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Who here knows about motorcycles?? (Totally NWR)

I have zero experience. However, I really really really want to learn how to ride and buy a motorcycle by this Summer! I plan on taking a Motorcycle Safety Course because I don't want to regret my decision.

I wouldn't be able to justify spending too much on it though. I think the Honda Rebel and Virago suit me and are nicely priced. Thoughts?

And I know this is technically a scooter, but what do you all think of Vespas??

Suggestions? Tips? Thanks!
White Knot

Re: Who here knows about motorcycles?? (Totally NWR)

  • edited December 2011
    I would definitely take the class, like you plan, to see if you would really enjoy driving a motorcycle.  You would save tons on gas money if you got a motorcycle.

    I, personally, am scared of driving motorcycles or scooters around with all the crazy car drivers out there.
  • heyimbrenheyimbren member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I know MotoLyn loves motorcycles. She'd probably be the best person on here to talk to.
  • edited December 2011
    WEAR A HELMET!
  • stemms8810stemms8810 member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    My BF has a Honda motorcycle but I don't know which one exactly.  I know it's blue and very nice!  Once I master driving a manual car (for some reason this is challenging for me...Haha)  he wants to teach me to drive a motorcycle.  I don't know if I want to do that.  I am content being a passenger occasionally.
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  • Blue & WhiteBlue & White member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I know nothing about motorcycles, but the community colleges here and where I used to live offer the safety courses (they usually run an entire weekend!)  You probably knew that already :)
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  • peekaboo2011peekaboo2011 member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    My grandpa had a couple motorcycles.  And then grandma told him he was done, so he sold them.  But it was pretty funny to watch my 65 year old grandfather drive around on a Harley wearing a leather "Biker for Jesus" vest.  The man makes me giggle.
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  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Hey there I ride a motorcycle, mine is a Suzuki GSXR 600. 


    I definitely suggest you take the motorcycle safety class.  It'll help you learn and practice better and you can avoid taking the DMV test, which is harder.  If you have any questions feel free to ask me here.  I'll check in on the thread or PM me, if you do PM me post that up so I can check my PMs.  I usually don't pay attention to my inbox. 

    Getting my license to ride a motorcycle has been one of the best things I ever did.  The feel of riding is a breath of freedom for me.  I've ridden scooters before as well.  Are you getting a scooter for to commute short distances? 
  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Another note, there are some crazy drivers out there, I've had to swerve and avoid a lot of them.  So riding defensively is very important.  Also having the right riding gear is important.  I've had one crash already, and I was lucky to have on gear that saved myself from worse injuries.  Helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and if you can proper pants. 

    Take your time and once you get your license and bike practice in a parking lot turning and braking.  Its quite different than driving a car when it comes to turning, you are going to have to lean into the turn. 
  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I'm sorry if I'm PW I just love motorcycles and I get so excited when there is someone new to the sport or shares the passion of riding with me.  The picture below is of FI and I on his bike.  He has a red Triumph Daytona 675.  I have my own bike but sometimes I like to ride passenger with him.  I only ride passenger with a handful of riders, its a trust issue. 



    BTW that's how I met FI.  We both are a part of a local motorcycle group/forum. I met Danish man at one of the monthly birthday gatherings that the group does.  He and I sat across from one another and I asked him why he was so red, he was sunburnt from surfing and from there we became friends and well it led to us now :-)
  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_here-knows-motorcycles-totally-nwr?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:8b12c1f7-68cb-4037-b4d3-e7e4773ed5f9Post:adab002c-c51f-4ecb-9437-4b797ea0f6ae">Re: Who here knows about motorcycles?? (Totally NWR)</a>:
    [QUOTE]Motolyn, you'll definitely have a PM from me! I just checked all the community colleges around me...they're all  hating on my dream. Haha, none of them offer safety courses. I did find a few courses near me, though. Shoes, I'd have to wear a helmet anyway! Unless I went over the border to NH where they have no law for helmets and motorcycles. However, I'd still where a helmet in NH. 
    Posted by mcnallzie[/QUOTE]


    Here's the l;ink for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  They have courses all over the states.

    <a href="http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx</a>

    I took my course through them.  Arizona doesn't have a helmet law, but even if I were to go visit friends in AZ I can't fathom not wearing a helmet, even in the summer I sometimes see riders not wearing a riding jacket.  Regardless of how hot it gets I can't ride without my leather jacket, I feel naked and unsafe without it.  Looking forward to your PM. 
  • edited December 2011
    This is my boyfriend's baby (#2, I damn well better come before the bike).



    He loves it, and I love riding it. I believe it's a touring bike and he says it's an easy ride comparatively. Anyway, he's from Greece originally and only rode a motorcycle before moving to the states and he says definitely take the safety course and WATCH OUT for car drivers. Many US drivers (his words not mine) are not used to having motorcyles on the road, WHOA and I just realized you live in the same state as me, soooo definitely watch out here. We've had some trouble on 93/95 with merging cars that didn't see us/idiots who just don't give other drivers enough room.

    As a note, motorcycle parking in Boston is a DREAM. There are lots of garages for some unknown reason will give you a discount for parking a motorcycle instead of a car (even though we still take a full space), you can drive alone in the carpool lane and there are lots of special spots you can get your bike into (especially on Newbury street) and I know a couple in Fenway since I used to live there. Feel free to PM me to get more info on parking etc if/when you do buy a bike.

    BF said the motorcycle driving test (I think he took his in Somerville) was not very difficult, but it is important to prepare as much as you can ahead of time (not just for the test, but also for different road conditions). Bf says, apparently, that some things you might not know how to handle until it happens (soft shoulders, potholes etc etc), but I'm guessing that taking safety classes and the like will help give you a heads up.

    Lastly, if you want to talk to the bf about driving around here, feel free to PM me and I'll hand out the contact info. He's crazy about his bike and would love to give advice (but like me he can be long winded, haha).
  • deburnindeburnin member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    What everyone else said and always wear gear, don't be a squid. Helmet, gloves, and boots at the very least. Under-armor is good too. Seeing people riding without gear makes me cringe.
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  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I made a seperate thread but... it might get buried so I'll post here as well. Alanna91 YGPM!
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