Need advice! Girl wanting to learn to ride a motorcycle?

Question

Need advice! Girl wanting to learn to ride a motorcycle?

Answer 1

There's a lot of good advice here, Do courses, don't let yourself get pushed into riding any faster/harder than you feel comfortable with, and be less concerned about the size or looks of your first bike, than with how comfortable you are handling it at slow speeds. Buy good gear, then wear it.



I don't know your situation, but a lot of riders started out on dirt bikes as kids. This means that by the time they get on the road, they've got the basics of operating the machine, they just have to learn to play nice with traffic. You don't have this situation, so I heartily recommend anything where you get to practice operating the bike without having to concern yourself with traffic, either by doing courses, or by finding deserted areas, such as industrial estates on weekends, etc. I'm a huge fan of the Kieth Code schools, I reckon this would help you learn heaps.



Good luck, have fun. That is the objective, after all!

Answer 2

Dry weather always makes it better, but you will sooner or later be riding in the rain. A decent pair of fitted gloves would be a good investment. When applying the front brake you should roll your hand forward, reach out with your fingers and curl them round the brake lever and apply increasing pressure – do not grab the levers they are not switches, they should be used progressively. When pushing a bike you need to stand quite close, with your hands on each handlebar, apply the front brake, push the bike away from you to get it nearly upright, then flip up the stand with your right foot, then step closer so your hip is just brushing the saddle, if you wanted to you could now lean the bike on your hip, if you are standing close enough it will not fall over and the pressure will not be great. It can take some effort to get the bike moving, this is where your weight comes into play, by leaning forward you break the inertia and the bike starts to move – as soon as it does get back into position with your hip against the saddle again, you do not want your arms at full stretch because then you have no adjustment to make. Now you can walk the bike round, if you are turning to the right you might feel the bike is tipping away from you, let it lean more into your hip (these are minute amounts of lean) but it will give you more confidence. High(ish) heels will obviously affect your balance while you are doing this, a small heel is better than a flat sole (to help you hook on the footpegs). Practice with a bicycle – people might stare though.

Answer 3

you will feel confident about shifting the gears after taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation learn to ride class



what is difficult is taking off from a stop, coordinating the throttle and clutch, timing when to release the clutch and when to give it more throttle so that your departure is smooth and on target, how much throttle to use also takes time to learn, the biggest mistake I see beginners make is trying to get the lowest throttle opening (lower rpm) and make a smooth launch. the key here is to use the clutch to make the takeoff smooth, then as you feed in the clutch roll off the throttle and after a few successful launches you will be on your way to learning the rest



the MSF rider's class will allow you to learn at your own pace, if you still unsure, take it a second or third time until you are confident in your abilities



personally I do not like the ninja, it is more like a tricycle than other motorcycles, a small displacement single cylinder engine will provide more torque or a honda hawk 250 will give you a more realistic experience, the ninja has no power and too wide an rpm band, after a short time it becomes tiring to ride waiting for the engine to get the machine moving, when you move to a different motorcycle, you will need to relearn how to ride



faster, crotch rockets are not beginner friendly and will get away from you quickly and easily and may cause you to give up early on because they will instill fear and not confidence in your abilities as you try to progress, that means they may wheelie and even fall on you!



always wear a full coverage DOT helmet, your face and your brain cannot be replaced. do not get a racing helmet, they block your peripheral vision by the reduced size of the opening



the motorcycle is self balancing at speed, it is the slow speed handling that takes time to learn, the motorcycle is slow and unresponsive and you feel it's weight, you must balance yourself and the machine, but it is easier than you might think, take an approved MSF class first, then decide if you like it



one warning, stay off the street until you build riding skill and confidence and possibly lay it over in a parking lot, injuries and damages will be minor there

Answer 4

Megan, There is a lot of good advice on here, But you have to take your time and go at your own speed. I started riding a year ago and learned out in my backyard. Don't let anyone rush you. Get a bike that feels comfortable to you. Make sure your feet are on the ground when you sit on the seat and at a comfortable height. You don't want to tiptoe at a traffic light and try to hold your bike up. I started on a 2003 Harley Sportster and I love it. I'm more in for easy riding, not fast . I love it. Being a grandmother of 6, it's a new thing for me and I love it. If I had of known 30 years ago that I was gonna have this good of a time, I would have started riding years ago.

