Pre_newb!

[bassripper2000]

Hello All

I am in the stages of thinking about getting a bike. I been thinking about it for years and actually got bit by the bug after I saw my friends new purchase. Anyways, I am 29 and live in Southern Cali. I will be getting my MSF basic rider course done first and foremost, licensed, and get fully geared up before purchasing a bike. I will then get a Non-sports bike, either the SV650 or the GS500 to learn on. I will be riding mostly on weekends, during the day, on sidestreets until I can build up skill and confidence. To be quite honest, I want to ride really bad but I am a little scared as the majority opiinion on Motorcycling is it is a death trap. So I came here for some insight on what I may expect. Does the old saying hold true that "Everyone will crash eventually" So

1. Can I expect to crash
2. Can I expect that I will get hurt and the best wish for only minor injuries
3. Should I expect people to tell me I'm going to die everyday because they don't understand
4. Can a person enjoy a accident free motorcycling career or is it just a matter of time before I spill
5. In the end, is riding the most worthwhile thing you guys have done, thus outweighing the risks involved.

I think so, but I don't know so. I hope to ride very soon and for very very long!

Sorry for the long post and hopefully I don't get flamed.

[nate1714]

first off WELCOME!!! now read the stickies posted everywere.... that being said i was in you boat a while back...i took the class geared up and yes im still scared everything i go out there its natural....im not scared about my skill because they are getting better all the time but im scared about the 16 year old girl on her cell phone driving mommys new SUV...sounds like you are off to a good start as for mind set and following the proper learning channels... In the course they will tell you a bit about crashing...and what to do in what circumstances...for the most part though...its you Vs gravity and momentem...so its not that great of odds... Then again all the people i have seen fall or crash while helping with the MSF course never gotten anything past a few cuts and maybe a bruse.....I would have to be honest yes i expect to crash or mess up at some point in life on a bike...but then agian takeing the class and knowing your skills and being a very defensive rider will do WONDERS!!! As for people saying ur going to die while riding sad but true everyone u know will lol ok maybe not everyone but its hard for non-riders to understand out obsesion with the road and the tool we own that road with...yes people die, yes this isnt the safeist thing u will ever do but then again you only live once so lets find out how long you can make it!...yes a person can led a accident free life...but then again how lucky are you...just do what the boy scouts do and be prepared...no riding isnt the most worth wild thing i have ever done but then agian i take more pride in my work and what i accomplish with that then rideing...i dont make a huge deal of me riding its casual im not in it for the attention im in it for my self and yes i think its quite worth the risks.......over all yes people get hurt while riding you might not (i hope) but just be ready for it all..and yes its def. worth it to ride...once u get on the bike in the MSF class you will either know u want it or not trust me ......

[Shorts]

I think you're focusing on the wrong thing. Sure, the risk is always there for damage but are you going to ride afraid or just ride?


Do your training, work on your skills, have fun. Worry about drops and wrecks if and when they happen.

[matthew5656]

Once I took the MSF about a month ago, I considered it only the beginning of my education once I renewed my license with a motorcycle endorsement. Don't assume that you can ride anywhere, any time when you first hit the road. I would first ride around a parking lot until you feel comfortable with how the bike feels. When I first started riding, I didn't even take the bike to a parking lot, instead I asked my dad to ride it there so I could get the feel for it before I even confronted any traffic. Once you get comfortable, I would just take it easy and don't ride above your limits. I haven't been riding a long time at all, but I don't plan on being caught in rush hour traffic anytime or anyplace for a long while. I try to avoid areas where there are a ton of cars, or a lot of hazards. Remember that even if you crash due to the driver's fault, you still crashed, you still got hurt, you still lost because most accidents really can be avoided if you use SIPDE(Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute).

But it sounds like you are entering this great sport with the best intentions and have your safety in mind. Of course you have to watch out for cars, but I think many crashes are due to the rider's error. You will avoid this if you do not ride above your limits and remember to always respect the machine.

