Need advice learning to ride a motorcycle

scollins · 10-31-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335iheLLraiseR

Been dying to learn, any advice would help. Never been on a bike in my life.

Thanks guys.

I just caught the pun in your question too.....

335iheLLraiseR · 10-31-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony @ eas

Take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) class. They put you on the slowest bikes in the world and teach you step-by-step everything you need to know (at a basic level of course). If you pass the class, then you don't need to take the test for the license, only the written portion (at least in California). Definitely recommended.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocken

MSF Nothing else needs to be said.

yeah, a lot of people say that. one guy said he had been riding for 30 years, took the course and still learned some things.

heard they make you walk the bike at first around the cones and stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mega Man

I started on a 2003 CBR600RR. That bike was a lot of fun!

little scary no?

335iheLLraiseR · 10-31-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knext21

Take the class at homstead speedway. It's three days (friday-sunday), you'll learn a lot and you'll get your license.

been thinking about it, but its really hard to take three straight days off from work.

Spool · 10-31-2009, 08:58 AM

i started on an R6 as my first bike, i bought it for 5000 back then, i didn't even know where the clutch was...i went on youtube, and read on internet, i started it and moved it around in my backyard, i figure falling over on dirt wont hurt as bad...i wore full leather and a helmet and just rode around in my backyard...few days later i was in the neighborhood street riding around slowly, then after a week i got my license and have been a bad ass ever since...

i didn't take the MSF course till 3 months after, cuz the wait was so damn long...so if you want, sign up for the course now, it gets packed more than a porn star's asshole

Spool · 10-31-2009, 09:02 AM

oh yeah and ur gonna go down at one point or another, so always be prepared for it and wear your gear...i've crashed 3 times already, all were by cars running me off the road, or made a left turn infront of me....drivers don't see you, and you can't really blame them, ride smart and be aware of old people

Razzy · 10-31-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spool

i started on an R6 as my first bike, i bought it for 5000 back then, i didn't even know where the clutch was...i went on youtube, and read on internet, i started it and moved it around in my backyard, i figure falling over on dirt wont hurt as bad...i wore full leather and a helmet and just rode around in my backyard...few days later i was in the neighborhood street riding around slowly, then after a week i got my license and have been a bad ass ever since...

i didn't take the MSF course till 3 months after, cuz the wait was so damn long...so if you want, sign up for the course now, it gets packed more than a porn star's asshole

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spool

oh yeah and ur gonna go down at one point or another, so always be prepared for it and wear your gear...i've crashed 3 times already, all were by cars running me off the road, or made a left turn infront of me....drivers don't see you, and you can't really blame them, ride smart and be aware of old people

Take the motorcyce course. Make sure you soak up as much knowledge as possible. i would reccomend getting a Ninja 250cc, but if your planning on using the Freeway/Highway, then the SV650 would be a good choice. Make sure you wear FULL gear. I wear full leather suit, gloves, helmet, and riding boots.

samwoo2go · 10-31-2009, 10:33 PM

+1 on MSF, if you take the MSF, you can reasonably start on a 600 (thats what I did) vs. its prob a better idea to start on a 250 if you learn on your own and 250 blows donkey balls.

+ MSF teaches you little important tips such as always break with both brakes so you are in a habit of doing so when you really need to.

o and know that you are going to go down and that is just a fact of life in the bike world. Went down twice, both times in the canyons.

1st time, big bear, ran wide, hit dirt on turnout going 60 at a steep lean angel. Instant down and slid about 200 feet and fell off a cliff. I slid 30 feet down cliff on a little slope and stopped before the BIG FUCKING LIFE ENDING drop. 5 feet to my left, big fucking head splitting boulders, 20 feet to my right spinal cord breaking trees. I got so damn lucky, my head clipped a boulder right before I stoped, cracked my helmet a little, if I were to hit that boulder 1 second earlier, I would prob die. Bike ended up in the middle of a tree. had to drag it up with a rope from the cop that stopped. He said "heres a rope, tow truck is going to be here in 10 mins, if you can get the bike out of the tree before the tow truck is here, I won't tow it. if you fail, tow truck will charge $150 to get it out because its a fire hazard..." never pulled so god damn hard in my life.

2nd time, Ortega hwy, coming around a blind corner, there was traffic from road construction, didn't expect it, slammed on the brake, couldn't make it, so I swerved right to avoid hitting this pack of Harleys thats stopped, bike goes down and slid to within 5 feet of the mountain wall. Then maybe not 2 mins later this Repsol comes flying down the mountain (we could hear him coming down) same thing as me too fast, didn't expect traffic. He slams on his brake, locks the front, his bike endos and swings around and clips the last Harley guy in the pack with the rear wheel. (if I didn't wreck that would've been me). then the bike plows into the pack and hit maybe 3 or 4 harleys before comming to a stop. the rider highsides, lands on the oncomming traffic lane just as a truck was comming down. Truck slams on the brake, and were able to not run over him, but he still ended up underneath the truck. Everyone walked away tho, so thats cool.

