If I don't own a motorcycle or know anyone who owns one, how can I legitimately learn how to ride one?

DS

Hey, I'm a college student and I'm considering learning how to motorcycle to get across campus. The problem is, I do not know anyone who owns one, and wouldn't I need to own one if I decide to take a motorcycle class?

If anyone who has a license is willing to walk me through the steps on how they got their license, I'd greatly appreciate it! I live in Illinois, by the way.

Answer
First, can you ride a bicycle? If not, you should start on one of those, to learn to balance and steer. It's much safer and easier than tackling a 400 lb machine and trying to balance it.

Okay, then go to the DMV and get the brochure on the MSF, Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They are all around the US. They have a 'beginners course' where they supply the bike. It's about half riding and half classwork. The riding is at 10 mph in a parking lot, so you don't need a license or even a learner's permit. This is some peoples' first actual time on a bike, and they do it just to see if they like riding at all. The MSF course doesn't teach you to ride, but it teaches you some very important safety habits to make you safer while you learn. You learn, of course, by riding.

So then you get a bike. What kind of bike? We answer that question a lot here. In brief it is Japanese, used, medium-sized, NOT a specialized sportbike. Maybe $2500-3000. You need a helmet, jacket and gloves at least.

You go to the DMV now and get a learner's permit. Then you get on your bike and ride it slowly around the a quiet residential neighborhood or quiet country lane until you get all the controls down pat. I wouldn't recommend that you need any training, except the MSF course is good. They will show you how the clutch and shift work if you've never driven a manual-shift car. After that you can figure it out.

When you feel ready, venture out into traffic, and get used to that. Then, when you feel confident, go for a few longer rides out into the country. When you're ready.

Then. when you feel competent, you go back to the DMV and take a written test and a riding test.

Now this is the generic version. There may be some wrinkles. Here in California, for instance, we don't have separate motorcycle license, its' an endorsement on your car license so you have to get that first. In some states if you pass the MSF course the DMV waives the riding test.

It's good to have friends that ride, because there's a whole lore attached to it. But once you have a bike you will meet people! 8^)

I am interested in buying a moped.?

Q. ...We have a car and minivan now, and sometimes neither is available, and I have errands to do. I want some another means of transportation, I have done some research on the web already, and I think a moped (49cc) would do it. I do not want anything I have to license.
...Any owners/former moped owners out there who have suggestions and/or cautions re mopeds? What's a good make? Can you direct me to good web site?
Thanks,
carson123
I live in the United States, in Northern Virginia, 25 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Answer
Hello Carson123!

I just bought my moped last month. Getting great gas mileage (>110 mpg!)

It is only 49cc which means that I stick to streets that have limits of no more than 35mph. It can go up to around 42-43mph but I can count on other drivers to go at least 5 over the limit.

There is only one dealer in town that has a real service dept. This dealer sells Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha scoots. The other "dealer" in town sells Sunl scoots (no thanks, I'll keep on looking).

Avoid mainland Chinese scoots unless you're really, really handy. Their warranties have less value than Charmin tissue if you get the drift.

Japanese, Italian, and Taiwanese are the scoots to consider. Focus on the brands that offer local parts and service. I'd love a Vespa but nobody rides them here, so nobody sells them here, thus nobody services them here.

Scooters aren't bicycles, neither are they motorcycles. The riding experience is different. Safety is important. Take riding gear and the MSF class into consideration. There is no such thing as being too prepared.

Licensing is a different topic. I don't need an M class endorsement, tags, insurance, or even a helmet in Missouri on my 49cc scoot. I have everything 'cept the endorsement. That might change though.

There are no dealer websites that I can share. Don't buy over the internet unless you have a local dealer/service dept that can handle warranty work and general maintanence. But, I do know of a good site that has a great forum. Try http://www.urbanscootin.com/forum/index.php

Things to consider: 4-stroke v 2-stroke, water-cooled v air-cooled, CVT, linked braking, disc-brakes, DOT certified, certificate of origin...

Have fun with the possibilities. It's sure nice only spending about 3 bucks every 3 weeks at the gas pump. I like to think that I'm doing my part. The refineries won't upgrade and I no longer want to line their pockets. So, scoot I will.

Keep the faith!

D

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Best pocket bike for kids?

