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Hello there…another beginner here =)
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February 3, 2009 at 7:51 am #2512xazraelx_NCParticipant
Yet another beginner here, at an attempt to learn. I haven’t taken the MSF yet, but plan on doing so in the upcoming two months. I’m going to be honest and say that one of the main reasons I’m going to be getting a bike is for the adrenaline, but that fact scares me more than anything. So I’m here for advice on bikes, as well as advice on safety equipment, techniques, anything I can learn before I let the mistakes teach me.
I’ve been looking into the various bikes of choice, and I’m going to be siding with a sport bike…simply because that’s what I want to get into. A lot of people I’ve talked to say that because of my height/weight (6’0, 180 lb), I should side with a 500cc over a 250cc, but I’m inclined to disagree simply because I’m scared of what I’d get into on a 500cc. I honestly was looking at trying to find an Aprillia RS 50, simply to get used to the idea of being on two wheels, and trying to get used to a very light powerband. And, since there’s no point in being dishonest, it looks a hell of a lot nicer than a ninja. Other than the RS 50, I’ve yet to find 50cc-200cc bikes to start out on. After looking, though, I’ve found two RS 50s, and both of them were going for ~3000. So that just brings me right back to the 250cc range, because an 08 250R is 3500… And honestly, my dispute with the 250cc ninjas is that they…looked quite terrible for so many years. I think the recent re-design has done them quite a bit of good, but every third bike I see tends to be a ninja…
So, obviously you can see my indecisiveness. I’m honestly just scared to lay myself out on the payment, and don’t -want- anything that will make it all the more easier to do. I’d rather learn how to control something small, then move up…etc etc.
But, first thing’s first…MSF and safety gear I love all the reviews and topics here, and appreciate the wealth of information.
February 3, 2009 at 11:25 am #16239MunchParticipantDefinitely wait til you take the MSF course. Seeing another post of yours it would seem your in NC to. Where abouts? I took the Riders Edge course at Ray Price HD. They used the Buel Blast for the course. It’s a 500cc single piston pumper. The delivery on those bikes were rather mild but enough to where the unwary could get into trouble quckly.
Let the MSF bikes help you better judge what you might be prepared for.
For someone getting into motorcycle riding ( I refuse to call it a sport) for the first time I will always tell you … Sit on many and let YOUR honesty decide what bike suits your comfort. NOT your EGO or your FRIENDS.
Other then that ….welcome!February 3, 2009 at 11:36 am #16241xazraelx_NCParticipantI’m a senior at UNCC, so I live in Charlotte 95% of the time. My hometown is Winston-Salem, and I visit there every now and then for family. The bike will be purely used for going back and forth to campus and work (campus is ~2 miles, work is ~10 miles..neither involves the highway). I have an accord for daily driving that I use now (and would use if the weather was ever even a little bad) and a 300zx garage queen for joy riding
The main reason I want the bike is to, well…experience it. I’m not sure what words I can put there to explain it, but it’s somewhat of a craving. Anyway, yes, hopefully I will be taking the MSF course on either CPCC campus or Forsyth Tech campus, they both have several upcoming dates.
As for the Riders Edge, is that anything similar to Drivers Edge (A free program teaching you how to, well, drive better by putting you in certain situations and letting you learn how to get out of them in a car, not a textbook). I did the Drivers Edge course with my girlfriend about 6 months ago, and we had quite a great time and it was definitely a good experience.
Thanks for the advice, and the welcome!
Edit: In my original post, “myself out on the payment, ” I meant pavement. My apologies.
February 3, 2009 at 2:06 pm #16243Clay DowlingParticipantAnd gives you a good opportunity to see a lot of different bikes. Once you’re on the bike, it doesn’t matter so much what it looks like. The looks are somebody else’s problem. It’s kind of like having an ugly house: only a problem for your neighbors.
Also, when you buy the bike, look to the used bikes in the 250s. You won’t save a lot, but if you catch the bug and find yourself wanting to move up to a 600cc bike in a year or two, you won’t lose much money on a used bike. You’ll lose a lot on a new bike.
February 3, 2009 at 2:49 pm #16245JayGuestHello, xazraelx_NC, welcome from another Charlotte guy.
The Riders Edge is the Harley Davidson motorcycle safety class. They use the Buell Blast, which gives you a bit more torque and horsepower over the Rebel, etc., but it costs about double the community college MSF class ($300+ vs. $175). I have heard that the HD classes have fewer students and there’s not the long wait like there can be with the college classes. I spoke with a saleman at the Charlotte HD store and he also said they provided lunch. Must be a heck of a lunch to make up the $125 difference!
