Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Alright guyz I got no problem admitting it so if ur here to bust on me plz leave this page now. Alright since I was ver little I dreamed of riding a sport, super sport motorcycle and now since I'm 17 almost 18 I have the privledge of gettin one. I heard from numerous people the suzki gixxer is the way to go. I have one problem though aside from ridin a motorized scooted and very rare dirt bike I have no idea how to shift, the whole 9 yards. Its been forever since I've gotten to ride and quite frankly Im pretty much new (nub) to this. If anyone can detailed explain how to shift, ride, get bike in neutral to start so when I get one I dont kill myself it be greatly appreciated. Thank you for ur time.

You need to look up some motorcycle instruction classes like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. When I began I had no idea either and the class helped me out alot.

Check out the New Rider Forum. You will find a common theme there....

What kind of Gixxer? Also, how the hell can you afford insurance on one of those at the age of 17?

I work mad hard all day like every day lol

I don't think a gixxer is that great of a first bike. You might learn to ride, but you probably won't ever learn to ride well.

it's not a great idea but good luck to you if do get a gixxer.

it's not impossible to learn and improve on a RR bike but it's gonna be more risky and it'll take longer to improve since you have to deal w/ a lot more compared to low power bike.

i know it's a dream bike and you don't want people dumping on you so i will only say this

since you work hard for your money like everyone, do what you want to do...but...since you probably don't like burning the money you make, think hard about taking a Basic Riders Course, buying good quality gear and buying a bike to learn on for a year and then buying the "Dream" bike.

you will be a better rider, your insurance will drop after one year of riding experience, and your likelyhood of harming your bike and yourself will be less after a year.

I want a "Gixxer" some day too, as it was always my dream bike. But I'm going to go through a "learner" bike or two so I can learn how to control and enjoy the bike! I'd rather not have to ride it scared!

Take the BRC and see how you feel about motorcycles. Remember that when you do, the bike's you'll be learning on have 1/5 to 1/10 the power of a GSX-R600.

kabob983 wrote:I want a "Gixxer" some day too, as it was always my dream bike. But I'm going to go through a "learner" bike or two so I can learn how to control and enjoy the bike! I'd rather not have to ride it scared!

Take the BRC and see how you feel about motorcycles. Remember that when you do, the bike's you'll be learning on have 1/5 to 1/10 the power of a GSX-R600.

What he said. It's like anything else. Learn the basics, apply the basics to simpler problems, then you can make the correct decisions on the more complicated stuff.

I was in your position about a month ago. Didn't know what bike to get, and had a lot of options. I asked around and tried to get myself into a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course. The were all full through September. My best friend learned to ride in one of those and anyone who has ever taken one will recommend it to you. Since I couldn't take one, I got my friend to take me to a parking lot a few times and teach me everything that he learned in the course. He taught me how to mount, start, shift, turn, weave, stop, swerve, etc. Even though I don't know as much as I would if I had taken the class first hand, I can confidently perform all of the basic manuevers. I then went to the MVA and got my M class Permit and am going for my license this weekend.

Basically, the MSF course is the best way to go becuase they will give you a voucher to go get your license as soon as you pass. But there are other ways of learning how to ride if you cannot get into a course.

Good luck, and ride safe.