re: Thinking about buying a motorcycle

I'd suggest buying a dirt bike, at least a 125 or 250, and ride it every weekend for 6 months.
There's no amount or kind of practice that will get you used to riding around other mostly inconsiderate drivers though.
I got my first dirt bike at 5, a big red 50, and rode dirt bikes until 15 or 16.
My uncle brought a frame back from Sturgis the year I turned 15, and made a deal with me that if I could put together a street legal motorcycle from it, he'd pay my way to go to Sturgis the following year.
Ended up with a 69 Pan head lower, shovel head upper rat rod, and had the time of my life at the 95th anniversary of the Black Hills Motorcycle rally.
It was also my primary mode of transportation off and on into my early 20's, with the first 3 or 4 years in Illinois and their brutal winters.

I say all that to say this, by the time I took a motorcycle on the street with other motorists, I had probably 1000 hours on 1 bike or another total, and I still had more close calls than I really ever want to admit to myself.
Laid it down countless times, ghost rode off it to avoid a collision once, and have thrown more washers over rmy shoulder into the windshields of soccer moms trying to finish their makeup and wrangle 3 kids while driving 90 down the interstate.
I stopped riding full time in around 02, before the proliferation of cell phones, but I can only imagine how much more dangerous drivers are to motorcyclists, and I just can't see myself ever riding full time again.
However, Louisiana would be the perfect place for it, if not for the vast majority of shite drivers in the state.
I would absolutely record every second I was riding, for sure. frick not bring able to prove fault in the event that some dumbass changes lanes without looking and squashes me like an insect.
I've seen people complain about motorcycle riders whipping in between cars and traffic, but honestly the best way to stay safe is to aggressively negotiate the traffic on your terms instead of being reactionary to the other assholes on the road.

I would say do whatever you want. It's not for me anymore

quote:

---

Id consider myself to be a beginner.

---

I'm MC endorsed been riding since I was a child. Started on Yamaha 80, Harley 175 dirt bike and moved up to a Suzuki 400. Harley & Suzuki were my older brother's bikes. My feet could only touch the foot pegs on the 400. I would lean it on a tree to get off of it.

As an adult I rode big bikes in the Tampa Bay area/Central Florida. There are dangers everywhere you would never expect. Narrowly avoided a freaking Christmas tree in the middle lane on I-275 North bound. Not to mention drivers on their cell not paying attention to you.

I was the biggest danger to myself. I knew one speed "too fast." I told myself. "You aren't 100+ MPH experienced. I was typically exceeding that speed when I had the opportunity. I stay off of bikes now.

Be careful. I won't begin to list the number of people I know that have been injured/dead but it's real.

Between now and the time you purchase start taking an inventory of narrow misses and d-bags you encounter while in your car. Make a business decision. Most of it will come down to you & where you will ride.

To the OP:

If you read all this and still get a motorcycle, you are dumb. Like really dumb.

quote:

---

I've been riding for 50 years

before you even start shopping, go take the MSF course then shop used bikes way below what you currently think your target bike might be - get something you can gain some experience on and flip for about what you paid for it

Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses near you

I tell everyone I've known who took up riding later to start with a sub-400lb street legal dirt bike, max of 650cc

when you're on the road, ride like EVERYONE out there is trying to kill you

Don't skimp on protective gear and remember ATGATT: All The Gear All The Time

---

The MSF course sucks pretty bad, I always recommend something like Total Control Training after MSF and do some track days.

Dual sport bikes are definitely a great way to start out.

Don't get too slow of a motorcycle. Lots of people buy 500 Ninjas or 600 cc sport bikes and soon wish they had something more powerful. GSX-R1000s are relatively comfortable, reliable, and hold their value.

My first legit bike, in my own name and insurance and with the proper license endorsement, was a Hayabusa, 23 years ago. Only mistake I made was not getting the GSX-R1000 instead. Much lighter bike and much more fun, unless you're going to spend most of your time on the interstate. Ride them with some common sense and maturity and you'll be fine



Same thing with cruisers. Lots of dudes get a 1300 and then when they're on the highway with their buddies with bigger bikes they wish they had more oomph

Riding in the city is dangerous as hell. Go join the Greater Baton Rouge Sportbike riders Facebook page and see how people are constantly getting into wrecks in EBR and LP. I do 90+ % of my riding in rural areas.

It's a buyer's market right now, new or used. People on Marketplace or Craigslist always ask too much.

First thing you need to do is get the motorcycle endorsement on your license, period. I borrowed a buddies bike to take my test. If you can, take your road test in Clinton and not in Baton Rouge or LP. If I'm not mistaken you can take the written part first then come back with with a bike at a later date to take the riding part of the test. When I took mine in Clinton back in 2000, all I had to do was ride around the building. I doubt much has changed.

Riding in Louisiana in the summer sucks arse unless you are up early.

Get very familiar with riding

Watch some videos of motorcycle accidents and look at pictures of people who have been injured or died in motorcycle accidents. Gain respect for the risk.

Got that out of my system years ago. Had a 1980 KZ1000. Freaking rocket ship. I'm just glad I survived cause I took way too many chances back then.
Like someone else said already. "drive like everyone is trying to kill you" The only wreck I had was someone pulling out in front of me. And wear gear.