little lessons learned along the way...

[Laila's Dad]

I hit the 80 mile mark today(do they have a pin for that? :roflblack and just wanted to post a few things that I have figured out recently for those who are like me and don't have the mechanic background nor the riding experience to jump in head first into riding the spYder.

1) all the posts about wearing the proper riding gear are true. My hands near froze to death without gloves wile riding tonight riding(practicing)
2)practicing at night time is probably not the best time to work on getting your speed up, especially for a new rider. There are just so many variables to consider for night time riding.
3) I have been a little nervous about how I (not the spyder) would handle un-even roads with dips and things of that nature. well went over a few today and the spyder handled really well. I guess that VSS stuff isn't a joke.
4) oddly enough, wearing boots are real comfortable and I am glad that I got some.
5) while I just don't have the money right now, getting that safety course and the M on your license is the best move. I am almost sick to my stomach every time I come in from a practice ride after seeing cops at seemingly every turn(gotta get that done ASAP!)
6) I don't think I am getting good gas milage just riding around my neighborhood.

 

[lookerjdc]

if there are any large parking lots near you, like a community college, high school, etc, (preferably unused at night), those are the best places to practice in at night

learn to 'layer' clothing to help not freeze

gas mileage will improve some as the bike gets broken in

good luck and safe riding as you practice and get used to riding

welcome to Spyder riding, and by all means, take the safety course when you can

 

[viperred]

lessons learned

All the things you mention are right. But getting that M will help more than anything, so you can learn without fear of being caught without it:spyder2:.

 

[shelbydave]

Do they offer a learners permit? Here in NC, I could get a permit that would allow me to ride, but not carry passengers.

 

[Yazz]

All the things you mention are right. But getting that M will help more than anything, so you can learn without fear of being caught without it:spyder2:.

+1. The Motorcycle Safety Course isn't just about getting your M. They teach you the skills to become a safe, confident rider.

 

[mick ruhdorf]

licence

hi getting your licence (M) is paramount, well it is here in OZ no licence equals no insurance not even body insurance , and who really buys a spyder for good fuel economy if they do theyre goin to be disapointed .
cheers mick

 

[Phyxius]

I'm another in the "get your M" camp, definitely take the class!

Re: fuel mileage yeah there is the break in period and you will do better on the highway than in the neighborhood, too. I saw a few signatures where people were using Fuelly.com so I joined too.

I'm at about 750 miles now (miles tracked is lower as I'm due for a fill up) and you can see my mileage from mile 1 here: https://www.fuelly.com/driver/phxyiusspyder/spyder-rts?fu=3327166

And, heated handgrips are great even with gloves!

Also, look into ear plugs, even the disposable foam ones from walmart. They help a lot!

 

[Laila's Dad]

if there are any large parking lots near you, like a community college, high school, etc, (preferably unused at night), those are the best places to practice in at night

learn to 'layer' clothing to help not freeze

gas mileage will improve some as the bike gets broken in

good luck and safe riding as you practice and get used to riding

welcome to Spyder riding, and by all means, take the safety course when you can

Thank you...yes there is a church less than a block from me. I went there right after I got my spyder and asked could I practice in the parking lot if no services were going on. They said yes...now fast forward to last Thursday evening I am in the parking lot backing up and doing little swerves to practice maneuvers. Not 30 seconds after I leave and make a u-turn to go home I see an officer with his search light on in the parking lot. So I think I will avoid that particular parking lot.

 

[Laila's Dad]

Do they offer a learners permit? Here in NC, I could get a permit that would allow me to ride, but not carry passengers.

I am not sure about the learners permit. I will have to look into that.

 

[lmfarmer94]

I am not sure about the learn ears permit. I will have to look into that.

I got my learners permit first and that gave me official practice without having to worry about cops. Here in Georgia with only the learners permit you cant ride after dark, you can't be on a major highway and you can't have passengers.

Marty

 

[Laila's Dad]

Texas learners permit

The learners permit won't do any good in Texas. You have to have someone with you at all times and you have to take the safety course to get the permit which puts me back at square one.

Requirements for All Applicants
All first time applicants for a Texas motorcycle license must:


Apply in person at a Texas Driver License office.
Complete the requirements for an original applicant.
Present a completion certificate of the Motorcycle Safety Course (MSB-8 or MSB-8R), approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This completion certificate waives the driving test if you are 18 years of age or older.
Learner License
A motorcycle learner license allows a beginning driver to operate a motorcycle with someone in sight that is 21 years of age or older and holds a valid motorcycle license.


