chuq@sun.uucp (Chuq Von Rospach) (11/08/85)
A few weeks ago I put out a request for information on buying a first bike
and learning how to ride. There were a number of people who took the time
to respond with advice (thanks!) and preferences. The summary of the
responses is below, but in general they said the following:
o wear a helmet
o take a rider safety/beginner class. the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
teaches classes and comes highly recommended. They can be contacted
toll free at (800) 447-4700, and will point you at a local contact
to find out more. In the S.F. Bay area I was given the following
numbers: 967-7986, 573-3400, 425-4501. Having learned the hard way
riding/racing bicycles, I can't recommend getting some serious
training enough -- the MSF is my next step.
o wear a helmet
o the consensus seems to be between 200-450CC, which is what I thought
(I would, from the experiences of my friends, make it 300 at the low
end). The problem with the smaller bikes is a lack of emergency
acceleration, making it hard to get out of dangerous situations.
o wear a helmet
Anyway, If you're looking for a bike, read the summary, contact the MFS,
and go buy a helmet...
chuq (Oh, did I tell you to wear a helmet?)
---
***** From: msunix!jon (Jonathan Hue)
The best way to learn to ride safely is to take the MSF beginner riding
course. It's a three week course, three hours lecture each Wednesday
and four hours riding on Saturdays. It may start out slow, as it is
designed for beginners, but by the third Saturday you'll be making
panic stops, countersteering, etc. I would be dead at least five times
over if it wasn't for MSF. The last class of the year starts in
November, and the next isn't until March, so you better hurry if you
want to take advantage of year end sales on bikes.
After putting about 1.5K miles on my Honda VF500F Interceptor, I now
believe the MSF instructors are correct when they say that after you
take the MSF course, you're smarter than 90% of the people already
riding. Most riders make a hundred mistakes a minute.
The lecture portion of the course will provide information on choosing
your first bike. Don't be afraid to buy a large displacement bike,
many beginners buy too small a bike. I am small (140lbs) and the 500
Interceptor was my first bike. I would suggest a 400 to 600cc
displacement, in either a conventional style bike or sport bike, like a
Honda VF500F Interceptor, Yamaha FJ600, Suzuki GS550ES, or Kawasaki
Ninja. I personally do not like cruiser style bikes (the "Harley"
look), but if that's your preference, there are lots of good bikes. I
bought my Interceptor used, if you know the history of the bike and
what to look for you can save a lot of money. Mine had 2700 miles on
it, not a scratch on the footpegs, pipes, or turn signals (meaning it
had never even fallen down, let alone crashed) and lots of tread on the
tires (never raced) so I thought it was a good deal at $1800.
Pick up a few motorycycle magazines. Motorcyclist, Cycle Guide, Cycle
World, Cycle, etc. are all good. Lots of ads, lots of road tests.
BTW, five mile per hour impacts of your skull onto concrete are fatal, so
it usually helps to wear a helmet.
***** From: houxf!9234dwz
You really can't go to wrong with Hondas CB250-400 series. They are
both inexpensive to buy,maintain and offer reasonable resale value
should you decide that it isn't the "right" bike for you. They are also
easy to ride, have enough power for one up riding and are adequate for
two up. Get a couple of months experience before going two up.
The CB series can also be picked up used, if as your title indicates
that you'll be using this as a stepping stone to a second bike. The CB
is neither a racer or a cruiser and you'll be able to gauge whether you
your next bike to be more sporty or more of a cruiser.
Enroll in a local rider education program, as someone who learned to
ride outside the US, I can't vouch for which courses are best.
Whichever one you attend don't get frustrated if it seems that they're
talking down to you, as a lot of the little things that they do and so
WILL stick in your mind and may prove to be useful in the future.
***** From: pedsgd!bob
I know other people have told you this, but let me add my 2 cents
worth. Motorcycles are extraordinarily dangerous beasties - especially
to new riders. So the first thing you ought to do is find somebody
willing to loan you a bike, take you out to a vacant lot and show you
the basics. If you decide you like it, try to find a Motorcyle Safety
Foundation new rider course. I think some places they provide bikes for
the course. If you still want to ride, I recommend a 400-550cc new
bike. I dont think brand is particularly important. I have owned a
400cc and still own a 750cc Yamaha which I have driven 37000 and 44000
miles respectively with no major mechanical problems but I have had
friends with Honda's, Kawasaki's, and Suzuki's with equally good luck.
