Is It hard to learn how to ride a motorcycle? Physically and the process of getting a license.?

Question

Im 18 living in NY. Im a hundred and 150 pounds and i already have a drivers license. Is weight a factor?Id like to buy something like a ninja bike.ie. susiki, honda ect.

Answer 1

state tests may vary, but for the most part, they want to see how well u can handle the bike in: a normal turn, a sharp turn, u-turn, a panic stop, a swerve, and and being able to manuver in a series of 6 cones to mimic some switchbacks. if u take the msf or riders edge course and pass it, most states will waive the on-cycle test, and will stamp u with a full endorsement. the msf/riders edge also have their own bikes to train on. their 250cc's.

it isnt really that hard to learn to ride. some of it is just common sense. there are 115 pound women riding their own road king. once the bike gets going, the gyroscopic effect takes over in balancing the scoot. size doesnt matter. technique at slow speeds is what counts, and this is what the msf/riders edge will help u learn that.
u will be a much safer and more confident rider if u take the rider's course, plus u'll get the endorsement easier, and alot of insurance companies give a discount for the course.

now about ur choice of bike. sounds to me u want a rocket. since u are a pure rookie, the biggest mistake u could make is to get a 600cc sport bike. u wont have the skills to handle the power these scoots have, their forgiveness factor is zero, they do what the rider tells it to do instantly. the safest for u tolearn on would be either a kawasaki ex-250, or a harley buell blast....which by the way, is used by harley's rider edge course.
if u plan on taking 200+ mile rides before the end of ur first season, u might regret getting a sport bike. u would be better off getting a cruiser instead.

Answer 2

No it's not too hard. There are motorcycle safety courses which I'd highly reccommend for anyone new to motorcycles. It will teach you alot of basics and give you a good starting point even if you've riden before you will learn a few things that may save your life.

I live in California so I'm not sure if this will help you. But in California, you sign up for a permit which only requires that you pay a fee and take a written test. After you pass, you recieve your learners permit which allows you to ride only during the day, on any road but freeways/highways and solo (no passengers). You can take the license test at any point, you have up to a year I believe until your permit expires and you have to get a new one. The license test requires that you bring your own bike, gear and can show you understand how to safely proper maneuver the motorcycle. The hardest part about the test is the figure eight test they do, which can stump even veteran riders because they require that you turn in a very tight radius and stay inside of the cones, if you step outside you fail. Having a smaller, low power bike will help in this portion of the test. People with cruisers or heavy bikes may find the turning radius extremely difficult.

Some motorcycle safety courses after passing them allow you to skip the skills test from the DMV. Which is why I reccommend those because you will learn alot more and the instructers will help you improve on your current abilities and tell you what you should correct.

Buy proper gear. Get a good DOT/SNELL approved helmet. Get a good pair of leather gloves and a good leather jacket, pants and boots. The first three being the most important.

Most people start off with 250-500cc bike, which is not too powerful but powerful enough for you learn how to ride and still have fun. You can get a 600cc+ bike but I wouldn't reccommend it because repairs costs will be considerably higher and the margin of error is much smaller. With bikes that power, one flick of the throttle and the bike can shoot out from under your legs if you're not ready. Also with a larger engine bike your insurance will be much much higher especially since you're only 18 and a new rider.

Answer 3

There are classes in most states that take a weekend. They'll supply a bike, usually in the 125 to 250 cc range, and teach you how to ride it. At the end of the class, there is a test (both written and on the bike), and if you pass, you'll get a license. If you can ride a bicycle, drive a car with a stick shift, and have a halfway decent sense of self-restraint, you can probably pass this test.

There is another option, which I don't recommend. You can take a written test and get a learner's permit, then buy a bike, ride it with a few restrictions, and then take a test for a full license. Having a pro teach you is a lot safer.

Once you get your license, I'd recommend starting on a bike with 50 hp or less. 50 hp in a sport bike is still something that's going to be in Corvette territory for performance, and a 100 hp sport bike is going to be very difficult to handle when you're just learning. Starting on a slower bike will make you a faster rider.

Answer 4

I don't know how to ride a motorcycle. If NY is like Florida with the license test, it will tricky. My friend went for test. I copied down the course so he could set it up and practice. I watched over 30 people take the test (some for the 2nd/3rd time)and most failed. They went in there and were told what to do and then attempted it for the first time. The most trouble, going in and out of cones! Everyone put a foot down and that is points off! So I watched for several days, and saw where the trouble spots were. I saw people crash, lose control, and fail before they got through half the course. A Ninja will be easier than a bigger Harley. Practice, be safe

Answer 5

So you have a driver's license, but how many years of driving experience do you have? Can you read traffic well, tell when a driver can't see you or isn't paying attention and follow all the rules of the road without thinking about them?

