Advice on beginner motorcycle

[Shane45 807]

Pfffft. You just weren't doing it right!

 

[RobertJames 14]

 

 

Getting a full-size bike to learn on would be like getting a .44 magnum as your first handgun.

 

You know someone here is going to say "My first gun was a .44..."

[RobertJames 14]

I've got two liter bikes now, but started on a 450 twin.  Next was a 620 KTM thumper, followed by a Kawasaki 750.  Then came the Beemer and finally the Triumph.

 

[jackandjill 683]

Great advice here and thanks for sharing. Motorcycle Safety Course is THE first thing on my list. Not going anywhere without it.

[RobertJames 14]

Get good gear too.  Jacket, pants, boots, helmet, gloves and rain gear.  Road rash sucks.

[oneshot 45]

WAIT!! We haven't hit the 1000 opinion mark yet! There are another approximately  982 left to go  

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot 358]

Lol. I started with a ducati monster 620 and still have it. Seat height was a consideration. I contemplated going small (i.e. Ninja) then upgrading but I think there are bikes in the 600-700cc range with "tame power" that can obviate that path. Definitely take the MSF course first then figure it out.

[kc17 622]

I admit I didn't read all of the replys, but I will echo much of what I've read.

 

First, TAKE A SAFETY COURSE.

 

Second, forget about passengers until you've got sufficient time in the saddle (same applies when buying new bikes). Passengers GREATLY impact a bikes handling. Physics doesn't differentiate which rider shifts the weight, the bike WILL change angle and therefore direction with passenger movements same as driver. Related to that try to get your passenger to join in safety course.

 

Third, odds are you will learn your first bike will not meet all of your requirements no matter what. Time and mileage may very well change what your priorities are.

 

Lastly, BE SAFE, I ride with the mentality that I'm invisible to most cages, and the ones that can see me want to kill me. Join motorcycle rights groups. Just like with 2A rights, the Nannies of the state want to take away our Freedoms. Try to be a good ambassador for the sport. Again, just like you would for firearms, hunting, etc....

 

Best of Luck. Again, stay safe, rubber side down, shiny side up.

[Stonecoldchavez 92]

I am looking for a beginner motorcycle and I am sure following requirements are familiar to many. Appreciate your advice, pointers and recommendation on where to look if I were to  buy one

 

 

1. Daily ride to office (weather permitting)

2. Good gas mileage

3. Decent pull power for a passenger

4. Decent handling upto  speeds of 80 mph (not planning for 110s on highway)

5. Decent handling on highway next to trucks

6. Not crazy about looks or brands

8. Easy(ier) maintenance

9. Used (preferred) at decent price

10. Not planning to go across the country on this one

11. Prefer the quiet ones

 

 

So far, looked at 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, 2003 Suzuki Volusia Cruiser .

 

What is your riding style? Standard, Sportbike, Cruiser, Sport-touring, Touring, Hooligan, etc. Motor? V-twin, Triple, In-line 4?

 

Could be any of the above:

 

Suzuki V-Strom

Kawasaki Versys

Triump Sprint ST or GT

 

First time bike, you may want low seat. Unfortunately, that will leave with cruisers or $$$ Harley's.

[djg0770 481]

Buy good riding gear. Especially your helmet. Try a few different brands to see which fits YOUR head best.

[carl_g 568]

get a dirt bike.

[MichaelScarn 0]

I just started riding the beginning of this summer. Took the MSF course, got the license, got the leathers, and just went riding.

 

Like the other have mentioned, get a bike that doesnt weight more than what you can pick up. And get full gear!

 

The other limiting factor is your operation experience. Do you know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle? Do you know what goes on with your clutch, and your transmission? Downshifting, revmacthing... If yes, then the transition to operating a bike will be simple. If no, id learn on a bike with a little less horsepower. A lot can go wrong fast on an 80hp machine that weights just over 450lbs.

 

Also which of you wise guys said NJ doesnt have good roads for a sportbike. I beg to differ. North jersey is the perfect area to ride sportbikes. 90% of the roads i ride daily to get anywhere are amazing riding roads.