To obtain a motorcycle learner license (permit), you must:


Complete the requirements for a learner license.
Present a completion certificate of the Motorcycle Safety Course (MSB-8), approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

 

[lookerjdc]

The learners permit won't do any good in Texas. You have to have someone with you at all times and you have to take the safety course to get the permit which puts me back at square one.

Requirements for All Applicants
All first time applicants for a Texas motorcycle license must:


Apply in person at a Texas Driver License office.
Complete the requirements for an original applicant.
Present a completion certificate of the Motorcycle Safety Course (MSB-8 or MSB-8R), approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This completion certificate waives the driving test if you are 18 years of age or older.
Learner License
A motorcycle learner license allows a beginning driver to operate a motorcycle with someone in sight that is 21 years of age or older and holds a valid motorcycle license.


To obtain a motorcycle learner license (permit), you must:


Complete the requirements for a learner license.
Present a completion certificate of the Motorcycle Safety Course (MSB-8), approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

did I miss something, or mis-reading this, but, so...... you need to take the MSC to get your moto license and/or permit? if you need the MSC to get your license, why would you bother with the permit?

here in Florida they did away with learners permits and just require taking and passing an MSF course (you can do a 2 wheel or the S/TEP trike course) to get your endorsement.

am I mis-reading it, or is it ass-backwards?

 

[Laila's Dad]

You read it correctly...

did I miss something, or mis-reading this, but, so...... you need to take the MSC to get your moto license and/or permit? if you need the MSC to get your license, why would you bother with the permit?

here in Florida they did away with learners permits and just require taking and passing an MSF course (you can do a 2 wheel or the S/TEP trike course) to get your endorsement.

am I mis-reading it, or is it ass-backwards?

Lol, you are right there is no point in getting a learners permit in Texas because it is pretty much the same requirements as getting the M. I guess for someone who is really, really afraid to ride the permit would be good:dontknow:?

 

[lookerjdc]

Lol, you are right there is no point in getting a learners permit in Texas because it is pretty much the same requirements as getting the M. I guess for someone who is really, really afraid to ride the permit would be good:dontknow:?

the permit would be good but, you might as well just get the endorsement and then you can go practice in the church parking lot or other areas without fear of being 'caught' or needing someone else there while you practice

 

[currin20fan]

License

Whew! Glad I live in South Carolina. No motorcycle license required for a 3 wheeled motorcycle. And :welcome: It will get easier. If you are wearing a Half Helmet, be sure to get you some ear muffs for cold weather riding.

 

[boborgera]

I can only relate to the laws in Jersey, No licence no insurance.
The learners permit is easy to get, But in order to drive a Spyder or a Motorcycle with a learners permit, Someone with a M/C licence must be within a 1/4 mile and in view of the permit holder.
They can be in a car on a motorcycle of at the curb watching.

 

[Laila's Dad]

Well i have the spyder insured so that wasnt an issue. Maybe since i have a regular class c already. Not really sure but i know the safety course is the key to the M in Texas.

 

[DocRags]

I'd have to say having the M on your license will help allay a lot of your fears about practicing on your Spyder...and the course will help you learn good motorcycle safety. I'm feeling a lot more confident driving since completing the course last week and shelling out $$$ at the DMV/Driver's License Bureau (the big bucks were for the new vehicle registration). Our RT now sports a license plate one digit off of our GS/RS, which we both thought was interesting...guess there aren't a lot of motorcycle tags being sold in our county!

Good luck with the course and with getting your M endorsement.

 

[Laila's Dad]

What a difference

What a difference it made today practicing in the day time versus at night when I get home after work. Everything felt so much more comfortable. Getting up to speed was nothing. Can't wait to get legal so I can really test my skills. Also I hit the 100 mile mark today, woo hoo!

 

[Bob Denman]

The learners permit is easy to get, But in order to drive a Spyder or a Motorcycle with a learners permit, Someone with a M/C licence must be within a 1/4 mile and in view of the permit holder.
They can be in a car on a motorcycle of at the curb watching.

That's real similar to the process up here in New York... :thumbup: