Motorcycle riders, or people who have seen one, click here. NOW WITH PICS!!!!

[PushHands]

I've thought about it for over 2 years and now I have the opportunity to get my first sport motorcycle. Don't know the specific model yet but I'll post some pics and more details when I get them. I live in Sacramento, California (95826) and would like to find a school close by to take classes on riding motorcycle since I've been told that if you take the course, all you have to do is take the written test at the DMV (Dept. of Motor Vechiles). Is this correct?

I checked on the net but I'm not too verse in this area so I didn't come up with anything close by. I'd also like to see if there are groups near by me cuz I've enjoyed riding in groups and it's a good way to meet people. Is there a website that list bike associations and what not? How about a forum?

Pics will be coming

UPDATE: Now with PICS!
These aren't of my actual bike but it's the same make, model, year and color

I even have the stand for it. BTW, what's it used for?

 

[Crazymofo]

cycleforums.com is a great forum

 

[boyRacer]

Text

 

[PushHands]

good info, thanks guys

 

[sygyzy]

I am sorry I accidentally clicked but I have never seen a motorcycle. I have only heard about them from grandpa's stories by the fireplace.

 

[PushHands]

those motorcycles are indeed a myth. Much like the BigFoot

BTW, anyone here ride in Sacramento or the Bay Area (SF area)?

 

[Encryptic]

People ride motorcycles? :Q

/crawls back under rock

 

[boyRacer]

Well the_good_guy is moving up there... he's quite knowledgeable about the two wheels...

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
Well the_good_guy is moving up there... he's quite knowledgeable about the two wheels...

Really!? Up to Sacramento or San Francisco?

 

[ElFenix]

remember: you have to turn right before you can turn left. and vice versa

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: PushHands

Originally posted by: boyRacer Well the_good_guy is moving up there... he's quite knowledgeable about the two wheels...

Really!? Up to Sacramento or San Francisco?

I am moving to sacramento.

The course your talking about comes in differnet names but they are all the same.. its called Honda's Riders Edge, Harley Davidson's First gear (if im right) then there is the CHP one and there is one at local community colleges (some of them). For Honda (done on 250 cc rebel/nighthawks) / Harley Davidson (done on a buell blast - single 500) contact dealers. Otherwise call 1-800-CC-RIDER and give them your zip code.

Most classes would be full but you can try add in if someone doesnt show up, to do that take your money, photo copies of your licence. If your under 21, in the state of California you are REQUIRED by LAW to take this course in whatever form. If your over 21 you can bypass it but I HIGHLY recommend it cause it teaches you something that you otherwise would not learn by yourself. Once you pass this course you can take your written test (one motorcycle & one car / road rules - the same you use while taking the car written test). The DMV drive test is quite hard, and its best taken on a lower powered small scooter. I know several ppl who have failed the DMV drive test.

I assume you have no riding experience. With that been said the maximum I would say you should try go with is a 500cc (for sports bikes) and 650cc (crusisers - 883 sportster on the HD side). Some people recommend the SV650 (S) and I have done so too in the past but its on the upper end of a beginner bike (its a wheelie machine). Its more intermediate. You might say oh i want a faster bike because i will outgrow it. Just for your info I ride a 2001 GS500 and I still am not going to trade her up for something else (maybe a sports touring or a cruiser but i will still keep my GS). What ever you do stay off the 600cc supersport and beyond.

If you want to start riding immediately go to teh DMV and take the written test (motorcycle & road rules) and pass it to get your permit. You will then be able to ride during the day, by yourself and off the freeways.

If you have further questions just post here.. i will find it.

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy<br

I am moving to sacramento.

<snip>

I would say you should try go with is a 500cc (for sports bikes) and 650cc (crusisers - 883 sportster on the HD side). Some people recommend the SV650 (S)

If you want to start riding immediately go to teh DMV and take the written test (motorcycle & road rules) and pass it to get your permit. You will then be able to ride during the day, by yourself and off the freeways.

A lot of good info, thanks the_good_guy. I'm not in a rush to jump on a bike and on a bike, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I'll be buying the bike from my brother-in-law, which is a plus because I trust him and this is my first bike. I believe it's 500cc. I'll get specific make and model later this week.

Am I correct in my understanding that if I take the motorcycle course, I'm exempt for the driving test at the DMV and just only need to take the written portion?

EDIT: Found California Motorcycle Handbook 2003 here.

 

[The Stigenator]

let me know on what the bike is that your BiL has got.

Anyway yeah you right in your assumption.. upon passing the class it will waive the DMV drive test and hence you only have to take the written test and pose for a photograph.

You can get teh materials online or at the DMV.

If you take the class you have to take 2 tests there (very easy).. one is a written test, the other is a drive test. Its easier than the DMV drive test.. you got to ride in a circle (larger than teh DMV one) and you got to do an 90 degree turn without putting your foot down. the class will provide some reading materials for you too.

