Sort of like being a musician. Playing a drum kit comes to mind not just because every limb is in charge of something different, but also because of the amount of multitasking and forward planning that has to happen every second you're on a bike.
I was almost killed on my sportbike back in 1999,and as I was busy healing back up,every single one of my friends and family said to me: "Boy,I bet that's the end of your riding days now,eh? ",to which I replied "ABSOLUTELY NOT! I'd rather DIE on my bike than die in my bed,an old man! ",and since that time,I've been riding ever since! TWO-WHEELS-FOREVER!!! : >)
I got hit by a truck last November on my e-bike and been blessed only to have 2 bulging discs and some damage to my foot. I plan on getting my first moto when I get my settlement. I plan on getting a dual sport with off-road tires because I love riding trails
I took a spill at 35 mph because of my own stupidity and the amount of people saying I should give it up because my body will "thank me when I'm older" and "I'll live longer" is a little ridiculous. It doesn't help that half of these people don't have the nuts to even take a 250 out on the road, but regardless, they have to interject their opinion.
I never understand that logic. People almost die in car accidents all the time, yet I rarely hear 'I bet that's the end of your driving days'. Kanye West almost died in a car accident, now some people say he's crazy, but not for still driving.
I'm a car and motorcycle enthusiast. Most of the people I know don't understand the feeling you get when you shift your own gears, or when you ride your bike.
2:00 riding with disabilities. I have Cerebral palsy, it makes my walk look funny and I have 30% the balance of most people. I ride a 600lb harley without any modifications. I know of people who had never considered riding, but started because they saw me.. Love it!
_INB4 a 80 year old Grandma in Thailand is cranking her hog_ I think Americans struggle since, with our Infrastructure, most people haven't even ridden a bicycle, much less a Motorcycle, so we lose "Coordination/Balance" development in most youth now. Anywhere else in the world, I think anyone can hop on and ride and someday I hope more Americans try more motorcycle riding!
I’m American and I’ve been riding for over 50 years. I grew up in a family of bikers and have never known any other way. I’ve worked in the motorcycle industry in the past and have lost many friends and made many more because of motorcycles. I’m in my 50s and I don’t plan on ever not riding. I hope the grandma in Thailand can somehow experience the love and brotherhood that the American motorcycling culture has shown so many of us over here in the states. Just because we can afford cars and trucks too doesn’t mean we don’t love bikes.
I love how this was supposed to be a video going point by point on several cons that could go against riding bikes... And every single one is a good point in my favor: - The risk taught me how to be a better rider with better awareness. Also, the adrenaline kick is always great. - To practice and enhance your skills and coordination is fun, and it gives you great satisfaction when you overcome yourself. - I have no other "expensive" addictions or hobbies, nor debts, so managing my bike finances makes me feel like a proper adult, not like a kid who cannot manage his own money. - There's a lot of maintenance you can do yourself and save some bucks. It also makes you learn a bit of mechanical stuff (if you didn't have that knowledge previously). Plus that time you spent taking care of your bike, believe It or not, creates a bond between you and the machine. - Bad weather? Rain? Gravel roads? That all adds up to the adventure! - Have you ever seen a MotoGP rider fat? Well, that's because a sport riding technique demands you in the long term. Did you need a gym? Well, a couple of hours a week on the bike is going to prepare your body. At least the core section of the torso, that's for sure. Sore abs and low back after a long riding session? Good, better that than your wrists ✌🏻 - If you ride a bike, sooner or later you gonna socialize. People are gonna look at you, wave at you on the streets, ask you at the pub about that special exhaust you got. Even if you have a problem and pull over to the side of the road, if another biker sees you, they will probably stop and ask you if you're okay. You belong to a big big family now and we try to take care of each other. - Wanna do a long trip? Yeah, a big ol truck is nice, but the challenge to take with you only the "necessary" stuff is gonna change the way you look at stuff. In the long term, you are going to end up questioning things like, "Man, I don't think we need this in my home anymore". It's a challenge but it is also a mind-changing experience.
All really good points, but the main reason I have seen people give up on motorcycles, is that they chose the wrong bike to start on. Harleys are pretty popular here and I have seen new riders buy big loaded up ones only to sit in their garage because they never felt confident riding it. I also know someone who bought a CBR600RR as their first bike (only 600cc you know?) low sided it, and never got back on. I bought my bike from a guy who went down on it and broke his wrist. He couldn't get rid of it quick enough. It's not super powerful (Triumph Speedmaster), but it is a bit heavy. My point is, that all of these people would have had a much better experience with some common sense, and a bike matching their skill level.
When I bought my 2021 cbr1000rr in August of 2022, there was one exactly like it with 600 miles on it. It had a tail tidy and a radiator guard on it, so I asked about it, but wound up going with the new bike, rather than the used one, for cheaper than what they wanted to sell the used bike, because mine was a holdover. 600 miles is the break in period. Dude bought it, babied it until the break in oil change, took it to redline once, on the interstate in front of the dealership, turned around at the next exit, and came back to trade it in for an Indian scout. It was his first bike. lol. He had the Indian for a month, put 75 miles on it, and brought it back to sell it to them at a huge loss, and get out of riding, because he apparently sucked at it. 😂
Just got my first bike, a 2017 sv650. I was intimidated at first and thought I might have bit off more than I could chew but that was all before actually riding the bike. Now having ridden it a fews, I couldn't be happier with my decision. I've driven manual cars for sometime and I think it helped me significantly to get comfortable with how the bike operates. Now, I think a 300 would have left something to be desired, although I need to ride my buddies before I come to a conclusion.
@@jmoon9123 I think that an SV650 is a pretty good first bike for a lot of people. So congrats, that really is a very good and fun bike. I also think a beginner bike can be different for different people. I have seen kids that have been doing motocross since they could barely walk get on road bikes for the first time and be fine with a somewhat more aggressive bike. That doesn't mean they were immediately suited for driving on public roads, but they could certainly control the bike.
The lack of storage and the lack of passenger space is a big selling point. It focuses minimalism and ensures I don’t ever have to have a passenger, preserves my fortress of solitude to unwind and relax. I never ride two up and no one ever asks me to help them move
Mate spot on, in my humble opinion if you need company, music etc on a ride you ain't doing it right ! I'm a daily rider and focus on the road, other traffic and hazards is enough. Riding gives me the peace I need.
@@stephenflowerday4038 if it above 15° F (-10° C) without ice on the road I am a daily rider. It is definitely a mindfulness exercise to shut down and empty the garbage that collects during the day.
The hardest thing for me is I tend to judge people who don't ride or like motorcycles hahahaha.. I daily ride a motorcycle. Every single day. I don't drink anymore because I have to ride home. So I'm a lot less social too. I tend to prioritize riding more than anything. I do have a lot of other hobbies like martial arts, music, learning languages, comics and video games and going to places to eat but I go everywhere riding my bike. If I'm going anywhere and I can't ride there or find a decent place to park my bike. I'd rather not go usually hahaha
I gave up motorcycling for 10 years because of fear of other drivers and the danger, one day it just struck me and I couldn’t do it anymore. But last year I started again and I’m enjoying it very much.
keep it going bro, the most important thing is to have fun and be safe. been riding a 125cc for 4 years now and im planing to get a Yamaha R25 (common bike in malaysia) and im gonna get the engines swapped with an R3 block, that's gonna be sweet and lots of fun ahha
I’m a Gen X-er. We grew up jumping bicycles over our friends on homemade ramps (though the last kid in line always covered his nuts). When I started riding motorcycles 30 years ago I was told by everyone close to me “You’re gonna die on that thing”. Fast forward to today and I’m still riding and enjoying every mile… and I still have working nuts. Take some risks.
My cousin was on a bicycle and a drunk illegal went off the road and hit him and put him in a coma for a month and broke many, many bones. He was forever getting back to health. He's probably 85% back to normal now. He later told me he is looking to buy a really fast sport bike. So I said to him, "isn't your family going to object to you getting a motorcycle considering what happened to you?" He said, "oh no they don't mind me having a motorcycle, they just don't want me to have a bicycle." That really made me laugh.
He was rear ended . Less likely on something faster than cars the best motorcycle riders are masters of the bicycle. If you want to wheelie I recommend learning on a Bicycle before a motorcycle . If you can ride a unicycle you can probably ride circle wheelies
I rode bicycles the first 20 years of my life and I broke bones and lost lots of blood crashing them. I’ve been riding motorcycles for 50 years and have never had a scratch from it.
I taught MSF courses for 11 years and had several students who had never even sat on a motorcycle before taking the class. Most picked it up fairly quickly, but I ran across a few students I had to council out of the class after they fell over several times during the most simple exercises. A few of those were due to health conditions, but most were due to the student lacking the basic coordination skills to safely operate a motorcycle...even in a parking lot at slow speeds.
i think this was mostly out of fear of people saying they didn't had the coordination or all the wrong things a lot of people talk about motorcyles. I was in YCRS this year, and there was another student that told us that at first his MSF coach said he was a danger to him an to society if he rode a bike, yet, at the end of the course he was doing way better than a lot of riders out there in the street. yes his confidence was still not super high, also yes, he was one of the slowest at that day, but i cant see any reason he cant turn into a great rider.
@@VSL229 yep low manuever requires good balance, fine throttle control and brake control, this is even harder when lanesplitting in a high traffic road , it's a very common thing and legal here in southeasia and im a malaysian. plus motorcycle culture here is so rich ranging from the most common ones 150cc to 250cc through all the way up 1000cc. you'd be amazed what people here do with their 150cc mopeds, crazy stuff sometimes, even recently has someone put a pre crossplane inline 4 R1 engine inside of a yamah y15 chassis with loads of modification its crazy haha
My instructor at the motorcycle school I attended last year just died on the highway after an accident with a pickup truck. He's the guy who taught us how to be safe on a motorcycle. It really made me pause and think when I heard the news yesterday.
