Recommendation on how to start

[t3h_triste]

Hi all, beginner here. First of all, thanks for all the interesting threads here! Reading through them really helped answer a whole lot of questions I had.

I'm after some advice on how to start, but first an explanation of my situation:

I live in an apartment in Jakarta, Indonesia, where traffic congestion is the norm daily and there are more motorbikes than cars. The apartment is located right next to a busy intersection, back streets are 5 minutes away and require going through the said intersection and even then, the space would only fit two cars. The only "big wide-open space" close by is the parking lot of the sports stadium which would be about 15 to 20 minutes away.

Oh, and there are no conventional motorcycle riding schools available (though the Harley dealership has courses on how to handle big bikes).

Sooo here are my questions:
1. I never learnt to ride a bicycle when I was a kid. I'm 28 now; is it fine to just go straight to learning how to ride a motorbike straight away?
2. There are no motorcycle schools, so should I get someone who can ride a motorbike to supervise me?
3. Where the heck should I practice? The back streets I mentioned above, or to the sports stadium parking lot?
4. The Ninja 250 has been recommended to me time and time again. Should I just go and buy it then start learning, or borrow other people's bikes before I learn?

Any help with the above questions would be appreciated!

[HYPERR]

Sooo here are my questions:
1. I never learnt to ride a bicycle when I was a kid. I'm 28 now; is it fine to just go straight to learning how to ride a motorbike straight away?
2. There are no motorcycle schools, so should I get someone who can ride a motorbike to supervise me?
3. Where the heck should I practice? The back streets I mentioned above, or to the sports stadium parking lot?
4. The Ninja 250 has been recommended to me time and time again. Should I just go and buy it then start learning, or borrow other people's bikes before I learn?

1. I personally would learn to ride a bicycle first.
2. School would be best but if not, definitely have someone competent to supervise you.
3. Parking lot would be better than a public street assuming it is on a day with no games and it is empty.
4. Yes the 250 Ninja is a good bike to learn on. You have friends that will loan you their motorcyle to learn on?

[Johnj]

Like Hyperr said learn to ride a bicycle first.

[t3h_triste]

You have friends that will loan you their motorcyle to learn on?

Wasn't really referring to my friends, more like drivers that my family employs who use them to commute to work.

(if you're thinking driver = "chauffeur," it's not like that--not in this part of the world anyway)

EDIT: Thanks for the suggestions. The reason why I asked about "learning the bicycle before starting on the motorbike" is because, well--just how well must one be able to ride a bicycle before "graduating" to a motorbike?

I'm not trying to be yet another newbie who's asking this question just to justify the purchase of a motorbike; I'm just genuinely curious as to what everyone thinks.

[HYPERR]

You have friends that will loan you their motorcyle to learn on?

Wasn't really referring to my friends, more like drivers that my family employs who use them to commute to work.

(if you're thinking driver = "chauffeur," it's not like that--not in this part of the world anyway)

EDIT: Thanks for the suggestions. The reason why I asked about "learning the bicycle before starting on the motorbike" is because, well--just how well must one be able to ride a bicycle before "graduating" to a motorbike?

I'm not trying to be yet another newbie who's asking this question just to justify the purchase of a motorbike; I'm just genuinely curious as to what everyone thinks.

No problem, welcome to TMW.

Yeah definitely learn how to ride a bicycle first. It's something you should know how to do anyways.

[jamesd23]

I had the same situation a year ago when my interest for motorcycles first started, I was 18 back then but unfortunately didn't know how to ride a bike. I cannot even remember how I reached that age without learning how to ride one! I'm stubborn and I didn't obey my friends that I should practice riding a bike first and told them that it's just the same thing. I tried but I failed, even got 10 stitches! Obey the posts bro. Be safe. Don't forget the helmet.

[totalmotorcycle]

Welcome t3h_triste to the community!

You have never rode a bicycle before (ever?). Well, you are in a very tough position I'd say as there are no riding schools near you, BUT, there must be some nearby? (even if you have to stay a couple nights in another town to learn).

If you can get to a riding school then I wouldn't worry about not learning to ride a bike, a lot of people learn to ride a bike without riding a motorcycle.... yes, I know the motorcycle has an engine and it's different guys.... but what I'd suggest is to get a moped or scooter (50cc or less) that way you are learning and not going to get yourself into too much trouble. A used one is best as you'll drop it (we all do).

Skip the 250cc for your next bikes, plus a 250cc is a very big bike in Indonesia I think, are there not mostly 125cc and 140cc's out there?

Mike

[NorthernPete]

Moped?