As an experienced rider, cherish these moments, feel the adrenaline, and enjoy the learning! I miss this feeling of not knowing and uncertainty when I ride my bike.
@@laryangel4082 how many of those were your fault? I’ve been riding almost a year and have yet to experience a life threatening situation. I believe a lot of riders put themselves in those types of situations. Trying to show off or riding outside of their experience level. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen a lot of dumb drivers but if your vigilant, pay attention to your surroundings and don’t ride like an idiot, I truly believe there would be a lot less incidents that injure or potentially kill the motorists. U I hope your still riding and that those scary situations haven’t scared you into not riding again. Be safe out there.
@@derekmortensen1665 My close call happened my first year of riding, it was a 4 way intersection but two way stop where like I didn't have a stop sign and oncoming traffic didn't but the road on the left and right had a stop sign, some old man didn't see me even though II had my headlight on, didn't stop and would have hit me if I wasn't paying attention to him specifically and hit my brakes
@@Everyone_Dies good job on noticing the potential on coming danger. I almost don’t move until I know I made some sort of eye contact with them. I really do hate those kind of streets. In an old town I used to live at in Colorado had streets like those, but minus the stop signs. I could never tell who had the right away. It was ridiculous. Lol. The one thing I have learned and I’m the same way when it comes to driving vehicles is always expect someone to cut you off, brake check you or blow with stoplights/ stop signs. If you always have that mentality, you will avoid a lot of potential accidents. I hope nothing crazy has happened since that incident and keep on riding safe.
I won’t be the person who mentions that you need at least a mesh jacket, gloves, and a more protective helmet. I’ve crashed at 30mph and even at that low speed, you don’t want your skin grinding on tarmac.
Yes proper gear is so important!!Since recording this video, I now have a full face helmet, riding jacket with padding and leather gloves! I’ll be wearing that in my next progress video. Thanks for the info! :) I definitely don’t want to risk tearing up my skin 🥲
Rea congrats 👏, When you ease the clutch out lightly not all the way, the bike is moving. That's called the "friction zone". Remember the front and rear brake are on the same side, opposite of the clutch. You got this young Lady. I'm looking forward to more beginner content. As soon as I get my permit I'm buying either a 2022 Street Bob or Low Rider S. They both have the 114 engine.
Anyone who truly enjoys riding has to love this video. Seeing how excited you were on starting it alone is heart warming. I don't care how you came about getting the bike and whether you had years of experience or none at all, what matters is that you had a goal, you wanted to get on the road and you made it happen. Hats off, enjoy!
I'm a 60 year old guy who is blessed with a sister who knew my one wish was to get a motorcycle. Things worked out, so she got me one. These videos are inspiring me as I come back to riding after 42 years. Have fun Rea, I'm right there with you.
You have one amazing sister!!!!! I'm turning 60 next month have wanted a motorcycle my whole life but lived from paycheck to paycheck even been homeless a couple of times, my sister is rich and it will be a miracle if she even gives me $100, 99% percent of my birthdays she gives nothing!
I know others have said this, but I want to reinforce that developing familiarity with the friction zone on your clutch is one of the best things you can do early on to increase your confidence on the bike. You got this! Once the controls become second nature it's absurd how good it feels to just cruise around on two wheels. You're going to love it.
This is the way. When I taught my wife how to ride we spent hours upon hours just getting her used to the friction zone in first gear. Friction zone, get rolling, roll to a stop. Over and over again until it was muscle memory and she could do it without even thinking. Then same thing but a little more speed, and gently using the rear brake to come to a stop. Over and over again. Then same thing with front brake. It's all about repetition until it's muscle memory. A few days in we had her shifting up to second gear and coming to a stop. After a week of this she was riding around the neighborhood like a boss. After that we found an empty parking lot and started practicing u-turns (and how finding the friction zone and applying some light rear brake at the same time helps) as well as doing a slalom course, and practicing emergency stops. It was a lot of grinding and it got a bit boring for her after a while, but it helped her learn the basics which in turn made her pass her MSF course and get her license on the first try. We've been riding together for seven years now.
When I took my riding course, there was this petite girl in the class and she turned out to be the best rider out of all of us. I was very impressed. It’s cool to see you start your journey. A few months from now you will look back and see how far you’ve come!
Fun to watch a young lady experience the joy of motorcycles. I've been riding a long time and have been hit by two crazy drivers. I always ride defensively, but sometimes there's no way out. Riding in town can be a real challenge with all the aggressive drivers. Get up early and get onto rural roads and enjoy the fresh air and mother nature. It's really a blast after you get the hang of it.
It's great that you got a motorcycle. I'm 64, and have been riding dirt bikes since age 8, and street bikes since age 16. I got my license on my 16th birthday. It will take years to really become really proficient on it. All my dirt bike experience helped a lot, before I started riding in traffic. The hardest thing to learn is not how to control the motorcycle, but how to deal with traffic. To everybody out there in a 4 wheeled vehicle, you are invisible. The front brake is probably the most important control on a bike. You need to learn how to modulate it while coming to a stop from highway speeds in the shortest time possible without locking up the front wheel. Hopefully that bike doesn't have ABS. You have not learned how to ride a motorcycle until you have learned how to ride one without ABS properly.
I am looking at getting my first bike ever and this video just gave me the motivation I needed to go for it and learn. Total Beginner I look forward to this new journey and community.
You just got yourself a subscriber. I started learning how to ride a motorcycle myself earlier this month. I've slowly been building up my confidence with short, controlled rides in wide-open spaces. It's amazing how much of a feel you get for your bike only after the first couple of rides. Love the content!
Oh thank you so much!!😊 I agree! It’s amazing how much more comfortable I feel after a few short rides & with some practice. im so happy you’re also riding :) good luck to you!
Omg I did the same thing . I bought a brand new one like my roommate/best friend 23 years ago & I couldn’t even drive it home . That was hands down the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. However when I got married my husband made me sell it
That is a great beginner bike. I bought my first ever bike 2020 after having the license for 38 years and never have ridden a motorcycle since 1983 and it was a Honda Rebel 500 from 2020. You will have a lot of fun with this great little bike. You already know, that you always should wear proper gear and so nothing stands between you and having fun riding your little Rebel. Your friend is doing a great job too. He is very calm, what is very important. I am doing the same with my wife who first learned riding a scooter and now is in the process of learning to ride a bike with clutch and gears. So I am looking forward to more of your videos. Greatings from Austria.
I don't know why it's so satisfying to watch this video but I just keep re-watching it 100 times with no shame 😃 Maybe because I can relate to your reactions, excitement, uncertainty and you're closer to my age group as well ☺I too got into motorcycles all of a sudden. I got to be a passenger few times and since then, I swear I've been obsessed with motorcycles, even the sound of exhaust sends shivers down my spine. I want to learn how to ride and I know I will, sooner or later. Safe ride y'all ❤
I admire a women that is willing to do and learn something outside of her comfort zone, learn something different a regular women wouldn't dare to do or wouldn't want to learn. Mechanics, riding a motorcycle... you name it. Respect for you and welcome to the 🏍 community.
