Newb Biker Need Help !!!!

Hey Guyz, ive only riden a dirt bike a few times but never a street bike, i was wondering if anyone could help me with some info on how do i get into Street Bikes, ive always liked them but never had the chance to ride one, i wanna buy one and get license for it but not sure what i should do, or what kind of bike i should start out with,can anyone plz help me ?

First off, do you have any friends with bikes, because (at least in illinois) you can get a permit and ride with them.

You will probably want to take a beginner course if offered by your state DMV. this will give you great starter tips and most likely your liscense as well. As for a bike, i would recomend an older 600cc or less bike. Some sugestions, Honda CBR f-2, Yamaha YZF 600R. both of these would be easily obtainable for around $5000.

be sure to always wear your gear and never under estimate your bike.

If you have any other question please feel free to post or PM me.

I only know one guy who has a bike, and hes my neighboor at work, we don't really hang out but he said he might sell his bike, its a yamaha 600 , i think 93, and i live in Cali. prob the worst place to ride a bike and ive been looking for Bike schools but the only ones i can find are the ones that require you to have a minimum of 1 year riding experience, but ill keep looking, thx for the help

BikerBoi.

Just got this off the MSF website for California (go to MSF-USA.org and look for California) :

Two day course

Motorcycle and helmet provided

Qualifies graduates for motorcycle license test waiver

Qualifies graduates for insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers.

The Basic RiderCourse is aimed at beginning riders of all ages. A minimum of seven hours classroom instruction prepares the student for at least eight hours of practical riding in a controlled, off-street environment, typically a parking lot. Motorcycles and helmets are included in your course fee (if any). Most motorcycles used in the course are loaned by local dealers.

In this course, you'll learn how to operate a motorcycle safely, with a lot of emphasis on the special skills and mental attitude necessary for dealing with traffic.

Your RiderCoaches are certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They'll start you off with straight-line riding, turning, shifting and stopping. You'll gradually progress to cornering, swerving and emergency braking. In the classroom you'll learn about the different types of motorcycles, their controls, and how they operate. The RiderCoaches, all experienced motorcyclists, will advise you on what to wear for comfort and protection. You'll find out how alcohol and other drugs affect your ability to ride safely. A very important segment of the course will show you how to create your own strategy for riding in traffic, and dealing with critical situations. The course concludes with a knowledge test and skill evaluation. You'll smile with satisfaction as the RiderCoach hands you the course completion card.

Call (800) 446-9227 for the rider course nearest you.

Thx Dynwolf, i will DEFINETLY take that course, lol as soon as i get close to buying a bike, still saving, but thx for letting me, i got the phone # down and i will be going to one just as i save some money....and i have one more question, ppl are telling me im too young to start riding....im only 19....and they say that i should a while longer What do you Guyz thinK ??? ( im prob getting bike closer to my 20th b-day)

I took that course to get my motorcycle permit. Long and very borring I must say. :mad: Worth if if you just want a permit!

Maybe it was just my instructor that made me hate that class, but one thing is for sure. Don't act good/be good if you want to pass. :lol:

I started at 19 as well, dont let it bother you, as long as you have a smart head on your shoulders (and that smart head has a helmet) you will be fine. Just admit and acknowledge your new to riding, listen to experienced riders, ride defensive, and you will learn fast. Nothing beats seat time.

check some local community colleges. they have bike programs also. i know pasadena city college, citrus college, mount. sac, and many more have the classes. they are about $200 and 1-2 months waiting period. call them up, and they'll give you the detail. plus, if i'm not wrong, it can also lower your insurance. don't hurt by mentioning it to your ins. agent. better hurry... summer is around the corner... good luck & ride safe!!

i live in Cali. prob the worst place to ride a bike

Man I think Cali is the best place. So many people ride but I would have to agree we dont have as many twisties to ride as most people. But man it gets you places quick because face it, if you got a car, you got traffic.

As for the MSF, im not sure if you mentioned how old you were but if your under 18 you gotta get your permit first then when or IF your 18 take the MSF course which counts as the riding portion of your motorcycle test and it will teach you, whereas taking at the DMV will only get your license, not train you. So it is definately worth the money.

Ok just say that you are 19. Yes do the MSF then by all means.

I started dirtbikes when I was 13, and started streetbikes when I was 16. You are never too young to start out, if you have the right instructor, and the right head on your shoulder(s).

I do not think you are to young to ride i got my permit when i was 19 did not ride to much at first cause i did not have a bike but I did evetually get a 2002 ninja 500r and i took the Bike course in which waives your road test. That was one of the best things i did.. teaches you all the tricks to the trade.. And if you are looking for a cheaper bike then 3 grand try looking for older ninja 500r's or 500 katana's they are generally alot cheaper then 600's and they still have alot of pep.. My bike does do 135mph.. and that is stock.. so for starting out i am sure that is enough power for you.. Good luck and happy riding.. just keep safe and never loose respect for you bike.!!

Thx for the help guyz, i definetly will take all advice given, i really have gained a lot of knowledge about bikes which is great, and thank you all for helping, and i do appreciate the replies, thx again and ill let ya know what happens as far as getting a bike

Good luck man, ride safe and check back with us.

