| Wait is this a thread about a first bike with an approriate first bike? How often does that happen? Really cool color. Looks like everything is covered so I'll just say good luck! |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: Fuck yes. I'm about to buy yet another. I need a practical around town bike. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/69748/1000021460_jpg-3580924.JPG Lol I've got a deposit on a 2025 Z900, should have it next week 
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"I breakdown in the middle and lose my thread, No one can understand a word that I say..."
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Originally Posted By chase45: I’ve got a carrier I can use But I’m planning on driving it off the lot Tuesday I think I’ll be okay. Famous last words and all Originally Posted By chase45: Originally Posted By haveTwo: @chase45 you know anyone that rides that can help get out home? Not being a ninny, but having it delivered by either a buddy by riding it or hauling it, or the dealer bringing it to your house can facilitate learning slowly and at your comfort level. I've ridden and hauled plenty home for first time riders I know. I’ve got a carrier I can use But I’m planning on driving it off the lot Tuesday I think I’ll be okay. Famous last words and all Shit, somehow ended up submitting a blank post. I did buy my first bike before getting my license. At the time I was in school, and had a buddy ride it to my parent's house. I told neither him, not my parents, and somehow I'm still alive. As long as you have some basic training, I'm sure it'll be fine, I'm just speaking from the perspective of a guy who's talked many a guy into the addiction, both married and single. And most bike guys are fucking ecstatic to deal with new bikes! Including me, and my wife hasn't actually succeeded in killing me for it yet! 
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Excellent choice. I just picked up a DRZ4S. Quite a departure from my GSX-R1000.Attached File |
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Originally Posted By grey50beast: Bro, I've been riding for 20 years. I got a permit when I was 15, it expired and I've never had a motorcycle license despite owning, registering, and insuring 5 different bikes over that time.  Good luck man. You'll love it. I still say buy used, cuz youre gonna lay it down, but you do you boo. My current daily. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/227817/1000001239_jpg-3580981.JPG |
Arfcom's own STD
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I'm getting back into riding again myself, but I rode dirt growing up and had a couple street bikes before the kids. Kids are just about grown, and I'm back on a bike. Listen to everyone saying you will drop your bike, but understand people mostly drop bikes because they don't clutch properly. You say you've never ridden anything with gears so this is going to be really important for you. When you're going slow in corners, more power makes the bike stand up, and less power makes the bike lean over. Most people drop bikes by pulling in the clutch when they get into trouble, or by stalling the engine. You're supposed to slip a motorcycle clutch when you're going slow, get used to the friction zone of your clutch and the balance of power/lean/turn and you won't drop your bike.. Go slow, wear gear, don't try to save it with your feet unless you're very close to stopped, keep them on the pegs. If you're leaning too far use the clutch/throttle/bars to stand the bike up, and if you can't save it, a low side is preferable to high-siding into an object. Great choice of first bike, light enough you can muscle it some and save it from low-speed drops, but that can cause bad habits and slow down learning how to avoid needing to. Ride safe. |
| I bought my first bike when I was 26. It was a 80’s Honda vt600. It didn’t run. I built an entire wiring harness from scratch and got it running. Taught myself how to ride it. Started very slow. First and second gear around the neighborhood. Worked my way up to going faster and further. Sold it about a year later during a move even though I wanted to keep it. In 2014 I bought a Harley street bob and had some motor upgrades added to it. Rode it for a bit and then ended up storing it for a few years during some unstable moves all over the country. Got it out of storage before covid and have rode it a lot since. It’s almost at 10,000 miles finally. Also have a 24 Yamaha mt03 that I have put 8000 miles on in a year. That bike is so much fun. It’s not the fastest but it is so fun, especially in and out of traffic and on back roads. I’m in my 40’s and I have never been in a wreck of any kind. I pay a lot of attention to everyone around me. I also used to never wear a helmet. I wear one now. Wear some protection of some kind in case you go down one day. My next bike most likely will be a super moto. Or another Harley set up for long rides out of state |
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LoL good luck OP, don't die. You could pump the brakes on this retardation and instead attend your state operated motorcycle safety course first: https://www.in.gov/rsi/motorcycle-safety-courses/ |
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Do get some quality training sooner rather than later, beyond MSF. I don't like the MSF curriculum because, at least in my time they were teaching stuff that's best learned on dirt than on pavement, on pavement, and didn't teach much applicable to the road speeds. Either the YCRS or CSS or something local that is reputable. The amount of bad advice from random guys is even worse that with firearms and the consequences are much more immediate and serious. |
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Originally Posted By buckstrucks: I would get the more dirty version, but that color is sick. I’ve went back and forth on the regular vs sm I do occasionally hit some gravel roads. But mostly just backroads I may at some point in the future grab some knobbier tires for this one |
| Nice looking starter bike. Probably already said, but be sure to take a MSF safety course. It can save your life. |
Feb 2025 It’s 48 to 0 and we’re only 2 minutes into the first quarter
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think.