 

The bike i chose was a yamaha fzr600. But dont get this bike. Get its younger brother, the YZF600R

 

Cheap. Parts easily available. Reliable. 55mpgs!

 

I recommend getting a japanese bike as its more than likely you can find parts easily, readily, overall lower costs, and have an easier time doing maintenance.

 

With all that said. If i could start over, id have gotten a dual-sport. Or a supermoto / motard, which is a dualsport with street tires and mild suspension and brake modifications.

[mark_anthony_78 0]

The bike i chose was a yamaha fzr600. But dont get this bike. Get its younger brother, the YZF600R

 

 

After riding/racing dirt bikes for a few years, this 2003 YZF600R was my first brand new bike.

 

 

 

[gleninjersey 2,139]

I picked up a 92 Vulcan 750 this summer for $350... A little cleaning and some chopping, she ran like a new. Did everthing you mentioned on your list. Just sold it.

$350 for a nice used bike!? This post makes me want to start looking for a bike! I've spent close to that on ammo in one purchase. FANTASTIC deal.

 

I don't have much advice but I can tell you don't be afeaid to start out smaller. My first and only bike was a Honda CME 450 back in the early 80s. Speedometer only went up to 85 but there were a "few" times I may have had it wrapped back around to 10 or 15 mph. It was plenty fast, was easy to manuever, easy to pick up the once of twice I dropped it and still looked nice.

 

Of course I was 14, lived in Kansas at the time and hardly ever drove on a major interstate.

 

I would recommend going to a motorcycle store, sitting on a few different style bikes and find one that you feel comfirtable on. Once you have the style down, take a safety course, borrow a friends bike to get your mc license and then start test driving specific bikes.

 

Good luck, be safe and enjoy!

[greatgunstatenj 32]

I may have overlooked it but I didn't see any mention of your experience level. Some riding, some dirt biking, never been on 2 wheels? My advice to anyone in the latter category who lives in Central or Northern NJ is to buy a dirt bike and learn to ride on the dirt before getting into street bikes. I've had several friends with no riding experience take the safety course and graduate as some of the better students and their level of competence was laughable. One of them crashed while trying to come to a stop on our first ride together after he got his license. With time and additional instruction they all became great riders though. Just have to take it slow.

 

A rider in NJ needs to be 100% comfortable with the "riding" portion of motorcycling, it should be second nature before getting on the road, because 110% of a rider's focus needs to be on the morons around them on the roads. Just MHO. 

 

As for the bike, get something cheap, used, and appropriately sized. Cheap and used means you don't have to worry about dropping it, denting it up, etc. Appropriately sized means you can correctly navigate it as a beginner - which is what matters.

 

Growing into something is a ridiculous concept. Think of it this way, you doing 55 mph and some jerk pulls out in front of you do you want to be on a bike you can manipulate with your skill level or do you want to be on a 500lb cruiser that isn't very nimble or forgiving to a beginner? 

[carl_g 568]

I love motorcycles. I have been riding off an on since I was a kid. Everything from track days, enduros, dual-sports, spirited street rides.

If you are new to riding, please be careful. Riding on the street is super dangerous, especially if you are planning to commute. In the morning everyone is distracted and in a rush to get to work.. In the afternoon, everyone is distracted and in a rush to get home LOL! Take it slow and get something that you are OK with dropping, because you will crash...Good luck!

[oneshot 45]

" Like the other have mentioned, get a bike that doesnt weight more than what you can pick up. And get full gear! "

 

 

There isn't a bike i have owned that i didn't drop , everyone does it at the least one time. If you know how to right them properly there aren't any scooters

your couldn't pick up.So dont let that be a determining factor.

  Like i said go with your gut. You wont know what your riding style is or might be until you start riding.You never know ,you may not even like riding as much as you thought you would.

  A good helmet is a must, in that area i don't lead by example i wear a brain bucket , A good leather jacket is your friend, not only  to keep your skin on your upper torso should you go down, but it keeps the cold wind out.  What ever bike you feel comfortable with is the one you should go for, it won't be your last if you really like riding. Just a stepping stone.

   BTW NO ONE IN A CAR WILL SEE YOU AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WILL TELL THE COPS! Been there done that. Don't assume that everyone on a motorcycle does either.

