Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[IheartmyNx]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

Can one successfully learn to safely ride without one? Of course you can.

But THIS thread is for the purpose of giving n00bs sage advice. The MSF, Team Oregon and the plethora of other classes scattered across the US (and the World) do a very good job of instructing new and returning riders good habits to help them start off with a good foundation in riding a motorcycle.

If you can't afford the class you likely can't afford to ride. "TAKE THE CLASS" is good advice.

Sure... It's the same exact mentality as all those "take it to the track" posts in a thread that shows fast riders on a public road...

Well... Some of us can't afford a track day, or even live close to a track to start with....

It'd be nice if every post we made would be PC and make sense from the person you replied to's, post, but here in the real world it don't work like that...

We all have to accept what is-is, at some point...

For example, some of us don't live near a track. I know I'm NOT gonna drive to Georgia or Virginia. And some of us might not even live remotely close to a place that offers a MSF class...


I bought my $1,300 bike with student loan money... $200 for a day course was out of the question...Excuse me for not being PC.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/2465150950.html

[xymotic]

When I was trying to get my License in Los Angeles, the MSF only had weekend classes and I had to work. Weekday classes were like once a month and if I remember right like 70 miles away from me. So yeah, it's not always possible to take the class.

But I wish I could have, and it's certainly good advice to learn about something before doing it

[advsheila]

I bought my $1,300 bike with student loan money... $200 for a day course was out of the question...Excuse me for not being PC.
__________________
If you're self-employed YOU are responsible for YOUR finances with the money you should have saved.

What did the Government do with it's profits in all those fat years?


Surely you see the irony in using student loan money to buy a bike.....and not taking a class?????

Most of the riders in my moto safety class here in Greater Miami were unlicensed....paid over $5000 a piece in fines and to get their street bikes back. They also were all shocked at what they learned ...taking the course was mandatory for these guys so they could get the bikes out of impound. None of them came to class open minded...it was a joke to them .They Knew it all. They left better riders...most even learned that bikes actually have a rear brake!!!

along the NooB thread lines.....ride as often as you can with experienced friends. Get as much time under your belt as you can....even if the ride doesnt interest you. I ride once a week in Lauderdale on the streets to go out to eat. Stop and go traffic hot and sticky. Not my thing. But I go and I learn and I get more natural instincts every time....

and if Advrider ever gets PC......I'm out!

[opaque_machete]

If you cannot afford to take the class, the very least that can be done is to get your hands on a copy of the manual they use in the class. It is chocked full of information on operating your bike. I kept mine just to look back at from time to time. It's a handy thing to have around.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by opaque_machete

If you cannot afford to take the class, the very least that can be done is to get your hands on a copy of the manual they use in the class. It is chocked full of information on operating your bike. I kept mine just to look back at from time to time. It's a handy thing to have around.

And there are videos of ALL the rider exercises posted up on youtube.

[opaque_machete]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

And there are videos of ALL the rider exercises posted up on youtube.

Yeah, forgot about those. I watched the Captain Crash videos, which helped me before the class to understand what we were doing. Very informational.

[advsheila]

the dirt courses I took were part of other rallys.....didnt have to pay for them, they were teasers hoping to get you to pay for the real thing....three day long seminars. You dont have to have money to get lessons. Find a mentor. I ride with a few locals who are more than willing to teach. But do it legally. at least get the license if your on the street.

As a born again nOOb....I gotta say getting the right helmet has been a tedious task. But when you do ....wow what a difference. Boots were second in line for making a difference...Not much gear to choose from for the ladies down here in flatistan. trial and error shopping. I suppose that is why there is so much barely used great stuff for sale on here...we have a closet full of...."not quite" helmets, jackets boots etc.

[SnappNBrrap]

^^^ agreed on the right helmet thing. street noob here (been riding off-road for years) three things i got:

1.) buy the BEST helmet you can afford! $800 is cheaper than a big hospital bill

2.) WEAR THE DAMN HELMET (and maybe a tough jacket too)

3.) get some cheap *orange* cones (you can get some at a sporting store *color needs to be visible*) and a friend, go to a parking lot (empty or close to it), set up an obstacle course and have your friend throw in some unexpected situations like kicking cones in front of you etc. my dad did this with me before i got my license and i also got some gravel training in too.
its cheaper than a training course and you can do it anywhere and often as you like.