There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think.
There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
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So im a long time bike rider, started riding in my twenties, mid 20s i think. Dont buy a new bike for your first bike. Its a waste of your money. You will not be getting something you will be happy with. Buy a used beginner bike and it doesnt have to be pretty as your looking for experience. You will drop your bike and break/scratch things. Better that happens with a used bike that already has some scars. When your ready for more power or whatever direction you going to go often times you can sell your used bike for close and sometimes more than what you paid for it depending on your timing. But that advice comes from someone who will never buy a new car or motorcycle, and i can fix things. Iv bought wrecked bikes and fixed them and road them and sold them for more than i had into them. There are two very dangerous times for a motorcyclist. When your first learning you can forget how to lean when going into a corner. The next one is when your bike no longer scares you. Be careful |
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Originally Posted By voyager3: The author died recently after hitting a deer. Originally Posted By voyager3: Originally Posted By Admiral_Crunch: I highly recommend reading Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. It’s not a long book, and it was incredibly helpful. You can find a used copy for pocket change. The author died recently after hitting a deer. Can you point to info on that? I googled it and came up with nothing. Sad if true. |
"I keep hearing 'must have a dialogue,' but I keep being told to shut up when I speak." -Sand_Pirate
“I’m starting to think the Internet was a terrible mistake.” -Subnet
“I’m starting to think the Internet was a terrible mistake.” -Subnet
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Originally Posted By Jodan1776: Nice looking starter bike. Probably already said, but be sure to take a MSF safety course. It can save your life. Not probably already said, it has been said so many times I would not want to take one now after seeing every one saying it non stop. |
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Originally Posted By chase45: I’ve went back and forth on the regular vs sm I do occasionally hit some gravel roads. But mostly just backroads I may at some point in the future grab some knobbier tires for this one If you plan on being on pavement 90% of the time do exactly what you just said. Get the dirt setup wheels/tires later. That was my plan when I was looking at a drz sm |
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Originally Posted By HYDRASHOKMONTANA: So im a long time bike rider, started riding in my twenties, mid 20s i think. Dont buy a new bike for your first bike. Its a waste of your money. You will not be getting something you will be happy with. Buy a used beginner bike and it doesnt have to be pretty as your looking for experience. You will drop your bike and break/scratch things. Better that happens with a used bike that already has some scars. When your ready for more power or whatever direction you going to go often times you can sell your used bike for close and sometimes more than what you paid for it depending on your timing. But that advice comes from someone who will never buy a new car or motorcycle, and i can fix things. Iv bought wrecked bikes and fixed them and road them and sold them for more than i had into them. There are two very dangerous times for a motorcyclist. When your first learning you can forget how to lean when going into a corner. The next one is when your bike no longer scares you. Be careful The cost of a used super moto is as much or even more than a new one lately. If he wants a new one he should buy it and be done with it. Used bike market is insane, at least around my state |
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Came to post this. My youngest son got his license endorsement through an MSF course, and also a discount on insurance. Now he rides a Honda CB500X. As a rider for over 50 years, he made me proud. |
Obedience is not patriotism. Patriotism is love of your country, not of your government.
