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Beginner Training

T

typeraccord01

New member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Location
SF
Moto(s)
Sold!
Hey Everyone,

I have been on this forum for a few years now but did not have the funds or the resources of purchasing a motorcycle till now!

I have taken the Bay Area Motorcycle Training in summer 2003. It will be almost 5 years since I have been on a motorcycle.

I have looked at the website of the Bay Area Motorcycle Training and they offer a refresher course for basic motorcycle skills. I am thinking about registering for that course.

I am wondering if there are any other courses I can take to refresh my skills? Also, if any one can recommend a good starter bike. I am going for a 250cc starter bike after reading the thread on what kind of bike a beginner should learn on.

Any input will help. Thanks everyone!
 
Not sure what you've been doing motorcycle-wise for the last few years or how much experience you have. I can't tell if you're familiar with riding the bike but just a bit rusty, or only rode bikes in the MSF class and that was it.

Depending on your experience, this might be too advanced, but I'm not sure...
The MSF "advanced" rider course is mostly a lot of riding & doing drills. That would be a great refresher if you feel that you can ride, but just want to remember all the finer points & build good habits.

ZoomZoom Trackday providers have a course for newer riders.

If the above classes are too advanced, a used small dirtbike is an excellent way to practice riding. They're fun & easy to resell & you can more safely make lots of mistakes in the dirt. The dirtbike parks are only about $6 a day to ride all day. :thumbup You can even take an MSF dirt bike class.

Good luck & welcome back to riding!
 
The only time that I have ridden on a motorcycle was during the motorcycle class and that was 4 years ago!

Thanks for your input Redline.
 
I would probably say take the MSF class again if you don't remember how to do the basic stuff - it really does help, even if it is just a refresher.

Here's a link to the course that redline mentioned: http://zoomzoomtrackdays.com/ti/zoomzoom/showcontent.html?content=RR20 . It sounds pretty good - since it takes place on a track and all, but you do need your own bike and some way to get it there.
 
I learn or reinforce something every time I participate in a Basic Rider Course, and that's almost every weekend :)
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I will probably shoot for July 10th at Thunderhill. That should give me some time to learn the basics again and get a bike!
 
Let me ask, what's your basic attitude toward riding? I mean, and don't answer this if you don't want to, are you in shape, and ready to go, with a 100% positive attitude that you'll have no problem, other than watching for safety hazards, and do you have a history of overcoming learning obstacles in the past?

If the above could be answered with a sold 'yes,' and you have a mature approach to riding with respect toward others, and you're going to proceed slowly while dialing into the moto, then go buy the moto ya want. Key word is maturity based upon excellent self control. If you got it, you'll have no problem. But if you don't, you'll die young, if you know what I mean.
 
typeraccord01 said:
Thanks everyone for your input. I will probably shoot for July 10th at Thunderhill. That should give me some time to learn the basics again and get a bike!
Click to expand...


You might seriously consider waiting a bit more than 2 1/2 months of riding on the street before you go on a racetrack. SERIOUSLY>
 
afm199 said:
You might seriously consider waiting a bit more than 2 1/2 months of riding on the street before you go on a racetrack. SERIOUSLY>
Click to expand...

What is the general consensus then about how long to wait? I imagine he's going to a novice school (I will be too), so how much time/mileage is needed before you can get to the good stuff at the track?

I really want to hit the track ASAP, I don't want to learn too many bad habits on the street nor do I want to make a mistake on the street, I'd much rather do it in a controlled environment, ie the track

What if you are familiar with the track already (track my car there), does that help at all?
 
afm199 said:
You might seriously consider waiting a bit more than 2 1/2 months of riding on the street before you go on a racetrack. SERIOUSLY>
Click to expand...

I think/hope that he is talking about Zoom Zoom Road2.0 which I believe is geared more towards street riding then racing. Although they do take you for a controled ride on the track at the end of the day. The rest of the time you are in the parking lot doing the drills. Which from what I've read sounds like the ERC but at an even faster (real world) speeds. Though I could be wrong about that as I have not taken the class.
 
scout said:
Let me ask, what's your basic attitude toward riding? I mean, and don't answer this if you don't want to, are you in shape, and ready to go, with a 100% positive attitude that you'll have no problem, other than watching for safety hazards, and do you have a history of overcoming learning obstacles in the past?
Click to expand...

I am physically in shape. I am 5' 4", 160lbs and built like a small running back :laughing

I believe my attitude towards riding motorcycle is good. I am not out there to race everyone on the road or knee drag through a turn. I want to learn the fundamentals of riding a motorcycle and learn it well. I have considered getting the bike I wanted (CBR 600 RR) but rather take my time with a smaller CC bike to get familiar first. I learn and adapt to things really fast, but it does take a bit of practice for me to get comfortable to different environments. Hope that gives you a good insight and thanks for your input.
 
afm199 said:
You might seriously consider waiting a bit more than 2 1/2 months of riding on the street before you go on a racetrack. SERIOUSLY>
Click to expand...

My understanding was that is a class to practice street riding skills and not track. I know I am not ready for a track. Maybe a year or so down the line, but I don't see myself on a track in the immediate future.
 
sixtytwo said:
I would probably say take the MSF class again...
Click to expand...


This is great advice.


scout said:
Let me ask, what's your basic attitude toward riding? I mean, and don't answer this if you don't want to, are you in shape, and ready to go, with a 100% positive attitude that you'll have no problem, other than watching for safety hazards, and do you have a history of overcoming learning obstacles in the past?

If the above could be answered with a sold 'yes,' and you have a mature approach to riding with respect toward others, and you're going to proceed slowly while dialing into the moto, then go buy the moto ya want. Key word is maturity based upon excellent self control. If you got it, you'll have no problem. But if you don't, you'll die young, if you know what I mean.
Click to expand...


This, not so much.




You have zero street experience, and are basically in the same mental state you were in before you attended the MSF course in the first place. A 5 year break for someone who had ridden for the previous 15 years is not so much of a deal, but the rider could still benefit from the Basic RiderCourse.

A 5 year break for a rider with no practical street experience is significant. You forgot half of what you learned in the BRC with the first 6 months after you completed the program - and this is true for even those graduates that went on to ride actively after the class.

While some riders can go and buy just any bike that makes them giggle without wadding it and injuring themselves, the overwhelming statistics show that this is, by far, not the case with most new riders. You should do yourself the favor of buying a user-friendly beginner bike, and re-attending the Basic RiderCourse.

If, for no other reason, than to prevent yourself from staring at your bike getting hauled up on a flatbed tow truck while they close the doors on your ambulance, spending the entire trip to the hospital thinking how you should've spent $250 and taken one more weekend out of your life before you started riding on the street.
 
Very good point. My goal is to avoid crashing/dropping/towing my bike away or even worst getting seriously hurt. I am definitely going to take a refresher course before even getting a bike. I'm not looking to get a pretty bike and not knowing how to ride it. I think most, if not all the fellow BARFers will agree.
 
BRC again.

Ninja 250 afterward, perhaps SV650, for at least a few thousand miles (ideally, more). Better to be awesome on a small bike than poor/adequate on an awesome bike.

Go.
 
UPDATE: I am taking the BRC course again in San Mateo next week.

Looking to get a 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R after! Thanks for all the help everyone!
 
Finished the MSF class. Glad I retook the class. It enforced the safe riding skills that I learned 5 years ago. Felt good to ride again too.

Thanks for everyone's help and advice.
 
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