A question for Munch, Clay and any others who would offer an opinion: How long can I wait after taking the class before buying a bike? I know everyone is different, and I think the best option is to have a bike to practice on as soon after taking the class as possible. Although I’ve been saving, it looks like it will still be several more months before I can purchase. This time of year, though, the MSF classes are almost empty, and I could have my choice of weekends to do it. I just don’t want to spend time and money on the class, then forget most of what I learned before getting my own bike.
Thanks for the feedback.
February 3, 2009 at 4:50 pm #16247Clay DowlingParticipantI bought my bike before taking the class, which isn’t a great idea, but a friend had let me tool around in his parking lot on an old Yamaha and I already knew I wanted to do this.
You’ll remember the drills from the class for a long time, so I wouldn’t fret that. You may wind up putting in a bit more practice time before you feel road ready, but that isn’t a bad thing.
Have fun with the class and get licensed. And if the classes are wide open, take them now. Last year around here they filled up very quickly, typically a couple of months in advance. I signed up in June and couldn’t take my class until September. Also, if the classes aren’t entirely full, the instructor can take a little more time and help you work on individual weaknesses more. Don’t know if they will, but it’s a possibility that doesn’t exist in a more full class.
February 3, 2009 at 6:06 pm #16251eonParticipantI think you have a great attitude and it will serve you well. Nothing wrong with admitting you are looking for an adrenalin rush. Knowing that and keeping it under control is what will keep you safe and riding for many years. Starting out on smaller bikes is the way to go as it will help you learn how to ride. The fun part is taking corners well and you can take those corners faster if you master the proper technique. Simply accelerating/braking from corner to corner will teach you nothing.
Get yourself a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. That is the bible when it comes to learning how to survive on the streets. There is so much more to learn than simply mastering the bike. And that is part of the fun.
Good luck finding the bike you want but I would not rule out the Ninja. They are very common but for a good reason, they are great bikes (at least according to everyone who has ever ridden one). Having a great handling bike that you can learn on is no bad thing. The fact it is the bike every beginner wants is no bad thing either come the time you want to move on. Selling on your 50cc might me more troublesome.
February 3, 2009 at 6:12 pm #16252DaggerParticipantLike Clay said.. You’re not going to forget what you learned in the MSF if you can’t buy a bike right away.. Just remember when you finally do get a bike to take it easy and start with the basics on it.. Get used to the feel of it and how it handles before hopping out into traffic..
I bought my bike before I took the BRC.. Mostly because I got a great deal on it and didn’t want to pass it up.. I had also ridden as a kid so I wasn’t coming into it completely new.. For anyone coming in never having ridden before I think it’s best to wait and buy a bike after your class.. A lot of people get in there and realize that riding just isn’t for them.. And even though it makes for great deals on bikes for the rest of us (Buying bikes from people who decided they don’t like to ride that is..), it’s a better deal for you to wait.
Dagger
February 3, 2009 at 8:05 pm #16254xazraelx_NCParticipantThanks so much for all the feedback. I’m quite nervous about doing the MSF, because they say that all you need to know is how to ride a bicycle…but then again, everything I’ve read on these forums and elsewhere states that everyone is overly nervous, and they pretty much drill it into you. I’m almost more worried about the time of day it’s held (MAN, they start early…I’m a second/third shift worker and student, and 8 AM makes life difficult for a couple days hah).
As far as buying a bike goes, I will most certainly wait until the MSF just to make sure that I’m capable. The more I’ve read, the more inclined I am to do what everyone suggests and get a used 250cc ninja. I don’t need, let alone want, anything more powerful than that to start out with, and the surplus of the previous generation seems to leave a decent price (a lot of the ones I’ve seen around here go for 1700-2600 for decent mileage). Also, if I were to get something…nicer..I have a feeling that, like almost every other person out there…I will drop it, scuff it, do something on accident that did not need to be done.
Mechanically, what will I need to learn in order to do safety checks and fix minor problems. I’m not the most resourceful with my hands, but I know how to do the routine maintenance on cars, learn quickly, but have never even touched a bike.
Also…what kind of…security measures…can you do to a bike? For example, I plan on driving it to school. Who’s to stop someone from picking it up and putting it on a truck? Is there any way to prevent something like that from happening?
Thanks a million.
William
February 3, 2009 at 8:36 pm #16255Clay DowlingParticipantSteel cable sheathed in vinyl is a good start, with a sturdy lock. You can pick them up at Home Depot. You could drop the money somewhere for a really good one, but mostly what you’re looking to do is make your bike more of a pain to steal, not make it impossible.
If you don’t want to mess with that, there’s a fork lock built in to the bike. It’s less of a deterrent than the steel cable though, because it’s relatively easy to snap that lock on a small bike.