My condolences. That would definitely mess with your head. i still think about the ways that people I’ve known crashed and died. It never leaves you. I think it’s probably a good thing in some ways but it sure will make you question some of your decisions. we can ride like we’re invisible and wear proper gear to help our odds. Ride safe friend.
Think biggest mental energy drain is the constant necessary attention to the road surface ahead. So many different things that can dump you onto the pavement at speed. After returning from a month-long round trip, USA East Coast to West Coast and back in 1983 , when I drove my car the next day, felt as if by comparison I could practically do so in my sleep. That is how much more alert one needs to be to surroundings on a motorcycle.
As someone with undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, ADHD, I was very concerned when I first got a motorcycle. However, for me, I have come to realize that this is my superpower, at least when it comes to being on two wheels. I'm so accustomed to my brain doing 817 things as once that, when I'm on my bike, I can pay attention to the cars around me while I flick my eyes down to check my speed or scan my mirrors while remembering to clutch and downshift or upshift and brake with my hand and my foot all at the same time while singing whatever song has been stuck in my head for the last 4 days. I fully understand that this is, perhaps, just me and how other people would struggle with it. But you'll never know until you try. And I, for one, am glad I did.
Same here bro I thought I was the only one. My wife has it worse then I do I'm trying to get her on a 450ss to start out I know she would do phenomenal. Something about adhd and motorcycles just clicks..... so much to do it keeps you busy and engaged
I have been a new rider for over one week and I bought a new 2023 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT on July 20 and it has 1,200kms on it, I love riding.......I wear safety gear all the time!
This bike is way easier to ride and great for a beginner. No need to worry about shifting up or down, comfortable seat and comfortable seating position. Congrats and be safe
Take courses... they also have advanced courses... start small.. nobody laughs, then you can get bigger ones later... good luck and stay safe! Also...wear a helmet..one saved my life at only 35 mph.
@@kennethanway7979 I cracked my skull in training while I was in Marine Corps Boot Camp so, I will definitely rock a helmet plus the state of Washington requires one. And personally, I love smaller bikes because I live via condo in a Metropolitan area near the airport so they're more convenient to commute with.
My fam ditched me entirely when they realised I got a bike. What's worse, they're a family that's been on bikes their entire life, owns a bike repair shop and basically lives on two wheels but they just wanted me to remain a dainty little princess. Too small to ride, too weak to do anything without them. So yeah it kinda goes all ways on the social stigma front.
True! My first wreck was with a lady who pulled right out in front of me...had eye contact too! Helmet probably saved my life. The only other stuff I did was like forgetting to put the kickstand down!
I picked riding back up midst of the pandemic and I had to first spend a month or so restoring my little CB250. My older brother who thought Id never get it running sees me out riding and decides hes gonna try and one-up my ass. Bought a new Harley on a whim and manages to pop his grape open whilst unloading it from his trailer. Another $4k tacked onto the price for dealer repairs and 4 years later, its still sitting in his garage doing NOTHING. Hes afraid of the damn thing now.
Good advice. Being licensed, helmeted, trained, sober and sensible can greatly reduce the risks. But still, if someone rear ends you at a light doing 50 mph, you'll be wishing you were in a car. It's a risk I've been willing to take, despite generally being a fairly risk averse person. I guess it's my thrill-seeking side winning out.
When I planned on getting a bike, I went looking to get insurance. And I shopped around and found out my insurance company at the time was scamming me. Literally another $20 more than what I was paying got me “full coverage” with both my car and bike with monthly payments since I had defensive driving with both vehicles.
I am 54 and have ridden for about 20 years. My Mom still will not discuss my riding with me. She finds it very traumatic. So, I avoid the subject. My wife is ok with me riding so it's all good.
Same story hear but I started in 1990. My mom knows I am going to die every time I ride my 1000sx. I have my private pilot license and she doesn't care about that. I was looking at an ultralight before getting my bike and she thought that would be cool. When I showed up on my bike, her quote was "I thought you were going to get an ultralight "!!! My wife said, nothing I can say will stop you from doing it so just be careful. My daughter works in a trauma er and likes to tell me about the riders that come in by helicopter.
I'm glad you mentioned cycling. The risk factor for cars is the same and road biking is a dying sports thanks to it. But it's given me the awareness and helped ease my fears of motorbikes being a lifelong road cyclist.
I’ve rode for 17 years now, plenty of miles, types of bikes, crashed (once - shattered collar bone, split scapula, no feeling in the skin under my left knee) on the streets, on the track, and I still sometimes wonder if I’m cut out for it. 🤷🏻♂️
I have a partially paralyzed left left. I cannot work a shifter or pick up my leg to get on the peg. I started on a Honda Africa Twin DCT and now I have a Honda Fireblade and Ducati Streetfighter V4SP2 with adaptive shifters from Kliktronic. If I can ride, you can ride!
Here there was a girl that was super anxious and bougth a bike she got scared with a can driver and overreacted extremly bad and threw herself of a bridge ...thats why is not for anyone
Scooters, the gateway drug to riding. They are so underrated in the US. I have a maxi scooter that can hold a week's worth of groceries, have taken on 600 mile trips. The motorcycle is for fun rides on the weekends.
the biggest factor to not daily a motorcycle is probably winter (at least where there is snow etc). sure its possible but you gotta be ridiculously careful and will not have a great time trying to not crash in a snowstorm at 5 in the morning.
As somebody who only ever owned a Honda Spree, when I showed up to the Honda dealership to snag my new Navi, I was nervous the first time I threw a leg over it minutes before I signed all the paperwork... Now, nearly a month in, I can totally see myself moving up to a bigger bike. It takes time but I think most people can and should ride. It gives you an appreciation for being mindful while driving even when you get back behind 4-wheels.
My daughter was keen to ride a motorcycle. I was all for it as I rode when I was younger and was looking at getting back on a motorcycle myself. There have been a few obstacles in the way. She wrecked her wrist, my motorcycle got stolen (since recovered and trying to fix), then my trailer got stolen (want to start her off road; lower speed lots of space). We'll get there!
I completely agree with that comfort zone description. I’ve seen my fair share of people who CONTINUE to ride their motorcycles even when they’re uncomfortable. They always have a fear of their bike, yet are too afraid of being ostracized by their group of friends, to actually stop riding. If you have fear or discomfort riding your bike, just stop. All you’re really doing, is putting yourself and others around you, in danger. I don’t need a dude going 55 on the fast lane because he’s afraid he might fall 🤦♂️
His point on old bikes for a first one is a under rated observation. My first was a 79 xs650 and I worked on it at least as much as I rode it if not more
Watching this after having wrist surgery. Plate on my left distal radius with 10 screws, another 1 in my scaphoid. I tore most of the ligaments in my hand and I have another surgery this coming Friday. I’m hopeful I’ll have no lasting nerve damage and that may be wishful thinking but regardless of that, as soon as I can pull a clutch lever I’m throwing my leg over again. I thought I was a goner when I went over the Uber that pulled out on me. Recovery isn’t going to be overnight but I’m grateful to be alive and still in good health relatively speaking.
you can do a custom clutch lever on the right side you know, just like that foot brake lever underneath and bit to the front of the clutch lever they use it mostly for wheelie stunt. good luck to you man
I'm restoring a Moto Guzzi V50C and a Honda CM400T without a driver's license for motorcycles but with the V50C almost done and the CM400T's to-do list being very manageable the desire to start taking lessons only gets stronger :D (I plan to take a 2 month course + exams and all that next summer 🤞)
@@kennethanway7979 Hahaha, thanks for your enthusiasm! It's the bike I look forward to riding most but also the one I have the most issues sourcing a few parts for here in the NL 😄 (previous owner started a bobber conversion but I'm not a fan of converting classics like this so I'm trying to restore what I can). Fingers crossed though! 🤞🏼
Some have no mechanical sense. They can't perceive traction thresholds, lean angles, closing speeds, etc. They are simply dangerous to put on a motorcycle... or a table saw, or belt fed machine gun, or any manner of mechanical devices.
Skydiving is pretty fun. Less risky than motorcycles too although an all or nothing kind of deal lol. Given that most people today are fat, lazy, and careless (at best) behind the wheel of their cars, that rules out most people as safe riders right out of the gate and young men riders are not exactly poster children for responsible riding either - that leaves a pretty small population! If you are a cyclist first, at least you'll have decent safety instincts and likely safer riding habits (and if a mountain biker too, your vehicle control likely to be pretty good as well).
@@slimfit767he’s right though. skydiving has the amount of micromorts per jump as riding a motorcycle for 60 miles, so every 60 miles you ride is equivalent to one skydive in terms of chance of death.
I don't seem to have the same fear of crappy drivers that others do, because there's an awful lot you can do to greatly limit situations where you don't have any options to stop or evade a collision. I see people do stupid things quite often, and almost every time I was already I expecting it beforehand and preparing for it. There's maybe one or two times in almost a decade of riding where I had something happen that was a close call that I can think of. Like a blind turn with a blind driveway that had a 6' + tall hedge that came right to the road and a truck was backing out of it, I was able to dodge it just enough that their trailer hitch grazed my kneepad. But I learned from that and would slow down in future in a situations with tight roads and low visibility like that. It was also in my first year of riding, so maybe that also had something to do with why it was such a close call. Most of the time, I'm acting in a way that will proactively avoid any potential situations before they even arise. It's pretty much an automatic habit at this point that can feel like a sixth sense at times.
I was outside my comfort zone my whole first year. Now I ride several times a week all year round. It gets easier and you start relaxing when you trust yourself and your bike.
"Motorcycling is not for everyone" - I would completely agree. Not everyone has the necessary physical coordination which could make it very dangerous for them. We all have different gifts and abilities and need to know what is for us and what is not. For years I never understood why anyone would want a Trike. That was until I got older and started to experience knee issues and spoke to a few guys who wer4e riding Trikes simply because of leg/knee issues. I am still on 2-wheels and hope to be for at least another 10-15 years but these days I love to see people on Trikes. Respect!