OP
Im telling you this because I want you to understand how dangerous bikes are, so don't let your "friends" tell you you are a pussy for riding a 600 or under, or faster than you are comfortable with. Fuck them. When I go to tracks I see 125cc 2 strokes destroying and laping 1000cc "big boys". its the rider and not the bike. 99% of the population including myself will NEVER be able to fully utilize the capabilities of a 600cc bike.

lastly, go to track days, 1 track day = 1 year street riding as far as skill improvements.

samwoo2go · 10-31-2009, 11:00 PM

FIXED

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spool

oh yeah and ur gonna go down at one point or another, so always be prepared for it and wear your gear...i've crashed 3 times already, all were by cars running me off the road, or made a left turn infront of me....drivers don't see you, and you can't really blame them, ride smart and be aware of ASIAN LADIES aka my mom

Razzy · 11-01-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samwoo2go

FIXED

10-31-2009, 08:58 AM	#26
Spool ****** 558 Rep 6,169 Posts Drives: A few Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (24)	i started on an R6 as my first bike, i bought it for 5000 back then, i didn't even know where the clutch was...i went on youtube, and read on internet, i started it and moved it around in my backyard, i figure falling over on dirt wont hurt as bad...i wore full leather and a helmet and just rode around in my backyard...few days later i was in the neighborhood street riding around slowly, then after a week i got my license and have been a bad ass ever since... i didn't take the MSF course till 3 months after, cuz the wait was so damn long...so if you want, sign up for the course now, it gets packed more than a porn star's asshole __________________ MKIV 6spd 1000hp Club
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10-31-2009, 09:02 AM	#27
Spool ****** 558 Rep 6,169 Posts Drives: A few Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (24)	oh yeah and ur gonna go down at one point or another, so always be prepared for it and wear your gear...i've crashed 3 times already, all were by cars running me off the road, or made a left turn infront of me....drivers don't see you, and you can't really blame them, ride smart and be aware of old people __________________ MKIV 6spd 1000hp Club
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10-31-2009, 10:33 PM	#29
samwoo2go Banned 442 Rep 779 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (12)	+1 on MSF, if you take the MSF, you can reasonably start on a 600 (thats what I did) vs. its prob a better idea to start on a 250 if you learn on your own and 250 blows donkey balls. + MSF teaches you little important tips such as always break with both brakes so you are in a habit of doing so when you really need to. o and know that you are going to go down and that is just a fact of life in the bike world. Went down twice, both times in the canyons. 1st time, big bear, ran wide, hit dirt on turnout going 60 at a steep lean angel. Instant down and slid about 200 feet and fell off a cliff. I slid 30 feet down cliff on a little slope and stopped before the BIG FUCKING LIFE ENDING drop. 5 feet to my left, big fucking head splitting boulders, 20 feet to my right spinal cord breaking trees. I got so damn lucky, my head clipped a boulder right before I stoped, cracked my helmet a little, if I were to hit that boulder 1 second earlier, I would prob die. Bike ended up in the middle of a tree. had to drag it up with a rope from the cop that stopped. He said "heres a rope, tow truck is going to be here in 10 mins, if you can get the bike out of the tree before the tow truck is here, I won't tow it. if you fail, tow truck will charge $150 to get it out because its a fire hazard..." never pulled so god damn hard in my life. 2nd time, Ortega hwy, coming around a blind corner, there was traffic from road construction, didn't expect it, slammed on the brake, couldn't make it, so I swerved right to avoid hitting this pack of Harleys thats stopped, bike goes down and slid to within 5 feet of the mountain wall. Then maybe not 2 mins later this Repsol comes flying down the mountain (we could hear him coming down) same thing as me too fast, didn't expect traffic. He slams on his brake, locks the front, his bike endos and swings around and clips the last Harley guy in the pack with the rear wheel. (if I didn't wreck that would've been me). then the bike plows into the pack and hit maybe 3 or 4 harleys before comming to a stop. the rider highsides, lands on the oncomming traffic lane just as a truck was comming down. Truck slams on the brake, and were able to not run over him, but he still ended up underneath the truck. Everyone walked away tho, so thats cool. OP Im telling you this because I want you to understand how dangerous bikes are, so don't let your "friends" tell you you are a pussy for riding a 600 or under, or faster than you are comfortable with. Fuck them. When I go to tracks I see 125cc 2 strokes destroying and laping 1000cc "big boys". its the rider and not the bike. 99% of the population including myself will NEVER be able to fully utilize the capabilities of a 600cc bike. lastly, go to track days, 1 track day = 1 year street riding as far as skill improvements. Last edited by samwoo2go; 10-31-2009 at 11:04 PM..
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