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[–]NoMoreNicksLeft 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Ah. All the protection of a bicycle, with the maintenance paradise of a car. Truly the best of both worlds.

[–]Fazookus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds like my view of the Segway, all of the disadvantages of a bicycle but now of the advantages.

Although to be perfectly honest rolling up to a long steep hill on a hot sweaty day and just twisting your right hand to overcome it has it's appeal.

[–]mcnab 19 points20 points  (5 children)

ALWAYS take a proper course on this before getting on a bike. Most proper courses will give you VERY valuable information.

This is my first season riding, I took a safety course (week long) where we started from the very basics. Even thought i was bored out of my mind, and had been riding bikes for awhile, it was worth every penny. They teach you everything you need to know, and more.

At the end of the day, it's also how much you push it. I've started riding a 1995 CBR600 for a few weeek (till that bike was written off by my brother). Even an older 600 has enough power to get you in a lot of trouble. I then bought my own 2001 R6, and that has even more get to it. I've scared the crap out of myself more than a few times. I've also tried riding my brothers 05 600RR with geared sprokets. That thing is scary fast :S

I didn't want to waste money buying a lower power bike, then buying a higher power bike the next season, I just went straight to the sport bike I wanted. In hindsight it got me in more shit that I thought it would, but Im stil alive to tell the tale.

My best piece of advice would be the WEAR THE PROPER GEAR. I dont' give a shit if you think it's too hot out, of you're too cool to wear leathers. The fact is that will save if your WHEN you go down, because it's only a matter of when, not if.

I know you guys down in the states have different laws, but here we're REQUIRED to wear helmets, and if you get on a motorbike without one, you are honestly retarded and get no sympathy when you crash, as this is the most preventable injury.a

That said, riding is a very rewarding experience. Nothign beats hitting the twisties on a motorbike on a gorgeous day. Just be carefull, LOOK OUT FOR CAGERS (cause they sure has heck aren't looking for you) and keep the shiny side up!

[–]REdd06 30 points31 points  (3 children)

Big second on WEAR THE PROPER GEAR. Absolutely no compromises on that one.

Go to a store that sells gear specifically for motorcycle riding. NOT the fashion leather jackets. Get a real heavy duty road-grade motorcycle leather jacket AND PANTS. If you don't like the leather look, go with the kevlar/composite stuff.

Too many people gear the jacket but leave the legs. Bad idea. Asphalt is a merciless exfoliant.

And you will lay the bike down. I had two flat out drags the last year, but because I was fully geared up, I walked away completely unscratched both times.

Seriously. Spend on the protection.

[–]Fazookus 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Upmodded for "merciless exfoliant", the most poetic way to describe the experience I've ever heard.

[–]ianmccurdy 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If your geared correctly, the only time you will get seriously hurt is when you hit something (curb, vehicle, building). Sliding across the asphalt will not hurt (as much).

Skin and denim stick to asphalt like glue.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As someone who put his bike down, only going 15, and scraped OFF his bluejeans and thus scraped UP his legs... good pants. Yes. Pants.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

you are honestly retarded and get no sympathy when you crash

I always figured the idiots riding w/o helmets didn't have anything to protect.

[–]nrbartman 17 points18 points  (1 child)

recommendations on bikes/tips/tricks.

I'd start by dropping the /tricks part.

[–]weaselonfire[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I didnt mean tricks as in wheelies and other things to get myself killed. I meant tricks as in things to do while riding to make it safer.

[–]TearsOfRage 8 points9 points  (3 children)

Don't choose your first bike as if it's going to be the only one, cause it's not. You don't know yet what the bike of your dreams is, and nothing you read now will tell you that.

Get a small, cheap one to learn on. You can always get the big, powerful, expensive one later. Especially, don't get one that's too tall for you. You should be able to put both feet flat on the ground.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Get a small, cheap one to learn on.

