New to motorcycles

[Alphamazing]

My mother was VERY adament about me not getting a motorcycle, despite my continued interest in them. One day my mother said, "If he gets a bike, I am not going to be resposible for him if something happens." My father and I took that as our best chance to go get the bike I had waiting for me. When she got home and saw it parked in the driveway she was extremely angry. After I crashed that one I was surprised they let me get another one, much less help me find it and help me finance it.

[Jman500]

So am I almost garenteed to take a spill and maybe get hurt?

[Egaeus]

I wouldn't say guaranteed, but very likely, especially considering your lack of driving experience.  Motorcycles are very unforgiving of mistakes compared to cars.  Run off the road a bit in a car, usually no big deal.  Run off the road a bit in a motorcycle, you're likely going down.  Hydroplane in a car, usually no big deal.  Hydroplane on a motorcycle, you're likely going down.

The extent to which you get hurt depends a lot on judgement before and during the ride.  I went down the other day in a U-turn, and seriously hurt nothing but my pride and my clutch lever.  If I'd been a squid, I'd be dealing with a rashed left hand, elbow, and knee.  As it is, I have a minor bruise just below my knee.  I was wearing full gear. 

[Jman500]

sounds good

[ajgs500]

Ok this might not be completely accurate but in Indiana when I went and got my MC permit I had to have a valid drivers license to get it and to get your endorsement you have to have held your MC permit at least 30 days before you can take the MC test so  basically here you HAVE to have a regular old drivers license to get an MC endorsement

[ajgs500]

ok taken from our BMV page


Important reminders about testing
You must provide Indiana Driver License
Must have a valid (Unexpired) Motorcyle Learner Permit that has been held for at least 30 days
Applicant must provide motorcycle
$5.00 Fee payable to instructor


So my point was is that you need to check your states requirements  to see if you can even get an MC license w/o a car license.

[Rema1000]

If you need to ride on the street, then I'd suggest starting with a 50cc scooter.  The Zuma is especially a blast to ride, which is really the whole point of riding, at any speed.  You can move up to a 150cc or larger scooter later, then on to a manual-shift motorcycle.

If you don't need to ride on the street, I'd suggest starting on a dirtbike, even if you can only get out of town to a place you can ride it on the weekends.   A KLX250S or DR200SE will practically jump off the ground when the throttle is twisted, and if you keep it until you get a M endorsement, you can ride it on the street, too. There is an MSF safety course for dirt bikes, too. Even if your goal is road riding, dirt riding skills will serve you well later.  It's easy to get knocked around riding on dirt, but its much less likely to cause serious injury.  And dirt riding could be a gentle introduction to motorcycles for your family.

As long as you're under your parents' roof, they can and should set some guidelines.

[RVertigo]

You are probably right that my family would disagree with me no matter what age I am.

Another quick question.  Out of all of you, how many of you have had serious injuries from riding motorcycles?

I was 27 and my mother said I "couldn't get one of those things."     Good thing I stopped listening to her when I was 13. 

As for injuries...  Although I haven't crashed, I have dropped my bike and strained a muscle picking it back up...  Since I've been on this board I've heard of at least 30+ crashes...  Broken collar bones, legs, hands, ribs, etc. and dolepineapple died last September... 

Just like driving or riding a bicycle in the street, riding can be dangerous...  Learn from the MSF course, wear all your gear, make smart decisions, and don't let I love YOU read this post. 

[joedude]

Or you could do like I did... Take I love YOU to the 'Salon de la Moto' in Montreal... or wherever is closest to you. and get her to buy herself a bike... then she can't really say anything to you without giving you total grounds to call her a hypocrite!!  besides she'll love it so much that she'll want you to come out riding with her!

But seriously though, most ppl hate bikes cause they've never been on one. My mom thought that snowmobiling was a total waste of time and thought it to be extreemly dangerous [which it is]. but after I took her for a leisurly afternoon ride on mine, she's been aching to get her own, and is working on convincing her friends to get some too!

Take the proper courses. Learn in safe, traffic free, controlled environments - eventho you've passed the Safety course doesn't mean you're ready to drive with other Cagers... to reassure mommy, maybe do a few extra hours in the parkinglot! Buy the safety / riding gear before or as soon as you buy the bike, and NEVER EVER get on and ride the bike without all your gear on  . This shows mom how responsible her little man is! buying the gear before or the same day as you get the bike will prevent the temptation to get on without having access to proper gear 

Oh, and give I love YOU a huge hug and a big ol kiss  she's I love YOU, and she cares about you, and obviously doesn't want you to get hurt... we all posted the same basic stuff, just with different experiences, mom's will be like that, it's their job, just try and make her life a little easier and BE RESPONSIBLE ON YOUR BIKE! Besides, we'd all fell real bad if we heard that you got hurt on a bike! And one other thing, you have a huge community of ppl, some qualified, some not, that can share opinions and help you through pretty much any problem or issue you may have with your future baby GS... if that helps mom!

PS: don't suck up to her, she's smarter than that

[groff22]

I am 5'7 and about 145(kinda chubby )

I'd say! 5'6", 125lbs...hahaha.