I am impressed by your willingness to share your journey and to be this vulnerable and risk so much ridiculous judgement. BTW you are brave and awesome and have a spectacular life ahead. Count me a fan….
Haha thank you so much! I think it’s important to share these moments even if they might be a bit embarrassing. I hope it encourages others. Learning means I’ll probably make many mistakes in the process and that’s okay. & if I can do this, so can anyone! 💪🏼😊
@@RidewithRea I know you said you were not going to do just motorcycle content, but I can assure you, motorcycle content will get more views than most anything else you could do.
@@spartanx169x I think you’re right 😅 & thank you! I like sharing my journey so I will definitely be sharing more motorcycle content :) just waiting for the weather to get a bit nicer here. It’s been raining a lot and I’m not comfortable practicing on wet roads just yet🫠
Mate, enjoy the learning process. It's an amazing stage as a rider and is something you will absolutely love. It also comes once in your riding experience so savor it. There's a lot more miles to ride, welcome to the riding community.
Congratulations! Traffic is your biggest enemy. Try to start out in a low traffic area. It will take several hours for the controls to become automatic. In no more than a week, start countersteering. Push right to go right. Easiest above 25 mph. You can begin by just countersteering from the left side of the lane to the right, and back. When you get good at that, you can start using it for cornering. Speaking of which, look where you go, go where you look. Look into the turn. If you maneuver around an obstacle, look at the path around the obstacle, not the obstacle itself. When you practice U-turns, look into the turn. It is very easy to drop a bike at walking speeds. Even after decades of riding. This requires patience and practice. Have fun!
Thank you so much!! It'll be a while before I'll feel comfortable riding in traffic out on the road but I will continue to practice in empty parking lots to improve my skills. :) I'll try those tips out! I really want to work on turning next.
You picked the right kind of bike to learn on. Looks like you're going a baby step at a time with good instruction. You'll be fine. Love your enthusiasm.
The right bike? We started on 50cc 2 strokes and all became real riders. If you starton a 500 with ZERO knowledge, you ask for troubles. Btw... nice jacket... faiI.
I’ve been wanting to get a motorcycle for so long watching your excitement and you doing it exactly how I want to made me excited for my journey to come thank you so much for being authentic and showing that.
I’ve been wanting to buy one for a long time. There are few women who ride a motorcycle and this video is very inspiring to me. It’s the sign I was waiting for. Thank you, Rea✨
a pretty girl like you will not have a shortage of help! my problem with that is im in my 70s and im tired of getting hit on by pretty girls! people and thier problems no! you go girl your a natural!!!!
Just got my daughter riding on the road. Got her first wave, she was so excited. Even after the MSF course and endorsement we still practice in the lot. It’s good for me too. Get some gear and coms. for your helmets.
Oh that’s amazing! 😊 yea I really want to do a lot more practicing first before I even get on the road. Even after the MFS course! & yes thanks for the tip about the gear. I will be wearing my jacket and gloves at all times now 😅
Learn your friction zone on your clutch and do some slow manuevers in an open parking lot, its helpful and is quite fun, be safe out there and enjoy the ride
Yeah. Great tip, particularly when going slow on turns. The only way not to drop a big twin chop. All about the clutch and throttle control, opposite to driving a car, where you shouldn't ride the clutch.
Reminds me of the first time I got on a motorcycle and everyone that rides had a first time. Don't worry about embarrassing yourself. Hope you always enjoy riding.
Great seeing you on your journey! I’ve been wanting a motorcycle for sometime now, I’ve watched countless rebel videos on RUclips and yours popped up! Great teacher, calm and simple! Looking forward to the next post!
As someone who's been thinking about getting a bike for years and years this gave me so much joy to see because there's just something exciting about that first bike and first ignition that looks so much fun. I wish I had the courage you did. This is the bike I want I'm just not brave enough to go through the course and all that.
@@RidewithRea ☺ I'm really glad to hear that! I'm looking into it more and I been checking my finances to start saving for this, I'll be moving this year but I'm actually looking forward to making some progress on this dream of mine cause your videos have been really inspiring. I don't feel so alone in those thoughts of starting. You're so brave and I'm so glad you're sharing your journey! Perhaps one day I'll be brave enough too!
@@piplup10203854 Do it! As with most things in life, as long as you are confident *but calm* you can't go wrong. Of course bikes can be tricky and dangerous, but so is crossing the street (ie. it really isn't, if you just follow the rules and take it easy). And, hey, if you aren't confident, that will come with practice. Start slow. Just ask a friend to sit on one and rev it, maybe. Go pillion with someone you trust. Always train and ride with someone who is calm so they don't scare you, but really there is nothing to be scared of, especially when *you* will be the one in control of your own bike, eventually! Maybe just do a lesson on a scooter. Not having gears to worry about is a good intro to riding.
@@davidbreen4353 That actually helps a lot lol I just worry I'm gonna lose control of it you know and either hurt myself or someone else and I worry I'm gonna stall at a light and a litany of other fears. I just put it off because every time I bring it up to friends or family they always tell me it's too dangerous and life comes up so it's always gotten pushed to the back burner you know. I'm glad to know it's relatively easy and straight forward though that's reassuring. Thank you ☺ I'm in the middle of getting a house but perhaps sometime after that all settles I can do this. I'd really like to one day, I just keep getting talked out of it.
I'm on the same situation. I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle but never did it. I just started to train for the permit and I'm looking for a motorcycle to buy. Thanks for sharing the experience and good luck on your journey! 🙂
hell yeah! i just did the same thing, bought a harley lowrider without a class or license and just trying to learn as fast as i can! love my bike! sick to see you doing this!
Thank you for sharing ALL the basics!!!! I’m going to be in THAT SAME EXACT position hopefully soon, on exactly the SAME bike- well 500 hopefully!!! Seeing you on that bike confirmed it for me!! Waited a looooong time!! 🙏🙏🙏
I’ve decided to get my licence and the rebel is my bike of choice as well. Went for it purely on the looks but was happy to find that all my research points to it being a solid little bike.
that rebel is a beaut!! great to see someone take on a new learning journey! Also looks like you’ve got a good teacher to support the cause. keep it up and ride safe. It’s a very rewarding hobby (at least in my opinion!)
Ahh thank you! Its used but I’m so happy I was able to find a rebel in good condition 😊 & yes! I’m so thankful to have someone help me learn how to ride otherwise it would be waaaaay more intimidating 😅 & the support I’ve been receiving helps so much, so I appreciate it! I can’t wait to keep practicing & improving :)
pretty neat. congratulations. i am 68 years old, i have ridden a few of friends bikes, around the block etc. never owned one. at 66 i bought my first motorcycle.aHonda Rebel 500. Two years i have been riding everyday. A lot of people(mostly Harley riders)look down at me because i ride a Honda. i don't let it bother me, being 5' 6'' 135 lbs. i am out there riding at my leisure, my own pace. sure i can't go 130 mph, but at my age why would i want to. There are a whole bunch of women of all sizes, ages riding Harley's, great!! i enjoy what i do, you enjoy your ride, be safe(people in cars don't see you, no matter how many look out for biker stickers on their vehicles)and enjoy the thrill of riding.