[LittleRedToyota]

just be aware that the price of a helmet and how well it protects your head have nothing to do with each other.

a $100 DOT helmet will offer the same protection as a $500 DOT helmet. a $100 snell helmet will offer the same protection as a $500 snell helmet. (and snell rated helmets do not necessarily offer better protection than a DOT only rated helmet...some argue they offer less protection because they are too hard and transmit too much force to your head instead of absorbing it by crumpling in non-race speed crashes).

more expensive helmets are often ligther, flow air better, have removeable liners for cleaning, are more comfortable, etc., but they do not protect any better. if you are on a tight budget, you can buy a cheap helmet (as long as it meets whatever safety certification you believe in) and feel confident your head is protected.

[IheartmyNx]

Originally Posted by SnappNBrrap

3.) get some cheap *orange* cones (you can get some at a sporting store *color needs to be visible*) and a friend, go to a parking lot (empty or close to it), set up an obstacle course and have your friend throw in some unexpected situations like kicking cones in front of you etc. my dad did this with me before i got my license and i also got some gravel training in too.
its cheaper than a training course and you can do it anywhere and often as you like.

I tried that at the Bellevue Mall (for those that don't know, just about THE WHOLE mall is CLOSED!) and got run off. The, I guess caretaker, who's watched me before said "if you get hurt, it's our fault". He was nice, and I thought about going back and talking to him about it.

Then I rode by about 2 hours later to find about 20 bicycles riding in a team, or class, or some chit... I wonder if he knows they can get hurt riding their bikes around the parking lot?

I also wonder if he knows TN requires me to have Auto and Life insurance, and that I'm not some snot nosed skateboarder kid with liability lawyers for parents?


Damned if you do, damned if ya don't.. Try to keep shit off the road, and "in a safe environment" and b/c of frivolous liability lawsuits you get run off...


I wonder if I could sue if I get into an accident b/c I was forced onto city streets... Seems the state would condone wanting to get riders/stunters/etc off the streets...


Bah!

[Toscana1]

I teach my wife and daughters what I learned the hard way; Ride like your invisible but everyone's still out to get you.

[opaque_machete]

Originally Posted by SnappNBrrap

^^^ agreed on the right helmet thing. street noob here (been riding off-road for years) three things i got:

1.) buy the BEST helmet you can afford! $800 is cheaper than a big hospital bill

2.) WEAR THE DAMN HELMET (and maybe a tough jacket too)

3.) get some cheap *orange* cones (you can get some at a sporting store *color needs to be visible*) and a friend, go to a parking lot (empty or close to it), set up an obstacle course and have your friend throw in some unexpected situations like kicking cones in front of you etc. my dad did this with me before i got my license and i also got some gravel training in too.
its cheaper than a training course and you can do it anywhere and often as you like.

An absolute must for a helmet is fit. My hubby's bike slid out from under him at low speed in the mud and was knocked out because his helmet was fitted incorrectly. Be sure that the helmet fits side to side and front to back as well as somewhat squeezing the cheeks. When you move it, it should move your skin with it. If it does not fit, don't buy it. I have to buy Vega's because of the shape of my head. My hubby needs AFX or Icon. MAKE SURE YOUR HELMET FITS YOUR HEAD!!!


Oh, and by the way...I paid a whopping $19 for my helmet on Ebay, because I know what fits. Can't beat that for bargain!

[tokyoklahoma]

Originally Posted by IheartmyNx

Sure... It's the same exact mentality as all those "take it to the track" posts in a thread that shows fast riders on a public road...

Well... Some of us can't afford a track day, or even live close to a track to start with....

It'd be nice if every post we made would be PC and make sense from the person you replied to's, post, but here in the real world it don't work like that...

We all have to accept what is-is, at some point...

For example, some of us don't live near a track. I know I'm NOT gonna drive to Georgia or Virginia. And some of us might not even live remotely close to a place that offers a MSF class...


I bought my $1,300 bike with student loan money... $200 for a day course was out of the question...Excuse me for not being PC.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/2465150950.html

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=TN

[orangebear]

plus 1 on the helmet all way were one as it will save your life.

you should never were the old pudding boll tipe helmets that are the half helmets you see as they were band in the uk in the 1980 for being crap if you ever crashed and are not legal on the road.

[MurphCO]

People aren't going to like this, but I have said it to every newer rider I have ridden with.....


After you take the MSF course and after a few miles under your belt getting your bearings, I highly suggest you find a nice piece of straight full sightline road and go REAL FAST a few times.


My logic, after you have gone fast like that, 45mph doesn't seem so fast and you are more relaxed at normal street and city speeds. You realize how much time you have to react is VASTLY different between 45 and 100, and you are a better rider for it.


If you crash from doing this, meh you probably weren't meant to be riding anyway....