Lion_Lady wrote:Take a basic rider's course. Buy a small USED motorcycle to lock in the new skills on. Don't forget full gear along with the bike - the best within budget, that fits.
P
Yes, everything Lion Lady said, except I would reverse it a bit. FULL gear is a necessary thing. And it will be a hassle to ride in esp. if your friends harass you. But the first time you have a close call, you see the need for it.
For the record, I live in the southern US and we can get as high as 104-5. But even then, you wear everything you can. There is a lot equipment for that kind of heat, so there should be little excuse to slack off.
How, I do?
My first Harley. A 2008 Electra Glide that I got at an auction. I'm going to take the dual seat off and put back the sprung single seat and the Cop top pack.
Where you look is where you go. Make it your mantra.
Follow wrote
Well shoot, I really don't want to pick up chicks...
but I do like my cool bikes.
+1
High_Side wrote:
Buy a bike that makes you look cool. Chicks dig that.
BuzZz wrote
Unless you're like me. Then there just ain't no bike that can make you look cool. In cases like that, get the biggest, fastest, scariest bike you can find and try to end the misery as fast as possible.
Cruisers are cool. "chicks" your age prefer cruisers.
If you have a head that is long from front to back than side to side you will find it very hard to buy helmets. Look at some of what Arai and Shoei has to offer.
Make sure you have at least 45,000-60,000 miles in driving experience before you start practicing to ride a bike. The mistakes I made driving when I was 16,17, and 18 years old would have all been fatal if I were on a bike at the time.
Start practicing thoroughly at a parking lot after getting gear/bike/passing brc. I'd say stick to the parking lots for at least a day or two.
Make your way through some open neighbor hood streets preferably around 30-35mph. Ride the side streets for another day or two.
Be careful riding onto city street ways at 40-45mph+. Do not ride onto the highway your first time during rush hour traffic if you're starting out. It is simply too much information for anyone's brain to process going 55-65+ mph when traffic is surrounding you and everyone is trying to take first place getting home.
Ride well lit city streets at night if you're comfortable and have adequate eye sight. A lot of skeptics will tell you to avoid nighttime riding but the fact is, one will find drunk drivers any time of the day, and I encounter more drivers near killing me while day riding when traffic is heavier and everyone needs to get someplace as fast as they can.
Never follow too close. Never follow too close. There is always a 2 second rule no matter how fast your vehicle can stop. Never, never follow too close.
Always choose proper lane position accordingly inside heavy traffic. We all learned that at the BRC.
Always, always concentrate on what you're doing while operating your bike. Do not think about yesterday or tomorrow, or what's for dinner when you arrive home. Riding is one of the greatest outlets for me because my mind escapes the obligations of everyday life. Why would you want to dwell on life and stress when you have the opportunity to ride a bike? Never stop thinking about your machine until the motor is off and the kickstand is down.
I know this is long guys, but these strategies have helped me stay on top without one crash or drop in 4 years of riding and 15,000+ miles now.
