Interested in Riding, Advice?

Click spoilers for:

• Training
• Gear
• Motorcycle
• Rider's Rules

Apart from the continued education of online-reading and video-watching (the credit of which goes to the riding community); this is a thoughtful list of how I would answer, "Interested in Riding, Advice?" any other responses are very much welcomed and appreciated.

Spoiler: Training

Training:

• ~$300 for a class (worth it)
• MSF: Motorcycle Safety Foundation (About MSF)
• CMSP: California Motorcycle Safety Program (CMSP FAQ)
• Do not underestimate or undermine your trainers
• Arrive early, depart last (learn the most, listen to others' questions answered, give yourself time to process the information)
• Do not be afraid to ask questions
• Bring a notepad and a pen for notes

Spoiler: Gear

Gear:

• ATGATT: All the Gear All the Time
  • DOT, ECE, or Snell-approved:
    • Helmet
  • Textile, or leather:
    • Jacket, gloves, and pants
  • Leather high-top:
    • Boots
• If you have friends that think gear is stupid, don't ride with them or seek their advice. If you're their alpha, then guide them to better choices.
• Know what other riders have gone thru without using the proper gear all the time; serious injuries. Not only the injuries that heal over months but injuries that stay with you for a long time if not 'til you die; false teeth implants, seizures, migraines, medications, physical therapy, lost limbs, etc.
• And after all, a motorcycle is dangerous; you may not survive even with ATGATT, you may lose a limb even with ATGATT, but that is where training supersedes the justification for less gear.

Spoiler: Motorcycle

Motorcycle:

• Sit on all types of beginner motorcycles at a dealership
• Buy bike with low miles of the style you decided at the dealership (cycletrader, craigslist, motorcycle forum, etc.)
  • With maintenance records
  • Tell Seller to meet you at a mechanic to check out the bike
  • Test ride the bike after it is checked out and passed inspection.
• Look up recalls on select bike, ask for applicable paperwork on fixes/replacements
• Don't spend more than the kelleybluebook value on a new-used motorcycle (unless it is a good deal and you have done your due diligence)
  • Remember dealerships charge 1.5 to 2 or even thrice as much for a bike that would be just as good with low miles and a good maintenance history
• Brands? The popular brands; no chinese-made knockoffs or wannabes.
  • Even popular brands produce motorcycles with faulty engineering and hardware; do your research on the bike that feels nice to you; you may want one or two generations newer or older depending on the recalls or problems you read about online.
  • Popular brands (Suzuki, KTM, Honda, Yamaha, Beta, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, etc.) will have more long-term support both from the manufacturer and aftermarket; chinese kockoffs and off-brands won't.
• Weigh the pros and cons of Fuel Injection versus Carbureted motors
• Don't bring cash with you on the first meet of the desired bike; sleep on it.

Spoiler: Rider's Rules

Rider's Rules:

• No showboating
• No riding tired
• Watch their wheels
  • If a car at an adjacent path is going to roll into your existence, watch their wheels.
• No riding with a group until you have a solid year of riding experience
  • 365 days owning a motorcycle means nothing if you ride just a few times a year;
    • Once, twice or more rides per week (52-104 rides a year equate to a more realistic "year of riding experience")
    • Like practicing any skill; you cannot do it once or twice a year and expect yourself to gain the experience or retain the knowledge of that skill over time without doing that thing consistently over a long period of time.
• Don't be afraid to lean more
  • The bike can do more than we think it can
  • We can do more than we think we can (as a humble rider; not as an arrogant one)
• Ride within your limits
  • Your own pace
  • Inside your comfort zone
  • Without peer pressure
  • On your terms
  • Without rushing
  • Keeping distance; time to react
• Ride without distractions
  • With a clear head (sometimes I must take 30 seconds before I start the motor to get into the zone)
  • See something attractive? Okay, regain your focus.
  • Focus on where you're going to be (you will learn this in training)

Take affirmative action based on the most reasonable source(s) of information.

@HerT4R, because your interest in the video I posted as another response inspired me to write this thread, as seen here:

 

this is great info! not quite sure why you posted them all as spoilers because I have to keep opening them up, but I appreciate the consolidation of useful information. I just ordered some pants and a helmet (should be in this week). I am having trouble sizing a jacket. I went to a nearby dealer and tried on all that they had an actually liked a jacket but the arms were a little too short for me. I will keep on the hunt.

As for the bike, i did my MSF class on a grom. and I have 0 complaints with the grom. Which is why I am considering starting on a crf250L. affordable, reliable, good support, dual sport is what I am leaning toward. It is a bike I wil not be afraid to ride. I know its not really highway ready but thats not what I am buying ti for.

Also thanks for linking back to the other thread so when users find this one they can also easily find the other thread.

 

Am a MSF rider coach and completely agree on getting training. Other advice would include ride your own ride (don't play follow the leader with idiots); practice; rider sober; don't ride when over emotional (ride smart); pick the right bike for you; do track days; and be a lifelong learner.

 

All Good advise. I took the MSF coarse 2 days after getting my permit so I had no chance to build bad habits. They taught me several things that didn't make initial sense to me, but since I had no prior experience I was able to get the proper way stuck in my brain.
I highly recommend the class to anyone. If your going to drop the $ on a bike and gear $300 is nothing.