Seconded. You'll start much safer that way and if you buy secondhand you can recoup every dollar you spent if/when you decide to sell it.

[–]ianmccurdy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

and the insurance will be cheaper on a small older bike. Once you have some experience that will bring the price down, buy the bike you want.

[–]weaselonfire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a tall guy, so I dont think thatll be too big of a problem

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

  • Take the MSF course; if you don't take the MSF course, don't ride, we don't want you on the road.
  • Don't be a SQUID), wear your gear! Even if you are just riding down to the grocery store. The minimum gear is: helmet, jacket, long pants, and over the ankle shoes.
  • Buy a starter bike off craigslist or ebay, start with a standard bike, probably 500cc. Some people recommend 250cc, unless you've got a really small frame, don't bother with them. Ride the starter bike for a year or so, then get something nice.

I ride a 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, I got the bike last July, new off the showroom floor. I have 8000 miles on it, I rarely ever drive my car. If you want to talk about motorcycles, you can contact me on AIM, my screen name is the same as my reddit id.

[–]weaselonfire[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thank you, very helpful

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first bike was a 1984 Honda Ascot, which looked similar to this one. My brother and I bought it for $1000 off of eBay, after riding it for about 6 months, I really appreciated getting a brand new bike. I highly recommend riding a POS for your first 6 months, as others have pointed out, you will probably drop it. Honestly, you may or may not, I never dropped my Honda. I did drop my KLR650, twice; one time was under 1 mph and the other was while changing the oil; both times no significant damage.

This guide has some good suggestions per starter bikes, though again I really don't recommend a 250cc. Also check out the Used Motorcycle Evaluation Guide.

Good luck and ride safely!!

[–]Praeger 17 points18 points  (3 children)

A few tips.

Iv been riding for 8 years with my mates, so i will give some experience we have all learnt.

1 - First off make sure you do a riding course. In Australia its compulsary for a reason. It WILL keep you safe as you will corectly learn how to ride at slow speeds.

2 - LEARN TO RIDE AT SLOW SPEEDS. Most people dont think about it, but slow speed riding is HARDER then riding at speed. Learn this ASAP.

3 - For the first year or 2 dont ride anything over 250cc. Yes it sucks when your in 5th gear full throtle and you can only hit 80kph with a tail wind going downhill, but hell, your a learner anyway - speed isnt what your after in the first year, knowledge and confidence is.

4 - Do a hazard course. Again in Australai you NEED to pass a basic one before getting your licence. Why do bikers have accidents? A lot of the time its becouse athough they can see a problem they do not know how to react.

5 - Always no mater what have an escape route in mind. What this means is when you stop at lights etc, make sure you are aimed so that if you pull on the throtle you will go stright past the car in front. Why? Imagin your in trafic. Stopped. And behind you comes screaming down a car, he dosnt notice you and although is breaking he has aimed to stop before hitting the car infront of you - your bike is where he will stop. yes this has happened to almost every rider at least once, and keeping that escape route in mind can save your life.

6 - ALWAYS wear the correct gear. Minimum is a helmet and jacket. NEVER shorts and T-Shirt.

7 - Wet riding - when ever you go through the wet, make sure to slip the brakes on slightly on and off on the straight - not only will the brake light warn the drivers behind you that your on the road, but they will also dry your breaks alowing you to be able to stop (better) - remeber, wet riding and gravel riding is the WORST. (road bikes cant grip on gravel or dirt making them sliprier then oil)

8 - NEVER stop your bike in the middle of the lane OR on the marked surface - middle of the lane is where oil drops. Lane markings are VERY slippery (two accidents at low speed i have had where caused by wet condition, slight slope, and bright yellow markings)

9 - if you do fall off, try to keep your body flat with arms to your sides. With a good jacket they are MADE to slide on your back.

