Bike newbie

[Lil'John]

I'll start the newbie questions <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

What is the best way to learn to ride a motorcycle? Any style/size that would be preferencial to learn on?(I would guess that obviously the 600cc crotch rocket would be a bit more difficult to learn on than a smaller bike <IMG SRC="smilies/eyemouth.gif" border="0"> ) Goto school?

What is involved in getting a motorcycle licence in California?

Do you need a licence for doing OHV parks? For example Hollister Hills <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[Brawler]

Depends on your size and height. I would recommend a 250 cc to start if you have at least 125 lbs to you. Two stroke or four? I like four stroke myself. Hate the two stroke power bands.

[Lil'John]

Ahhh yes.... forgot about the height stuff.... just like a regular bicycle <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

6'1" and probably down to 160 pounds by now <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

[smurfsdad]

even if all you want to do is ride on the street learn in the dirt it will teach you the skills to stay alive on the road

[Lil'John]

I was actually intending to do most if not all my riding in the dirt.

I've heard/seen too many tragedies happen to bikers <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> Most through no fault of their own.

Although with the prices of gas in CA going like they are, who knows <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[Brad]

Originally posted by Lil'John:
<STRONG>I'll start the newbie questions <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Do you need a licence for doing OHV parks? For example Hollister Hills <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

well no not if you only ride the bike in a OHV. just dont do anything stupid or speed past the posted limits and youll be ok or the park rangers will get ya and give ya a ticket. i myself have seen some trajedies on bikes as well and most arent the riders fault, they just hit something wrong and cant regain control. i myself have a kx 250 2 stroke and i only weigh about 140 and am about 5'8". ive ridden and learned on a 4 stroke but with how i ride i bought a 2 stroke.

[Sloan]

Learn in the dirt, doesn't hurt as much to fall and there isn't as much traffic. IMHO.

[dog walker]

I would recomend for a beginer to buy an older peice of junk 250 4 stroke, that way you wont cry when you crash it! I say 4 stroke because a newbie rider does not need no power band throwing you off the bike!

My friend is learning on an 82 XR200, and trust me, thats still alot of bike for a beginer!

Jeff

[MojoRooster]

I recomend a Honda cr 500 as a good starter bike <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> damn now I want another bike <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0">

[Keith Strong]

Originally posted by dog walker:
<STRONG>I would recomend for a beginer to buy an older peice of junk 250 4 stroke, that way you wont cry when you crash it! I say 4 stroke because a newbie rider does not need no power band throwing you off the bike!

My friend is learning on an 82 XR200, and trust me, thats still alot of bike for a beginer!

Jeff</STRONG>

Yup...great advice. If you are hell bent on going straight to the street get a flapper to learn on like an EX 500 or something. you can get one for less than a grand and wont care when you fall over on it <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Just remember, as far as the street goes...there are those that ride that have crashed, and those that ride who are going to! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[muddydak]

I just bought my first bike last year. I have owned quads before but never ridden bikes...totally different! I have a xr200 and love it. It is perfect size for control and enough power to keep up with friends' 250s on the trails.

[convertiyota]

Lots of good advice.......the best is to learn in the dirt. People that have rode dirt have such a higher confidence level when they get on the road then people who haven't. Also, take the AMA course even if you've ridden dirt for years. It will teach you how to think when you ride because you've got to be on your toes and know what to look out for. Plus you get an insurance discount if you take it and you don't have to take the road test at DMV if you pass the class.

[FLASHLIGHTMAN]

hay JOEDOG, a cr500 for a beginner?? you must be joking right??
I owned one of them for about 3 days, waaaayy too much power for my 190lbs

If your gonna learn in the dirt, which is good advice, make sure you ware a helmate, boots and gloves at least.

[ 06-13-2001: Message edited by: FLASHLIGHTMAN ]

[Lil'John]

Thanks for all the great advice <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Some is common sense but worth mentioning <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

I'm still curious about what is tested during a licence test for a motorcycle. Seems like a catch 22 to me... you need a licence to drive on the street but you need to learn on the street to get a licence <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Chezypewf]

you can get a motorcycle permit before you actually take the test....that way you can practice a bit <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[dog walker]

Yep, anyone can get a permit! I guess if you get a street bike, you really can't practice off-road can ya?

Jeff

[Lil'John]

Originally posted by dog walker:
<STRONG>Yep, anyone can get a permit! I guess if you get a street bike, you really can't practice off-road can ya?

Jeff</STRONG>

Wouldn't your standard run of the mill "enduro" bike cover this? Ok in both terrains, good at neither <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Chazzworth]

Originally posted by FLASHLIGHTMAN:
<STRONG>hay JOEDOG, a cr500 for a beginner?? you must be joking right??
I owned one of them for about 3 days, waaaayy too much power for my 190lbs
FLASHLIGHTMAN ]</STRONG>

You can never have enough power!! There will allways be someone faster than you. Respect the power and have fun. I like the sand.

[dog walker]

Wouldn't your standard run of the mill "enduro" bike cover this? Ok in both terrains, good at neither

Yep, thats what I ride, a dual sport "enduro" Honda XL250

jeff

[Lil'John]

With my piss-poor onroad attitude(at least I'm honest), the last thing I need is a high powered crotch rocket <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Talk about me becoming a corpse just waiting to happen <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Keith Strong]

A permit allows you to ride on the street during daytime hours only, and no freeways, highways, or passengers. That enables you to ride and get practice. You have to take the written test to get a permiot. Then you get a class m1 endorsement after the riding test. Its pretty easy. You have to do cones without taking a foot off pegs, ride in a circle 3 times, start and stop...stupid $hit like that...really easy. I took my Class M1 Stoned and got 100% <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[Brad]

Originally posted by Sloan:
<STRONG>Learn in the dirt, doesn't hurt as much to fall and there isn't as much traffic. IMHO.</STRONG>

whoever said "god made dirt,dirt dont hurt was LIYING <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[noonan]

if you really wanna build skills talk to some racers and see if they can get you a pass to ride on a circuit track. I ride on a few around here as a "guest" with my racing buddies. Thats a good place to learn handling skills and to build your overall confidence. Obviously you don;t need to be hittin doubles and triples but you'll learn the way bikes react and how to control them. Plus its one hell of a workout.

[Kyron]

I think the XR250 with a dual sport kit on it is the best bike for off road use...

It's a great bike to learn on and as you get better you can set-up the suspension...
and mabey even do the 280 kit when it needs a rebuild <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

If you get passed on a XR250 and your in the trails... it's your fault NOT the bikes!!


CR500's are the ultimate lazy mans bikes <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">