I cant curb the appetite to ride a motorcycle. I have found that progressive has very good rates(especially if I get only liability). I will try one more time with the kind folks here at HAN for advice. Should I get a dirtbike and learn on that or should I get a cheap $2k or so bike to learn on? Also what size? Most everyone(experienced riders) I have talked with say start with a 500. Would I be ok with a cheap 600?

 

You'd be ok with a cheap anything as long as you are smart about how you ride.

My 45 year old stepmom started out on a HD Heritage Softail, which is a 1450 (or something crazy like that) and it weighs around 800 lbs. She has done very well just because she's careful.

The bike you get depends on you and your tastes and what you want from a bike. A 500 cc bike will most likely be too slow for most people.

 

I have only sat on a few, never riden. I know of someone that has 1995 Suzuki RF600(dry 429 lbs). He is asking $2k but I could get it cheaper. Would something like that be ok?

 

Teh RF sounds like it could be a great bike for you. But again it's all about riding smart.

In order to truly learn to ride smart I'd suggest a riders safety course that will (usually) take 10% off of your insurance costs as well as make the road a better place.

Just remember to stay a little bit humble when riding a bike because there is nothing between you and other cars and junk. Oh and put aside a little cash for some riding gear like helmet, jacket and gloves.

 

Any 600cc bike would be more than fast enough for a beginner, but you might also consider getting something that you don't care about dropping, because you more than likely will drop you bike at least once while learning.

 

Thats what I was thinking. Hopefully not, but anything can happen. My dad has been riding since he was 15 so I will have a good teacher.

 

As stated above i would highly recommend taking a motorcycle training course. I learned alot that i would've never known if i taught myself. Plus i know what to look for while riding and shit.

 

Where can I find out who offers a training course, or is it a DMV thing?

 

the most known and best riding courses are usually the MSF courses... that stands for motorcycle saftey foundation.

most DMV pages will have links to direct you to a MSF course.

in some states a MSF course will count as the riding portion of your test when completed. so th eonly thing you have to do at the DMV is take the written.

 

mscv.org for the training course. (virginia, maybe there are links there for other courses)

I started with an 03 F4i. I'm about to buy my first bike which will be a Ducati

but yes, just be smart about it and you'll be fine on just about anything.