New Rider Needs A Lot Of Help... Bought A New T100... To Scared To Ride It.

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Saraswati

Saraswati

Member
Hey there! So... I am that over-ambitious newb and i'm seeking some guidance from experienced riders.

I got my license about 3 months ago and have been ripping around town on a Ninja 250. I've done some track days at the speedway in NH as well, so i'm decently comfortable on the Ninja aside from the occasional mess-up. But a few weeks ago I very impulsively bought a brand spankin new 2015 Bonneville T100... oops.

A friend rode her home for me and I have since taken her for TWO rides around the block and otherwise she sits in the garage collecting dust.

I am nervous as hell that i'm going to drop her or hurt myself. The throttle is super sensitive, the power is a HUGE leap from the 250 and I got very used to how to maneuver the Ninja around corners, when taking slow left or right turns and when stopping.

Can anybody give me some advice and guidance regarding the differences I should expect going from a 375lb Ninja 250cc to a 495lb T100? What are the lean limitations on the Triumph? What about making slow left/right turns? Stopping/braking?

There is also the HUGE difference in the tachometer... I can hear pretty easily when my Ninja is ready to shift, but the Ninja likes to rev high and the redline is 13k RPM. The T100 is pretty quiet and I can't as easily hear when it wants to upshift or downshift.... so any RPM/Shift guidelines would be incredibly welcomed as well...

Any help would be welcome.... because at this point I have a beautiful machine that acts as a dinner table (I actually sit on her many nights for dinner....).


Thanks!

Sarah
 
Just go out and ride it. The T100 doesn't have any vices and won't give you any nasty surprises.
I'm sure your 250 Ninja was also a step up from what you rode before.
 
True... the only thing I ever rode before the 250 was a Bajaj Pulsar 180cc in India... I managed to make it do an accidental wheelie though! :/
 
The T100 is possibly one of the best bigger bikes to learn to ride on as has been said it is very easy to get used to and should not give you any great surprises. You could also look at going to a few rider classes on it to get a better feel from experts first hand that can se what you doing and give you tips on how better to improve yourself.
 
The Bonnie is a great bike for new and experienced riders. Only an idiot wouldn't have some concerns riding a new, bigger, more powerful bike than what they are used to. I know that if you think too much about falling you are setting yourself up for a fall. Be prepared for a fall but don't concentrate on falling.

My suggestion would be to find a place to practice and get comfortable with the bike. Vacant parking lots are great places to practice slow turns. Once you feel more comfortable, take longer rides. Before you know it you and the Bonnie will be as one, as if you were made for each other.
 
Congrats on the new bike, but as the great man said, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

hemibee gave you good advice. As hard as it may be, try to stop thinking about falling.
I agree it's a bit of a leap from the Ninja to the T100, but we've all done it and so can you. It just takes time, patience and practice.
I went through a similar experience in 1992 after the MSF course on a 250 and then got on my brand new H---a 650. It seemed like a monster until I got used to it.
Those are the key words - got used to it - and you can only do that by riding it.
Try and find a vacant lot; quiet streets; low traffic roads and practice, but actually getting out on the road is the best practice.
Experience is the best teacher and you can only learn how the brakes feel and the balance factor in tight parking lot turns by doing it.
Some bikes have a sensitive fuel injection throttle and that's something you will have to adjust to.
Out on the road the T100 can easily negotiate any curve unless you enter too hot. Use common sense and don't let anyone push you beyond your comfort zone.
If you're not going fast enough for some idiot tailgater, pull over and let them go by.

In the end it all comes down to riding the bike and getting used to it.
Only you can do that and I know you can. It will all fall into place like it did for us - just give it some time and practice.

If you're in New Hampshire you have some of the best motorcycle roads anywhere. I know, I've been on many of them TUP TUP
 
in my opinion fear is the first thing that gets any rider into trouble... Have respect for what you are doing take it to a parking lot and practice or take a class from MSF using your own bike. also. eventually we all drop our bikes... everyone does something ignorant and forgets a side stand. or leaves in neutral and rolls over. Or like me gets sideways on a 130 HP 650 pound sport touring bike in the grass... the throttle hand tries to hang on and only makes the engine rev higher then eventually gets out of the grass onto the dry driveway and becomes the first person ever to Highside in his own driveway and break Hundreds of dollars off his new FJR... fear Not. Ride. I started on a 185 and jumped to a 1000cc sport touring bike. You have to ride to get comfortable...
 
Just wondering how its going with the new T100? I've had one for 6 years and find the Bonneville to be a very comfortable, dependable, and predictable motorcycle. Good advice above to stay relaxed and ride within your capabilities. The bike will probably be able to do more than you want to ask of it. Wear good safety gear so that if the unpredictable event occurs you can be somewhat protected. Hope you are enjoying the freedom and fun of riding.
 
Ahahaha! You guys are so right, I did abandon you to have a love affair with my T100 before the cold set in. 37 degrees this morning and her and I still rode to work together

Obviously her and I have gotten over most of our issues and I am completely in love. Ive posted some photos from our photoshoots together.

I do still have lots of questions about shifting, RPMs etc... Im a little worries i'm lugging her too much. So ill be posting another question soon about all of that!

Her and I are also headed south to ride on the Blueridge Parkway together on Thanksgiving for a couple days... i may need to relocate to warmer climate.
 

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keystiger said:
WOW great pics and gald to hear you two are getting along well. :)

Can't wait for pics of the Thanksgiving run ;) Enjoy!!!
Click to expand...

I couldn't have said it better TUP TUP
I'm glad you and Bonnie have come to an understanding BGRIN
Fire away with questions.
All of us like to think we know everything ROTFL.
Seriously, we love to help when we can so don't be shy.
There are no dumb questions.
 

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