...but motorcycles are dangerous. You'll kill yourself

[NightWatcher]

HA, well now I have a chronic, possibly terminal disease <I'm fine right now, don't worry>. I guess that means I can start looking at bikes and take a riding course.

I'm not going out without living first and now that the shot clock's running I ain't wasting time no more.

[kayakjohnny]

1. Wow. That is a heavy post man.

All the best.

I would have identically the same out look.

Not would, I actually do.

[NightWatcher]

5. I'm well/getting better (damned lupus)

It's in my kidneys and liver (stage 1 or 2 of 5). Steroids are holding things down and giving me back my energy. I've even been getting some leg strength back from the damned neuromuscular disease that's piggybacking the lupus.

I'll be good. I'm just not waiting for "someday".

[kayakjohnny]

2. PS... skip the riding course. Those are all about safety and such.

Just get on the bike and go!

[bluesbassman]

4. Sorry johnny, I'll have to disagree there.

It depends on many factors whether you should take a riding course. The main one is you've never ridden a bike before, and also what size bike your going to ride.

I worked a a dealership for a time and you would not believe what rolled off the showroom floor on Saturdays and was towed in on Monday mornings. Always first time riders.

Trying to teach yourself how to ride a street bike is not an advisable activity.

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. +1,000,000 (from a 15-year rider)

[yellowcanine]

17. In many states you need the riding course to get a MC driver's license.

I took the course and was glad I did. Took the test right there, got my certificate and walked into the MVA office and got the endorsement on the driver's license. Of course I still needed a lot of practice to feel really comfortable but at least I had the confidence to start riding. I also take a refresher course every couple of years just to sharpen my skills.

Remember it is not just your safety which matters. Depending on when and where you crash you might hurt someone else also.

[bluesbassman]

3. Sorry to hear about your medical issues. I hope you beat it.

Last edited Tue May 1, 2012, 01:58 AM - Edit history (1)

I applaud your attitude in facing the future.

BTW I've been riding bikes for over forty years, please feel free to PM me or ask in the thread if you have any questions or need some advice. Whatever your comfortable with.

[NightWatcher]

6. I'll be fine. My dad's lived with it for 20 years

I've got it in my organs where he didn't (or didn't tell me)

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. !!!

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[cbrer]

14. Thank you

For my laugh of the day. I'm still chuckling...

[Joe Shlabotnik]

9. thats the spirit.

One of my all time favorite quotes:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

And you can trust Hunter S. Thompson, because after all he is a doctor!

[cbrer]

15. Correction...WAS a doctor

After he spread his brains on a wall. Which renders his advice suspect. But nonetheless useful.

[cbrer]

10. Remember your wrist works both ways

You can have a fun economical piece of transportation without becoming a statistic if you use sense and learn the bike. Countersteering is real! Consider getting a 500-600cc size. They have enough power to be fun and maneuver out of trouble, and still be economical in terms of both mileage, and insurance.
You will become a little paranoid when you figure out that many drivers won't/don't see you. Pay attention.
Don't cheap out on the helmet. What is your skull worth? A good jacket and gloves are signs of a rider who knows... Did I mention pay attention? Don't forget the fun factor. There's a reason we do this. Good luck and happy riding.

[OriginalGeek]

11. I see riders every day

here in Florida motoring around on HUGE custom bikes while they are wearing shorts, flip-flops and no helmets. Even worse I often see a non-helmeted passenger on the back and I just wonder how they could trust everyone else that much.



I swear if my wife ever lets me get a bike I'm getting all the gear and taking the course.

[HappyMe]

13. That's great.

Take the course. Get a bike (not too big & heavy)!

Enjoy!
Here's a winking pumpkin for no apparent reason.

[yellowcanine]

18. Bigger and heavier bike if you have a traffic heavy commute is better.

Trucks will blow that light crap off the road. Not to mention the cross winds on bridges when the road surface is wet. 1100 cc cruiser is about right for a serious commute.

[HappyMe]

19. Was just think of the ability to get the thing off of you, if

(god forbid) you had to.
You're right, bigger is better if you have to deal with giant suv and trucks enroute!

Take care, be careful, have fun!

[yellowcanine]

20. The idea is to ride it, not wear it.

Seriously. Get a bike that fits you and learn to ride it, keep good tires on it, and know when not to ride it and you really don't have to worry much about getting it off of you.

[wysimdnwyg]

12. I can't recommend the riders courses highly enough

I took the beginner's course less than a month ago, and I think it should be mandatory. Excellent training, and I plan to go back for the experienced rider course in a couple of years.

As some others mentioned here, pay attention to the bike you get. I would not recommend a large bike (over 1000ccs) for a first time rider. Get something you can handle for a first bike, then graduate to a larger bike in a few years.

[NightWatcher]

21. I'm bad, I saw a Triumph Bonneville and Davey wants

Will have to see if it would be a good fit.

[wysimdnwyg]

24. With 865ccs, I think that would be ok

It's not small, which means you won't be wishing for something bigger in six months, but it's not huge like a VTX1300 either. I think it would be a good choice.

Of course, there is one other concern you should bear in mind - comfort. I'm not a tall man (5' 8&quot , so some bikes are not comfortable for me. Make sure you sit on the bike before you buy it to make sure it "fits".

[Major Nikon]

16. I figured out some time ago it's better to live than to waste too much time worrying about dying

Lots of things have risk, and a big part of the reason people do them is because of that risk. That doesn't mean be stupid about it and there's lots of things you can do to mitigate that risk. However, just because something has risks, doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. You have to weigh the costs of NOT doing it.

Life is not living without risks.

[felix_numinous]

22. More power to you,

live till you die is my motto. I'm traveling while I can Was diagnosed last year w/cancer--I say Go For It, Nightwatcher!

[guitar man]

23. All the best to you

And have fun!

I've been riding street bikes for 34 years, bit the pavement a few times but always got back on for some more.

I highly reccomend the rider safety courses