Became a Tree Hugger On My First Ride

[Sev]

I see that several people have decided to respond to my post with criticism regarding my decision to buy a bigger bike. Though I could really care less what anyone else thinks regarding my own well thought out decisions I will make a quick response if only to say that I think many of you have missed the point entirely on this whole big bike/little bike issue.

I did purchace a bigger bike to start off with. BUT MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT RIDING WAS ON A MUCH SMALLER BIKE THAT WOULD FALL IN THE "OKAY TO START WITH" CATEGORY. I capitalize this to emphasize the point that it doesn't matter what you start on, there is a good chance that ANY bike will suprise a beginner with zero experience. Everyone needs the experience of crashing if for no reason other than to rid them of the fear of crashing though a little fear is probably healthy.

I never disagrred with anyone who felt that it was better to start with a smaller bike. I intended to take the MSF class before even buying a bike but ended up finding a bike that I really like before I am able to take the class. But I didn't just jump on it and take it out for a spin. I sought out someone with a smaller bike to help me get started. And I can already tell after just a few hours with his bike that investing my money in a bigger bike was a good idea as he has only had his for a few months and is already trying to sell it to get something bigger. As long as I can learn the ropes on his bike and take the MSF class in January I'll be just fine on my bigger bike.

Apologies, what I meant to say is, "that's why we suggest you take the MSF course first."

I learned that the hard way to. I showed my GF how to ride on my first bike. She did great for the first 1/2 hour in the parking lot. On the last practise run before we were going to get back up to leave she gave it a little more gas then she meant to, and then paniced. Grabbed the front brake and put her feet down. The bike followed those. Bent a footpeg, broke off the right rear indy, and sprained her ankle.

Lesson learned... make the learner ride someone elses bike, not the one that you own.

[DivideOverflow]

Maybe you should do your friend a favor and buy his beginner bike from him (since you are a beginner, and you crashed his bike)... that is how the circle should go. Beginner buys a beginner bike, then sells it to another beginner. Much better than ruining a nice new big bike.

and as for: "Everyone needs the experience of crashing if for no reason other than to rid them of the fear of crashing though a little fear is probably healthy. "
I wholeheartedly disagree... I have not even come close to dumping either one of my bikes (my 250 which I learned on, or my KZ650). I don't ride in fear of crashing... I just try to avoid it.

[sv-wolf]

My comment wasn't intended as criticism gr8fl, it was just an observation.

However, since you raise the issue, I'm bound to say, you are very fortunate to have a friend who was 'cool' about you smashing up his bike instead of your own. I must remember that one. It could save me a lot of cash in future. Did your friend know that you thought 'any bike could surprise a beginner' when you chose to learn on his rather than your own? Maybe I'm getting you wrong here, but I do remember you posting that you felt 'lucky' that you smashed up his bike, not yours. Was this part of your 'well thought out decision.'

We all need to crash sometime or other, you think? That sounds just a weeny bit like self-justification to me. I personally would not recommend crashing: it hurts, it costs money and, most important of all, it can harm innocent people. I know one or two riders who seem to crash often. It hasn't really taught them very much.

The point is, in general, if new riders take riding step by step and don't rush into things they learn their riding skills more thoroughly and stand a better chance of living and enjoying a financially sound future. Of course, for some people these are not priorities and so this advice is not for them.

And let's be honest, gr8fl, who goes out and buys a bike which they know is too big for their level of experience and is prepared to leave it there, tying up their cash, for as long as it takes before they are ready to ride it. Of course you think you will be able to handle it soon (as soon as you take the MSF course, if I read you right). I suspect you'd feel pretty foolish if you didn't.



C'mon.

[sapaul]

My comment was: Let me get this right. You decide to buy a bigger bike and then decide to learn on you friends bike which you then crash and tell the whole world how lucky you were that it was not your bike you crashed on. And then go on to admit that you have had no formal training. If I was your friend I would have beat the living crap out of you.

There is a price to pay for learning on a bigger bike and that is patience, professional training and humble pie, the lack of which your friend has had to pay for.

[cruisinflatout]

gr8ful rydr: Hopefully you have no kids or any dependants that count on you.

That being said...I understand how exciting it can be to get that first ride and it's even better if it's your "dream bike" and it's even more frustrating when you come on a forum to explain yourself and you get pissed on.

However, riding a motorcycle is not like learning to drive a car...the risks are far greater and you (as would everyone) would be wise to learn from others who have been riding for a while. If your first car was a 455 Rocket...it wouldn't really matter cause there is alot of grace that comes with a car as compared to a bike. You screw up on a bike, and you could very likely kill yourself, or worse yet, maim yourself.

Anyhow, I'm glad you are planning to take MSF course, that shows that you are at least trying to become prepared...

[CNF2002]

Let me get this right. You decide to buy a bigger bike and then decide to learn on you friends bike which you then crash and tell the whole world how lucky you were that it was not your bike you crashed on.

ROFL too true...if this guy already had a bike why wasnt he learning on it instead of his buddies?

[SuperRookie]

Not trying to harp or anything....but, uh...did anyone check out the last line of the original post? He's already crashed into a tree...but the last line is about worrying about damaging his new BIKE!?

At least he was wearing a helmet, I think

[basshole]

I don't think he's interested in our advise. Too bad, I thought all the suggestions in this thread were all directed in his best interest.