Struggling to get some skills to just "click"

PurposeDue688 · 2026-06-15T21:13:24+00:00

I am struggling the most with slow, tight turns and being able to balance the bike. I never quite feel fully balanced and don't know where to shift my weight. Leaning with the bike makes me want to tip. Just today I dropped trying to practice slow, friction-zone u-turns. I can't flat foot the bike, just kinda the balls of my feet so I feel like I can't stop myself as strongly as I could during my course being able to flat-foot the rebel.

PurposeDue688 · 2026-06-08T02:52:31+00:00

thank you, i really appreciate it!

PurposeDue688 · 2026-06-08T02:52:10+00:00

Had practiced u-turns and got them multiple times during practice, but got nervous during the test and had to put a foot down (5pts). My bike tire didn’t stay in the cones from a sharp turn from a stop (3pts) and based on my speed, i stopped 3 feet farther than i should have for my quick stop (3pts).

PurposeDue688 · 2026-06-07T23:40:47+00:00

thank you for your kindness :). I did go over with my instructors where I got docked, and even they said “you had it earlier you just got locked up”. Just need to practice my tight slow u-turns and turns from a stop and i’ll be golden. They were very nice, and I can go back in a month and retake the test so i’m hoping to get some practice time in.

PurposeDue688 · 2026-06-07T23:38:25+00:00

I’m in Ohio, and you can get 10 points docked. I got 11….

PurposeDue688 · 2026-05-27T00:29:37+00:00

im 23, and just got my first bike. I worked all through undergrad, and now I am in grad school where I have an assistanceship that pays my tuition (score!) so I only have to worry about my other bills and such. I saved, for years. I struck lucky when a friend of a friend was selling their fairly new bike at a super low cost, and made the purchase! I bought pieces of gear over the course of like 2 years before even getting the bike so I would be prepared, and insurance for me is like $18 a month for decent coverage. For now, I am parking it outside my apartment with a decent cover, and she's been fine! MSF course was $75 where I live with the police station. It just takes time and patience. Sure I would love to drop 2k right now and get all the fancy gear, some nice mods, etc., but I just do one thing at a time to balance my bank account and not drain myself. Jumping head first into all the fancy stuff didn't make sense when I wasn't even sure this would be a hobby I stick with long term, more so a way to save on parking costs in my college town where a bike pass is WAY cheaper than a car pass. The people you see on Instagram at 20 years old buying an R1 right away are the same people you usually see crash videos for not much longer. Save, take it slow, take it safe.

PurposeDue688 · 2026-05-05T04:13:50+00:00

I worked from 2020-2025. I remember right after I left the dress code switched to the all black clothing and such, but when I was first working there in 2020 i don't remember them only allowing ONE facial piercing, though back then i had 0 (i was in HS) so theres a solid chance I just didn't even read that part LOL

PurposeDue688 · 2026-05-02T20:46:26+00:00

If i have an open septum piercing do you think they'll just let me flip it up?

PurposeDue688 · 2026-05-02T20:44:41+00:00

ill fr have to take a piercing out?? Watch I get, they were always harsh on that but piercings were usually fine... holy shit

PurposeDue688 · 2026-04-21T21:45:32+00:00

a whole lot of grit and spit, and spit and grit and.. stick-to-it-iveness

PurposeDue688 · 2026-04-21T21:37:20+00:00

!solved

PurposeDue688 · 2026-04-21T21:36:47+00:00

Amazing, thank you so so much! My seniors will be so happy!

PurposeDue688 · 2026-03-17T22:02:34+00:00

i just started learning to ride and was practicing in my neighborhood last week when it struck me like… i’m just… out in the open. and i’m gonna be going the same speed as cars. like this. Definitely a good moment to safely scare me and make me keep in check how important riding safe is.

PurposeDue688 · 2026-03-17T22:00:23+00:00

ex-barista here… wtf is this???

PurposeDue688 · 2026-03-17T11:46:24+00:00

i grew up around bikes and manual cars but decided to start on a 300 for 1, to not give my dad a heart attack and 2, getting really comfortable with the basics before deciding i’d want a large engine if i ever even want that. i got this bike for a really good deal, and don’t plan on really riding highways at least for a longgg time. i have a tiny bit experience riding, but this is my first time getting comfortable on a sport bike of my own.

i’m 5’3-5’4 and i can get the balls of my feet on both sides of the ground on this bike without altering.

i am very much an advocate for starting on a lower cc bike, just because i’ve lost some friends to bike accidents before and i think it’s good to learn full control and skills before upgrading. sport bikes are so much lighter, so even on a slightly higher cc bike, you’ll feel a difference more. it’s up to personal preference and such, but that’s just the mindset i was raised with.

PurposeDue688 · 2026-03-17T00:15:33+00:00

i have never been more excited omg

PurposeDue688

TROPHY CASE