newbie questions

[ebm1224]

Hey ya'll! so first a little background. I've honestly never thought too much about motorcycles except that they look like fun but, recently, with gas prices like they are, i've starting thinking about other modes of transportation. now, i know nothing about any of this so feel free to talk down to me:) some questions:

does anyone know about the environmental implications of motorcycles vs cars? i'm trying to be more eco-friendly and some sources seem to say that greenhouse gases are less from motorcycles but that general air pollutants are worse because emissions are not as regulated.

what are the different classifications of bikes and what kind do you suggest for someone looking to use it on surface streets as well as the highway? i also have dreams of riding off into the sunset on a long distance trip but thats certainly a few steps ahead of me right now.

i'm seriously considering signing up for a 2 day course where they teach you the basics both in classroom and on an actual bike. what skills should i go in with? I know how to ride a bicycle but i've never driven a stickshift before...is that something that will hinder me?

I assume I'll be one of a few women if any in this course...do women tend to pick up more or less quickly do you think? are there certain skills we tend to be better at and others where we may struggle more?

Thanks in advance!

Emily

[mgdavis]

Hi Emily. Welcome on in. I'm kinda intruding on the Ladies Lounge, but I'll try to answer your questions.

does anyone know about the environmental implications of motorcycles vs cars? i'm trying to be more eco-friendly and some sources seem to say that greenhouse gases are less from motorcycles but that general air pollutants are worse because emissions are not as regulated.

Motorcycle are not held to the same emission standards as cars. They do average much better mileage, and some do come equipped with catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions.

what are the different classifications of bikes and what kind do you suggest for someone looking to use it on surface streets as well as the highway? i also have dreams of riding off into the sunset on a long distance trip but thats certainly a few steps ahead of me right now.

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by "classification". Many people recommend a bike like the Kawasaki Ninja 250 for a new rider. If you'd rather find a cruiser-styled bike, something like the Vulcan 500 might be more appealing. Most major manufacturers offer at least a couple good beginner bikes.

i'm seriously considering signing up for a 2 day course where they teach you the basics both in classroom and on an actual bike. what skills should i go in with? I know how to ride a bicycle but i've never driven a stickshift before...is that something that will hinder me?

The 2 day Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course is a wonderful idea and comes highly recommended by almost everyone on this site, myself included. They have designed the class to work for someone who has zero experience with motorcycles or manual transmissions. You ride one of their bikes, so you don't have to worry about dropping it as you're getting started out, which should relieve a lot of stress.

I assume I'll be one of a few women if any in this course...do women tend to pick up more or less quickly do you think? are there certain skills we tend to be better at and others where we may struggle more?

There were three women in the class I attended. They all passed with little difficulty. The only real difference that I noticed was that they tended to be a bit more timid than most of the men at first, but once they got comfortable they did just fine. One possible obstacle could be size, if you're 4'11" and 100lbs it's not going to be quite as easy to reach the ground and walk the bike around, but it shouldn't be a huge issue.


I hope that answered some of your questions, don't be afraid to ask if you have more.


There are three things that I strongly encourage you to do if you decide to start riding:
1) Buy as much quality protective gear as you can afford, especially a full-face helmet. If you crash, you don't want to be wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and a $50 helmet. You only get one body, so protect it.
2) Take the MSF class. It is a great way to learn, and they are professional instructors who want to help you learn the right way.
3) Don't be afraid to ask questions here if you can't find the answers via the search function. This is a great community that is full of helpful and knowledgeable individuals.

-Mike

[Lion_Lady]

Motorcycling isn't necessarily cheaper than driving a car. If you're considering commuting, then full motorcycle protective gear is a MUST as is real training (The MSF course already mentioned). The more miles you ride, the more likely you are to "win" the car/motorcycle incident lottery. Don't bypass full coverage motorcycle insurance, including injury/medical coverage. Some health insurance companies will balk at paying for motorcycle related injuries.

Commuting will mean that you'll have to spend money more frequently on maintenance. Motorcycle tires generally need replacing every 5,000 to 8,000 miles at the MOST and they cost on the order of $100-$200 EACH, plus installation. Gas mileage is only a savings if you go with a smaller displacement engine and lighter bike. The bigger machines may get less than 30mpg and many of them don't run right except on high octane fuel. Oil changes are pricier and more important to do regularly.

Think carefully before deciding that you can save money by buying a motorcycle. Learn to ride because you want to RIDE and take the benefits that result. If you want to ride to save money, you may be disappointed.

P

[IcyHound]

I find my bike to be a savings but if you want to look into cost of everything, maybe not. However, since the nearest store is 20 minutes away and 20 miles away, I save a lot on gas. If I was in a more urban enviorment maybe the difference wouldn't be so noticeable. Also for commuting to work.

[jenisawake]

I'll be honest, I love riding. I'll also be honest that when I start up my bike (2006 suzuki S40 650cc) the odors that come out are alot more harsh than a car. I certainly don't spend as much on gas, but you can't just go everywhere on a bike. Especially if you have to bring a bunch of stuff w you. And I am 4'11 and 100 lbs, and it's very physical, but I really dig it. Only do it if you want to, not if you think its going to save yu money

[MZ33]

now, i know nothing about any of this so feel free to talk down to me:)

I doubt you'll find that here, unless you try repeatedly to push an uninformed opinion in the face of very experienced riders and their considerable factual, statistical, as well as anecdotal, knowledgel Seriously, there's a lot of expertise in these forums. (Not from me, though! I'm a newb!:goof: )

to TMW!