Gotta start somewhere!

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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on July 20, 2011 at 7:24am

Here's a tip from a Facebook fan:

First bike should be older and cheap. Something you won't get terribly upset about when you drop it because you probably will. It should have been a popular bike when it was new too so that parts will still be easy to find and relatively cheap. Ride it a LOT and don't consider upgrading until you're confidence is high that if and when you go down it's not going to be from your own inexperience. And gear up!! Like I said, you probably will drop it from time to time as you learn. Don't add injury to it.

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Permalink Reply by Lil Brat on July 20, 2011 at 9:19am

I agree with everything Katie said plus taking the motorcycle safety class.  You will get great training and also a discount on your insurance.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy aka Yumeze on July 20, 2011 at 9:42am

My suggestion would be to start out with a small bike.  An older 250 is great because you learn how to handle it faster.  Even if its just for a few months.  It really does help you learn without the risk of a downing a larger more expensive bike.  If your a new rider....going down isnt a if....but a when.  Now that i've been riding a 1000....going back to a 250 feels like a toy dirtbike :P but when I started out, it was just what I needed.  Also, if you spend your money on a larger one, you have more opportunities to speed and ride beyond your limits.  I know that back then, if the speed had been available to me, I would'a killed myself! :P Hope this helps I can kill myself now too but at least I know my limits.

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Permalink Reply by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on July 22, 2011 at 7:59pm

I agree with most of what has already been posted. As a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach, these comments make a lot of sense.  Before you buy a bike, take a safety course.  They have 125s and 250s so you can get a feel of the bike.  The class will also expose you to the right and wrong way to handle yourself and the bike.  A 250 is a great choice for a first bike and definately buy used.  There are also some decent 500's out there as well.  When you start riding always remember RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE!!!  Don't let yourself get pulled into riding above your head because everyone else is riding at a different pace.  I can also recommend a good class if you are interested.  Just PM me for more info!

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Permalink Reply by Girley on July 28, 2011 at 2:35pm

There is a 250 sitting in my garage waiting for a new home

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Permalink Reply by Jonerz on July 28, 2011 at 4:24pm

Ahhhh! Ok I just set an appt for the safety course for the 2nd weekend of August...

Girley said:

There is a 250 sitting in my garage waiting for a new home

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Permalink Reply by Girlriders - Katie on July 28, 2011 at 7:55pm

Awesome!  Let us know how it goes 

Jonerz said:

Ahhhh! Ok I just set an appt for the safety course for the 2nd weekend of August...

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Permalink Reply by MotoQT (Evelyn) on July 31, 2011 at 10:11pm

Congrats on setting your MSF date! I agree w/alot of previous comments to start on a 250. Not sure which moto style your leaning towars but Ninja250 or GZ250 that are both lowend $-wise and relatively easy to find for sale, and to re-sell.

 

Yes you will scratchUp the bike learning & most get an older bike because of that (and the eventual upgrade). But me & a girlfriend both bought on Craigslist 2009 Ninja250's to start on, and despite each of us putting on a couple of scratches & a fall or two, we both sold our bikes on Craigslist for $400 more (each) than what we bought it for. Then again, maybe it was because it was soon to be Springtime, and a month or so before bike week  

 

When you take the course, ask MSF instructor if there are any shops that have sponsored discounts for passing the course (over here, i got 15% off entire 1st purchase @shop, which help considerably when buying all your gear)

 

Oh... and frame-sliders a must (if u get a newer bike) ~ Falls dont hurt as much that way

Jonerz said:

Ahhhh! Ok I just set an appt for the safety course for the 2nd weekend of August...

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Permalink Reply by MotoQT (Evelyn) on August 23, 2011 at 9:56am

Hi Jonerz - So how did everything go at the MSF course?

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