Tips for a guy looking into getting a motorcycle?

So recently i have taken an intrest into trying something new and that would be to get a motorcycle. Ive always drove a car all my life ( and by that i mean im 19 and all i know right now is driving a car) But i thought to myself that a motorcycle would save me money on gas and it would be easier to get parking. I dont know much about bikes but one that looks pretty cool to me is the2012 ninja250r. I have never touched a motorcycle before but im planning on studying to get my permit in a few months. Are there any tips that people could give me? For the people that already has driven one before is it hard to learn how to ride one? I kind of figured that its like riding a bike basically but just without the pedeling haha.

Make sure to say your goodbyes to everyone you love before you leave.

Never drove one, but they're a bit heavier than bicycles and they can go faster. My advice: Practice makes perfect.

Don't cut in front of me. I hate those idiots in their Japanese rockets zig zagging in front of me..., I'm in an SUV..., you wanna die?Fightingfan

LOL! i realize there are some dbag motorcycle people out there but damn you guys that confident im going to die?!? haha -_-

Just get the helmet. That's all you need.chilly-chill

LOL! i realize there are some dbag motorcycle people out there but damn you guys that confident im going to die?!? haha -_-

killblade37

[QUOTE="Fightingfan"]Don't cut in front of me. I hate those idiots in their Japanese rockets zig zagging in front of me..., I'm in an SUV..., you wanna die?Pirate700

[QUOTE="chilly-chill"]Just get the helmet. That's all you need.Pirate700

LOL! i realize there are some dbag motorcycle people out there but damn you guys that confident im going to die?!? haha -_-

killblade37

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="chilly-chill"]Just get the helmet. That's all you need.horgen123

Other than a helmet, at least something tough to cover your skin. Jeans and a leather jacket at minimum. Something with spinal protection is a plus. It's amazing how many derps here in SoCal ride with flip flops, shorts and tshirt...

Pirate700

As others have said, become an organ donor. Stuff happens, just watch other drivers now while you are in a car, they don't pay attention most of the time.

Stay to the outer sides of the lanes, oil from cars can be slick. It also allows more reaction time.

As for the bike, start small and old. There's no need to get a new bike when you are not confident in you abilities. Laying down a $300 bike wont distress you as much as a $5000 bike.

Also, pick up a service and repair manual for your bike and get to know it well. An understanding of the mechanics involved will serve you well for years to come.

Taking a class also helps a lot. If you don't plan on taking one, plan on taking time to teach yourself in a safe environment. It can be done, just don't expect to feel comfortable at higher speeds for some time.

[QUOTE="chilly-chill"]Just get the helmet. That's all you need.Pirate700

I was refering to this

[QUOTE="killblade37"]

LOL! i realize there are some dbag motorcycle people out there but damn you guys that confident im going to die?!? haha -_-

Pirate700

I don't even know how anyone feels safe driving em, I don't even feel safe driving a 4 cylinder.Fightingfan

[QUOTE="Fightingfan"]I don't even know how anyone feels safe driving em, I don't even feel safe driving a 4 cylinder.Pirate700

This is actually great advice its really making me think about this whole motorcyle thing a bit more...

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="killblade37"]

LOL! i realize there are some dbag motorcycle people out there but damn you guys that confident im going to die?!? haha -_-

BranKetra

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

[QUOTE="Fightingfan"]I don't even know how anyone feels safe driving em, I don't even feel safe driving a 4 cylinder.Fightingfan

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Review

It's a review from Scotland, but it gives you a sense of the bike.

It's not about feeling safe. That's the very thing many bikers get off on.

Pirate700

[QUOTE="BranKetra"][QUOTE="Pirate700"]It's not a matter if if, but WHEN you eventually crash and the smallest moving accidents on a bike easily leads to death or wishing you were dead.

Pirate700

Every time it rains an angel gets a kidney, lung, and a liver.

[QUOTE="Fightingfan"]I don't even know how anyone feels safe driving em, I don't even feel safe driving a 4 cylinder.Pirate700

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Review

It's a review from Scotland, but it gives you a sense of the bike.

Namgis

[QUOTE="Namgis"]

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Review

It's a review from Scotland, but it gives you a sense of the bike.

Fightingfan

Your point? The roads are wider in the US as well. The point of the link was to give him a sense of how the bike handled and to see what it looks like through the eyes of the rider.

A 250 is pretty small for street use. A 450 would be perfect to start out on. Plenty of power but not nearly as heavy as the larger bikes.

Motorcycles aren't much different than riding a bike, just heavier but it doesn't take long to get used to.

A 250 is pretty small for street use. A 450 would be perfect to start out on. Plenty of power but not nearly as heavy as the larger bikes.

Motorcycles aren't much different than riding a bike, just heavier but it doesn't take long to get used to.

Jackc8

wow, look at all the anti bike ladies out in force.

anyway screw them they have no idea what they are talking about. new riders can effect the safety of their bike experience in a ton of ways to make sure they keep the shiny side upright.

1st off DO NOT get some starter on road bike that you want because it looks cool.

start off with a used on/off road 250cc (or maybe 400cc) bike and put in a ton of time goofing about in fields and on dirt roads and on trails.

buy a full set of motocross equipment, full face helmet, gloves and boots and an enduro type jacket.

have fun learning to ride, ride through creeks and slippery grass and mud and up and down hills and just generally build skills that involve learning control in less than ideal conditions.

learn to do stupid low speed things like popping wheelies and doing doughnuts and sliding the back end out on purpose.

in doing all this crap you are going to lay the bike down it is inevitable but if you are staying low speed and have your safety equipment on it will not be any big deal.

stay off the roads as much as you can while you are in the learning stage, you basically only want to be on road long enough to get to the trails or places where you are learning to ride.

my off road experiences saved my ass more times than i can remember.