I ride a softail now but my first street bike was an 85 Honda shadow. Loved that bike and wouldn't hesitate to own a Honda again, maybe I'll get one as a second bike. They are a great bike for anyone starters and vetrans
I am also a new rider and going through the process of learning a geared motorcycle, and honestly, you're doing a lot better than I am for your first ever time, haha. Keep it up!
My Vulcan S stood in my garage for 4 weeks after I bought it because I had never ridden before and didn't have a licence. Once I passed the legal basic training on a different bike I paid the instructor to take me out for a day, which is the first time I rode the Vulcan S. I didn't have a clue, I even struggled with simple turns at junctions and actually stalled on a roundabout during rush hour traffic. 1 year and 12kkm later I ride every day and love every moment of it.
OMG! I knew that I was an empathetic person but this time was wild for me. This took me back to when I was 16 and my first bike. I felt every bit of it all over again. I rode from age 17 to age 22. Then the engine seized. Mechanical problems. The cam chain snapped. I never got a replacement. Now, go forward in time. I am age 61. I got another bike. It's a HONDA. VT 750. I guess I lived it all over again. But not quite the same this time. It's so wonderful to be on a bike again. Be careful, and ride safe. ✌ 🤘
This is so crazy, glad I found this vid. My hubby just bought his first bike and after watching him I just called about a Honda Shadow someone is selling. I don't want to have to be sitting behind him to ride. I have no clue what I am doing, but it seems like I am in good company!
Your videos on learning to ride have been very inspirational to me. I got my permit and a bike knowing almost nothing. I wish I had a safe place to practice near me or someone to help me get to a safe place to practice because I really want to get started learning
I’m so happy they’ve been inspiring! If you’re unable to get to a safe location or have someone ride the bike for you to an empty lot, I would suggest just taking the MSF course. That way you’ll learn all the basics and practice on one of their bikes they provide for you. & by the end of the course I’m sure you’ll feel more confident riding.
@RidewithRea I have scheduled the class for August was the first date I could get. I did a little practice in with a friend. I rode by myself to a gas station last night I stalled out a little more than I would have liked but I am getting a little more confident going to ride again tonight for a little.
@@strangesolution1465 I had the same thing happen to me! I had to wait a couple months before taking my course because the classes were all filled. Try to see if there are any no-shows or last minute openings. My course would allow people to come at an earlier time from a wait list. :) good luck to you. Stalling is normal and you'll get better with practice
You also need to wear something with a long sleeves in case you drop you bike or have minor crash. If you have the riding gears, those are a lot better.
i would say that even if you are in neutral you should still grab the clutch when you start and even when you stop and are in neutral you shouldnt dump the clutch. even with newer bikes, you may have a false neutral. its not likely but its better to be safe than sorry! just my two cents.
Congrats! _Moto Jitsu_ has many good training tips. _Dan the Fireman's_ channel is good to watch to learn what to look out for. FortNine has some great content and just pace and push yourself. _Doodle on a Motorcycle_ is pretty inspirational too. You probably know all these and more by now. Ride safe - have fun.
Good recommendations, though some of Dan the Fireman's content might scare the cr4p out of you! Also, don't obsess too much. Guys like Mr Moto Jitsu are excellent, but *obsessed* in their approach. You really don't need to be that self-conscious and capable unless you want to push your bike nearer the limits than most people ever will want to or even do by accident. As long as you always err on the side of caution, you'll be fine.
This reminds of the first time I swung a leg over a motorcycle in 2001. Loved watching you video, stay safe and keep riding and documenting your journey! Good luck!
I’m sure I’m not the only one saying this, but thanks for sharing this. You’re not the only one that’s bought a bike before knowing how to ride, but possibly the first one to admit it!👍
I started on a rebel 500. I loved that bike. My only advice is to keep your beginner bike (if at all possible) when you upgrade. I sold that bike in 2017 and still miss it.
I took the msf course it was a blast. I highly recommend it. It teaches so much, and you get to forego the whole permit process and the riding test at the dmv. Also you get a big discount on insurance. Definitely recommend if you haven't already. I'm about to buy a rebel as my first bike.
I did the same thing! I bought my dream bike about a few weeks ago, only been riding for 8 whole hours now. It's the coolest, wildest, scariest feeling and I love it.
My personal experience was to first learn to ride off-road on a 125 dirt bike. Then I graduated to a 400cc, and so on. 40 + years later, after 2 H-D's and a monster Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan and others cycles, I now ride a Suzuki c50t. 611 lbs and the hardest ride to control at low speed. I also comend the technique whereas you get on a flat surface, and learn to get the cycle moving with the clutch only...no gas. Get in a large parking lot and learn to do figure 8's with mostly the clutch, and very little gas.
i just got a 2 stroke converted bike (been riding it for about 2 and a half weeks now) and i love riding it lol... I cant wait to get a real motorcycle but the biggest deterrence for me is the gears... i rode a motorcycle up a mountain in thailand once
My goodness you are beautiful... And you did so good on learning how to ride. The fact that you learned the function of the clutch of when and how to press it is a huge key to learning your motorcycle. Now its all practice and repetition. Way to go!
Thanks. I'm in the same boat right now, although my journey is necessitous. I live 20 miles from the nearest food store, and suddenly in a situation with only a bike for transportation. I love riding and always hop on IF I'm confident in the driver. I am keenly aware of the danger. It's been decades since I learned to ride, bikes have changed and I commute to a region that's consistently on the list of the top 10 worst places to drive in the US. I have the advantage of knowing the roads well, but bikes have changed. I've got a healthy fear to make peace with and a lot of learning to do so.
Great video! I just bought a used Vulcan 900 2008 today with 5562 miles on it! It is red and in perfect condition they barely rode the thing!!!! I paid 1800 bucks for it! Had my license for over 34 years and I never got a bike cuz I was married to a hater and now the kids are grown and I can do me!!! I am nervous and exited! My friend is gonna pick it up for me bcuz I am not ready for any highways yet!
This video reminds me of my first motorcycle lessons, also on a Honda Rebel. I cringed at the warning of your instructor not to brake hard on the front brake, as that was what I did after a few lessons on te road. I was at a stop light to go right when I accelareted too fast because the clutch was a little too big for my small hands and ik slipped out of my fingers. I grapped both handles at once hard and slided sideways on the motorbike
Hello Rea! Outstanding! Motorcycles are great! They've been a part of my life for many years! There are some neat channels on youtube of other girls riding. Maybe you'll be able to hook up with some of them and be encouraged and learn some good tips and lessons. "Doodle On A Motorcycle" is a good one. "On Her Two Wheels" is another one. Best Wishes and God Bless!
Nice video! I'm also learning motorcycling relatively late. And I can still remember that in my second motorcycle training session, I have put it into the 1st gear and I talked with my trainer and then forgot about it. And I just suddenly let the clutch lever go, making my motorcycle rushed across the road and stopped before the tram track just before a tram passing by, and my trainer was simply speechless 😀You did it so well comparing to me 😂
Nice! I’m in the UK, taking my final bike test early on 1st March & getting my new Rebel 500 in the afternoon!! I’ll either be out riding or it will be stuck in the garage until I pass 😂
This is going to be my first bike too, a black ‘21 rebel. Without any instruction I’m just going to ride home learning as I go 😳 your vid is inspiring 🤩
Please take a safety class. You will learn important little things people who don't take them tend to miss for years. They are valuable & you get your license right there, without the DMV fuss. Enjoy your journey!
