i could use some help?

Question

hey guys...ive been thinking about purchasing a motorcycle next spring when i turn 18....my goal is a 2007 GSX-R600 but seeing as it would be my first bike i kinda wanted to start smaller...like a kawa 250....im just really afriad of losing my life on any bike i guess....i really want to ride but i need to overcome the fear first....anyways to help?

Answer 1

Your going to be fine.... You can start with a 500 or even the 600 the overall understanding here is, that you have fear and that is a sign of respect for the machine. Because it does not respect you so that's going to make be that much more safe when your learning to ride and don't go riding with your buddies that like speeding everywhere, take your time and improve your riding skills take the safety coarse advance carefully.......You will live longer.

Answer 2

i suggest: msf course first, get a cruiser not a crotch rocket, and practice the art of the emergency stop over and over until u get it right.......and that is, being able to stop at the normal speed u would be typically riding at in a hurry without locking up either brake. looks easy till u do it. ur life depends on this skill; u wont get a 2nd chance if a cager left turns u.



if u want the cheapest insurance, stay away from the rockets at least until ur over 25. insurance will kill u financially on rockets of any size. agents wont care if it's a 'lowly 250 that has a leaf blower for an engine'. once the agent pulls up a pic of the bike u plan to get, if its a rocket, they will crucify u royally.



remember this mantra: he who has the most sheet metal wins. dont even think about 'enforcing' ur right of way against a cage. u will lose. also remember that if u cant see the cage, he cant see u....and yanno, i almost slammed into a cager that decided to follow another cager doin a left turn the other day, and i never saw the 2nd one till i was right on top of him.....wait till u experience the pucker factor in a situation like that.



buy used...not new if u want to be easy on the bank account. new bikes are hard on ya in the interest rate dept, and if ya drop it in the parking lot, no biggie..just a scratch.

Answer 3

definitely start on something small a 250cc is best ,and take a motorcycle safety course in some states it is free for riders under the age of 18 so check with your local DMV . My first street bike was a 86 Kawaski kz650 now I ride a H-D sportster 883 it's not about having the biggest fastest bike out there to get where going as fast as you can but enjoying the ride and getting there safe and in one piece

Answer 4

You're on the right path. Start small. You should first take a riders safety course. I'm not a sports bike rider so I'm not going recommend any. Maybe try a small cruiser like Yamaha Virago or Honda Rebel. If you find out that you like the cruiser style check out vento.com. They're an American made motorcycle that is affordable and fun to ride. Good luck!

Answer 5

Don't buy anything too expensive... and buy used your first time. This way if you drop the bike you won't feel so bad. And you won't be so nervous to make a mistake... thus resulting in less mistakes. Get it?



I would go with the 250 first. It is better to ride a slower bike fast, than a fast bike slow. You can alwasy move up in bike later, plus your insurance will be less.



Definately take a MSF course first. You'll ride plenty of 250's there.

Answer 6

I agree with Ed, start small. My first bike was a 550, and that was plenty powerful for me. It's not about going fast - speed is for idiots. It's about the ride, arriving SAFELY and enjoying your experience. Heck, my second bike was a Yamaha 600, and it was nowhere NEAR as fun as my 550. Speed isn't everything, especially if you're uncomfortable.

There are several bikes out there that are good for beginners, but I say start a little larger, with a 500 Ninja. That will help you learn the basics without scaring the snot out of you, and you won't outgrow it anytime soon. Oh, and you'll get better fuel mileage than every car on the road...and most bikes, too.

Answer 7

yes, yes, all the above about choosing a bike.



get a good helmet - make sure it fits and the shop help you to choose. It all depends on the shape of your head.



get a good riding suit with some weather protection and falling-off protection. The suit and helmet will be with you longer than your first two or three bikes.

Answer 8

http://www.msf-usa.org



practice in a safe area before you start riding in traffic.

It's usually a car or a truck that kills a rider rather than just laying the bike down.

Hon your defensive skills before you ride in dangerous and congested conditions.

And remember "Cagers Don't See You!"