Even F9 brought this up and in Sweden they fail you at drivers test if you dont do that
They freak out about this in MSF here. They only want to see all 4 fingers or none (no covering). I agree with the 2 finger method, but if he eventually wants to pass MSF (insurance....) it's better to practice without imo.
"Let me neutral it down"... no msf... riding for the first time ever... and it's raining. oh lawd. stay safe bro Please when you brake, do not have your wheel turned. Also when you're braking to a stop sign, just look forward, don't look sideways. if you look sideways you'll tend to turn the wheel as well. that's when you'll drop the bike.
I just got a Triumph Speed 400 and am going through the exact same process. Took my MSF course and got fully licensed, but just barely getting used to getting around the neighborhood and constantly stalling / jerky throttle control.
You're stalling because you aren't giving it gas at the same time that you're letting out the clutch. Practice with your clutch and finding the friction zone. Practice makes perfect. Practice being smooth with the throttle and clutch. You'll get it eventually, it will just click. Good luck, keep the shiny side up.
Man, I'm close to the same boat. I'm buying my first real bike before the msf (altho I am at least scheduled in 2 months). I'm all over the map on what to get. There's what I want (zx4rr). What I know (pit/ebikes). And what makes sense for a fun toy (klx230sm/300sm, grom/z125, drz, etc). I just can't make up my mind. Logic says get a small (cheaper) toy to really learn road manners on)...but those aren't great hwy bikes and I am getting to know buy once:cry once as I age...just get what u want first. That leaves me with an overpriced 400 and still having to buy all my gear lol. All this because I've given up on the car market and have come to terms that I can't afford my dream cars or their maintenance. Not sure why I blathered on all of that lol. Stay safe out there...
i have the same bike and im a beginner too! i did the msf course, been riding for like, idk, 2/3 months? it's not that hard to get a basic level and ride confortably, i guess you'll figure it out soon too, enjoy!
To prevent stalling you should give it more gas and regulate your speed with the clutch only. You'll never stall and your take offs will be more controlled. Definitely not bad for a first ride though 👍🏻
@@z9brigade with lean angle or handlebars turned. front brake with lean angle will cause tire slip and you will low side. front brake with handle bars turned at slow speeds will cause all of the weight to go to the front, but since the handlebars are turned the weight will be transferred downward.
Your throttle will be less jumpy the higher the gear your in. Enjoy man. Of course im not saying to be in a high gear in your neighborhood. Just saying that is why your throttle feels jumpy.
I just started on a new zx10 for my first bike. 20 feels so fast in the beginning bro. I said the exact same thing. I have not been in the rain yet. Youre doing great bro. I just got mine to 100 miles. Still not smooth lol. Be safe out there bro!!! Sub/like/comment
The msf class is fun, you aren't skipping it altogether are you? You get to learn on a lighter bike, get to skip the driving test at the dmv, and get a discount on your motorcycle insurance. The weight of my bike (460 lbs wet) was probably the most intimidating thing for me starting out. That and right hand tight turns.
@@rogerdodgerxdcan't speak for all of them, but bikes were assigned off inseam height at ours. The shorter people were given 125cc groms, while the taller people were given random 250ccs
when you buy a brand new car truck bike/motorcycle their all going to say 1 mile on there do to it rolling down the assembly line and when they start it up to test that everything works correctly
and you want the engine to sound happy when low speed. be in the friction zone and give the engine enough gas to sound happy and not like its clugging around.
I would spend some time practicing catching the bike with your legs. A lot of times when beginners drop the bike, its because they quickly panic stop, then put their foot down wrong then fall into it. Its good to practice waddling the bike under you on different angles and stuff so you are used to holding the bike up if it starts tipping
Hey man great vid btw but did you by chance negotiate for the price? I got a quote on my 500 and it was 75 in all and I was wondering if you did negotiate what did you do? If not what was the MSRP on the bike you got?:)
@@TstatusTV lucky man I don’t know how to get the price down because MSRP is 53 but then they added 12 to that and now it’s 75 and that’s a bit to much
ABS, especially for a new rider, is an option that I would recommend. If something unexpected happens, the first thing you gonna do is grab the front brake and lock the wheel. Sure ABS won't save you if you do this on the angle, but at least you won't fall if you do this with the bike upright.
I have never rode a motorcycle, but I am looking to get a Ninja 500. I also am looking to take the MSF class, which should I do first? Practice riding or take the class? I know if you take the class first your insurance will be cheaper in many cases. I just don't want to the class and fail then have to keep paying for it, especially because my wife and I will be taking the class together. Any thoughts anyone?
Take the class first , then get a bike. If you don't know how to ride , how are you planning on getting it home from the dealership ? Why a Ninja 500 ?
@@rottweilerfun9520 I have a truck that can hold it, my son also rides, he would bring it home for me. The ninja 500, was just one of the bikes I was considering, when I was on it it felt comfortable, but looking at different videos, many people say that it is a good beginner bike too. I was also looking at a Yamaha yzf-r3, and some other bikes, what do you suggest?
Stop stopping at the stop sign. You should be moving to the edge of the road in order to look up and down the road that stop sign is way too far back. You need to go all the way up to the road and look both ways and then make your decision .
I'm from the UK so I don't understand the licence over there, but surely you're familiar with gears and driving at speed? How else are you allowed to ride legally? Seems dangerous
Im about to bekome a biker az well i juzt zaw a neon green ninja 500 that i loved ive never ridden a motorzykle b4 but i will learn 😊 bezt vibez for u bro