I got a Kawasaki eliminator 450, and I had someone explain to me how to use everything. After riding for about an hour I was cruising but struggling with the stopping and takeoff at signs. Hopefully a nother day and I'll have it all down
I recommend taking the MSF first, because the worry about dropping a brand new motorcycle can slow down the learning process. That's why it's better to learn on the MSF bike (you don't worry about dropping the MSF bike, it already has scratches on it...). And now that you know about the clutch friction zone, you're sure to pass, because that's the key thing you need for all the other exercises. And depending on where you live, taking the MSF is either mandatory, or, not mandatory but in that case it'll reduce insurance costs.
@@RidewithRea Make sure to push yourself to learn as much as possible (it's much better to do that under the watchful eye of the coaches than out in the street!). The key to passing all of the low speed exercises, U-turns, sharp turns from a stop, etc, is just 1 thing: if you feel the bike "falling" then you have to know that if you drive the rear wheel, the bike will always come back up again. You can always prevent the bike from falling with clutch/throttle, and once you know that, you'll be able to ride with confidence. The key to be able to do that is the ability to use the clutch friction zone. But you already practiced the clutch in this video, so you'll definitely be able to do this, and pass the MSF with flying colors.
Thank you so much! Yea one thing I’m fearful of is falling/dropping the bike so those tips are super helpful 😊 I look forward to learning a lot from the course
@@RidewithRea If you've mastered the clutch, and if you're OK with riding in a straight line, one exercise you can do to build confidence is the following: From a stop, put the feet on the pegs *before* the bike moves. You'll feel the bike "fall" but instead of putting your foot down, just make the bike move forward with clutch+throttle (How much throttle? As long as it's enough to make sure the engine doesn't stall, then it's OK. So a little bit of throttle, not all the way closed). You'll notice that even though the bike felt like it was falling, as soon as you power the bike with the throttle+clutch, it stabilizes right away. This exercise can replace fear with confidence. After that, there's no way you could fail the MSF,. For instance in a U-turn (the hardest exercise in the MSF), if you feel the bike "falling", you'll know that a bit more power on the rear wheel will always fix that, so no need to put a foot down (foot down during the exam = you lose 1 point, it's not a big deal, but lets aim for a perfect score!). Now keep in mind that this exercise is *after* you have gotten good at putting the clutch in the friction zone. Because, if you feel the bike "falling" then it's time to power the rear wheel, and for that, you should have clutch control. When you get on the MSF bike, before you even start it, you can already figure out where the clutch friction zone is (when you pull in the clutch lever, you'll feel at some point the tension on the lever increase, that's the friction zone). Any time you pull on the lever with enough force to pull it in a little bit, but not enough force to pull it in all the way, then that's the lever force you need to use to get in the friction zone. That's where you want to be in low speed exercises. PS. Best advice on the internet: RUclips channel "Moto Control". He has basic exercises as well as more advanced ones. I can tell you without a doubt that the better you get at this, the more you'll enjoy it, so make sure to keep learning.
Thank you for all your replies, they are so detailed and helpful 😊 I am getting so excited for the MSF course and I really want to give an update on how I do. & thanks for the channel recommendation. I will totally be checking him out :)
Hahaha!!! That's exactly what I did today Rea and congratulations!!!! I bought a 125cc Mutt Motorcycle (made in Birmingham, England) and don't have my CBT test yet for a few weeks (CBT=Compulsory Basic Training that we have to do in the UK to be able to ride legally on the roads on a bike with power up to 125 cc. If you want to ride a more powerful motorbike you need to do the full license here in the UK....I'll get there eventually!). Never having ridden a motorcycle ever before and having watched a few youtube vids, I practised doing exactly what you were doing: just finding that bite point on the clutch and learning to go fwd with a bit of throttle and stop in 1st gear! Amazing feeling! Although I am still a total fraud I actually feel like a motorbiker now!! Phil, North Wales, UK
As an experienced rider, cherish these moments, feel the adrenaline, and enjoy the learning! I miss this feeling of not knowing and uncertainty when I ride my bike.
I almost died 5x in my 1st year riding first year is no joke
@@laryangel4082 how many of those were your fault? I’ve been riding almost a year and have yet to experience a life threatening situation. I believe a lot of riders put themselves in those types of situations. Trying to show off or riding outside of their experience level. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen a lot of dumb drivers but if your vigilant, pay attention to your surroundings and don’t ride like an idiot, I truly believe there would be a lot less incidents that injure or potentially kill the motorists. U
I hope your still riding and that those scary situations haven’t scared you into not riding again. Be safe out there.
I don't know. I live in a colder climate so it feels like every spring is starting over on a bike.
@@derekmortensen1665 My close call happened my first year of riding, it was a 4 way intersection but two way stop where like I didn't have a stop sign and oncoming traffic didn't but the road on the left and right had a stop sign, some old man didn't see me even though II had my headlight on, didn't stop and would have hit me if I wasn't paying attention to him specifically and hit my brakes
@@Everyone_Dies good job on noticing the potential on coming danger. I almost don’t move until I know I made some sort of eye contact with them. I really do hate those kind of streets. In an old town I used to live at in Colorado had streets like those, but minus the stop signs. I could never tell who had the right away. It was ridiculous. Lol.
The one thing I have learned and I’m the same way when it comes to driving vehicles is always expect someone to cut you off, brake check you or blow with stoplights/ stop signs. If you always have that mentality, you will avoid a lot of potential accidents. I hope nothing crazy has happened since that incident and keep on riding safe.
I won’t be the person who mentions that you need at least a mesh jacket, gloves, and a more protective helmet. I’ve crashed at 30mph and even at that low speed, you don’t want your skin grinding on tarmac.
Yes proper gear is so important!!Since recording this video, I now have a full face helmet, riding jacket with padding and leather gloves! I’ll be wearing that in my next progress video. Thanks for the info! :) I definitely don’t want to risk tearing up my skin 🥲
It's not even about crashing and falling. Getting hit by bugs, small pebbles and twigs at high speed will sting even with regular clothes.
Rea congrats 👏, When you ease the clutch out lightly not all the way, the bike is moving. That's called the "friction zone". Remember the front and rear brake are on the same side, opposite of the clutch. You got this young Lady. I'm looking forward to more beginner content. As soon as I get my permit I'm buying either a 2022 Street Bob or Low Rider S. They both have the 114 engine.
But you don’t look cool.
@@locoocho2415thank you so much!! & that’s a great bike!😊
Anyone who truly enjoys riding has to love this video. Seeing how excited you were on starting it alone is heart warming. I don't care how you came about getting the bike and whether you had years of experience or none at all, what matters is that you had a goal, you wanted to get on the road and you made it happen. Hats off, enjoy!
