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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:11:25 PM EST
[#1]
Just dont
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:14:20 PM EST
[#2]
They say you get wiser as you age. Some of us did.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:15:51 PM EST
[#3]
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:18:05 PM EST
[#4]
I want to begin riding too. Wife.gov says no-go until our little one gets older.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:18:08 PM EST
[#5]
What you want is a Dual Sport. There's nothing more fun than a street legal dirt bike. Unless you want to ride long distance, then they kinda suck unless you buy one of the bigger less dirt bikey ones.
  Power Line Trails |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:20:02 PM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What you want is a Dual Sport. There's nothing more fun than a street legal dirt bike. Unless you want to ride long distance, then they kinda suck unless you buy one of the bigger less dirt bikey ones.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYS1HbLZOmQhttps://i.imgur.com/VBfAND6.jpg |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:21:19 PM EST
[#7]
First, good choice on taking the brm course.
Second, what kind of roads are in your area? IE; you live in FL, you want a cruiser. You live in AZ, you want a dirt bike. Primary use? Commuting or fun time? |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:22:08 PM EST
[#8]
Just don't text and ride ok ?
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:22:48 PM EST
[#9]
Take the safety course first OP.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:22:57 PM EST
[#10]
Take the MSF class first. Most provide low displacement bike to use and allow you to get your endorsement on your driver license.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:23:53 PM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What you want is a Dual Sport. There's nothing more fun than a street legal dirt bike. Unless you want to ride long distance, then they kinda suck unless you buy one of the bigger less dirt bikey ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYS1HbLZOmQhttps://i.imgur.com/VBfAND6.jpg I rode my 2-fiddy dual sport on a 7200 mile trip. It didn’t suck. It was the complete opposite of sucking. |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:24:07 PM EST
[#12]
Something like a Yamaha T-7. It's one of the best mixes of pavement and off road around for the money. It's plenty fast for pavement, can even tour on it, and you can do some decent 2-track off road on it. Super capable rig.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:25:28 PM EST
[#13]
Quoted: Have always wanted to ride, bought a Suzuki 500 in college, and immediately wrecked it. That pretty much killed any further desire.... For a while..Now 20 years later and I've got the itch. I'd like to go about it the best way possible. Looking into Harley beginner rider courses to learn all the basics. I just got into riding motorcycles about 2 months ago. I bought myself a 2021 Indian Scout Sixty Bobber. Love the bike so far and love riding. I took the MSF course in my state which satisfies the driving portion of the test to get a motorcycle license in California. It helped me learn the basics since I had almost no experience riding before this. Definitely recommend getting into riding but you have to ride defensively. I watch a bunch of motorcycle crash videos and a common issue I see is the riders tend to be riding too aggressive. They don't anticipate drivers not paying attention and can't respond quick enough to stupid people driving cars. |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:26:10 PM EST
[#14]
You should get something basic for your first bike...
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:27:39 PM EST
[#15]
I'm considering a bike as well. Vulcan S is my main choice right now. All black
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:28:18 PM EST
[#16]
Take the MSF course and allow $1500 in your budget for good gear.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:29:41 PM EST
[#17]
IMHO the short truth is that, in all the history of public road use in the US, drivers are probably more distracted now that ever. And there's the ever growing trend of self and assisted driving vehicles. So I guess I'm thinking, now more than ever before, a successful rider is really going to have to be extremely hyper vigilant and have the "everyone's out to kill me" mindset kind of awareness. Way more so now than back when I rode decades ago.
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:29:45 PM EST
[#18]
First thing you need to do is stop conflating Harley with motorcycle.
 Then go take the MSF beginner rider course. They will provide the motorcycle. Probably something small in the 250ish cc range. Spend 2X the amount on quality PPE that you think you need. Think that nazi style helmet is adequate? No, it's not. Buy a quality full face helmet, and USE IT. Buy quality boots, pants and jacket and USE THEM. Dress for the crash, not for the ride. ATGATT= All The Gear ALL The Time is an acronym that will keep you alive and free of skin grafts. The best advise I ever heard about riding was a quote from some race driver from the 60's, maybe Sterling "It's better to go into a corner slow and come out fast, than to go into a corner fast and come out dead." |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:30:19 PM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I rode my 2-fiddy dual sport on a 7200 mile trip. It didn’t suck. It was the complete opposite of sucking. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What you want is a Dual Sport. There's nothing more fun than a street legal dirt bike. Unless you want to ride long distance, then they kinda suck unless you buy one of the bigger less dirt bikey ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYS1HbLZOmQhttps://i.imgur.com/VBfAND6.jpg I rode my 2-fiddy dual sport on a 7200 mile trip. It didn’t suck. It was the complete opposite of sucking. If you stay off the highway and stick to 50-55mph roads, sure. I hate riding mine on the highway for extended periods of time. |
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Posted: 2/12/2022 11:47:12 PM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Just FIFY Riding is my attitude adjustment. My wife likes me better when I’m riding regularly. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 12:33:19 AM EST
[#21]
Go for it. The MSF course (the HD one is the same thing) is probably the best way to start. I took the MSF BRC about 20ish years ago, which led to a whole lot of my life I wouldn't trade anything for. Well, some of the broken bones and aches I could live without...
