School me on Motorcycles

[3jvj]

I dissagree with you guys.

There is no bike that's not a good starter bike if you have been taught properly

we are in agreement; we both disagree.

As teens are to insurance carriers, riders are to bikes.

Not having honed the skills needed to make quick judgment, or how to turn, or how to crash, are amplified in an accident (or key to avoiding it altogether). Could be the difference between life and death.

Every 16 year old can get a license, but driving a hummer right out of the gates is not a good idea. The logic is the same.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

FWIW NHTSA facts on motorcycle accidents and fatalities

 

[3jvj]

It's hard to correlate stats though. All I know for sure from that is that a bunch of older guys bought pigass harleys, and drove them into the trees, after a corner, at night.

It does match that "bigger bike, more dead" theory though.

hard to kill yourself on a ct70.
not impossible, just harder.

 

[peterman]

I started out on an old Royal Enfield Bullet because that was the only dual sport I could afford. Rode it all over the country with a little 1/2 helmet and a department store leather jacket. One day the shifter fell off and I realized that bolts throughout the entire bike were loose. Educated myself over the next few months just enough to realize that the thing was not safe. Saved up enough for a used BMW F650. Honed my on/off road throughout the western states on that for a while, put about 20K on it. Bought some BMW Rally gear and a good helmet, mostly because I was sick of getting hit in the face with road debris...even got stung by a bee once. Upgraded to a 1200GS that I picked up in Atlanta and rode that everywhere. Pretty much decided I was a good rider at this point and riding was not that dangerous. Then I slammed into a Ford Taurus in Memphis doing about 40. Lived through it ONLY because I had on the very best gear. I'd had a few spills before, but this was the real deal. The accident was your typical old lady making a left turn abruptly into my lane, no warning whatsoever. Took me about 2 yrs to get back at it and feel confident again. Now I have a new GSA with another 20K on it. Accident free, fingers crossed.

Here are my thoughts:
1. Start with a small bike and assume that everyone is trying to kill you. Look in your mirrors as much as you look forward. Work up to the big machine. It takes serious skill to handle a big bike. One day there will be a piece of firewood on the freeway or some crazy gravel and you'll be happy you're on a more nimble machine. Once you become an advanced rider, I think the bigger the better...more visable, more mass in a crash. I'm a big fan of the boxer motor because it protects your legs...
2. Always wear a helmet...a good one, not some piece of crap. I smashed a Carbon Fiber Schuberth something terrible. A crappy little 1/2 helmet doesn't do much. I use Arai now. Invest in your head.
3. Super bright lights are the next most important piece of gear after the helmet. Invest in HIDs and run them all the time. I have people pull out in front of me when the HIDs are off or blown, but never when they are running. It makes a huge difference. Most motorists drive in a daze, and there is something psychological about two bright, laterally-spaced lights that says "avoid that thing." The phenomenon of a motorist driving into a bike that they are looking at is well documented. Their eyes see the bike but their mind doesn't. I was on a huge yellow GS with a yellow jacket on, middle of the day, no traffic, no sun, nothing. Lady just drove right into me.
4. Next always wear gear. I've taken a spill or two otherwise and gear is really nice. Jeans do absolutely nothing when you are sliding down the pavement. I learned that in a clover leaf in Austin.

I have two little kids now and think about safety a lot. IMHO, riding a bike can be quite safe if you're smart. It can kill you quickly if you're a dumb ass. Remember that riding 80 on the BQE through New York City is potentially safer than passing a strip mall at lunch. Be aware of your situation and always have an out...

Just my thoughts for anyone who is jumping in. Good luck!

 

[Chang-kuao-lo]

always thought a klr650 would be a good starter. not too big not too small, handles fairly well for its size and is decently comfortable for a longer ride. reliable, easy to work on and still got enough go in it that one wouldn't get bored with it terribly quick. decent resale value, if i am not mistaken.

 

[Darkrose]

A motorcycle/rider combination is dependent on what type of riding you prefer.

Start with a used 750 type motorcycle, and expect to go through a few until you find what's right for you. I started on an 81 Yamaha Maxim 650, went through two 82 Yamaha Virago 920's, and am now riding a Honda ST1100 sport touring bike.

I loved them all, but the Honda fits me and my riding style.

 

[nickdj101]

1974 Honda CB750 Import

I have had a 1974 Honda CB750 import for about 16 years and ride it all the time, weather permitting in MN. I bought it used for $200 and it's been a very reliable bike with normal repairs. My wife and I have ridden it to FL a couple of times when we were younger and she could handle the long rides. The Honda handles freeway speeds and has great acceleration and power for my needs and handled all the weight when we loaded it up with our clothes for the trip. One thing I do is when there is a car, or other vehicle, at a cross street, I watch the tires. You can tell if the vehicle is moving by watching the tires turn before you can tell by watching the whole vehicle. This has served me well and saved my butt from idiots who wanted to pull out in front of me. I also put on some VERY bright driving lights with a handlebar switch. I use it for the idiots also as I have them set like normal High Beams. At night I can see over 1/2 mile or so with them. I actually had to set my headlight lower and use high beam on that seeing as the driving lights are so bright when I'd turn them off I had to really look to see if the stock headlight was still on.

By "Import" I mean it was made to stay in Japan. A serviceman bought it and had it shipped home. I'm the 3rd owner. The speedo is kilometers only and it has a sticker on the back fender written in Japanese "Hieroglyphics". There is also a red light between the speedo and tach that comes on at around 55 mph with a sticker that has 8 "Hieroglyphics" on it. I disconnected the light because at night it shined right at my point of vision making it hard to see the road.

This winter I'm in the process of putting in some gaskets and a clutch. Other than that it's just been oil, tires, chain and normal maintenance. My oldest son also gave me another 74 Honda 750 which I'm using for parts or maybe a retirement rebuild project.