learn to drive a motorcycle

I decided to learn to ride a motorcycle with absolutely NO experience.
I showed up to a class on a whim.
I was pretty intimidated by the “cool” instructors who seemed so knowledgeable and some of the other students who knew so much more than I did.
To make a long story short, I passed the class, got my license, bought a bike to learn on, then another bike, practiced, practiced, practiced, and I am now a certified “cool” rider coach and I teach students who have never ridden a motorcycle (and some who think they know how to ride already) how to ride. I am even certified to teach advanced riders.
Oh, did I mention that when I started this I was completely on my own? I was a fifty-something widow whose kids had grown up and who didn’t even KNOW anyone who rode a motorcycle. I have always felt that my strength was my brain, not my coordination or athletic skills.
Of course, there are now people doubting my brain….

I have a Schwinn scooter, which I have really enjoyed driving around town for 2 years, but that’s not the open road. Last fall my husband and I bought a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, after a weekend bike trip with my siblings – we borrowed a Harley for the trip. I like to ride with him, but I worry that if anything ever “happened,” I wouldn’t know what to do. Besides, I think I would like the feel of being the driver. It would be more interesting some times than just being the passenger, and it would also be cool to be in charge of that large machine.

If you want to learn to ride a motorcycle, I recommend buying “Proficient Motorcycling” at your local bookstore or download the Learn to Ride a Motorcycle ebook online.

Unfortunately I had to sell my Ninja 250 :( :( :( but I neeeeed to ride. It’s interesting but I’ve been loaned a 1-cylinder Honda CBR125… yes, you read that ride, a 125 cc bike. What can I say, it’s slooooow, but sooooo light and sooooo fun to corner. I don’t even think it’s legal to ride in the States, but oh well, I won’t tell if you won’t_{~~ ^.}

I would say I was initially interested in learning to ride a motorcycle from those awesome sport bikes you would see in movies and tv. I used to think – how awesome would it be to ride on one of those. I know pretty much anyone could ride one but there was something holding me back. I guess it was fear and embarrassment. I mean, everyone’s scared of being hurt in general and I suppose riding a motorcycle your likelihood of being hurt increases like 10x over a vehicle. The embarrassment part comes from the fact that I’m pretty self-conscious and going into a class to learn how to ride a motorcycle seemed quite intimidating to me.

In the past year for whatever reason, I said screw it. I got over my fear, forked over $350 and as it stands now – I am set to take the MSF class on Aug 22-24. I managed to get a buddy of mine to sign up and take it with me so hopefully having someone I know will help me get over it.

As far as the fear aspect goes – I think its good. It’ll help me face some of my fears and do something I’ve always wanted to do. I may not enjoy it at all but even the idea of being able to accomplish something feels so incredible and awesome that I HAVE to do this.

Now the question is: what bike should I start off with…hmm…I do like those cafe racers but I don’t know if they have any that are suitable for beginner riders.

I blame this goal entirely on Jessica Alba in Dark Angel. Max made motorcycles look cool. Bella Swan can take some credit as well :-D

Went through the course, got the license, got the bike. Did that for six months.

Good times… now I need another one.

Did the skills training. Took the test. Passed! What a rush! NOW the fun begins

I talked to a customer the other day who is into motorcycles and he recommended starting out with the kawasaki ninja 500, he said I would get board with the 250 real quickly.

Well I’ve been reading a little bit about motorcycles and the ones I would like are either the Kawasaki Ninja 250 which only cost $3400 and is supposed to be a great beginners bike, or I would like the Honda CBR which is more expensive but more powerful and its a Honda. Anyhow still got a while to go to accomplish this task but one must start somewhere.

well the plan is once I finish basic combat training and AIT and I am assigned to a unit, I would like to learn how to drive a motorcycle and get the necessary license. I have utterly no idea how to go about doing this. Anyhow I would use my bonus money to buy a nice crotch rocket, preferaby a Honda. Unless I get sent to Iraq in which case I’ll have to wait for a little while.