Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey guys, I'm fairly new to riding and just got my first bike, an '04 Kawasaki Ninja 500R, so I thought it would be nice to join a good forum to be able to chat with other riders. I'm 17 years old, I know that seems young, but I have wanted to ride for a very long time. My mother's boyfriend has been a rider for many years, and he recently taught me how to ride on an old Honda of his. My brother has also been riding for about 4 years, on a 2000-something Ninja 600. Their experience should be very beneficial to me, and I'm hoping to take a course as well. Here's to many great years of riding ahead!

Welcome aboard. A couple things worth mentioning because of your age are you'll need parental consent to take the MSF course (being under eighteen). Also, some states require all riders to wear helmets when riding if your under 18, regardless if the state has a mandatory helmet law or not. Make sure you find that out before getting on the road. Ride safe.

BTW, Altoona is one of the greatest city names of all time. Never been there tho. Always makes be crack up when I hear it.

First of all;

Second; In response to the helmet comment, in PA you definitely have to wear a helmet if you're under 18 and, I think, it may be 21 unless you've taken the MSF and/or have 2 years of riding experience. I'm not entirely certain. I didn't pay much attention to that since I always plan on wearing one and I'm in my mid 30's.

Good luck out there and enjoy the forums!

Scoutmedic wrote:Second; In response to the helmet comment, in PA you definitely have to wear a helmet if you're under 18 and, I think, it may be 21 unless you've taken the MSF and/or have 2 years of riding experience.

Scoutmedic is right, it's 21. From the AMA state law database for Pennsy: Helmet optional for a person 21 years of age or older who either have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for not less than two full calendar years or have completed a motorcycle rider safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

This is just MHO, but I would wear a helmet always...regardless of the laws.