[DeadCityNetwork]

Hi! I recently joined this forum today, found it in google
I am 18 turning 19 soon, and from california bay area. I recently really got interested in
the whole motorcycle stuff, and currently clueless where to take my first step.

I have never rode a motorcycle before, only 2 wheel i have ever experinced are those raZor kids scooter, and a bike..haha

I read Kawasaki Ninja250r 09 are perfect for beginner..is that true?
I am 6'1 220lb pretty big guy, and was wondering if this motorcycle would fit me.

Anyway what is the first step I should take? I dont have a car license by the way.

 

[RayOSV]

Welcome to SBN!! The best first step is to sign up for and take the MSF safety course for new riders. They start at the beginning and assume you have no motorcycle experience. Here in San Jose they run year round, but still fill up fast. You might need a car license and a bike learner's permit to take the course.

California Motorcyclist Safety Program

California Motorcyclist Safety Program

http://ca-msp.org/Library/LicensingHowToFactSheet.pdf

You're not too big for a Ninja 250.

More questions? Let me know how I can help. We're practically neighbors.

 

[DeadCityNetwork]

oh..so do i need car license in order to eventually get motorcycle license?
ah awsome! your from san jose as well :]

 

[Stick N Move]

Wow. You dont have a C license? Ok...well... have you ever driven anything in your life? No bicycle, scooter, Razor scooter? Buy a used ninja once you finish the MSF. It wont be easy for you... especially being in the bay area.

 

[Stick N Move]

oh..so do i need car license in order to eventually get motorcycle license?

No, you can get an M1 only if you wish.

Edit: But some MSF courses do require you to have a C class. And a C class license will come in handy down the road, so you should get one anyways.

 

[DeadCityNetwork]

Wow. You dont have a C license? Ok...well... have you ever driven anything in your life? No bicycle, scooter, Razor scooter? Buy a used ninja once you finish the MSF. It wont be easy for you... especially being in the bay area.

ya i am lame lol, no c license yet..just been ultra lazy. I have driven but just illegally
And what do you mean it wont be easy for me, especially being in bay area

 

[DeadCityNetwork]

No, you can get an M1 only if you wish.

Edit: But some MSF courses do require you to have a C class. And a C class license will come in handy down the road, so you should get one anyways.

Ya i am going to get c license soon. I was hoping to take MSF course first withought the c license, and get the M1 license first, and then go for car license?

 

[Rhetorik]

I read Kawasaki Ninja250r 09 are perfect for beginner..is that true?
I am 6'1 220lb pretty big guy, and was wondering if this motorcycle would fit me.

Welcome to the addiction

The ninja250 is a great beginner bike, and will fit you fine. I am 6'3" on a ninja 500 (also a decent beginner bike, slightly larger than the 250 I believe) and I'm comfortable on it.

 

[DeadCityNetwork]

Age 18 to 20
Step 1: You must successfully complete the CHP-approved Basic RiderCourse offered by the California
Motorcyclist Safety Program. Before you enroll in the Basic RiderCourse, check to make sure you have
done one of the following: 1) successfully completed a classroom driver’s education program; 2) obtained
a motorcycle or motor vehicle instruction permit; 3) hold a valid Class C automotive driver’s license. To
enroll in the Basic RiderCourse call toll-free, 877.RIDE.411. Upon successful completion of the Basic
RiderCourse, you will be given a Certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389).

1) I really dont get what that means
2) I get this permit through the written test? at DMV?
3) So I do need a car license before I can take the safety motorcycle program?

 

[RayOSV]

CA DMV splits licenses into learner's permits and full licenses. To get a permit, you need to take a written test at the DMV. To get a C class driver's license, you need to take a behind-the-wheel test once you've had your permit for a minimum time. A motorcycle permit is obtained by passing a written test if you already have your C class license. It sounds like MSF requires a C class license plus a motorcycle permit if you're between 18-20 years old.

Passing the MSF course will enable you to get a full motorcycle endorsement (license) without taking an on-the-bike skills test at the DMV. Your license will then say class C and class M1.

 

[Stick N Move]

To get your M1 permit you WILL be required to take the C class written as well even if you have no intent on getting a C class.

 

[LobsterMagnet]

You must take the class C written test under the implication that you more fully understand other vehicles on the road, and the possible hazards they impose.

 

[Squid Killer]

Many states want you to have a C licence because the test for motorcycle licence does not include things like street signs and laws of the road.

 

[DeadCityNetwork]

ah i see. Thanks guys. Very helpful information. I guess I will go for C licnese first and then, take the written test for motorcycle and get my permit. And finally go take the motorcycle saftey course. And then take the DMV for my license...and buy a bike after getting the license...correct?

 

[Stick N Move]

You forgot the "buy gear" step in between the M1 and bike purchase :bitchslap

:cheers

 

[DeadCityNetwork]

ah haha you are absolutly right. I always wondered about that.
Like...If i am going to school with the bike..do i need to be fully equipped? Like helmet, leather jacker, leather pants, those armor protect guards, etc etc? Or can i just wear a helmet, leather jacker, jeans, glove, and a regular leather boot?

 

[RayOSV]

Why would you bother wearing a leather jacket and just jeans? The skin on your lower body will get shredded off by the street just as easily as the skin on your upper body. Jeans don't provide much abrasion resistance.

Having said that, gear doesn't do any good unless you wear it. Get whatever you'll wear every time you get on the bike.

 

[Stick N Move]

Jeans arent very good, but if you invest in some gaurds to put under your jeans you will be much safer. But with that being said I am guilt of wearing just jeans.

This is what I do when I go to school. I take off my jeans and under them are my shorts and I shove the jeans and gloves in my backpack. I have low cut Alpinestars boots that I wear like shoes that are really great and I wear those all around. Some people also like to lock their jacket or helmet to their bike, but i wear my jacket in between classes and carry my helmet. Sure it gets a tad hot but Im only wearing the jacket for less than 5 mins between getting to my classes and its fully unzipped so its not hot at all.

 

[MostedHated1]

what's up all. Just found this site, and since i'm a noob to bikes i figure i'll join up. i just finished the MSF course, and i'm picking up my first bike this weekend. But after reading some of the topics on here, i'm worried that a 600 might be too much. Alot of ppl told me start with a 1000, but i know there's no way i'll be able to handle that. My buddy just also got his first bike. its a 1300. i jumped on it to take it around the block. There's no way in hell that a busa is a starter bike. it was fun to ride, but that's way too much bike for me. anyways. that's my lil 2cents.

 

[LessPeople_MoreRobots]

Jeans arent very good

+10

Think about it. When you were a kid, how many pairs of pants did you skin the knees out of just by playing outside, falling down, falling off your bicycle/skateboard, etc?

You can wear right through your jeans falling at *little kid running speed*. What do you think they would do if you opened the door and jumped out of a moving car? Yeah, they might as well be tissue paper at that speed.

Especially designer jeans you buy at the mall these days. They're thinner and half-worn on purpose. Don't be one of those guys that sees someone riding a bike in shorts and calls them a squid, but is riding in fashionably distressed designer jeans themself.

I know people say they've wrecked wearing jeans and the pants held up. Well people have wrecked in shorts and rashed up other things besides their legs. Just depends on how you fall. Its not the jeans that saved you.

Are they better than nothing, sure. But they're not protection. I'm not saying I'm not guilty. I rarely wear my leather pants on the street. Just don't have any delusions about jeans being 'riding gear'.