Newbie in Auckland wanting to get into bikes (noob_biker)

[noob_biker]

Hi all. I'm a student from Auckland looking at getting into bikes this summer. I've always been into cars however I learned to ride a bike when I was away on holiday overseas. Since then I've always been keen to get into it but didn't have the extra money to have a car and bike. However I think I might put my car away for a while and get into riding so I can take advantage of the free bike parking at uni and if I don't learn to ride properly now, it'll be very difficult to pick it up as I get older I think.

Anyway I'd like to know a few things:

*I need to get my bike licence and attend some training days. What is the best way to go about doing all this? I know there is a rider training school at Massey university Albany which I may go to as it is close to me.
*I'm in my early 20's, does my car history (speeding fines etc) affect my insurance when getting a bike?
*How much is insurance usually for someone riding a 250 on a learners? Even just 3rd party fire and theft
*I'm currently thinking of buying a decent second hand helmet, leather jacket with back protector, riding jeans and some boots (all second hand apart from jeans) Is this okay?

I'd like to keep my entire purchase of bike and gear to under $3500, am I dreaming? This is because I'm on a tight student budget and also I'd like to sell it all on and make minimal loss if I find riding isn't for me

I'm sh*t scared lane splitting on commute to uni because I've seen so many idiots in cars pulling out without looking and riders having to evade/brake like crazy, is it okay to be like a normal car and stay with the flow of traffic? I've literally never seen a bike rider doing that...


Thank you for your time, I look forward to seeing your replies :)

[tigertim20]

to answer your questions, yes your previous driving history will affect your insurance somewhat.
as for licencing etc you need to do a basic handling skills course which is piss easy, then you sit your theory test. I would recommend taking advantage of any and all additional rider training, regardless of how much or little riding experience you have.
cost of insurance will depend on lots of other factors - its worth noting that you can now ride up to 650cc bikes on your learners licence, do a search on LAMS on kiwibiker and google, it will outline the relevant information
leastly, yes, for 3500 you could probably get the things you have listed if you are patient and buy wisely. the gear you have listed sounds ok, however I would never recommend getting a second hand helmet as you cant be sure if its ever been dropped etc. Buy a helmet brand new, the rest of the gear will be ok if you go second hand.

lastly, yes there is nothing wrong with staying with the flow of traffic, you just need to be vigilant at all times. one school of thought is that by staying with the flow of traffic your are more visible, as your position relevant to other vehicles remains the same, but lane splitters moving at different speeds through traffic move in and out of the blind spots of all the other vehicles around them. as long as you are aware of whats going on around you, youll be fine, but these are things you will learn and become more confident with after taking advantage of extra rider training

[bosslady]

Firstly, welcome to KB!

I would recommend using Rider Training which is the company you speak of that uses the Massey car park. I found them great. Suggest you get the "Full Monty" which is a lesson as well as the BHS test. As for the learners theory test you have to sit at the licensing station, theres a couple of online tests that are great to practice on beforehand. I'd also suggest that once you get your learners license you do further (on road) training too, perhaps one of the ACC sponsored courses www.prorider.co.nz provide, though I haven't looked if there are any still running in Auckland, they're very heavily subsidised training so great to take advantage of if you can. Good training is worth every penny.

Insurance, I don't even know how much I pay $30 or $40ish for full cover of about $3500 per month through kiwibike insurance brokers.

Don't buy a second hand helmet. Everything else, sure, but not a helmet. Don't even buy a helmet online, buy it in person. You can get helmets as cheap as one or two hundy. As for everything else, sure, go for it.

You could keep your purchase of bike and gear to $3500ish but it's dependant mainly I guess on what bike you want? you could probably spend it on an old shitty sports bike that might cost you heaps to maintain and fix and have little left over for gear. Or you could get a small, not so cool, bike like mine for dirt cheap, easy and cheap to maintain and leaving you plenty left over for gear and lessons.

And no, you don't have to lane split, I don't.

[Akzle]

*I'm currently thinking of buying a decent second hand helmet, leather jacket with back protector, riding jeans and some boots (all second hand apart from jeans) Is this okay?

