Advice for riding beginners.

**bosoxdave** · 06-17-2009, 02:03 AM

So a good friend of mine back in Boston area has been wanting to get into motorcycling for a while and finally took the beginners MSF course about 4 weeks ago. He has a very level head and thinks things out thoroughly. Well, he just emailed me saying that he bought a new Kawi Ninja 250, which I think is a great idea.

This is the email that I wrote back to him, what would you add to it with regards to advice to a new rider? I am really looking for general advice and not particularly specific to the bike he owns. And, no, I will not suggest a track day until he gets a whole lot of experience under his belt.

That is a smart purchase. Those bikes lose very little value as many people use them as a first bike. You will definitely get a good feel for motorcycling on that bike and maybe you will stick with it and maybe you will go bigger. Just remember that the only important thing about riding a motorcycle is how you feel on it. If you like it and it has everything you want then never listen to anyone else who tells you that you can get a "better" bike.

If you have any questions let me know. You should also get in touch with ******, he rides motorcycles too and started on a 250cc sport bike and is about to buy a 1993 (I think) Honda F3 which is a great bike as well. Also, he is in your area and is pretty good about maintenance on bikes. Which leads me to my last bit of advice. Take the opportunity to learn how to do the basic maintenance on your own bike, it is rewarding in an intellectual and fiscal (if you do things right it will save you hundreds of dollars) way and will give you a good level of understanding and pride in your bike.

I will give ****** your number as well, I think he lives nearby, finding a riding buddy creates a social aspect to an otherwise solitary (not in a bad way) activity.

That is all I can think of for now, look forward to seeing you in a few months.

-Dave

**renegade** · 06-17-2009, 02:13 AM

thats pretty good advice

always wise to ride with someone with alot of experience, as it gets passed down to new riders. put in ALOT of seat time, respect the throttle (even if its only a 250). simply just have fun with it.

**Cever** · 06-17-2009, 02:24 AM

MSF course, bar none best money spent. Saves on insurance and lends valuable advice. Make sure to clear up the difference between the back brake and the front brake. And one thing that I think is COMPLETELY valuable, tell him how to pick up a down bike cause eventually it'll hit the ground and I've seen a few guys just struggle their ass off trying to figure out how to pick it up. Oh yea and tucking in your shoe laces, which is exactly how I dropped my R6 the only time...Damn kick stand

**Gimpy** · 06-17-2009, 02:25 AM

I started riding last year on a new '08 ninja 250... I can vouch for your statement that it doesn't lose value. Also agree it is a great bike to learn on. That particular bike teaches how not to drop it in low speed manuevers, and how to modulate the throttle.

As for what you left out, safety and awareness of the dumbass cage drivers. If he hasn't taken the MSF course (I didn't but did shitloads of research on riding), you should fill him in about it... i.e cars turning left at intersections, pulling out of driveways/sidestreets, blindspots, etc...

From my experience, he will be looking to upgrade to a 600 after 2 weeks

**renegade** · 06-17-2009, 02:35 AM

^ speaking of cagers...teach him to profile different types of vehicles.

- soccer mom vans: expect distracted mothers trying to keep their kids quiet and drive carelessly
- toyota camry's: i dont know what it is. doesnt matter who it is, but that car is like kryptonite to ALL drivers. you instantly sit in it, and you end up driving like a COMPLETE IDIOT!
- commercial vans with no side windows: be wary of their blind spots.
- cars that look beat up and 10+ years old: more often than not, they are driven my aging seniors or drivers that just dont give an eff about the rules of the road, which explains for the endless dents and dings.

**Cever** · 06-17-2009, 02:52 AM

LOL I always had trouble outta people in suburbans and tahoe's...No telling how many mirrors I readjusted

**Rheb1026** · 06-17-2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by renegade

thats pretty good advice

always wise to ride with someone with alot of experience.

Big +1 to that. I did that for my first month or so and it helped trememdously; I learned a lot of things. I had my "experienced rider" basically follow me when we went out to ride. I could go at my own pace, at the speed I felt comfortable, but best of all not worry about being intimitated by the cars around me. And to a new rider, they are intimidating.

Let him know about the small things too like flashing his brakes when he's stopped at a light and a car is pulling up behind him, and when possible I try to pull along side a car when Im at a stop light just incase the car behind me doesn't see me.

I wouldn't bother teaching him to stereotype drivers based on cars, just tell him to keep a safe distance and always be aware of his surroundings. Check his mirrors constantly, know where that car is behind you. Ride safely and don't take chances until he becomes familiar with riding.

Most of all practice, practice, practice, and get out and ride that thing! Of course, being in the Boston area, things are going to be two times as crazy!

**Frankie6** · 06-18-2009, 03:58 PM

Just because you think you've made eye contact with a driver, don't assume he/she was looking at you. Proceed as if you were not seen...

**renegade** · 06-18-2009, 04:04 PM

ALWAYS ride with high-beams on (day and especially night). it may annoy cagers, but at least they cant use the excuse of not seeing you. if they get annoyed, they know you're there.

**StoneJ** · 06-18-2009, 04:16 PM

some great advice.

I always noticed lifted truck are full of ignorant pricks who think they've got the right of way.

Always, always, always leave yourself an out. You wouldn't be surpirsed how many people cut you off or push you out of a lane. I haven't kicked a mirror yet but i have punched some windows on the free-way.