How can I get started on a motorcycle?

Question

I'm short and petite but I really want to ride a motorcycle. Can I try out my friend's motorcycle or do I have to get proper classes in order to get the license?

Answer 1

Ok, first, scooters are NOT motorcycles and should NOT be considered as such.  Never, I repat NEVER, try to ride any friend's MC unless you can afford to pay any damages U do to it.  Ok that said, start with a medim or small MC.  I think the ideal bike to learn on is about the size of my first New MC.  Ok, it was many years ago,  It was a 250cc twin cyl Suzuki.  Bike weighed about twice what I did.  That was plenty.  U got no buisness riding a bike U can't pick up if U lay it down.  Screaming little bike weighed 265 lb and would do 125mph, with my 135 lb on top.  Don't start with no 650 bike.  Sure I got a bigger bike later.  But that was after I put 100,000 mi on that 250.  That little Suzuki would do 10.4 sec in 1/4 mile.  All 33HP!  Cruise all day at 75mph.  Plenty bike to learn on and way more than enuf to kill U if U made too big of a mistake.  Then after I wore out the Suzuki and rebuilt it 3 times I went and got really foolish.  I bought a british racing bike.  810 cc, 84 hp,  Weighed 440 lb.  71 Norton Combat Commando Roadster............Stripped for the track.......... just a little fast........Like 160 mph...........Wheelie in all 4 gears.......Hadta find a fat girlfriend just to keep the back wheel from burning out under me.  Easy to do overkill with a MC.  Learn on a 250 bike.  Do what the laws in yer state require for riding a MC.  Be very aware that people in cars don't see U.  riding a MC is kinda like painting a target on yer back that say "hit me"  U must be sober and aware at all times on a bike.  U must be wearing a helmet and protective clothing.  I mean Boots, no sandals,  Bikers wear leather for a reason, not just to look bad!  A bike is a totally different mode of transportation.  U will be ok if U start small and learn.

Answer 2

I am learing how to myself and I am the same as you, I am practicing on my Dad's bike though.

My plan is to practice on Dad's bike which is abt 650lbs. and then taking the course then test.

This means I will not have to do the driving test only the written, Although I am in the stated of Texas not too sure where you are at.

One thing to keep in mind is no matter what anyone say's do not go for the light bike then are not as smooth on the ride. I would say not to go under anything less then 500lbs.

Hope that helps you and good luck

Answer 3

You can go get a permit just by going to the DMV paying $5 and taking a 20 question test to get a permit. With a permit  you can drive on the roads just not at night. It's good your friend has a bike, its kind of hard to start otherwise. It would be nice to try out some bikes and rent a few before buying but you can't rent until you have a license. The DMV or your state and some private organizations probably offer free or $20 classes that last a weekend, they provide all the safety equip and small bikes to learn on, at the end of the class your tested and get your license without having to take the DMV test. The dmv test is super hard if you have a decent size bike.

Answer 4

You have to get a special license, you can't drive a motorcycle with a class D license (it's illegal).  Practice and keep trying, you'll get the hang of it.

Answer 5

You can try out your friend's (if they will allow you to) on private property which you have permission to be on.  If you are going to be on public roadways, you will need the proper class endorsement on ur driver's license.

Just sign up for a MSF course and learn on their bikes.  If you drop ur friend's bike, you will feel bad. The bikes at ur MSF class get dropped all the time.