Girl new to street riding (no tricks yet), just wanna ride. Any tips?

Question

So like the headline states, im a girl. I want a bike. Im a beginner. And i have no clue what i'm getting myself into. I've searched around the internet getting some tips here and there. So this is my other way of trying it out! So are there any "beginner" bikes that you would recommend. Any pointers you would recommend when getting a used bike? Any classes i should be taken besides the safety course? Any pointers at all will be totally appreciated! Thanks for taking your time to respond!

Answer 1

As you mentioned, take a MSF rider safety course and then go from there.

Depending on what style of bike you want and just going with something lightweight and inexpensive, a Kawasaki Ninja 250R if you like a sportbike style,  a Honda Rebel or Nighthawk 250 for something more standard.

But of course, if you think you are ready right away, you can go with something a little bigger.

Answer 2

What size are you Blue? Your size is very important to finding a bike that fits. I disagree with many of the folks here that promote the idea of starting with a 250. I started on a 750 and never had a problem.

Happy riding. (and no tricks, ever.)

Answer 3

HI Blue, welcome. A greet choice for a new rider is between Honda 250cc Rebel and Yamahas 250cc V twin. Both run well are easy to ride and you let you sort out how bad you want to ride home from work in the rain, cold, dust etc.

Do take a basic riders course. Buy a helmet and golves and maybe a bright yellow jacket. After you are up ride very carefully and if you ride with a friend at first, don't feel obligated to follow them to peril. The most dangerous common place for an accident is in any intersection. You are safest on most State Highways. Watch and decide what other peole are going to do. Be careful and have a blast.

Answer 4

Yes, there are some NICE beginner bikes out there, and you should not buy them.  SIGN up for te Motorcycle Sasfety Foundation's Basic Rider course.  They will loan you a motorcycle, for the course, and you should not buy one until they do. You will learn so much, that it would be irresponsible to advise you to purchase a bike before hand.

The ways of buying a used bike, just take along a friend that rides or knows about bikes.

When you have your license at the end of the class, then you can more or less safely take a test ride on a 250 class motorcycle.

When it is all done and you have your ticket punched, try to buy a Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Best of the breed, for years.  (Unless you are particularly SHORT. Then get the honda rebel.)

You will want to sit on them maybe ask if you can take them off the kickstand (a salesman could hold it up for you if they are doubtful). with your legs on either side of the bike (so no sidesaddle) shift it from side to side and see how it feels. If it feels like it might be heavy, do not buy it, since these are all prepped for the street, except for gasoline. If they feel top heavy NOW, they will seem EVER-SO-MUCH more so with a full tank.

Put the kickstand down and step away, carefully. You do not want to drop a bike in the middle of a long line at the dealer, because you will end up paying for dozens of parts, before you even get to the street.

Try all the usual suspects, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and suzuki, and see which satisfies you most with its apperance. (At least SOME of the reason for riding is to look good while on a bike.) But the actual running, you need to take a roadtest of the bike you selected.

Do not buy a used bike if the owner will not let you ride it.  Expect to give him cash up front if he will. (For some reason, people tend to ride away and disappear over the hill, while on test rides.)

Do not offer to pay with a cashiers check for $5000 over the price of the bike and ask if he will get you the rest of the cash.  You wouldn't want a bike from any one stupid enough to fall for these scams. It would be doubtfully maintained at best.

When the time comes to buy a used bike, stick to a small clean bike, not a big snapping beast of a bike with dirt flinging off off the chain that looks like it was never washed at all

Your chances of getting taken by someone are pretty high, but do TRY to make it difficult for them at least.

Remember to bring a friend along, they may be better at choosing a nice bike than you are (being caught up in the fever of perhaps getting to own one, may warp your judgement).

Answer 5

Id not deal with used bikes, most as someone elses problems

Safety course first, GOOD protective wear Head to toe

Answer 6

The bike cant tell what s*x you are. I just starting riding 4 months ago. I got a 2008 ninja 500. I love this bike, its cheap, well balanced, and when you do get more comfertable on it will will go 130mph and you can get the front tire off the ground. My buddy got the 250 and likes it but it lacks the power to keep up with other bikes. oh, and my bike gets 55mpg

Answer 7

Go to a dealership and tell them you're interested in a beginner bike. They can size you to the machine you need be it a sport bike or a cruiser style. Don't try to ride it home, get a friend that has experience to do that or get them to deliver it. Take a safety course as mentioned NUMEROUS times and get some good gear. Remember everyone out there is blind and they are trying to kill you. Practice in parking lots (preferably empty) cornering, stopping and starting. Move to country lanes or streets and practice evasive maneuvers. It would be a good idea to have a friend ride with you and give you pointers. Like was said though, don't feel like you are a pro and follow a stupid leader. Know your limitations and you'll live to ride a long time. Common sense and the ability to pick out stupid drivers is essential for survival. Even then, you can't see everything.

Answer 8

don't even consider buying a bike until after the course.  what you think you want and you will be comfortable on may be 2 entirely different things.  always choose small in the beginning- it's safer to grow out of a bike than have to grow into it.