A Lighthouse Tour in Southern Maine
Send this Article to a FriendMotorcycle? Check. Helmet? Check. Boots and gloves? Check. Armored jacket? Check. I'm either ready to play running back in a football game, or to go to our local community college parking lot and practice my moves on the motorcycle... Parking lot it is!
Never underestimate the value of a large, empty parking lot! To think you will automatically be ready for the road after a two day MSF class is a bit on the crazy side. (although, I know some people do it!). I personally wanted to find my rhythm in a place where I could practice on the motorcycle without cars bearing down impatiently on me.
So on a 100 degree day, (have I mentioned that I was dressed from head to toe?!), I set out to remember everything that my two day MSF motorcycle class taught me.
I turned the motorcycle on with a bit of nervousness, and slowly let go of the clutch to move forward. It was then that my eagerness started to wane, as I felt like I completely forgot how to ride.
It seems the difference between a 650cc motorcycle and a 250cc motorcycle is a bit more than I originally thought
The throttle was tighter, I could go much faster in first gear, and the brakes were really sensitive. I began to get a bit overwhelmed and frustrated, and had to take a break. After watching my husband take my new motorcycle for a few turns around the lot, my sheer stubbornness forced me to get back on the bike and try again.
After a few minutes, I finally got into the rhythm. All it took was taking a deep breath, remembering what I had learned, and assuring myself that I would get it eventually.
I think the two key things for me were patience and fun. The minute I started stressing and forgot about why I loved to ride motorcycles in the first place, I started doing bad. Once I relaxed, I was much better. I could then think through what I was doing, but not over analyze every little move. This made the learning curve go a bit faster.
