[wbsprudels]

I caught the motorcycle itch in August, took the Riders Edge course in September, and bought my first bike in October (2009 Buell Blast). This site was a great help to me. It helped convince me the bike and some of the gear to buy (helmet and riding shoes). As I am 42 and never looked at or talked about motorcycles in the past, my wife says this is my mid-life crisis. She was surprised but supportive. She enjoys riding on the back with me, too. So, I don’t care what it’s called–I’m enjoying it.

I do have one question: there seems to be much advice for beginners on the internet, in magazines, and in books. However, I have seen little about knowing when one is no longer a beginner. I did see mention of needing at least two years riding experience, but that seems to paint too broad a stroke. Some riders can ride very little in two years and others a ton. Thoughts?

[Munch]

Hmmm…that really a question on judgment. Welcome by the way.
No one person can justify in an umbrella statement when a beginner is no longer a beginner. As you have stated, riding times are varied, climates ridden in varies, and even the mind set of the rider is varied.
There will always be a lesson some where to be learned even if its learning to not forget what you already knew.
I don’t think I would ever consider myself a non beginner..there’s so many places and climates I have never ridden or likely to never ride. I can “master” my area and maybe even pull off some things in the Bike Rodeos LEO’s compete in … then turn around and do something technical at speed like ride Deals Gap and be completely unprepared.
Its all in your self confidence of what you want to do, how much you ride it and if you push your skills. Just my thoughts on that.
Enjoy the ride….. let others be concerned about their pre conceived ideas… at speed you can’t hear them anyways!

[Author]

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