Bikes! Bikes!! Bikes!!!

[Jesus Freak]

Woo-Hoo! Got my thread-creating privileges reinstated! Thank you, Mods!

So, I've been tinkering w/ the idea of learning to ride and purchasing a bike (motorcycle).

The idea crept in my head a few years back, and the bug hit me hard recently!

If I take the plunge, I will definitely take a motorcycle safety course...I've got my eyes on a cruiser, preferably a Honda Shadow Phantom. I don't envision myself doing a ton of riding, other than my short work commute, and some riding on the weekends when traffic is light...although I see myself on a cruiser, I intend to purchase high visibility gear (yellow helmet, jacket, gloves, etc.)

I've been watching a TON of youtube vids, ranging from How-To vids, to Motorcycle Fail Compilations (just to see what I'm up against!)

One thing I keep seeing in many of the videos I watch is motorcyclists affirming the fact that you should ride as though you're invisible, but the second they're accidentally cut off by a vehicle, they go bananas...they cuss out the driver, call commuters all sorts of names throughout their rides, and sometimes even follow the driver, pull up to him/her and harass the heck out of them.

My first accident was with a motorcycle...it was dark and I swear I did not see the dude coming in the opposite lane...it's as if the dude was riding w/o his headlights on! All I remember was feeling the impact of his bike against my front driver's-side bumper, then seeing him in mid-air on my rear-view mirror.

A couple of years ago, on the 15N going up to Vegas, a very aggressive biker was signaling me to move over to my right lane...when I didn't do it fast enough for his liking his mannerisms became even more aggressive...apparently, he wanted me to move over because the rest of his biker buds where coming down the lane I was in...being who I was at the time, I didn't hesitate to flip him off.

Anywho, any ideas, suggestions, advise, etc. any of you fellas can provide will be much appreciated!

 

[RhinoRush]

Woo-Hoo! Got my thread-creating privileges reinstated! Thank you, Mods!

 

[JbModest]

They used really small bikes when I took my MSF. 250cc. I ride a Harley 1550cc. Big difference. The course is worth it. They will flunk you if you're not careful.

 

[These Two Hands]

Saw the thread title and thought this had something to do with Tom Segura.

 

[BisexualMMA]

 

[DevilsLettuce]

Anywho, any ideas, suggestions, advise, etc. any of you fellas can provide will be much appreciated!

Don't wreck.

 

[ObsoleteSoul]

If you don't have it, get life insurance.

 

[Jesus Freak]

Don't wreck.

Wait, let me jot this down...

Don't...wreck...

Wow, so much to learn!

 

[Chesten_Hesten]

So, I've been tinkering w/ the idea of learning to ride and purchasing a bike (motorcycle).

The idea crept in my head a few years back, and the bug hit me hard recently!

If I take the plunge, I will definitely take a motorcycle safety course...I've got my eyes on a cruiser, preferably a Honda Shadow Phantom. I don't envision myself doing a ton of riding, other than my short work commute, and some riding on the weekends when traffic is light...although I see myself on a cruiser, I intend to purchase high visibility gear (yellow helmet, jacket, gloves, etc.)

Motorcycles are fantastic. If your only intention is to tootle around, just keep your eyes peeled. Ride with a poachers mentality.

I will say its to your benefit to try and become the most skilled rider you can. This doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks, just learning the craft of riding and controlling the bike in as many situations as you safely can. (this is one one the reasons many folks advocate starting on a dirt bike)

Anyways, since it sounds like you'll be starting with a cruiser, try to keep the learning curve as steady as possible, but not steep.

Watch and read the road. (loose debris is not your friend).

Its dangerous to ride with cars, either pass them or say well behind, (better to get by them with some distance)

Everyone is different, you don't have to be like the yelling harassing bikers.

Enjoy, and right on.

 

[TardStrong]

When you ride a motorcycle you are taking your life into your own hands. You need to ride defensive and there is no putting blame on the cagers. You need to anticipate cagers not seeing you and you need to stay one step ahead.

 

[Jesus Freak]

Motorcycles are fantastic. If your only intention is to tootle around, just keep your eyes peeled. Ride with a poachers mentality.

I will say its to your benefit to try and become the most skilled rider you can. This doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks, just learning the craft of riding and controlling the bike in as many situations as you safely can. (this is one one the reasons many folks advocate starting on a dirt bike)

Anyways, since it sounds like you'll be starting with a cruiser, try to keep the learning curve as steady as possible, but not steep.

Watch and read the road. (loose debris is not your friend).

Its dangerous to ride with cars, either pass them or say well behind, (better to get by them with some distance)

Everyone is different, you don't have to be like the yelling harassing bikers.

Enjoy, and right on.

Thanks, Brah!

 

[irish_thug]

I ride assuming everyone else on the road is actively trying to kill me.

Start small, you aren't doing yourself any favours learning to ride on a big twin.

 

[luv24nic8]

Forget motorcycling- it sounds too damn stressful. You have to be paranoid at all times in order to avoid getting killed- doesn't sound like fun to me. Of course Im old, and have too many responsibilities to die on a bike. I'd get a ps4 instead and play some nazi zombies.

 

[Ceez]

I recommend buying a Hayabusa, great starter bike and you will get mad bitches. Remember that drive that used to take you 45 minutes to get to work, that's a thing of the past with the Busa, you'll now get there in 10. And talk about turning heads, bro the panties will be droppin soon as you think about riding it. If you crash no worries, the Busa will get you to the hospital in no time flat. Leather jacket and boots pfft..Shorts and flip flops are the only way to fly and who needs a helmet. Tell the DMV they can go fuck themselves too cuz when you own a Busa you're too cool to get a license. Honestly the Busa is the answer to all of lifes questions and it's waiting for you

Are you still here you? You should be signing the docs for your new Busa

 

[Skip Reming]

lol, love the drug king pin sipping on some Cabernet sauvingnon in the middle of a deal

 

[DevilsLettuce]

I recommend buying a Hayabusa, great starter bike and you will get mad bitches. Remember that drive that used to take you 45 minutes to get to work, that's a thing of the past with the Busa, you'll now get there in 10. And talk about turning heads, bro the panties will be droppin soon as you think about riding it. If you crash no worries, the Busa will get you to the hospital in no time flat. Leather jacket and boots pfft..Shorts and flip flops are the only way to fly and who needs a helmet. Tell the DMV they can go fuck themselves too cuz when you own a Busa you're too cool to get a license. Honestly the Busa is the answer to all of lifes questions and it's waiting for you

Are you still here you? You should be signing the docs for your new Busa

@supra57 approves.

 

[Iscariott]

I used to ride a Kawasaki 636, loved it but the back pain was just too much. Traded it in for a Harley Night Rod, it's the best thing I've ever owned.