I'm a 60 year old guy who is blessed with a sister who knew my one wish was to get a motorcycle. Things worked out, so she got me one. These videos are inspiring me as I come back to riding after 42 years. Have fun Rea, I'm right there with you.
oh my gosh that's so awesome!! safe riding! :)
You have one amazing sister!!!!! I'm turning 60 next month have wanted a motorcycle my whole life but lived from paycheck to paycheck even been homeless a couple of times, my sister is rich and it will be a miracle if she even gives me $100, 99% percent of my birthdays she gives nothing!
I know others have said this, but I want to reinforce that developing familiarity with the friction zone on your clutch is one of the best things you can do early on to increase your confidence on the bike. You got this! Once the controls become second nature it's absurd how good it feels to just cruise around on two wheels. You're going to love it.
This is the way. When I taught my wife how to ride we spent hours upon hours just getting her used to the friction zone in first gear. Friction zone, get rolling, roll to a stop. Over and over again until it was muscle memory and she could do it without even thinking. Then same thing but a little more speed, and gently using the rear brake to come to a stop. Over and over again. Then same thing with front brake. It's all about repetition until it's muscle memory. A few days in we had her shifting up to second gear and coming to a stop. After a week of this she was riding around the neighborhood like a boss.
After that we found an empty parking lot and started practicing u-turns (and how finding the friction zone and applying some light rear brake at the same time helps) as well as doing a slalom course, and practicing emergency stops. It was a lot of grinding and it got a bit boring for her after a while, but it helped her learn the basics which in turn made her pass her MSF course and get her license on the first try. We've been riding together for seven years now.
“absurd how good it feels” This, exactly. Absurd is the only correct word to use. Absolutely absurd.
When I took my riding course, there was this petite girl in the class and she turned out to be the best rider out of all of us. I was very impressed. It’s cool to see you start your journey. A few months from now you will look back and see how far you’ve come!
@@Tondaloona03 oh ffs
God the newer Rebels are so bad ass looking. I still want a Rebel 500
Fun to watch a young lady experience the joy of motorcycles. I've been riding a long time and have been hit by two crazy drivers. I always ride defensively, but sometimes there's no way out. Riding in town can be a real challenge with all the aggressive drivers. Get up early and get onto rural roads and enjoy the fresh air and mother nature. It's really a blast after you get the hang of it.
Your bike fits you well, good decision, stay with it, you’ll do great. Be safe.
thank you!
The look of pure joy on your face when that engine started... Priceless!
The bike community will watch your channel with interest
That's a great first bike. Perfect to learn on, and Hondas are legendary for their quality of build and reliability.
It's great that you got a motorcycle. I'm 64, and have been riding dirt bikes since age 8, and street bikes since age 16. I got my license on my 16th birthday. It will take years to really become really proficient on it. All my dirt bike experience helped a lot, before I started riding in traffic. The hardest thing to learn is not how to control the motorcycle, but how to deal with traffic. To everybody out there in a 4 wheeled vehicle, you are invisible.
The front brake is probably the most important control on a bike. You need to learn how to modulate it while coming to a stop from highway speeds in the shortest time possible without locking up the front wheel. Hopefully that bike doesn't have ABS. You have not learned how to ride a motorcycle until you have learned how to ride one without ABS properly.
I am looking at getting my first bike ever and this video just gave me the motivation I needed to go for it and learn. Total Beginner I look forward to this new journey and community.
you got this! safe riding
I just got a HONDA REBEL 500 MOTORBIKE, and i love it.
You just got yourself a subscriber. I started learning how to ride a motorcycle myself earlier this month. I've slowly been building up my confidence with short, controlled rides in wide-open spaces. It's amazing how much of a feel you get for your bike only after the first couple of rides. Love the content!
Oh thank you so much!!😊 I agree! It’s amazing how much more comfortable I feel after a few short rides & with some practice. im so happy you’re also riding :) good luck to you!
Your clutch is your best friend. When in doubt clutch it out have fun and be safe.
Omg I did the same thing . I bought a brand new one like my roommate/best friend 23 years ago & I couldn’t even drive it home . That was hands down the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. However when I got married my husband made me sell it
I'm so sad you had to sell it! I hope you're able to go out riding again
That is a great beginner bike. I bought my first ever bike 2020 after having the license for 38 years and never have ridden a motorcycle since 1983 and it was a Honda Rebel 500 from 2020. You will have a lot of fun with this great little bike. You already know, that you always should wear proper gear and so nothing stands between you and having fun riding your little Rebel. Your friend is doing a great job too. He is very calm, what is very important. I am doing the same with my wife who first learned riding a scooter and now is in the process of learning to ride a bike with clutch and gears. So I am looking forward to more of your videos. Greatings from Austria.
ATGATT All the Gear, All the time! 🙂 (Full face helmet, leather gloves, jacket, boots with ankle protection) Congrats and have fun!
I don't know why it's so satisfying to watch this video but I just keep re-watching it 100 times with no shame 😃 Maybe because I can relate to your reactions, excitement, uncertainty and you're closer to my age group as well ☺I too got into motorcycles all of a sudden. I got to be a passenger few times and since then, I swear I've been obsessed with motorcycles, even the sound of exhaust sends shivers down my spine. I want to learn how to ride and I know I will, sooner or later. Safe ride y'all ❤
My personal experience was to first learn to ride off-road on a 125 dirt bike.
The joy when using the throttle for the first time ever...priceless! So fun to see that pure reaction!
I admire a women that is willing to do and learn something outside of her comfort zone, learn something different a regular women wouldn't dare to do or wouldn't want to learn. Mechanics, riding a motorcycle... you name it. Respect for you and welcome to the 🏍 community.
I am impressed by your willingness to share your journey and to be this vulnerable and risk so much ridiculous judgement. BTW you are brave and awesome and have a spectacular life ahead. Count me a fan….
Haha thank you so much! I think it’s important to share these moments even if they might be a bit embarrassing. I hope it encourages others. Learning means I’ll probably make many mistakes in the process and that’s okay.
& if I can do this, so can anyone! 💪🏼😊
@@RidewithRea I know you said you were not going to do just motorcycle content, but I can assure you, motorcycle content will get more views than most anything else you could do.
@@spartanx169x I think you’re right 😅 & thank you! I like sharing my journey so I will definitely be sharing more motorcycle content :) just waiting for the weather to get a bit nicer here. It’s been raining a lot and I’m not comfortable practicing on wet roads just yet🫠
Mate, enjoy the learning process. It's an amazing stage as a rider and is something you will absolutely love. It also comes once in your riding experience so savor it. There's a lot more miles to ride, welcome to the riding community.
Congratulations! Traffic is your biggest enemy. Try to start out in a low traffic area. It will take several hours for the controls to become automatic. In no more than a week, start countersteering. Push right to go right. Easiest above 25 mph. You can begin by just countersteering from the left side of the lane to the right, and back. When you get good at that, you can start using it for cornering. Speaking of which, look where you go, go where you look. Look into the turn. If you maneuver around an obstacle, look at the path around the obstacle, not the obstacle itself. When you practice U-turns, look into the turn. It is very easy to drop a bike at walking speeds. Even after decades of riding. This requires patience and practice. Have fun!
Thank you so much!! It'll be a while before I'll feel comfortable riding in traffic out on the road but I will continue to practice in empty parking lots to improve my skills. :) I'll try those tips out! I really want to work on turning next.