Answer 5

1) Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation BeginnerRidercourse. You will learn what you need to know to start learning there. Some of the stuff they teach is street tactics/strategies, which will save your a$$ on the mean streets of real world traffic.



2) The "Ninja-ped" 250 is a good first bike, although there is a chance you'll get tired of it if you do much freeway riding. The new Kawasaki 650 twins are great first bikes, but, since there's a higher chance you'll drop your bike (no big deal, really. Everyone does it sometime) if you buy used Stay away from the cagers, keep learning & have fun. Knowledge is power.

you won't be as bummed about scratches, broken mirrors, etc.



What I strongly recommend is getting a dual sport (like Kawasaki's KLR series) for a first bike. Dual sports take rough use better, and they're easier to ride in the dirt, which is great for learning and practice because it's soft and things happen at slower speeds. The only possible downside to a dual sport for you is that they tend to be fairly tall.



3) Shifting: Just remember that the clutch isn't an on/off switch any more than your brakes. You will get a feel for it. It's actually much easier to ride a manual clutch bike than a drive a manual clutch car because the throttle response is way, way better and it's easier to feel the clutch with your fingers than with a foot in a shoe.



4) The best safety equipment is the stuff that gets used, meaning you should get a helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, pants that are comfortable enough and look good enough for you to want to wear. Go to a store like Cycle Gear, try on a few different brands of helmet for a few minutes each, and buy the most comfortable one. I'm also a fan of ventilation, which may be a factor depending on where you are.



Keep you distance from the cagers, keep learning & have fun. Knowledge is power!

Answer 6

Hey megan!!! U r smart for starting on a 250 make all ur mistakes on that so when u get ur good bike u know how to ride. When u get it i suggest just riding around in a parking lot to get used to the "feel" of the bike and u can practice shifting there too, and dont worry too much about when to shift, trust me ull get a feel for that pretty quick. What helped me alot was i found a county road near my house that doesnt have alot of cars on it and i practiced shifting and everything there, county roads or ol country roads are great to practice on..it will only take a few hours in a parking lot to get enough confidance to take it on the road..STAY AWAY from gravel roads especially thoes roads that just have alot of thoes grey rocks on them, that bike will come right out from under u haha TRUST ME!!! The scariest thing will be taking curves, this just takes practice. Take them nice and slow to get a feel of how to take them.. And when u are in the curve dont hold in the clutch downshift then release the clutch in the curve , (almost busted my @$$) what u need to do is downshift before the curve and stay in the same gear in the curve, try not to get in the habbit of holding in the clutch through the curve then releasing it once ur out...but at first u shouldnt have to worry about downshifting much, ull be going slow enough u can just stay in the gear ur already in..if u get on you tube and watch people take curves their probally hanging off the bike and sticking their knee way out, u dont worry about this, thats only when ur takin a curve really fast (when u do get to that point its a blast) another good thing about the 250 is the power wont get u in trouble, so if your throttle and clutch works not the best it wont get u in trouble but it will let u know u messed up.



U R going to have a blast and dont worry too much it all comes with time and practice, u will get the feel for it, just dont think too much or freak ur self out too much before u get it..



PS dont listen to Mike, a 600 is a terrible starter bike, WAYY too much power for a beginner and if u flik the throttle too hard once then ur gone!!! On a 250 u dont have to worry about that



And just to ease ur mind, about 5-6k is a average shifting point in the ninja 250

Answer 7

yes the ex250 is one of the best starter bikes.



you should sign up for an MSF course in your area,

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

it's a weekend long course and they give you bikes to learn on (rebel 250's) and if you pass everything you get your MC endorsement.



or if you think you're good enough you can just take the written test at the DMV, learn to ride with a permit, and then take a riding test, but it will be harder than the MSF one.



you should also sign up to motorcycle forums! like

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/

and

http://forums.ninja250.org/

Answer 8

As a beginner you need a bike that you can easily control. If you can get your feet down on the Ninja then that's a very good start.



Helmet, get a good full-face lid. You may need to try on a few to find a good fit - the makes vary in shape. When it's done up, i.e. with the chin strap so tight that if you tighten it more it becomes uncomfortable, you should try to remove the hemet by pulling the back over the front - it should barely move. It also shouldn't move significantly if you rotate your head from side to side (as if to say "no").



