My newest midlife crisis

[MarkS]

I'm a new rider and I've been really having a lot of fun with this lately.

I picked up this motorcycle earlier this winter for real cheap. It was surplussed from the state of MN motorcycle training program and was used as a trainer for many years (it's a 2001 Suzuki GZ250) Yes, it was dumped a number of times so there are many dings and dents and scratches but it's still basically sound. I had to replace and few parts, the fender extension was shattered and the rear blinkers were broken off. I'm not much of a mechanic but it's been a fun learning experience, and there are plenty of other things that I'll need to replace so I should get to know this bike pretty well. It's not real big, but it's perfect for a newbie like me and I've been having a blast cruising around town lately. Besides, what good is a midlife crisis if you can't get a shiny red motorcycle out of the deal???




Anyone else here a new rider? Any advice from the more experienced amongst you? How about some pictures of whatever it is you're riding these days?

[carlson]

Lucky! I grew up riding dirt bikes everywhere. Since becoming an adult ive been waiting to afford a bike everytime I get close my house says "Hey Nick, remember responsibility? Im gonna break something so expensive to replace, you'll spend a year paying for it!"

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[bcr229]

I'm "new" in that I took the MSF about a year ago, didn't ride over the winter, and just started up again this season. I have a 1985 Honda XL600R and even though it's little and nimble, it'll get up and scoot. It's too light IMO to ride on the interstate but for back country roads and light off-roading its perfect.

My husband has been a rider for a long time and encouraged me to give it a try. He has a Harley roadster and Kawasaki KLR650. I'm also over 40 so I guess just learning to ride does count as a mid-life crisis.

I don't have a pic of my bike so I'll post one of my husband's. His is all pretty and chromed-out anyway.

[Annarose15]

I had a Kawasaki Ninja 500R for a couple of years, but finally gave it up because I never seemed to find the time to ride enough. It was soooo much fun, though!! Have a blast and stay safe!

[3skulls]

Congrats!
I have been riding for a little over 3 years now 50k+ miles.

Those first 2 years I didn't have a car, winters were Hell.
Always watch for people turning left, they love to try and beat you. Stay away from people on cell phones and moms with a ton of kids.

Never ride when you are so drunk you pass out while going down the road :o

They are a blast!! Ride safe!

[KMG]

Remember that people think a bike stops faster than a car and have no clue the danger they cause when they cut you off or pull out in front of you.

Never use tire shine products on your tires. It can make them super slick. If you most use it do some slow serpentine to get it off any part of the tire that makes contact with the road.

A motorcycle can drive itself fast. True skill is riding it slow. Learn how to perform tight circles as slow as possible. This will give you the ability to do tight u-turns and keep you from looking dumb doing 11 point turns in parking lots.

The most important thing. Wear a helmet. I don't like them but have seem to many low speed wrecks that were survivable if they only had a helmet.

[bcr229]

The most important thing. Wear a helmet. I don't like them but have seem to many low speed wrecks that were survivable if they only had a helmet.

Helmet and armor, but I occasionally venture into one of the worst traffic areas in the country (DC metro). ATGATT, some days I swear they're out to kill me.

[MarkS]

Yeah a helmet is definitely a requirement. Since I only have a permit I have to wear one anyway but even when I get my license I won't stop wearing it. My wife and kids wouldn't let me out without it anyway.

[MikeM75]

Awesome, I just got back into riding myself. I rode dirt bikes all the time when I was in high school, but never got back into them. My wife and I had been talking about getting a Harley for awhile and just 1 month ago, we purchased a bike and I took the Rider's Edge class to "re"teach myself and get legal. Here is a picture of my new baby... had 6 miles on it when I brought it home.






2013 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Classic

[Skiploder]

The best advice I can give you is to keep taking courses, always wear your safety gear and to resist the temptation to go out an buy the biggest, heaviest, most powerful bike you can. Save that until you have mastered your first bike.

MSF has a series of "Improving the Ride" courses and these can be supplemented by local courses out on by local clubs. It's an easy way to pick up little tricks and tips that may take years to learn on your own.