Newbie Guide to Motorcycling
New motorcyclists have lots of questions. Here are the most frequently asked ones along with the answers most frequently given by other riders, and probably some smart-ass answers by me. Enjoy!
1. What is the best motorcycle for a new rider? The BEST bike is used, and small (650-800), and not very expensive. Why? Because you ARE going to drop it, probably more than once. Find a less expensive bike, practice till you can handle it, sell it to another beginner then buy a bigger bike. If you can't handle the little bike, you can't handle a bigger bike.
Other answers are: Indian Scout Bobber, CBR 500, Honda Rebel 500, Ninja, Superlow, Suzuki 125. Suzuki Boulevard. Many people start on dirt bikes.
For those of you that are challenged in height, do a search "motorcycles for short women" which will give you a list. Go to dealers and sit on them. Do not buy a new bike before you learn to ride! Get a used one and practice. Practice a lot. There are even videos on you tube!!
2. What kind of boots do you wear? Steel toe, traction on the sole, and above the ankle. Any brand you want, any color. Make sure they are comfortable or you will never want to walk around. I choose Thorogood (SWAT boots). So comfortable!
3. How do you do your hair? How do you stop it from itching? Long hair does best with braiding. wear a dew rag if it's comfortable, there are braid covers too. Me? I keep mine cut short. Does it itch? After awhile you won't feel that, you are getting used to wearing a helmet. I keep a ball cap on my bike too. Remember, it's NOT a beauty contest, it's a motorcycle ride.
4. Where did you get your first bike? Did you finance or pay cash? Dealership - it had a warranty, wanted to be sure it wouldn't break down, financing was a major bonus. (Many dealerships have a 0% financing during sales!)
First bike was financed, my next bike my boyfriend technically owns because he bought it.
Craigslist, paid cash.
Dealership. Tiny dirt bike. 3 months later got a bigger dirt bike, 3 months later bought a Suzuki Boulevard 800.
I financed my own. I want my name on the sales slip and the ownership papers. Nobody can take my motorcycle away from me.
3. I don't ride a Harley Davidson, can I still wear Harley Davidson clothes? Oh hell yes, wear anything you want. Doesn't have to be black, doesn't have to be leather, doesn't have to have any label at all. Harley riders can wear gortex, Yamaha riders can wear HD leathers. Don't get hung up on your clothing. Be comfortable, but be safe.
2. Where did you get your jacket? "OSI, I love my woman's riding jacket because the fit can be customized with an adjustment of the straps and velcro"
"Just Google and you will be inundated with sites."
"Local leather shop"
"Bought both of mine at the dealership, one is off brand. Love them both."
"Harley Davidson shop, awesome year end sales!"
"Revzilla.com"
4. How old does a kid need to be to ride with me? Check your own state laws. Most require the child be able to reach the pegs in the United States.
5. Gloves or no gloves? 49 said YES always gloves, 3 said not always or depends on the weather. I have heated hand grips so I wear light gloves year round.
6. I went to a motorcycle dealership and nobody paid attention to me. OMG are you bike shopping or what?? Ask questions! If you don't ask questions, they won't give answers! They can't read your mind. Pretend you are shopping for new shoes - what size do you want? What color do you want? How loud do you want? How much money do you want to spend? Grow a pair and ask!
7. Nobody waves back at me. Harley riders don't wave back at me. You are NOT on a parade float. Wave or don't wave. Some people don't, some people do. It's not personal. It has nothing to do with the type of bike you ride. It has nothing to do with you being a girl. Get over it.
8. Will Harley Davidson riders let me ride with them if I don't ride a Harley? If they say you can't, then they are not your friends. Find other people to ride with.
9. Did you name your bike? (or what did you name your bike, or how do you name your bike?) Name it if you want, it's not a requirement. Name it for the color, your favorite song, your favorite Walking Dead character. Mine is Kismet because it was meant to be, my husband named his Twisted Sister. Here are some more and I included the best pictures for you.
"Lilo and Stitch", "Quinn", "Draco"- after the dragon in Dragon Heart, "Falkor" - after the luck dragon in Neverending Story, "Rosie", " Diamond", "Fiona" after Shrek's wife, "BOB" - Boyfriend on Batteries, "Betty" (Black Betty), "Cherry", "Cherry Bomb", "Clyde", Karona,
