Any Motorcycle Riders? Advice for a Newbie?

[greekorican]

A few weeks ago my dad bought a Honda Rebel. He used to ride alot, but hasn't in years, and he always talked about how he was going to get a motorcycle. Well he finally got it out of his system, and to my surprise, he wanted to teach me how to ride, even though my entire life he's said that he will never allow me to ride a motorcycle.

It was just like learning to drive a car with him: lots of screaming and panicking. I've also never driven a stick, so I didn't even get moving. I've been spoiled with an automatic transmission and the clutch is not something I'm used to thinking about. Then he decided that he was not the best person to teach me, so paid our mechanic a visit to ask where I could get some lessons. He offered to teach me right away.

I had my first lesson yesterday, and the mechanic is a MUCH better teacher. I've only learned how to ride in a straight line in first gear, but I'm having a blast. I thought driving a car was cool, but its nothing compared to this. I'm getting some more lessons tomorrow and I can't wait. I think I'm hooked, this is seriously the most fun I've had in a long time.

What really surprised me once I got going was how vulnerable you feel on a motorcycle. Obviously they are dangerous, but a little twist of the throttle and I feel like I'm going 60 mph. Also, a Honda Rebel is a pretty small bike, and it feels heavy as hell. I'm just concerned about learning to ride this bike well right now, and I plan to take the IDOT Motorcycle Course after I'm done with these lessons. Maybe even some intermediate and advanced courses. Everyone I talk to says that motorcycles are a blast, but everyone has a few bad stories to tell you as well.

I'm already trying to figure out how I'm going to afford my own bike, but right now I'm concerned about learning how to ride well so that I don't get hurt. Any advice?

 

[McHaven]

Get the book "Proficient Motorcycling" by Dan Hough. Best written advice I can recommend. Take the course, listen to what they say. When it comes time to get your bike, find the bike that fits you best. Always factor in the price of safety gear. Expect to spend 300-600 for good safety gear. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Stumbo]

You might want to check with your local department of motor vehicles for licensing requirements.

Also, check out http://www.msf-usa.org/ for more info.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Congrats for what may be the best thing one can do with pants on .

I don't have that much miles under my belt since I took a decade of hiatus from riding back in the 90's, but almost all of that is on vintage bikes so my 100k feels like a lot .



One word of advice my uncle gave me whan I started with mopeds and graduated to bigger bikes:

EXPECT EVERY CAGER TO BE THERE TO KILL YOU.

It sounded like a rough advice to a teen, but when I was riding more than now (up to 25k a year), not a single day went by without a near miss.

Another advice my uncle pounded into my thick head was that it doesn't help one bit if Your tombstone reads:
"HE WAS RIGHT, IT WAS THE CAGERS FAULT".
Be prepared to bend a lot in regard of Your right of way.

Take all the lessons You can afford, nothing keeps You intact and alive better.

Be safe and have fun.

Regards
Sam

 

[McHaven]

Hi.

Congrats for what may be the best thing one can do with pants on .

I don't have that much miles under my belt since I took a decade of hiatus from riding back in the 90's, but almost all of that is on vintage bikes so my 100k feels like a lot .



One word of advice my uncle gave me whan I started with mopeds and graduated to bigger bikes:

EXPECT EVERY CAGER TO BE THERE TO KILL YOU.

It sounded like a rough advice to a teen, but when I was riding more than now (up to 25k a year), not a single day went by without a near miss.

Another advice my uncle pounded into my thick head was that it doesn't help one bit if Your tombstone reads:
"HE WAS RIGHT, IT WAS THE CAGERS FAULT".
Be prepared to bend a lot in regard of Your right of way.

Take all the lessons You can afford, nothing keeps You intact and alive better.

Be safe and have fun.

Regards
Sam

+1

The best part is, the cagers don't know that they're out to kill you. It is a subconscious urge.

Riding around a college campus, I cannot tell you how many times I get to practice quick stops every single day. I'll guess at least 3.

 

[cripula]

I highly recommend you take a proper, professional motorcycle course like the MSF classes:
http://www.msf-usa.org/

They will teach you how to ride properly, how to deal with traffic, etc. It's worth every penny.
You ARE vulnerable on a bike, so it's up to you to learn how to minimize that vulnerability. A pro teacher will help you do that.

 

[Jools4001]

I've ridden for a long time. As you are finding out, riding a bike well is far more complex than driving a car but also much more rewarding.

