Because I will be celebrating the 1 year anniversary of my first motorcycle ride in a couple of days, I have decided to wright about some of the things I learned first hand this year to the soon to be new riders out there. I have learned a lot by doing a lot of research & even more dumb things. I recommend that you learn from my mistakes & take any advice anyone can give you. your life is on the line. That being said, motorcycling can be safe if are not stupid & even the most fun you ever had, if you are however daring enough to jump in the Iron horse saddle.
Things to do before you get a motorcycle
So you've decided to get a motorcycle? Wither It be so you can save some money, impress a girl, or just having Amazing fun; motorcycling is dangerous and should preparation should be taken seriously.
the first thing you need to do before you even dare too consider buying a bike is learn how to drive stick, more importantly the motorcycle way of driving stick.
If you do not know how to drive a Manuel motorcycle then chances are that you will be ejected from your motorcycle, which will lead to serious injury's or death. seeing how most if not all motorcycles are manual transmission, I recommend practicing a your gear box skills before you mount an Iron horse; dirt bike are a good way to start. on a lighter note the feel of manning the clutch & shifter having all that power to yourself is invigorating. once you master the odd shifting style you will fly like never before. The shifter works simular to that of a slot shifter from the closic cars. the bottom gear is 1st the next one up is neutral, after that 2nd; and so on....
Now that you've mastered stick, the next step is to find a secure place for it. unlike a car, these wonder machines are not meant to be left out side without cover. In the spring & summer you can leave it on a solid surface with a convince cover preferably. In the winter the preferred location is always a nice clean garage, though through recent discovery has reviled that a garage isn't always an option. there are how ever a few alternatives for a proper garage storing. one alternative is free spot in a barn, if you live out on the country; it's important you cover it to avoid "barn dust". A storage unit is an expensive alternative, that provides a little security if you plan to be away for a while... say deployment. The last resort & my favorite is to store it with you in your apartment, flat, loft, or house.
last but not least is to seek out gear. Gear is what keeps us alive in case of the worst & comfortable in the best. while we can't all afford the expensive super protective Kevlar suits but we can make do at least with some common items lying around. the most important is the helmet required by state law. take my advice advice & get a full face, it's far more comfortable and safer any other type of helmet. Other the helmet all other gear can be substitute. the most common is the use of the leather jacket, as stylish as it is, that is
a horrible choice in substituion. if you want a to survive the wind, get a out doors jacket. I wear a black dimond, it helps with rain and wind. As far as pants go, jeans with a nylon thermal underwear & compression shorts. the go to for shoes is anything that is flexible, wind proof, & sturdy. common leather boots usually do the trick. Now glow are the single most important part of your gear, without them your hands will be numb in minutes; makes sure you don't go cheap on a pair. If you can't afford the good stuff, do so. Do you what you can .
the first thing you need to do before you even dare too consider buying a bike is learn how to drive stick, more importantly the motorcycle way of driving stick.If you do not know how to drive a Manuel motorcycle then chances are that you will be ejected from your motorcycle, which will lead to serious injury's or death. seeing how most if not all motorcycles are manual transmission, I recommend practicing a your gear box skills before you mount an Iron horse; dirt bike are a good way to start. on a lighter note the feel of manning the clutch & shifter having all that power to yourself is invigorating. once you master the odd shifting style you will fly like never before. The shifter works simular to that of a slot shifter from the closic cars. the bottom gear is 1st the next one up is neutral, after that 2nd; and so on....
Now that you've mastered stick, the next step is to find a secure place for it. unlike a car, these wonder machines are not meant to be left out side without cover. In the spring & summer you can leave it on a solid surface with a convince cover preferably. In the winter the preferred location is always a nice clean garage, though through recent discovery has reviled that a garage isn't always an option. there are how ever a few alternatives for a proper garage storing. one alternative is free spot in a barn, if you live out on the country; it's important you cover it to avoid "barn dust". A storage unit is an expensive alternative, that provides a little security if you plan to be away for a while... say deployment. The last resort & my favorite is to store it with you in your apartment, flat, loft, or house.
last but not least is to seek out gear. Gear is what keeps us alive in case of the worst & comfortable in the best. while we can't all afford the expensive super protective Kevlar suits but we can make do at least with some common items lying around. the most important is the helmet required by state law. take my advice advice & get a full face, it's far more comfortable and safer any other type of helmet. Other the helmet all other gear can be substitute. the most common is the use of the leather jacket, as stylish as it is, that is
a horrible choice in substituion. if you want a to survive the wind, get a out doors jacket. I wear a black dimond, it helps with rain and wind. As far as pants go, jeans with a nylon thermal underwear & compression shorts. the go to for shoes is anything that is flexible, wind proof, & sturdy. common leather boots usually do the trick. Now glow are the single most important part of your gear, without them your hands will be numb in minutes; makes sure you don't go cheap on a pair. If you can't afford the good stuff, do so. Do you what you can .
