Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Im new here but hope to become a regular soon i dont have a bike yet but am trying very hard to get one ive never had one before so im a beginner so any advice or tips will be appreciated but i do have experience on dirt bikes and quads so shifting wont be a problem im looking at a CBR-600RR to bye in a couple weeks cant wait to get it well peace out for now

Warning ahead….

First of all.....

Second, Have you checked out the Beginner's Guide? There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk).

Third, I also recommend an MSF or other reputable safety course and reviewing your state’s (province’s/territory’s) DMV or DOT website for licensing information, guidelines and FAQ.

Fourth, Go to a variety of dealers and sit on all kinds of different motorcycles. Even if you don’t think you’d like the ride when you look at it. I was dead set on one riding style when I started and ended up buying a different type. You may surprise yourself as well.

Fifth, Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There! I hope you enjoy this site!

yeah i have checked out all sorts of beginners guides and learn to ride sites i have been planning this for awhile and have read anything i can get my hands on

I live in Indiana and i dont think a MSF course is required but i will most likely take one do they cost? do i have to supply the bike? how long do the usually take?

I have been to several dealers and have set on several different brands of 600's (yamaha, suzuki, Kawi, and honda) and i know i dont want to go over a 600 im not really set on one type of bike anymore but the bike im looking at is trually a deal and i have set on this type of bike and it seems to fit me well

I plan to take this one step at a time so i dont end up hurting myself or anyone else cause ive seen what idiots can do on these things when they have no idea what there doing

thanks for the help
-Matt

MSF courses are hardly ever required but they typically substitute for either or both of the written exam or road test on the DMV.

The cost varies by state, depending on whether or not the state subsidizes it. Most states (my un-scientific gut feeling here) seem to have at last a small subsidy and you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $250. If you are one of the unlucky ones in a state like New York where they don't subsidize it at all, it could be anywhere from $275 to $350.

But even if it is $350, you get a significant break on your insurance (here, it's 10 percent). That's a big deal if you're a) young or b) have an expensive bike or c) have full, comprehensive & collision coverage.

The course itself is usually 2-3 days (ours is 2 and 1/2) with a mix of classroom and practical work. They do provide the motorcycles (and they won't let you use your own in the basic course - the idea is to show you exactly how much power a 250 has, since they're easier to handle but still no slouch).

Sounds like you have a pretty good attitude - don't rush into it. Even with the MSF course you can still get everything done pretty quickly. Get a used bike with a little less power than you might like and spend the differnece on some good quality gear.

Thanks for the info. ill probably go check it out tomarrow at the DMV and see what they have to say and i live in Indiana where hopefully they subsidize it. And i could definitly us the insurance break though seems how im only 18 ive gotten some quotes and if i put it all under my name it could run as high as 160 a month cause i have to have full coverage.
Thanks
-matt

There are many great reasons to dissuade you from making your first bike a race replica and you may start seeing them here soon. There are no good reasons to choose a race replica as your first bike, including dirt and quad experience. There are actually techniques that are great for riding in the dirt that will get you seriously injured on a street bike even when there is no other traffic around.

The MSF is a valuable course and you might consider taking it before buying your machine. Compared to insurance on that bike it's very cheap and I've never had a student say that he didn't learn anything, including guys who ride on the track. You can find sites and prices in your area at www.msf-usa.org

Also make sure you get adequate gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, riding pants and boots. You're already stacking the deck against you with your bike choice, you might as well try to counter act that a bit by getting a complete set of protective gear.

Here in North Carolina, The MSF course runs right around $110. That is with the MSF supplying almost everything at one of the community colleges around the state. I checked out the same course offered thru the Harley dealerships in the srea, and it runs closer to the $320 area. So I really can't same anything about the subsidized stuff..

BUT it will act as the road skills portion of the MC endorsement. All you havr to do is complete the skills part and get a "learners permit" (all of $18), then csuccessfully complete the MSF course. Return the the DMV office with your normal license, the learners permit and the MSF card.. and pay for the endorsement on your NE license..

Its that easy..

This is about storysunfolding's comment

I believe that it doestnt matter what you start with as long as your responsiable enough to respect the power between your legs
obviously there are better choices for a first bike but i only have the money to buy one bike and i want to make it something ill have room to grow with i dont want to buy a bike that ill out grow in a year and have to buy another yeah i know im probably stacking the deck against me and im prepared to face the pain if i take the monster in that bike for granted i do appreciate your concern and advice
thanks
-matt

I wish you the best of luck.

Of course the money you'll pay for that bikes first year of insurance would buy you a decent starter bike and the insurance for it. That bike would also have a fairly decent resell value. You're also assuming that you can build fine motor skills before gross motor skills. Anyway that's just stating the obvious. Enjoy whatever you get and remember to keep the shiny side up.

well its like this, ive sat on a few bikes that were way bigger then i could handle...beautiful,and fit me great,...but way to big. i settled for a 250 due to the lack of riding experiance i have. sence ive been riding though, i feeling more up to a bigger bike, thus ive always liked the vulcan 800, and 900, and honda 750 spirits,....if you feel confident enough that you can handle a gxsr 600 -cbr 600, with out getting too much hair on your balls about it. then great,....theres plenty of time for you to take it safe, enjoy riding...and theres sport bike riding cources out there, i think alittle more in depth and more towards the racer type of minded kids who want to take it to the limit and survive.............SAFTEY FIRST ...ride hard and live long,