5'7" 125lbs - Got you beat my fellow ethiopian!

[BOSS500]

So am I almost garenteed to take a spill and maybe get hurt?

I wouldn't say so. If you just go at a steady learning pace and not try to ride more than your ability you should be fine. Luckily i still haven't taken a fall yet (knock on wood). just be safe and take it easy for a bit.

[Alphamazing]

I am 5'7 and about 145(kinda chubby )

I'd say! 5'6", 125lbs...hahaha.

5'7" 125lbs - Got you beat my fellow ethiopian!

5'10 & 130. I win.

[3imo]

So am I almost garenteed to take a spill and maybe get hurt?

I wouldn't say so. If you just go at a steady learning pace and not try to ride more than your ability you should be fine. Luckily i still haven't taken a fall yet (knock on wood). just be safe and take it easy for a bit.

I would say so.  just my opinion, butt.. lack of experience on the road, lack of experience behind the wheel, lack of experience on a bike.
recipe for disaster.

especially w/o taking a beginner course of some kind.  As a parent and a bike rider, I would be absolutely sure my son have loads of experience in a car before I'd ever let him take a street bike on the road.

I can understand a dirtbike at age 6.  but I would forbid a 16yr old w/o (**edit** any car driving in a street experience)experience to get on a roadbike. period. especially if I loved the kid.
just my .02

[3imo]

don't be scared to ride. just know the risks and plan for the worst as best you can.

understand your inexperience and be cautious.

I don't mean to discourage you. you sound like a smart kid. just be safe.

[che mike]

i agree with rema1000: for getting around, start with a 50 cc scooter.

it can be very difficult to control your impulses to do rash things. when i was 17 i thought i was the best driver out there. i'll say this for myself: at least i paid attention to the road while i drove. but i drove too fast and i wrecked my parent's car trying to cut in front of someone so i could take an off ramp, instead of waiting and getting behind that car.

same thing goes for wearing your safety gear. you'll wear it religiously the first 20 times out. then you'll be out with friends and won't want to make them wait while you get your stuff on, or any number of other excuses.

like 3imo said, you sound like a smart kid. think through your reasons for wanting to get a motorcycle carefully before you get one. and keep in mind that motorcycles will be around later if you decide to get into it when you're older.

two other things to keep in mind:
1. maintenance. see the maintenance schedule for the gs500 at
http://www.gstwin.com/maintenance_info.htm
(click on the links in the sidebar for 600, 2000, 4000 mile service intervals etc). if you don't do all the maintenance yourself it can get expensive very soon. some of the items are fairly involved, like adjusting the valves. also, new tires cost ~$100 each, brake pads ~$30/pair, etc. if you get a used bike it will probably need some work to get it in good mechanical (not just ridable) condition.

2. practicality. the standard for practical transportation is the car. motorcycles are not as practical; you can use them for exclusive transportation but it takes planning and effort. you'll probably want a tank bag at least ($50-80) and rain gear ($50-70). it gets cold out. it gets rainy. how is the winter where you live?

you may not save much money in the end between getting a bike and getting a beater used car.

[scratch]

I am 5'7 and about 145(kinda chubby )

I'd say! 5'6", 125lbs...hahaha.

5'7" 125lbs - Got you beat my fellow ethiopian!

5'10 & 130. I win.

Not so fast.  5'10.5" & 125lbs

[Alphamazing]

I am 5'7 and about 145(kinda chubby )

I'd say! 5'6", 125lbs...hahaha.

5'7" 125lbs - Got you beat my fellow ethiopian!

5'10 & 130. I win.

Not so fast.  5'10.5" & 125lbs

Ohhhhhhhhh. Ouch.

[RVertigo]

I am 5'7 and about 145(kinda chubby )

I'd say! 5'6", 125lbs...hahaha.

5'7" 125lbs - Got you beat my fellow Ethiopian!

5'10 & 130. I win.

Not so fast.  5'10.5" & 125lbs

You're all short. 

6'0" - 180lbs of pure blubbery, out-of-shape, laziness. 

[groff22]

I am 5'7 and about 145(kinda chubby )

I'd say! 5'6", 125lbs...hahaha.

5'7" 125lbs - Got you beat my fellow ethiopian!

5'10 & 130. I win.

Not so fast.  5'10.5" & 125lbs

No wonder none of us have upgraded to anything bigger, the GS500 throws me around like ragdoll enough as it is. lol.

[Jman500]

I live in Florida so cold really isn't an option.  I see myself as responsible and probably not going and speeding around.  The motorcycle will probably used for short voyages-about 30 minutes at most.

Wouldn't mind maintaining it since I usually have time to kill after school.  I think I'll follow some of your advice and get behind the wheel of a car before getting on a bike(or at least riding around).  Like I said I would probably start riding after my 17th birthday which is october so until then I could get a permit and ride a car to and from work.  This way I can gain some experience of the road while being inside something that will prevent more damage then being on a bike. 

If you guys feel that I am too young to ride, please state so.  Also what would be a right or better age to start riding?