Wanna learn to ride

Wanna learn to ride

by Kelly
(Vallejo, ca)

I am a 28 year old mother of 4. I had kids very young and feel that I somehow missed out on a lot of exciting things in my 20's! I have always had an Interest in motorcycles and had a really strong desire to learn to ride and to feel some of that excitement I missed out on! I do not have a bike and am not sure where to begin. In fact I don't even have any friends who have bikes! I am in the San Francisco/bay area and would love some advice!

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Wanna learn to ride

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Nov 18, 2011

Agree with others
by: Anonymous

The basic steps are the same but depending on your state the steps may be a different order.

Here in MN you need to have your permit BEFORE you can sign up for the class. The permit is just the written DMV test. Then you take the class and if you pass the riding test at the end you get your endorsement automatically. At least that's how my class worked. They also provided the bikes for the class. So no need to have a bike of your own first.

So check your local training course for the pre-enrollment requirements. Take the class and see if you even really like riding. If you do great, welcome to the club. If you don't, it's alot cheaper than getting a bike and not wanting to ride it.

When you get a bike, test ride or sit on everything you can find because like cars and blue jeans, what works for someone else may or may not be the right fit for you.
Good luck and just take it one step at a time, at your own pace.

Nov 17, 2011

New rider
by: Sapphire

I am 22 and had no prior experience on a motorcycle before my safety class. Hubby and I are from Eureka, Ca and the safety classes are run by CHP in Cali. I took my class in July and bought my first bike last month. We moved to Okinawa with the military so everything was rushed after I bought my bike since it needed a safety inspection to be registered on base. That meant I only got 3 days of practice in a parking lot before I had to ride on real streets and then off base the next day to get to a neighboring base to go through the inspection. Driving off base in a car here in Japan in scary enough, and I had to do it on a bike without even having the time riding outside of a parking lot for more than an hour. But do take your time and go at your own pace when you are learning to ride. I'm still learning as its been less than a month since I started getting real experience.

Nov 16, 2011

wanna ride
by: robin

i am just the opposite ...started riding at 54 yo! but what first person said is accurate..do the three steps first. i knew right away i wanted a touring bike so started there. You might have an idea of what kind of motorcycle to try first. Then i asked a friend to help me and i spent hours in a big parking lot. Slowly i learned and gained confidence. Now i wouldn't trade it in for anything! Keep us posted. Good luck

Nov 16, 2011

Wanna Ride
by: Anonymous

Here's whatcha do... find the motorcycle safety course near you and get info on classes and schedules. Next, go to DMV and get a motorcycle learners book and study. Theeen, sign up for the class. Take it, pass it and get a permit.

Now the next step is getting the bike...go to some shops, sit on them, try to find out what's comfortable for you. Feet firmly on ground, not to much lean forward to grip handlebars, that sort of thing. Ounce you know what is comfortable get it and go. Also go online and find rider groups in your area. You will no doubt find people to ride with from your safety class. Practice in you area first to make sure you are comfortable before going into real street traffic and take your time. You will have practice days that feel like set backs, but don't give up and don't rush yourself. You will know when it's time to advance to street, parkway, beltway, etc. You will eventually do it all, but make sure it's in your time when you are comfortable and sure of your riding ability.

Have fun and be safe.

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