Pretend I'm a new rider. What advice would you give me?

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#1 Post by **storysunfolding** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:14 am

Here's an exercise. Pretend I'm a new rider and I need to learn everything I could about learning to ride a motorcycle. There are quite a few different facets to riding that this could cover. Pick one specific thing (Why to take a class, maintenance, counter steering, securing a bike etc) and go in detail outlining everything that I need to know about it. Have some fun and maybe we make a nice new sticky out of parts of this.

I'll keep coming back to update the subjects here:

StillTry'n · #2 Post by **StillTry'n** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:00 pm

story

Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous.

That is what you need to know about bikes. And nothing will ever change that fact.

You can ride for a thousand years, and love every minute of it.

But riding a motorcycle is damn dangerous.

Life is dangerous: and you won't get out of it alive.

That is what I remember when I twist the throttle.

Dan

High_Side · #3 Post by **High_Side** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:23 pm

Buy a bike that makes you look cool. Chicks dig that.

BuzZz · #4 Post by **BuzZz** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:35 pm

High_Side wrote:Buy a bike that makes you look cool. Chicks dig that.

Unless you're like me. Then there just ain't no bike that can make you look cool. In cases like that, get the biggest, fastest, scariest bike you can find and try to end the misery as fast as possible.

#5 Post by **Wrider** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:38 pm

Don't do it, you'll get addicted and you'll eventually end up spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on things that otherwise make no sense to the layperson.
And after you're already hooked, take the MSF class, you won't understand until you actually do it then get on a bike, but it's worth it.

Triumphgirl · #6 Post by **Triumphgirl** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:44 pm

I remember back when I first started riding street bikes, in my motorcycle training class, we were enforced, while going into turns not to look down but head up and look in the direction you want to go and your bike will follow. They made us do that through crazy eight figures and I had a hell of a time staying in between the pylons. But once i got the knack of it, it actually worked. Killed a few pylons and pedestrians, but hey, I am a better rider for it.

Triumphgirl · #7 Post by **Triumphgirl** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:49 pm

BuzZz wrote:
High_Side wrote:Buy a bike that makes you look cool. Chicks dig that.
Unless you're like me. Then there just ain't no bike that can make you look cool. In cases like that, get the biggest, fastest, scariest bike you can find and try to end the misery as fast as possible.

Come on...still want to see a picture of you. In a bright orange parka, driving the biggest fastest scariest bike, with cheesy bling hanging off...of your bike of course...I wouldent be suggesting something inappropriate...not me...I am a nice girl...

BuzZz · #8 Post by **BuzZz** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:55 pm

Don't force me to make you regret what you ask for.

'Cause I can.....

Gunslinger · #9 Post by **Gunslinger** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:59 pm

As a new rider I cannot stress how important it is that you get thee to a MSF course. Yes they are expensive. Yes they will kill your weekend. But what you get in return is worth the cost several times over. I have avoided two seperate accidents from specific techniques that I learned in the class. You will meet new riders just like yourself and probably some experienced riders too. I had alot of fun in my class both during the lecture and out on the lot practicing the drills. It is absolutely the best place for new riders to learn good riding habits.

Lion_Lady · #10 Post by **Lion_Lady** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:31 am

Take a basic rider's course. Buy a small USED motorcycle to lock in the new skills on. Don't forget full gear along with the bike - the best within budget, that fits.

P