Tips for beginner motorcyclist?

[dliv3ranc3]

I'm at student in college and living off campus next year without a car. I am seriously thinking about getting a motorcycle for commuting on some days and getting places I need to go. Any tips will be helpful. I am planning on getting my license and taking the safety course this summer. My main concern is finding a used motorcycle to use and getting it to my place or on campus so I can practice.

 

[tranceport]

Don't wreck. You'll die.

 

[CombatChuk]

MSF Course would be a good way to start. Do that first to see if you even like riding.

 

[JasonSix78]

If you buy something nice, I'd suggest taking the plastic off until you get use to it. I got my motorcycle start on 2-stroke dirt bikes and I dropped them quite a few times when I was first learning.

-Jason

 

[GrantMeThePower]

I just looked up MSF course and there seems to be a lot of dissention if it is really a good thing...CombatChuk, could you elabortate as to why its a good idea?

 

[Kelemvor]

Take The Safety Course (which you already said you'll be doing).
Don't buy too big of a bike for your first one.
Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.

 

[xit2nowhere]

DO NOT ride without protective boots.
It simply makes me cringe when i see bikers who ride in shorts and flip flops. Boy, you gonna get hurt BAAAAD if you fall

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
I just looked up MSF course and there seems to be a lot of dissention if it is really a good thing...CombatChuk, could you elabortate as to why its a good idea?

These course are extremely through on how to work the bike. You literally spend 20 min on learning to use the clutch. One of the bigger things they go over is decision making, poor decision making causes a lot of accidents and they address that. The only thing I didn't agree with was not to cover the front brake.

 

[ryan256]

Definatly take the safety course! That said look for a small bike to begin riding on. Don't get anything over a 600cc. I started riding on a Suzuki Bandit 600, but I'm also 6'2". One of the smaller Honda's would have been too small for me. I now ride a Shadow 1100 and love it.
I'd recommend either a Honda Nighthawk or a Virago 250. Both of these are good bikes and will be easy to handle for a beginner. You also might want to give this article a read. Hope this helps.

 

[gwrober]

Originally posted by: ryan256
You also might want to give this article a read. Hope this helps.

Great link....

 

[Imaginer]

MSF Course FTW!

 

[psydancerqt]

don't drive in the middle of the lane.. meaning, stay out of the oil strip.

 

[Cal166]

sign the back of your drivers license on the section that says Donor...