Practicing

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 05/19/2020 at 15:59 • Filed to: Project super cubby, two wheels good

5

14

Went down a dirt road a few blocks away so I could practice low speed maneuvers and experience what locking the brakes on a two-wheeler is like. Hint: it’s terrifying .

Bonus pic down by the boat launch.

I will eventually paint that last pink piece, I swear

shop-teacher > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 16:08

0

Practice, practice, practice.

Dead_Elvis, Inc. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 16:10

0

These are very cool little machines!

Throw some Michelin Gazelles on there if you’re going to do much dirt travel. They’re cheap & good, and decent on pavement, too. 

Pickup_man > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 16:31

1

I’ve been out practicing on my XL600R, which, honestly, not exactly a learner bike, and fully understand. I’m getting more and more comfortable tossing the back end around, small power slides, brake slides etc, but finding the traction balance between the front end and rear has been a challenge (a new front tire would help), and feeling that front tire wash out is terrifying. I’ve yet to put it down but it’s nerve wracking all the same.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 16:34

1

Super Cub ftw!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Pickup_man 05/19/2020 at 16:38

3

It turns out I rely too heavily on the rear brake, which is no bueno because it locks up easier than the front does. I have to work on that.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dead_Elvis, Inc. 05/19/2020 at 16:42

0

I won’t be going on dirt, I just chose a dirt road because it would be easier to intentionally lock the wheels. This thing is mostly gonna be used for zipping the half mile to work and back, but I want to be completely comfortable on it before I start mixing it with actual traffic.

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 16:51

2

It’s good that you recognize that. Have you taken an MSF rider course? They spend a lot of time talking about proper braking.

I once watched a guy split the lane at a red light between me and the car next to me. His front wheel was rolling and the rear wheel was locked up. He almost slid into the cross traffic. He was clearly terrified by what just happened. I rolled down the window, asked if he was ok, then suggested he take an MSF rider course to learn how to stop his bike. :D

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/19/2020 at 16:57

0

No MSF courses offered near me, I have to travel to Boston or Providence which means taking time off work and also having spare money. 

Hell, I’m not even sure how to get my full license because getting to the RMV for the test means taking this thing on a 50mph road.  

Dead_Elvis, Inc. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 16:57

1

Sounds like an excellent, dirt-cheap commute.

But these little guys are a fun ride on low-speed, low-traffic dirt roads. So much easier to toodle along, taking it all in, when you’re riding something that can’t really break a 35 mph speed limit (except downhill).

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 17:40

0

hehe good job practicing on a dirt road. I can rip a dirt bike full throttle down a dirt road but its different when its my SV650. My grandma lives on a dirt road and i have ridden there a few times. Its always a fun time!

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 17:44

0

In many states, passing a rider course will automatically qualify you for a license and in others it will remove the riding test requirement. I’m not sure what experience you have with motorcycles (I’m lumping scooters in with them), but even experienced riders find i t’s worth the time and effort to take the course.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/19/2020 at 18:10

1

MA does do the road test waiver but the nearest riding school   is a $ 100 ferry ride and an hour and a half of travel to get to.

TheRealBicycleBuck > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/19/2020 at 18:32

0

I’d weigh that cost against the cost of a ticket for riding without a license. That’s up to $500 in MA. More important are the skills and proper riding techniques you will learn. Really, it’s worth the cost and the trip. You show up wearing the proper gear and they will make sure you know what you’re doing before the end of the class. R iding a motorcycle is not like riding a bicycle.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/19/2020 at 18:37

1

I have a permit, I’m not completely unlicensed. The only restrictions are no passengers and daylight hours only.