 There are plenty of Aholes on motorcycles too.

[rifleman 90]

Make sure you up your insurance to the maximum including "uninsured motorist". I will be billing Travelers for a 1983 accident for the rest of my life. Wear good, high boots, thick socks, heavy leather jacket, full face & gloves even in the summer because you will eventually go down or get hit. Anybody that hasn't never rode a lot. That's just the way it is.

[jackandjill 683]

Signed up for MSF course (3 day). Honda Nighthawk is on my list. If anyone has one or know someone looking to sell, do send them my way. Also left PM with couple of folks.

 

I am glad to be part of these forums. Thank you.

[Golf battery 1,223]

That sounds like a good choice.

[Zeke 5,504]

Msf all the way. I've been riding since 12. I sent my wife to msf.

 

Enjoy and bee safe. Your biggest danger is everybody else. Use the acceleration advantage of a bike to get yourself away from everybody else.

Be very mindful that you can stop much faster than a car. Avoid the rear ending.

 

Other than that Everbody has pretty much covered it.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot 358]

Your chariot awaits...

 

[Sota 1,191]

Make sure you up your insurance to the maximum including "uninsured motorist". I will be billing Travelers for a 1983 accident for the rest of my life. Wear good, high boots, thick socks, heavy leather jacket, full face & gloves even in the summer because you will eventually go down or get hit. Anybody that hasn't never rode a lot. That's just the way it is.

ATGATT

All The Gear All The Time

[W2MC 1,699]

Agree 1000%

 

I cringe every time I see a rider wearing shorts and flip flops...

[jackandjill 683]

MSF - Basic Rider Course done. Just passed the test. I never tired MC before and this class helped ALOT. I didnt realize how useful it is, until I took the class.

Dropping the bike (unintentionally) few times itself is well worth the money. Learning to ride in safe environment, having fun doing it with other learners, learning rules and passing test - priceless. 

[bhunted 887]

It's no training for the real world. My long lost buddy had the first dual ride/control motorcycle school on the east coast. Over 4000 successful students and not one fatality. Including me. He hated the MSF classes. Only taught basics and not real world scenarios. That being said. Go easy. Use back roads to learn on. Take your time regardless who honks at you on grated bridges. There are 2 kind. Diamond and square formation grates. They both have different affects on your bike and so on.... Watch out for window shoppers, etc., etc., etc... Just be safe. You'll find that being a great motorcyclist will make you an even better auto driver because you will see things you never saw before. You will see and obey signs you never noticed before.

Be vigilant and stay upright! Good luck!

[jackandjill 683]

It's no training for the real world. My long lost buddy had the first dual ride/control motorcycle school on the east coast. Over 4000 successful students and not one fatality. Including me. He hated the MSF classes. Only taught basics and not real world scenarios. That being said. Go easy. Use back roads to learn on. Take your time regardless who honks at you on grated bridges. There are 2 kind. Diamond and square formation grates. They both have different affects on your bike and so on.... Watch out for window shoppers, etc., etc., etc... Just be safe. You'll find that being a great motorcyclist will make you an even better auto driver because you will see things you never saw before. You will see and obey signs you never noticed before.Be vigilant and stay upright! Good luck!

will do. Thanks.

[Carcano 14]

500 is too small, you will outgrow it very very quickly. Hey at least a 750. Passenger on a 500 is blah.

 

After a few months he will want to go up from the 500, a 900 is a nice size engine.

[millsan1 3]

MSF - Basic Rider Course done. Just passed the test. I never tired MC before and this class helped ALOT. I didnt realize how useful it is, until I took the class.

Dropping the bike (unintentionally) few times itself is well worth the money. Learning to ride in safe environment, having fun doing it with other learners, learning rules and passing test - priceless.

Good deal.

 

It is an excellent first step.

 

If you would like to have an escort for your first few rides lmk. I will be happy to volunteer.

[jackandjill 683]

Good deal.

 

It is an excellent first step.

 

If you would like to have an escort for your first few rides lmk. I will be happy to volunteer.

I might take up on that offer once I find a suitable MC to ride on. Appreciate it. BTW, cool GS Challenge video on your site.