Originally Posted by masterblaster

Okay, I have to say it "TURN YOUR HEAD TO LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO" dont just look with teh eyes, ya have to turn your head all the way through the turn. Practice the friction zone in parking lots that are empty. You should be able to do a U turn in the span of 2 parking spaces. Keep your head on a swivel at intersections, ride defensively in parking lots, Ride offensively everywhere else once you figure out how to ride and get some miles under the belt.

Look we want the Crew to grow, cant have that happen if our newer associates are crashing nice new bikes. I have to hand it to you and Bill, ya aint scared, most people crash once the OL bitches at them "I told ya so" and sell the bike. Remember, you are invisible, you lucked out, if you were down here in the deep south of Fla like me you would have been a new hood ornament on that SUV. Stay off A1A and other crazy roads til ya get some miles under the belt.

One more bit of unsolicited advice, and I know some will flame me here but..... If you have not joined the HOG yet you should do so, there are great skills training sessions they do twice a month, I attend a half day each time I get a new Harley, they are great for slow speed skills, I mean really good. Check into your local chapter, if they dont have it, Petersons does down here and you would be welcome to attend with them, their drill team conducts it. I stay a member of the HOG for this reason as well as the fly and ride program and towing service (for when I crash).

Originally Posted by masterblaster

Okay, I have to say it "TURN YOUR HEAD TO LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO" dont just look with teh eyes, ya have to turn your head all the way through the turn. Practice the friction zone in parking lots that are empty. You should be able to do a U turn in the span of 2 parking spaces. Keep your head on a swivel at intersections, ride defensively in parking lots, Ride offensively everywhere else once you figure out how to ride and get some miles under the belt.

Look we want the Crew to grow, cant have that happen if our newer associates are crashing nice new bikes. I have to hand it to you and Bill, ya aint scared, most people crash once the OL bitches at them "I told ya so" and sell the bike. Remember, you are invisible, you lucked out, if you were down here in the deep south of Fla like me you would have been a new hood ornament on that SUV. Stay off A1A and other crazy roads til ya get some miles under the belt.

One more bit of unsolicited advice, and I know some will flame me here but..... If you have not joined the HOG yet you should do so, there are great skills training sessions they do twice a month, I attend a half day each time I get a new Harley, they are great for slow speed skills, I mean really good. Check into your local chapter, if they dont have it, Petersons does down here and you would be welcome to attend with them, their drill team conducts it. I stay a member of the HOG for this reason as well as the fly and ride program and towing service (for when I crash).

Originally Posted by redman53

jor the Northeast parking lot of the old Hollywood Fashion Center (441&Hollywood Blvd) is marked off for the skills course that Jerry was mentioning...sometimes you don't want a crowd of people watching you making a fool of yourself....far as I know no one uses that place anymore...I live about 1/2 mile away from there and would be more than happy to come help you pick your bike up if you drop it(and vice versa)....I went the HOG drill team class once..and it seemed they were more interested in showing off than teaching anybody anything,,,,if you would like to go practice at the old mall drop me a PM and we can hook up....maybe we could even get some other members that are interested in improving their skills inolved also....Hey Phil...I've seen you manuver that RK in some pretty tight spaces, you interested in helping a brother out?

Originally Posted by redman53

jor the Northeast parking lot of the old Hollywood Fashion Center (441&Hollywood Blvd) is marked off for the skills course that Jerry was mentioning...sometimes you don't want a crowd of people watching you making a fool of yourself....far as I know no one uses that place anymore...I live about 1/2 mile away from there and would be more than happy to come help you pick your bike up if you drop it(and vice versa)....I went the HOG drill team class once..and it seemed they were more interested in showing off than teaching anybody anything,,,,if you would like to go practice at the old mall drop me a PM and we can hook up....maybe we could even get some other members that are interested in improving their skills inolved also....Hey Phil...I've seen you manuver that RK in some pretty tight spaces, you interested in helping a brother out?

Originally Posted by Jeff_Fla

DITTO, The old guys (older than Jerry) use to say that you followed your nose.

No flame from me. I say get it from where you can. If an experienced rider wants to spend time practicing with me so what if he is a HOG chapter.

The Treasure Coast Hog in Stuart used to offer skills class once a month but they have just gone through a leadership change and are still trying to get the schedule worked out.

No one has mentioned aggressive braking. It sounds like you got it stopped but practice aggressive braking.

Originally Posted by wendellja

I recommend taking an MSF class...or H-D Rider's Edge...and not just for your license. I had a motorcycle license for years (riding since I was a kid before "riding" tests) and I took the MSF class with my wife so I could ride on post and she could get her license.

Needless to say, I learned way more than I ever thought I would. Maybe worth the $100 or so (especially with insurance rates).

Originally Posted by redman53

jor the Northeast parking lot of the old Hollywood Fashion Center (441&Hollywood Blvd) is marked off for the skills course that Jerry was mentioning...sometimes you don't want a crowd of people watching you making a fool of yourself....far as I know no one uses that place anymore...I live about 1/2 mile away from there and would be more than happy to come help you pick your bike up if you drop it(and vice versa)....I went the HOG drill team class once..and it seemed they were more interested in showing off than teaching anybody anything,,,,if you would like to go practice at the old mall drop me a PM and we can hook up....maybe we could even get some other members that are interested in improving their skills inolved also....Hey Phil...I've seen you manuver that RK in some pretty tight spaces, you interested in helping a brother out?

Originally Posted by Jeff_Fla

You can not buy an offer like that. Go for it!

Originally Posted by SoFla

When I first started riding I did the group rider training with Ft. Lauderdale HOG. We met at HD in Ft. L. A guy went to ride his bike into the garage for service and cut his turn wide and hit the outside wall and tore off a huge piece of building siding. One of the HOG "officers" laughed like hell and told us newbies that he was on the drill team and was the best they had.