[RushBlur]

Welcome to motorcycling JQ! I was in your exact same shoes about 16 months ago - first bike, wife, child on the way.

Couple tips I wish someone would have told me -
Along with the David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling", check out "Total Control" by Lee Parks. Try to read and watch videos as much as possible. I'm still working on the correct body position while cornering.
Remember that Sport Bikes brake differently than Cruisers due to weight distribution. Use that front brake!!! Use that back brake just a little bit... and usually when turning slowly.
Put pressure and support your weight on those legs, knees. thighs. Not on the wrists/hands.
Move your head where you wanna go and dont sweat the little stuff...
Take notice of cars waiting to turn out in front of you - notice their tires... not so much the drivers.
Get the dang seat fitted to your body/style. I thought Spencers Seat mod was well worth the $ - even for us on a strict budget.
Get Steve's TRE - great for improving the stability of the throttle at low gears/rmp...by far the least expensive mod - with the largest return
Try not to get mad at the cagers... remember they are not experiencing the bliss of two wheeled transport.
Riding in the rain ain't as scary as most people seem to believe.
PSI on the tires can change alot - and it has a huge impact on how the bike feels, mpg, acceleration, cornering response and the like.

Hope this helps.

 

[gsxrkerry]

A new tire will turn in way easier than an old tire. The old tire was more flat across the top of the tire.

 

[sunnyragtop]

I teach several MSF Experienced Riders Classes a year and most my students come in with severely underinflated tires and have never checked their tires. The first thing they notice is "Wow, my bike turns so well now."
Many have no clue the CORRECT tire pressure is listed in their owner's manual or on the bikes frame and NOT the max psi listed on the side of the tire. One student even had their mechanic fill their tires to the maximum pressure & told him to run that amount. Crazy

 

[JQuacker]

Many have no clue the CORRECT tire pressure is listed in their owner's manual or on the bikes frame and NOT the max psi listed on the side of the tire.

I know we're not supposed to talk about cars, but most people miss this for cages as well. It's on the driver's door frame of most every modern car.

 

[Phateless]

I know we're not supposed to talk about cars, but most people miss this for cages as well. It's on the driver's door frame of most every modern car.

Supposedly underinflated tires are the leading cause of freeway crashes.

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