Get two-piece zip-together leathers with armour. In the event of an accident they will really help protect you. Being two piece helps in summer - the jacket can be removed when walking about.



Gear changes. There is no set revs to change up. On a small bike you will need to rev higher when going up hill. Going down hill you might short-shift: changing up two gears at once (e.g. from 2 double shift into 4). It all comes with experience - which is why you get trained.



My Honda 250 carried me for 24,000 miles when I had a year at college. Basic servicing was easy, and it was very reliable. Consider learning how to do basic servicing. Get a Haynes manual (Amazon or Halfords) and get a friend you trust to show you how it's done.



When you get insurance consider getting the extras - legal cover and clothing cover. These are a big help if someone else causes an accident.



Enjoy.

Answer 9

Hello Megan, It so happens that I have taught a lot of young people the art of riding a two wheeler & so would like to throw some light on the subject.



There are some basic rules, which are always applicable, no matter which bike or two wheeler you ride. It would be good if you make a note of these.



1. The front brake is your best friend. Keep one finger of your right hand always rested on the brake lever, so that you can use it at short notice.



2. Whenever you shift to the first gear and later to other gears, it should be followed by a throttle input which should synchronize with the gradual release of your clutch lever. This should ideally be done simultaneously. Then you are rewarded with a clean shift, without any jerk or judder. This method also extends the life of the clutch plate and other components tremendously. When reducing speed, just lower the throttle and press the clutch lever only at the 11th hour when you feel the engine may cut out. This way you will enjoy the best engine braking and your vehicle will always be under your control.



3. Pressing of brakes is a fine art. Just having the best brakes in the business is only half the story. You should master the gentle squeezing action which first connects the pads to the disc and later as you gently increase your squeezing action (like squeezing a lemon) the vehicle responds by shedding speed.



4. Protective clothing, fully enclosed footwear, proper eye gear and of course the helmet are all a must. Choose a full face helmet since this is most recommended. We all took a lot of time getting used to it, so I do not expect you to be pals right away. Given time and patience, you will eventually love your helmet and be proud of it. Lighter the better. Try the AGV range for size. Their easy release mechanism makes using it, less of a chore.



5. In any situation, do not forget to breathe. This is our essential lifeline and also helps to dissipate the tension. Try to be the best person on the road and you shall be rewarded with a calm mind and the ability to take the right decisions.

Answer 10

Take a riding course. Most motorcycle shops offer them. I took one before I started riding and I highly recommend it. They will teach you all you need to know before you ride. It can be expensive, but it is worth it.

Answer 11

1) Be cautions in the beginning and don't let yourself be pushed by the rush, take one step at the time and enjoy.



2) Always where gloves and minimum upper body motor-cycle jacket. The macho talks sounds very cool, till you fall. I recommend helmet, joy and safety can go along fine.



3) Do it at your own rhythm and speed, take your time.

____________________________________



I checked out the specs, looks like a great bike.

- To answer your question: when to gear up....

That depends on the ride, but from 3500 rpm you can gear up. But the best thing is, listen to the engine.



- What type of helmet....

I would recommend the helmets on the site below, any will do... they are not always comfortable, but you only have 1 head.

http://www.motorhelmets.com/

http://www.hpmotoren.be/shop/motorhelmen.html





All I can tell you now, overtime the fun gets better!!!



I am a die hard, racer (Yamaha R1).... overtime :- ).



TIP: care-full with the break on wet tarmac, use the back-break 40/60. Which on dry Tarmac you use the front break 75/25... experience will tell you. Just experiment with it.

Answer 12

Girl Riding A Motorcycle

Answer 13

i don't know about the 250 ninja but the ER6-N ER6-F both can have the rear shocker shortened and the seat lowered, I know three girls all under your height each has a ER6-F ( also known as the 650 ninja) and they are good bikes to start with, basically the bigger sister/ brother of the 250 Ninja

they have found the bike has "grown" with them and their ability and as they can be restricted in power too ( 33 bhp to the same as the Ninja 250) they have found that as they improve their riding skills so the bike has allowed them to develop further, believe me these girls can ride and prove it too on regular occasions often beating so called "cafe experts" trying to advise them, the ER6 may be a twin... But it is no slouch and can really haul too when asked.

get the best kit you can afford, HJC make some of the best carbon fibre helmets and in the USA they are even sold under Harley Davidson Branding and they pass all the safety regs in all euro countries and in USA

arai make some of the best helmets, and though expensive you are justified in spending that kind of money, an arai helmet saved "richard hammond" when he crashed at over 200 mph, QED in a jet car.



