Just to add on to the advice listed here (and I'm a newer rider, so if I get any of this wrong I'll count on the experience folks to correct me), slipping the clutch like you would with a Harely works with the wet clutch that they have. Doing this with a dry clutch that some other brands of motorcycle might have will be a different experience, and letting it slip too long might contribute to burning out the clutch earlier than normal.

The motorcycle I started with was a Sportster which is a joy to shift since I can slip the clutch nicely and get nice, smooth transitions between gears, even out of turns. I picked up a used BMW after the Sporster and it's very different. The dry clutch is much tighter and I have had to adjust my shifting to not slip the clutch as much, but it's harder to do that and not lurch it at times.

I am curious about one thing that some of you might be able to answer. I've tended to drop to 1st gear when turning at an intersection since it feels "safer" to not speed into the turn. I will often kick it up to 2nd toward the end of the turn while sliping the clutch in order to avoid lurching in the turn. Does this sound like a good way to go about it, or should I go into the turn in 2nd and just slip the clutch along the way,or keep it in first until I'm straight. I worry about keeping it in 2nd because I also don't want to lug the engine after the turn.

As for my biggest challenge as a newbie, I would have to say it's still quick stops. I've gotten a little gunshy about them since locking up my rear wheel at a traffic light one time. It's not something I've had to use yet except that one time, but I want to be comfortable with them when I do need it since it could be the difference between doing a superman over someones hood,or stopping in time.

 

I'll hit your question about what gear to be in when going through a corner.
It will depend on your speed. If your going into a turn from a stand still, then it's obvious you would want to be in first gear. If you down shift and you're reving the motor higher than you normally ride at, you might have some trouble controlling the bike through the corner. Of course, you don't want to be lugging it either. You have to get the feel of the bike and where the power band is. One of theimportant points of controlling your bike in a lean over is power. Centrifugal force is what keeps you from falling to the low side. If you feel yourself tipping to where you need to put your foot down, give it a little more gas and that feeling will go away. Feathering the clutch and controlling your throttle in a slow speed corner are the key things to keeping the bike upright and maintaining control.

 

Just keep riding, it will get more comfortable for you each time.Youneed tobuild your confidence.

 

Ride Like a Pro. Went to the web site and was there looking at everything, he has a few pointers on his web site, and i started using them and let me tell you THEY WORK. I am a newb like you and was having the same problem, I started looking down the road where I wanted to go and bingo great turns every time, learn to slip the clutch look down the road, and Get the video will be ordering mine next week.

 

Start in 1st,shift to 2nd right away before completion of the turn

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Shifting gears while in a turn is not a good idea. You're inviting the added chance of breaking traction with the rear tire.

 

Don't under estimate the value of an empty parking lot. You have room for mistakes, it's easy to stop and reflect on whats working or not, much less to concentrate on as you work a particular skill and once you get some skills down they actually get fun to practice more. If you have any newbie buddys try going with them and vido tape what you look like on the bikes and you will see what you are or are not doing, looking where you want to go is a biggie that all of this can prove to your mind. Trying to learn some of the basic skills are very tough in even the lightest traffic as you always have the cars and other road obstructions in your mind and eyes. I agree with taking a crouse but even the instructor in the one I took told us to practice in an empty lot as we had just passed a class teaching us the princiables behind riding but didn't not give us the skills to get into traffic, for that we would need to develop and take them with our own confidence levels.

 

The thing that used to make me the most nervous was coming to a stop on a steep hill. I was always afraid I'd stall the engine and roll back into the car behind me. I practiced this a lot and the nervousness went away.

 

Thats exactly what my instructor told all of us. "You are now qualified to get into a parking lot and practice what you've learned."

 

Thanks for all the great advice. I have taken the Abate safety course, but that was last year, and just finally got around to getting a bike 2 weeks ago. I have been mostly riding on country roads and practicing in a school parking lot. I will continue practicing in the lot till I feel comfortable that I can ride in town without causing a danger to myslef or others. I think the sliping the clutch trick will help.

Mike.