Asia D

I want to purchase a pocket bike, mini dirt bike, or mini quad for my nephew's graduation present. He is 6 years old, about 60 lbs, average Height. I want to know the best thing to get him, if there are any with speed lock-outs or remote shut offs. A few good name brands would be awesome. I also need something I can get training wheels for. I'm looking to spend no more than 500. Please no comments about how he doesn't need one or that he needs to be supervised he is well taken care and we understand this isn't a toy. I just need advice on what to buy. Thank you!

Answer
Pocket bikes are Chinese made knock off's/clones of Japanese and European bikes. They are inferior to the bike they are cloned from. They do not have the reliability, dependability, quality or craftsmanship of the bikes they are cloned from.

With that said, I would recommend you look into a Japanese or European bike. He will fit on a 50cc to a 65cc bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM all make mini-bikes.

Since you do not have a lot to spend, you will have to look used. Check Ebay, Craigslist, CycleTrader and BikeFinds.

If you go with a used older bike, Honda used to make a MR 50 2-stroke and an XR75 4-stroke. The XR75 is built like iron and will last for your nephew's children.

The Yamaha PW50 has a restrictor that can be removed.

When it comes to training wheels, just Google mini-bike training wheels. There are a lot of different ones out there. Example: http://gokartsusa.com/EZ-Bike-Mini-Motorcycle-Training-Wheels.aspx
Training wheels are not cheap, they cost around $150. You can also look for used training wheels on Ebay and Craigslist.

If your nephew can ride a bicycle, he will be able to ride a dirt bike. I am not a fan of quads. When I taught my children to ride, I also let them ride my buddies quads. They all preferred dirt bikes to quads. Quads are super easy to learn to ride, but are very easy to tip over and if they do not keep their feet on the pegs can get run over by their own machine. Quads are also heavier than dirt bikes and if the child flips the quad, they may not be able to get our from underneath it without help.

This is the motorcycle racing section, so we mainly only recommend racing machines, but since he is just starting out a true mini-bike from say Sears or Pep Boys might fit the bill fine. These mini-bikes brand new cost under $400. Have large 4-stroke lawn mower engines on them and are perfect for trail riding and basic transportation. If your nephew likes riding though, he will outgrow the mini-bike within a summer.

Don't forget riding gear. Helmet, goggles and a pair of riding boots. Goggles, gloves, shoulder pads with chest protector, kidney belt, armored riding pants and racing jersey can come later. You can find used gear at Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets. Does he need the protective gear for a mini-bike? Probably not, but a helmet and goggles are the minimum he should have.

If he ever needs tips on riding or maintenance, tell him to check Youtube. The amount of information on there is unbelievable. He can learn everything from fixing a flat to rebuilding an engine.

Should I buy a motorcycle?

Chris M

I am thinking of buying myself a motorcycle. Not a superbike, but a Ducati GT1000 (retro styling). I have always thought motorcycles were awesome ever since my uncle took me on a ride on his Ducati when I was growing up.

What I'm asking is this: Do you think it's a smart idea to get a motorcycle? But be specific.

Issues like safety are my prime concern, as being dead isn't really in my list of things to do. I'm also looking into a motorcycle for gas mileage saving, and possibly a drop in insurance payments if I make it my main source of transportation. I have absolutely no experience in anything other than automobiles so I don't know.

Give me some pros, cons, and possibly statistics that may change my mind. I know motorcycles are supposed to get into more fatal accidents, but how often do fatal accidents actually happen? I've been driving a car for 6 years, and I have never even gotten close to being in an accident.

Also, if you think the bike I might be getting is no good, give me some other options that are better. I'm looking at around $10k.

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Some of the answerers before seem to think that anything Ducati must be a hot superbike. The GT1000 is a standard. It's sporty but luxurious, like a Mercedes two-seater. It's a -very- beautiful bike, and if you owned one and asked me if I'd like to ride it a few miles I'd say yes without much thought. 8^) This is one of those machines where people who know nothing about motorcycles will say 'Wow, what a beautiful motorcycle!'

But it's not a great beginner's bike. Just too big and heavy! It's not too much power--you can handle the power if you just act like a grownup. And it's nice to have some power in reserve. The problem is the weight and size. A 1000cc bike is just really big and unwieldly!