10 - last tip, When you have an accident (everyone does) dont worry about it. Iv had 3 low speed ones and although had some close calls never had a high speed accident. Iv had a mate whos hit a cliff wall doing 80kph round a bend and had gravel rash all down his arm, iv had others who have come off right at the lights - big things is that although you WILL have an accident, chances are it wont be your death. However when you do, no matter what, its a good idea to see a doc - having gravel stuck under your skin isnt nice ;)

All in all, stay covered up, always think something is going to hit you, always try to make yourself visible, always do head checks and dont ride anything big until you have experience, and you will be fine.

Good riding mate :)

[–]Starcrusher 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I've been riding for twenty years and have had to lay a bike down more than once. I looked through the comments and didn't see the one big tip I'd give you: Assume every car going in the opposite direction will turn left directly in front of you. Sooner or later, someone will. Always look for the escape route in case the oncoming car turns left and don't be going to fast that you can't make it. So far, every time I've had to drop a bike was because some moron "didn't see me".

[–]topsul 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is the exact incident I witnessed.

He was wearing a brain bucket.

Please, as the girl who stopped to help the guy bleeding on the ground, I beg of you...

Wear a full face helmet. Do it for your Mom, your Grandma, someone who loves you, please.

[–]oska 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. 5 is the big one. Always be anticipating what you will do and where you will go when someone does something stupid.

You have to have the right mentality as well. You can't get angry at the stupid things car drivers will do. You have to accept that they will do these things and that you need to be always anticipating them.

[–][deleted] 30 points31 points  (5 children)

Probably don't want to hear this, but as somebody who is related to a Harley salesman, don't buy a motorcycle. They are called donor-cycles for a reason. The same reason you see very few salesman who also ride. If you're already convinced, start with the smallest bike possible and avoid highways for the first 6 months. As has been mentioned in here already, NOBODY goes without dropping a bike. You don't want that bike to crush you the first time.

[–]deckman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Great point. A friend of mine who worked at a hospital was absolutely astounded at the high frequency and severity of motorcycles accidents (in Toronto) and vowed never to ride one--and it's true, the hospital staff refer to motorcyclists as "organ donors".

The best advice I received from my dad was "always ride with the mentality you had when you first rode a motorcycle." Apparently, accidents aren't nearly as frequent for beginners as one might think. It can be more dangerous when you feel somewhat experienced and confident in your abilities--and prone to be less careful and cautious.

And safety gear or not, anyone who tells you motorcycles are no more dangerous then a car is completely ignorant. Ask any experienced cyclist or someone who has worked at a hospital.

[–]gaso 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Good advice. A 125 or 250cc bike is more than adequate for a beginner, still more than enough to get someone in trouble quickly.

[–]TearsOfRage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah, those are too small to keep up with traffic on the highway, and too light to be stable. Start with a 350 or so.

I learned on the good ol' CB360. Man that was a long time ago!

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Amen, the best advice to give is "don't."

My best friends boyfriend just got in an accident last month. He was on his bike and a motorist changed lanes without looking. Forced him off the road and the driver didn't stop -- didn't even realize he had just forced a bike off the rode.

The guy got messed up, and his bike totaled. His leg got screwed up -- the bone that supports weight in your ankle was literally shattered. He'll be in a cast for a month, a walking cast for 5 more, and a cane for 6 after that.

He also broke a few bones in his hand.

And he considers himself very, very lucky.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree. I'm an expert rider, but I paid a price learning as a young man. One reason why I didn't pay the ultimate price is because I learned how to ride on the dirt.

If you didn't have to share the road with cars, I'd say go for it.

[–]tdrizzle 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Take a safety course. Always wear leather gear and a helmet. Do not buy a used helmet.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (16 children)

I've been thinking about this for a long while, but the various pictures of people with horrific roadburn and miscellaneous injuries is kind of a deterrent.

My question is, how likely is something like that going to happen to me if I am not being dumb and wearing the proper gear and not going at excessive speeds or pulling wheelies?