Riding is so much fun! I'm 65 now and back to riding. But make sure you wear the right motorcycle gear. Road burn really hurts!
You picked the right kind of bike to learn on. Looks like you're going a baby step at a time with good instruction. You'll be fine. Love your enthusiasm.
The right bike? We started on 50cc 2 strokes and all became real riders. If you starton a 500 with ZERO knowledge, you ask for troubles. Btw... nice jacket... faiI.
I’ve been wanting to get a motorcycle for so long watching your excitement and you doing it exactly how I want to made me excited for my journey to come thank you so much for being authentic and showing that.
haha aww thank you!!! I was genuinely so excited and still am when I go out to ride :) I hope you get to start riding soon!!
I am in the same process myself. Choosing a bike and learning about them. This video was exactly what I needed as reassurance to give it a try :)
I’ve been wanting to buy one for a long time. There are few women who ride a motorcycle and this video is very inspiring to me. It’s the sign I was waiting for. Thank you, Rea✨
thank you for this comment! Good luck on your journey :)
a pretty girl like you will not have a shortage of help!
my problem with that is im in my 70s and im tired of getting hit on by pretty girls! people and thier problems no!
you go girl your a natural!!!!
I love how excited and happy you are riding for the first time!! Good for you!
Just got my daughter riding on the road. Got her first wave, she was so excited. Even after the MSF course and endorsement we still practice in the lot. It’s good for me too. Get some gear and coms. for your helmets.
Oh that’s amazing! 😊 yea I really want to do a lot more practicing first before I even get on the road. Even after the MFS course! & yes thanks for the tip about the gear. I will be wearing my jacket and gloves at all times now 😅
The rebel is a beautiful machine
Oh geeze, gotta take the MSF course. Highly recommend.
Yes I recently took the MSF course and passed!🎉
I remember the thrill of beginning to ride my old Yamaha 250 in 1975! It's scary but thrilling!
Learn your friction zone on your clutch and do some slow manuevers in an open parking lot, its helpful and is quite fun, be safe out there and enjoy the ride
Thank you! I will practice that on my next outing 😊 much appreciated!!
Yeah. Great tip, particularly when going slow on turns. The only way not to drop a big twin chop. All about the clutch and throttle control, opposite to driving a car, where you shouldn't ride the clutch.
Reminds me of the first time I got on a motorcycle and everyone that rides had a first time. Don't worry about embarrassing yourself. Hope you always enjoy riding.
Great seeing you on your journey! I’ve been wanting a motorcycle for sometime now, I’ve watched countless rebel videos on RUclips and yours popped up! Great teacher, calm and simple! Looking forward to the next post!
As someone who's been thinking about getting a bike for years and years this gave me so much joy to see because there's just something exciting about that first bike and first ignition that looks so much fun. I wish I had the courage you did. This is the bike I want I'm just not brave enough to go through the course and all that.
That makes me so happy to hear! & if I can do it I feel like anyone can 😊
@@RidewithRea ☺ I'm really glad to hear that! I'm looking into it more and I been checking my finances to start saving for this, I'll be moving this year but I'm actually looking forward to making some progress on this dream of mine cause your videos have been really inspiring. I don't feel so alone in those thoughts of starting. You're so brave and I'm so glad you're sharing your journey! Perhaps one day I'll be brave enough too!
@@piplup10203854 Do it! As with most things in life, as long as you are confident *but calm* you can't go wrong. Of course bikes can be tricky and dangerous, but so is crossing the street (ie. it really isn't, if you just follow the rules and take it easy).
And, hey, if you aren't confident, that will come with practice. Start slow. Just ask a friend to sit on one and rev it, maybe. Go pillion with someone you trust. Always train and ride with someone who is calm so they don't scare you, but really there is nothing to be scared of, especially when *you* will be the one in control of your own bike, eventually!
Maybe just do a lesson on a scooter. Not having gears to worry about is a good intro to riding.
hey, the course is a piece of cake. it really teaches you a lot, and you will pass, unless you run over an instructor, or destroy the bike.
@@davidbreen4353 That actually helps a lot lol I just worry I'm gonna lose control of it you know and either hurt myself or someone else and I worry I'm gonna stall at a light and a litany of other fears. I just put it off because every time I bring it up to friends or family they always tell me it's too dangerous and life comes up so it's always gotten pushed to the back burner you know. I'm glad to know it's relatively easy and straight forward though that's reassuring. Thank you ☺ I'm in the middle of getting a house but perhaps sometime after that all settles I can do this. I'd really like to one day, I just keep getting talked out of it.
I'm on the same situation. I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle but never did it. I just started to train for the permit and I'm looking for a motorcycle to buy. Thanks for sharing the experience and good luck on your journey! 🙂
Your laugh on the first time was so pure. Really gave me a confidence boost. This’ll be me soon. Thank you.
hell yeah! i just did the same thing, bought a harley lowrider without a class or license and just trying to learn as fast as i can! love my bike! sick to see you doing this!
Thank you for sharing ALL the basics!!!! I’m going to be in THAT SAME EXACT position hopefully soon, on exactly the SAME bike- well 500 hopefully!!! Seeing you on that bike confirmed it for me!! Waited a looooong time!! 🙏🙏🙏
I’ve decided to get my licence and the rebel is my bike of choice as well. Went for it purely on the looks but was happy to find that all my research points to it being a solid little bike.
that rebel is a beaut!! great to see someone take on a new learning journey! Also looks like you’ve got a good teacher to support the cause. keep it up and ride safe. It’s a very rewarding hobby (at least in my opinion!)
Ahh thank you! Its used but I’m so happy I was able to find a rebel in good condition 😊 & yes! I’m so thankful to have someone help me learn how to ride otherwise it would be waaaaay more intimidating 😅 & the support I’ve been receiving helps so much, so I appreciate it! I can’t wait to keep practicing & improving :)
pretty neat. congratulations. i am 68 years old, i have ridden a few of friends bikes, around the block etc. never owned one. at 66 i bought my first motorcycle.aHonda Rebel 500. Two years i have been riding everyday. A lot of people(mostly Harley riders)look down at me because i ride a Honda. i don't let it bother me, being 5' 6'' 135 lbs. i am out there riding at my leisure, my own pace. sure i can't go 130 mph, but at my age why would i want to. There are a whole bunch of women of all sizes, ages riding Harley's, great!! i enjoy what i do, you enjoy your ride, be safe(people in cars don't see you, no matter how many look out for biker stickers on their vehicles)and enjoy the thrill of riding.
I ride a softail now but my first street bike was an 85 Honda shadow. Loved that bike and wouldn't hesitate to own a Honda again, maybe I'll get one as a second bike. They are a great bike for anyone starters and vetrans
I am also a new rider and going through the process of learning a geared motorcycle, and honestly, you're doing a lot better than I am for your first ever time, haha. Keep it up!
thank you!! -safe riding :)
My friend and I got bikes this winter, we are just waiting on spring to go for our first ride. Watching stuff like this makes me so excited!
