Embarrasing n00b question

[Wicked110]

I recently turned 18 and my uncle gave me his 2003 HD Vrod. I read a couple of reviews of the bike and it is called a good beginners bike, I dont know about you but a 1100cc isnt exactly what Id call a beginners bike. Now comes the embarrasing part, I dont know how to ride a bicycle. According to some sites and my knowledge of gyroscopics states you dont need to know how to ride a bicycle, though conventional begs to differ. My question is do you need to know how to ride a bicycle to be able to ride a motorbike?

[mgdavis]

V-Rod as a good learners bike? It makes more horsepower than my first truck! You might as well give someone who hasn't taken driver's ed yet the keys to a Corvette.

Step one - Learn how to ride a bicycle. You need to know how to balance on two wheels.

Step two - Take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. You'll get professional instruction one one of their bikes.

Step three - Don't start your riding career on the Rod. Get a second hand small - mid displacement bike. There is a thread on this site that is dedicated to good beginner bikes.

[pchast]

Welcome,,,

I have to agree with mgdavis and others like myself reading this thinking, NO!!!!

It can be more difficult without the balance practice. Need too? The easy answer you already stated, no. Personally I'd want to know how to ride that bike, to be able to coast it and turn with some control. We all fall at some time in practice or at least stagger. You will fall more without foreknowledge of a bicycle. Just my opinion...

The difficult questions: Any balance or 'head' problems? How much do you know about driving your car? Standard or automatic? Have you tried a MSF course....? all important.

You are going to be busy riding with several controls. A motorcycle requires you to understand a little bit more about how a machine's relative items work together. If you can deal with intangible ideas and relative statements you will likely have no trouble. If not it will just take a little longer.

1. Get a structured course.
2. Get a smaller displacement, lighter, used motorcycle.
3. Practice

Okay, Where are you? city, state and country. I believe there are several on this board that are willing to help if you want it.

Luck,
Pete

[jstark47]

Learn to ride a bicycle. It's not difficult for most people, but make sure you can do it before you get involved in motorcycles.

When I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, they made everyone ride a bicycle at the beginning of the range exercises. Just to make sure they weren't trying to teach motorcycling to someone with balance issues. They had an old beater bicycle they kept on the range for that purpose.

And no, a VRod is not a starter motorcycle. Nice bike, but save it for your second motorcycle - after the course and a year's experience on a smaller bike.

Welcome to TMW.

[Wicked110]

Thanks for the info, I had my first riding class today with an instructor who specialises in riders who cant ride bicycles. I used a friend of mines honda cr 80. I staggered a lot, and according to him not more than most people who can ride bicycles, but Im getting the hang of it, its gonna be along time till i try ride the Vrod though. So its possible

[storysunfolding]

Thanks for the info, I had my first riding class today with an instructor who specialises in riders who cant ride bicycles.

Interesting...

I've taught over 2000 riders. I have certifications to teach the MSF Basic Ridercourse, Experienced RiderCourse, Advanced RiderCourse Sportbike Techniques (as well as the military SportbikeCourse equivalent), the On road course, the three wheeled course, the Scooter RiderCourse. I'm certified to teach the Lee Parks Advanced Riding Clinic (level I only) and I'm certified to teach at track days.

I know a lot of people in the industry including instructors across various disciplines and numerous states. In that time I've never heard of an instructor that "specializes" in riders who can't ride bicycles. Regardless of whatever you end up doing in your rider career you need to make sure to vet all instruction and advice. Would you take riding advice from a guy that crashes alot? Sportbike advice from a guy that's never ridden one? Personally I'd be concerned

If I were you I'd stop for now, then sign up for the MSF Basic RiderCourse. I can't tell you anything about the program you're in without more information but I can tell you that poor instruction early on is EXCEPTIONALLY hard to overcome. That's from both personal experience and my experience as an instructor. Check here for a list of nearby courses. http://www.msf-usa.org/

[Nalian]

Man, why not just ask him for more info before making a post like that?

[storysunfolding]

Should I go beyond concern? Nationwide motorcycle crash statistics, 3 years as an EMT responding to motorcycle crashes, and plenty of horror stories about craigslist "instructors" from numerous students before they found the basic rider course.

[koji52]

First off, send me the bike so I can add it to the stable and put it along side my Vrod...I'll hold onto it for now while you learn to ride. Some key considerations:

Weight-wise, Vrods aren't the worst to learn on (but definitely not the best at slightly less than 700 lbs).

Wheelbase is pretty long though, making slow speed manuevering tougher and counter balancing a clutch technique.

Power is too much for a beginner. An 883 Sporty probably has too much power for the first time rider and the V pumps out over 100% more hp than the sportster..

Vrod's are generally expensive. Replacement and aftermarket stuff will put you in a cardboard box.

All of this points to the notion that you shouldn't use the V as your first ride. But this is all probably irrelevant since you can't ride a bicycle. I think riding a bicycle was a prerequisite to the MSF class I took. Keep in mind that if you can store the Vrod and can pick up a smaller, less powerful bike, you can always ride the Vrod later. Or you can trade it/sell it to get a less powerful bike with extra cash in your pocket.

On the other hand, do what you want. I know my Vrod puts a dodo eating grin on my face every time I ride it. You can try to learn to ride on the vrod and might succeed without too much pain and heartache. On the other hand, learning properly on a smaller bike will decrease the chance of losing control of the bike.

BTW, you're generally going to see different answers to your questions with regards to the forums that you visit. If you head to the 1130cc forum, most will tell you to have a blast. Here, you're going to get the safety side of riding. Good luck elduderino

[jstark47]

Nationwide motorcycle crash statistics, 3 years as an EMT responding to motorcycle crashes, and plenty of horror stories about craigslist "instructors" from numerous students before they found the basic rider course.

If he can't ride a bicycle, they're not going to let him in to a BRC. Leastways, not around here.