new bikers read please

[indie]

thought this may be helpful tis a bit long though

So you have wanted to get a Bike 'Forever', and this is the year you are going to do it!

First:
Ask yourself why? Is it for Sport (week-end fun), or are you doing it to save on Fuel/Insurance Costs?
If your answer is: "Cause Bikes are really fast!” then you are already off to a Bad Start!
Be realistic about why you are doing this. Bikes are a lot of fun to ride, and nothing really compares with the feeling of flying over Open Pavement, but it helps to know where you are going with it. After all, it doesn’t make much sense to go out and buy the Fastest Road Rocket, just to Filter it through Heavy Traffic on your way to Work!
In Today's Economy, with Fuel Prices as they are, it is getting harder to justify going out for the week-end just to burn some Petrol, although this is an aspect to Riding which draws many Members to Social Rideouts, making great connections with other like minded people who share goals of having fun on Bikes!
And, if it is your intention to go tear up some roads, push yourself and your machine to it's limits, and race your Mates in the Sun Drenched Twisties (lets face it...every rider's fantasy when first starting out!), then take it to the Track! Not only is it much Safer (No Cars/Road Debris), it is Legal to find out how fast your Bike can go!
Find some Balance in your answer, and be Realistic about what you want to do. You will find your experiences riding a Motorcycle much more rewarding if you know where you are going with it.

Second:
Do yourself a HUGE Favor, and start with the proper course of action! Compulsory Bike Training (CBT) is not only the first step towards your License, it is the first step towards learning how to ride a Bike. Once you have completed this, look for additional training through any means available (Other Experienced Riders/Rider Training Courses). Proper training really doesn't cost much (when compared to Crash Repairs/Medical Bills), and will make the process towards getting your Motorcycle License much easier, in addition to making you a much Safer Rider.
Being a Member of the 'Over the Handlebars Club' myself, I can tell you that its no fun stacking your Bike, and any Training you can get will prove to be invaluable when you find yourself in a Sudden Situation! Don't fool yourself into thinking that you don't need it, because you have years of experience riding Bicycles, or you have ridden your Buddy's Bike around the Neighborhood. Fully understanding how to Safely Operate your Bike can Save Your Life, and at the very least, save your Bike!

Third:
Having truthfully answering the First Issue, and knowing what Type of Bike you want, the next thing to consider how to get there safely. It is a mistake to rush into any 'First Bike' Purchase, as there are many things to consider, and all too often it is Impulse that drives us.
If you are under 21, with an ‘A1-or A’ License, you are fortunate to be restricted to learning on a small Bike, 125 cc and smaller. For the Beginning Rider, smaller, and lighter is always better. In an event as simple as being off balance at a stop, it is much easier to regain control over the lighter Bike. Even on a small Bike, maintaining your control over it, even at a stop, will take some time, and practice.
For those of you over 21, and using the Direct Access Scheme, jumping onto that Brand New 600+cc Bike as your First, just cause your Buddies ride them, can get you killed if you are not ready for it. Take it slow, and think it through.
Take some time to learn about the Bike you want. ‘Bigger’ is not always ‘Better’. Larger Bikes are heavy, and can be difficult to handle, where smaller Bikes have the advantage of being light, and nimble. Most Experienced Riders of 600 cc Bikes will tell you that they will never really be able to ride their Bike to its full potential, and not for lack of experience!

Forth:
Finding, and Buying your First Rocket! There is a large amount of discussion regarding whether to get a New, or Used Bike as a 'First Ride'. Here are some things to consider:
Plan on dumping your First Bike. I know this is contrary to most people's line of reasoning (Who leaves early for Work, because they are going to have an accident on the way?), but plan on this event all the same. This being the case, why go out and buy a New Bike, just to devalue it with some Rash on the Fenders, and a busted Mirror?
Don't worry about the fact that you are riding an older, used Bike this season. The Bike you really want to be seen on will still be there when you are ready for it, and with a few 'Drops' under your belt, you will take much better care of that Brand New Beauty when you get it!
Next, for you DAS Riders, don't think for a moment that you are going to get onto a 600cc(or bigger) Bike, and be able to control it on your first time out!!! Riding your Buddy's 600R around the Neighborhood IS NOT even remotely close to Real Life Road Riding. Having the experience of operating a smaller Bike will lead to being able to handle a larger, and more powerful Bike. It REALLY is how you get there in one piece! You are bound to know someone who jumped on a Super Bike for their 'First', and they will urge you to do the same, however, Pride will bar them from telling you about all the times they nearly wrecked it!