That’s so exciting!! It’s nice to have someone to go riding with 😊 that sounds so fun
My Vulcan S stood in my garage for 4 weeks after I bought it because I had never ridden before and didn't have a licence. Once I passed the legal basic training on a different bike I paid the instructor to take me out for a day, which is the first time I rode the Vulcan S. I didn't have a clue, I even struggled with simple turns at junctions and actually stalled on a roundabout during rush hour traffic. 1 year and 12kkm later I ride every day and love every moment of it.
I just saw this today. I wanna say good job. The moment your feet your feet were on the pegs, I know your heart was pounding. Well done!
thank you!
So genuine and awesome, my wife and I loved it.
I have the desire to buy myself one and was curious, thank you so much for sharing your first experience
OMG! I knew that I was an empathetic person but this time was wild for me. This took me back to when I was 16 and my first bike. I felt every bit of it all over again. I rode from age 17 to age 22. Then the engine seized. Mechanical problems. The cam chain snapped. I never got a replacement. Now, go forward in time. I am age 61. I got another bike. It's a HONDA. VT 750. I guess I lived it all over again. But not quite the same this time. It's so wonderful to be on a bike again. Be careful, and ride safe. ✌ 🤘
This is so crazy, glad I found this vid. My hubby just bought his first bike and after watching him I just called about a Honda Shadow someone is selling. I don't want to have to be sitting behind him to ride. I have no clue what I am doing, but it seems like I am in good company!
Oh my gosh that’s amazing!! Good luck to you & safe riding ☺️
Your videos on learning to ride have been very inspirational to me. I got my permit and a bike knowing almost nothing. I wish I had a safe place to practice near me or someone to help me get to a safe place to practice because I really want to get started learning
I’m so happy they’ve been inspiring! If you’re unable to get to a safe location or have someone ride the bike for you to an empty lot, I would suggest just taking the MSF course. That way you’ll learn all the basics and practice on one of their bikes they provide for you. & by the end of the course I’m sure you’ll feel more confident riding.
@RidewithRea I have scheduled the class for August was the first date I could get. I did a little practice in with a friend. I rode by myself to a gas station last night I stalled out a little more than I would have liked but I am getting a little more confident going to ride again tonight for a little.
@@strangesolution1465 I had the same thing happen to me! I had to wait a couple months before taking my course because the classes were all filled. Try to see if there are any no-shows or last minute openings. My course would allow people to come at an earlier time from a wait list. :) good luck to you. Stalling is normal and you'll get better with practice
You also need to wear something with a long sleeves in case you drop you bike or have minor crash. If you have the riding gears, those are a lot better.
Fun watching you discover the first feeling of controlling your very own motorcycle. And a good, patient teacher.
Friend started on a rebel 500, those bikes are so good to learn on. Can have fun, but never have to worry about getting into real issues
i would say that even if you are in neutral you should still grab the clutch when you start and even when you stop and are in neutral you shouldnt dump the clutch. even with newer bikes, you may have a false neutral. its not likely but its better to be safe than sorry! just my two cents.
What a great video! I laughed with you when you laughed revving it! I've been riding so long that I forget what's it like to start.
Great job! I want to do the same thing. Not sure what my bike will be but I am hoping to own a Royal Enfield soon.
Congrats! _Moto Jitsu_ has many good training tips. _Dan the Fireman's_ channel is good to watch to learn what to look out for. FortNine has some great content and just pace and push yourself. _Doodle on a Motorcycle_ is pretty inspirational too. You probably know all these and more by now. Ride safe - have fun.
Good recommendations, though some of Dan the Fireman's content might scare the cr4p out of you!
Also, don't obsess too much. Guys like Mr Moto Jitsu are excellent, but *obsessed* in their approach. You really don't need to be that self-conscious and capable unless you want to push your bike nearer the limits than most people ever will want to or even do by accident. As long as you always err on the side of caution, you'll be fine.
This reminds of the first time I swung a leg over a motorcycle in 2001. Loved watching you video, stay safe and keep riding and documenting your journey! Good luck!
I did the same thing in 2005 and bought a VTX, I miss that bike.
I’m sure I’m not the only one saying this, but thanks for sharing this. You’re not the only one that’s bought a bike before knowing how to ride, but possibly the first one to admit it!👍
She did great and is so brave. I have been trying to teach my wife on a lowered kawasaki z125 pro and it has been difficult for her.
I started on a rebel 500. I loved that bike. My only advice is to keep your beginner bike (if at all possible) when you upgrade. I sold that bike in 2017 and still miss it.
Thank you for the video. I got my Motorcycle License in January and I’m getting my bike this week. This video is a perfect review. 🙏🏾
thank you! congrats on getting your bike
I took the msf course it was a blast. I highly recommend it. It teaches so much, and you get to forego the whole permit process and the riding test at the dmv. Also you get a big discount on insurance. Definitely recommend if you haven't already. I'm about to buy a rebel as my first bike.
i take my course next month, i cant wait!
Thank you so much!! Yes I’m registered for the course and I can’t wait to take it! & congrats on getting your bike! 😊
Me also I'm taking mine in May nervous certainly but also excited..crazy drivers are a issue.
I wish I could experience that first time again :) That reaction to the first rev, I felt that !
I did the same thing! I bought my dream bike about a few weeks ago, only been riding for 8 whole hours now. It's the coolest, wildest, scariest feeling and I love it.
that's amazing! good luck and safe riding :)
My personal experience was to first learn to ride off-road on a 125 dirt bike. Then I graduated to a 400cc, and so on. 40 + years later, after 2 H-D's and a monster Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan and others cycles, I now ride a Suzuki c50t. 611 lbs and the hardest ride to control at low speed. I also comend the technique whereas you get on a flat surface, and learn to get the cycle moving with the clutch only...no gas. Get in a large parking lot and learn to do figure 8's with mostly the clutch, and very little gas.
Congratulations! Enjoy riding. I started years ago and i still love it very much
Thank you so much!
i just got a 2 stroke converted bike (been riding it for about 2 and a half weeks now) and i love riding it lol... I cant wait to get a real motorcycle but the biggest deterrence for me is the gears... i rode a motorcycle up a mountain in thailand once
My goodness you are beautiful... And you did so good on learning how to ride. The fact that you learned the function of the clutch of when and how to press it is a huge key to learning your motorcycle. Now its all practice and repetition. Way to go!
Thanks. I'm in the same boat right now, although my journey is necessitous. I live 20 miles from the nearest food store, and suddenly in a situation with only a bike for transportation. I love riding and always hop on IF I'm confident in the driver. I am keenly aware of the danger. It's been decades since I learned to ride, bikes have changed and I commute to a region that's consistently on the list of the top 10 worst places to drive in the US. I have the advantage of knowing the roads well, but bikes have changed. I've got a healthy fear to make peace with and a lot of learning to do so.
take a rider course and keep at it as long as you have the desire to ride keep on keepin on best wishes
I learned to ride on an old school Honda Rebel, hell yeah! I went from that straight to a 2008 Honda CBR600rr.
