Be careful once you get out on the road.   The one time I've wrecked it was because I got a little too overconfident.    I was turning into a sand driveway and took the corner just a little too fast.   The sand was loose,  I lost traction, and I was over on my side before I knew what happened.     Fortunately I was not going very fast and wasn't hurt and the only damage to the bike was some scratches and a busted turn signal.   

Yeah, the easy part is easy but the other stuff can tie you in knots.  Get Jim to help you - lay the bike gently on its side and see what the weight of the thing really is as you try to get it back upright.   Try it from both sides.   Try to move the bike without power while you are sitting in the saddle.  That tip-toe thing is difficult.   Learn your turn radius at low speed.  Then learn it at a higher speed with an eye toward loss of traction.  The rear tire will most likely break loose first.  Learn how the turn radius translates to a complete change of direction or an S curve. Try a full on panic stop at ten miles per hour.  Then fifteen mph.  Then twenty mph. 

Realize that if you ride, you will eventually lay it down.  Most of us have done it without serious injury and some of us have done it many times depending on the type of riding we do (  dirt riders tend to dump more frequently but are usually less likely to suffer a serious injury than street riders ).   

Watch some videos of trials riders.  Observed trials is the most fascinating thing I've ever seen done on a motorcycle and it can open your eyes to what is possible on one.   The fact that you are actually riding is proof that your fear is something you are willing to confront and work your way through.  Proceed at your own comfort level and remember - we're all in your cheering section.   

Ok let's talk about yesterday...I was completely freaked out about the difference in throttle response. It is peppier now with less of a twist. The parking lot that I have been using had cars in it also. They were having a baby shower at the church with people pulling in to go, I was really unnerved since this is my first experience with "traffic".I was having a lot of difficulty with kick starting her. All and all it was a short and not good day.I looped around the lower parking lot, up the hill and back down then called it a day. I laid in the front of the truck and cried. I called yesterday..bad.
Today we went to the high school parking lot. It is much bigger, so I don't feel so confined and get freaked out about not having enough space. We took Evan with us today, since I am teaching him how to drive a car. He wanted to go first, so He and I made a few laps around the parking lot, then Jim and him went around a few more times. He did really well for it being a different vehicle than he drove last time. I think this actually helped me to relax some. Realizing that even though this is the same bike I have been riding, even small adjustments make it a whole new animal. Jim and Evan stood at the truck,well enough behind me that it was much like being by myself. It was just the bike and I. I sat reving it...getting use to the throttle response, then took off.  I went about 200 feet, stopped and took off again. This time I went up and started around the curve, and stalled it. I was able to kick it going again,and took off again. I went around the parking lot, over a speed bump and fully around the lot. I brought it to a stop again, shut it off, kick started it back up and took off again. Today is the fastest I have gone..I got all the way up to 25!!
After about 2 miles I called it a day. I have a pinched nerve somewhere between my shoulder and fingers in my left arm and have been struggling in half hand numbness. Today, my pinkie and ring finger on my right hand went numb. I was no longer comfortable trying to work the throttle with no feeling. I am calling today a success.

It's funny you say that Luke, Jim and I have had that conversation a few times. I envy those that learned before they really knew it wasn't natural, and fear set it. I told Jim, since his son and I are at the same level, that I would love to start our grand kids out young.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Caryn. You say that you envy those who learned as children before fear set in. I disagree,  humans when introduced to anything new will have fear, they just don't remember the experience when they are older .

Any ways my disagreement is neither here nor there. Your fear is natural and ok. The main thing to do (which is what you are doing now) is to keep at it. The moment you become discouraged and quit is when you've "lost" this thing. If you continue to ride, whether with fear or without, it does not Matter because you are still inching closer to your goal. Fear is not weakness it is another thing for you to conquer or accomplish in your pursuit to ride a motorcycle. Your progress from your worst ride will always far exceed the progress you make if you decide to quit trying.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted .
-Christopher

Both feet on the ground... and you can see the grin through the helmet. 
Off to a good start.

Sent from my Galaxy S7i using Tapatalk 9.

Nice.   

Awesome to have you back around.  And congratulations.



Kaso

Caryn on her 2000 Kawasaki KL250 Super Sherpa.

Fighting her way out of the sand.

The '86 Suzuki DR200 that showed her that she really COULD ride.


And our bikes together.



Jim

Excellent!  Glad to hear from you both again.      Its been way too long, IMO.