I'd like to keep my entire purchase of bike and gear to under $3500, am I dreaming?

1) buy a new helmet.
...well, you get to decide how much your skull is worth.




buy a new helmet.

2) second hand gear is ok, but people usually sell for a reason (it's uncomfortable, the seams in the crotch leak...)
GLOVES. definitely, don't fuck around on gloves.

3)with that budget i'd expect 2000 on gear and 1500 on a bike.

4) i'm a professional badass. so you should listen to what i say, and buy me beer at every opportunity.

[noob_biker]

Thanks for all your replies. I did think it might be a bit risky getting a second hand one but figured if I got it off this forum off a trusted member it'd be good. I didn't know I could get a brand new one for only a couple of hundred though, thought I'd have to spend at least $600 upwards.

I'd rather not ride anything bigger than a 250, I'd like to get used to the weight of the bike and handling one first.

Not such a great start, did the practice learners test on that prorider.co.nz and got 5 questions wrong! Bit rusty and not up with some of the new rules that have come in since 2006.
I shouldn't even be on the road in a car hahahah

Can I even get a bike for 1500 that won't break down on me :crazy:

[bosslady]

Thanks for all your replies. I did think it might be a bit risky getting a second hand one but figured if I got it off this forum off a trusted member it'd be good. I didn't know I could get a brand new one for only a couple of hundred though, thought I'd have to spend at least $600 upwards.

I'd rather not ride anything bigger than a 250, I'd like to get used to the weight of the bike and handling one first.

Not such a great start, did the practice learners test on that prorider.co.nz and got 5 questions wrong! Bit rusty and not up with some of the new rules that have come in since 2006.
I shouldn't even be on the road in a car hahahah

Can I even get a bike for 1500 that won't break down on me :crazy: what kind of bike do you want? $1500 Is very hopeful. I say more like $2500 min but depends on the bike.

[tigertim20]

more often that not, the less you pay for a bike, the more it will cost you in repairs . . .

there is a spada 250 in auckland, that might be worth at least looking at. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/159878-Honda-Spada-250?p=1130583026#post1130583026
helmets can be found, as previously mentioned, for between $100-$200. maybe try and sort your gear out first so you know your bike budget, and stretch it a little if you can.

[noob_biker]

what kind of bike do you want? $1500 Is very hopeful. I say more like $2500 min but depends on the bike.

I'd like a sports bike, not a cruiser or anything, something I won't worry about dropping would be great but I do like how cool they look with fairings.


more often that not, the less you pay for a bike, the more it will cost you in repairs . . .

there is a spada 250 in auckland, that might be worth at least looking at. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/159878-Honda-Spada-250?p=1130583026#post1130583026
helmets can be found, as previously mentioned, for between $100-$200. maybe try and sort your gear out first so you know your bike budget, and stretch it a little if you can.

That's nice, I wouldn't mine something like that. I don't mind doing servicing and minor repairs, I'm pretty handy with a spanner and got tools and all. What would be something that has cheap parts very common and readily available? Say if we were talking like toyota/nissan parts being cheap and readily available as opposed to something like peugeot or some other fancy euro.
Good idea about getting the gear first, I'm definitely going to do that.

[bosslady]

I'd like a sports bike, not a cruiser or anything, something I won't worry about dropping would be great but I do like how cool they look with fairings.



That's nice, I wouldn't mine something like that. I don't mind doing servicing and minor repairs, I'm pretty handy with a spanner and got tools and all. What would be something that has cheap parts very common and readily available? Say if we were talking like toyota/nissan parts being cheap and readily available as opposed to something like peugeot or some other fancy euro.
Good idea about getting the gear first, I'm definitely going to do that.
Lol well good luck getting a decent sports bike that's not gonna F you over when it breaks for that cheap hehe. They'll be out there but rare as hens teeth. After bike, warrants, rego, gear, licensing costs, lessons (people never seem to budget lessons into it) and maybe a bit extra if this bike needs anything I.e. tyres $3500 is stretching it for sure. I like my bike for example, because it's not terribly modern, not by any stretch of the imagination, therefore is fairly uncomplicated, no fancy electronics etc. heaps of parts, no fairings to break and so forth. I wanted a sports bike when I first started too but ended up opting for good old reliable.

