I really want to get a motorcycle, but..

Question

I really want to get a bike..I want the BMW K1200S Sport..a part of me is undeniably fearful of the things..but a part of me wishes to drive one so badly..what do I do?

How do you get over this fear?

SO many people lose limbs and die and suffer permanent damages, can all that be avoided?

Answer 1

I would suggest that you take a course in motorcycle safety.  My husband and I both took a course through our local Harley-Davidson dealership called Rider's Edge.  Its an intensive 4 day riding course that teaches you how to ride properly.  They not only give you book lessons on safety, proper motorcycle use, etc., but you are given 2-8 hour days of actually riding a motorcycle in a controlled setting.  It is not cheap (a bit over $300.00), but it is fun and well worth it.  They supply the motorcycles for you to ride during the course of your training, usually a Buell Blast.  It usually takes place on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday and then again on Monday evening.  So it usually does not interfer with work or school.  When you are done with this training, you will be able to decide of you like riding a bike or not.  

I can tell you that I decided that motorcycle driving was not for me and did not purchase a bike.  I loved riding 2-up with my husband, but riding my own bike.....not for me.

Answer 2

Take the MSF course. You'll learn to ride on a 250cc or smaller bike. It's a great way to get comfortable on a bike, and most course providers have a variety of styles to try. I expected to like the sport bikes but after trying several at the end of the MSF course I decided that a cruiser fits me better.

Read the Hurt Report and recognize the measures you can take to minimize your risk in an accident. None of those measures guarantee that you won't be hurt (the only guarantee is not riding at all) but you want the best chance you can get.

And, as has already been said, if you're scared you're screwed. You need to be defensive, not scared.

As one rider put it, you have to constantly be paranoid while riding. Imagine that every driver (and rider) on the road wants to run you down, so you can constantly plan your escape route. That's not fear, that's preparation.

Edited to add: if your first bike is a 1200cc sport bike you are going to get hurt in a very bad way. That is an insanely powerful bike and should only be considered by someone with many thousands of miles and years of experience.

Get a 500cc sport bike to start. Just something cheap from craigslist or a bike forum's classifieds section. 500cc is enough to get you out of an accident without being painfully easy to cause one by your own blissful ignorance of the bike's strength.

- Jon

Answer 3

If you want to get a motorcycle don't get a 1200 for your first bike. 250 is more like it

Answer 4

Not trying to be negative, but if you have no prior motorcyle experience, (dirt bike, ATV, etc.) don't do it, plus being scared will most likely worsen your chance of crashing or getting hit.  You can't get over fear with this, you either have fear or you don't.  If you're really into do a safety course, but if you're going out on a wim and are afraid, don't do it.

Answer 5

Take Josie's advice, take a safety course. If Rider's Edge is out of your price range (hey, it's too high for me and I own a Harley), you can take courses through your local Voc Tech schools for about $25.00.

There is a very good reason that the BMW 1200 scares the bejeezus out of you- that is way too big a bike for a beginner. Take a course, drop THEIR bikes, then buy yourself a starter bike. You'll get a good idea of what size to start with when you take the course.  

Answer 6

I disagree with Strat... you CAN get over your fear with proper training and increased knowledge. Fear comes from the unknown, and in many cases, misinformation. Don't go out and buy a 20,000 dollar bike without first learning to ride. You got good advice already about riding courses. Take one, learn about bike safety, handling, and riding techniques. THEN you can make an intelligent, informed choice about whether to buy a bike, and what kind would fit your style of riding, your physical build, and your budget. Now go learn some more about motorcycling!! Knowledge is power, ignorance promotes fear!

Answer 7

I think you are right to have a healthy respect/fear. I personally dont like the sportbikes. They look cool and all but it feels so nasty to me sittin on one and they are built for pure speed. If you like that I guess maybe start with something of that style but smaller. Might be if youd try a cruiser you would end up likeing that. They go plenty fast especially for a new rider. I would not go buy that huge speeder right of fthe bat. Take it slow and learn how to ride one on something tamer and then if you still want that one have at it. Ive been told only ride as fast as your angel can fly.....my angel is old fat and slow so I ride a cruiser.

Answer 8

You can't avoid any risks. Well, not to discourage you, but, you are a lot more likely to wreck on a bike than in a car. Would you stop going into your bathroom if you knew how likely you are to die or be injured in there than anywhere else? I say do it, you only live once (that you can remember for sure). So why not live it up?