i want a motorcylcle; where do i start?

Question

i know pretty much know nothing about motorcycles but im ready to learn. are they hard to ride? what is a good starter bike? what is a starter bike? any info is helpful. thanks.

btw i want whatever bike i get to be street legal.

Answer 1

It's not much more difficult than riding a bicycle or driving a car with a manual transmission - well, about the difficulty of the two put together. For the rest of my answer, I will presume you are in the United States, where you will face high speed freeways but very few laws about what you can and cannot ride while learning.

I'd start by taking lessons. These last a weekend, and the school will provide a small bike that you'll ride around in a safe, controlled environment. The MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) is the largest provider of these in the United States, but there are a couple other organizations that run these schools. In most states, you'll be able to get a license by passing the tests at the end of the class.

And you'll want to gear up for riding. Some states let you ride with no helmet, but a full face helmet will make you a lot safer if the worst happens. I'd also recommend riding gloves and a stout pair of boots, and ideally a motorcycle jacket and riding pants too. They're not quite as important as a helmet, but a good riding suit can protect you from both heat and cold as well as road rash.

A starter bike is one that you'll buy to learn on, and it should be one that's easy to ride and less likely to do something dangerous if you make a mistake. Remember that it's your first bike, not your last; motorcyclists often buy new bikes as often as car drivers buy different cars. Motorcycles come in a lot of differnt types, and you can find a good first bike whether you like sport bikes, cruisers, or several other categories. I have four rules for what makes a good first bike.

1. It should have 50 hp or less. More powerful bikes can easily get out of hand - not only do they have more power, but often they have touchier brakes and handling too. With sport bikes, it's usually best to stay at 500 cc's or less; you can go bigger with cruisers or dual sports (dual sports are basically street legal dirt bikes, although they may be a bit larger).

2. A good starter bike needs to be light enough that you can easily pick it up if it falls over. Beyond the obvious problem that you might have it fall over (more likely in your garage or at a stop sign than while in motion, at least), a lighter bike will be easier to handle and you'll be less likely to need to pick it up.

3. When you sit on the bike's saddle, you should be able to put both feet flat on the ground. This will again help you avoid having to actually put rule #2 to the test.

4. It needs to fit you. You should feel comfortable sitting on it with your hands on the grips and your feet on the pegs. Any discomfort you feel in the couple minutes they'll let you sit on one in the showroom will seriously hurt after an hour of riding. And you'll want to pick one that matches your plans for riding and your sense of style, too. There's plenty of good choices for first bikes out there, so you don't need to settle for one that just seems wrong for you.

I ride a GS500F myself. It's *a* good starter bike for many riders, but it may not be the right one for you. I'd recommend visiting a couple showrooms and checking out what's available - and not letting a salesman talk you into a bike that breaks one of the above rules.

Answer 2

If you can ride a regular pedal bike. Then try a renting a moped for a week. If you can get used to working the gas and break without falling to the ground. Then a big motor bike is for you. After owning a few bikes I would suggest the SHADOW for a starter bike. They have low center of gravity. That makes it more easy to hold up when you start off or come to a stop. A SHADOW or REBEL are both very good starter bikes. Just remember the taller the bike the stronger you legs need to be. As far as getting a license the hardest part of the test is they may make you drive very very slow in a very tight circle, the rest of the test is common sense and same type questions as your car driver license

Answer 3

First thing you do is take the beginners motorcycle safety course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This involves classroom instruction plus supervised riding on motorcycles that are provided. This course will not only train you properly in how to ride, but will also let you determine whether you really do want to learn to ride and then buy a bike.

In Pennsylvania, the courses are free and if you pass the tests at the end of the course (exam and riding test) you get your motorcycle license. Check the DMV website in your state to see what the process is for motorcycle licenses. There is bound to be information on how to take the course and information about the costs in your state.

Happy trails!

Answer 4

Motorcycles are not hard to ride. There are somethings to be learned to be safe.
Motorcycles cannot outbrake a modern car after about 60 mph.
Above 20 mph you turn by slightly deflecting the handlebars opposite the direction you want to go, called counter steering. This causes the bike to lean into the turn.
Look where you want to go, because the bike goes where you are looking. ie stare at a object and you will subconciously go strait at it.
Clutch with the hand and shift with the foot takes a bit of practice.

