Lookin for parking lot buddy (newb looking for moto guidance, p-lot practice)

[PunkRockMonkey]

It's too bad you're in SJ or I'd raise my hand on this one.

I have a new bike as well, and practice in my parking lot at work before I ride home, usually. I am usually the last one to leave, so the place is empty by the time I saddle up.

I went from owning a few city bikes (250 cc or lower) to having a liter-bike, so it's a bit of a change up. After struggling to get my lean position sorted out on some traffic signal u-turns I figured I better get some practice circles going until I'm more comfortable on the SD.

Try empty lots near industrial/executive complexes (small groups of tech companies) during the weekends. They tend to have little to no security and could care less.

Also, for you to get your engineering kicks, go here.

 

[sleepy_head]

Are you trying to pass the DMV test? If so, I'm looking for a DMV that's got those road test patterns drawn and want to try it. Do you know where?

i know that at mission college they have everything drawn on the parking lot C...you may want to try that...at least I know they have the figure 8 box...like always there because there is MSF class every week...
i really want to join the highway 9 and other group ride but my friends really think i'm not ready for it...
I think i'm seriously not...and dont really want to slow everybody down or crash...better practice more...

 

[Wannaduck]

barf is slipping.... Where are the leghumpers??

 

[1sicv8]

goodluck! if i was closer id be down to join the parking lot newb thing.

 

[sv2007]

i know that at mission college they have everything drawn on the parking lot C...you may want to try that...at least I know they have the figure 8 box...like always there because there is MSF class every week...
i really want to join the highway 9 and other group ride but my friends really think i'm not ready for it...
I think i'm seriously not...and dont really want to slow everybody down or crash...better practice more...

I'll go and have a look, but I'm really looking for the DMV test pattern. I took MSF so didn't try the DMV road test, but I keep hearing that it is hard so I just want to see. Somebody suggested checking out hte DMV in Santa Clara so I'll go there.

Yeah, definitely don't go to highway 9 if you don't feel ready. Wait a few months, ride the streets a bit and get to know your bike.

Good luck finding a parking lot partner.

 

[sv2007]

The Claremont ave (Oakland) office has it painted. Don't go on Sunday, there's a farmer's market.

Thanks, but Oakland is way too far for me.

 

[VTRZA]

Massive construction turns me on...the more the merrier...

yeah,my massive erections turn a lot of people on

 

[VTRZA]

just to post something useful,the DMV on santa theresa has the course painted out as well.

 

[Just J]

imo, theres a good practice area at college of alameda.. but that might be a bit of a ride for you (30 min??) . i used to go there with a friend to practice 8s, u Turns, emergency braking, etc.

plus, theres always some cop just hanging out in the parking lot. he never said anything to us while we were there - just watched the whole time. i always assume he's looking out for us :laughing

 

[Mikeeh76]

Hello,

I'm looking for someone who can make sometime to help newbies with turning and doing figure 8 in parking lot in the weekend.
Either that or just newbies who want to practice figure 8 together...

if u decide to practice at Mission college, hit me up. you know my digits. I am 5 mins. away. :thumbup

 

[Pretzl28]

Are you trying to pass the DMV test? If so, I'm looking for a DMV that's got those road test patterns drawn and want to try it. Do you know where?

The Los Gatos DMV used to have all the lines painted out. I used to go there on Sundays to practice before I got my M1.

Also the Petlauma DMV has them all painted out in a seperate parking lot actually. OF course Petaluma is pretty far away!!

Good Luck!!


BY the way...I am huge fan of Zoom Zoom track days...so you might want to check out their roadriding 2.0

http://zoomzoomtrackdays.com/ti/zoomzoom/showcontent.html?content=RR20

 

[Junkie]

imo, theres a good practice area at college of alameda.. but that might be a bit of a ride for you (30 min??) . i used to go there with a friend to practice 8s, u Turns, emergency braking, etc.

plus, theres always some cop just hanging out in the parking lot. he never said anything to us while we were there - just watched the whole time. i always assume he's looking out for us :laughing

that could be part of why they do MSF there

 

[ridetill1die]

Id love to join you next week I get my bike back on monday I haven't done parking lot drills in a few weeks.

 

[sleepy_head]

Id love to join you next week I get my bike back on monday I haven't done parking lot drills in a few weeks.

seem like so far we have 3 ppl...
I think some office building parking lot at night will be ok...
malls' parking lots suck because too many security guys around...

anyone who serious about this PMs me...I'll try to settle a place convenient for the majority and will inform everyone...not gonna be that many ppl anyway (the smaller the better) only the newbies who really need to practice on that. Plus give specific location that you think will work...I dont even know where my house is located in SJ map...so dont just point finger at some direction and expect me to have a slightest hint about the place you are talking about...

I hate respond back and forth here and get nothing done...
About the zoom zoom track...one thing that makes me hesitate is that I have to bring my bike there for practice...and I'm not sure I'm up to hurting him again...poor boy, been hurt a lot physically.

I think just some place empty and spacy is fine, dont really need the whole figure 8 box drawn out or anything...just try to get comfortable at turning and making narrower and narrower turn each time...I think a box will make me nervous and distracted...

 

[Pretzl28]

About the zoom zoom track...one thing that makes me hesitate is that I have to bring my bike there for practice...and I'm not sure I'm up to hurting him again...poor boy, been hurt a lot physically.

If you are not ready or unable to ride out there..you can always trailer/truck the bike out there. I am sure there would be many friendly leghump) BARFERS in the South Bay that could help you get the bike out there!!


Anyways..good luck with your practice!!!

 

[sleepy_head]

If you are not ready or unable to ride out there..you can always trailer/truck the bike out there. I am sure there would be many friendly leghump) BARFERS in the South Bay that could help you get the bike out there!!


Anyways..good luck with your practice!!!

i can follow on my bike just fine on normal streets/freeway...what I mean is taking my bike to practice, dragging knee and such at the practice...
not sure if I trust myself on that...I ride everyday but just to school and not doing much turning and leaning at all...that's one of the things that really bugs me...don't seem like getting any better because I'm not doing anything different.

actually, depends on where is "out there"???

 

[h4ven]

let's just do it...
you and me, under 69 mph...i dont want to eat it yet...
no, i'm still looking for a place...that's probably the hardest park because I dont want to go too far for one either...and i hate it that I tried too hard to make time for it and got kicked out every single time...
...

I like to go to the Great America parking lot. That lot is huge. Some place you might want to check out. LEO's are usually there on the weekdays and have been there the past few weeks. I was there 2 weekends ago and they left the cones in the lot. I tried navigating some of their super narrow courses and couldn't do it. They also had a slalom course set up and that was a lot of fun and good practice.

Let me know if you guys are looking for one more.

 

[Burning1]

I'm going to go ahead and recommend my work parking lot. I'm located downtown in Alviso (close to Great America) and it should be deserted on a weekend. I'll be sure to bring my badge in case anyone asks questions.

I'll be joining Busigo's group ride on Sunday. Best time for me is to meet up after the ride's finished. Does that work for you, sleepy head?

 

[slower than...]

There is a video out there called "Ride Like a Pro III" which has a really great technique of moving very slowly. Too bad you are way down in SJ, or I'd lend you the DVD.

It talks about using clutch, throttle, and rear brake together to keep the speeds very slow, but under control. Makes the slow sharp U-turns much more manageable.

It is amazing how tight these guys can turn, riding big police cruisers and Goldwings and stuff.

 

[npausuav]

xP
i live in downtown, but i work on the weekends usually 5pm-2am... D: