Motorcycles: I want to start riding

[Steve]

I'm thinking of learning to drive a motorcycle this year. What's a good way to get started? What's a good starter bike, and a good price for one? I'm open to used if that's a good idea.

I don't necessarily want to get started in the Chicago winter More of a summer project. What do you suggest?

 

[blodhi74]

In most chicago counties DMV offers a 3 day riding program which includes 8 hours a day riding and class material and you also get the motercycle license.

 

[Greyd]

Take a MSF course. Probably what blodhi is referring to. HIGHLY recommended and also helps with insurance at times.

250cc bike is a good starter. Buy it cheap and once you get used to riding you can move up in CCs.

 

[Steve]

Are there any particular brand names or types/styles of bike good for a raw beginner, or do those matter?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Are there any particular brand names or types/styles of bike good for a raw beginner, or do those matter?

Used, cheap and not too big.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

take a MSF course, they will have a couple of different kinds of small engine motorcycles which will give you a chance to get an idea of what you might want to look for.

personally, i wouldn't ride anywhere NEAR chicago.

 

[zixxer]

Take an MSF course first. that lets you get on a bike, and get a feel for things, without actually purchasing one.


starter bikes... I bought a suzuki gs500 as mine.. and I love it. Plenty of power (but not TOO much), good handling, small, lightweight. A kawasaki ex500 is another. A kawasaki ex250 is a bit small, imo, and you have to really rev up high to get much power.. unless your near 100lbs I'd avoid an ex250.

edit:

as winstonsmith said:

Get a USED CHEAP bike. You WILL drop it (parking, going slow, doing something dumb at a redlight, etc) and you don't need to worry about fairings (plastic pieces covering stuff) to replace. Keep in mind, bikes really don't depreciate all that much. normally you can sell it for what you paid for it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Are there any particular brand names or types/styles of bike good for a raw beginner, or do those matter?

Suzuki Hayabusa...the perfect starter bike. Why start with less when you can start with the best?

 

[Amused]

I second the suggestion to take the MSF course. Here in IL, if you take the course, you get your license. No having to take the test at Driver Services.

Get a small bike. How small depnds on your size. I know many people suggest a 250cc bike, and that is a good idea for smaller folks or people with weak legs.

But if you are larger and have good leg strength, a 500-600cc bike would be a good starter bike.

Another issue to consider is what kind of bikes do you want to end up riding? Cruisers, touring, or sport bikes?

If you want to end up riding sport bikes, find a good, cheap used 250cc-600cc (depending on your size) sport bike to learn on.

If you want to end up riding cruisers or touring bikes, find a good 250-750cc cruiser to learn on.

After you pass the MSF, take a few advanced courses as well. You'll be glad you did. Most motorcycle accidents ARE avoidable. Advanced classes teach you how to avoid them.

 

[Hannover]

First post on Anandtech, and it's not related to computers : )

The first step is to take a beginners class through the MSF or Riders Edge (Harley). The cost ranges from free to $300 for the MSF, Rdiers edge is usually $250 -$300. I took the MSF at a community college in the Houston area and it was $175. Some of the best money that I've ever spent...

Step two is to decide what type of bike you want. Cruiser, sport, standard, dual-sport or something in between. Start small, there is nothing wrong with learning on a 'beginner' bike and then upgrading in a year or two if you feel the need.

Cruisers get very heavy as you move up in size, this is one of the biggest problems for new riders, not power. A fully loaded cruiser can top 800 pounds, it's not fun to drop one on your foot and then have to pick it up. Under 800cc's is a good place to start with cruisers. My Suzuki Volusia 805cc (C50) has taken me on several week long camping trips, fully loaded with gear and didn't have a problem doing 85-90 MPH under load. (and I'm not a small guy)

Sport bikes are lighter by nature and are much more 'flickable'. A ninja 250 can run at highway speeds with a full sized adult, don't let the sales person tell you that it won't. Any of the 500cc sports would be a good choice. Stay away from 600+cc super sports at least for a year. Any idiot can do 120mph in a straight line, thats not skill. Skill is demonstrated in the curves and in the parking lots. Most of the guys that jump on big sport bikes for their first bike are only good at straight lines, wheelies and crashing. Don't be a squid.

Naked sports / standards are also a cool choice. They aren't tuned as highly as the sport bikes but they are capable of high speeds with good handling and have a better ergonomic set up.

BegginerBikes.com used to be an excellent resource but the forums were recently shut down. The membership has spread out a little bit but there are still lots of people willing to help perfect strangers get into riding SAFELY.

There are plenty of idiots that will tell you that you MUST start on a Harley or a 1000cc supersport. Don't listen to them. They are more concerned with image than with living to ride another day.

Feel free to drop me an email or PM if I can be of any help.


Beginner and Beyond
Beginner bikes dot org

 

[Amused]

Hannover,

While cruisers are heavy, they have a much lower center of gravity because the rider sits IN the bike, rather than on them like they do on sport bikes.

This is why most MSF courses use small cruisers rather than sport bikes for their learners.

My GF is learning on a Honda Shadow 750 and has no trouble at all on it. With the low CG this bike acts like a weeble.

Of course, the low CG makes the bikes not so "flickable" in corners. But then, that kind of response isn;t what a learner needs anyhow.

 

[Hannover]

Originally posted by: Amused
Hannover,

While cruisers are heavy, they have a much lower center of gravity because the rider sits IN the bike, rather than on them like they do on sport bikes.

This is why most MSF courses use small cruisers rather than sport bikes for their learners.

My GF is learning on a Honda Shadow 750 and has no trouble at all on it. With the low CG this bike acts like a weeble.

Of course, the low CG makes the bikes not so "flickable" in corners. But then, that kind of response isn;t what a learner needs anyhow.

I totally agree with you. The reason that I went with my Volusia was the low seat height. I then upgraded to a gel seat which lowerd it another inch. My seat height is about 26 inches... combine that with forward controls and some pullback riser and you've got a rolling easychair : ) I bought it new in first part of 2003 and I'm still happy with it. There is no need for me to upgrade to a bigger bike.

 

[Triumph]

It's simple. Start at these two places

http://www.beginnerbikes.com/
http://www.beginnerbikers.org/

The first one for the articles, the second for the forums. BeginnerBikes used to have a forum, but they took it down because of too much infighting among a few mods. Many people have gravitated over to the BeginnerBikers.org forum now. Great place.

my new bike

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Hannover
First post on Anandtech, and it's not related to computers : )

The first step is to take a beginners class through the MSF or Riders Edge (Harley). The cost ranges from free to $300 for the MSF, Rdiers edge is usually $250 -$300. I took the MSF at a community college in the Houston area and it was $175. Some of the best money that I've ever spent...

Step two is to decide what type of bike you want. Cruiser, sport, standard, dual-sport or something in between. Start small, there is nothing wrong with learning on a 'beginner' bike and then upgrading in a year or two if you feel the need.

Cruisers get very heavy as you move up in size, this is one of the biggest problems for new riders, not power. A fully loaded cruiser can top 800 pounds, it's not fun to drop one on your foot and then have to pick it up. Under 800cc's is a good place to start with cruisers. My Suzuki Volusia 805cc (C50) has taken me on several week long camping trips, fully loaded with gear and didn't have a problem doing 85-90 MPH under load. (and I'm not a small guy)

Sport bikes are lighter by nature and are much more 'flickable'. A ninja 250 can run at highway speeds with a full sized adult, don't let the sales person tell you that it won't. Any of the 500cc sports would be a good choice. Stay away from 600+cc super sports at least for a year. Any idiot can do 120mph in a straight line, thats not skill. Skill is demonstrated in the curves and in the parking lots. Most of the guys that jump on big sport bikes for their first bike are only good at straight lines, wheelies and crashing. Don't be a squid.

Naked sports / standards are also a cool choice. They aren't tuned as highly as the sport bikes but they are capable of high speeds with good handling and have a better ergonomic set up.

BegginerBikes.com used to be an excellent resource but the forums were recently shut down. The membership has spread out a little bit but there are still lots of people willing to help perfect strangers get into riding SAFELY.

There are plenty of idiots that will tell you that you MUST start on a Harley or a 1000cc supersport. Don't listen to them. They are more concerned with image than with living to ride another day.

Feel free to drop me an email or PM if I can be of any help.


Beginner and Beyond
Beginner bikes dot org

That is not necessarily true. I have a friend who bought a Honda 750 sport bike as his first bike. He took the time to learn how to ride it, he respected it and he took a motorcycle riding course at a local track for a weekend. He said that was the most invaluable part of his learning to ride.

I was thinking of buying a motorcycle a few years ago and he recommended I get a 600cc or 750cc and go the route he took.

He owned that bike and rode it to and from work for many years in Los Angeles traffic. Never laid it down once. Someone backed into it in a parking lot and knocked it over but that was it. He sold it after he broke his ankle mtb'ing with me to buy a compact pickup truck which he still has.

Edit-Still, an inexpensive 250cc bike would probably be best for most people to start out on. Just saying that buying a larger bike isn't necessarily a bad idea. Now might be a good time to buy one in Chicago if you have a place to store it. Demand is low and you might find someone who needs to sell right away and get a good deal. Look around, talk to people and take your time.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: Greyd
Take a MSF course. Probably what blodhi is referring to. HIGHLY recommended and also helps with insurance at times.

250cc bike is a good starter. Buy it cheap and once you get used to riding you can move up in CCs.

i agree except with the 250cc bike. i think a used suzuki gs500 would be a great first bike.

 

[0roo0roo]

does ur licence say donate?

 

[xgsound]

Originally posted by: sm8000
I'm thinking of learning to drive a motorcycle this year. What's a good way to get started? What's a good starter bike, and a good price for one?

Get that MSF course if at all possible. If it costs anything , remember, it's cheap at 10X the price. It is a 3 day deal where you'll get experience , get to see and ride different bikes; and generally learn many things that will save your life.

As to what bike to get, you'll make a more informed decision after seeing them in action. IMHO don't get a crouch rocket until you have a years experience , they eat road (and riders) at an unbelievable rate.


Jim

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
does ur licence say donate?

Does yours?

 

[Hannover]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

That is not necessarily true. I have a friend who bought a Honda 750 sport bike as his first bike. He took the time to learn how to ride it, he respected it and he took a motorcycle riding course at a local track for a weekend. He said that was the most invaluable part of his learning to ride.

I also know a few people that have had great success starting out on larger bikes. They, like your friend took the time to learn how to properly handle the bike. Unfortunately, most new riders who buy a large sport bike aren't mature enough to do things the right way. Their need for speed is greater than their need for skill. I'm just suggesting that it's easier and less stressful to build your skills on a smaller bike than to start off on a 100HP monster. These are only my opinions and suggestions, they are always open to debate.

 

[Hannover]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
does ur licence say donate?

Yes, it does. I also donate blood 4 times a year and also plasma on occasion. Whats your point ?

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Hannover

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

That is not necessarily true. I have a friend who bought a Honda 750 sport bike as his first bike. He took the time to learn how to ride it, he respected it and he took a motorcycle riding course at a local track for a weekend. He said that was the most invaluable part of his learning to ride.

I also know a few people that have had great success starting out on larger bikes. They, like your friend took the time to learn how to properly handle the bike. Unfortunately, most new riders who buy a large sport bike aren't mature enough to do things the right way. Their need for speed is greater than their need for skill. I'm just suggesting that it's easier and less stressful to build your skills on a smaller bike than to start off on a 100HP monster. These are only my opinions and suggestions, they are always open to debate.

For every 1 rider that does successfully start on a R6 GSXR or CBR there are 100 dead ones that tried and didnt make it...

stay off the rocket bikes unless you have a death wish for your first 2 years at least.

I personally have been to way too many funerals over the last few years of new riders that thought they could handle these Supersport 600s .. they were very wrong... todays 600s are just as powerful as the 750s and 1000s we had in the 80s and early 90s... they are no joke...

back in the day 86-88 a 600 was fine.. everyone hurricanes ninjas and Katanas... remeber these bikes weighed a TON... and only had 65-80 hp... even modified...
todays 600 is all aluminum and titanium and super light and is putting out 108-120 rear wheel horsepower...

one wrong twist gets you in a LOAD of trouble super fast....
where it took a full RPM clutch dump to wheelie my 88 600 Hurricane.. it takes less than 3/4 throttle NO CLUTCH on a new CBR600RR or a R6 for it to stand straight up on you.. just a quick off and on the power will produce a wheelie...

i recommened GS500s and SV 650s and the Smaller Ninja line 250/500 for the first few years of a new riders life...
and LOTS of track time and as many courses beginner and advanced as you can take...
all will keep you alive and kicking on the main roads...

Ive been riding since I was 8 years old.. got my Motorcycle license at 16... had a bike before I ever bought a car... and have always had at least 1 bike in my garage for the last 25 years...
I ride my bike every day raid shine or cold here in Houston every day...

 

[The Stigenator]

finally some good posts in here.. hannover & cvsin.. good job.

I used to preach the smaller engine (infact exactly like you execpt i would say 750max for cruisers and 883 for HD). I stopped because we got too many idiots on here who would preach the 600+ is great for starter bikes. Unfortunatley they got more power and voices here and it downs me out. .I am glad i got some voice to join me.. yay!

Too many idiots crash due to the reasons that you said.. the weight.. I am glad to meet another sane rider on this board. I have seen way too many crashes and known ppl who have broken things. The funny thing people get defensive over their purchase when i raise my opinion on it. Later when they do crash they go "why didnt you stop me"...

<--- GS500 rider..

 

[KingNothing]

I started riding by taking the MSF course and buying an SV650. I would have bought a Ninja 250, but it felt too small (I"m 6'3"). The Ninja 250 is a great bike though, if it fits you I'd absolutely start with that instead of a GS500 or SV650.

 

[Kelemvor]

Go to a local Tech College and sign up for the Motorocyle Safety Course. It's usually onle a couple weekends and it teaches you all the basics. Part in classroom and part on the bikes. Do that and in most cases you don't have to take the road test to get your license.

After that, pick up a cheap, used bike to learn on until you are confident enough in your own skills (and others are confident riding with you) and then go get the big, shiny, fancy bike you're been dreaming about.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Hannover

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

That is not necessarily true. I have a friend who bought a Honda 750 sport bike as his first bike. He took the time to learn how to ride it, he respected it and he took a motorcycle riding course at a local track for a weekend. He said that was the most invaluable part of his learning to ride.

I also know a few people that have had great success starting out on larger bikes. They, like your friend took the time to learn how to properly handle the bike. Unfortunately, most new riders who buy a large sport bike aren't mature enough to do things the right way. Their need for speed is greater than their need for skill. I'm just suggesting that it's easier and less stressful to build your skills on a smaller bike than to start off on a 100HP monster. These are only my opinions and suggestions, they are always open to debate.

For every 1 rider that does successfully start on a R6 GSXR or CBR there are 100 dead ones that tried and didnt make it...

stay off the rocket bikes unless you have a death wish for your first 2 years at least.

I personally have been to way too many funerals over the last few years of new riders that thought they could handle these Supersport 600s .. they were very wrong... todays 600s are just as powerful as the 750s and 1000s we had in the 80s and early 90s... they are no joke...

back in the day 86-88 a 600 was fine.. everyone hurricanes ninjas and Katanas... remeber these bikes weighed a TON... and only had 65-80 hp... even modified...
todays 600 is all aluminum and titanium and super light and is putting out 108-120 rear wheel horsepower...

one wrong twist gets you in a LOAD of trouble super fast....
where it took a full RPM clutch dump to wheelie my 88 600 Hurricane.. it takes less than 3/4 throttle NO CLUTCH on a new CBR600RR or a R6 for it to stand straight up on you.. just a quick off and on the power will produce a wheelie...

i recommened GS500s and SV 650s and the Smaller Ninja line 250/500 for the first few years of a new riders life...
and LOTS of track time and as many courses beginner and advanced as you can take...
all will keep you alive and kicking on the main roads...

Ive been riding since I was 8 years old.. got my Motorcycle license at 16... had a bike before I ever bought a car... and have always had at least 1 bike in my garage for the last 25 years...
I ride my bike every day raid shine or cold here in Houston every day...

Good post, listen to this man. All these people who think that just because they haven't managed to kill themself, they made the right choice, are fooling themselves and anyone who follows their advice.

I started on a 250 Ninja, and just this month bought a Yamaha YZF 600R (picture above). This is not even a serious sports bike, it's heavier than others at ~490 pounds, and down about 10-15 hp. And I would not recommend this bike to any beginners. 0-60 in about 3.5 seconds, quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, these numbers are supercar territory, easily matching the best from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, etc. Who would think it a good idea to get a Porsche if you don't even know how to drive a car?

If you still think a sports bike is an OK beginner bike, read this article. It's in two parts.

Remember, in a car, if you wreck, you're separated from the pavement by metal, glass, airbags, and seatbelts. On a bike, you're separated by your clothing. The margin of error is ZERO.