This site seems to have a great group of level-headed riders. Here's the question from a complete novice to motorcycles: Will I kill myself (age 48, fit, not a speed freak, family, no riding experience yet) or will I GET killed by the traffic at large? :shock: How do you ride defensively?
Survival
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Like I told my 25 yr. old son, Remember you are a target for everyone. I'm 52 and took about 25 yrs. off from bikes till the kids were grown up. Just got back last year and have to keep reminding myself, I'm the target, I'm the target.
Start with something smaller and less expensive to make sure this is your cup of tea. If it is, Comfort is really nice at our age (sorry my mind is 20 ish but the body just ain't). I bought a Burgman 650 scooter (don't laugh) I like it a lot, Cruser's typically sit lower, and sport bikes you lean a little foward, whatever makes you comfortable and happy is all that really matters.
Start out in rural areas (if you can) before you tackle heavy traffic or main roads.
Last but NOT least MSF course
Jim
Start with something smaller and less expensive to make sure this is your cup of tea. If it is, Comfort is really nice at our age (sorry my mind is 20 ish but the body just ain't). I bought a Burgman 650 scooter (don't laugh) I like it a lot, Cruser's typically sit lower, and sport bikes you lean a little foward, whatever makes you comfortable and happy is all that really matters.
Start out in rural areas (if you can) before you tackle heavy traffic or main roads.
Last but NOT least MSF course
Jim
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just think that every single other person out on the road is out to get you and you will be getting the right frame of mind.
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Same situation as me, 48 years old, son got a bike last year and looked like a good time so I got one myself, an '82 GS750TZ. It's a bit bigger than I would have gotten for a first bike but I got a good deal so I couldn't pass it up.
As was said, take the course, drive like you're invisable, keep the speed down, (at least for awhile
) and you'll have a blast....Mike
Same situation as me, 48 years old, son got a bike last year and looked like a good time so I got one myself, an '82 GS750TZ. It's a bit bigger than I would have gotten for a first bike but I got a good deal so I couldn't pass it up.
As was said, take the course, drive like you're invisable, keep the speed down, (at least for awhile
) and you'll have a blast....MikeWell, not what I expected. I guess the real motorcyclists out there are not all fatalists. :roll: I certainly plan to take the MSF course and will probably start with a small bike to get the hang of shifing, braking with your feet???? and doing it all at 50mph. Thanks and you-all be safe!
You are certainly on the right track: take the course, and think about safety, and you are already WAY ahead of most riders.
The advice I give new riders is this: be aware of what is going on around you, and leave an escape route. For every car around you, think about what stupid thing they could do to you (change lanes into you, run up on you from behind, stop suddenly, turn left in front of you, etc) and think about what you would do if they did that stupid thing. After a while it become second nature and you don't even realize you are doing it. But someday someone will cut in front of you on the highway, and you will think "I knew you were going to do that" as you automatically change lanes, having spaced yourself between cars in the next lane rather than directly next to one.
The advice I give new riders is this: be aware of what is going on around you, and leave an escape route. For every car around you, think about what stupid thing they could do to you (change lanes into you, run up on you from behind, stop suddenly, turn left in front of you, etc) and think about what you would do if they did that stupid thing. After a while it become second nature and you don't even realize you are doing it. But someday someone will cut in front of you on the highway, and you will think "I knew you were going to do that" as you automatically change lanes, having spaced yourself between cars in the next lane rather than directly next to one.
One thing that was suggested to me which helped greatly after almost a decade off motorcycles was running out to a book store. If you have not read it yet, get "Sport Riding Techiques" by Nick Ienatsch and "A Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code volumes I and II.jawkreno said:
Welcome back and please just take it easy. Just don't forget to ride within your limits and within the bikes, always be aware of whats around you, guess what that idiot next to you is going to do, ride like you're invisible and(this one may sound stupid), trust the bike. Happy Trails.
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