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Ok, prehaps a bit of follow the leader here, but a couple friends recently got their motorcycle endorsements and subsequently, bikes. I've wanted to et mine for a few years, and recently really started thinking about it more. There is a course you can take for $265 which is 5 hours of classroom and 10 hours of riding and then you automatically get your motorcycle license. Anyone here have their license? Pros? Cons? My biggest concern is the dipshits on the road who forget to notice bikes and the fact that mum will murder me if I mention my intentions

Cadet57 wrote:There is a course you can take for $265 which is 5 hours of classroom and 10 hours of riding and then you automatically get your motorcycle license.

I think this is money well spent.

Cadet57 wrote:My biggest concern is the dipshits on the road who forget to notice bikes

Thankfully, I've only been crowded out of my lane once so far, but that wasn't because the other driver couldn't see me but because they were just an idiot. My philosophy when riding: everyone on the road is trying to kill me. Sure it may sound paranoid but complacency kills.

Aside from a good helmet and riding gear, I would also recommend wearing bright colors. Since I wear a black leather jacket when riding, I bought a simple traffic safety vest. It also has reflective stripping for use at night. I sacrifice cool points, but I don't care. Five bucks will get you a simple one, 30 will get you something more, um, elaborate.

ShyFlyer wrote:
Aside from a good helmet and riding gear, I would also recommend wearing bright colors. Since I wear a black leather jacket when riding, I bought a simple traffic safety vest. It also has reflective stripping for use at night. I sacrifice cool points, but I don't care. Five bucks will get you a simple one, 30 will get you something more, um, elaborate.

The ABATE of Alaska class is a 2-3 day class and you can skip the road test at DMV if you pass it.

I was seriously thining about doing it last summer, didn't quite make it to the to done.

Mark wrote:

No Police titles for me.

I've ridden for over 10 years and have never gotten a license. I haven't ridden in a few years though.

I think the class is a great idea though. I personally have never been involved in an accident as my father taught me well. His motto was "look, look, and look." Going through intersections check for traffic two or three times to make sure no one is blowing through. In every situation look at every possible place something can happen. When it looks clear, look again!

I've recently been thinking about getting a motorcycle and license. As you said, mothers are always against it. (She does say I can do what I want when I turn 21.) My dad doesn't mind so much since he bought himself a motorcycle when his mom said no. He thinks 500cc is plenty though. I think more is fine depending on application. I want a loud and proud bike rather than a crotch rocket. What kind are you looking to get eventually?

TUSpilot wrote:I've recently been thinking about getting a motorcycle and license. As you said, mothers are always against it. (She does say I can do what I want when I turn 21.) My dad doesn't mind so much since he bought himself a motorcycle when his mom said no. He thinks 500cc is plenty though. I think more is fine depending on application. I want a loud and proud bike rather than a crotch rocket. What kind are you looking to get eventually?

Same thing actually, I like sport bikes, but they arent for me. I've always wanted a harley or a nice loud bike like that.

If you're new to the sport and want a cruiser type bike the Honda Shadow 750 is decent, unless you're > 6' tall. Harley Sportster 883s are a dime a dozen used as well and good deals can be found on them. You'll pay a little more, but the Sportster is a much better bike, so long as you get a 2004+ - before that the engines were solid mounted and they'll rattle your teeth out of your head.

ShyFlyer wrote: My philosophy when riding: everyone on the road is trying to kill me. Sure it may sound paranoid but complacency kills.

Very true. I am thinking of getting rid of my bike. Too many close calls

The course is a good investment. If you haven't ridden before you will learn a lot of the basics before you ever hit the real street. If the course provides the bikes even better. If you drop theirs, it's expected so no extra charge! As to bikes, take your time and look around. Find one that fits you. For the first time rider I would not recommend anything over 900CC. I also would not recommend anything less than 750cc if you plan on doing any long distance trips. A cruiser is easier to learn on than a sport bike as some of them can be quite finiky as well as unforgiving.

When you start riding as someone else said, assume no one can see you. Consider yourself a fighter pilot over hostile territory and keep your head on a swivel. Keep your eyes down the road, concentrating on a spot directly in front of the bike will cause you all kinds of problems. ON the smaller bikes the brake is your friend, do not try and acclerate out of a problem.

Sometimes you get what you pay for, when it comes to motorcycle gear that can be decieving. Just because a helmet costs 400-600 dollars doesn't mean it's twice or 3 times as good as a 200 dollar model. Remember the object is not to have it hit the ground on the road! Check your tires and brakes often. Check the oil even more often. If you get a chain bike lube the chain religiously.

I've been riding on and off for 30 years and had one actual accident (broken foot) and hundreds of near misses. That's with nearly 100k miles on various bikes The near misses were only that because I was paying attention and the one accident is because I guessed wrong. Try not to guess. Watch out for people on cell phones, they are blind while they are talking. If you get a sport bike don't be pressured into doing stupid things like wheelies, stoppies, or worst of all, racing on public streets. You can have a lot of fun riding but all it takes is one moment of stupidity and all the fun is gone forever. Enjoy!

DXing wrote:The course is a good investment. If you haven't ridden before you will learn a lot of the basics before you ever hit the real street. If the course provides the bikes even better. If you drop theirs, it's expected so no extra charge! As to bikes, take your time and look around. Find one that fits you. For the first time rider I would not recommend anything over 900CC. I also would not recommend anything less than 750cc if you plan on doing any long distance trips. A cruiser is easier to learn on than a sport bike as some of them can be quite finiky as well as unforgiving.

The course does provide their own bikes. 250cc(iirc) Suzuki and Hondas. All I have to show up with is a helmet, notebook and myself. Oh, and a check for $265

Checkraiser wrote:If you're new to the sport and want a cruiser type bike the Honda Shadow 750 is decent, unless you're > 6' tall. Harley Sportster 883s are a dime a dozen used as well and good deals can be found on them. You'll pay a little more, but the Sportster is a much better bike, so long as you get a 2004+ - before that the engines were solid mounted and they'll rattle your teeth out of your head.

I googled the Sportster, and that is once nice looking bike. Now to see if I can find one in my price range. Now, I know next to nothing about bikes. But are HD's reliable? cheap(ish) to maintain? Also, what would insurance look like? I'm going to be 22 by the time I have this I think and will have had a clean driving record once again (stupid teenage accidents!) Tomorrow im going to pick up one of the used car/toy mags and do some browsing. Anything I should look out for? things to stay away from?

TUSpilot wrote:I've recently been thinking about getting a motorcycle and license. As you said, mothers are always against it. (She does say I can do what I want when I turn 21.) My dad doesn't mind so much since he bought himself a motorcycle when his mom said no.

Ha! I still havent told mom and pops said as soon as I graduate school Im free to do what I want

Ps, thanks everyone for your replies!

I snuck into the Harley store here yesteday after work about 15 minutes before they closed. Last year the sales guy there was recommending a "Fat Bob" but never had one on the floor for me to sit on. They had one it but I didn't get a chance to throw a leg over it that visit. I had to get to the fly fishing club meeting anyway. I even spaced grabbing a class schedual for the motorcycle license.

I am a pretty big guy so the thinking is that a sportster might be a bit small for me.

I am sort of leaning to the Harleys because they are better known, and there are about as many accessories out there for them as exists for a Ruger 10/22