[mossy1200]

I got one of these from my local bike shop for 5hundry. Best helmet I have owned. You need try some on as not all heads are equal.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/helmets/auction-615295703.htm

[haydes55]

I don't see why you would need to blow $2000 on gear.

New waterproof commuter boots $200
New helmet $300
New textile jacket $300
New draggin jeans $300
New gloves $70
New waterproof onesie $200

That's $1,370 all new kit.

Start trawling trademe. There is always gear in there that is as new for cheaper (not right size or got it with the bike and don't need it etc.).

A couple year old jacket will serve fine as long as it's stitching etc. Is still intact.

Make sure all the gear you get fits snug (unless you plan on indulging in the pies). If you want a back protector etc. Allow room for it or buy it first and try it on with it. But you can buy jackets with padding in them already.

Have fun

[skinman]

welcome to KB

I would recommend seaching this site for where to get cheap gear, plenty of threads on that & probably many other questions you might have.

In my experience the differance between cheap & not so cheap helmets is in the fit, features & longevity rather than the level of protection offered as helmets sold by shops need to meet a standard.
For what you intend to do a realtively inexpensive one will more than likely be fine as if you start riding a lot you will end up replacing it after a year or 2 anyway.

[Grashopper]

The Spada's have a really good reputation. (I just bought one so I hope that they hold up on that :) )

Therefore I would also recommend having a look at that bike.

Nah, helmets are definitely to get much cheaper than 600 bucks. But get a new one that fits your head. Go into a shop and try on a few.
There are a few bike shops in Auckland. Just go and have a look around. There is also that Army surplus and leather shop in Onehunga that also sells second hand bike gear. Maybe you will be able to find some second hand jacket or boots etc there.

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-615150256.htm

500 helmet 2500 offer on the bike and 300 for some good second hand leathers 160 for boots and 80 for gloves.

[noob_biker]

bosslady what bike are you saying is reliable that you chose over a sports bike? When I say sports I thought even something like what mossy1200 linked was a sports bike? (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-615150256.htm , which is an awesome bike that I wouldn't mind)

I mean I just want a small bike, going by your info and seeing you own a GN250, I just looked them up on trademe and they're a bit older looking style than I'd like but I'd settle for any cheap reliable sports-ish bike :msn-wink:

I'm seriously considering that Spada... So cheap and looks cool!

Is 42000km lots for a bike? What kind of mileage is low-average-high for bike engines? Perhaps give me equivalents to car mileages?

Thanks for the heads up on gear guys. Talked to a friend who got a new helmet that is pretty nice at uni today and he said he got it for $200 from somewhere on barrys point rd so I'll go have a look there soon.
Would I be better getting riding jeans or some leather pants too? Jeans would be nice because I can wear them through the day then.

Thanks for the estimates on the gear too. I will trawl trademe :D

[bosslady]

I'm not the best person to ask for bike recommendations. If I could say anything it would be make sure you put some money aside for lessons. I'd rather pay for lessons that have a nicer bike if I could only have one of the two when starting out.

[noob_biker]

I'm not the best person to ask for bike recommendations. If I could say anything it would be make sure you put some money aside for lessons. I'd rather pay for lessons that have a nicer bike if I could only have one of the two when starting out.

Yup thank you. I have to keep reminding myself I'm getting one mainly to learn how to ride and become very competent at it so I can pick it up easily when I'm older again. Looks and what it is exactly don't matter. I plan to keep it for a year or so before I sell everything I own to import an R32 GTR after I finish uni but I know I'll always want a bike sooner or later so it's good to pick up the skills now :niceone:

[bosslady]

Yup thank you. I have to keep reminding myself I'm getting one mainly to learn how to ride and become very competent at it so I can pick it up easily when I'm older again. Looks and what it is exactly don't matter. I plan to keep it for a year or so before I sell everything I own to import an R32 GTR after I finish uni but I know I'll always want a bike sooner or later so it's good to pick up the skills now :niceone:
cool, make sure you do! what you learn will stay with you forever (so to speak), bikes, not so much.. also a year isn't a great deal of time for riding, jmo, I'm 8 or so months in and it's only just beginning!