The obvious thing is that you can fall off a bike, and that can hurt you, so you need to pay extra attention to everything that will keep the bike rubber side down. That will include being much more attentive to how hard you accelerate, and brake, and how much you can lean into corners given the road conditions. The road conditions you will need to be continually aware of include loose gravel, worn and polished road surfaces, potholes, manhole covers and road markings (they get slippery in the wet), diesel spills (very, very slippery) and...and...and..all of these things are inconsequential in a car, but are potential hazards on a bike

Probably the most important advice I can give is to start every ride with the aim of getting home again safely and make absolutely sure that you wear the right protective gear. A good quality full face crash helmet that is a perfect fit is essential (expensive, but how much is your head worth?) as are good quality leathers, boots and gloves. If you do come off wearing the right kit you will just slide down the road and (unless you're unlucky enough to hit a telegraph pole, street lamp or other road furniture) you should walk away relatively unscathed. I'm continually amazed at people who ride in shorts and T-shirts over here in the summer, perhaps they don't realise that coming off a bike at 60 mph will abrade around 1 inch of your skin and muscle away . This seems even more prevalent in the US where some states don't even have compulsory crash helmet laws - I'm not sure how much brain damage a bandana could prevent but I wouldn't want to test it.

If this all sounds as if I'm a po-faced safety nerd, I'm not. I ride fast on the road where conditions allow and I ride in the fast group on trackdays. I'm thankful that in 35 years and hundreds of thousands of miles I've only had one accident on the road (and that was a car driver pulling out of a side junction on me - being wary of car drivers is a whole chapter). On the track it's another matter, I can see a set of my old leathers from where I'm sitting now, with the marks of a 90 mph crash on them. I walked away with a small graze on my palm so I can vouch for their effectiveness.

Ride with the attitude that motorcycling is dangerous and treat it with respect. Motorcycling is dangerous but as Bert Munro says in The Worlds Fastest Indian, "you can live more in five minutes on a fast motorcycle than some people live in an entire lifetime"

 

[McHaven]

A good quality full face crash helmet that is a perfect fit is essential (expensive, but how much is your head worth?) as are good quality leathers, boots and gloves.

My favorite question for the helmetless or half-helmet wearing bikers is "Which part of your face do you not like?"

It really is a matter when WHEN you crash rather than IF you crash. Why not be prepared at all times for that potential crash?

 

[electracoyote]

^^^This.

My advice would be, concrete and asphalt are much, much harder than your head. In a match up, the road will show no sign of change. Your head, on the other hand, will be changed very greatly upon impact.

Wear the helmet.

 

[basstotheface]

Any one here only ride in good conditions? and take the car every other time?

Always wondered why not.

 

[Waterpilot]

Good advice here... Read it.

Just for emphisis though;

Go through a Safety Course.
Get good safety gear, and wear it.
You have to pay MORE attention when riding. Always scan infront, the sides and behind you. Look for escape routes.

The second I start daydreaming is the exact same time some lady's new vase packed in a nice wooden crate, but not strapped down, comes flying out of the back of the truck she borrowed from her husband.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Consider what EVERY car at EVERY intersection might do as you aproach it. Sooner or later one will do something really stupid and you must have a plan in your head before it happens.

 

[Yerf Dog]

MSF course.

All the gear, all the time.

Ride like you're invisible.

When riding with others, ride within your limits.

 

[PaulNYC]

Don't ride while tired. Just as dangerous as being drunk. You should only ride when you know you will be alert.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

My favorite question for the helmetless or half-helmet wearing bikers is "Which part of your face do you not like?"

It really is a matter when WHEN you crash rather than IF you crash. Why not be prepared at all times for that potential crash?

I wear a full face helmet but I also wear a half helmet during the really hot months here in Florida. Our police riders have weathered the half helmets rather well over the years. Are they as good as a full face, no. Wearing a full face, in the summer months here on an air cooled bike is not and option

 

[DRafalske]

MSF course.

All the gear, all the time.

Ride like you're invisible.

When riding with others, ride within your limits.

+1
When an accident involves a MC and a car, usually the driver of the car will say he did not see the MC. ALWAYS assume they don't see you. Especially at intersections.

welcome to the world of motorcycling. You'll gain a whole new level of hatred for tailgaters.
D

 

[rekesbass]

All good advise here.....TAKE THE MSF COURSE!!!!!!!..your local community college should offer them,it will be the best money you can spend..after you complete it,PRACTICE WHAT YOU LEARNED in a big parking lot and repeat frequently until you are comfortable on the road...have fun and ride safe...

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Also practice panic stops. They should be fast, controlled stops, no panic involved. Get used to the feeling of the bike sliding, etc., and what it does under hard braking on dry and wet pavement. Don't wait to test your skills when you have no choice

 

[etoncrow]

MSF course.

All the gear, all the time.

Ride like you're invisible.

When riding with others, ride within your limits.

Take the safety course. I had been riding 30 years and took the course and learned a great deal. Also, wear protective boots, gloves, helmet, eye protection, etc.

Here is a great video that teaches the same skills that the police use: http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

 

[etoncrow]

Tip on Tail-Gaters: Keep ball bearings in your jacket pocket and flip them over your shoulder...tailgaters back off real quick and can't tell what happened...