 

[Kelemvor]

When I took the class, it was offered by all the local "Tech Colleges". Check with them if you haven't already. And if you are just learning to ride, Don't be tempted to go buy the biggest, baddest bike you can find. I started with a 1992 (I think) Kawasaki Ninja 500 (called EX-500 at the time). It looked as big as a 600 or higher bike but wasn't as heavy or cumbersome. Worked great for me until I sold it a couple years later.

Also check with Progressive for insurance. Most regular insurance companies try to charge you HUGE amoutns for sporty motorcycles but I got mine really cheap at progressive.

Also, check out www.motorcycle.com if you haven't alerady...

 

[The Stigenator]

progressive is a NO-GO they are freaking expensive.. they still quote me over 1600/yr for liablity.. Full coverage around 3K.. I pay 600/yr full coverage with GEICO.

Next year I am moving to McGraw Group..

The EX-500 is a sweet bike but I ride a GS500 so I am a bit partial. Liquid cooling vs Air cooled. I have lesser things to go wrong with. Both bikes have similar problems with suspension being too soft (i have upgraded mine for 90 bucks front and back total). The end they are about the same.. its upto personal preference. I think teh GS handles better on the canyons.. but that's my personal opinion.. i havent taken a Ninja 500R up the canyons cause nobody i know has one.

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
progressive is a NO-GO they are freaking expensive.. they still quote me over 1600/yr for liablity.. Full coverage around 3K.. I pay 600/yr full coverage with GEICO.

Damn, they are expensive out there in Cali. I insure through Progressive myself on a 2002 Nighthawk 750, full coverage, $250 deduct., for under $350/yr.
But I've heard McGraw is still a bit cheaper.........I'm w/Progressive through October and will be looking into McGraw then.

 

[PushHands]

McGraw Group huh? hmm... that's a new name for me. I've been with Geico ever since I got my car 7 months ago and I just renewed for another 6 months.

What have you guys heard about McGraw Group. I'm assuming this is their website.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: C'DaleRider

Originally posted by: The_good_guy progressive is a NO-GO they are freaking expensive.. they still quote me over 1600/yr for liablity.. Full coverage around 3K.. I pay 600/yr full coverage with GEICO.

Damn, they are expensive out there in Cali. I insure through Progressive myself on a 2002 Nighthawk 750, full coverage, $250 deduct., for under $350/yr. But I've heard McGraw is still a bit cheaper.........I'm w/Progressive through October and will be looking into McGraw then.

With all the squids in LA area (CA) who wants sports bikes obviously progressive is expensive.. plus the problem is progressive takes bad drivers too.. GEICO drops them if you have more than 2 tickets or something like that.

Progressive is horrid.. i will never go with them.. not for a car and not for the bike.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: PushHands

I live in Sacramento, California (95826) and would like to find a school close by to take classes on riding motorcycle since I've been told that if you take the course, all you have to do is take the written test at the DMV (Dept. of Motor Vechiles). Is this correct?

According to that California DMV website that you found, yes.
Do yourself, your friends, your family and everyone else on the road and take that MSF course whether you have to or not.
For me, the whole course paid for itself the first time I had to cross a steel grate bridge and I knew how to do it.

Good Luck and get us those pictures!

 

[PushHands]

Thanks guys for all the good info. I followed the links you guys pointed out and have found 4 places within my area that offer MSF courses When I started, I thought there might be one near by

Can someone now offer some experience, insight or comments on McGraw Group? I'll need insurance for the bike of course and I've just reneweled my insurance for another 6 months.

 

[Murpheeee]

wow a motorcycle thread and still nobody has posted about bikers having a deathwish etc. :Q


I started riding last year after taking the MSF course to get my license. Great fun.
Do take the course, it's well worth it - there were experienced guys in my class taking it who still learned a lot.

 

[The Stigenator]

McGraw is pacific speciality.. they only do recreational vehicles.. (motorcycles, rv's boats etc etc)... they are quite good.. one of my friends has it.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Murpheeee
wow a motorcycle thread and still nobody has posted about bikers having a deathwish etc. :Q


I started riding last year after taking the MSF course to get my license. Great fun.
Do take the course, it's well worth it - there were experienced guys in my class taking it who still learned a lot.

Well he doesn't sound like an accident waiting to happen... so that means the people that dont know how to drive are more likely the cause if an accident happens.

 

[Buttzilla]

i've riden a bike for two years, 98 Yamaha FZR 600, and the most danger comes from cars especially women in big SUVs. No offense to women and all but they can't see crap in those big things. had this lady bump at a red light. got my leg burned on my pipe at cause an suv brushed against me and my leg got caught before i could pull it up. lots more stories but thats for another thread.

anywho, i dont' recommend buying anything under a 600 for a first bike if ur taking a course. eight hours of riding is alot when you take a course considering most rides between point a and point b is usually under half an hour unless ur traveling far.

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
McGraw is pacific speciality.. they only do recreational vehicles.. (motorcycles, rv's boats etc etc)... they are quite good.. one of my friends has it.

Interesting.... didn't know there was insurance for recreational vehicles
I think I'll try them out for my bike.