I havent ridden a bike for 6 years, should I do a refresher course ?

Question

I could alternatively just jump on the bike, its a 600kwak.

Maybe I should have written 'motorcycle'.

Answer 1

If you have previous experience of riding it will come back naturally to you, but if you have only ridden small bikes then the power difference will be quite noticable so an empty car park or area to practice on would be good, however the very fact that you are asking this question shows there is some doubt in your mind as to your confidence, a refresher course cannot hurt and will make you a better rider it may save your life or someone elses so go do it and enjoy your bike safely..good luck

Answer 2

If some congressmen have their way, it'll be mandatory to take a motorcycle safety course everytime you get a new bike regardless of when it was the last time you rode or whether you have an endorsement on your drivers license. The basic course is just that, basic; but it may help give you the needed refresher. I know if I spent enough money on my bike as I would a car; I would rather dump their ratty *** bikes at the safety course, that are made and have been dumped than my brand new $15,000.00 machine.

Answer 3

If you do not feel confident getting on the bike then take a refresher lesson it will ease your mind and give you the confidence needed for safe riding. Alternativley go out with some fellow bikers on a quiet sunday making sure you trust them. They will protect your position on the road as long as you need them to. Soon you'll be back to riding as though you have not had a 6 year gap.

Answer 4

Take the motorcycle safety class. The roads can change quite a bit in just a few years. The lesson's not on how to ride but on how to be safe in traffic.

It doesn't mean you have to do it before you can get on the bike, but you should do it soon.

Answer 5

The refresher course will not teach you anything useful, just make you overconfident. I remember seeing on of the instructors on a Motorcycler training scheme slithering up an icy slope, feet down, my mate came straight up like he was on rails.
Lets face it it is just a case of honing the reflexes again isn't it, dont know how old you are but we all have better reflexes when we start than we have now, but, ride on your own for a bit so you dont start racing your mates, a mate of mine, born again biker, was out on his bike doing a ton when he came to a bend, while shitting himself trying to stay on so someone overtook on a Ducati going 30 mph faster, It nearly gave me a heart attack he told me, trouble is the next week he felt rough and was actually in the doctors waiting room when he had a heart attack,

Answer 6

Missus and I take the MSF approved Experienced Rider Course every couple of years. It makes you aware of the condition of your bike handling skills, gets you an insurance discount and is a lot of fun. You must hold a mc license to take the ERC.

Answer 7

It depends on where you were at six years ago and what is your level of confidence right now. now matter what your choice is, ease back into it because it takes many miles to fine tune your perceptions and abilities, so that you can with confidence handle what comes up. Don't do what many do, and that is to overdrive the road. You have to always be able to stop while going around turns. Be safe and enjoy.

Answer 8

I went 12 years without riding, got a bike and just warmed up around the neighborhood, and slowly ventured further each day......it came back fairly quick.

Answer 9

I would, more so for the road saftey part than the actual riding of a bike. The roads have gotten bigger and nastier in the last six years and how and where you ride your bike has new laws attached to it.

Answer 10

Oh Yea!
I've been riging for 50 years and take an advanced class every year. In between I study the Motorman videos. Twice I flew down to Flordia to take his class, it's the best and only 150 dollars.
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