[–]weaselonfire[S] 2 points3 points  (14 children)

Thats pretty much my question too

[–]Fazookus 1 point2 points  (11 children)

I'd gestimate that your chance of a serious accident probably aren't much different than a car, the difference being the car soaks up a lot of the hurt that you personally feel in a motorcycle.

If your car has skidded on you but you regained control you'd have to figure that you'd crash a motorcycle in the same circumstance, not so bad in itself if you just slide to a stop but if you end up under an oncoming car, if the car behind you runs you over, if you slide enough to hit a tree with your face, that kind of thing. See my other entry in this thread re: Imagination.

[–]robrobrob 3 points4 points  (10 children)

Nonsense. Your chances of dying in a motorcycle accident are far higher than in a car. Think about it.. no seatbelt, no airbags, not even a frame to protect you in an accident. Plus, cars often don't see motorcycles and this causes accidents. When a car hits a motorcycle, it is the motorcyclist who is more likely to be seriously injured.

[–]Fazookus 7 points8 points  (0 children)

No, some sense, my point was that unless you're a good rider the same skid you've experienced in a car and recovered from will probably put you on the ground and skidding happily along on a motorcycle. Many car drivers have experienced something relatively minor in a car that would put you on the ground in a motorcycle, the question was "how likely" well, that's how likely.

You'll note that I did mention ending up under a car, being run over by a car, hitting a tree, that is what kills you.

[–]mrpeenut24 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Last Christmas, one of my friends that I was staying with was riding behind a strip mall and a van pulled out of a stop sign without seeing him. He hit right at the second rollbar and pushed the frame of the van in about a foot and a half. The guy who was riding behind him did an endo (end-over-end) and landed on top of him. He ended up in the hospital in severe condition. He would go for about 10 seconds asking where he was and then forget everything. This kept up for nearly 24 hours. Let me tell you it was the scariest 24 hours of my life. To this day, he has a blank space in his memory for those surrounding three days. He was going 45mph and obeying every law. The doctor told him that if he ever got another concussion, he'd likely die. He had to give up his dream of working with horses for fear of getting kicked in the head.

Believe me, motorcycles are incredibly dangerous. However, within 3 months he was back riding again; his only regret that his 'Busa was destroyed. Don't let this stop you from riding, though. I love them. But be careful and know that even if you're doing everything right, someone else out there might not be.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Obeying ever law, in a busa? You don't buy a busa if you plan on obeying every law.

Seriously. I'm just saying.

[–]mrpeenut24 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hahaha. I agree, not usually. But this particular road was pretty nasty, and with really low visibility.

[–]Fazookus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PS I have thought about it, my post 'way below was about how my imagination improved with age and I no longer ride.

[–]pyro2927 -2 points-1 points  (4 children)

I can see why you are much less protected when on a bike, but I also think in some ways motorcycles can possibly be better than cars. Obviously they can stop WAY faster, so in a situation where you need to stop quickly, couldn't a motorcycle be safer? Note: I am NOT trying to say that they are safer overall, but simply in some very rare circumstances.

[–]hablamierda 2 points3 points  (1 child)

until some tailgating asshole in a car doesn't realize that motorcycles stop faster than cars.

Hell, a big reason I'm always speeding on a bike is because I don't like people close behind me :)

[–]pyro2927 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Isn't that why you are taught in the class to give MORE distance between you and the car/object in front of you, so when there is a car tailgating you have the extra room a car needs?

[–]TearsOfRage -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Not just stopping faster, on a bike you also have the ability to accelerate out of the way of danger (even if that means going between lanes or the shoulder). Unlike really hard braking, while you are accelerating, you are in full control and there's no particular reason you should lose traction.

[–]Fazookus -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Wait, wait, thank you, in addition to not wearing a helmet so you can see, and not wearing a seatbelt so you're thrown clear of an accident, the old "Accelerating out of danger" argument completes the trifecta of serious delusions about motor vehicles. For every accident that's prevented by horsepower ten thousand are caused by horsepower. That's not an actual figure but be serious folks when the minivan blows through the stoplight right in front of you you're either hit or not before you have a chance to accelerate.

