What should I know about types of bikes, which type would be good for a beginner, insurance, etc.? Would you mind giving me an overview? Hi! Hey your doing just fine already. Ask folks that have ridden and ride all the time like me. The best bike bar none for a beginner is either a 250 or 500-600 but let me explain something very important and trust me, you are gonna kick yourself later if you dont heed my advice :-)
Ok here goes...
Remember these rules of thumb
RULE #1
If you are planning on going on the freeways often then you will want a 600 cc bike. Only if you are going straight and not winding curvy roads. The 600 cc bikes have more power than 250 cc. Also if driving on freeways get a bike with fairings that is the plastic is designed to decrease the wind buffeting you'll get.
RULE #2
If you plan on never riding it on the freeway then the Kawasaki Ninja 250 is the way to go. It is very inexpensive and has the best gas mileage I've seen for 250's and it looks hot. Insurance is a joke. That is, it's so low its like one night out on the town! ahahah I paid $70 for a full year on my ninja 250.
So remember that for long straight driving you want power and even a little bit more weight maybe. A ninja 250 for example is horrible on the freeways and the winds blow it around something fierce but since it gets such good gas mileage you don't have to take the freeways.
For freeway driving a cheap bike is the suzuki Katana
Now for the overview of what you need to do to get a motorcycle. I put it in steps along with the reason WHY you need to do it this way.
Step 1. Go to dmv and take "the written exam" only to ride a motorcycle. You don't need a bike yet to take it. You'll pass that the same day. I failed my first time I took it by 1 or 2 questions but you know how they let you take it 3 times the same day well I passed the 2nd time around. You'll pass it.
Then, in some states, like California for example, you can ride! You have limits though.
a. You can't ride at night
b. You can't ride on freeways
Other than that your good to go.
Step 2.
The next step is either
a. Taking the riding test at dmv
b. Going to the msf course
First, what is the msf course? You pay a fee, you get taught how to ride they even let you ride in the range area its fun too.
But here is the key. "By going to the msf school you BYPASS the dmv Riding test! See, thats good as most folks fail the dmv riding test as its really hard. But by going to the msf school (Found on the internet) they give you a certificate you take to dmv once classes are over (theres 3 classes in most cases) and when you give dmv that certificate they hand you your license.
Remember, you already have the written test passed at dmv in the first step so now your good to go.
Heres a quick check list of what you'll need.
1. The bike of course (Check out link below which is my recommendation for you)
2. Insurance (Easy and fast to get)
3. Gear (Helmet and good jacket. Jacket preferably with what is called armor) High top boots. Find em cheap at walmart or anyware but get steel toed ones.
4. Back pack or tank bag. A tank bag is cool as its a backpack sorta looking thing that has strong magnets on it. It sits right on your gas tank and I have one of those. I like it better than wearing a back pack to carry things.
Also shop around and start looking. I put 3 sites down below for your viewing pleasure.
p.s. I would get your license first before buying a bike as that way you can test drive them. Always test drive on the freeway also if you plan on using the freeways as bikes act differently at higher speeds and you can see if the wind bugs you too much. I thought Winter is not too far. Harley Davidson. Enough said. learn about the engine just in case it breaks Yamaha You should start by going to a motorcycle store. Then get your wife to say yes Get a license first and see if you actually like riding one first.
Start with a small practical model that suits your travel needs. Get the Harley that fits. There are no others to choose from. Get a Harley, get the insurance, tags etc...... Depends on if you know how to ride and how well.
If you're inexpierienced start on a dirt bike.
But if you want a nice sport bike, start with a ninja.
But if you're more expirienced my personal favorite-Yamaha R1, or R6. Save your bux, buy a helmet and good leather duds, look into insurance rates. This is your Mom and I say, "No" you'll get hurt.
