Email to TMW: Older new rider, safety/riding concerned.

[totalmotorcycle]

The below is an email I just received today and replied to from Kris Dunn. Unfortunately, excite had some type of blocker on so it couldn't get through to him. I'm posting it here for him and others to read and learn from.

Mike

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From: dunnk2
Sent: May 29, 2007 10:40 AM
Subject: New rider,...maybe?
Importance: High

I just left your website and now,Im more unsure about buying and riding a Motorcycle than before.Iam a 57 year old male,I am 5'6" and weigh 194 lbs.(I workout with weights).I always,since I was old enough to drive, wanted a Motorcycle.Then,I rode on the back of a Yamaha Big Bear (1960's) with a friend who drove like a maniac through a typical neighborhood.He scared me so bad that,my desires for a motorcycle quickly vanished until,now.I still have "a few" reservations mainly because my wife keeps telling me," I'll kill myself" If,I get one.I've looked at alot of Bikes;Harley 883 and smaller cc Bikes.One Bike I've considered is a Korean made bike (I forget the name) but,they sell a 250cc and 650cc which I guess could be considered smaller Touring Bikes.The Dealer has stated that,their "balance" is 2nd to none.Being a possible first time owner and rider,what recommendations can you make to help me select the Right Bike for me? I also,considered a Trike to,satisfy my wife's fears but,their cost is far more than,I want to pay being a possible first time rider. Iam retired and if,Iam going to start riding I think I should start before,I get too old to even consider the thought.I would like a Bike that is comfortable,has enough HP &Torque so that,I don't tire of it but not so much that,It will get away from me if,I throttle too much.Can you give me some advice,Please?
Kris Dunn

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Hi Kris,

Thanks for writing and for voicing your questions and concerns. I assure you, they are quite common and normal thoughts for a new rider.

Firstly, have you read our Beginners Guide to Motorcycling? http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm If not, it will help you out a lot.

Honestly, the new riders that ask about safety become the safest riders on the road with long riding careers ahead of them. Your off to a much better start than most already!

You should definitely take a look at a motorcycle safety riding course in your area and bring your wife too so she can see what your learning when you take it. It will boost your confidence and hers by 1000%.

A small used bike is the best bike to start with. 250cc is GREAT and they make quite a selection of them! Cruiser or Sportbike 250cc is light and full of fun. Cheap to run and insure is a bonus too.

You will indeed tire of your first bike, everyone does eventually. But, that is a GOOD thing as it means you've learned more than that first bike can offer you. You do not ever want a bike you can't fully learn.

I invite you to join our 10,500 member forum: http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/index.php its friendly and full of older riders and lots of new riders. Post as many questions as you want, everyone loves to help!

Riding is a very rewarding hobby, you'll never regret experiencing the freedom and fun it offers.

Have a great day!

Mike

Mike Le Pard
Total Motorcycle.com
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com

[DustyJacket]

My 1 and 1/2 cents:

Take the MSF course at a Harley dealer - called The Riders Edge. They use the 500cc Buell Blast. If you like it then go out and get a used Blast (not one sold used from the Riders Edge fleet!).

I (at 250 pounds) rode it on highways, back roads, everywhere. I go it up to 85 MPH on the highway and it had some more to give.

Now my wife rides it. She took it away from me after she had the class. She is a fairly weak 5'-5" and 125 pounds.

It is a very user-friendly bike, and very low maintenance. Fairly light weight yet can haul you around the highway. And the 70 MPG doesn't hurt these days.

[gsJack]

Your never too old to start riding a bike Kris, I've run into people on these forums that started riding at age 70 and later. I very much wanted a bike when I was in high school and soon after but I got a family instead.

Got my first bike at age 52 back in 84 and 23 years and 350k miles later I'm still riding every chance I get and I will still be riding as long as I can walk to the bike and climb on.

Go to the dealers and look at the bikes and sit on them and see what appeals to you as far as type of bike goes. It's probably best to take the course first now, but I never heard of it when I started riding.

If you find you like standard or sport type bikes, the GS500 or the EX500 (Ninja 500) make good starter bikes. If you prefer the cruiser style there are many 500-800cc bikes that would be good to start on.

I started on a CB400 and like most I soon "needed" a bigger bike and traded it on a CB750 six months and 6000 miles later. After I really learned how to ride I found that a 500cc was enough to go anywhere, do anything I wanted to, and run with anyone I wanted to run with and have had a ball riding my last 120k miles on a couple GS500s.

Get a reasonable sized bike to start with and stick with it till you get some real experience before you move on.