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Originally Posted By Admiral_Crunch: I highly recommend reading Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. It’s not a long book, and it was incredibly helpful. You can find a used copy for pocket change. I bought that book for my son after he bought his first bike. |
Obedience is not patriotism. Patriotism is love of your country, not of your government.
| Hayabusa, still wish I had mine. It's all about wrist control. A bit of a pig at slow speed, but light on her heels at moderate speed. Stupid fast if you give her the spurs, but normally you run out of road or wise up and come back to moderation real quick. But once and a while, a man has gots to know. |
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Get the Buell Super Cruiser Op. Federal Tax credit on the loan interest. Made in the USA.  TEST RIDE EXCLUSIVE; 2025 BUELL SUPER CRUISER |
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Originally Posted By StuckItIn: Get the Buell Super Cruiser Op. Federal Tax credit on the loan interest. Made in the USA.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGAEbokmYRYCan't buy something that doesn't exist |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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You get a bucket of skill that's empty (even if you think it's not), and a bucket of luck and you don't know how much is in there. You need to develop the skills before you run out of luck. Take the classes at the very least. |
| Watch the Joe Robinet channel on YT. He was a very successful outdoors creator with over a million subscribers. He got a similar bike, and he had never ridden before. He went for a quick ride, had an accident in the woods, and has spent the last couple of years on a tough road to recovery- he was in a coma for months. Just a moment’s inattention on a bike can change everything |
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Originally Posted By x_varmits: Ride Safe Indiana Motorcycle Safety Foundation ETA: If the shop has riding gear they should cut you a deal the day of the sale, you'll need at a minimum helmet, boots & gloves. If they don't and you don't have a Cyclegear nearby Revzilla always has closeouts This. Go to the MSF class. They will teach you on their motorcycles. |
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I had rhe same urge. I very seriously encourage you to get your license after taking the MSF class. You learn a lot of good stuff in the class. Basic Rider Course Overview from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation |
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As mentioned; take an MSF course first. You may not like riding for the street, you may drop the bike. Better to do that on someone else's bike, before you drop a load of cash. |
Seriously, a tractor dealer from Possum Trot, KY has to explain this to you, a lawyer? - JPL
WTB: Glock 17 gen 2. SN CAF 895
Win if you can, lose if you must, but always look good for the crowd.
WTB: Glock 17 gen 2. SN CAF 895
Win if you can, lose if you must, but always look good for the crowd.
| So here's the thing about the MSF classes, they are only as good as the instructors, and are at least a day or more too short for true zero experience students. My wife got her first bike last year and took the local course. I was keeping an eye on it and heard her debrief after each day, and it was a joke. They hardly covered anything about bike control in enough detail, just seemed to want to get everyone out on the exercises as quickly as possible. I had to teach her everything, the training she got there was not anywhere near enough for a true newby. They have barely enough time scheduled for any in depth training in the couple of days they have, and don't have any extra time for students that might need a few more laps and more instruction. The basic rider course is more of an overview level of instruction, not very in depth on prerequisite knowledge. |
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I want this thing so bad. But I’ve never been on a bike and I’m too old to learn i think. Attached File |
“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy”.
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Me & my wife bought motorcycles last year. She started with a Honda CBR300R and I got a Yamaha R3. In January I bought a new 2025 Yamaha R7 and my R3 became my wife's R3, we sold the Honda. I've put over 3,500 miles on the R7 already. Not the type motorcycles you would expect a 56 & 58 year old to ride. Attached File Attached File |
Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap.
"Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.
"Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.