Around 25 years ago I had a friend and after riding with him a dozen times I told him he really shouldn’t be on a bike because he just doesn’t have it. Nobody would take that advice, but one day we were riding and he ended up crossing the center line around a corner and got his left leg clipped off by a moving truck. There are some people that just shouldn’t be on a bike.
I grew up in a motorcycling family. So it was natural for me to start riding. I've been riding since I was a little kid. I'm in my fifties now and I still ride
Just bought my first bike for $500 and no it's not the bike of many people's dreams but I love it... 1994 Honda pc800 with 45k miles on it...can't wait to see where this brings me
I’m scratching my piggy bag to upgrade my motor cycle from 350CC to 450 CC😂 Learned motorcycling the raw way, but thanks to you and many more out there on CZcams, now I’ve learned the counter steering, cornering, braking etc…Thanks to all of the motor bike pandits out there.🙏
I'm an advocate of buying smaller bikes to try it out. There are so many 150cc options that you can learn on, they're dirt cheap to buy and maintain, it's a good way to build the skills needed to get on a bigger bike in the future. I personally 150cc bike for 3 years as my daily before I went and got a bigger bike.
I was an avid bicyclist. In the 90's I loved mountain biking in Montana. I had to quit because of traffic. There just were no trails and bike lanes in my town. Traffic has also stopped me from driving a car. I get road rage in a car and I can't escape it. When I ride, I get away from cars and almost never feel road rage coming on. What also helped, I moved to South America because I couldn't sacrifice my freedom because the US has designed its communities around cars. Add overpopulation and under policing of traffic and I was outta there. Where I live I can walk but choose to ride. There is a large motorcycle culture here, which is cool.
I just started riding again after a 9 year break due to a knee injury while serving. But it turns out a hand injury from my youth may prevent me from becoming a serious rider. I physically cannot keep the clutch engaged for long periods of time and my hand will lock up to the point I can't even fully engage it after even a short ride depending on how much stop and go traffic there is. I'm hoping to re-learn enough on the bike I have and buy another one to get an auto-clutch installed, but if I can't push through, I may have to give up riding for good this time
Get you a scooter, they got some bedazz scooters these days, lot of race bike riders are Getting scooters because they don't want shift gears in every day life because they do it for a living
Many years ago I broke my left wrist in a low speed crash. I lost a lot of feeling and strength in my hand. The doctor advised me to buy a squash ball and use it as an exercise tool. Evenings just sitting around I would keep squeezing that ball for hours just talking or watching TV. Try it, it worked for me.
I've loved Motorcycles since being a young lad and have a massive tolerance to the cold, so all year riding (with the right gear) is fine. It's my only transport theses days other than the bus, train or taxi. Also in my part of the UK we don't tend to get bad winters. Got a super reliable if a bit boring XJ600 Diversion at the moment that can take the abuse of any weather. I do think knowing how to service your bike is super important for safety. I'm lucky enough to have a fully stocked workshop though. That saves me £££'S
I had a 900 diversion myself, very nice but boring bike for yrs until i had a go on me mates ZZR 1100 one day, a week later i p/x it in for me own ZZR 1100. I'm also an all yr round rider (no car license) mainly for work, I also agree that knowing how to service and spanner ya bike is critical.
Planning to get my uncle's old CB550 since I dont feel confident enough using my Civic to get to college since the roads are tight... It might be a fun ride
I feel the most underestimated discomfort/inconvenience/TORTURE for bikers is how drastically the temperature changes once the sun goes down. Being across town or at a friend's house too long then leave to go home once that evening chill sets in,.. with no jacket,... holy cow, can it get cold, QUICK !!! I represent though, I ride ALL YEAR, ALL WEATHER (except lightning). Thank God for rechargeable heater vests, from🥶to🥵 at the push of a button.
Great video! I agree. Also, driving is not for everyone. Personal conditions, skills and some personal characteristics make for horrible drivers. Yet, we don't lack the type around the world. My mom "learned" to drive in her mid-30s. She thought she was a great driver but nobody wanted to sit on the front seat with her... No need to say that our insurance premiums were very high. 🙂
I've had two girlfriends who didn't grow up with bicycles. (Who does that?!) One, I bought her a bike and taught her to ride. She didn't really like it and quit. My present girlfriend wanted to learn to ride my Vespa. She just doesn't have the balance that comes after learning to ride a bike when you're young. The ability many of us take for granted is actually a great undertaking when we are older.
I took the Team Oregon (MSF) course at 44. Got a bike off of the FB Marketplace, and haven't looked back. I wish that I would have done it years ago. If you have doubts, take the course. It's a relatively cheap way to find out if it is for you or not.
As someone who lives in the middle of nowhere my motorcycle is the only way to not lose money going to work I have daily for a straight year rain,snow and hail because I was paying 200 a week in gas now I pay 20. For me I think it is worth the danger
I grew up in a family that was extremely against anything dangerous. Then again- They always know and sometimes point out how I’m always on my phone and on electronics, don’t do anything over the summer or anything much at least. Why?? Because we literally don’t do anything fun, summer or not, holiday or not. It gets to the point where my number one hobby, drawing, is boring now. All you do is sit down and draw a bunch of lines on a page till it looks good. I’m trying to get this as a hobby so I can finally Have Fun. Of once in my peanut sized brain life. However I’m having trouble deciding fully if I should go into this 100% because I do have a slight case of driving anxiety(which is progressively getting better) and lack of confidence:/ I hope to overcome these issues soon (I hope so cuz I’m bored of doing the same thing everyday)
Thanks for this video. I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle for decades and actively shopping in the last couple of years now that I have my MSF endorsement. There's always been something financial or logistic that's been a hindrance, and I keep wondering whether this is right for me. I really appreciate the candor of a video like this. It helps me think realistically about this choice and if it's right for me.
I agree starting with a project isn't the best way to do it but it is how I started. I bought a non running 78' honda twinstar cafe racer, got it running, and did my first year of riding with it and its still in great shape and a part of my growing fleet. Never had it break down on me but there was always the worry so to celebrate getting my full motorcycle license I treated myself to a brand new at the time 22' klx300sm. So far ive only done oil changes and mods and haven't worried about getting stuck somewhere far away since. If I could go back I still wouldn't change a thing and love my old Honda. Definitely not my reccomend way to start if you aren't already into mechanics and good with a wrench but If you are it can work and save you a ton of money 😂
As a fairly new motorcyclist, 1 year in August, I have learned a lot and gain a lot of respect for other motorcyclists as I see and have experienced some of the challenges motorcyclists face. My two biggest issues when it comes to safety is Cagers not paying attention whether it be cutting you off/ pulling out in front of you or getting too close to your back tire when you are stopped and not being able to lane filter, this is illegal in my state but there is a bill on the books to make it legal. The weather is also a challenge that a lot of motorcyclists face. I live in the Southeast so it gets hot in the summer but also gets below freezing in the winter. I personally do not ride my motorcycle and temperatures below 55°F as for me that is way too cold, I also don't ride in the rain if I don't have to. The biggest problem I have seen as a motorcyclist is all of the distracted drivers or drivers that just don't pay attention. The motorcycle community in my area is hit or miss, some will wave at you some won't, some will wave back if you wave first and some won't. For me it's whatever if someone waves at me I always back as long as it's not going to put me in a bad spot, if I wave first and they don't wave back I just shrug my shoulders and keep on moving.
I'm a little clumsy and airheaded sometimes. I try my best to not be so on the motorcycle, but I do sometimes make mistakes. I'm afraid one day it'll kill me, but I love my bike way too much
I passed my CMSP (California MSF equivalent) this weekend with only one point to spare before failing and I really felt bad about it. I love motorcycles, I love riding, more than anything, and my dad has been riding for ages. I want to be able to do it, and according to my instructors I can, but I let the nerves get to me even after starting to get the exercises right. I hit the cones (representing a car in front of me) during the swerve and had a skid during the emergency brake portion of my test, missed some head turns too. Missed gears, sometimes jerky controls. Part of me thinks it's just being a VERY new rider partnered with the extreme anxiety of a test environment, but another part of me worries that I might just not have the skill for motorcycling. I got all the exercises down after all, I suppose. I want to overcome all of that though, so I'm glad videos like this can let me take into consideration whether or not I really should be on two wheels in the first place. I'm likely worried about nothing really and just need a LOT more practice. In any case, all of you out there, stay happy and safe riding!
If you've got access to a bike, I'd recommend spending some time just in parking lots, doing the basics from your class. In Massachusetts at least, the class has to cram a lot into just 2 days, so the instructors need to really push you. But if you passed and you love it, maybe what you need is some time at your own pace, with shorter sessions. An hour practicing gear shifting and then calling it a day is a lot less nerve wracking than going lesson to lesson for 6 hours straight.
@@kennethanway7979 I could tell that was the case as soon as I failed the swerve, I was really quite disappointed with myself. I'm determined to be as safe a rider as I can be if I decide to continue, and so a lot of practice is certainly in order, both to get technique and improve confidence. Cheers!
I know what you mean. I always rode scooters, which I like very much. I tried a geared motorcycle a couple of years ago and just couldn't get the same enjoyment out of it, so I went back to what I know. I tried, it didn't work, but am now back to loving every ride. No shame there. It probably didn't help that my giant feet made it bloody difficult to operate the gear shifter!
My family and I actually decided that it's less expensive to own a bike than for me to own a car. Im 16, in florida. Car insurance on a 2014 CRV is abt 5400 A YEAR. Like cmon, the r3 I have? 1400 a year. On top, its cheaper to maintain, more fun, and, its a bike, cmon.
I grew up on a mini bike and started riding motocross at 13 but stopped at 17 because I didn't want to be hurt and ruin my chances to complete my tech school and graduate with my shop diploma and didn't pick it back up until I was 22 I bought a shitbox shovelhead and sold it before it became a regular ride, a year later I bought an evo softail and liked riding but it was too heavy, clutch had been fucked with so it had a ridiculously heavy clutch lever and the brakes were also changed out years ago and the brake pedal was like straight up in the air. So the bike was a bitch to ride for more than 20 minutes. Got a grom (always had two stroke scooters) and loved it but felt like it left me wanting more so I sold that and just gave up on riding until last week I caved and picked up a fresh xr650, can't get me off the thing now.