Perfect beginner/learning bikes. Those n sportsters. Nice biltwell bars, had those on my old rebel loved the look
Great video! I just bought a used Vulcan 900 2008 today with 5562 miles on it! It is red and in perfect condition they barely rode the thing!!!! I paid 1800 bucks for it! Had my license for over 34 years and I never got a bike cuz I was married to a hater and now the kids are grown and I can do me!!! I am nervous and exited! My friend is gonna pick it up for me bcuz I am not ready for any highways yet!
@@IAMAYESHAJAE thanks so much & congrats on your bike!! 😊 safe riding!!
This video reminds me of my first motorcycle lessons, also on a Honda Rebel. I cringed at the warning of your instructor not to brake hard on the front brake, as that was what I did after a few lessons on te road. I was at a stop light to go right when I accelareted too fast because the clutch was a little too big for my small hands and ik slipped out of my fingers. I grapped both handles at once hard and slided sideways on the motorbike
You got this! Learn how to feather the clutch, look where you’re turning, wear your gear and HAVE FUN!!
I remember going to MTI for my first class! This is bringing back memories so happy for you!
take a MSF course, well worth it.
Hello Rea! Outstanding! Motorcycles are great! They've been a part of my life for many years! There are some neat channels on youtube of other girls riding. Maybe you'll be able to hook up with some of them and be encouraged and learn some good tips and lessons. "Doodle On A Motorcycle" is a good one. "On Her Two Wheels" is another one. Best Wishes and God Bless!
Thank you so much!!
Ive always liked the look of a rebel. I used it to pass my test. Maybe one day I'll buy rebel 1000
Nice video! I'm also learning motorcycling relatively late. And I can still remember that in my second motorcycle training session, I have put it into the 1st gear and I talked with my trainer and then forgot about it. And I just suddenly let the clutch lever go, making my motorcycle rushed across the road and stopped before the tram track just before a tram passing by, and my trainer was simply speechless 😀You did it so well comparing to me 😂
Nice! I’m in the UK, taking my final bike test early on 1st March & getting my new Rebel 500 in the afternoon!! I’ll either be out riding or it will be stuck in the garage until I pass 😂
Hopefully you’ll be out riding it!! Good luck on your final test 😊
@@RidewithRea Thank you. Wear better clothing would be my only advice. Wouldn’t want to see you’ve fallen and hurt yourself 😊
This is going to be my first bike too, a black ‘21 rebel. Without any instruction I’m just going to ride home learning as I go 😳 your vid is inspiring 🤩
Oh that’s awesome! I’m glad this is inspiring and good luck to you ☺️
Please take a safety class. You will learn important little things people who don't take them tend to miss for years. They are valuable & you get your license right there, without the DMV fuss. Enjoy your journey!
I 2nd this, a certified instructor with classroom time and a closed course is the best way.
Great video, I'm 60 now and I'm looking to buy my first bike. The Honda Rebel 500, or the Honda NX500 and the Aprilia Tuareg 660 are the finalists.😊
I got a Kawasaki eliminator 450, and I had someone explain to me how to use everything. After riding for about an hour I was cruising but struggling with the stopping and takeoff at signs. Hopefully a nother day and I'll have it all down
I recommend taking the MSF first, because the worry about dropping a brand new motorcycle can slow down the learning process. That's why it's better to learn on the MSF bike (you don't worry about dropping the MSF bike, it already has scratches on it...).
And now that you know about the clutch friction zone, you're sure to pass, because that's the key thing you need for all the other exercises. And depending on where you live, taking the MSF is either mandatory, or, not mandatory but in that case it'll reduce insurance costs.
Yes thank you! I am registered to take the MSF class and I can't wait. It's not mandatory here but I am taking it anyways.
@@RidewithRea Make sure to push yourself to learn as much as possible (it's much better to do that under the watchful eye of the coaches than out in the street!).
The key to passing all of the low speed exercises, U-turns, sharp turns from a stop, etc, is just 1 thing: if you feel the bike "falling" then you have to know that if you drive the rear wheel, the bike will always come back up again.
You can always prevent the bike from falling with clutch/throttle, and once you know that, you'll be able to ride with confidence.
The key to be able to do that is the ability to use the clutch friction zone. But you already practiced the clutch in this video, so you'll definitely be able to do this, and pass the MSF with flying colors.
Thank you so much! Yea one thing I’m fearful of is falling/dropping the bike so those tips are super helpful 😊 I look forward to learning a lot from the course
@@RidewithRea If you've mastered the clutch, and if you're OK with riding in a straight line, one exercise you can do to build confidence is the following:
From a stop, put the feet on the pegs *before* the bike moves. You'll feel the bike "fall" but instead of putting your foot down, just make the bike move forward with clutch+throttle (How much throttle? As long as it's enough to make sure the engine doesn't stall, then it's OK. So a little bit of throttle, not all the way closed).
You'll notice that even though the bike felt like it was falling, as soon as you power the bike with the throttle+clutch, it stabilizes right away.
This exercise can replace fear with confidence. After that, there's no way you could fail the MSF,. For instance in a U-turn (the hardest exercise in the MSF), if you feel the bike "falling", you'll know that a bit more power on the rear wheel will always fix that, so no need to put a foot down (foot down during the exam = you lose 1 point, it's not a big deal, but lets aim for a perfect score!).
Now keep in mind that this exercise is *after* you have gotten good at putting the clutch in the friction zone. Because, if you feel the bike "falling" then it's time to power the rear wheel, and for that, you should have clutch control.
When you get on the MSF bike, before you even start it, you can already figure out where the clutch friction zone is (when you pull in the clutch lever, you'll feel at some point the tension on the lever increase, that's the friction zone). Any time you pull on the lever with enough force to pull it in a little bit, but not enough force to pull it in all the way, then that's the lever force you need to use to get in the friction zone. That's where you want to be in low speed exercises.
PS. Best advice on the internet: RUclips channel "Moto Control". He has basic exercises as well as more advanced ones. I can tell you without a doubt that the better you get at this, the more you'll enjoy it, so make sure to keep learning.
Thank you for all your replies, they are so detailed and helpful 😊
I am getting so excited for the MSF course and I really want to give an update on how I do.
& thanks for the channel recommendation. I will totally be checking him out :)
IT SUITES YOU SO WELL REAAA 🥺❤
Ahhhh THANK YOU 🥹❤️❤️
This bike looks great, and I'm sure feels great too.
Happy rides and stay safe
Excellent 👌 for a first bike.
Plenty of power, low to the ground, not overwhelmingly heavy.
Hahaha!!! That's exactly what I did today Rea and congratulations!!!! I bought a 125cc Mutt Motorcycle (made in Birmingham, England) and don't have my CBT test yet for a few weeks (CBT=Compulsory Basic Training that we have to do in the UK to be able to ride legally on the roads on a bike with power up to 125 cc. If you want to ride a more powerful motorbike you need to do the full license here in the UK....I'll get there eventually!). Never having ridden a motorcycle ever before and having watched a few youtube vids, I practised doing exactly what you were doing: just finding that bite point on the clutch and learning to go fwd with a bit of throttle and stop in 1st gear! Amazing feeling! Although I am still a total fraud I actually feel like a motorbiker now!! Phil, North Wales, UK
Rebel is great motorcycle. Comfortable and reliable. I miss my old one. I remember I bought it from the motorcycle school for $1000.