To better prepare yourself, with gear changes a simple trick is to listen to the click. From neutral when you push down you should here a click. This will eliminate the need of second guessing. Don’t be shy about pushing down on the shifter, your not going to break it and it will only go so far. Once you bottom out….you know it’s there.
The throttle is a very common beginner thing. I was even guilty of it.For me I spent so much time focusing and trying not to over rev or under rev it that my hand, wrist and forearm would basically become rigid to the point that any movement even with steering would make the throttle move. Convince yourself to relax. If you have driven a manual shift car before you know you can remind yourself that you can give more throttle then you let out clutch and there’s no adverse effects. Sit at home and practice the claw. Stress balls are great for when you don’t have a bike to do it with. Hold you hand in front of you as you were using a clutch and slowly let out with a 5 Mississippi count. Do the same squeezing back in. This will help your muscles remember slow fluid motions. The rock back and forth they likely did at the beginning of the riding portion will re enforce this.
2nd to 3rd and down again is the same as first. Listen for the click. It really is that simple. Listen for a click and slowly let out of the clutch…. if it doesn’t move pull clutch in and try once more…if it drags or boggs down…do the same only press down on the shifter.
Cornering is nothing but a mind game. I was lucky as I used to ride bulls and we learned early on that the only thing different about direction is being “used” to leaning that way. There’s no mystery to it.
Anytime you think you get over whelmed stop and make it simple. Don’t let your mind run off with you.
Simple question you can ask yourself….”how do you get an elephant into a refigerator?” ……after many odd answers the most simple is the only answer….you open the door and put it in.