Thanks for making this video. I agree 💯. As a retired state trooper I've worked more than my share of fatal crashes involving motorcyclists. Some were poor decisions but others were, inexperienced. Like you, I am both a cyclist and motorcyclist. Get some training and ride with your head on a swivel. Rubber side down!
onlything i struggle with as a new rider is maintaining myself in 1st gear coming to a stop, my mind wants to keep going non stop and then when im coming to a stop i start getting a bit nervous
Bicycling for Decades prepared me for the Moto Life, thank God my Dad also did both, I added Swimming the day he passed and Moto within months in his honor, and because Moto (V Stromo 650 hard butt)
A man unfortunately passed away along my intersection because a car collided with him. It’s a sobering reminder to ride safe which can be fun . Don’t need to speed and put your self at risk for so called ‘fun’
I totaly agree, ivebeen riding since 12y im now 60y my older brother was always accident prone to a point, never used a bicycle when young.were i lived on bicycles every day since i can remember, skate boarding, roller skating all in a stunt whay re biulding or making my ride naturall progreset onto dirt bikes then road when old enough, during my brothers mid life crisis he secretly took and passed his test and brout his first bIke a 1998 cbr600rr two weeks later he was a paraplegic and broke basicalt every bone in his body, spent the next 20 od years basically bed riden until he pased away in 2021of cancer. At the time it put me of biking for around 6 years, until i was on holiday in thay land and say all the modern bikes for rent on the beach road i rented a older xjr1200 with my.hands shaking as i set off as soon as i got round the corner i was ripping a wheelie from the lights and it was like coming home i now have several bikes inc ninja h2 2015 and still loving it, i feel my brother looking after me at times i know hes happy for me. Some things in life just call you to them, if you dont feel comfortable or have serious doubts, listen to them. Gods speed.
My bike is up for sale because I've been struggling with chronic fatigue, pain, and a lack of focus for about the past year and I don't currently feel safe to be riding at this time
Improving your riding skill (or any other motorsport for that matter) is a lot different than other sports in one way; in normal sports you step outside of your limits to improve, in motorsports you toe that line but don't cross it. Because rather than massing up meaning you don't score a point, messing up means you crash into that tree over there
There's the expense in money but there is also the expense in time. To get competent and comfy is like becoming a good bluesman - you have to put in your time making a lot of sqwauks before you can play smooth jazz in public.
I agree some are cut out for it some aren't. If a person as a child rode bicycles heavily and did well with it. Understanding of how two wheels works and used them for all they are worth that kind of person will most likely do great on motorcycles. The person that hated sitting on a bike and had bad balance. They should probably avoid this hobby
I think a big factor would also be the weather. For us here in Canada, motorcycles are useless for half of the year because of snow. I've really wanted one, but I need a heated guarage to store it properly, not to mention an expensive 1000$ liscence.
A heated garage !? lol, now that is just making excuses. I grew up in Connecticut and knew no one with a heated garage. would ride in the nice weather and clean and maintain the bike during the bad. Even in the middle of winter if a semi pleasant day occurred I would get a ride in. I usually call it when the temp is mid 20s° F with never having heated grips and similar things. Sometimes hard waiting for better weather but I fixed that by moving deep south. Now I ride all year. Was able to save money having a bike as my only vehicle for three years when I couldn't afford a car. You just already talked yourself out of it before you tried getting one.
I was just planning on maybe renting a storage container for the winter, just because my current bike is brand new. If that's not an option, I'll just put a cover on it and store it in the backyard after taking the coolant out of it and winterizing it. That's what I've done on previous bikes in Alberta, and it's never been an issue.
@@KjKase Anti freeze is good to -34°F/ -37°C. I know it's cold up there but you shouldn't have to drain it. You can get one of those utility tents for $150 since you have a yard. That and bike cover should keep it snug and not buried. Keeps all the stuff off and if the temp gets lower than that a few times you can add a little heat and still have access. The one new bike I bought years ago saw all weather being my only vehicle for a few years and it bummed me out Everytime some weather hit. I started sneaking it in my apartment but they seem to frown on that.
Just got my dream bike as my first since i was 13 ive wanted it and it has brought me so much joy whenever a day goes by that i dont ride i start to crave it im starting to think i got myself a new addiction lol
One thing I don't love about it is how everyone wants to tell me that motorcycling is dangerous. Believe it or not, I already know! Oh and they have a personal story of how somebody got hurt. But I've almost definitely heard that one too by this point...
I'm a committed cyclist and motorcyclist having ridden both for over 50 years. I feel much more vulnerable on my bicycle than my Triumphs. I live in Tennessee and we're experiencing a population and building boom Roads I used to ride my road bike on have been repaved with rumble strips on very narrow shoulders rendering them impossible for cycling safely. I had one motorcycle crash in 1974 resulting in a fractured wrist and 3 bicycle crashes resulting in broken ribs, road rash and traumatic brain injuries. I'll continue to ride as safely as I can but I will continue to have fun out there till I'm worm food.
I love riding in Thailand. So much more exciting and such camaraderie because everyone rides some kind of motorbike. Whether it’s a Honda clik 125 or a brand new Hayabusa. They got em all, big and small. In America we have long open highways where I suppose one could get a bit careless and bored. Not in Thailand or any where in SEA. You are on full alert all the time because so much going on. They lane split anywhere they can fit, they even ride on the damn sidewalk. It’s total chaos but it’s awesome!
I was on a ride with my friend on Sunday, he tried to over take a car he hit the medium and died “ Tacoma WA Ruston way “ this happened I had to witness everything I am forever haunted by this my life has changed.
Not for everyone, definitely for me. I've been riding for 12 years this September, and started after 6 years cycling every day to get to school. > I'm a technically minded person and love the additional technical understanding needed to ride a motorcycle over driving a car. > I'm pretty good with maintenance tasks and intermediate modding (I teach IT & robotics which entails a lot of electronic circuits) > Although it may be expensive if I were to have the bike as well as a car, the expense is far less than the cost of purchase and maintenance on a car. My spouse has a car for comparison, which is a very basic Hyundai i10 and it cost more to buy than my high performance VFR1200, and the basic annual maintenance cost is at least double that of the bike. > Since Injuries and Disability was brought up here: I was in an accident 8 weeks ago which ruined my left hand, making the use of a clutch difficult and prone to exacerbating the injury, so I opted to get one of the few DCT motorcycle to be able to ride again now and eliminate the need for my hand to use a clutch for the life of the bike, which will allow my hand to fully heal and not have any issue with a clutch on the next bike I get down the line. > For weather I always say i'd rather ride a thousand rainy or cold days on a bike than drive in a cage for a week. 🤣 > Unfortunately I don't have a lot of community to ride with in my city, the only stigma I have experience is people who don't understand it and assume I'm in mortal danger just for riding. > I'm not worried about storage and passenger accommodation, I have a sport tourer with a big passenger seat and full set of panniers, it just takes planning to make the space constraints work, like getting smaller groceries purchases throughout the week on the way home from work instead of going out for one big groceries run on the weekend.
Sort of like being a musician. Playing a drum kit comes to mind not just because every limb is in charge of something different, but also because of the amount of multitasking and forward planning that has to happen every second you're on a bike.
As a (hack) drummer I agree. Anyone can have a go at motorbiking. It should be accessible. That doesn't mean that everyone will be any good at it.
That's a great analogy!!!
Weird. I’m completely useless on the drums but fine on a bike.
Agree as both drummer and bike rider.
@@Skydrums1 In order to be smooth, timing is important to consider.
4 wheels moves the body,
2 wheels moves the soul.
Greatest comment of all time. This is a mic drop comment 🎤🎤🎤
@@deansheamus5690so true
I've had cars that move my soul, but you put it perfectly! 😀👍
@@deansheamus5690 🍻
@@kennethanway7979 🍻
I was almost killed on my sportbike back in 1999,and as I was busy healing back up,every single one of my friends and family said to me: "Boy,I bet that's the end of your riding days now,eh? ",to which I replied "ABSOLUTELY NOT! I'd rather DIE on my bike than die in my bed,an old man! ",and since that time,I've been riding ever since! TWO-WHEELS-FOREVER!!! : >)
I got hit by a truck last November on my e-bike and been blessed only to have 2 bulging discs and some damage to my foot. I plan on getting my first moto when I get my settlement. I plan on getting a dual sport with off-road tires because I love riding trails
I took a spill at 35 mph because of my own stupidity and the amount of people saying I should give it up because my body will "thank me when I'm older" and "I'll live longer" is a little ridiculous. It doesn't help that half of these people don't have the nuts to even take a 250 out on the road, but regardless, they have to interject their opinion.
After my first crash... lady pulled out in front of me...I got my next one and drove it home with a cast on my arm!
I never understand that logic. People almost die in car accidents all the time, yet I rarely hear 'I bet that's the end of your driving days'. Kanye West almost died in a car accident, now some people say he's crazy, but not for still driving.
@@definitelydoing my thoughts exactly
I'm a car and motorcycle enthusiast. Most of the people I know don't understand the feeling you get when you shift your own gears, or when you ride your bike.
2:00 riding with disabilities. I have Cerebral palsy, it makes my walk look funny and I have 30% the balance of most people. I ride a 600lb harley without any modifications. I know of people who had never considered riding, but started because they saw me.. Love it!
Some people just don’t know they’re real riders. You’ve probably know you were for a long time if I had to guess. Ride safe friend.
_INB4 a 80 year old Grandma in Thailand is cranking her hog_
I think Americans struggle since, with our Infrastructure, most people haven't even ridden a bicycle, much less a Motorcycle, so we lose "Coordination/Balance" development in most youth now.
Anywhere else in the world, I think anyone can hop on and ride and someday I hope more Americans try more motorcycle riding!
but Bladed, what about a Miata?
