bicycle helmet 85 image
Wyatt
Im 17 and really wanna get a motorcycle in the next few years. I didn't grow up with a dad so i missed out on a lot of the "man" stuff like motorcycles and cars. I have never rode a motorcycle in my life and i know nothing about them and am totally spooked about riding the first time. Is it tough? What do i need to know before trying? should i take a first time rider course? Thanks!
Answer
I read somewhere, a few years ago, that more than half of all buyers of new Harleys were either total newbies or else coming back to riding after 20-30 years (raising a family no doubt). And at the time I wondered why total noobs would want such a dauntingly big, heavy bike.
Well then a friend of mine (a woman who rides) wanted to buy one, and she began asking me questions about them. I've been riding a long time but I had never ridden a Harley. So I suggested we rent one for a day and split the cost, and take turns switching between the Harley and her bike. I have to say I was just shocked at how easy the Harley was to ride, how easy to manage and 'well mannered' it was. This was a Heritage Softail, maybe the biggest bike Harley's ever made, a 700 lb beast.
Harleys are 'cruisers'. Cruisers have a lower center of gravity, and a lower seat, so they feel much lighter than they are. Now ALL motorcycles feel pretty light once you get up to about 10 mph. On the road, weight means stability. But big bikes are a little scary when you're holding them up at a stoplight, or parking them on a slight hill. The Harley was even easy to hold up and park.
Ten minutes on this bike taught me all about cruisers. They are not good-handling, high-performance, they are stable and easy to ride. They support a relaxed, laid-back riding style, which is a lot safer than 'pushing the envelope' on a crazy sportbike. They are comfortable and relaxing to ride. The Softail would make a great touring bike, at 85 mph it's like sitting in a flying easy chair and watching the scenery go by. And I say that not exactly being a Harley fan, or a cruiser fan.
BUT I would seriously not recommend you get one to learn to ride on. You're likely to be hard on your first bike. You will almost certainly drop it once or twice (at least), nothing serious, just losing your balance in a parking lot, stuff like that. And you will almost certainly abuse the clutch. Even a halfway decent USED Harley is like $10k.
I would recommend you start on a Japanese cruiser, a used one. Honda Shadow, Kawasaki Vulcan, Yamaha Star, Suzuki C50 or Boulevard. Something between 5 and10 years old, old enough to be depreciated but new enough that you can still get parts. Maybe with a few dings and bruises already so you won't feel so bad when you drop it. 750cc is a good size to start with for a cruiser, it feels light, its easy to park, but it will still cruise on the freeway all day without the wind blowing it around. Maybe $3000. If you buy carefully, you can sell this 'old beater' a year later for about what you paid for it. And -then- if you want a Harley go get one, and it will be the same but bigger and nicer.
You don't need professional training to ride a motorcycle. You learn by yourself, by riding. The MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation, in the US, in other English-speaking countries they have something similar) only teaches you some very important safety habits to keep you safe while you learn on your own. It's probably a good idea. They supply the bike, you just show up, so a lot of people do it who are just considering getting a bike and want to see what it's like and if they can even do it.
If you've never ridden a bicycle, i would start on a bicycle, just to learn about balancing and steering. If you can drive a manual-shift car, learning a motorcycle will be easier because you understand how a clutch and gearshift work. But the controls are different, you clutch with your hand and shift with your foot, so you need to develop new 'muscle memories'.
Also leave room in your budget for a helmet, jacket, and gloves, at a minimum. The gloves and jacket are about abrasion resistance when you skid on the ground.
If you know anyone who rides, pepper him with questions. Bikers love to talk (and write) about motorcycling. It really is just as much fun as it looks. 8^)
10 safety laws for riding a bicycle in town?
End Zone
I will award best answer to the first answer that is sensible and true.
Thanks
Answer
Protect Your Head. Wear a helmet!
Studies have shown that using a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by up to 85%. Select a helmet that fits snug and comfortable. Make sure that the helmet is endorsed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Snell Memorial Foundation.
See and Be Seen. Wear proper Clothing.
Wear clothes that let you be seen by others. Clothing should be light in color and close fitting to avoid being entangled in the moving parts of a bicycle.
Go with the flow of Traffic, Stay on the right side.
A bicyclist must obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. Stop signs and stop lights, road marks and road signs are for a cyclist as well as a motor vehicle operator. Always use hand signals! Never weave from lane to lane or tailgate or hitch rides on moving vehicles.
Keep your Eyes on the Road. Be aware of traffic around you.
Seven out of ten car vs. bicycle crashes occur at driveways or other intersections. Before you enter a street or intersection, check for traffic and always look left, right and left. Walk your bicycle across busy streets and crosswalks.
Stay Alert, Keep a look-out for the unexpected.
Watch out for potholes, sewer gratings, cracks, railroad crossings, loose gravel, and broken glass. Before going around any object, look ahead and behind yourself for a break in traffic. Plan your move, and then signal your intention. Be especially careful in wet weather and at night.
Beware the Night! Be cautious when bicycling at night.
Always have operational front and rear lights on your bicycle when riding at night. Wear reflective clothing or material on your helmet, ankles, back and wrists. Ride in familiar areas or streets that are well lit.
Go-Off Road! Follow designated bike routes.
Bicycle routes are marked by signs and are usually rated according to their difficulty. They are reserved for bikes only and can be ideal for new riders.
Fix it up. Check your bike!
Your bike should be correctly adjusted to fit you. Your feet should rest on the ground while properly sitting on the seat. Before using your bike, check to make sure that all parts are secure and working. The handlebars should be firmly in place and the wheels should be straight and secure.
Stop it. Check your bike!
Control your speed by using your brakes. If your bike has hand brakes, apply the rear brakes before the front breaks. Remember to ride slowly on wet, slippery pavement, and to apply brakes earlier since it takes more distance to stop.
Keep your wheels on the road! Wheels should be securely fastened.
Check your wheels before every ride, after every fall, or after transporting your bicycle to insure that they are âtrueâ and properly fastened and secured. Make sure that tires are properly inflated.
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