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Posted: 2/13/2022 12:42:58 AM EST
[#22]
I’m 42. When I was 39, I had a woman about my age pull out in front of me while I was on my bike. Everything was slow motion, and I managed to get out of her way. However, given that she was on her phone, and I’ve noticed my reflexes have slowed since my last run-in with a buried 155 shell, I sold my bike:
If you’re young, go for it. If you’ve not lost your reflexes, go for it. Otherwise, buy a 911, WRX, or Miata, and enjoy your cager life. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 1:58:39 AM EST
[#23]
Murderbike...
 
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:14:04 AM EST
[#24]
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:18:22 AM EST
[#25]
Stick to a low displacement and light bike. I would get something like a CRF 350 rally or similar if I could do it over. Cheap, lightweight, and has plenty of fun without the worry about breaking the bank.
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:24:51 AM EST
[#26]
Dirt bike. No lights or bullshit to break off when you fall and the lack of street legalness will keep you off the warzone that is on highway travel.
Only have to watch out for the quadtards and overgrown quadtards called SxS's on fire road transfer sections. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:34:22 AM EST
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You should get something basic for your first bike... https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vmaxforum.net%2Fmedia%2Fapril-2020.8996%2Ffull&f=1&nofb=1 Hell ya! First time I saw a V-max was about 1990. I was on a 50 mph road and a guy pulled right out in front of me. I was starting to get on the brakes and then he looked like he was shot out of a gun. That reminds me..I think I need a v max. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:38:26 AM EST
[#28]
When you ride ….just pretend NOBODY can see you. Even if they are looking right at you.
Don’t ever push a yellow light if someone is waiting to turn left. If you’re on the freeway and it has a car pool lane USE IT! you only have to worry about someone coming over on you from one side. I’m always amazed when I see a bike in the middle lane on the freeway and not in the carpool lane. Unless of course their exit is coming up. Don’t ride next to a car on the freeway. I used to drive a semi and I was amazed at home many retards on bikes would just sit in the lane next to me and ride for miles. Brain dead. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:41:00 AM EST
[#29]
Selling mine and my truck to get a FWD car with high gas mileage, and I no longer feel shame for saying any of that...before I know it Ill be in public wearing jorts and sandals with socks!
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:41:30 AM EST
[#30]
I've had three bikes over the years. Progressively larger engines. Sold my last one post-divorce. I think about getting another, then think about the distracted drivers I see daily.
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Posted: 2/13/2022 2:44:28 AM EST
[#31]
If you're not sure of your cycle skills, buy an inexpensive mountain bike (bicycle) and ride it in the city like you're in a hurry. Once you get good at this, transitioning to a lightweight motorcycle shouldn't be a problem. A dual sport bike is always a good choice for a new rider. I've been riding for over 50 years and have a Suzuki DR650 in my bike fleet. The DR can run at freeway speed and is fun on city streets and back roads. New bike prices and availability are not good these days.
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Posted: 2/13/2022 3:54:48 AM EST
[#32]
We were raised on off road bikes, raced MX when I was younger and I have had some sort of ATV for the past 40 years.....but an on road motorcycle is where my wife will draw the line....she does not care what I buy but she WILL NOT go for an on road motorcycle.
I saw a guy get hit on a motorcycle and he died in the middle of the road....I am 64 years old at the end of the year and dont need to be on the road with all of these crazies texting while driving My 1999 Honda Foreman ATV satisfies my motorcycle itch |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 4:41:13 AM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I want to begin riding too. Wife.gov says no-go until our little one gets older. I have several motorcycle, but zero wives; coincidence? MGTOW thread... |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:10:54 AM EST
[#34]
I've been riding about 47 years.
 You must ride defensively , like every other person on the road is TRYING TO KILL YOU. Because they are. Sorry but that's the truth. Good luck to you. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:14:50 AM EST
[#35]
Get a Kawasaki H2 to learn on. Great learners bike.
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:15:11 AM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You should get something basic for your first bike... https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vmaxforum.net%2Fmedia%2Fapril-2020.8996%2Ffull&f=1&nofb=1 Agree. 
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:25:22 AM EST
[#37]
When I was young and indestructible, I rode. I toured all over Europe, took an Alaska to Florida ride, and multiple Arizona to Florida rides. It was GLORIOUS! I racked up close to 100K miles on my first two bikes in right around 4 years.