The Independent State Allied Forces. Never thought I'd see you guys again. Thanks for taking me back two decades.
I’m American and I’ve been riding for over 50 years. I grew up in a family of bikers and have never known any other way. I’ve worked in the motorcycle industry in the past and have lost many friends and made many more because of motorcycles. I’m in my 50s and I don’t plan on ever not riding. I hope the grandma in Thailand can somehow experience the love and brotherhood that the American motorcycling culture has shown so many of us over here in the states.
Just because we can afford cars and trucks too doesn’t mean we don’t love bikes.
I love how this was supposed to be a video going point by point on several cons that could go against riding bikes... And every single one is a good point in my favor:
- The risk taught me how to be a better rider with better awareness. Also, the adrenaline kick is always great.
- To practice and enhance your skills and coordination is fun, and it gives you great satisfaction when you overcome yourself.
- I have no other "expensive" addictions or hobbies, nor debts, so managing my bike finances makes me feel like a proper adult, not like a kid who cannot manage his own money.
- There's a lot of maintenance you can do yourself and save some bucks. It also makes you learn a bit of mechanical stuff (if you didn't have that knowledge previously). Plus that time you spent taking care of your bike, believe It or not, creates a bond between you and the machine.
- Bad weather? Rain? Gravel roads? That all adds up to the adventure!
- Have you ever seen a MotoGP rider fat? Well, that's because a sport riding technique demands you in the long term. Did you need a gym? Well, a couple of hours a week on the bike is going to prepare your body. At least the core section of the torso, that's for sure. Sore abs and low back after a long riding session? Good, better that than your wrists ✌🏻
- If you ride a bike, sooner or later you gonna socialize. People are gonna look at you, wave at you on the streets, ask you at the pub about that special exhaust you got. Even if you have a problem and pull over to the side of the road, if another biker sees you, they will probably stop and ask you if you're okay. You belong to a big big family now and we try to take care of each other.
- Wanna do a long trip? Yeah, a big ol truck is nice, but the challenge to take with you only the "necessary" stuff is gonna change the way you look at stuff. In the long term, you are going to end up questioning things like, "Man, I don't think we need this in my home anymore". It's a challenge but it is also a mind-changing experience.
All really good points, but the main reason I have seen people give up on motorcycles, is that they chose the wrong bike to start on. Harleys are pretty popular here and I have seen new riders buy big loaded up ones only to sit in their garage because they never felt confident riding it. I also know someone who bought a CBR600RR as their first bike (only 600cc you know?) low sided it, and never got back on. I bought my bike from a guy who went down on it and broke his wrist. He couldn't get rid of it quick enough. It's not super powerful (Triumph Speedmaster), but it is a bit heavy. My point is, that all of these people would have had a much better experience with some common sense, and a bike matching their skill level.
I started on a scrambler XC. I'm only 6', but it was everything I wanted in a bike to begin with. Yeah, start with a beater.
This comment can't be stated enough!
When I bought my 2021 cbr1000rr in August of 2022, there was one exactly like it with 600 miles on it. It had a tail tidy and a radiator guard on it, so I asked about it, but wound up going with the new bike, rather than the used one, for cheaper than what they wanted to sell the used bike, because mine was a holdover. 600 miles is the break in period. Dude bought it, babied it until the break in oil change, took it to redline once, on the interstate in front of the dealership, turned around at the next exit, and came back to trade it in for an Indian scout. It was his first bike. lol. He had the Indian for a month, put 75 miles on it, and brought it back to sell it to them at a huge loss, and get out of riding, because he apparently sucked at it. 😂
Just got my first bike, a 2017 sv650. I was intimidated at first and thought I might have bit off more than I could chew but that was all before actually riding the bike. Now having ridden it a fews, I couldn't be happier with my decision. I've driven manual cars for sometime and I think it helped me significantly to get comfortable with how the bike operates. Now, I think a 300 would have left something to be desired, although I need to ride my buddies before I come to a conclusion.
@@jmoon9123 I think that an SV650 is a pretty good first bike for a lot of people. So congrats, that really is a very good and fun bike. I also think a beginner bike can be different for different people. I have seen kids that have been doing motocross since they could barely walk get on road bikes for the first time and be fine with a somewhat more aggressive bike. That doesn't mean they were immediately suited for driving on public roads, but they could certainly control the bike.
The lack of storage and the lack of passenger space is a big selling point. It focuses minimalism and ensures I don’t ever have to have a passenger, preserves my fortress of solitude to unwind and relax. I never ride two up and no one ever asks me to help them move
Exactly!! 🤙
Mate spot on, in my humble opinion if you need company, music etc on a ride you ain't doing it right ! I'm a daily rider and focus on the road, other traffic and hazards is enough. Riding gives me the peace I need.
@@stephenflowerday4038 if it above 15° F (-10° C) without ice on the road I am a daily rider. It is definitely a mindfulness exercise to shut down and empty the garbage that collects during the day.
I like to be able to put a girl on the back....😀
@@kennethanway7979 but then you have to talk to them 🤣
The hardest thing for me is I tend to judge people who don't ride or like motorcycles hahahaha.. I daily ride a motorcycle. Every single day. I don't drink anymore because I have to ride home. So I'm a lot less social too. I tend to prioritize riding more than anything. I do have a lot of other hobbies like martial arts, music, learning languages, comics and video games and going to places to eat but I go everywhere riding my bike. If I'm going anywhere and I can't ride there or find a decent place to park my bike. I'd rather not go usually hahaha
Did you really just list "eating" as a hobby? Haha I'm kidding
I think you should consider getting some help. Also consider not riding to it.
I gave up motorcycling for 10 years because of fear of other drivers and the danger, one day it just struck me and I couldn’t do it anymore.
But last year I started again and I’m enjoying it very much.
keep it going bro, the most important thing is to have fun and be safe. been riding a 125cc for 4 years now and im planing to get a Yamaha R25 (common bike in malaysia) and im gonna get the engines swapped with an R3 block, that's gonna be sweet and lots of fun ahha
I’m a Gen X-er. We grew up jumping bicycles over our friends on homemade ramps (though the last kid in line always covered his nuts). When I started riding motorcycles 30 years ago I was told by everyone close to me “You’re gonna die on that thing”. Fast forward to today and I’m still riding and enjoying every mile… and I still have working nuts. Take some risks.
My cousin was on a bicycle and a drunk illegal went off the road and hit him and put him in a coma for a month and broke many, many bones. He was forever getting back to health. He's probably 85% back to normal now. He later told me he is looking to buy a really fast sport bike. So I said to him, "isn't your family going to object to you getting a motorcycle considering what happened to you?" He said, "oh no they don't mind me having a motorcycle, they just don't want me to have a bicycle." That really made me laugh.
Yeah, a good life insurance policy might be in the works for some family members 😊
He was rear ended . Less likely on something faster than cars the best motorcycle riders are masters of the bicycle. If you want to wheelie I recommend learning on a Bicycle before a motorcycle . If you can ride a unicycle you can probably ride circle wheelies
That’s a good call I never thought of that.
Lmao, golden.
Salute
I rode bicycles the first 20 years of my life and I broke bones and lost lots of blood crashing them. I’ve been riding motorcycles for 50 years and have never had a scratch from it.
I did it boys...picked up a honda shadow ace vt1100. Wanted a z650😅 but i got the cruiser for a deal and i love it
Awesome. Reliability and comfort.
I taught MSF courses for 11 years and had several students who had never even sat on a motorcycle before taking the class. Most picked it up fairly quickly, but I ran across a few students I had to council out of the class after they fell over several times during the most simple exercises. A few of those were due to health conditions, but most were due to the student lacking the basic coordination skills to safely operate a motorcycle...even in a parking lot at slow speeds.
At slow speeds is the difficult part of riding. Nothing is easier than driving 60.
i think this was mostly out of fear of people saying they didn't had the coordination or all the wrong things a lot of people talk about motorcyles. I was in YCRS this year, and there was another student that told us that at first his MSF coach said he was a danger to him an to society if he rode a bike, yet, at the end of the course he was doing way better than a lot of riders out there in the street. yes his confidence was still not super high, also yes, he was one of the slowest at that day, but i cant see any reason he cant turn into a great rider.
@@VSL229 yep low manuever requires good balance, fine throttle control and brake control, this is even harder when lanesplitting in a high traffic road , it's a very common thing and legal here in southeasia and im a malaysian. plus motorcycle culture here is so rich ranging from the most common ones 150cc to 250cc through all the way up 1000cc. you'd be amazed what people here do with their 150cc mopeds, crazy stuff sometimes, even recently has someone put a pre crossplane inline 4 R1 engine inside of a yamah y15 chassis with loads of modification its crazy haha
My instructor at the motorcycle school I attended last year just died on the highway after an accident with a pickup truck. He's the guy who taught us how to be safe on a motorcycle. It really made me pause and think when I heard the news yesterday.
My condolences. That would definitely mess with your head. i still think about the ways that people I’ve known crashed and died. It never leaves you. I think it’s probably a good thing in some ways but it sure will make you question some of your decisions. we can ride like we’re invisible and wear proper gear to help our odds. Ride safe friend.
Think biggest mental energy drain is the constant necessary attention to the road surface ahead. So many different things that can dump you onto the pavement at speed. After returning from a month-long round trip, USA East Coast to West Coast and back in 1983 , when I drove my car the next day, felt as if by comparison I could practically do so in my sleep. That is how much more alert one needs to be to surroundings on a motorcycle.
As someone with undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, ADHD, I was very concerned when I first got a motorcycle. However, for me, I have come to realize that this is my superpower, at least when it comes to being on two wheels. I'm so accustomed to my brain doing 817 things as once that, when I'm on my bike, I can pay attention to the cars around me while I flick my eyes down to check my speed or scan my mirrors while remembering to clutch and downshift or upshift and brake with my hand and my foot all at the same time while singing whatever song has been stuck in my head for the last 4 days.