As for maintenance, you’ll be happy with how simple motorcycle engines are, and how accessible everything is. Unless you buy a Goldwing, everything is a lot easier to work on that a car. Also, metric bikes tend to be bullet proof, so you’ll be in good shape there. Change the oil, keep the chain cleaned and lubed, change the tires out when they get worn, and you’re good for the most part. Might want to flush the radiator every few years.
February 3, 2009 at 8:46 pm #16256DaggerParticipantNot sure about the MSF classes near you, but here they had one day of indoor class which was at night and then for the driving part they split the group up into two. If you register early enough you have a better shot of picking the time that suits you.. I went with the later classes myself because I had no desire to get up at 4:30 to be at my class by 6am..
As for safety, You can do the cable lock or front disc lock, but like Clay said, unless you’re physically bolting it too something it’s more of a deterrent than a fail safe way to keep your bike safe. I personally went with the disc lock. It’s small and easy to deal with. The only other thing you could do is add LoJack to it if you’re that worried about it.
Dagger
February 4, 2009 at 12:04 am #16258xazraelx_NCParticipantThere are plenty available at CPCC, starting as early as next weekend:
http://schedule.cpcc.edu/myschedule/buildMySchedule.rios?prefix=MIC&number=8780
This coming weekend is valentines weekend, and if I somehow get hurt there that day, I’ll -never- be able to even look at a bike with her around
I think I may strive for taking it in the beginning of March or the end of this Month. And, sadly, none of them offer a class starting at ~4:30-5:00, which is a bummer. But hey, you do what you gotta do.
Will I need to bring safety gear with me? I thought I saw at one point in time requirements as to what to wear, but I can’t seem to find it again. And, speaking of gear, I’ve read some of the reviews on here and other places, but where do you guys go to see what size you need? Or do you just order it and then send it back if it doesn’t fit. And, for a starter…I should be expecting to spend around $600 or so on gear? From what I’ve looked at, everything seems fairly expensive…but the opportunity cost…my life…is well worth it, even if I’m only a newbie and won’t ever go out on the highway (at least for now).
Thanks!
William
February 4, 2009 at 3:03 am #16260chaiyaParticipantCan you contact the instructor for the section of class you want to take and ask what they require?
When I took the BRC (in SF), we were required to wear a long sleeve shirt, jeans, glasses/sunglasses/or goggles (only if the helmet did not have a visor), over the ankle footwear (I wore my hiking boots), and gloves (preferably leather). They had helmets there for people who needed them. I wound up borrowing a helmet, jacket, and gloves from a friend for class.
Most motorcycle dealerships sell gear…go and try on stuff and sit on a few bikes
I found the salespeople really helpful for getting the right fit on the helmet. I would have probably got the wrong size without their help. I wound up finding the jacket I liked cheaper online then at the store. In total I spent about $750 on gear (i splurged on my helmet)… $600 sounds like a very reasonable budget for gear.Best of luck on your class!
February 4, 2009 at 3:43 am #16262MunchParticipantChaiya’s list is pretty much the required set list. Make sure the gloves are closed fingered.
The only thing I can think of for the difference between the Public courses and the Roder’s edge is that with the HD course…. some , maybe not all but some offer free rental of their products. A plus for you even if you don’t plan on dropping the green on one of theirs but it gives you a chance to ride a bike in the real world. Also if they offer both the Buell and Cruiser rentals like Ray Price did it will let you get an opportunity to try two different riding positions to see what suits you, which may surprise you or may not.
Security… well you have disc locks to keep the bike from moving. You can add Lo-jack to the bike incase all your preparing doesn’t work out and you improve your chances to get it back. For mine, being that its fuel injected I disable the fuel system, lock the handle bars and run a chain through the wheel and frame. The chain is for more extended period away from the bike and out of view. Remember…. if its inconvenient for you …imagine what it is for a would be thief whos “craft” is dependant on speed and stealth.February 4, 2009 at 8:25 am #16268PhilUpParticipantGood decision on taking the MSF class first. I was nervous at first because I had never been on a bike before, but it will definitely pass. You will get better and more comfortable as the class goes on. For your gear, I would recommend going to a store like a cyclegear if you have them in your area and trying on different stuff so you can figure out your size for the various brands. Plus, different styles of gear will fit differently. You want to definitely try on various helmets, as the manufacturers design them for different head shapes. This link has some good info on head shapes and helmet sizing.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm
I had to visit numerous retail stores and try on a variety of brands before I settled on the helmet that fit me. If you have to splurge on one piece of gear, splurge on the helmet that fits the best and offers up the best protection.
Good luck on the class!
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