How much experience should I get before buying my first motorcycle?

Question

I haven't rode one yet, but I'm going to take the classes next month. I have a way to get it home but should I wait to buy one?

Answer 1

Unless there is an excellent deal that comes your way on a Starter/trainer bike, or a tee-totally new Kawasaki 2008 Ninja 250R, i'd say no.  

Because there are some people that are not cutout to ride, and if they insist on riding, it usually leads to a quick, untidy DEATH. On the off-hand that it might be you, I suggest you don't buy one until you can take the course.

Because when you get the license, you get a bale of money and go ride them until you find the one that is your dream bike. If its a 250 Kawasaki, triple disks and all, or a Honda NightHawk 250, Double Drum brakes and all, it will be absolutely unassailably YOURS, you picked it out from all the other candidates, because IT SPOKE TO YOU.

If some one objects, you can either explain that there was a little voice and it talked to you and picked out a motorcycle and THIS was the result, or simply I chose it, so Shut up all that balloon juice. It will be unquestionably Your first bike.  (That and it will drive you crazy waiting, waiting, Waiting.)  

And you will give in, and ride that new bike, without proper training, just your cousin Ned, with the weird smell and small furry animals in his pockets, giving instructions without a formal lesson in his life, instructing YOU, and you may die or be injured and Ned doesn't need that on his concience, now does he? Eh?

Without a license no dealer will even turn his head to say "Don't Touch the bikes unless you are buying one."

Convinced?

Answer 2

Do the classes first.  You may hate it.  If not talk to your instructors, they will have lots of experience with what would be good for differnet people.

Answer 3

The question isn't how much experience you should get before buying one, the question is how much experience you get on your USED first bike before plopping the money down for your shiny new one!

Because you WILL drop your first bike, and it's easier to do that with one that's already "broken in" than to scrap $800 of bodywork with one mistake.

Answer 4

No, you can get it now.  I'd recommend a smaller 250cc like a honda rebel or yamaha virago.  You can buy, ride for a bit, and then resell at same price.  These are the same size bikes they will use in your course.  If you are more familar and confident with motorcycles you can start bigger with a 500-800cc range bike (kawasaki vulcan 500cc and suzuki S40) as I did, but I can tell you that the smaller bike will lend you more confidence immediately.  I later bought a commuter 250cc that I learned more from than my first 750cc because I wasn't scared to try, lol. You can even practice (in parking lot or side street just the basics) some before the class like I did if you have some knowledge or help, but that is not necessary as the MSF course is designed for beginners, but it will be in your best interest to have a bike around directly after the course so you can get to practicing all those skills you've learned.

Good luck girl and have fun!

Answer 5

Hi Amanda,

I just finished my course MSF today...I failed however, I am going to try again ; ) It was the first time I was ever on a bike...but I learned a great deal.  Most of the individuals in my class had previous experienced (had taken the class 2 to 3 times) and some had experienced because they all had bikes.  I kinda wished I had gotten one before class...but hey... I did well until I screwed up on the final skill evaluation for the State of Michigan  -- (Mi Most testing).  

I didn't feel bad because I had posted a question about individuals who had written the first time and got great feedback.  I wanted to quit but I stuck it out and I am sooo glad I did.  But to get back to your question...yes!! get a bike a practice before class.  You would be prepared alot better than I was and a few others who were newbies to riding.  

Good luck and have fun...I did ; )

Answer 6

Buy a 250 Honda Rebel 2 or 3 years old with less than 12K miles. Ride this for 4 months or 2000 miles. Then trade up to something bigger  - better. Have fun, be safe, enjoy.