Buying a motorcycle
When your seeking to get you first motorcycle, you need to proceed with caution. A common thing when picking out a motorcycle is to go for the most powerful, sporty, & coolest looking, available; That is the biggest mistake a person can make. yes, I did that & regret it greatly. when picking out your first motorcycle you should pick out the lowest CC's (cubic inches) as possible. I recommend a 250, powerful enough to get you places, not enough to loose control. next you need to consider how sporty you want it to be, meaning how it sits. A Kawasaki ninja & similar builds is a horrible first choice. You sit so far forward that if a you something like a rock & you inexperienced you will go flying. As far as cosmetics go... don't by something pretty. You will dump you first bike numerous times, it going to get beaten up, scared, & possibly destroyed. while you learn to ride.
Now for the money talk
When you decide you want to ride a motorcycle, you need to realize that you will be saving for while before you can afford one. A good Price for a decent motorcycle off craigslist is about a little under 3 thousand. After you somehow managed to save some dough and you are officially in the market, you have to play the game like everyone else. Winter tends to be the best time to buy, mostly because people need the extra cash for Christmas & motorcycles are rarely driven in the winter. you might be wondering about now, "If motorcycle cost so much to buy, how can I financially justify the purchase of vehicle I can only drive 9 months of the year"? The is simple, on average I spend 10 dollars a week on gas when I ride; That equals 480 dollars a year for 9 monthes. The rest of the year you have to use a car unfortunately, unless you happen to live in eternal summer land.
Getting your endorsement
It used to be that you could ride around with out an endorsement with little to no problems, since then the government has passed a law that allows motorcycles to be impounded if the rider is pulled over without an endorsement & no one wants that. So finally it time to get your license, the process is a bit of a hassle. first you need to pass a written test & get your permit which get's you daytime riding privileges for 90 days. Of course with only a permit you can't take along passengers. Next it's time to get your license of some "practice". you have two choices, take the motorcycle test or take a 1 day class.
the class has invaluable information & the teachers have knowledge gained first hand.
Driving
This picture represent everything wrong with motorcycling. When driving motorcycling you cannot be recluse or dangerous. The first thing is you have to be fit to ride and ride a motorcycle that suit your frame. When driving your mind must be like Ice & you body like fire. You must think, be ever alert, foresee, & ready to act quickly. Your life is on the line, that's what makes it so much fun!
Avoid the rain, respect the wind don't drive on gravel if you can help it, & no matter how fun it look... DO NO DRIVE IN THUNDER STORMS!
trust me, I done it
All this been said, experiment, learn, fly.
Be your own mechanic
Lastly Consider insurance
In the State of Washington you are not required to have motorcycle insurance, though there are many benefits having it. If you happen to wreck they'll cover your hog, your hide, and what ever you hit. You commonly only pay once a year & it's cheep. I pay 750$ for a Ducati.
Now get out there!
It used to be that you could ride around with out an endorsement with little to no problems, since then the government has passed a law that allows motorcycles to be impounded if the rider is pulled over without an endorsement & no one wants that. So finally it time to get your license, the process is a bit of a hassle. first you need to pass a written test & get your permit which get's you daytime riding privileges for 90 days. Of course with only a permit you can't take along passengers. Next it's time to get your license of some "practice". you have two choices, take the motorcycle test or take a 1 day class.
Driving
This picture represent everything wrong with motorcycling. When driving motorcycling you cannot be recluse or dangerous. The first thing is you have to be fit to ride and ride a motorcycle that suit your frame. When driving your mind must be like Ice & you body like fire. You must think, be ever alert, foresee, & ready to act quickly. Your life is on the line, that's what makes it so much fun!Avoid the rain, respect the wind don't drive on gravel if you can help it, & no matter how fun it look... DO NO DRIVE IN THUNDER STORMS!
trust me, I done it
All this been said, experiment, learn, fly.
Be your own mechanic
Why pay someone else to take care of you machine & put you life in their hands. If something goes wrong out there and you manage to get to the side of the road, chances are that if someone else had been working on it; you have no idea what is going on. If you however read the manual & took care of your own machine, you would have a better idea. It's your horse, take care of it. know it inside out, every nut & bolt. Your life & better yet, Your dream is on the line. just wait until your "that guy" in a group, who brakes down.
Lastly Consider insurance
In the State of Washington you are not required to have motorcycle insurance, though there are many benefits having it. If you happen to wreck they'll cover your hog, your hide, and what ever you hit. You commonly only pay once a year & it's cheep. I pay 750$ for a Ducati.
Now get out there!
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