Need some motorcyle rider's input

[youngsc]

Alright I've been hearing a lot about motorcycles lately, more than usual and that to me is a sign that I should look at getting one. Never driven one before though so for all you guys that do ride, how difficult is it? how long did it take for you to get good at it? what would you recommend as a good starter bike? I don't have a lot of green and I do like pushing the envelope as I get more confident with things. I know it won't be a hayabusa or anything like that, so I was thinking a 600cc like a cbr. Give me some feedback.

[JusFlyinBy]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

First, Whats your experience? Any dirtbikes?

ATV's maybe? At least something with a clutch and gears set up like a bike?

Look for an early 90's 600.

[V6Bob]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

Alright I've been hearing a lot about motorcycles lately, more than usual and that to me is a sign that I should look at getting one. Never driven one before though so for all you guys that do ride, how difficult is it? how long did it take for you to get good at it? what would you recommend as a good starter bike? I don't have a lot of green and I do like pushing the envelope as I get more confident with things. I know it won't be a hayabusa or anything like that, so I was thinking a 600cc like a cbr. Give me some feedback.

It's not difficult to ride one. After many years, I'm still learning how to get good at it.

A sportbike is a lousy starter bike. You will make mistakes as a beginner (the percentage of accidents by people riding less than a year is huge) and a sportbike will multiply those mistakes, because it is so responsive. A much better first bike is a cruiser which responds more slowly to control inputs. As you say, you know nothing right now. Save the sportbike for when you know something.

The two most important things.

Good gear. Serious leather or synthetic jacket, not fashion weight leather. Good full face helmet (will cost >$200, Arai and Shoei are good, don't mail order, proper fit is very important). Riding pants like the jacket, jeans evaporate instantly in a fall. Gloves and over the ankle boots. Practice saying to yourself "All the gear, all the time." Practice saying to others "I'd rather sweat than bleed."

Training. Google Motorcycle Safety Foundation or check with your local community college. There's a lot of specialized techniques.

It's a great sport if you do it right. It's wacko unsafe if you don't.

[youngsc]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

No I wrecked as the passenger on a bike once, does that count? No unfortuneately I've never had the oppurtunity as much as I'd like. As for clutch experience not enough, every car has been an auto because of force of need for a car not choice of one. Not worried about the pain of learning though, no pain no gain.

[youngsc]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

I actually work at the local community college, can't believe I didn't think of that. I'll ask the criminal justice guy tomorrow about it.

[JusFlyinBy]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

No I wrecked as the passenger on a bike once, does that count? No unfortuneately I've never had the oppurtunity as much as I'd like. As for clutch experience not enough, every car has been an auto because of force of need for a car not choice of one. Not worried about the pain of learning though, no pain no gain.

Damn, no experience at all then. Yeah, take a course and buy some POS, or maybe even a dirtbike. Master that whole clutch, shift, multitasking thing while still keeping full attention of your surroundings, then upgrade the bike. Pass up the sportbikes for now.

[youngsc]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

oh good one more thing to multitask with. I'm sure once I embarrass myself a few times, hopefully not in a confrontation with any big trucks, I'll get the hang of it. thanks for the input jusflyin and v6bob

[StrtRacer98]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

My opinion.

before you buy a motorcycle ,
1. DEFINATLEY take MSF courses, ( motorcycle safety foundation ) they are offered through your state most likely, or just google it.

They really teach you how to ride, you could have absolutely no experience and walk out of there feeling capable of handling a motorcycle safely.

2. Some say get an old bike, i say, purchase a newer bike.
( doesnt have to be brand new, but at least a 2000+ )
They are better bikes overall... suspension on bikes are amazing nowadays and you dont want something thats going to break down and be unreliable, cuz im going to have to charge you out the *** to fix it.

3. Dont get anything over a 600cc as a beginner. I started with a 1000cc and fortunatley i didnt wreck it, but i was scared to death of the bike's power.

4. Dont be paranoid, being paranoid is asking for a wreck, you are worried about other things and not the ride, and the other drivers.

5. RESPECT the bike and its power


You can go and buy a brand new motorcycle these days and have insanely cheap payments on them, and IMO thats the way to go, you can rest assure that bike is not going to die in the corner, or have things fall off at the worst times.

Just a few things off the top of my head

Good luck, & go for it, they are a blast and get much better fuel mileage then a car.

[StrtRacer98]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

and dont wear flip flops

[jrschultz]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

I would recommend the Suzuki Katana. They are old technology, so they are cheap. They are a "sport tourer" style which makes it look sporty, but its not near as an agressive tuck as a sport bike. Like stated above...Take the training course since you don't have experience. Take it easy at first. Bikes hate sudden movements. I loved riding, but once I got married my wife was worried all the time. To tell you the truth, I had a few near accidents that made me realise I should stick with 4 wheels. Have fun and be safe.

[StrtRacer98]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

Katana = can-a-tuna

haha but yea good beginners bike.

[camaroman1181]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

take a training course, or multiple courses if you can... they will save your *** (talking from experience)

always use good safety gear!

get an old, cheap bike! you will drop your first bike... buying something new is just a waste of money. sure, itll handle better, but you best not be testing the limit of the suspension when you are just learning... id say look for something in the $1000 range, with 600cc or less... youll learn, then after a year or two, you can always trade up. and the thing with cheap bikes, is that after they get so cheap, htey dont depreciate anymore.. so as long as you dont beat it up too bad... you wont loose too much when you resell...

one last thing:

"there are two kinds of riders... those that have dropped their bikes, and those that will drop their bikes"...

just be careful

[ZO6vette037]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

Its not about the bike. Its about the person. Anyone can ride, but it takes time to learn. Dont expect to get on a bike and be "fast."

My first bike was a minibike (age 6), then moved to a 1960 Honda 90 (age 10), then a 1955 Harley trike (age 13), then my father gave me his '76 Haley Superglide (age 17), and now a Hayabusa (age 22). Everytime I get on my busa I always ask myself is this going to be the last time I am here on earth. Well I am still here, been down a couple of times (on the minibike and Honda 90... those ones hurt), and I still own all my bikes and its because there is one thing to remember.

RESPECT THE BIKE!
It will kill you

I dont have a sugestion as to a bike, cuz I went out and bought my Busa cuz thats the bike I have always wanted. The power makes you respect it more and I always say if i am still paying for it, I am not going to brake it or drop it.

Always think safety. Gear is the only thing that protects you so cheaper is now always better. Take a class a learn your bike. Good luck in your choice.

[youngsc]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

and dont wear flip flops

Very nice, I hate when they get stuck on the gas pedal in a car I can only imagine on a bike.

thanks for all of your help

[V6Bob]

Re: Need some motorcyle rider's input

I am not going to break it or drop it.

In an otherwise good post, that is a bad thought to have.

"there are two kinds of riders... those that have dropped their bikes, and those that will drop their bikes"...

That's more like it.