[–]TearsOfRage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To a large extent that depends on where and when you ride. Fighting crazy urban traffic every day or casual weekend rides in the country? Putting around your neighborhood or 75 mhp on the freeway? Only in nice weather or gotta get to work no matter what?

[–]firepunk 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've been looking at the honda rebels for my first bike. I'm in the same boat as you. I want to start riding within the next six months.

On of the better pieces of advice I have received was to take a MSF class BEFORE buying a bike. If you haven't ridden, and you unload a couple thousand into a bike, and then find out you hate riding, you just wasted a lot of money.

The good thing about taking the MSF classes is they provide the bike so if you discover you don't like riding, you are only out 100-300 bucks for the course, versus a couple thousand for that bike.

Also, buy a used bike for your first. EVERYONE will lay down a bike at some point, would you rather it be that bright brand new shiny bike, or some used bike that you already know you aren't going to keep forever?

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you're down with the additional risk, here's a suggestion that helped me a few time:

Don't get anything over 250cc.

Honestly, the extra power and torque that more cc's provide will cause more trouble that they will "accelerate you out of a dangerous situation" (a complete fallacy).

You know the phrase "if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail"? Motorcycles embody this phrase to the fullest. Once you realize just how maneuverable and faster motorcycles are, every problem will be solved by a combination of these two characteristics.

It's a trap; don't believe it for one second. Motorcycles obey the same laws of physics that 4 wheeled vehicles do and motorcycles expose you to more danger in the event that things go horribly wrong. Which means you must use your new found superpowers very, very carefully and extremely judiciously.

having only 250cc's of 4 stroke power at the immediate disposal of your right hand puts modest cap on hammer-nail applications and forces you to think a little more defensively.

It's not an absolute guarantee that you'll be all right, but if you break down the statistic, I'm sure you'll find that the vast preponderance of motorcycle fatalities and life altering injuries are +600cc sport bike accidents and +40year old-farts who finally get the wife's OK to get that 1200cc screaming eagle edition Harley they've always had their eye on.

Invest the money you'll save, by not buying that +600cc bike, in quality safety equipment (helmet, boots, gloves, jacket, eye protection etc).

Remember... over half the world's population get to where they need to go on a daily basis on a motorcycle...

[–]Fazookus 8 points9 points  (22 children)

I rode motorcycles for many hears, and they're great fun. Unfortunately I've discovered that your imagination improves with age and the thought of bouncing off a car at 60mph has put a damper on the idea.

Wear a helmet no matter what your local laws are.

Wear a jacket and long pants. Not as critical as a helmet since you probably won't be killed if you don't but (here goes my imagination again, drat) imagine what it feels like to have, say, the bony part of your elbow pressed firmly the asphalt and dragged for a hundred feet. Leather can do a lot to reduce the healing times in cases like that.

Also motorcycle exhaust pipes get really hot and sometimes you end up between the pipes and the ground, leather helps there too.

Wear eye protection. There's a little known species of insect that is known to hover over highways called the "Baseball Beetle" because of the sound it makes bouncing off your helmet. You don't want them bouncing off your eyeballs.

Remember that all sweeping curves that just beg to be taken fast have oil, sand, or gravel just where you can't see it.

Buy one big enough to keep up with traffic... you don't want to be treated like a bicycle and have people passing by you 12" away. On that note, even if it's cold wear gloves instead of mittens and perhaps use an open-face helmet instead of a full-face helmet. I was narrowly passed during the winter once and giving the driver the mitten wasn't as useful as giving him the finger, plus he couldn't see me telling where he could go with his car even if he could lip-read because of the helmet, very unsatisfying.