Get on a riding course and learn how to ride, spending money on training is probably going to be your best investment, more so than buying the bike

Answer 14

ABATE chapter in my area has some kind of small Honda's to learn on that's a good start. I am not to familiar with the Rice bikes but honda made a rebel that would be a good profile to start with and before you know it you will be riding an Old School Harley Bobber Pan Head like chicks in LA do.

Answer 15

Sure, start out with something small, and try to get some confidence..



With motorcycles and learning to ride them, keep in mind it is in fact similar to a bike, the difference being it weighs a lot more and goes faster, but other than that, it's the same.



Good luck.

Answer 16

My first bike was a 2007 Yamaha R6 R version. There is absolutely no reason to buy an underpowered bike to learn how to ride. Buy the best bike you can afford, you feel comfortable on, you enjoy riding, and you think looks good. A ninja 250r is a total waste of money, as they are extremely underpowered and unsafe on any roads with a speed limit over 55. My R6 made 108 hp at the wheel, yet I never crashed it, and i took it slow for the first few weeks as I got the hang of controlling the bike. And when I was capable enough to ride it hard, it could deliver. I would have bored myself with a 250r in about 5 minutes.



After you purchase a bike, simply ride it around your neighborhood to get the hang of controlling it. Its scary and challenging to turn at first, but soon your body and muscles will learn to lean with the bike. You will usually be ready to take to low traffic streets after 5-6 hours of practice, freeway and traffic after a week or 2



Clutch operation is easy. Light acceleration, slip clutch around 2-2.5k and shift at 1/3 rpm range, using clutch each time: foot under, press up for up shifts, foot over, press down for down shifts, chop throttle each time clutch is pulled in. For aggressive acceleration, you may UP shift without the clutch, but must time correctly with releasing the throttle.



Personal Favorite bikes (unbeatable build quality and good looks/amazing power), Ive have never had a single problem with either of these bikes



- 2007+ CBR600RR (current bike) Comfortable, but never gets boring, 51 mpg, 107 rwhp



- 2006+ Yamaha R6 R or S version. Rougher, more hard edged, loud, but so much fun. sold mine just to try a honda. 108 rwhp. I miss it. S model is better cruiser, few less hp, smoother ride.



Helmet: Arai and shoei are easily superior though also expensive. Save up, cause there worth every dime.



Riding: Its simply an art, and you will have to learn it as you go. Classes are pricey but can help a little, but there is no replacment for practice and experience.



My first week: First day I drove around my nieghborhood adn out into the rural areas, where i got used to controls and turning. Within a few hours i could safely handle the bike at all safe speeds. Took my bike into town the same day, no problems, little nervous, nothing terrible. I took my R6 to school along interstate 10 freeway in phoenix on my third day. Wind on some sections can get scary, so watch out for gusts and weather, and be prepared. Stay out of the rain. The best way to deal with rain or snow is to stay out of it, and if unavoidable, ride very carefully. I have now been riding for a year, and have not once crashed or dropped bike while driving (have dropped in garage though, lol, it happens)



BTW im 5'5", 135 lbs. Both bikes sit a bit high but suspension tuning and adjustment can make them perfect

Answer 17

ninja 250s are the same seat height as the full size ones as of 2008 on so if you want the smaller size you would have to get a used one but anyway i 5.5 and i started on a harley sportster it was no problem for me and there 883 ccs its the same idea as driving a standard car but opisite shift with youre feet cluch in hand

Answer 18

Lots of experts here but lets keep mine short.. Go take a beginner rider course then you will know enough to ask a question that really means something to you ...and maybe get a great answer to it !!!!

Answer 19

sexy lmao



well yea your height would be kind of bad maybe look at bmw or honda cruisers i have a shadow phantom by honda



and my bro your height rides it perfect



but one good step is learning on a bike you plan on owning your self



cause riding different bikes is hard and pron to high risk accidents



remember that bikes arent automatic you have to gear shift so if thats not for you give up lol



also learn how to balance your self and get use to letting your foot out on full stops



and when first learning how to ride do it in a open space but away from people and cars