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Don Corleo
I'm a new driver seriously considering buying a motorcycle. What model of motorcycle would you recommend? Would I also have to buy a car for when it rains and the winter season?
Answer
Since you're a new driver with little or no experience riding a motorcycle, the first thing you need to do is to take a Basic Rider Safety Course. These are offered in one form or another in all 50 states. They vary in cost, but you usually receive your motorcycle license when you pass the course. The safety skills you'll learn will be well worth the cost.
When considering what type of motorcycle to purchase, you need to think more about what you want from riding and less about what manufacturer's you're interested in. First, ask yourself a few basic questions about what you want from riding. What kind of riding do you want to do and what capabilities do you want your bike to have? Are you attracted to the idea of riding the winding, twisty roads? If your answer is yes to this question, you should look for something in a sport, standard or even a sport touring bike (more on this later).
Or, do you think you just want to cruise along at a modest pace so you can soak in the experience of having the wind in your face? If this is what you like, a cruiser or larger sport touring bike might be more to your liking. If you like all things chrome and you think a bike should be thunderously loud, then a cruiser is most definitely your thing (again, more on this later).
If you chose a sport bike, standard or sport touring bike, then you should consider machines in the 600cc-800cc range, and NO larger. As a novice, you simply do not have the skills and experience to ride anything above that class. Personally, I'd suggest you stay in the 600cc class if a true sport bike is what you choose to purchase. Something like the Honda CBR F4i (which you'll have to buy used since they are out of production) or the Honda CBR600RR are good machines, as are the Yamaha R6 and Suzuki GSX-R 600. All are very capable machines, with plenty of power for a novice to enjoy. Power delivery to the rear wheel is fairly smooth so with a reasonable degree of control you won't be likely to spin the rear wheel (though it is possible).
If you choose to go with a cruiser, go with something in the 650cc-750cc range. Again, Honda, Yamaha (Star motorcycles) and Suzuki all make decent models in that range that would suit a novice. All would serve you well until you've outgrown them through sheer riding experience. That should take a few years unless you ride everyday, everywhere you go for the first two years. At that point you might be ready to move on to something else.
If you live anywhere where it snows, a rust bucket car would be enough to get you through the winter until riding season starts again. Buy yourself some reasonably priced protective gear (Cortech makes some great stuff at affordable prices and it's pretty good in the rain, too), a full-face helmet, leather gloves and above ankle boots. Full protective gear will give you the best chance to survive a mistake (a crash of your own doing) or an accident cause by some @ss in a car or truck. Don't let anyone tell you you don't need that stuff. It saved my life and it saved the life of a professional instructor I know. Both of us survived head-on collisions with cars because we had full protective gear on.
And last, but most importantly ... never, EVER, ride over your head!!!
Never, EVER, let your friends goad you into riding at speeds you know you can't handle. That's a sure fire recipe for a funeral. Yours, and probably some innocent bystander's as well. Do yourself and everyone else a huge favor and just don't go there. And, always view your riding with a critical eye. That way you can review your riding with the intention of improving your skills. Do that and with any luck you'll survive 35 years on two wheels the way I have.
Good luck!
Since you're a new driver with little or no experience riding a motorcycle, the first thing you need to do is to take a Basic Rider Safety Course. These are offered in one form or another in all 50 states. They vary in cost, but you usually receive your motorcycle license when you pass the course. The safety skills you'll learn will be well worth the cost.
When considering what type of motorcycle to purchase, you need to think more about what you want from riding and less about what manufacturer's you're interested in. First, ask yourself a few basic questions about what you want from riding. What kind of riding do you want to do and what capabilities do you want your bike to have? Are you attracted to the idea of riding the winding, twisty roads? If your answer is yes to this question, you should look for something in a sport, standard or even a sport touring bike (more on this later).
Or, do you think you just want to cruise along at a modest pace so you can soak in the experience of having the wind in your face? If this is what you like, a cruiser or larger sport touring bike might be more to your liking. If you like all things chrome and you think a bike should be thunderously loud, then a cruiser is most definitely your thing (again, more on this later).
If you chose a sport bike, standard or sport touring bike, then you should consider machines in the 600cc-800cc range, and NO larger. As a novice, you simply do not have the skills and experience to ride anything above that class. Personally, I'd suggest you stay in the 600cc class if a true sport bike is what you choose to purchase. Something like the Honda CBR F4i (which you'll have to buy used since they are out of production) or the Honda CBR600RR are good machines, as are the Yamaha R6 and Suzuki GSX-R 600. All are very capable machines, with plenty of power for a novice to enjoy. Power delivery to the rear wheel is fairly smooth so with a reasonable degree of control you won't be likely to spin the rear wheel (though it is possible).
If you choose to go with a cruiser, go with something in the 650cc-750cc range. Again, Honda, Yamaha (Star motorcycles) and Suzuki all make decent models in that range that would suit a novice. All would serve you well until you've outgrown them through sheer riding experience. That should take a few years unless you ride everyday, everywhere you go for the first two years. At that point you might be ready to move on to something else.
If you live anywhere where it snows, a rust bucket car would be enough to get you through the winter until riding season starts again. Buy yourself some reasonably priced protective gear (Cortech makes some great stuff at affordable prices and it's pretty good in the rain, too), a full-face helmet, leather gloves and above ankle boots. Full protective gear will give you the best chance to survive a mistake (a crash of your own doing) or an accident cause by some @ss in a car or truck. Don't let anyone tell you you don't need that stuff. It saved my life and it saved the life of a professional instructor I know. Both of us survived head-on collisions with cars because we had full protective gear on.
And last, but most importantly ... never, EVER, ride over your head!!!
Never, EVER, let your friends goad you into riding at speeds you know you can't handle. That's a sure fire recipe for a funeral. Yours, and probably some innocent bystander's as well. Do yourself and everyone else a huge favor and just don't go there. And, always view your riding with a critical eye. That way you can review your riding with the intention of improving your skills. Do that and with any luck you'll survive 35 years on two wheels the way I have.
Good luck!
Has anyone bought or rode the Motobecane immortal force? If so could you give me a review?
go4it22
I just boutgh the motobecane immortal force and Im wondering how it is, if you bought another motobecane online Im also currious how it its plus which one you got. I would really appreciate it
Answer
I didn't but two friends of mine bought Motos. A Fly Pro and a Le Champion. Both are extremely happy with their bikes. I got to take both for a spin and thought they were very good bikes and spec'ed better than any bike for the price.
The Le champion was one size too big for me but still felt good and had very similar characteristics to my Cannondale which I love. Stiff frame and tracked true. The AC 420 wheels are great. The 10 Ultergra shifted better than my 9 speed. It came with Kenda tires, they do the job but aren't my favorite tire. The Fly Pro has an awesome flat black paint job. Came with super light Kenda's with small knobs, not good for muddy or very loose conditions but fast. Both these bikes are crazy light as well. If I didn't have my bikes I'd buy both.
I didn't but two friends of mine bought Motos. A Fly Pro and a Le Champion. Both are extremely happy with their bikes. I got to take both for a spin and thought they were very good bikes and spec'ed better than any bike for the price.
The Le champion was one size too big for me but still felt good and had very similar characteristics to my Cannondale which I love. Stiff frame and tracked true. The AC 420 wheels are great. The 10 Ultergra shifted better than my 9 speed. It came with Kenda tires, they do the job but aren't my favorite tire. The Fly Pro has an awesome flat black paint job. Came with super light Kenda's with small knobs, not good for muddy or very loose conditions but fast. Both these bikes are crazy light as well. If I didn't have my bikes I'd buy both.
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