Motorcycle riders in NYC

[Kaioshin1982]

I been thinking about getting a bike but I dont even know where to begin hehe... I have a license in NYS so I dont think I have to take the written test or am I wrong on this? What are the steps required to get a M class license in NYS? Also any schools that would teach me to ride one? I dont have my own nor know any of my friends with one so they would have to provide me with one.

Thanks in advnace :):)

[PalmerWMD]

Riding a Bike in NYC = Murder.

I used to ride a bicycle from jamia into lower east side of manhatten.

I still cant believe I risked my life like that..

Fred..

[Kaioshin1982]

uhhh no one else...?

[PalmerWMD]

Sorry about the rambling post I was in a hurry at work.

I was just saying its pretty ballsy to ride in NYC.

Fred..

[Rex]

This should answer most of your questions about the license. As for the "classes", most State Motor Vehicle facilities either offer a safety class or information for acredited schools.

[Kaioshin1982]

Thanks dudes

Is it really hard to ride motorcycles...? How does it feel?? Im so curious!!! Any kind of hints will very much help me. Thanks

[TachyonS14]

I started riding a couple months ago and lets just say I'm HOOKED :ylsuper It's a lot of fun, and offers something a car can't. And as for riding them, they come pretty easy if you already know how a manual in a car works. I think it's the most fun when you can go out riding with lots of other people. And if you don't have a bike already, I suggest nothing below 500cc's because you will get bored too quick with a bike smaller than that.

[Rex]

If NY's like most states, take the written and get your permit, then go sit (not ride) some bikes. You want to find something that's comfortable to you. My buddy jusy got a great deal on a 2002 Honda Super Hawk and I think he's gonna put it on ebay. The riding position is nearly painful in his opinion. He had 2 sport bikes before and I guess he's just gotten old .

Riding position and comfort is key, don't be afraid to start with a mid-size bike. Not everyone needs a 1200cc monster.

The style of bike somewhat dictates the manner in which you ride (turn or lean). From a "physics" standpoint the 2 wheels act a gyroscopes and help keep the bike upright while the wheels are rolling.

[Kaioshin1982]

I have been looking at Yamaha R6 as my first bike. Is that a good choice? Also, I think I would be scared to lean on a bike to turn because maybe its coz I never rode in one... just something about leaning towards the floor that scares me lol.

[AZhitman]

Have you never ridden a bicycle?

[AZhitman]

p.s. An R6? Ummmm, no.

Three reasons:

1) You're gonna lay it down. Guaranteed. Why wreck a nice bike?2) R6 is one of the BEST-balanced bikes out there. However, it has enough power and aggressive handling to get a novice rider hurt. Badly.3) What if you hate it? Wasted a load of money.

Buy an older bike to learn on, like from the late 80's - early 90's...

I learned on an 81 Suzuki GS550 - Great starter bike...

[TachyonS14]

I agree with Hitman. I learned on a 1981 Kawasaki 250 CSR. But, I got bored with it really quick because of the lack of power. Thats why I suggested a 500cc+ bike. But nothing too crazy unless you already know how to ride. And you should really sit on some bikes before you buy. I know crotch rockets look cool, but they get painful on long rides.

[xns]

go ride dirt bike at track for a couple hours.. they rent em' that will give you an idea as to how much fun it is.

Street bike in NYC and you have never ridden before? Sort of morbid , but can I buy a life insurance policy on you before you start ridding?

[SmithSR]

After you've done all the learning and test sitting, try out the Suzuki SV 650. This bike has become the standard for comfort and rideability, while still maintaining a sinister sportbike bent.

Grab some magazines and read about it. The SV is picking up where(and improving greatly upon) Yamaha started with the Fazer, the naked sportbike with slighty less painful ergonomics.

[AZhitman]

Good call.

A timely and brilliant update on the likes of the Seca II and the Bandit (which are also GREAT starter bikes).

[Kaioshin1982]

Ahh, the reason I chose R6 was because I read from a motorcycle forum somewhere saying that it's a good starter bike. Plus, like someone above stated, if I start with a bike less than 500cc, I might get bored of that too fast, then I would have to sell it and buy another one and etc. Also, I wouldnt buy a brand new R6 to start.... of course not, I would buy an used one so that I wouldnt feel too bad if I drop it or whatnot.

And yes AZhitman, I did ride bikes..... ~_~

[Kaioshin1982]

Also to add another thing, I always thought that in a car, it would be better off to learn to drive stick car as your first car. Why? Because if you learned stick as your first car, you can always drive auto. I figured something similiar with the bike too, of course with a stick car, if you do anything wrong you wont get hurt, you'll prob stall and embrass yourself in front of whole lot of people at the stop light hehe but if I start in a smaller cc bike and later on change to a higher cc bike, wouldnt it be still kinda same since you have to get used to driving a more powerful bike? so why not just start with a little more powerful bike to begin with so that I can get used to that feeling, and also I would probably not even gonna get a bike anything stronger than that. Is my way of thinking completely off this time? correct me if so. Thanks

[andrave]

I think your thinking is way off... you should start with a smaller bike. If you like crotch rockets you can get a 250cc ninja for less than 1500 bucks for a 98 and up low mileage one. They look kinda cool, are light, and easy to hold up. Sure, after you learned to ride you might have to sell it, but if you buy it and a get a decent deal on it, you aren't going to lose money, cause there are always guys just like you that will buy one to learn to ride.And once you ride that then you can decide what kind of bike you'd like, after you know what you are doing.One of my friends told me that he thinks the best way to learn to ride a motorcycle is to get a bigger dirtbike and learn on that.