Fifth:
Used? Old? How old? So many things to consider!
If you really want a decent, small, used Bike, it won’t take long to find it. There are enough people that ignore the 'New vs. Old' consideration, and buy a Brand New Starter Bike, only to find it to be too small for them a year later, and sell it off for up to half of what they paid for it! Every Season! This Trend happens over, and over, year after year. Make a wiser choice, and pick one that has not been dropped too many times, and still has low miles on it. Take good care of it, and it will have some resale value to put towards your next, bigger Bike.
As for 'Older' Bikes (more than 5 years), be prepared to do some repairs, and spend some money on it to make sure it is Safe to Ride! That 1982 XX may prove to need a Complete Overhaul, so although inexpensive to buy, it may prove to cost you more in the long run, than had you spent a bit more on a Newer Bike!
Making a good 'Older Bike' purchase will also come with Experience.
If unsure of your Mechanical Skills, be sure to have an 'Older/Used Bike' inspected at a Qualified Shop before you log any miles on it!

Lastly:
Safety. Your ability to enjoy, and survive, each and every Ride is based entirely on your actions (and reactions) in any given situation, and your ability to maintain Safe Riding Practices. Riding a Motorcycle on the Street/Motorway includes a constantly changing, hazardous environment, which should be treated as such. Wear Gear! Full Kit: Helmet, Jacket, Pants, Gloves, and Boots can save your @ss in a hard landing!! Would you Ski down a Mountain without Jacket/Gloves/Goggles? Play Rugby without Padding/Shoulder Guards/Cup? (Well, maybe you would.) Perhaps go diving with Sharks without Tanks, and a Mesh Suit?
This is a Sport, and like any other, enjoyed better when played Safely! Granted Riding a Bike is, to some degree, like playing Golf during a Lightning Storm, but it can be done with a certain amount of Safety....Wear Gear!
Also, although you got the New Model of Super Bike, so that everyone sees you on it, in all actuality, you are largely 'Invisible', and aren't seen even by the Motorist you share the Road with! Stay always-on Alert that you are in danger at all times, maintain Safe Riding Practices, and stay within your Riding Abilities, to ensure your continued enjoyment of this Fantastic Sport!


Remember!
Start Small, and work your way up towards that Super Sport Bike, or Powerful Cruiser, that you really want, and first saw yourself riding. Expect to have a few scares along the way, and sometimes everyday! And most importantly, understand that nothing about riding a Bike (any Bike) is 'forgiving'. It is entirely up to you, your ability, and constant focus, to keep yourself alive, and enjoying the ride! It really is an extremely demanding Sport, both Physically, and Mentally, however it is Equally Rewarding, and there really is nothing else like it!

Ride Safely within Your Abilities, Be Smart, Stay Focused, Wear Gear, and Always Expect The Unexpected

[lady clara]

Nice work Indie!

[indie]

must admit i did steal it
when i was younger i rode like a lunatic, i had several nasty crashes and they have left me with some nerve damage to my left shoulder, my left shoulder also sits slightly lower than it should, my left hip clicks and pops out slightly as i walk and every now and again my left knee causes me problems, ive had operations on all of these parts and its all now as best as its ever going to be, i just dont want other young riders or new riders, to end up like me, dont get me wrong i walk ok, i run, i can ride a bike ok but i know that the aches and pains i have now will get worse as i grow older

[lady clara]

Originally Posted by indie

must admit i did steal it

Aw you've spoilt it now! And there was me thinking you had too much time on yer hands!

[indie]

Originally Posted by lady clara

Aw you've spoilt it now! And there was me thinking you had too much time on yer hands!

i have had too much time this week but when i saw it i thought yes please

[lady clara]

Originally Posted by indie

i have had too much time this week

You could have come and done my housework!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spree]

Good stuff Indie

I have moved this to the new biker section.

[indie]

[quote=lady clara;22360]You could have come and done my housework!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well i would have done, if youd mentioned it earlier this week , see im back to work tomorrow

[skodaphil]

spot on! good advice

[grotbag]

That's great indie, thanks for sharing!!