Get into a Motorcycle Safety Course, in the USA the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) offers Beginning Riders Courses (BRC) and Experienced courses (ERC). Most BRCs cost around $200 and they supply the bikes for the beginners. http://www.msf-usa.org/

A great starter bike is one that is light, easy to handle and low on horsepower. Depending on your build a Honda Rebel or Suzuki Intruder are great little choppers.

Good luck and enjoy.

Answer 5

Here in PA they offer free motorcycle safety course and provide motorcycles for the course, They are 250's and most of them are Honda Shadows. These are good training cycles and are not very expensive. However, if this will be your first bike buy used and pay cash, get the experience of riding before moving up to bigger and more expensive bikes. I have had friends who bought big bikes like Goldwings and rode only a few times then selling them at a loss because they weren't ready for a big bike. Nothing wrong with starting small and working up to bigger later on. In fact the smaller bike will normally sell quicker when you are ready to move up, then use the money for your next bike. In my class, 5 people never even sat on a motorcycle before and graduated with no problems, you do need to get a motorcycle permit first before signing up for the safety course. The course takes you from starting and learning how to use brakes, clutch, and lights & horn to walking the bike and then to actually riding and stopping. Was alot of fun even for me as an experienced rider. I highly recommend it!!! Contact your local Christian Motorcyclist Association, you will find members who will help you learn and decide the best bike for you. You can Yahoo seach "Christian Motorcyclist Association".

Answer 6

well I started out with a dirt bike they are really easy to handle because they are light and also most of them have less power.also if you fall on a dirt bike it wont hurt you has much because you will be on dirt, but if you don't want to start with a dirt bike then I would recommend go to the DMV and ask how about to get your license in your state. In IL. during the summer there are about 11 different junior collages that offer safety courses for motorcycles. which i have taken and my friends have taken as well and they are free in IL. also you could go to a motorcycle dealer near you and ask where the closest class is and they could help you in selecting the right bike for you as well. In my opinion I would recommend a small bike that has less then 500cc there is a decent about of bikes out there that are for beginners . just go to the different websites like Yamaha.com, Suzuki.com Honda.com etc. and look at there cruiser section. those are easy to handle and are lower to the ground.

hope this helps

been riding for 8 years
anymore questions ask me [e-mail]

Answer 7

No they are not hard to ride, Just if you don't go too fast. Study more about Motorcyle and try to get a Motorcycle License. A starter Bikes mean it is the first time you have ride a Motorcycle.

Answer 8

because you're a beginner, you do no longer choose to get a one million,000cc bike. this is way too plenty bike so which you will deal with. i'm an experienced rider or perhaps I won't get a one million,000cc production bike like the only you're staring at. For a starter crotch-rocket, do no longer flow any larger than a 600cc (4 hundred-450cc could be greater effective). Getting a bike license in maximum states isn't confusing. the 1st ingredient you should do is persist with for a non everlasting enable with your DMV or Secretary of State or whoever does licenses on your state, then you will prpbably be required to take and bypass a bike safety direction. Many community faculties or perhaps community police stations grant the courses. they're often no longer that high priced, yet just to be secure be arranged to pay $a hundred.00 for the direction. as quickly as you bypass the direction, you are able to flow back to the DMV/Secretary of State/regardless of and get your license. Your insurance is going to remember on the place you reside. yet be warned: bike insurance on a crotch-rocket for somebody on your age team is going to be especially darned high priced, in comparison with what the previous adult males on their classic Harleys pay. to offer you a concept: My terrific chum rides a 2009 Triumph speed-Triple one million,050cc production bike. He pays approximately $40.00 a month, and he's 40 years previous. He lives interior the suburbs exterior Bernard Law Montgomery, Alabama. he's getting a especially darned sturdy fee. i does not be shocked in case you had to pay two times as plenty, or greater.

Answer 9

get a mc lisence first