I fully understand that this is, perhaps, just me and how other people would struggle with it. But you'll never know until you try. And I, for one, am glad I did.
Same here bro I thought I was the only one. My wife has it worse then I do I'm trying to get her on a 450ss to start out I know she would do phenomenal. Something about adhd and motorcycles just clicks..... so much to do it keeps you busy and engaged
I have been a new rider for over one week and I bought a new 2023 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT on July 20 and it has 1,200kms on it, I love riding.......I wear safety gear all the time!
This bike is way easier to ride and great for a beginner. No need to worry about shifting up or down, comfortable seat and comfortable seating position. Congrats and be safe
I have loved ones who don't want me to get a motorcycle, but I'm going to get one and take courses for my endorsement.
Take courses... they also have advanced courses... start small.. nobody laughs, then you can get bigger ones later... good luck and stay safe! Also...wear a helmet..one saved my life at only 35 mph.
@@kennethanway7979 I cracked my skull in training while I was in Marine Corps Boot Camp so, I will definitely rock a helmet plus the state of Washington requires one. And personally, I love smaller bikes because I live via condo in a Metropolitan area near the airport so they're more convenient to commute with.
My fam ditched me entirely when they realised I got a bike. What's worse, they're a family that's been on bikes their entire life, owns a bike repair shop and basically lives on two wheels but they just wanted me to remain a dainty little princess. Too small to ride, too weak to do anything without them.
So yeah it kinda goes all ways on the social stigma front.
My late wife rode...I taught her, then she rode like she was born on it! RIP Linda! 😘
@@kennethanway7979 RIP Linda 🙏🏼
@@harorider96 thank you!
they probably understood that the bike aint for you. no offense.
@@grimm7013 size doesn't make one unfit for riding. If someone thinks you are not fit to ride they better be honest.
It's not a question of if, it's a question of when. You'll never stop someone running a redlight. Wear your gear and keep your head on a swivel.
True! My first wreck was with a lady who pulled right out in front of me...had eye contact too! Helmet probably saved my life. The only other stuff I did was like forgetting to put the kickstand down!
I picked riding back up midst of the pandemic and I had to first spend a month or so restoring my little CB250. My older brother who thought Id never get it running sees me out riding and decides hes gonna try and one-up my ass. Bought a new Harley on a whim and manages to pop his grape open whilst unloading it from his trailer. Another $4k tacked onto the price for dealer repairs and 4 years later, its still sitting in his garage doing NOTHING. Hes afraid of the damn thing now.
Good advice. Being licensed, helmeted, trained, sober and sensible can greatly reduce the risks. But still, if someone rear ends you at a light doing 50 mph, you'll be wishing you were in a car. It's a risk I've been willing to take, despite generally being a fairly risk averse person. I guess it's my thrill-seeking side winning out.
When I planned on getting a bike, I went looking to get insurance. And I shopped around and found out my insurance company at the time was scamming me. Literally another $20 more than what I was paying got me “full coverage” with both my car and bike with monthly payments since I had defensive driving with both vehicles.
I am 54 and have ridden for about 20 years. My Mom still will not discuss my riding with me. She finds it very traumatic. So, I avoid the subject. My wife is ok with me riding so it's all good.
My mom had a similar reaction when I told her I was going to buy a Gixxer 1000 lol.
Same story hear but I started in 1990. My mom knows I am going to die every time I ride my 1000sx. I have my private pilot license and she doesn't care about that. I was looking at an ultralight before getting my bike and she thought that would be cool. When I showed up on my bike, her quote was "I thought you were going to get an ultralight "!!!
My wife said, nothing I can say will stop you from doing it so just be careful. My daughter works in a trauma er and likes to tell me about the riders that come in by helicopter.
The community around bikes here is so awesome that even the scooterboys get the wave from harley bros!
I'm glad you mentioned cycling. The risk factor for cars is the same and road biking is a dying sports thanks to it. But it's given me the awareness and helped ease my fears of motorbikes being a lifelong road cyclist.
I’ve rode for 17 years now, plenty of miles, types of bikes, crashed (once - shattered collar bone, split scapula, no feeling in the skin under my left knee) on the streets, on the track, and I still sometimes wonder if I’m cut out for it. 🤷🏻♂️
I have a partially paralyzed left left. I cannot work a shifter or pick up my leg to get on the peg. I started on a Honda Africa Twin DCT and now I have a Honda Fireblade and Ducati Streetfighter V4SP2 with adaptive shifters from Kliktronic. If I can ride, you can ride!
Here there was a girl that was super anxious and bougth a bike she got scared with a can driver and overreacted extremly bad and threw herself of a bridge ...thats why is not for anyone
Scooters, the gateway drug to riding. They are so underrated in the US.
I have a maxi scooter that can hold a week's worth of groceries, have taken on 600 mile trips. The motorcycle is for fun rides on the weekends.
the biggest factor to not daily a motorcycle is probably winter (at least where there is snow etc). sure its possible but you gotta be ridiculously careful and will not have a great time trying to not crash in a snowstorm at 5 in the morning.
As somebody who only ever owned a Honda Spree, when I showed up to the Honda dealership to snag my new Navi, I was nervous the first time I threw a leg over it minutes before I signed all the paperwork...
Now, nearly a month in, I can totally see myself moving up to a bigger bike.
It takes time but I think most people can and should ride.
It gives you an appreciation for being mindful while driving even when you get back behind 4-wheels.
My daughter was keen to ride a motorcycle. I was all for it as I rode when I was younger and was looking at getting back on a motorcycle myself. There have been a few obstacles in the way. She wrecked her wrist, my motorcycle got stolen (since recovered and trying to fix), then my trailer got stolen (want to start her off road; lower speed lots of space). We'll get there!
I completely agree with that comfort zone description. I’ve seen my fair share of people who CONTINUE to ride their motorcycles even when they’re uncomfortable. They always have a fear of their bike, yet are too afraid of being ostracized by their group of friends, to actually stop riding. If you have fear or discomfort riding your bike, just stop. All you’re really doing, is putting yourself and others around you, in danger. I don’t need a dude going 55 on the fast lane because he’s afraid he might fall 🤦♂️
His point on old bikes for a first one is a under rated observation. My first was a 79 xs650 and I worked on it at least as much as I rode it if not more
Watching this after having wrist surgery. Plate on my left distal radius with 10 screws, another 1 in my scaphoid. I tore most of the ligaments in my hand and I have another surgery this coming Friday. I’m hopeful I’ll have no lasting nerve damage and that may be wishful thinking but regardless of that, as soon as I can pull a clutch lever I’m throwing my leg over again. I thought I was a goner when I went over the Uber that pulled out on me. Recovery isn’t going to be overnight but I’m grateful to be alive and still in good health relatively speaking.
you can do a custom clutch lever on the right side you know, just like that foot brake lever underneath and bit to the front of the clutch lever they use it mostly for wheelie stunt. good luck to you man
I'm restoring a Moto Guzzi V50C and a Honda CM400T without a driver's license for motorcycles but with the V50C almost done and the CM400T's to-do list being very manageable the desire to start taking lessons only gets stronger :D (I plan to take a 2 month course + exams and all that next summer 🤞)
CM 400?! You lucky dog! Long ago I had a couple of CM 250s and drove a friends 400... like riding a super fast stingray bicycle! I miss mine!
@@kennethanway7979 Hahaha, thanks for your enthusiasm! It's the bike I look forward to riding most but also the one I have the most issues sourcing a few parts for here in the NL 😄 (previous owner started a bobber conversion but I'm not a fan of converting classics like this so I'm trying to restore what I can). Fingers crossed though! 🤞🏼
Some have no mechanical sense. They can't perceive traction thresholds, lean angles, closing speeds, etc. They are simply dangerous to put on a motorcycle... or a table saw, or belt fed machine gun, or any manner of mechanical devices.
Fun being exposed to all the wind and the feel of everything is why i love motorcycles over cars ! ❤
Skydiving is pretty fun. Less risky than motorcycles too although an all or nothing kind of deal lol. Given that most people today are fat, lazy, and careless (at best) behind the wheel of their cars, that rules out most people as safe riders right out of the gate and young men riders are not exactly poster children for responsible riding either - that leaves a pretty small population! If you are a cyclist first, at least you'll have decent safety instincts and likely safer riding habits (and if a mountain biker too, your vehicle control likely to be pretty good as well).
Less risky than motorcycles...😂yea ok
@@slimfit767he’s right though. skydiving has the amount of micromorts per jump as riding a motorcycle for 60 miles, so every 60 miles you ride is equivalent to one skydive in terms of chance of death.
I don't seem to have the same fear of crappy drivers that others do, because there's an awful lot you can do to greatly limit situations where you don't have any options to stop or evade a collision. I see people do stupid things quite often, and almost every time I was already I expecting it beforehand and preparing for it.
There's maybe one or two times in almost a decade of riding where I had something happen that was a close call that I can think of. Like a blind turn with a blind driveway that had a 6' + tall hedge that came right to the road and a truck was backing out of it, I was able to dodge it just enough that their trailer hitch grazed my kneepad. But I learned from that and would slow down in future in a situations with tight roads and low visibility like that. It was also in my first year of riding, so maybe that also had something to do with why it was such a close call.
Most of the time, I'm acting in a way that will proactively avoid any potential situations before they even arise. It's pretty much an automatic habit at this point that can feel like a sixth sense at times.
I was outside my comfort zone my whole first year. Now I ride several times a week all year round. It gets easier and you start relaxing when you trust yourself and your bike.
"Motorcycling is not for everyone" - I would completely agree. Not everyone has the necessary physical coordination which could make it very dangerous for them. We all have different gifts and abilities and need to know what is for us and what is not. For years I never understood why anyone would want a Trike. That was until I got older and started to experience knee issues and spoke to a few guys who wer4e riding Trikes simply because of leg/knee issues. I am still on 2-wheels and hope to be for at least another 10-15 years but these days I love to see people on Trikes. Respect!
