getting my motorcycle liscence

[Beattie]

I am in the process of getting my motorcycle liscence right now. I signed up for a class that will teach me to ride and then do the road test. Today we got to ride on the bikes, and I must say that I enjoyed it a lot. I can't wait to get my liscence, the only problem is that I am a poor college student and won't be able to afford a bike for a while Do any of you ride, how do you like it? Anyways, I just wanted to post my happiness.

 

[kpxgq]

im 18, and i have a 2002 honda crb600f4i, very nice bike, what kinda biking are u into???

cruisers, offroad, sport.... etc?

if sport.... u can find a used kawasaki ninja ex500 dor less than $2000... they are VERY good beginner sport bikes, use that for a year, and sell it for a grand and get a nic new 600cc. or a 1000cc if u feel like death is calling you early.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Congratulations! I think you will have a great time. Being a college student, get a used bike when you can. Stay away from superbikes for a while as they can kill you. Take the second motorcycle course if it is offered. Lots of good techniques. Watch out for the other guy as most serious injuries involve cars and the oh so deadly SUVs. I have been riding since 14, (30 years now) and it's been a blast. I ride a '99 Hayabusa and I love it. Again have fun and take care

 

[cipher00]

Congratulations. I am assuming that you are taking the MSF RiderCourse. An excellent choice, IMO.

How poor are you? While KPXGQ may have a CBR, I most emphatically do not recommend one, or something like it, for a new rider. Get something used, around 400-500cc. Yes, the EX500 is a great choice, as is a Suzuki GSR(?) 500. These often don't cost much... Yamaha comes to mind, too, tho' I've never owned one. Since you *will* be dropping it, inexpensive, without all that plastic, makes an excellent choice. While you're learning to really handle the bike, you can save your ca$h for something different later.

Plus, I've found that non-bikers are more interested in the older, more beat-up bikes, rather than the ones screaming around pulling wheelies and stoppies. Remember, you are representing a new class of person -- the rider.

Ride safe. And join the AMA.

PS I LOVE riding.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Just get an old used bike, they aren't like cars which start to rust out after 5-6 years. Take decent care of a bike and it lasts practically forever. I got my 1982 Honda CB450SC for $600 and it's been completely faultless. Only had about 6,500 miles on it when I bought it too. Costs me about $100/year to insure, so that's good too. The only thing that comes close to being as much fun as my bike is my 1976 914, and the bike is a helluva lot more reliable than the 914 right now.

Zenmervolt

 

[Beattie]

I am quite interested in sport bikes. I have been looking at the ninjas on the website, *drool* Today we were riding more of a standard, touring type bike, and I really did like that too. I guess I will just have to go test drive them ;-)

 

[kikokam]

a friend was just telling me yesterday that this motorcycle training place in santa maria (CA) trains you and when they give you the cert, you can just take it to the dmv and they can issue you the license, without taking the road test at the dmv.... now do you guys know if this varies in cities? i want to learn how to ride, but besides the fact that i'm a poor college student and that the training classes takes 4 full days before they give you the cert... i'm very tempted. i just need to research more on this facility in santa maria... but in order to get the license you still have to take the road test at the dmv usually too right?
and the written test.... is it really a lot harder than the Class C written?

 

[habib89]

congrats! i took the class about 2 months ago, and finally took the written test yesterday.. i am now an officially liscenced motorcycle rider! unfortunately i have no money.. so no bike.. but it was still fun riding it during the class

[/i]<<and the written test.... is it really a lot harder than the Class C written? >>
well just to clarify, i think the road test is the written test, and the skills test is the riding test, i could be wrong, but that's how i understand it.. the class (at least in sf, ca) satisifies the skills test, and the road test isn't much harder than the class c test... as a matter of fact, if you haven't taken the class c road test in a year, you have to take that again (i guess because you're being issued a whole new liscence).. i had to take 2 tests yesterday (C and M1).. totally easy though, just read through the manual while your'e waiting forever for your number to be caled

 

[brandonl]

Well .. congrats but be VERY VERY CAREFUL!

Don't try to show-off on a bike or ride drunk.

Two of my brother's best friends and him all got Cruisers. One Sunday morning (around 1 am) ... his 2 friends collided somehow and both were killed. One hit wall and he lived a couple hours.

 

[The Stigenator]

congrats.. on it..
I just got my bike back from the dealership after its first service. Took a 60 mile ride this evening, damn my hands hurt. I have a Suzuki GS500.. http://www.geocities.com/microbose/me_and_bike.jpg

I would suggest getting a used bike, something like the Ninja 500R, or maybe a cruiser like the LTD 500 .. do not go over 500cc or insurance will kill you. I have about a yearof riding experience and this year I paid 600/yr next year it drops to 300/yr.. Shop insurance companies and see what you come up with. By the way I quote full insurance with everything on board.

kikokam> the class you are taking about is teh MSF course.. it allows you to waive the ride test at the DMV.. and will give you a 10 % discount with your insurance if you mention it. Call 1800-CC-RIDER to find the closest location next to you.
I highly recommend that class, it teaches you basic street survival techneiuqes and teaches you how to corner properly.

If you got further questions guys just PM me.