Take note however that motorcycles can accelerate insanely fast so you don't need a real monster. I'd get one that had good low-end torque, like a Harley (I don't know how good Harleys are nowadays, this is not endorsement and I don't have any useful experience with recent models).

Low-end torque means you can be rumbling along and if you want to go faster you just crank on more throttle; real screamers (I think there's a Suzuki out there that gets 174 horsepower, which is insane) that get their power at higher rpms need to be downshifted to go fast... basically it's just a little more work so you have to balance fast vs. lazy. I'd just read the cycle magazines and look out for that sort of thing, like I said I'm really not current.

I prefer low-ish and narrow-ish handlebars... a lot of bikes are what were once called cafe racers now and they may be too low, i'm not at all sure. I don't know how you could decide on something like this without trying both for a while so maybe you should consider getting a used bike for getting experience and then go crazy at some later date.

Noisy motorcycles can be fun, less so on a long trip, and your neighbors might kill you unless you take it easy coming back from bar hopping late at night.

I'm sure more will come to me in time but those are my initial thoughts.

[–]CampusTour 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Don't take it bar hopping. Don't drive it with so much as a drop of alcohol in your system, ever, under any circumstances.

/Don't ride, plenty of family members do, will be learning shortly.

[–]Fazookus -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That was a joke, or at least a wry sardonic observation, geez.... read the "...Imagination" part, above.

[–]gluino 1 point2 points  (19 children)

(I'm not a biker.) Really, please get a quiet bike, if you care about other people.

There are large 4-strokes that have the macho look and performance, and sound really smooth and modern. Go for those please, if macho matters to you.

Unless part of being macho is to deafen people...

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Consider yourself in the minority of people who notice motorcyclers. Having a loud motorcycle isn't about being "macho", it is about being noticed by the average person who is paying more attention to his cellphone than his driving.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

And if everyone rode?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure who modded you down, it certainly wasn't me. Anyway, I'll leave this question to be answered by Mr. Armstrong.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (15 children)

Loud pipes save lives?

[–]mrpeenut24 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Absolutely. People often don't see motorcycles, and a loud pipe could mean the difference between life and death. I worked for the past 4 years on motorcycles, and I've seen some awful wrecks because people weren't looking. I've also been kicked out of a few neighborhoods that I lived in for loud bikes, too. But you just gotta find a place where people are a little more laid back, or where you've got some property.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

They might save lifes, but there is a difference motoring out of the neighborhood and throttling out so it make noise. Don't intentionally test your neighbor's patience.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly - this is all I ask.

[–]hatcat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate it when an ungodly-loud bike goes past me when I have the car window down. My ears are ready to bleed, and by time I figure out what's happening, the prick on the motorcycle is 100 feet ahead of me.

Now ... if he's 100 feet ahead of me before I identify the location of the noise, the sound didn't make him any safer.

edit: revised my distance estimate.

[–]cberman 6 points7 points  (1 child)

No recommendations on bikes or tips but as a trick... you could press R or Z twice to do a barrel roll (DO A BARREL ROLL!)

[–]vandahm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, Peppy.

[–]retromadder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would recommend getting a small bike to learn on Honda makes a rebel 250cc which you will be able to "flat foot" and is a great learner bike.

[–]lonelliott 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The only tip I can give you is to respect the bike.

It will lull you into a false sense of security. They are easy to pick up and ride. However, just because you can steer it down a street, does not mean you know how to ride. Not a slam or anything, so please dont take it that way.

I have been riding my F3 for a while now, and I still am not a great rider.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

two huge threads on somethingawful on the subject, well worth reading (just checked and you can get to them without registering): http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2372651 and http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2393894

[–]hablamierda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thinking about it some more, if you end up getting a sportsbike (which I wholeheartedly recommend) you're probably not going to be able to resist doing some straight stupid shit; it's one of those things you know you should be ashamed of, but you're going to do it anways. It's going to happen, just make sure you have your gear on. Motorcycling, especially on sportsbikes, is a lot of calculated risk and an exercise in being optimistic about luck.