[haydes55]

Yup thank you. I have to keep reminding myself I'm getting one mainly to learn how to ride and become very competent at it so I can pick it up easily when I'm older again. Looks and what it is exactly don't matter. I plan to keep it for a year or so before I sell everything I own to import an R32 GTR after I finish uni but I know I'll always want a bike sooner or later so it's good to pick up the skills now :niceone:

Why blow thousands on an old, has been, car when for similar money you could get a faster more modern bike?

I've had a few mates buy skylines and sylvias and spend thousands every year buying diffs, gearboxes and CVs etc.

[tigertim20]

bosslady what bike are you saying is reliable that you chose over a sports bike? When I say sports I thought even something like what mossy1200 linked was a sports bike? (http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-615150256.htm , which is an awesome bike that I wouldn't mind)

I mean I just want a small bike, going by your info and seeing you own a GN250, I just looked them up on trademe and they're a bit older looking style than I'd like but I'd settle for any cheap reliable sports-ish bike :msn-wink:

I'm seriously considering that Spada... So cheap and looks cool!

Is 42000km lots for a bike? What kind of mileage is low-average-high for bike engines? Perhaps give me equivalents to car mileages?

Thanks for the heads up on gear guys. Talked to a friend who got a new helmet that is pretty nice at uni today and he said he got it for $200 from somewhere on barrys point rd so I'll go have a look there soon.
Would I be better getting riding jeans or some leather pants too? Jeans would be nice because I can wear them through the day then.

Thanks for the estimates on the gear too. I will trawl trademe :D


Why blow thousands on an old, has been, car when for similar money you could get a faster more modern bike?

I've had a few mates buy skylines and sylvias and spend thousands every year buying diffs, gearboxes and CVs etc.
42000km can be fuck all on a bike, my old 91 cbr600 had 140,000km on it when I sold it and was running sweet as still. It can be a shitload of kms too if the bike hasnt been well looked after.
kms are less important than treatment and regular servicing.

for the gear, if its not a hassle to carry a bag with some spare jeans and get changed, then Id say get proper pants. Otherwise get riding jeans for nw, but plan to get some proper riding pants, either leather or cordura are fine, down the track

[nzspokes]

Yup thank you. I have to keep reminding myself I'm getting one mainly to learn how to ride and become very competent at it so I can pick it up easily when I'm older again. Looks and what it is exactly don't matter. I plan to keep it for a year or so before I sell everything I own to import an R32 GTR after I finish uni but I know I'll always want a bike sooner or later so it's good to pick up the skills now :niceone:

Once you get a good bike, any car will seem a little soft. And its much cheaper.

Once you get a bike come to Sass. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/117274-South-Auckland-Street-Skills/page119?highlight=sass

[noob_biker]

cool, make sure you do! what you learn will stay with you forever (so to speak), bikes, not so much.. also a year isn't a great deal of time for riding, jmo, I'm 8 or so months in and it's only just beginning!

I was told that... Unlike a car, every time you ride a bike, you learn something new even after many years of riding said one guy. Sorry if I sound like a bit of a dick but in your 8 months have you had many close calls? I've spoken to quite a few people now and the first thing they nearly always say is "You have to ride like everyone is going to kill you". How true is that for you?


Why blow thousands on an old, has been, car when for similar money you could get a faster more modern bike?

I've had a few mates buy skylines and sylvias and spend thousands every year buying diffs, gearboxes and CVs etc.

Yes I too blow and have blown quite a bit on my skyline and previous ones. It's more of a goal I've set myself as I love the car. It's legendary to me and I just have to have one :D
My friends who ride say once they have had a fast bike, cars just never bring the same thrill again... We'll see haha...


