Just to share with you as i was in the same predicament as you as i have never ridden a bike before and went for the B Full licence by learning on the ER6n in driving school. The first lesson, I was not even allowed near the bike and I was given a kapchai to ride for 2hrs familiarising with the dynamics of a motorcycle. Come 2nd lesson, I was asked to use the ER6n for the first time and i was told to push the bike out first. OMG..I didn't realise how difficult it was pushing a 200lbs bike let alone riding it. It took me a hell of a tough time just to push it out and maneuver into the road. The bike feels like it wants to drop on either side and even worse is when you try to turn it. The handlebar has very small turning radius and it was damn heavy. I was taught how to start and play with the clutch, gears and brakes. Easy said than done. Somehow I manage to move the bike in first gear. The problem is stopping as you have to control clutch , rear brake and front brakes. and at the same time balancing the bike. I took it for a spin and have to stop at the junction. I got confused with the clutch and foot brakes. Everytime i press the clutch to prevent from stalling, i thought i was pressing the brakes (this is what bicycle does to you) and I immediately put down both my feet. Problem, now is i do not have brakes and as I panic I pressed the front brakes and my left leg tried to reach the ground. The bike fell on my left side slowly. It didn't hit me but my arms and shoulders were already sore by the weight of the bike. It was a nightmare and the instructor helped me to pull up the bike and I hatook a huge lashing from him. The dynamics of a big bike is not a joke. I went for a second round and the same happened as I drop the bike for a second time. I need to compose myself and relax and I manage to stop and start a few times without stalling or dropping the bike. This was my first two hours of riding experience and on a test course. I haven't even started doing all the obstacles yet and my hands and arm was like sore for two weeks.

My advice sir, is do not underestimate the dynamics of a big bike. mastering the maneuvere is key and also the controls. I made a mistake that i should have bought a bike first and learn slowly myself. The best way to start is to put a bike on a paddock stand and start playing with the brakes, clutch, change gears and moving in 1st gear. After that is done, then learn to push the bike in and out, reverse, left and right until you are familiar with the weight distribution and how the bike behaves by understanding the handlebar lock and so on. The pushing, puling and turning will help you learn how to use your body weight to push the bike without dropping it.

The find a quiet road and start practising short start , move in 1st gear, go and stop very frequently and then move on to cornering.

Once you have done this countless times, go the test driving course and learn the obstacles and also the road safety procedures by stopping at junctions, switching lanes etc etc. Take at least 10hrs for all this.

Maybe after 2 or 3 months then only start riding on Public roads. A bike is not a car, any marginal error is not as forgiving as a car. A car may acquire small dent which can be fixed but a dent on you maybe fatal.

This post has been edited by dvng: Apr 20 2012, 12:13 PM

My bad..it is actually 200kg, tq for pointing it out..you need to do a lot of sit ups to strengthened the legs and arms.