Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi everyone. New here and new to riding. (I don't count the back roads 20 years ago) Got my beginners license in May because it was something I had always wanted to do. Never thought I would get a bike as soon as I did though. I got a 02 Yamaha 650 V-Star classic and I love it.

Just toodling around in my neighbourhood and at the local mall parking lot so far. The safety classes are full for this year so I will have to wait til next year for that. But I can't not ride because the course is full! I have some friends who are giving me some pointers but mostly I am just going out on my own. Some other friends are telling me it must be a mid-life crisis thing. lol I don't care I'm having a blast. But man-o-man I have lots to learn!!

to TMW all the way from BC.

Enjoy yourself but always remember.....ride like you are invisible.

Enjoy the forums.

Welcome! I just started riding this summer too and have spent lots of time in the mall parking lot... I was able to take the safety training course in May and I srongly recommend it to anyone.

Have fun and keep safe!

Cheers,
Rod.
S'toon

Thanks for the welcome. I do plan on taking the course. Only problem is its full for this year. They told me to call back in February so I guess that's what I'll do. I live in a fairly small city so I don't have to contend with a ton of traffic but I'm still not going out when its busy. I must have gone around the block at least a hundred times the other day. Must have made the neighbours crazy. I'm taking it slow. Want to learn properly but I can't stay off the bike entirely. I'm sure you all understand.

Yes, we understand.

These don't replace a course but a great pair of books to have are "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. Lot's of excellent 'real world' lessons for everyone including us noobs. The 1st one is available at McNally Robinson in S'toon (they had 3 yesterday) but the 2nd might be out of print now.

I've also got "Street Strategies: a survival guide for motorcyclists" by the same author, but if you've got either of the other books, you can take a pass on this one.

Cheers,