Anyway, you don't want to learn on your dream bike. You'll drop it and feel really bad. Ducatis don't drop cheap. 8^< My advice would be to start on a Japanese bike, 500-650cc, maybe 5-10 years old--old enough to be depreciated ,new enough that you can still get parts. After six months or a year, you can sell this old beater for about what you paid, and by then you'll have a better idea of what you really want. For $10,000 you can buy 3 or 4 starter bikes.

Motorcycling is more dangerous than driving a car. You have more of a chance of getting into an accident, and of course the consequences are more serious. You should know that half of all M/C accidents happen to riders who have less than a year's experience. (My dad said nobody should be allowed to ride a motorcycle until they've been riding 5 years. 8^) ). This is not to scare you or discourage you, just to make you aware that safety should be your 1st priority. And from what I see here in California, I'd guess that young men suffering from 'testosterone poisoning' skew the statistics. If you've driven a car for 6 years with no accidents, you probably have a better chance than the average guy.

So anyway, save room in the budget for a good helmet, jacket and gloves, all motorcycle-purposed. Take the MSF course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). They don't teach you to ride, you learn that on your own, but they teach you some valuable safety habits to keep you alive while you learn. If you never rode a bicycle, you should start on one of those, at least to learn to balance and steer.

My two motorcycles are my standard transportation. I have a car but I only use it when it rains or when I need to carry something big. In good weather, motorcycles are all you need to get yourself around. They don't save that much money, because parts are more expensive, tires only last 10k miles. I know it's more dangerous, but riding my bikes is also one of the most enjoyable things in my life. I'm willing to take the risk.

Ducati is famous for its 90-degree V-twin engine. A good Japanese bike, not equivalent but similar, is the Suzuki SV-650 (or the touring version, the V-Strom). You could learn on a used one, then trade up to the Ducati. All the Japanese mfgrs are very good--well-engineered, reliable, long-lived. Not nearly as beautiful and sexy as a Ducati, but a better deal for the money. If you just gotta have a Ducati, see it as something to work up to.

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I am interested in buying a moped.?

bicycle helmets japanese image

Q. ...We have a car and minivan now, and sometimes neither is available, and I have errands to do. I want some another means of transportation, I have done some research on the web already, and I think a moped (49cc) would do it. I do not want anything I have to license.
...Any owners/former moped owners out there who have suggestions and/or cautions re mopeds? What's a good make? Can you direct me to good web site?
Thanks,
carson123
I live in the United States, in Northern Virginia, 25 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Answer
Hello Carson123!

I just bought my moped last month. Getting great gas mileage (>110 mpg!)

It is only 49cc which means that I stick to streets that have limits of no more than 35mph. It can go up to around 42-43mph but I can count on other drivers to go at least 5 over the limit.

There is only one dealer in town that has a real service dept. This dealer sells Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha scoots. The other "dealer" in town sells Sunl scoots (no thanks, I'll keep on looking).

Avoid mainland Chinese scoots unless you're really, really handy. Their warranties have less value than Charmin tissue if you get the drift.

Japanese, Italian, and Taiwanese are the scoots to consider. Focus on the brands that offer local parts and service. I'd love a Vespa but nobody rides them here, so nobody sells them here, thus nobody services them here.

Scooters aren't bicycles, neither are they motorcycles. The riding experience is different. Safety is important. Take riding gear and the MSF class into consideration. There is no such thing as being too prepared.

Licensing is a different topic. I don't need an M class endorsement, tags, insurance, or even a helmet in Missouri on my 49cc scoot. I have everything 'cept the endorsement. That might change though.

There are no dealer websites that I can share. Don't buy over the internet unless you have a local dealer/service dept that can handle warranty work and general maintanence. But, I do know of a good site that has a great forum. Try http://www.urbanscootin.com/forum/index.php

Things to consider: 4-stroke v 2-stroke, water-cooled v air-cooled, CVT, linked braking, disc-brakes, DOT certified, certificate of origin...

Have fun with the possibilities. It's sure nice only spending about 3 bucks every 3 weeks at the gas pump. I like to think that I'm doing my part. The refineries won't upgrade and I no longer want to line their pockets. So, scoot I will.

Keep the faith!

