Just starting out, would like input.

[R3sp4wN]

Hey guys, my name is Michael and I live in middle Georgia. I am 25 and have never been on a motorcycle. At the end of the month, I have scheduled a 3 day motorcycle saftey class provided by the DMV. The class will teach me everything I need to know about riding from how to crank the bike to how to fall properly. After that, I will be gearing up for a hopefully long-lasting lifestyle. I have already planned to get a Joe Rocket Reactor jacket and a Zox Nevado modular helmet. I already own a comfortable pair of leather/textile gloves and steel-toe high topped boots. I plan to learn on a smaller bike, anywhere from a 250 Ninja to no more than the '85 50cc Honda Interceptor that I have been looking at. Do you guys have any tips or recommendations about how/what I should start out with?
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Law Discussion

[Brackstone]

Depending on your height/weight ratio really.

But I would not start out on a 50cc bike. The Ninja 250 is what I started on and it works great. I'm 5'8 and 150lbs.

[jonnythan]

Depending on your height/weight ratio really.

But I would not start out on a 50cc bike. The Ninja 250 is what I started on and it works great. I'm 5'8 and 150lbs.

I think he meant 500cc

[Brackstone]

Depending on your height/weight ratio really.

But I would not start out on a 50cc bike. The Ninja 250 is what I started on and it works great. I'm 5'8 and 150lbs.

I think he meant 500cc

Ah You're probably right!

[ShawnKing]

At the end of the month, I have scheduled a 3 day motorcycle saftey class provided by the DMV.

Congratulations!

The class will teach me everything I need to know about riding

No offense but no, it won't.

As my MSF Instructor said at the end of our weekend of classes - "Congratulations! You are now qualified to ride a motorcycle - *in a parking lot, around cones*. Nothing more."

You probably won't but watch out for that "I know everything, I'm invincible" feeling you may get. Riding in traffic is a *lot* different and a *lot* scarier than riding on the MSF course.

I plan to learn on a smaller bike, anywhere from a 250 Ninja to no more than the '85 50cc Honda Interceptor that I have been looking at. Do you guys have any tips or recommendations about how/what I should start out with?

Either of those bikes sound like they'd be perfect for a new rider. You're obviously a smart guy - you can look forward to *many* years of riding fun!

[Dragonhawk]

Do you guys have any tips or recommendations about how/what I should start out with?

Start out with keeping the bike upright at all times. Take it from someone who hasn't.

As for the models of bikes, the fact that you are considering machines like a Ninja 250 is a very smart way to go.

Good luck.

[Lion_Lady]

...Do you guys have any tips or recommendations about how/what I should start out with?

It looks like you've got it pretty well covered. Have you gone helmet shopping yet? That's one thing that you CAN do now. Go to the sticky thread "Helmet Fit Guidelines" and print it out to take to your local cycle shops. Try on helmets. Buy the one that fits best. Yes. In the shop where you tried them on. . . at least this FIRST helmet, okay?

As the others have said, you will be prepared with the BASICS of riding. Its a good foundation, but by no means everything you need to handle every possible scenario that weather, roadways and traffic will toss at you.

You can also begin mentally preparing, by driving your car with greater awareness - of what other vehicles do, especially when interacting with motorcycles.

P

[Dragon on Wheels]

Practice, practice, practice! Yes, the course will teach you a lot about motorcycles, but it IS only 3 days. Practice everything they taught you in a large, empty parking lot until you feel very comfortable with it.

As for bikes, you seem to have an idea of what you want. Go to the dealers and sit on them and see how they feel. Then pick the one you like

[R3sp4wN]

I am actually frightened about taking the class. I have never even been on a bike. That in combination with the fact that I have never driven anything with a manual transmition makes me really nervous. I hope I will get it within those 3 days. I am planning on ridng around my neighborhood for a week or two before I even try to get out in traffic.
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lost season 5

[Dragonhawk]

I am actually frightened about taking the class. I have never even been on a bike. That in combination with the fact that I have never driven anything with a manual transmition makes me really nervous. I hope I will get it within those 3 days. I am planning on ridng around my neighborhood for a week or two before I even try to get out in traffic.

Ah, don't worry about it.

I've heard stories of people who have dropped the bike and failed the class 3 times and they still pass and learn to ride eventually.

Tenacity. Simply don't give up.

The worst that can happen is to totally screw up and make a complete dork of yourself and fail. So what? If that happens, you just sign up and take it again until you get it right.