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Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: That’s funny, I was going to tell him to get a used Street Triple RS. If it weren’t for the leg room in my older age, I wouldn’t want to ride anything in the garage but my wife’s 2017. Originally Posted By TheOtherDave: Originally Posted By boolzi: I looked at them, and mt09 but ended up with.. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/445788/IMG_0533-3577976.jpg That’s funny, I was going to tell him to get a used Street Triple RS. If it weren’t for the leg room in my older age, I wouldn’t want to ride anything in the garage but my wife’s 2017. I know the seating position of the mt/xsr is good,, plus the cp3 low and mid range make it seem faster, but the stripple is a light fun fast bike. 5500 rpms and under its a one of the tamest bikes I’ve ridden. Almost a choice for a beginner, but in track mode and staying above 6000 rpms it’s a rocket. The z900 was just not my deal. |
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Originally Posted By chase45: I’ve went back and forth on the regular vs sm I do occasionally hit some gravel roads. But mostly just backroads I may at some point in the future grab some knobbier tires for this one Originally Posted By chase45: Originally Posted By buckstrucks: I would get the more dirty version, but that color is sick. I’ve went back and forth on the regular vs sm I do occasionally hit some gravel roads. But mostly just backroads I may at some point in the future grab some knobbier tires for this one Even street knobs don’t make gravel much easier. Probably one of the worst surfaces for a bike, especially a rider that’s never ridden a taller clutched bike with engine braking. Your auto mini bike probably wouldn’t have had that. Hopefully you can bypass them on your ride home til you get familiar. |
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Originally Posted By Rbass: So here's the thing about the MSF classes, they are only as good as the instructors, and are at least a day or more too short for true zero experience students. My wife got her first bike last year and took the local course. I was keeping an eye on it and heard her debrief after each day, and it was a joke. They hardly covered anything about bike control in enough detail, just seemed to want to get everyone out on the exercises as quickly as possible. I had to teach her everything, the training she got there was not anywhere near enough for a true newby. They have barely enough time scheduled for any in depth training in the couple of days they have, and don't have any extra time for students that might need a few more laps and more instruction. The basic rider course is more of an overview level of instruction, not very in depth on prerequisite knowledge. Obviously, I have no idea what your wife experienced. Speaking as an ex-instructor: In the basic rider course, the student gets 8 hours of riding time on a motorcycle. The students are put through various exercises that cover virtually all aspects of basic motorcycle control. Here is a key point: The class is only a starting point. Students should continue to practice what they were taught when they get their own bike. Find an empty lot and work on those skills. |
Don't confuse where I live with where I'm from.
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Originally Posted By CDW4ME: Me & my wife bought motorcycles last year. She started with a Honda CBR300R and I got a Yamaha R3. In January I bought a new 2025 Yamaha R7 and my R3 became my wife's R3, we sold the Honda. I've put over 3,500 miles on the R7 already. Not the type motorcycles you would expect a 56 & 58 year old to ride. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/302943/1000003388_jpg-3581206.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/302943/1000003439_png-3581207.JPG Certainly not. But awesome! |
10% for the BIG GUY
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Originally Posted By sq40: I want this thing so bad. But I’ve never been on a bike and I’m too old to learn i think. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/49447/IMG_0898_jpeg-3581200.JPG You aren’t! Get it and go have fun. Even if it sits a lot it’s still fun. I love just looking at my bikes in the garage. |
10% for the BIG GUY
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understand this.... you are going to drop it, it's going to get scratched and dented when you do. if that bothers you buy a used one thats already been dropped and scratched. the riders safety course is pretty good. there are a lot and tips and tricks to riding it would take you years to figure out on your own. the older you get the longer it takes to heal up. keep that in mind when you feel like pushing the limits of your skill. |
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Originally Posted By boolzi: 300 and no wants… One and done… lol. You are lying to yourself and dont even know it. If you ride a lot in 1 year you will want a bigger bike. Sorry, you have the beginnings of a virus. it always starts there, then you wake up with an 1100lb 1800cc goldwing in the garage |
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Some background: I've got 20+++ years as a MSF Rider Coach.. unlike most coaches, I'm not a " coach four classes every summer" coach. Last year I coached 60+ MSF classes. Total student count somewhere in the 5000 +/- range .. The KLX300 is an ideal bike for a newer rider. Fun fact: even though I've got decades on bikes, I'll be adding one of those to my stable before Labor Day. Good choice. Suggestion: take an MSF Basic Rider Course. Ignore all the reasons not to. Just do it. Motorcycling is not golf. Mistakes are very expensive, very painful. Motorcycle riding is NOT intuitive. If you are self taught, or taught by your brother/friend/ neighbor, odds are astronomically high all they have done is pass on bad habits. Something like 96% of mc fatalities involve riders who were self taught or taught by family/ friends Just do the course. It's very basic. But having a solid understanding of how you are supposed to do things like braking and cornering is a huge leg up on the ladder of survival. Take the class. |
Did the same this past January OP. Never ridden a bike and all of a sudden I knew I needed one. Bought a 400 X, took the MSF class and now I ride it 70 miles to and from work most days. It’s been raining here in TX for three straight days and I’m getting withdrawals already. Ride safe!
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Herpin' TX.