D

Questions about Things in Japan?

mia

I never been abroad so I am curious What are the things you will find here in Japan but not in America or other countries?

Answer
Decent green tea of course, yes. You're lucky if you can get Japanese tea in the UK, although Chinese green tea is easier to find but it's not so nice in my opinion.

Fried foods (tenpura for example) sitting on a shelf in the supermarket, gradually cooling off and waiting for someone to buy it for lunch. Things would have to be refrigerated back home, and fried foods would lose that nice just-cooked crunch. Back home fried foods would either be sold hot, or frozen/chilled ready to bake or fry at home.

A sandwich with noodles in it. Back home you might find a chip butty (sandwich with fried potatoes in it) but never with yaki-soba.

Fried oysters. Most places they eat them alive, sometimes cooked, but never fried in crumbs.

Chairs with no legs.

So many cockroaches. (it's more cool in the UK, so they don't thrive so well.)

Train carriages with NO SEATS at all.

Vending machines out on the street, unguarded, even at night.

Pushchairs (baby-cars) that are suitable from 1 month upwards. They'd never sell that back home, people need pushchairs suitable from birth.

Sumo walking around the streets. Cool to see them, especially as they're not wearing their usual attire.

People riding bicycles, on the wrong side of the road, with a cell-phone or umbrella in one hand, and one or two children in child seats, without helmets, in the dark, with no lights, and not looking where they're going.

Vinegar and lemon flavour kitkats. Green tea flavour ones too of course. Green tea flavoured boiled sweets too (candy). Actually, green tea flavoured anything, it's not available in the UK except in limited quantities in oriental stores.

Fresh lotus root (ãããã). I've never even seen it in cans back home, but it might be available that way now.

Melon pan. As far as I know it's a Japanese creation and certainly nowhere I know of sells it.

Heated rugs. Kotatsu. Great big built-in cupboards that you can fit heaps of futons in, so big people back home could only dream of them.

If you're Japanese, are those links the fake Japanese provided genuine? I mean, the photos claiming to be vending machines of used knickers, are they really claiming that the items are soiled underwear?

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If I don't own a motorcycle or know anyone who owns one, how can I legitimately learn how to ride one?

bicycle helmets japanese image

DS

Hey, I'm a college student and I'm considering learning how to motorcycle to get across campus. The problem is, I do not know anyone who owns one, and wouldn't I need to own one if I decide to take a motorcycle class?

If anyone who has a license is willing to walk me through the steps on how they got their license, I'd greatly appreciate it! I live in Illinois, by the way.

Answer
First, can you ride a bicycle? If not, you should start on one of those, to learn to balance and steer. It's much safer and easier than tackling a 400 lb machine and trying to balance it.

Okay, then go to the DMV and get the brochure on the MSF, Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They are all around the US. They have a 'beginners course' where they supply the bike. It's about half riding and half classwork. The riding is at 10 mph in a parking lot, so you don't need a license or even a learner's permit. This is some peoples' first actual time on a bike, and they do it just to see if they like riding at all. The MSF course doesn't teach you to ride, but it teaches you some very important safety habits to make you safer while you learn. You learn, of course, by riding.

So then you get a bike. What kind of bike? We answer that question a lot here. In brief it is Japanese, used, medium-sized, NOT a specialized sportbike. Maybe $2500-3000. You need a helmet, jacket and gloves at least.

You go to the DMV now and get a learner's permit. Then you get on your bike and ride it slowly around the a quiet residential neighborhood or quiet country lane until you get all the controls down pat. I wouldn't recommend that you need any training, except the MSF course is good. They will show you how the clutch and shift work if you've never driven a manual-shift car. After that you can figure it out.

When you feel ready, venture out into traffic, and get used to that. Then, when you feel confident, go for a few longer rides out into the country. When you're ready.

Then. when you feel competent, you go back to the DMV and take a written test and a riding test.

Now this is the generic version. There may be some wrinkles. Here in California, for instance, we don't have separate motorcycle license, its' an endorsement on your car license so you have to get that first. In some states if you pass the MSF course the DMV waives the riding test.

It's good to have friends that ride, because there's a whole lore attached to it. But once you have a bike you will meet people! 8^)

Should i be intimidated to ride a Harley?

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^)

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