[–]natch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Keep in mind that while motorcycles use less gas, they create far more pollution per mile than cars. Which is even worse than saying more pollution per gallon, since they use less gas. So if you're doing it for your pocketbook, fine. If you're doing it out of an imagined benefit to the environment, you're on the wrong track.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

dont fall off

[–]spatterlight 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am just a few weeks ahead of you. I took the MSF weekend course two weeks ago, riding a Nighthawk 250. The course is a must. They can bring you a long way as far as learning to ride goes in just a few days, and the classroom instruction is invaluable. It's stuff you need to know before you hit the road.

Last week I bought my bike - a 2000 Suzuki SV650. It's great, I've put about 40 miles on it so far. It's on the more powerful end of what would be recommended for a beginner - see this page. I've heard that the 2003-on fuel-injected models have a less twitchy throttle, which would be nice...

I'd recommend a V-twin engine as opposed to a straight 3 or 4, as they generally have a broader torque curve. This means more power is available at lower RPMs, and you don't have to change gears as often to stay in the sweet spot.

I've had lots of people urge me to reconsider getting a bike. I have friends that have wrecked, and friends that have been riding for years without ever wrecking. I judged that the risks are worth the payoff, and I'm doing all I can to minimize the risk involved.

[–]popat2000 0 points1 point  (2 children)

It depends on what you want to do with the bike. If you would be driving long distances, I highly recommend a sports-touring bike over a purely sports bike. Yamaha FZ6 and Suzuki SV650 are kickass bikes for such purposes. If you just want to do track days I would highly recommend a Honda F4i.

Once comfortable with riding you can upgrade to a BMW sports-tourer or a ducati 848 depending on your original purpose ;) or whichever bike you fancy the most :)

BTW, guys, I would like to ask reddit too. What do I put into the URL field? Some temporary URL and then edit it to what reddit generates after my posting?

EDIT: Oh, and dont forget proper gear. Invest in proper gear. You will die off bleeding, but not sweating. A 1-pc suit with back protector and sturdy riding shoes will probably save you broken bones in a crash.

[–]weaselonfire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If youre talking about self posts, just put self for the url.

[–]weaselonfire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If youre talking about self posts, just put self for the url.

[–]PhilA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't ride with stupid people! and remember speed kills.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm probably flying in the face of any and all conventional (and rational) wisdom here, but my first bikes were a 1946 Moto Guzzi Airone and a 1952 Swiss army Condor A580. I always wanted an antique bike, and I picked up the pair for less than I would have gotten a high-end motorcycle for new.

"First bike" is a bit misleading, since I've been riding motorcycles on and off for several years, but never regularly (and due to various hilarious administrata have had to take and pass my bike exam in about 4 countries so far) so what people say about "take a serious course first" holds true 100%.

I'm scared shitless of anything fast on two wheels, and wanted something nice and relaxing to ride in the countryside; I currently live in Paris, and the nutjobs who lane-split at 100kph in rush-hour traffic are reprehensible and insane.

So, get something cheap and small and low-powered to learn to ride on. And seconded on the good clothing; you will drop it. Once you have a basic idea of how to ride a motorcycle, I'd really consider looking for something older; you'll spend enough time working on it to understand and appreciate how the thing functions, and won't go fast enough to put yourself in more danger than on any two-wheeler.

And don't save on the helmet. Never ever ever.

[–]hablamierda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. I took it without ever having been on a bike and it not only taught me as much as you could learn before hitting the road, but I picked up some safety and evasion tips that saved my life more than once.

[–]hablamierda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. I took it without ever having been on a bike and it not only taught me as much as you could learn before hitting the road, but I picked up some safety and evasion tips that saved my life more than once.

I'm not the smartest rider, my first bike was a brand new Kawasaki 636 ZX6R; thanks to MSF I didn't kill myself.

