Well, I took my first ride on a 2003 Honda Shadow Ace Delux 750 (HOT!! lol) a couple of weeks ago and now I want a bike...a good one! Thing is, I'm afraid of drving one and laying it down all the time. How hard is it to learn? How many times did you lay it down when you drove yours for the first time? What's a good kind to get, with it not being those tiny "rice burners" but a solid, loud one? Thanks!! :-)
2007-11-24 10:39:41 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Sorry, I put the term "rice burners" out of context. My novice mind thinks otherwise of what I mean.......lol. Scratch "rice burner"........keep solid and loud!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!! :-)
2007-11-24 13:23:21 · update #1
If you can ride a bicycle and drive a car with a stick shift, you're coordinated enough to learn to ride a motorcycle. I'd recommend by starting by taking the MSF class, or similar riding lessons (check with the office that issues your driver's license for a list of motorcycle classes). You'll spend two or three days riding a school bike in a safe environment with an instructor watching, and learn a lot of key things a motorcyclist should know.
After taking the class, pick out your first bike and get you some good safety gear. If the bike you rode in the class felt like all you could manage, get one in the 250 cc range. If you did well and feel ready for something bigger, you could go for a 500 to 650 cc cruiser, or maybe even a Honda 750 like the one you took a ride on. Whatever you get, be sure you could pick it up if it fell over - having a bike that's light enough to manage will make it a lot less likely that it will fall over, and "if you can pick it up" is a handy rule of thumb to weed out bikes that are too heavy to manage for a beginner.
Then you'll want to spend the first couple weeks of bike ownership practicing in parking lots and lightly traveled side streets to build up your skill. Don't venture out into traffic until you feel mentally ready for it.
2007-11-25 01:35:19 · answer #1 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the world of motorcycling!
OK, first off, there won't be a problem laying it down all the time, you will likely get killed if you do, so there is no non-chalant way of laying a bike down, or in other words, it's really really bad! I have laid one bike down, and I have 2 stainless pins for my trouble!
Going for loud is not a good thing either, though many people will disagree, I have not been safer with loud pipes, in my opinion. The other thing is that you should do your thing, but not bother other people doing their own thing.
Go 250, at least it will not crush your leg if you drop it, which seems to be a concern for you. 250 seems to be the best size for the novice riders, and I know some will disagree, but I help people through the MC test, and it is amazing how many "experienced" riders can't handle a 150!
Solid...Honda is solid! The rebel which was recommended is an excellent choice! Check one out and see!
Great luck to you, and I hope my advice will not fall on deaf ears.
2007-11-24 20:16:42 · answer #2 · answered by Jim! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I noticed you said in your question you, "Took you first ride" on the motorcycle. This suggests you may have been a passenger.
If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, by yourself, that bike is almost certainly going to get you hurt. Not because the bike but for new beginners it is common knowledge to get nothing over a 250-500 or 600 cc bike at the most.
Also when it comes to the NOISE of the bike, making it safer this is a myth. It does not. See, when you are riding the car next to you can't hear it but only if you are right up near it very close and by that time it's not safe.
So the loudness of it is a myth. In a car you will find that you can hear the bike but only when you are right up on it.
2007-11-24 23:25:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
MSF is your first stop. The motorcycle safety foundation will teach you to ride a motorcycle, and the best part is you don't need a bike for the beginners class. You will need a good set of boots that cover your ankles, jeans, long sleeve shirt, leather gloves and a helmet (some provide the helmets but you should get your own, and get a good one, rule of thumb, if you have a cheap head, get a cheap helmet, and vice versa.)
As far as loud, ride responsibly, don't make so much noise your neighbors start hating you.
2007-11-24 21:01:18 · answer #4 · answered by Ken L 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
sounds like what you want is a rebel 250. cheap, lightweight, low seat height, good bike for fat/short people who can't really swing a leg over anything high. I dropped my bike a couple times while learning, and I still drop it every now and again trying to learn new things.
BTW, a Honda Ace Shadow is still a Jap bike and therefore a "rice burner" so, don't really know what you mean you're looking for.... a Harley? If so look for a sportster 883
2007-11-24 19:56:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
More critical than the weight is the seat height and you need to find one that sets low enough so that when setting in the seat you can have both feet flat on the ground. Nothing worse than having to tip toe while trying to keep the thing upright. My old Kawasaki touring bike weight more than any other mass produced bike built, 960 pounds with a lot of that weight up high in the trunk and fairing. However, with a 29 inch seat it's very easy to balance when stopped. A really nice bike for short legged women is a 700-750-800 Suzuki Intruder. Good looking, nice lines, V twin engine, low seat, light weight and lots of get up and go and they aren't stressed when running 75 mph all day long. A little 250 cc bike might be light with a low seat, but it isn't going to be comfortable running at high speeds for long periods of time. Good luck and have fun!
2007-11-24 19:50:20 · answer #6 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Take the MSF course and buy a smaller used bike for at least the first year of riding. Nothing worse than dropping a new bike.
2007-11-24 21:49:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jim K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check with one of your motorcycle dealers...a lot of times they have rider classes at the dealership...if not they will know where they are.
One thing I tell everyone that is about to get a bike. Just make sure it's not so big that you can't pick it up-right when it is laying down. Have someone gently lay their bike over and see if you can pick it up pretty easy...if not...it's too big.
Good Luck
2007-11-24 18:52:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Check in your local area for a motorcycle riding school, it is well worth the money and the information, even if your new or and old rider bad habits can be picked up. The school with give you the confidence to ride safe and alive.
2007-11-24 18:47:19 · answer #9 · answered by Joseph O 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I found that the best way to learn is with a smaller dirt bike. Wear your safety gear and ride as often as you can. Riding in the dirt really sharpens your reflexes and skills. And, it's a lot softer to fall on than Asphalt.
Ride safe
2007-11-24 19:29:59 · answer #10 · answered by randy 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