Around 25 years ago I had a friend and after riding with him a dozen times I told him he really shouldn’t be on a bike because he just doesn’t have it. Nobody would take that advice, but one day we were riding and he ended up crossing the center line around a corner and got his left leg clipped off by a moving truck. There are some people that just shouldn’t be on a bike.
I grew up in a motorcycling family. So it was natural for me to start riding. I've been riding since I was a little kid. I'm in my fifties now and I still ride
Just bought my first bike for $500 and no it's not the bike of many people's dreams but I love it... 1994 Honda pc800 with 45k miles on it...can't wait to see where this brings me
I had two pc800s! A 96 and a 97. Bought the 96 brand new! Sold the 97 last year for 4000 only had 8700 miles..was perfect! God I miss them!
You'll love it! Smooth, storage, great ride and handling. Not really fast, but not slow!
You stole it! The prices on the plastic is way more than you paid!
I’m scratching my piggy bag to upgrade my motor cycle from 350CC to 450 CC😂 Learned motorcycling the raw way, but thanks to you and many more out there on CZcams, now I’ve learned the counter steering, cornering, braking etc…Thanks to all of the motor bike pandits out there.🙏
Smart way to move up! Be safe!
I'm an advocate of buying smaller bikes to try it out. There are so many 150cc options that you can learn on, they're dirt cheap to buy and maintain, it's a good way to build the skills needed to get on a bigger bike in the future. I personally 150cc bike for 3 years as my daily before I went and got a bigger bike.
I was an avid bicyclist. In the 90's I loved mountain biking in Montana. I had to quit because of traffic. There just were no trails and bike lanes in my town.
Traffic has also stopped me from driving a car. I get road rage in a car and I can't escape it. When I ride, I get away from cars and almost never feel road rage coming on. What also helped, I moved to South America because I couldn't sacrifice my freedom because the US has designed its communities around cars. Add overpopulation and under policing of traffic and I was outta there. Where I live I can walk but choose to ride. There is a large motorcycle culture here, which is cool.
I just started riding again after a 9 year break due to a knee injury while serving. But it turns out a hand injury from my youth may prevent me from becoming a serious rider. I physically cannot keep the clutch engaged for long periods of time and my hand will lock up to the point I can't even fully engage it after even a short ride depending on how much stop and go traffic there is. I'm hoping to re-learn enough on the bike I have and buy another one to get an auto-clutch installed, but if I can't push through, I may have to give up riding for good this time
Might be worth trying a DCT or an auto-clutch mod like Fortnine recently did a video about.
@@thefaboo exactly what I have planned
@@BlueJayWaters Hell yeah - I hope it works out!
Get you a scooter, they got some bedazz scooters these days, lot of race bike riders are Getting scooters because they don't want shift gears in every day life because they do it for a living
Many years ago I broke my left wrist in a low speed crash. I lost a lot of feeling and strength in my hand.
The doctor advised me to buy a squash ball and use it as an exercise tool. Evenings just sitting around I would keep squeezing that ball for hours just talking or watching TV. Try it, it worked for me.
just got my first bike last week riding it around the neighbor hood practicing drills cant wait tell i can full ride out on the roads
If Yammie Noob came to SE Asia and spent a month driving around, he would be propelled into a completely different universe of motorcycle thought.
I've loved Motorcycles since being a young lad and have a massive tolerance to the cold, so all year riding (with the right gear) is fine. It's my only transport theses days other than the bus, train or taxi. Also in my part of the UK we don't tend to get bad winters. Got a super reliable if a bit boring XJ600 Diversion at the moment that can take the abuse of any weather. I do think knowing how to service your bike is super important for safety. I'm lucky enough to have a fully stocked workshop though. That saves me £££'S
I had a 900 diversion myself, very nice but boring bike for yrs until i had a go on me mates ZZR 1100 one day, a week later i p/x it in for me own ZZR 1100. I'm also an all yr round rider (no car license) mainly for work, I also agree that knowing how to service and spanner ya bike is critical.
Planning to get my uncle's old CB550 since I dont feel confident enough using my Civic to get to college since the roads are tight... It might be a fun ride
Have no fear!! The R9 is near!! 🎉💯👌
I feel the most underestimated discomfort/inconvenience/TORTURE for bikers is how drastically the temperature changes once the sun goes down. Being across town or at a friend's house too long then leave to go home once that evening chill sets in,.. with no jacket,... holy cow, can it get cold, QUICK !!! I represent though, I ride ALL YEAR, ALL WEATHER (except lightning). Thank God for rechargeable heater vests, from🥶to🥵 at the push of a button.
Great video! I agree. Also, driving is not for everyone. Personal conditions, skills and some personal characteristics make for horrible drivers. Yet, we don't lack the type around the world. My mom "learned" to drive in her mid-30s. She thought she was a great driver but nobody wanted to sit on the front seat with her... No need to say that our insurance premiums were very high. 🙂
Lol, I bought a 1972 CB750 in that same color a few weeks ago as a project bike.
Good project!
I was in a car accident today. Had i rode my bike instead, i might have been a goner.
I've had two girlfriends who didn't grow up with bicycles. (Who does that?!)
One, I bought her a bike and taught her to ride. She didn't really like it and quit.
My present girlfriend wanted to learn to ride my Vespa. She just doesn't have the balance that comes after learning to ride a bike when you're young. The ability many of us take for granted is actually a great undertaking when we are older.
I took the Team Oregon (MSF) course at 44. Got a bike off of the FB Marketplace, and haven't looked back. I wish that I would have done it years ago. If you have doubts, take the course. It's a relatively cheap way to find out if it is for you or not.
With a passenger I think my Toyota MR2 Spyder might have less storage than a Honda Goldwing.
Nice! I've only seen one...a project car.. probably easy fixes.
As someone who lives in the middle of nowhere my motorcycle is the only way to not lose money going to work I have daily for a straight year rain,snow and hail because I was paying 200 a week in gas now I pay 20. For me I think it is worth the danger
I grew up in a family that was extremely against anything dangerous. Then again-
They always know and sometimes point out how I’m always on my phone and on electronics, don’t do anything over the summer or anything much at least. Why?? Because we literally don’t do anything fun, summer or not, holiday or not. It gets to the point where my number one hobby, drawing, is boring now. All you do is sit down and draw a bunch of lines on a page till it looks good. I’m trying to get this as a hobby so I can finally Have Fun. Of once in my peanut sized brain life.
However I’m having trouble deciding fully if I should go into this 100% because I do have a slight case of driving anxiety(which is progressively getting better) and lack of confidence:/
I hope to overcome these issues soon
(I hope so cuz I’m bored of doing the same thing everyday)
Thanks for this video. I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle for decades and actively shopping in the last couple of years now that I have my MSF endorsement. There's always been something financial or logistic that's been a hindrance, and I keep wondering whether this is right for me. I really appreciate the candor of a video like this. It helps me think realistically about this choice and if it's right for me.
I agree starting with a project isn't the best way to do it but it is how I started. I bought a non running 78' honda twinstar cafe racer, got it running, and did my first year of riding with it and its still in great shape and a part of my growing fleet. Never had it break down on me but there was always the worry so to celebrate getting my full motorcycle license I treated myself to a brand new at the time 22' klx300sm. So far ive only done oil changes and mods and haven't worried about getting stuck somewhere far away since. If I could go back I still wouldn't change a thing and love my old Honda. Definitely not my reccomend way to start if you aren't already into mechanics and good with a wrench but If you are it can work and save you a ton of money 😂
As a fairly new motorcyclist, 1 year in August, I have learned a lot and gain a lot of respect for other motorcyclists as I see and have experienced some of the challenges motorcyclists face. My two biggest issues when it comes to safety is Cagers not paying attention whether it be cutting you off/ pulling out in front of you or getting too close to your back tire when you are stopped and not being able to lane filter, this is illegal in my state but there is a bill on the books to make it legal. The weather is also a challenge that a lot of motorcyclists face. I live in the Southeast so it gets hot in the summer but also gets below freezing in the winter. I personally do not ride my motorcycle and temperatures below 55°F as for me that is way too cold, I also don't ride in the rain if I don't have to. The biggest problem I have seen as a motorcyclist is all of the distracted drivers or drivers that just don't pay attention. The motorcycle community in my area is hit or miss, some will wave at you some won't, some will wave back if you wave first and some won't. For me it's whatever if someone waves at me I always back as long as it's not going to put me in a bad spot, if I wave first and they don't wave back I just shrug my shoulders and keep on moving.
I'm a little clumsy and airheaded sometimes. I try my best to not be so on the motorcycle, but I do sometimes make mistakes. I'm afraid one day it'll kill me, but I love my bike way too much
I passed my CMSP (California MSF equivalent) this weekend with only one point to spare before failing and I really felt bad about it. I love motorcycles, I love riding, more than anything, and my dad has been riding for ages. I want to be able to do it, and according to my instructors I can, but I let the nerves get to me even after starting to get the exercises right. I hit the cones (representing a car in front of me) during the swerve and had a skid during the emergency brake portion of my test, missed some head turns too. Missed gears, sometimes jerky controls. Part of me thinks it's just being a VERY new rider partnered with the extreme anxiety of a test environment, but another part of me worries that I might just not have the skill for motorcycling. I got all the exercises down after all, I suppose. I want to overcome all of that though, so I'm glad videos like this can let me take into consideration whether or not I really should be on two wheels in the first place. I'm likely worried about nothing really and just need a LOT more practice.
In any case, all of you out there, stay happy and safe riding!
If you've got access to a bike, I'd recommend spending some time just in parking lots, doing the basics from your class.
In Massachusetts at least, the class has to cram a lot into just 2 days, so the instructors need to really push you.
But if you passed and you love it, maybe what you need is some time at your own pace, with shorter sessions. An hour practicing gear shifting and then calling it a day is a lot less nerve wracking than going lesson to lesson for 6 hours straight.
get a bicycle and ride it around to get your balance back
If you're scared, you'll get hurt. You'll freeze up. If you really want to ride, get a small bike and practice! Good luck on whatever you choose!