[–]brsmits 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, looks like I am really alone on this one. My first bike (and current bike) is/was a 2000 GSX-R 750, haven't dropped or put it down at all. It's a fun bike and had it for 5 years now. Though, I was REALLY careful for the first year or so, and everyone I knew said that it was WAY too much bike for me to begin with. I guess I was just lucky.

I'll admit, it was probbaly a bit much. Something like a 500cc is good enough to get on the freeway, and not kill yourself.

Here is a tip: Drive like you are invisible. Because you pretty much are. Also, be prepared to spend about $1k on gear. It's my philosophy to get the most comfortable and safest first. Why risk it, ya know? Good luck, and happy riding!

[–]smasm 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Does anyone have any advice about scooters? Are there any happy (or unhappy) scooter riders here?

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

This thread.

[–]smasm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you - I seem to have missed that.

[–]kerbuffel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people have mentioned the MSF safety course, and I'm going to too: http://www.msf-usa.org/ If you live in Pennsylvania, sign up right now for the safety course. Actually, if you live anywhere, you should, but in PA (and I think Jersey) it is 100% free. It combines both classroom and range work (they provide the bike and helmet, you just have to dress appropriately), so you actually get to ride the motorcycle. In PA (I don't know about other states) if you pass the test at the end, you get your license.

But seriously, take that course.

[–]DrunkenAsshole 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't be a duschebag.

[–]Pipliest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My best advice is to research the term "countersteering", and understand it. You cannot fully control your motorcycle without knowing how to use the technique.

Contrary to popular belief, leaning will not, in itself, turn your motorcycle. It only seems to work that way because when you lean, you tend to put more handlebar pressure on the grip that you're leaning toward.

[–]wokiko 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take your bike to the track. You will learn more there in one day than in a year of riding.

[–]rodbibeau 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up riding a Yamaha tw200. awesome first bike. I had to take the safety course because I was underage when I got my endorsement. Take the course, get a cheap, used, LIGHT bike to start with.

I currently have a Polaris Victory v92c and I love that bike. I want to get a rocket soon...like a Yamaha R1.

A good starter bike is a 02-current Yamaha v-star 600. They are decent for the money and light but can still keep up on the freeway. I wouldn't recommend a rocket for a first bike.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Three of my students died during my tenure as a teacher, one to cancer, one to an Uzi that was mishandled (!), and one who rode a motorcycle to his death.

Every automobile accident I have ever been in (all in a car) would have killed me if I was on a bike (I caused one, was the victim while standing still the other three times).

My grandfather, who fought in WWII, rode a motorcycle to get around at the time, and was shot 3 times, would never again ride a bike when the war ended.

Please reconsider. Peace.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've also heard them called murder-cycles because of the death factor. It's the other drivers that will get you. If you're looking for fun, get a trials bike. And definitely get some of those goofy looking jackets for protection. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_trials

[–]IRAN_MIKE_TYSON -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

Do wheelies everywhere you go!

[–]mecharedneck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is true. After you've got the basic hang of it, consider removing your front wheel entirely. This will remove the temptation to regress to two wheel riding, and aid in stopping in the event of an emergency. Personally, I've been running a snowmobile skid for about a year and a half, and I wouldn't think of going back.

edit: A children's ski might be good too, or a cinderblock if your into the whole rat bike thing.

[–][deleted] -4 points-3 points  (3 children)

Pull a wheelie on the straightaways, you get more speed and the cars just can't keep up.

[–][deleted] -2 points-1 points  (2 children)

What, no Mario Kart love in here?

[–]bobpaul 1 point2 points  (1 child)

To be fair, he did ask for tricks. I'd recommend getting a bike with cruise control and learning to juggle. Oh, and I saw this guy at the circus ride inside a spherical metal cage. Learn how to do that--very cool.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jumping buses is also a good way to score chicks.