Again, you can drive, maybe even drive a stickshift car. Can you do all of the above as well as shifting, downshifting, steering and braking without thinking about it? Do you have ALL of the above things set in your brain so hard that they are completely automatic?

Good! It's all different on a motorcycle. Knowing traffic rules is one thing, but breaking the law once in a while to save your hide is more important on a bike. No matter whose fault it is, a motorcyclist loses EVERY TIME.

So in addition to watching out for EVERYONE, not just the cars that could dent your fender, you have to deal with a completely different operating skillset. Your body position has a HUGE impact on how it handles, for one. You shift with your left foot instead of your right hand, the gas is on your right hand instead of your right foot, the clutch is operated with your left hand instead of your left foot, and your brakes are not linked like a car's.

The last one is where new riders often make a big mistake. In a panic situation, your hard-wired car instincts tell you to mash your foot onto the brake pedal instead of squeezing the lever, locking up the rear wheel and splatting you onto the pavement. You need to completely re-learn how to operate a clutch-driven vehicle from scratch as well as assuming everyone is out to get you. Combine that with road conditions and other variables, and you have more than your brain can deal with at one time.

So take an MSF course, learn how to ride the correct way, and never let your ego outgrow your skills. Do not buy a sportbike for your first ride; get a used one that you can (and will) drop a few times. Wear full gear, because humans are soft and weak compared to concrete and steel. Enjoy your insurance premiums as an under 25 rider, and don't be a squid.

Answer 6

I diont know the specifics of New York testing standards but usually motorcycle tests are skills based , with emphasis on control.

Usually you will be required to do a hill start, turn a full circle without hitting kerbs or putting your feet down and drive a figure eight lock to lock without blipping the throttle or putting your feet down.

In these skills the bike weight will be a factor, avoid using the front brake in these manouvres as you will ceratinly drop the bike. these skills are done using back brake and throttle control.

They usually get you to do an emergency stop then you go for a ride around the block

Dont be surprised if you fail the first time, the percentage of people who pass any driving or riding skills test first time is very low. Usually most people pass on the second test..

Actually riding a bike , any fool can get on a bike and go, learning to ride safetely and confidently takes time, practice and lessons.

I recommend that you do the lessons required to get your licence and then sign up for advanced skills courses as soon as possible. They are worth the bucks

Unless you are in a hurry to die dont get a big bike straight up , maximum 650 cc is more than enough to get a newby into trouble and out of it again.. Get some skills and practice before you get a big bike.

Be aware that for the first 6 months you are in the high stastic catagory and will be likely to have a t least one spill so take care , be smart and be car, especially VOLVO aware.

Good Luck

Answer 7

It is not hard, I learned as a child of about 8-9 and now over 20 years later I am relearning. Take a safety course, they will teach you the basics and you'll learn the rest with experience. Some safety courses can count as your driving portion of the license. In Missouri, you pass a written test and you can get a permit, so you can practice and gain experience before taking safety course or riding part of test for license.
Find an open area to ride and get used to controls,feel of the bike, stopping and turning before hitting the roads. You must keep an eye on the cars as they don't always watch for you!
I am a 120 lbs female and I am relearning on a Kaw Vulcan 800, love it! Good luck and keep the shiny side up!

Answer 8

I am a 40 year old female learning how to ride on a Honda Rebel. It is a little bike that isn't too heavy or hard to manuever around. Slow speeds are the hardest, because that is when you need to learn to use gravity and balance. Once you get the brake, clutch, and throttle thing down, just practice, practice, practice. It can be a little intimidating at first and scary. But that is how everyone feels. I ride alot on a back road and in a big parking lot. It am still a little nervous on the road with traffic--but hopefully that will subside with time and practice.

Answer 9

First, I would try to get a small off road motorcycle and learn on that. I think that doing this first will give you the basics and if you know of anyone that rides currently and could help you learn would be great also. Good luck!

Answer 10

no it's not hard at all, I bought my first bike last year and I am 81 I had a hang up about shifting so got interested in a honda automatic shift, 2 speed, no clutch, 400cc, it weighs abut 400 lbs. and is a gem. mine is a 1978 and runs like a watch. they also made a 750cc with the hondamatic xmission. yes weight is a factor. I don't know if you would want to start with a crotch rocket. depends a lot on how you are going to use it. if short trips any 250cc to 500c bike would be ok. if you want to cruise a heavier bike might be more appropriate. you can find hondamatics on e bay, and one in good shape should be less than$1000 also check craigslist.com good luck and happy riding check with your local bike dealer about courses and ask them to refer you to someone in the local bike club, they should be able to offer you advice.