I recommend a good quality full face helmet, ( ala Bell Star - again
brand isnt real important; Snell certification and good fit are ), a
leather jacket, a variety of leather gloves, and boots. The helmet can
save your life, and the others can save you a lot of skin. The point
is the bike itself is probably the last thing you should buy.
Personally, I did everything wrong ( except the Helmet ) and have
plenty of scars to prove it, but luckily no major injuries. Dont make
the same mistakes. On the plus side, it *IS* a hell of a lot of fun.
***** From: l5!laura (Laura Creighton)
about a month ago I bought my first bike, a Kawasaki 440 LTD. DOn't buy
a Kawasaki. I had lots of toruble, and the electrical connections
*still* don't work. This is in a new bike, which is awful. Also there
are lots of little things which make me like John's Honda a lot better.
My problem is that I am too short for the Hondas I saw. Next week I am
going to look at non-Japanese bikes...
***** From: ttrdc!ljg
First start out by taking a motorcycle riding course at a local junior
college. It's an excellent course for learning how to riding safely,
and it will give you an opportunity to see if really want to ride. The
course is free.
***** From: ptsfb!djl
As far as learning is concerned, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
course. I started riding in May and bought a lefover Honda 700 Magna
for about $3,500 including helmet, taxes and license. It's about the
most that I could handle but I intend to keep it for a while. You have
to decide if you want a bike to learn on, or if one you want to keep.
The smallest bike I would consider safe on the freeways is about 500 cc.
***** From: Jack Waugh <rlgvax!jack>
Before purchasing a motorcycle, take a rider course sanctioned by
Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Various colleges and groups offer these
at widely varying prices. Take it from whoever in your area charges
the least. This will give you a little practice, and you will then
know how to judge the feel of any machine anyone wants to sell you.
The course will also, I believe, greatly improve your chances of
staying alive. The death rate per passenger mile of motorcycle riders
and passengers is in general about seven times what it is for people in
cars. It isn't clear how much training improves this (not enough
trained people studied to be statistically significat), but I am hoping
it helps a lot.
***** From: hpscdb!garyg
My sugestion is to start with a smallish (<=250-350cc) bike to learn how.
A large bike (>=450cc) can kill you before you know you're dead, unless
you know what you're doing.
***** From: sol1!uucp
I think your best bet for a new bike is one of the [Honda- Yamaha-
Kawasaki] 250cc or 350cc dual-purpose bikes. They're light, easy to
handle, and won't scare you silly the first few times out. (Don't do
like I did, a 650cc racing bike as my first one.) I'd also highly
recommend taking a riding course. I believe that MSF offers good riding
courses for beginners. Check with the shop where you buy your bike.
Oh, also, buy a new bike. Used bikes are for those who like to tinker
(sad to say, many riders don't do much maintenance!).
Don't be mislead by those who claim that you need a 700cc-1100cc bike.
THEY may, if they're hauling two-up and the kitchen sink to Dubuque and
back, but we don't.
--
:From the Crystal Caves of Avalon: Chuq Von Rospach
sun!chuq@decwrl.DEC.COM {hplabs,ihnp4,nsc,pyramid}!sun!chuq
Our time is past -- it is a time for men, not of magic.laura@l5.uucp (Laura Creighton) (11/14/85)
I am mover pleased with my Kawasaki now than I was when I sent mail to Chuq. that was after the third time I had gone back to the dealer because my headlight wouldn't light. I got to talk to other Kawa owner with a similar problem. But I gave up on the dealer. The problem was simple -- the wire wasn't long enough and the plug kept unplugging. I have the plug wired shut now. It has lasted all day (a new record). We'll see how it works. If It doesn't, I will at least know what to do. Laura -- Laura Creighton sun!l5!laura (that is ell-five, not fifteen) l5!laura@lll-crg.arpa