42000km can be fuck all on a bike, my old 91 cbr600 had 140,000km on it when I sold it and was running sweet as still. It can be a shitload of kms too if the bike hasnt been well looked after.
kms are less important than treatment and regular servicing.

for the gear, if its not a hassle to carry a bag with some spare jeans and get changed, then Id say get proper pants. Otherwise get riding jeans for nw, but plan to get some proper riding pants, either leather or cordura are fine, down the track

Ah cool I was under the impression 100,000km on a bike was impossible and was like an old 80's car rolling it's odo over to 0 again or something. Did your old CBR need a rebuild or anything though?
Cool I might get one of those bags that sit on the back maybe, that way I can take stuff when I go to uni.


Once you get a good bike, any car will seem a little soft. And its much cheaper.

Once you get a bike come to Sass. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/117274-South-Auckland-Street-Skills/page119?highlight=sass

Haha I was told cars will seem pretty lame after I get a bike. What exactly do you do in Sass? Do you all go for rides? Or is it more of laying out cones, practising stuff? I don't really know if I'd be keen for cruises on a bike. So many horror stories :/ Might attend track days rather than doing road riding for that kind of stuff. Too scared of flying into a ditch or something. So many videos I see, they just slide off unexpectedly because of gravel or losing grip. What if a car comes the other way...

[Maha]

"You have to ride like everyone is going to kill you". How true is that for you?

It's bullshit and a general statement, you might as well stay home and do the laundry if you let that be your guide.
The people who live by that, are the ones who take a few unnecessary risks here and there.

Just be vigilant and by doing so, be safe in the knowledge that you are the better road user than some of the others around at you any given time.

''So many horror stories :/ Might attend track days rather than doing road riding for that kind of stuff. Too scared of flying into a ditch or something. So many videos I see, they just slide off unexpectedly because of gravel or losing grip. What if a car comes the other way''

You seem a frail person, the kind that could be a hazard to ride with.
Track days? fuck me, how about getting a bike first, spend the 'track day' money on some professional lessons, get out of the mind-set that you're in for doom and gloom, and then maybe, just maybe, the world of bikes wont look so terrifying.

[bosslady]

I was told that... Unlike a car, every time you ride a bike, you learn something new even after many years of riding said one guy. Sorry if I sound like a bit of a dick but in your 8 months have you had many close calls? I've spoken to quite a few people now and the first thing they nearly always say is "You have to ride like everyone is going to kill you". How true is that for you?

Haha I was told cars will seem pretty lame after I get a bike. What exactly do you do in Sass? Do you all go for rides? Or is it more of laying out cones, practising stuff? I don't really know if I'd be keen for cruises on a bike. So many horror stories :/ Might attend track days rather than doing road riding for that kind of stuff. Too scared of flying into a ditch or something. So many videos I see, they just slide off unexpectedly because of gravel or losing grip. What if a car comes the other way...

No, I have never had any "close calls" in my 13 or thousand k's or whatever it is. However, my riding style has been described by others as "conservative" and "cautious" which I guess is code for I don't ride like a prick or that I'm a Nana or something. I don't have anything to prove to anyone and in any case, I don't exactly have the right bike to even bother trying! I don't ride like everyone is out to kill me, if I did, then I would not enjoy riding? What is the point leaving your house every day thinking people are out to kill you? I ride with the assumption that maybe that car that wants to pull out of the side street I'm approaching didn't see me or maybe that car can't see me in their side mirror and they're going to cut into my lane etc. Ride on the assumption that people don't see you/notice you. Make yourself visible both in where you position your bike on the road and for some, maybe wear High-Vis (I don't atm, I think it's naff, but maybe I'll change my mind one day who knows). This is why it is important to get instructor led lessons on the road. Like I said, I have had a few now, worth every penny.

