I was wondering for those of you who ride motorcylces. How hard is it to learn to ride one? Is it complicated, or is it like a bike, once you learn you never forget type of thing.

How hard is it to get your license?

And is it easier to ride a Harley style bike or a crotchrocket type?

 

Take a course, start with a small bike, and trade up once you get some experience.
Dont buy the biggest bike you can afford just to be cool. You can get in over your head very easily!

 

Start with a smaller used bike.. you will lay one down.. most do at least once. They are pretty easy to ride once you get the hand of it. Take a course if there is one.

 

Hardest part of riding a bike is watching for all the idiots that want to kill you. I agree to start with a smaller bike and move up. Harleys handle like they run, so yes any japanese bike will be better handling and easier to ride. YOu may want to look for something in the 650 size to start out with. There is really not much to them once you figure out almost everyone could careless for your rights and safety. The licence requirements are different for each state - but , really nothing to them. Just practice on holding the bike up at slow speeds- many times people barrow a real little /light weight bike for the driving part of the test. I also agree on taking a course. DId I mention always beware for the idiots who don't respect a bike like any other vehicle ?/ as thye are suppose to.

 

My wife had no riding experience, started out on a 86 shadow 500cc , very low seat height, rode in parking lots for 2 weeks, signed up for the msf course,1 year later, out grew that bike, now rides a 03 fatboy lowered 2" front an back, does real well on it, she had some minor mishaps in the parking lots learning, mostly pulling out and turning left or right, it takes time, if you can drive standard shift cars that helps, good luck, Craig.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys.

What type of bike should i look into that would fit me best right now starting off.

 

I would suggest some dirt bike experience before you get on the street. The street can be too dangerous of a place to learn. It's not hard at all but you will have to see some things from a different perspective. I would also suggest a small street bike that is not a crotch rocket when you get ready for the road. Even a modern 600 can dump you quickly, and it's easy to lock up the front wheel if you grab too much brake.
As far as a Harley is concerned, I am a former HD service tech. The Harley is heavier, reacts slower, and is best handled by a more experienced rider. I like them and I'm around them all the time, but they ain't popular because of agility.
Definitely take a safety course no matter what you buy. Modern bikes are unbelievably fast and most people have not experienced the speed and acceleration that you get. They also don't have the reaction skills you need for something that fast.
I don't mean to scare you away from bikes, but the potential to get hurt is very real and you need more than cash to be a safe rider.

 

Bod beat me to the punch............DIRT BIKE, DIRT BIKE, DIRT BIKE.

I'll even go as far as saying a quad will teach you the hand foot coordination you will need without too much drama. (as long as it's not an auto clutch)


Everyone else's advise is spot on also. Start small. There are 100CC 4 stroke dirt bikes and 250CC crotch rockets and cruisers.

Pick what's comfortable to you.

The Ninja 250 and Honda Rebel come to mind as GREAT starter bikes for the street.

Pretty sure all the big 4 (Honda, Kawi, Suzi, Yamaha) all have 4 stroke dirt bikes in the 100 cc range.

 

I took a course where they provided the bikes. It was a great way to start and it didn't break your heart if you dumped it over. this course also took care of the driving portion of the Texas DMV license test. I just had to pass the written after that, and the course prepared me fully for that.

My first bike was a 2001 Yamaha R6. I kinda jumped in with both feet in a big way. I was 30 when that happened and I considered myself to be a good very observant driver that could handle some powerful cars and keep an eye out for the idiots. That still didn't prepare me for 100hp, 410lb missle. If I had known better, I'd have started with something like a Ninja 250. Still capable of a 5.2 second romp to 60mph, but nothing like the 150mph R6. the Ninja 250 will also be very friendly on the pocket book up front and at the gas pump. If you're a mature driver, and have alittle more to spend, look at the Suzuki SV650. It's a great all-around bike.

Always wear your gear! Full pants (I wear jeans), Paded Motorcycle jacket, full hand riding gloves, some kind of boot that covers the ankle and a FULL FACE HELMET.

I did eventually lay that R6 down in a ditch at about 60mph, due to a lack of experience in the twisties. I walked away. Extremely sore, but I walked away and that is because of the protective gear. I repaired and sold that R6 not too long after the wreck, thinking I'd probably never ride again. A couple years passed, now I ride a 145hp Super Sport Touring bike...A kind of Crotch Rocket with saddle-bags :-) See it here:
http://www.thedreyerfamily.com/toys11092004.htm

 

i am 18 and just sold my first bike it was a gsxr 1100 and man do i miss it definitly take the course it helped me out so much i had to get rid of the bike because inshurance was so high because i am only 18.

 

The best bike I have found to take a riding test is a small dual sport. Like everyone else has said, start out small and work up. There is no shame in being smart. To many people have gone out and but a 1000cc bike and then wonder why they got hurt and why their insurance is so high after all the accidents. Take it easy and don't rush it, you'll get the hang of it.

 

Check out this site for info on a beginer course

http://www.msf-usa.org/

 

In my years of riding, I have looked at riding on the street like a big video game “every one is out to get me, and run me over”. It has served me well and I have yet to lay down a street bike in a bike/car/truck type of thing. I also started out on a dirt bike and moved up from there. Let’s see a 73 XL350 Honda - dirt/street bike, 81 CX500 Custom Honda – great street bike for short trips and around town, 81 CB900 Custom Honda – Street, 84 GL1200 Gold Wing Honda - touring bike, and the last bike I owned was a 81 CX500 Custom Honda, again.

Just remember while driving a car/truck you look out as to not run anybody over as to not scratch your car/truck, but on a bike you look out for everybody as to not scratch their car/truck……

Da’Moose

 

I agree, Moose. Exact opposite of driving a big ford truck. You have to assume that nobody sees you in traffic. Even if they do see you, expect them to misjudge how far away you are and how fast your travelling.

And never, ever let anybody tell you that the way to avoid any accident is to "lay 'er down" I've heard too many stories from "experts" of how they wrecked thier rides because it was the only way to keep from being killed. Rubber on the road and in control is the only way to stop.

 

Good advice here.

Your motorcycle is a magic invisible cloak...never forget that.

Statistics show that riders are most apt to have accidents in the first 2 years of riding, and after that, the first year of any subsequent bike new to them. It's a learning curve thing, along wiith getting overconfident on a new bike, and getting over your head.

For a road bike, get something big enough to move you out well, but not overpowered. 500cc is a good starting point. If your second bike is too powerful you might wreck simply from twisting it on too much. I almost rear ended someone on a 750 'cuz I was used to a slow 500 twin that "gathererd" speed...I was used to rolling it on, checking over my shoulder during the lag, and then passing.

Riding courses will help offset the learning curve.

Buy the best sticking tires you can, price should be no object. Factory tires can be DEADLY.