I plan on purchasing one this summer.any suggestions to what kind of starter bike i should get and do they have classes that teach you how to ride or should i just go to a empty parking lot and practice it myself. i am nervous to some extent,but this is part of living out my fantasies.please!give me some good advice ridersthanks!
If you've never ridden, don't buy a brand new bike. Trust me - it's not a matter of if you drop it, it's a matter of when. 1) Take a MSF or equivalent course first. 2) Sit on a bunch of bikes to size them up. Don't hesitate to ask the guys in the bike shops for advice and help - you may need two of them to hold bikes upright to see how a bike fits. 3) Budget for and make sure to wear your safety gear all the time. Buy a used learner bike in what ever type you want - if you want something like the interceptor, buy something used and smaller. If you've never ridding a cycle before, how do you know you will be comfortable on lean over the tank bike? I know that I can't do it - I have wrist problems that flare up in 15 minutes of a sport bike - took me over a week to get the pain in my wrist to go away. My cruiser bike does not cause me wrist problems and it's better on my lower back too.
The idiot light can come on for any number of reasons having to do with your brakes. Start with the simple things, like checking the brake light bulb, I know it sounds silly, but it can turn your light on too. Then I would go to brake fluid, brake pads, and go as far as your equipped to go. Sometimes it is something that a mechanic would look at, but start with the simple things you can check - if they bulb is loose on a break light and you take it to a dealer, you could spend $50 for them to screw the bulb in better.
In my state, Ohio, they have a state approved motorcycle training course that is extremely cheap and they supply everything you need including the cycle! After you complete the course, they give you a certificate to go and get your license and you dont have to take the sometimes stress inducing skills test. A small street bike, like the honda rebel 250, is a good choice for a first bike and you will be able to get back most of what you paid for it when you're ready to upgrade. Another very good idea is if you know anyone with a dirt bike that would let you scoot around in the yard or something to get an initial feel for the operations. Dirtbikes are light and easy to handle and grass or dirt is MUCH softer than pavement. Have fun and stay vertical!
