Can you ride a cruiser style motorcycle like the GZ250 or the V-Star 250 during the winter?

bike helmet 12 month old image

Merrico

I was thinking of buying one of these bikes for my first vehicle because I don't have the money for a car and because these bikes are much more fuel efficient than cars. So, only having the motorcycle I would need to use it year round. So, can I? Also, if going straight to riding a motorcycle is a bad idea please tell me. Thanks.

Answer
Real riders don't park the bike just 'cause of some snow or ice :-D

You can ride year 'round, but I've found dual purpose bikes are easier to handle in the slushy stuff. If you can ride on dirt/sand then you can ride on snow.

Remember that you'll have to bundle up against the windchill. Electric clothing is great if your bike has the charging capacity for it. You can also get anti-fogging stuff for your helmet visor.

If you want to race everyone and treat the roads like your own private race track, fill out your donor card now. You WILL die! If you have some self-control and practice your observational skills and defensive driving, you'll likely do fine. Just realize that no matter your record, just because you're young insurance will be more, especially for a sport bike. But your cruiser shouldn't be a premium killer, especially if it's under 1000cc and paid for. In '82 when I got my first bike (19 years old) my insurance was $12 FOR THE YEAR. Part of that was that the riding season up north was only 6 months and my first bike was just a 125.

Definitely take the MSF course if you haven't already. Tell the instructor about your interest in winter riding and he should give you some tips. Also, if you can (this can depend on age) rent a dual purpose bike and take it onto some sand or loose dirt to get comfortable with sliding the rear. And watch out for those dead leaves; they secrete some kind of oil as they decay, very very slick!

What can I do now that I have my motorcycle permit?

DK

I'm living in Illinois (also an IL permit, fyi), and I'm not sure if I'm now able to ride on my own, when i'm able to ride etc. I've heard that I need someone over 21 'supervising'. Does anyone know if there's a penalty for not riding with an over-21 adult? Also, insurance-wise, what do I need to do once I buy my motorbike?

Answer
There are two types of motorcycle licenses in Illinois. The Class L type is for motor-driven cycles with an engine displacement of 150 cubic centimeters or less. The Class M license is for motorcycles with a displacement of 151cc or more.

Teens 16 and 17 years old can obtain a motorcycle license by following this process:

1. Apply for a learner's permit (also known as an instructional permit) for a conventional license.
2. Attend and complete a driver education course at school.
3. Apply for a 12-month motorcycle learner's permit.
4. Study the Motorcycle Manual and the Rules of the Road.
5. Enroll in the 20-hour Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Motorcycle Rider Course. This course is free. Find out more by calling IDOT's Motorcycle Safety Project at (800) 892-9607 or (800) 642-9589.
6. Hold your learner's permit for at least three months. During this time, you are allowed to ride the motorcycle only in daylight hours while supervised by a qualified motorcyclist.
7. Pass the motorcycle road test at any local Secretary of State driver services office.

A new motorcycle license costs $10.

If you are 18 or over, most of the same requirements still apply. The main exception is that if you complete the IDOT Motorcycle Rider Course, you can waive the road test. The fee for the first-time Class M or Class L endorsement is $10. Renewals are $5.

Riders will be expected to demonstrate proper control of the motorcycle at all times. This will include starting it, making slow and fast turns, driving in traffic, and stopping safely and smoothly. The Motorcycle Manual offers detailed information on how to execute the moves that will be required on the test. The manual also provides sample questions for the written portion of the test.

You have to have your bike insured before riding it on the road (legally). Buy a bike, call an insurance company and negotiate insurance, pay them (or they will bill you) and they send (snail main & possible e-mail) proof of insurance for the bike. Carry the proof when you ride.

Lastly, IL is a helmet-optional state. Take the right option & wear a helmet. I recommend a full face helmet, if you like yourself when you look in the mirror in the morning.

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Can I teach my 12 month old daughter to ride a horse?

bike helmet 12 month old image

DOA

What horse would be good for her? Is it safe? Sorry I don't know much about horses but my wife does and she wants me to ask this.

Answer
I've given and sold lots of 'pony rides' on my good horses, to kids from about 10 months up. Under age two, they can't grasp the concepts of holding on, NOT holding on, or using reins.

I recently had a 2 yr old kiddo 'taking lessons'. I put him on a bareback pad, I led the horse, mom or dad walked alongside with a hand on his leg. At first, we encouraged him to hold on to the bareback pad, After a couple 'lessons' of 20 minutes or so, broken into several times getting on and off to allow his cousins a turn. I started asking him to let go and do the typical seat-developing exercises of swinging his arms in time with the horse's stride, etc. After he was a champ at that (walking only), he got to trot a few steps while holding on, then started holding reins attached to the sides of the halter. I was still giving the horse his cues, but the kid was wrapping his head around the concepts of independent seat and controlling the horse via the reins and voice cues. There ain't much cuter than a 2 yr old commanding a 1,000 pound horse "Now woe!"

At one year, I think a child could enjoy sitting up there with a parent. After getting used to the sensation of the horse moving, they could probably sit unassisted, but you want to be certain beyond any doubt that your horse is committed to taking care of such a tiny tyke, and have one person leading and another walking at the side *with a hand on the kid's body or clothes* at all times.

Hold off for a year or so trying to 'teach' anything, but if she likes being around them, help her enjoy that in any way that you and her mom agree is safe. If there's any disagreement about the safety factor or whether the risk is worth it, it could cause a terrible rift if something happened and your baby daughter got hurt.

Any time anyone, especially a child, rides a horse they should wear a helmet for safety. Please make sure you start her off with this important habit! If you can't find a riding helmet that will fit, use a bicycle helmet. The major differences in the two types are concerning the possibility of a horse's possibly iron-shod hooves striking the fallen rider's head at gallop. This is highly unlikely in a hand-led pony ride situation, so a bike helmet should be a good protection for this stage of riding.

I believe in starting them off early, but the idea of a 1 yr old child 'learning to ride' seems a bit too early to me.

Can you ride a cruiser style motorcycle like the GZ250 or the V-Star 250 during the winter?

Merrico

I was thinking of buying one of these bikes for my first vehicle because I don't have the money for a car and because these bikes are much more fuel efficient than cars. So, only having the motorcycle I would need to use it year round. So, can I? Also, if going straight to riding a motorcycle is a bad idea please tell me. Thanks.

Answer
Real riders don't park the bike just 'cause of some snow or ice :-D

You can ride year 'round, but I've found dual purpose bikes are easier to handle in the slushy stuff. If you can ride on dirt/sand then you can ride on snow.

Remember that you'll have to bundle up against the windchill. Electric clothing is great if your bike has the charging capacity for it. You can also get anti-fogging stuff for your helmet visor.

If you want to race everyone and treat the roads like your own private race track, fill out your donor card now. You WILL die! If you have some self-control and practice your observational skills and defensive driving, you'll likely do fine. Just realize that no matter your record, just because you're young insurance will be more, especially for a sport bike. But your cruiser shouldn't be a premium killer, especially if it's under 1000cc and paid for. In '82 when I got my first bike (19 years old) my insurance was $12 FOR THE YEAR. Part of that was that the riding season up north was only 6 months and my first bike was just a 125.

Definitely take the MSF course if you haven't already. Tell the instructor about your interest in winter riding and he should give you some tips. Also, if you can (this can depend on age) rent a dual purpose bike and take it onto some sand or loose dirt to get comfortable with sliding the rear. And watch out for those dead leaves; they secrete some kind of oil as they decay, very very slick!

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