Curious why you do not want to go for "cruises" on a bike? How else are you going to learn and/or put into practice techniques/skills you learn? As for track days, they ain't nothing like the road buddy and ain't gonna teach you diddly squat in comparison to road riding + lessons. The two are very little alike. I've done about a half dozen track days on my ginny now and it's great fun but doesn't teach you much (for use when road riding) except for maybe in my case, it helped build a bit of confidence leaning the bike, but other than that nothing really. You'll also find there are very little, if any hazards on the track i.e. pedestrians, cars, trucks, animals, bicycles and every other kind of hazard on the roads on a day to day basis. You shouldn't be scared of flying in to a ditch, lol, just get some lessons, truly, learn the skills to know how to handle situations outside of the norm and importantly, don't be over-confident on the road and you'll be right. There is no point living in fear.

[george formby]

Very pertinent bosslady. We went the same way. Training, training, training. Worth it's weight in gold.

[Akzle]

Ah cool I was under the impression 100,000km on a bike was impossible and was like an old 80's car rolling it's odo over to 0 again or something.

Might attend track days rather than doing road riding for that kind of stuff. Too scared of flying into a ditch or something. So many videos I see, they just slide off unexpectedly because of gravel or losing grip. What if a car comes the other way...

dude. late 80s cars where the best for the million miles. unless they rusted out.

you're so fucking hero. just because the track has more runoff than the road.. shirley you'd be better to learn not to bin it so hard...

[Road kill]

Buy a new helmet.

Gloves,I wear thinsulate lined riggers gloves during the summer and wool lined riggers gloves during winter.

Don't lane split in urban or city traffic,it's not worth the blood loss.

Filtering to the front of the Q ain't so bad but it's up to you how much you want to piss off the personality disorders that will carry on like you just shat on their front lawn.

Welcome aboard.

[carburator]

I was told that... Unlike a car, every time you ride a bike, you learn something new even after many years of riding said one guy. Sorry if I sound like a bit of a dick but in your 8 months have you had many close calls? I've spoken to quite a few people now and the first thing they nearly always say is "You have to ride like everyone is going to kill you". How true is that for you?



Yes I too blow and have blown quite a bit on my skyline and previous ones. It's more of a goal I've set myself as I love the car. It's legendary to me and I just have to have one :D
My friends who ride say once they have had a fast bike, cars just never bring the same thrill again... We'll see haha...



Ah cool I was under the impression 100,000km on a bike was impossible and was like an old 80's car rolling it's odo over to 0 again or something. Did your old CBR need a rebuild or anything though?
Cool I might get one of those bags that sit on the back maybe, that way I can take stuff when I go to uni.



Haha I was told cars will seem pretty lame after I get a bike. What exactly do you do in Sass? Do you all go for rides? Or is it more of laying out cones, practising stuff? I don't really know if I'd be keen for cruises on a bike. So many horror stories :/ Might attend track days rather than doing road riding for that kind of stuff. Too scared of flying into a ditch or something. So many videos I see, they just slide off unexpectedly because of gravel or losing grip. What if a car comes the other way...

yep after reading that load of dribble.. stick to buses...you will be safer...

[tigertim20]

I was told that... Unlike a car, every time you ride a bike, you learn something new even after many years of riding said one guy. Sorry if I sound like a bit of a dick but in your 8 months have you had many close calls? I've spoken to quite a few people now and the first thing they nearly always say is "You have to ride like everyone is going to kill you". How true is that for you?

Youll keep learning for as long as you have an open mind.




Ah cool I was under the impression 100,000km on a bike was impossible and was like an old 80's car rolling it's odo over to 0 again or something. Did your old CBR need a rebuild or anything though?
Cool I might get one of those bags that sit on the back maybe, that way I can take stuff when I go to uni.

CBR only, to my knowledge, had a clutch replaced. certainly didnt need anything other than the usual cam chain tensioner replacement while I had it ($80 or so and ten minutes to fit)

Haha I was told cars will seem pretty lame after I get a bike. .
you talk about wanting a skyline. I worked for a bloke that had a 900hp streetable GTR. He took me for a few ries. Id went like, fuck, and pushed you back into your seat and felt great.
however the experience wqas bland compared to being geared up in full leather, coming out of a sweeper, seeing the straight, and slamming the throttle open, feeling the back move around a little under you, and feeling the front of the bike lift, you lean forward to try and force the front tyre down, but it doesnt want to, the noise becomes a scream mixed with wind rushing past, the force of which is trying to pull you off the bike and it sceams through the gears till you have to hit the brakes, throw your weight back to keep the rear down, and lean over, dragging you knee through the corner before getting back on the gas again . . .