God bless. Ask advice from your chosen insurance company about engine size etc. Then go to a reputable showroom, sit on some bikes and find your comfort within your insurance company's advice. I heard this a few years ago for the Atlanta area. But I am sure that if you contact your local bike dealerships they can advise you where to go. The dealerships in Atlanta have a biker school. You learn to drive their bikes with instructors. Not only do you learn some valueable lessons, you have an opportunity to ride several differents kinds of bikes to find the one that fits you best. Good luck. Start with something small (250) until you learn about riding and if you crash it you wont go broke replacing it or parts. Small duel sport is good for off road or on the road. 60 miles to the gallon. After that you can move up to a 600 ninja or katana. A used 600 or 650 will run you about 3000.00 on ebay. You wont go broke fixing it if you wreck it. For your 1st bike, get a 600 cc. My husband is a police officer in a large urban/suburban area. He has seen so many new bikers wreck out and die b/c their first bike was too powerful. (He can usually tell b/c they still have the temporary dealer tags, or the biker's friends tell him.)
Other than that, I guess you have to decide crotch rocket or cruiser. My brother has a yellow and black honda (crotch rocket), and he loves it. Do ppl use this term in other states? Lol...
Sorry to be morose, but I've heard too many sad stories! Wish you the best. :) the bike really doesent matter. if you want something for a "beginner" just get a smaller bike.
the rest is just style.
sport bikes
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=...
harley
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&sv...
or a simple, typical motorcycle
http://www.infovisual.info/05/031_en.htm...
This is how you start,
1.0 go to the DMV and get a panflit of the local motorcycle laws.
2.0 buy a bike and practice the stuff in the panflit
3.0 take the test for ur motocycle endorcment
4.0 dont crash. well theres a few things you got to think bout like what sort of bike theres heaps of different types of bikes so do you wanna go only on road or have something you can take on the dirt or do you want a fast bike or a bike for cruising and how much can you afford to spend as everyone has said get a harley i dont agree yeh they look good sound nice go alright but i got a yamaha yzfr1 and i would smoke an harley any day of the week with out tryin so do you wanna go fast or just ride for fun if you lookin for a older bike you cant go past the 1976 kawasaki z900 goes fast, looks good handles even better what more do you want and the price aint to bad either The best thing you can do is take the motorcycle safety course (http://www.msf-usa.org) but there can be a bit of a waiting list. If you want basic info and a good overview check out http://www.motorcyclegiftshop.com/motorc... There are different types of motorcycles. Honda is an excellent brand to begin with. If you're looking at a beginner model with not too much power, the Honda Rebel (CMX250) or the Honda Nighthawk (CB250) are excellent beginner bikes.
Once you have the hand of a motorcycle you can upgrade to a larger motorcycle. You would have to choose from a cruiser or sportbike.
A sportbike is generally used by the younger crowd whereas the cruisers are generally ridden by older people. However they both have their perks.
If you want flat out speed and will not be using it for extended periods, purchase a sportbike. For a beginner I would recommend the 600cc class. The Honda CBR600RR was all new for '07 and is an excellent bike.
If you want to be more comfortable and will be riding for extended periods of time, purchase a cruiser. The VTX1300 is an excellent option.
If you can't tell... I'm a Honda Man!!! Start by attending a motorcycle class. In the United States, these are usually done by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, but there are some other groups that offer these lessons, too, They'll teach you the basics of motorcycle riding and cover a lot of the things a motorcyclist needs to know.
Insurance is a lot like car insurance, and you can often get it from your insurance agent you already have.
You'll want to gear up - at least a helmet, and I'd recommend more. I'm what they call an ATGATT rider myself: All the gear, all the time. A riding jacket, riding pants, gloves, and boots can not only protect your skin, but they'll protect against heat, cold, and rain, too.
On the subject of first bikes: Cruisers, sport bikes, dual sports (street legal dirt bikes), scooters, and standard bikes ("just a plain old motorcycle," although they're pretty hard to find these days - the Suzuki SV650 is a good example) all have different seating positions, and you can find beginner friendly versions of each. I have four rules about what makes a good beginner bike. If these seem restrictive, remember that the point of your first bike is to have one where you can learn to be a good rider. It's your first bike, not your last.
1. It shouldn't have more than 50-60 hp, to ensure it's something you can easily keep under control. This means no more than 500 cc for a sport bike; other types can be a little larger.
2. It should be light enough that you could pick it up if it fell over. Getting one this light will help ensure you won't have to.
3. It should have a low enough seat that you can get both feet flat on the ground when stradling it. If you're 5'2" or less, you may have to settle for getting the balls of your toes on the ground.
4. It needs to fit you - there are plenty of choices in this range, so you can find one that'll fit your idea of comfort, style, and budget.
Happy riding! | 