What are the Basics of riding a motorcycle??

[somnium]

newbie123 likes men

 

[BreakApart]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
If I take the MSF, I just have to pass their test at the end? I don't have to go to the DMV to take the test?

I'm really considering a 1996-2000 Suzuki GS500. Will this be considered a crotch rocket and give me higher insurance rates? What kind of bike is it classified as?

I'll just be starting out, so what'll my budget be?
Bike, clothing such as jacket and gloves, helmet, MSF course, insurance, and what else?

MSF is a separate rider safety course than your motor vehicle drivers test. You still have to take the motorcycle license test, but you can get a permit first if you prefer.

The GS500 is NOT considered a rocket bike, the insurance should easily be half as much. If you want when you check around for insurance have them run a CBR600 quote for you at the same time, that way you can see the difference.(most insurance companies have no problem with running quotes at the same time like that)

Budget:
-Bike? totally on you.... new or used, your choice.
-Jacket... get a hard leather one, or a nylon jacket with armor. Soft leather is always flapping in the wind and rips far to easy)
-Gloves... get some leather gloves that fit nicely, get a good quality pair if you value your hands.
-Helmet... it's your skull whats it worth? $40 or $500 My personal favorite helmets are Shoei and Arai.
(the better helmets use higher quality materials, think of it as wool -vs- silk on your face. I kid you not the cheap helmets feel like wool after awhile, plus the nicer helmets are quieter)
-Boots...your ankles are sitting down there by all the moving parts, imagine what could happen if the bike pinned you down, still running on-top of your ankles. Or worse yet you slide across the pavement with your ankle pinned under the bike. Bye Bye Ankle.
-Rear stand... makes maintenance soooo much easier, also makes chain cleaning/lube a piece of cake.
-Extra helmet for the chicks...

That pretty much wraps it up... Prices all depend on the quality and what you already own.



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[olds]

Originally posted by: somnium
newbie123 likes men

That leaves you out.

 

[Donny]

somnium

What the hell??? Where did that come from??

Bann the noob for his stuipd, unfunny remark

Oldsmoboat

Thanks for backing a noob up like me

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

some other things you will learn in a Motorcycle safety class are:


a bike is more less stable when not accelerating or braking.
how to coutersteer
how to maximize traction
how to brake without locking up the back wheel
how to turn at slow speeds
safety common sense crap that you need to know.

 

[Instan00dles]

Learn to counter steer, it will make turning eaiser and getting out of trouble eaier. Bacially counter steering is when you are turning right you turn the front wheel left or push out on the right handle bar. to the oppisite when turning right. It may seem weird but when you move the wheel left the bike starts to drop and curve right very tightly. Dont skimp out of equpimnent, dont but those POS skull caps cause they do not work, get a full faced or if it is not conforable get a 3/4 helmet with a face shield but those skull caps will do nothng unless you fall off the bike and land directly ontop of your head. take a saefty course and try not to start off with a big bike or the insurance companies will rape ya. buy a tank bag or saddle bags ( if you get saddle bags pack em evenly of the bike will act weird) to carry your rain gear, riding in the rain is unconfotable, unsafe and cold. Oh BTW watch out for sand on corners thats is the only time I have ever fallen off is when taking a nice corner and sand was on the road, woosh I fell off the bike.

 

[yakko]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
don't tip over

That is the most important rule.