I had a near miss outside Tempe, AZ. Heavy traffic, hot as Hell and it seemed that every other car was overheating or leaking oil. A car braked suddenly in front of me and I hit the brakes....locked up both wheels and started skidding. I managed to regain control of the bike and split the lane to avoid hitting the idiot in front of me. And the dump truck that was following too closely behind me hit the car that I had just avoided. I would have been sandwiched between a Peterbuilt and a Chevy if I hadn't gotten lucky to recover from the skid and used my escape route. I got off at the next exit and went to the first place I found that bought/sold motorcycles and sold my bike. Took a cab home and swore that I wouldn't be on a bike again. 30 years later, and I'm back on 2 wheels. No wife, kids are grown. This is MY time so I'm going to have some fun. I didn't realize how much I missed riding until I lucked into a Yamaha Roadstar 1700 in a trade and took it for a spin. I was immediately hooked again. At the moment, I own 4 bikes and I ride almost every day and I'm having a blast--but I haven't forgotten that near miss. My primary bike is a 2004 Harley Softail Springer.  Attached FileI know that most drivers on the roads today are completely oblivious to anything outside their own car and I ride with that in mind at all times. Good luck and have fun! |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:26:18 AM EST
[#38]
Throw your zip code into this and find the basic class here: https://msf-usa.org/
Not only will the class provide you many (8?) hours of instruction on a motorcycle they provide, but there will be classroom time where they give you mental strategies for reducing risk. Plus, most insurance companies give a discount to people who have passes the class, because they are underrepresented in accident stats, meaning the class really helps. It is an excellent class; I was an instructor for a number of years. Really worth your time. Come back to the thread after you pass the class and want to talk about what a first bike should be. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:27:54 AM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryThat's a Harley? |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:28:08 AM EST
[#40]
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:30:13 AM EST
[#41]
I learned to ride when I was young and fearless. Not sure I would do it now. I was almost hit while wearing a bright blue aero stitch suit with reflective tape. The driver was on her phone. I was crossing the street on foot.
 Good luck |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:33:27 AM EST
[#42]
There was a thread here about the new electric motorcycles.
Supposed to be pretty damn fast too. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:36:26 AM EST
[#43]
honestly its just not safe anymore. to many self-serving ass holes on the road with phones in their hands not paying attention.
I road for over 45 years both off road and street, I sold my bike 2 years ago. i just didn't want to die so some dimwitted ahole can check their status on some retarded social media site. find go buy a high end gun and stay alive. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:39:23 AM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: honestly its just not safe anymore. to many self-serving ass holes on the road with phones in their hands not paying attention. I road for over 45 years both off road and street, I sold my bike 2 years ago. i just didn't want to die so some dimwitted ahole can check their status on some retarded social media site. find go buy a high end gun and stay alive. The best riding is on smaller backroads out in the country. I do my best to avoid riding in built up areas with high traffic concentrations. While you may still find distracted drivers, the lower traffic density makes it a little easier to maintain a high state of defensive vigilance. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:45:54 AM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The best riding is on smaller backroads out in the country. I do my best to avoid riding in built up areas with high traffic concentrations. While you may still find distracted drivers, the lower traffic density makes it a little easier to maintain a high state of defensive vigilance. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: honestly its just not safe anymore. to many self-serving ass holes on the road with phones in their hands not paying attention. I road for over 45 years both off road and street, I sold my bike 2 years ago. i just didn't want to die so some dimwitted ahole can check their status on some retarded social media site. find go buy a high end gun and stay alive. The best riding is on smaller backroads out in the country. I do my best to avoid riding in built up areas with high traffic concentrations. While you may still find distracted drivers, the lower traffic density makes it a little easier to maintain a high state of defensive vigilance. no arguments there. I just got to the point i was tired of madness out there on the city streets. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:47:33 AM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That's a Harley? Yes. Modified a bit. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 7:51:21 AM EST
[#47]
Been riding a bike for decades. Funny bike related story, I knew a dumb ass bitch who back into a school bus. Claimed she never saw it. If someone can hit a bright yellow bus at low speed and still say the never saw it then what does it take for idiots to see you? A Escalade can be just as invisible as a bike. Difference is an Escalade can take the hit better than the bike.
Ride accordingly. |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 8:00:37 AM EST
[#48]
I've only had three in my lifetime and loved them all. I had to give it up. Too many close calls. I'm old now and my bones don't heal as quickly as they once did. Everyone I know who rides, can show you a scar somewhere on their body.
 Used '73 Kawasaki 350, bought in '75 until it was stolen in '76. Used '90 Honda Shadow 1100, bought in '93. Sold it about 5 years later. Used '48 Indian Chief, bought in '12. Did a 14 month restoration finished in '13. Sold it last year. That was a fun project. Before and after pic below.  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 8:01:18 AM EST
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You should get something basic for your first bike... https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vmaxforum.net%2Fmedia%2Fapril-2020.8996%2Ffull&f=1&nofb=1 The equivalent of buying a Viper as your first car! |
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Posted: 2/13/2022 8:01:55 AM EST
[#50]
Harley or MSF beginner course is the way to start.
I am a road rider, mostly commuting, so I'm street bike biased. I've had liter sized engines in mostly standard bikes (mostly upright riding position, not cruiser, not sportbike). Still like the lighter smaller bikes. Used, Ninja 650 (not 600) have been good, DL650 is a good new option, and what I'm riding on daily currently. Think there's a CB500 out there as well, not sure if it's currently in production, but I've had a few friends start on that. Basically something with upright seating is comfy and easier to handle IMO. Big fan of two cylinders as well. Usually good torque curves for practical riding. Toss a top case on, and go ride. |
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