A coupla thoughts...

I started at 16, had a street bike before a car, and learned a lot the hard way. Luckily I had a 125 Honda which weighed less than I did! Will a lot of luck & some man handling I saved my butt from a lot of stupid accidents.

I had no training, no driver training and a terrific urge to wick it up.

Now I've been biking over 25 yrs, on & off, and I think the most important thing is that you MUST be paranoid when you're on your bike. Do not trust anyone & plan your escape routes. Don't get me wrong! I love biking & always enjoy riding! Just know your limits & don't trust anyone!

Riding dirt helps tremendously. Most road bikers have never had there rear tire hang out, let alone the front. Happens all the time off road. You learn how to handle a bike in adverse conditions and that directly applies to street.

Honestly apprasie yourself - you don't have any experience. How grown up are you? As I said, I was green & stupid & relied on luck... "Gonads are useful for their purpose, but can't replace your brain" I fly a ZRX1100 now. And I'm still too fast on it, but there is no way I could have handled it when I was 19. or 25... 35??

1st bike! I'd lean towards finding a good dual sport! How tall are you? A 650 Honda/Kaw is a great bike, but they are very tall, too tall for a beginer. Maybe a 350 Suz? They can be had fairly inexpesively. Don't get a sport bike. Even the 600s are pretty much full fledged track bikes. 120hp on a 600? A great bike for a smart begginer is Suzuki's SV650. It is borderline though... for a 19 yr old... you won't grow out if it real fast, but it is quick enough to get you into trouble.

I just re-read your post - little experience, none on the road. For your 1st bike, don't get anything over 500cc. You are going to have enough to think about learning to shift, brake, WATCHOUT FOR CARS, corners, etc... to accidentally grab too much throttle, come into a corner too fast,... Find a nice beginer bike & practise & ride alot where there isn't alot of traffic.

Hope this helps some! Enjoy! Nothing like bikin'!

Jboz

I just turned 17 and I got my first bike last summer, a 2002 Yamaha R6. I had ridden some before, but I am still learning. The MSF course is the best thing you can do if you're new. It teaches you nessisary skills and makes getting a liscence a snap. Where I live you don't have to get a motorcycle permit if you're 16 and take the course. Look for bikes 600cc and lower dor your skill level and insurance rates. I might be biased but the Yamahas are easy to ride and still perform great.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/140911R6.jpg

Ya, every lil bit of advice helps me a lot, thx for all the replies guyz, i will let you all know how everything goes, ill prob get a bike sometime during summer or next winter, but will keep you updated thx again for help.

Cobra, watch that micron, the red ones fade and turn PINK!

My buddy sent his sleeve back to Micron. Nice bike though.

Hey guys. I'm new to the whole motorcycle thing too. This thread has helped me a lot. I will definately take that MSF course. I am 18 (19 this summer), I have no riding experience (except for my little KX80), and am thinking about getting a bike. I am really interested in the Kawasaki Ninja 500R. I was just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with them? I would like to weigh the pros and cons of this bike. Thanks again for your awesome advice and help for those of us who are inexperienced.

lionsbane,
I have a ninja 500r.. It is a fun little bike to ride.. It is not a very heavy bike either.. i do not know the exact weight of it but that you can look up on the kawasaki website.. It handles really well, you can take corners pratically laying the bike down.. and it keeps up with the big boys.. the only con about the bike is that becareful.. with the kickstand.. they have a issue.. they give out every once in awhile.. last year i had my bike running made sure that it was on level ground and the kick stand with fulling put out like i always do.. and it fell and then i read someplace that they are prone to do that.. i cracked the front fairing and put a nickle size dent in the gas tank.. other then that the only thing is if you are not really strong either when you are standing still do not lean the bike over to far.. cause they have a really weird zero gravity issue.. once you go past a certain degree it is really hard to bring it back up.. other then that i love my bike.. oh yeah is is a 2002.. got it brand new have had no problems.. at all with is since i bought it.. just make sure if you get a new bike that you do get you value's adjusted after 1000 miles.. if you have any other questins feel free to ask.. if you have aol messanger or yahoo my screen name is budafuda...

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/139931bike_small.jpg pic

Thanks Girlie, I apreciate the advice. I will prbably get a 90's bike cause they are cheaper. I am glad to hear that they are good bikes though. A second opinion would be greatly appreciated to anyone else who has a Kawasaki Ninja 500r.

The 500R is a great bike to learn on. I have a friend who could spank damn near anyone's ass in the twisties, and he still takes his daughter's 500R out just for a little bit of light-weight-fun. He's pretty short, as is his daughter, so it has a lower center of gravity than most bikes. I found it uncomfortable in test rides b/c I'm 5'10" and ALL LEGS, so I felt cramped. They ride well, but I didn't like the Kawi transmissions of the era I was shopping in, so I opted for the Suzuki GS500 instead. I LOVED that bike, even though it's much more underpowered than the 500R. The GS500 was just very comfortable and nimble.