Help with motorcycle?

Question

I've never rode a motorcycle and none of my friends and family have one so I wont be able to practice unless I buy one. I thought about going to the motorcycle safety foundation to learn to ride, but the closest one is over 4 hours away. So, my only option is to buy one. Im 17 and dont have my motorcycle license yet and I live in the city. I will have to buy one under $1000 so its not going to be anything special because I dont make much at my job. How will i get the motorcycle to my house if i dont know how to ride, none of my friends ride, i dont have a truck or trailor, and i dont have much money? thank you, also which motoryclce should i get?

Answer 1

well I'm pretty shure some one in your family or one of your friends knows how to drive a stick shift car well a bike is the same thing it's just with ur feet so learn shifting on a car and handling the clutch and a bike will be the same but shifting with ur feet

Answer 2

Sorry, but no-one responsible is going to tell a 17 year old

to go out and try learn to ride a bike on his own.

Especially in city traffic, you'd get clobbered.

You'll need a learners permit and an instructor with a bike.

If there are no friends to help that means a driving school.

Answer 3

Call your parents insurance company and ask about insurance for you on a motorcycle or scooter.

The cost for motorcycle insurance for a 17 year old driver with no MSF course -- if it's even available -- will be VERY expensive.

Scooter insurance will probably be cheaper, at least within acceptable limits.

I'd still drive the 4 hours and take the course.  It's a lifesaver.

Answer 4

BUY a scooter! No shifting, 70-90mpg. 60mph with a 150.

find a used 150cc one (NOT CHINESE!!!) as they are freeway legal and the scooter scene is way cool!!

http://www.sqream.net/sqream/cochaos2007...

Answer 5

Well... I think you are in a difficult situation but not an impossible one.  First and foremost you will have to hunt for a good second hand dealer.

Once you have located him, tell him where you stay and what your budget it.  Then tell him honestly that you plan to learn first and use it later.  Also tell him, that whatever appeals to you will have to be transported by him to your address as a part of the deal.

If he agrees to it, then have a look around and see what he has.  A basic 125cc 4 stroke air-cooled engined motorcycle is what you should be looking at.  If you want to skip the manual transmission bit, then you will have no option but to go for an auto transmission scooter.

Auto transmission is easy to gain confidence on BUT you will get poorer mileage and will just postpone the actual learning (gear shifting) part to a later date.  The choice is yours.  Just remember to wear a helmet at all times.  Also get the paperwork done for your temporary license.

Also remember, there are people other than your family who ride bikes.  You can certainly solicit their help if they are friendly enough.  Good luck with your endeavors and remember to take it one day at a time.

Answer 6

Learning how to drive a motorcycle takes an hour, but the problem is learning how to drive one safely.

If you don't know anyone to teach you the basics of road safety then I'm afraid you should not even consider it, especially since you live in a city. With a bike you have no safety protection, you are vulnerable (cars will treat you like you aren't there) and you are very  susceptible to adverse weather conditions. If you try the trial and error approach then you are very at risk of either getting killed or seriously injured when you make a mistake.

Driving a car and riding a bike are worlds apart so if someone can drive a car, that does not mean they will be able to show you how to ride a bike.

I ride a bike and I love it, but you need to get lessons. If you live in a city, there would be riding schools. If you try and learn on your own, I think that you would be at serious risk of having an accident.

Where I live (Northern Ireland) people can buy and ride any bike or moped up top 125 cc without any tests or lessons and there are a lot of injuries.

If you do decide not to take this advice, then get something like a 125 cc (they are light, easy to move and park and have excellent fuel consumption. You are ideal for city transport, and are in a low insurance band). With $1000 dollars your options are limited. One bike that may appeal is the Honda C90. They have been around for ages, are practically indestructible and they are still making parts for them. They are easy to maintain and because they have very few parts they last well.

Also, buy all the safety gear you can afford. with bikes, it is never the question of if you will crash, but when. You will come off your bike and at the very least you need a helmet (it will save your life) and a good pair of gloves (the first thing you will do if you come off the bike is to put your hand down). I would advise a  jacket and trousers with impact protection. You may not be going fast, but if you hit the ground at 30 mph, it will hurt.

You will probably have to buy privately so make sure you have someone who knows a bit about engines so they can advise you.

My advice still stands though. Check your local papers, websites or yellow pages (or equivalent) and find a local riding school and get some lessons before you even think about going out and learning by yourself.  

Answer 7

im 17 also but got my bike when i was 16. also live in a some what city. what i did was i researched and researched all the bikes that are on sale around. When i got what i was looking i told a friend to drive me over there. but what i did before hand... yes it does sounds stupid and ridiculous but it worked... i looked up on inernet how to drive one. and when my friend dropped me off i just paid the guy (was about $900 and 500cc bike) and i just slowly, like a grandpa drove back home. it wasnt the safest thing but it worked.  

Answer 8

If you know someone who owns a truck then you can have them take it to your house.  

read you states motorcycle handbook thoroughly and then go take your permit test and get your permit. then go to youtube .com and search how to ride a motorcycle, take notes. Now you're ready to buy your motorcycle.

search craigslist. As for the motorcycle, you can't be too picky when you only have 1000. be as patient as you can waiting for the right deal, making sure to stay at or below 600 cc. The when you find the right motorcycle try to set up the appointment in the morning, go out there and buy it(make sure you give the bike  a good look over, the truth is that any bike for a thousand dollars is probably gonna take another 1000 to make it safe, tires, tune up, probably brake discs, etc.). then take it to a quiet street or empty parking lot and learn how to control the clutch and transmission.

If you don't know how to drive a manual car then you'll be at a severe disadvantage.  But I would hope that you get a friend that either knows how to ride, or owns a truck.

But I do agree with some of the guys above, insurance won't be cheep unless you get minimum coverage from ais.  Also there is the safety issue, but you're 17, you probably don't care. I'm eighteen I took the msf course, and it was awesome I learned how to ride, gained some confidence and got my license.  Never for one second should you believe that motorcycles are safe, realize this and learn to manage risk.