Cars just dont do it for me since I bought my first litre bike

[haydes55]

you talk about wanting a skyline. I worked for a bloke that had a 900hp streetable GTR. He took me for a few ries. Id went like, fuck, and pushed you back into your seat and felt great.
however the experience wqas bland compared to being geared up in full leather, coming out of a sweeper, seeing the straight, and slamming the throttle open, feeling the back move around a little under you, and feeling the front of the bike lift, you lean forward to try and force the front tyre down, but it doesnt want to, the noise becomes a scream mixed with wind rushing past, the force of which is trying to pull you off the bike and it sceams through the gears till you have to hit the brakes, throw your weight back to keep the rear down, and lean over, dragging you knee through the corner before getting back on the gas again . . .

Cars just dont do it for me since I bought my first litre bike

Since buying my bike, I've forgotten how cars crash. I seriously have no idea how to crash a car :/

That might be because I've only driven a van and a mazda 3 in the last year or so.

[noob_biker]

Sorry I only saw all the replies now, didn't get an email for some reason :/

I've just been put in this mindset that bikes are terrible and everyone who has one will either die or get seriously injured at some point. I can't help the way I feel about them, it's just what I hear and see and what I've been filled with from people who ride bikes and others who just see them as no good.
Recently a friend fell off and couldn't walk properly for quite a few months and it wasn't even a bad crash. Sometimes they go on cruises and 2 or 3 of them always fly off. It's that kind of stuff I'm exposed to, not nice stories at all from anyone. So excuse me if I come off as a little pussy or something. I can't help it. I didn't see the other side of riding, the nicer stuff till I joined on here. Then some of you start going off at me. Not cool.
I've never properly ridden a bike before so unlike most of the riders on here who probably jumped right into it, I can't say the same for myself.

Now thank you for everyone who has given me advice. I appreciate it a lot and I will see what my next step is from here. I hope I can join you guys in riding bikes in the future. Thanks again.

[bosslady]

Sorry I only saw all the replies now, didn't get an email for some reason :/

I've just been put in this mindset that bikes are terrible and everyone who has one will either die or get seriously injured at some point. I can't help the way I feel about them, it's just what I hear and see and what I've been filled with from people who ride bikes and others who just see them as no good.
Recently a friend fell off and couldn't walk properly for quite a few months and it wasn't even a bad crash. Sometimes they go on cruises and 2 or 3 of them always fly off. It's that kind of stuff I'm exposed to, not nice stories at all from anyone. So excuse me if I come off as a little pussy or something. I can't help it. I didn't see the other side of riding, the nicer stuff till I joined on here. Then some of you start going off at me. Not cool.
I've never properly ridden a bike before so unlike most of the riders on here who probably jumped right into it, I can't say the same for myself.

Now thank you for everyone who has given me advice. I appreciate it a lot and I will see what my next step is from here. I hope I can join you guys in riding bikes in the future. Thanks again.

No offence but those people kind of sound like retards. People with more testosterone than common sense or respect for the road and/or mortality. What's the bet very few if any of them received any type of formal training either :lol: That said, if you are consumed with the notion that bikes are horrible, scary, deadly things, then you shouldn't be on one, you're asking for trouble. Nobody went off at you either, that I can see anyway, it's just their way of telling you to harden up and stop allowing yourself to be consumed with horror stories. Anyway, I certainly didn't jump right in to motorcycling and was not a natural in even the remotest sense, it's been tough work but I got there am getting there.

[noob_biker]

Well yeah they were young and dumb. I'm definitely not consumed by the idea that bikes are horrible things. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider getting one. I'm always up for a challenge and this is one :D

[Maha]

''Sometimes they go on cruises and 2 or 3 of them always fly off'' :tugger:
There are many more responsible riders than not....fact.

The longer you watch Shortland Street, the more real it becomes (it's an analogy)