NYC Riders: Know any good practice spots / parking lots?

[AsherPalm]

Any NYC riders out there who can recommend some good parking lots or other places to practice on a new bike, preferably someplace out of but close to Manhattan?

I live on the Upper East Side and am looking for spots I can get to easily either by heading into the Bronx via 1st avenue or into Queens via the Triborough bridge on early saturday and sunday mornings to practice on my bike and get more comfortable. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading.

[AsherPalm]

Replying to my own post with one idea: Randall's Island. Seems like there's at least one huge parking lot there, plus I can't imagine there's going to be lots of traffic there =-)

Just have to get over the Triborough bridge, but if I go at 6-7am on a saturday or sunday, it shouldnt' be too stressful, right?

[koji52]

You have more balls than I...I could never ride in NYC, I don't even like driving in that city. Good luck dude.

[AsherPalm]

You have more balls than I...I could never ride in NYC, I don't even like driving in that city. Good luck dude.

Thanks. I don't think it's a question of balls, though. I've commited myself to learning how to ride (recently completed the MSF course) and I'm not going to learn unless I get out there and ride. True, NYC traffic is _crazy_, but I'm going to do what I can to minimize my risk. Namely: head out early on the weekends, always wear full gear, and ride conservatively.

[Brackstone]

You have more balls than I...I could never ride in NYC, I don't even like driving in that city. Good luck dude.

I drove in the city when I had my 93 cutlass calais surpreme edition (IE a "procreating" tank). Because if someone wanted to hit me? Go ahead! Your made of fiberglass lets see who is crying because you wanted to push your way into my lane.

[koji52]

Yea, if I had an old beat up 70's caddy or buick, i'd be fine driving in NYC. My truck and bike though have me worried.

[RhadamYgg]

Any NYC riders out there who can recommend some good parking lots or other places to practice on a new bike, preferably someplace out of but close to Manhattan?

I live on the Upper East Side and am looking for spots I can get to easily either by heading into the Bronx via 1st avenue or into Queens via the Triborough bridge on early saturday and sunday mornings to practice on my bike and get more comfortable. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading.

Well, I don't know man. You have to do some highway riding, but Bergen county, NJ - no stores are allowed to be open on Sundays. They have some great malls with mostly empty parking lots. Only restaurants are allowed to be open, so still a small amount of traffic on Sundays in those lots.

But, you have a haul to get there - even if it is only 10 or 15 miles...

RhadamYgg

[JC Viper]

The city is getting tamer... a bit. I ride regularly here ever since I got my license at 18 and it wasn't too bad especially lately.

I would suggest going to an auto school that teaches motorcycle riding along with a MSF course. I say that because the auto school puts you on the road in the middle of traffic like my instructor did with me.