Keep in touch on this forum also. I have learned so much about everything involving motorcycles by reading what everyone has to say. There is a great crowd here that have so much useful advice that will help you keep the rubber side down. I hope this helps.

[IcyHound]

I found I obsessed about safety at first. Its good to do. There is a lot to read. However, don't let it freak you out. All the gear, all the time. Get what works, what fits, what protects you. Once you get to start riding you will develop a greater comfort with everything. A lot of my problem was that I had never ridden and I could not really understand what riding would entail so I obsessed over what I understood, safety.

[Ian522]

You are really nervous at first but eventually you relax. Just always keep your guard up and dont get over-confident. Riding is a risky activity but the risks can be minimized by riding defensively, wearing full gear, and not being reckless. Also it helps to be choosy as to what times you ride. I never ride at night, during rush hour, etc. because statisically those are the times when accidents are more frequent. The best time to ride in my opinion is early weekend mornings as the roads are pretty empty.

Its not that you should expect to "crash" but you might expect to drop the bike during low speed maneuvers while you are in the learning process. Like when walking the bike around a parking lot, driveway, etc. This is when the bike is the most unstable and you need good technique and balance. Many new riders have dropped their bike in situations like these, myself included. But it doesnt mean that you will...im just giving you a heads up.

[Nibblet99]

1. Can I expect to crash
Lots of people do, lots don't. At the end of the day it'd be stupid to not acknowledge it can happen and prepare accordingly. But on the same token most people will have a crash in a car at some point in their life too, or some other form of accident. Only you can have some say over how you crash though, take it easy out there and chances are, should the worst happen, it'll likely be low speed. Ride fast and aggressively, and you both increase the chances of an accident and the consequences of it too

2. Can I expect that I will get hurt and the best wish for only minor injuries
As with 1, it'd be stupid not to acknowledge that the worst can happen. for a lot of people their crash is at or almost at a standstill, with some road rash, maybe a broken bone, and a very broken pride. Likewise for most who ride, the risks is worth the rewards, so despite the accident they get back on and ride as soon as they can

3. Should I expect people to tell me I'm going to die everyday because they don't understand
Yes, the world loves making ill-informed decisions. Just look at how much government legislation is made for motorcyclists from people that have never been on one

4. Can a person enjoy a accident free motorcycling career or is it just a matter of time before I spill
Absolutely, some people have been riding most of their lives without ever coming off. From my experiences, they're generally the type of people who don't like pulling wheelies and pushing things right to the limits, but also ride year round, so they're comfortable in any road/weather conditions

5. In the end, is riding the most worthwhile thing you guys have done, thus outweighing the risks involved.
For me personally, the rewards absolutely outweigh the risks. for others thats not the case. But as this is a motorcycle website I'd expect most to say yes, if not all

[jstark47]

1. Can I expect to crash
Yup.
2. Can I expect that I will get hurt and the best wish for only minor injuries
Yup.
3. Should I expect people to tell me I'm going to die everyday because they don't understand
Ever seen the saying, "Everyone dies. Not everyone lives." ?? You're gonna die. We all are. Wanna die of old age in a nursing home? Probably should avoid motorcycling. Also hanggliding, rock climbing, scuba diving.......... going downstairs in the morning....... etc.
4. Can a person enjoy a accident free motorcycling career or is it just a matter of time before I spill
Both are true. Statistically the odds are you'll probably dump the bike sometime. But as others pointed out, there's many, many things you can do to reduce the risks.
5. In the end, is riding the most worthwhile thing you guys have done, thus outweighing the risks involved.
Nah. Getting married was probably the most worthwhile thing I've done. But riskier. Spouses can mess with your mind, dude!!

[bassripper2000]

Thanks all for the info. It has made me feel a lot better about riding. I think I will go ahead and do it as it's been the only thing on my mind all day everyday for the past month and a half.

You guys sound like you really enjoy riding and hopefully I will too. I'll keep in touch here and hopefully be able to learn as much as I can.

[IcyHound]

If you are a blog reader, read the blogs. Many members keep track of their changes and growth from people who want to ride to becoming riders.