@@kennethanway7979 I could tell that was the case as soon as I failed the swerve, I was really quite disappointed with myself. I'm determined to be as safe a rider as I can be if I decide to continue, and so a lot of practice is certainly in order, both to get technique and improve confidence. Cheers!
@@ItsAmaliaB good luck, and skill brother! If you decide not to ride, no one here will hate on you? No judge zone...
I know what you mean. I always rode scooters, which I like very much. I tried a geared motorcycle a couple of years ago and just couldn't get the same enjoyment out of it, so I went back to what I know. I tried, it didn't work, but am now back to loving every ride. No shame there. It probably didn't help that my giant feet made it bloody difficult to operate the gear shifter!
My family and I actually decided that it's less expensive to own a bike than for me to own a car. Im 16, in florida. Car insurance on a 2014 CRV is abt 5400 A YEAR. Like cmon, the r3 I have? 1400 a year. On top, its cheaper to maintain, more fun, and, its a bike, cmon.
WOW! That's more than the vehicle is worth! Kinda...
I grew up on a mini bike and started riding motocross at 13 but stopped at 17 because I didn't want to be hurt and ruin my chances to complete my tech school and graduate with my shop diploma and didn't pick it back up until I was 22 I bought a shitbox shovelhead and sold it before it became a regular ride, a year later I bought an evo softail and liked riding but it was too heavy, clutch had been fucked with so it had a ridiculously heavy clutch lever and the brakes were also changed out years ago and the brake pedal was like straight up in the air. So the bike was a bitch to ride for more than 20 minutes. Got a grom (always had two stroke scooters) and loved it but felt like it left me wanting more so I sold that and just gave up on riding until last week I caved and picked up a fresh xr650, can't get me off the thing now.
YAMMIE DAILY UPLOAD🗣🗣🔥
brakes, oil, lights, tyres, steering. The five things I check before every ride.
every 500 miles I check the chain.
every 1250 miles I change the oil.
Thanks for making this video. I agree 💯. As a retired state trooper I've worked more than my share of fatal crashes involving motorcyclists. Some were poor decisions but others were, inexperienced. Like you, I am both a cyclist and motorcyclist. Get some training and ride with your head on a swivel. Rubber side down!
onlything i struggle with as a new rider is maintaining myself in 1st gear coming to a stop, my mind wants to keep going non stop and then when im coming to a stop i start getting a bit nervous
It's for me and that's all that matters.
Bicycling for Decades prepared me for the Moto Life, thank God my Dad also did both, I added Swimming the day he passed and Moto within months in his honor, and because Moto (V Stromo 650 hard butt)
A man unfortunately passed away along my intersection because a car collided with him. It’s a sobering reminder to ride safe which can be fun . Don’t need to speed and put your self at risk for so called ‘fun’
I totaly agree, ivebeen riding since 12y im now 60y my older brother was always accident prone to a point, never used a bicycle when young.were i lived on bicycles every day since i can remember, skate boarding, roller skating all in a stunt whay re biulding or making my ride naturall progreset onto dirt bikes then road when old enough, during my brothers mid life crisis he secretly took and passed his test and brout his first bIke a 1998 cbr600rr two weeks later he was a paraplegic and broke basicalt every bone in his body, spent the next 20 od years basically bed riden until he pased away in 2021of cancer. At the time it put me of biking for around 6 years, until i was on holiday in thay land and say all the modern bikes for rent on the beach road i rented a older xjr1200 with my.hands shaking as i set off as soon as i got round the corner i was ripping a wheelie from the lights and it was like coming home i now have several bikes inc ninja h2 2015 and still loving it, i feel my brother looking after me at times i know hes happy for me. Some things in life just call you to them, if you dont feel comfortable or have serious doubts, listen to them. Gods speed.
My bike is up for sale because I've been struggling with chronic fatigue, pain, and a lack of focus for about the past year and I don't currently feel safe to be riding at this time
Improving your riding skill (or any other motorsport for that matter) is a lot different than other sports in one way; in normal sports you step outside of your limits to improve, in motorsports you toe that line but don't cross it. Because rather than massing up meaning you don't score a point, messing up means you crash into that tree over there
There's the expense in money but there is also the expense in time. To get competent and comfy is like becoming a good bluesman - you have to put in your time making a lot of sqwauks before you can play smooth jazz in public.
I agree some are cut out for it some aren't. If a person as a child rode bicycles heavily and did well with it. Understanding of how two wheels works and used them for all they are worth that kind of person will most likely do great on motorcycles. The person that hated sitting on a bike and had bad balance. They should probably avoid this hobby
There were def some amazing points raised in this video
i do love my 4 cyl car, adore my single cyl bike and soon joining the family of vehicles is a 3 cyl. happiest days
I think a big factor would also be the weather. For us here in Canada, motorcycles are useless for half of the year because of snow. I've really wanted one, but I need a heated guarage to store it properly, not to mention an expensive 1000$ liscence.
A heated garage !? lol, now that is just making excuses. I grew up in Connecticut and knew no one with a heated garage. would ride in the nice weather and clean and maintain the bike during the bad. Even in the middle of winter if a semi pleasant day occurred I would get a ride in. I usually call it when the temp is mid 20s° F with never having heated grips and similar things. Sometimes hard waiting for better weather but I fixed that by moving deep south. Now I ride all year. Was able to save money having a bike as my only vehicle for three years when I couldn't afford a car. You just already talked yourself out of it before you tried getting one.
You don't need a heated garage. A simple garage keeping the elements away with your battery on a tender during the off season is all you need.
I was just planning on maybe renting a storage container for the winter, just because my current bike is brand new. If that's not an option, I'll just put a cover on it and store it in the backyard after taking the coolant out of it and winterizing it. That's what I've done on previous bikes in Alberta, and it's never been an issue.
@@KjKase Anti freeze is good to -34°F/ -37°C. I know it's cold up there but you shouldn't have to drain it. You can get one of those utility tents for $150 since you have a yard. That and bike cover should keep it snug and not buried. Keeps all the stuff off and if the temp gets lower than that a few times you can add a little heat and still have access. The one new bike I bought years ago saw all weather being my only vehicle for a few years and it bummed me out Everytime some weather hit. I started sneaking it in my apartment but they seem to frown on that.
I'm lucky to live in southern Ontario. We only usually get a few weeks with snow. I always have a little beater bike for the winter.
Getting my bike has really mellowed me out because NOTHING i do throughout my day is as stressful as sharing the road with teslas
Just got my dream bike as my first since i was 13 ive wanted it and it has brought me so much joy whenever a day goes by that i dont ride i start to crave it im starting to think i got myself a new addiction lol
MSF rider training is fantastic for those that have it availalable to you.
One thing I don't love about it is how everyone wants to tell me that motorcycling is dangerous.
Believe it or not, I already know! Oh and they have a personal story of how somebody got hurt. But I've almost definitely heard that one too by this point...
Thank you Yamie I always thought like that…I is not for everyone
I'm a committed cyclist and motorcyclist having ridden both for over 50 years. I feel much more vulnerable on my bicycle than my Triumphs. I live in Tennessee and we're experiencing a population and building boom Roads I used to ride my road bike on have been repaved with rumble strips on very narrow shoulders rendering them impossible for cycling safely. I had one motorcycle crash in 1974 resulting in a fractured wrist and 3 bicycle crashes resulting in broken ribs, road rash and traumatic brain injuries. I'll continue to ride as safely as I can but I will continue to have fun out there till I'm worm food.
I agree. On a motorcycle I feel like part of the traffic but on a bicycle I feel like a sitting duck on the side of the road.
I love riding in Thailand. So much more exciting and such camaraderie because everyone rides some kind of motorbike. Whether it’s a Honda clik 125 or a brand new Hayabusa. They got em all, big and small. In America we have long open highways where I suppose one could get a bit careless and bored. Not in Thailand or any where in SEA. You are on full alert all the time because so much going on. They lane split anywhere they can fit, they even ride on the damn sidewalk. It’s total chaos but it’s awesome!
Riding is riding bro, every time I see someone out I throw the stay on two up
I was on a ride with my friend on Sunday, he tried to over take a car he hit the medium and died “ Tacoma WA Ruston way “ this happened I had to witness everything I am forever haunted by this my life has changed.
Not for everyone, definitely for me. I've been riding for 12 years this September, and started after 6 years cycling every day to get to school.
> I'm a technically minded person and love the additional technical understanding needed to ride a motorcycle over driving a car.
> I'm pretty good with maintenance tasks and intermediate modding (I teach IT & robotics which entails a lot of electronic circuits)
> Although it may be expensive if I were to have the bike as well as a car, the expense is far less than the cost of purchase and maintenance on a car. My spouse has a car for comparison, which is a very basic Hyundai i10 and it cost more to buy than my high performance VFR1200, and the basic annual maintenance cost is at least double that of the bike.
> Since Injuries and Disability was brought up here: I was in an accident 8 weeks ago which ruined my left hand, making the use of a clutch difficult and prone to exacerbating the injury, so I opted to get one of the few DCT motorcycle to be able to ride again now and eliminate the need for my hand to use a clutch for the life of the bike, which will allow my hand to fully heal and not have any issue with a clutch on the next bike I get down the line.
> For weather I always say i'd rather ride a thousand rainy or cold days on a bike than drive in a cage for a week. 🤣
> Unfortunately I don't have a lot of community to ride with in my city, the only stigma I have experience is people who don't understand it and assume I'm in mortal danger just for riding.
> I'm not worried about storage and passenger accommodation, I have a sport tourer with a big passenger seat and full set of panniers, it just takes planning to make the space constraints work, like getting smaller groceries purchases throughout the week on the way home from work instead of going out for one big groceries run on the weekend.
My number one peice of advice is invest in training. Your build confidence and skills.
Dude a firend of mine has a honda africa twin DTC. It allowed a 1 armed man to ride again. He loves it.