learn me, getting motorcycle license

[covance]

Signed up for Basic MSF Course though it is out in June...these classes fill up really quick.

Originally Posted by covance

Signed up for Basic MSF Course though it is out in June...these classes fill up really quick.

Hopefully you get good weather. We got some crazy rain during one practice day. A couple people dropped their bikes.

Good luck with the course and have fun with it. One of the best part of riding is first learning how to ride.

Remember bikes (most of them) use wet clutches so don't be afraid to ride the clutch when you are first learning how to ride. And utilize the rear brake as much as possible during slow speed maneuvers.

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[Irace86]

It was nice out today :-D

What road is that

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[CatDaddysBBQ]

Originally Posted by menikmati

Please do this, I ride and wear all my gear even if I was just going for a couple of miles. I've crashed going approximately 30MPH into a guardrail and managed to walk away with no injuries or abrasions, and I thank all my gear for that. I had a full race suit with back protector, full gauntlet gloves and boots on and the aluminum insert on the shoulder was dented in. I couldn't imagine how it would've turned out if I wasn't wearing my gear.

If you have large fluctuations in the weather, you can buy gear that's designed specifically for the weather conditions. Hell, I rode in black leather during the summer and I felt cool as long as I was moving.

Exactly. My mention was due to something similar - somebody turned left in front of me while on a damp road on my way to work years back, and when I grabbed the brakes my front wheel slipped and I went down. Wearing boots, gloves, jacket and helmet. I was an hour late to work, because I pushed the broken motorcycle the last mile and a half. Bangs and bruises, but no split skull, no skin grafts, etc.

The problem was just as much my fault - I should've considered not being seen, and slowed down while covering the brakes. I was just lollygagging and when a panic stop happened, my hands weren't ready so they lunged for the lever, which resulted in the poor brake modulation and a front wheel lockup.
She caused the incident, but it taught me:

1 - to be more mindful
2 - that most accidents happen at lower speeds (not all fireballs on the interstate).
3 - how great proper gear can be.

[toast]

OP is in NY, I wouldn't trust anyone selling a used bike any farther than I could throw them. Find a friend who knows bikes to check it out with you.

My take on a learner bike is to get a dual sport. Lots of suspension travel for when you do something stupid, good mileage and able to be dropped a lot with no damage.

Safety class goes without saying. After that find yourself a large parking lot and practice for hours. Practice panic stops. Practice balance. Get in the habit of reading the pavement surface - I'm on Long Island and what initially looks like a gorgeous bit of pavement to lean over on and have some fun almost always has sand it in somewhere. Might as well have bearings in the road. If you get a dual sport and can get off road do all this in the dirt and really push your limits. When you fall in dirt it doesn't hurt like pavement.

ATGATT - all the gear all the time. Even if you are riding down the block to get a snapple at 7-11, you don't get on the bike without gearing up. For the lowest entry cost get a textile jacket (hi-vis type), gloves, pants and boots. Alpinestars makes 3/4 boots that are fantastic and go on an off with a buckle. Helmet has to fit your noggin. Can never go wrong with Shoei or Arai, just depends on your head. Always wear ear plugs, you will go deaf from wind noise otherwise.

Single biggest thing is mind set. If you are having a shitty day and are distracted, take the cage and leave the bike at home. Always ride with the mindset that everyone will do the dumbest possible thing and are actively trying to kill you. This will also make you a better car driver. Assume no one will stop at stop signs, will change lanes in front of you without signaling and will turn left without warning. Make sure you can see the eyes of the drivers when travelling in the same direction - never stay in a car's blind spot. When coming up on a car perpendicular to you figuring out if they are still moving by looking at the car vs background is tough since you are continually moving forward and causing a perspective change. Look at the wheels of the car for an indication that they are moving or stopped. Driving through traffic lights, even when you have had a continuous green, look both directions for cagers on their cell phones ready to run the light.

Beginning of the last point is relatable.

Got pissed off, left for a ride, locked the front wheel when I braked hard going down my driveway.

Still ended up going for a ride but just don't do it cause it might cost you. Make sure your head is clear.

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Anyone doing demo rides?

Just did a suzuki one and I test rode the 2016 Vstrom 650, GXS1000F and a GSXR 750.

The Vstrom was whatever. It's way too tall, I'm 5'8 and couldn't even flat foot. It's a bit torquey I guess. It'd be a good bike for highways and long trips but not for stop and go riding. The mirrors made the bike feel super big on the road.

The GXS1000F was terrifyingly fast. The suspension was terrible but that's definitely a quick bike and it was comfortable too.

The GSXR 750 was fast, had great handling and the ergonomics were good since they gave me a neutral spine position. But damn my wrists were on fire after the ride.