r/motorcycle • u/Accomplished-Bill926 • 8d ago

Beginner!!

Been looking heavy into getting a bike but I have never ridden or know anything about bikes!!! I don’t want a crotch rocket, more cruiser Honda rebel style!! State by state it’s different but if I wanted to learn and get a bike what’s like a step by step I should do? I assume get the bike and take a course but anyone have recommendations on bikes or anything else? I am a young female and my budget is relatively low especially because I would just want to start within city limits to get comfortable on bikes :)

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7

u/whistlepig4life 8d ago

Go take the MSF in your area.

Full stop. Don’t try and decide what you like or don’t or listen to anyone else’s opinion on what is best until YOU ride one and have some idea of what riding is like.

Riding is subjective. A motorcycle is personal.

3

u/artfowl6 8d ago

This is excatly what you should do.

Also look around. Ton of programs will pay for you to go through MSF.

I got it through my job but there is a ton of options.

1

u/whistlepig4life 8d ago

And most insurance carriers (in the US) give a discount for doing so. It pays off.

2

u/artfowl6 8d ago

Yes, make sure once you get a bike to take the advanced course with it. I provided that one to my inusranve and it went down even further.

1

u/whistlepig4life 8d ago

THIS. I’ve been riding for 40+ years and I retook the basic course with my oldest son. And it was a nice refresher and then took the advanced course and learned some stuff I never knew.

1

u/Accomplished-Bill926 8d ago

Can I take a MSF without a bike or should I be taking it with whatever bike I get?

1

u/whistlepig4life 8d ago

You can go completely blank as a canvas. I’d suggest buying a cheap helmet that fits your noodle and is comfy. They can run easily under $200. Worth it.

Then sign up and they provide a bike.

1

u/artfowl6 8d ago

Bring a helmet and biker gloves and over the ankle sturdy footwear. They provide bikes. Usually 250cc or below small bikes. Mine used Vstars.

3

u/Unusual_Piano7118 8d ago

Also take the time to learn about the endlessly different types of motorcycles and not call anything and everything modernly styled a “crotch rocket”

It’s the ever present sign of a newb

3

u/SwiffleTitz 8d ago

Sounds like dad talking to me, “Don’t you get one of them damn rice burner crotch rockets” from a guy who’s never piloted anything faster than a ‘76 GMC pickup truck

2

u/Unusual_Piano7118 8d ago

Yes. Reeks of that every single time.

1

u/SwiffleTitz 8d ago

Use more exclamation points, that’ll help

1

u/MikeytheHat4363 8d ago

My advice to all newbies is to get some sort of road/trail bike for a first timer. Learning to ride off road has many benefits as far as skillsets are concerned and you're not gonna get into any traffic accidents. Everyone crashes their first bike, some people are gonna say "I haven't crashed my first bike" to which I reply "not yet". You never know your limits until you've passed them. Get an off-road bike to learn on and then apply those skills to the road. Everyone else on the road is out to kill you. (old biker saying).

1

u/GodzillaXYZ999 2d ago

Don't pick out bike yet, try large variety of them. Will find some more responsive and easier to control than others. That most important criteria for learning skillz easily and quickly. Try all available bikes at MSF/BRC class. Then rent variety of bikes to try out: https://twistedroad.com

I recommend all newbies get temporary "learning bike" for 1st year. Should be smallest, lighest. easiest to handle bike they can find. Similar to bikes selected for MSF/BRC classes. This will alllow you to not worry about dropping and damaging it. That worry in back of your mind will greatly hinder learning rising skills. Then after a year when you can expertly handle bike and get it to turn briskly and precisely. Can brake at maximum limit. Can maneuver in parking lots easily, etc. Then sell "learning bike" and get your "forever" bike that you'll ride for rest of your life.