Hey all, been here a long time (well not really), but have not posted before.
Anyway, I've had an R1 since 2013 sitting in my garage ever since I saw so many of my friends getting bikes and licenses. They all wanted to go riding with me, so I thought, what the heck, might as well give it a try.
I know I know, idiotic move on getting a litre bike as a first, but aesthetics > *.
Flash forward to today, May 10th, 2016, and I believe I've put on less than 1km on the bike. I am still on the original tank of gas that the bike came with as well.
Over the years, I've tried and tried to learn how to ride. First off, some friends told me to learn balance by using a regular bicycle. Just ride around the block they said, that should help you understand how going on two wheels feels like. Some just told me to “get on the bike and just go”. I never felt confident enough though.
I would sit on the bike in my garage and attempt to move it back and forth. I’m only about 5’4” @ 115lb, so I was on my toes no matter what. Even rolling forward, I could feel myself toppling over. This really did not encourage me to push forward, plus I felt like my body was too tired.
Then came time to learn how to clutch out to first gear and start actually moving. With limited space in my garage (I basically refused to listen to my friends who said to have someone ride it to a parking lot, etc), I never could fully let go of the clutch and into first gear. I already felt like it was going too fast for me anyway. I felt like having my friends help me take the bike somewhere “safer” would be a hassle, and even though they promised me that they will help me, I always just told them that I was too tired to practice or that I did not want them to waste time.
Eventually, I thought, hey maybe a scooter would be easier to learn on? So I went to my friend's place and tried it out. I saw him ride it (and countless others in Asia) so easily, but when I got on I could not even reach the ground. Something even an old granny in Asia would have no problem with, I was struggling like the fool I am.
I also had some friends tell me to just take a course, but why would I pay another 500-600$$ of my hard earned money to learn something I can learn all by myself?
I’m at a loss here, what should I do guys? Sell the bike? Take a course? Just get on the bike and go? I am considering just to find a 125 and just get the licence and move on with life.
TL;DR: I bought a bike in 2013 and have yet to actually ride it.
SEPTEMBER 14TH UPDATE: I DID IT GUYS!~