Hi, I'm a new rider who just bought my first bike | GTAMotorcycle.com

Hi, I'm a new rider who just bought my first bike

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Deckard35

Member
Hi guys, I am an absolute beginner when it comes to motorcycles and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who have posted with info. I discovered this site a couple of months ago and it has helped me with all the questions I've had about motorcycles. From getting my licence to buying my first bike this week. The info that's been shared has been invaluable and it has made the choices I've made a lot easier. I bought a 2008 Suzuki GS 500e (please feel free to comment on the bike good and bad) and I can't wait to ride it this summer.

As excited as I am I would be lying if I didn't admit that there is a part of me that is a little scared of actually riding in traffic for the first time. Don't get me wrong, as I said I am excited about riding. I've come this far and I want to do this. I think what would help subside the fear a little would be if I heard from a few people who have been riding for a while and haven't had a serious accident. I don't know if this is possible because it seems as though every rider I run into (no pun intended) seems to have had a serious accident at one point or another. Regardless of the response to my request it won't stop me from riding and I honestly feel a little fear will help make me a safer rider. It would just be nice to know that not everybody who has been riding for a while has one those stories which would mean I wouldn't necessarily be destined to have one of those stories the longer I ride.

thanks again everybody
 
Your post pretty much sums up exactly how I feel as a new rider as well.... it's definitely a little daunting to know and read about how EVERYONE on a bike has had at least one serious accident but you're right in saying that having that little bit of fear is definitely a good thing as long as you don't let it get to you to the point where it hinders your confidence.

Anyway, there are many of us who are new to the sport and are just simply waiting for the spring with bikes sitting in the garage. Welcome!
 
Welcome to the forum! I think the 500 is a good size to start with, small enough to not be really intimidating, and large enough to get you up to highway speeds.

And if you already haven't, find an M1 exit course for this spring!
 
Welcome to the board Deckard and congrats on the bike. The GS500 is a great bike.
What you are feeling is normal and I remember the exact same feeling when I was a new rider.
Actually, I felt that fear every time the season started for the first few years. I don't feel that way anymore.

As soon as I tell someone I ride a motorcycle they tell me a story about somebody who knows somebody who died (got their limb removed, crashed, insert accident here). That never goes away. I just thank them for their story. Most people don't know anything about motorcycles and the only way they can relate is to share something that they 'know'. When someone says they just got their first car I don't tell them about people I know who've been in car accidents.

Anyway, welcome to the board and the wonderful world of motorcycling. It's expensive and can be dangerous but to me it's worth the risk and money. My life is better because I ride. Yours can be too.
 
Thanks guys, your words of encouragement really do help and are really appreciated. It helps to know that there are others out there who have had the same doubts cross their minds.


I started this process with a lot of misconceptions, my plan at first was to get a Harley iron 883 right off the bat and practice with it, then take my test at the ministry for the M2. After finding this site and reading everyone's advice I slowed down and got my M1 in August. Then in September I took a course at Humber College and got my M2. After much debate over the Harley, thanks to the riders on this site I decided to get a used Suzuki GS 500 (a good starter bike) so I can learn to ride before I get a Harley. I bought my bike in January because bikes are cheaper in the off season according to this site. I am very comfortable with all the decisions I've made so far and thanks again to everyone for helping me make those decisions. I am very happy to be part of this group.
 
Hey there. Welcome to the site, and welcome to the world of motorcycling!

That GS500 is a great choice. It's a beautiful machine with timeless styling, and it'll do everything you need of a motorcycle.

As far as reassurance about the dangers, and about being out in traffic, I'll say this:

I've been riding for 12-13 years and have never had a serious accident. The reason why is a combination of luck, physical skill, and good judgement. I have no ideas for you about the luck part - the truth is that most of us make some kind of mistake at some point while riding, and that most of us are saved from serious consequences by luck as much as anything. Odds are you're going to go wide in a right-hand turn at some point and the odds are that you won't get smushed by oncoming traffic. I don't mean to be cavalier about it, but this is part of life.

As for the physical skills: practice, practice, practice. During the offseason, read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. I don't consider it like the bible or anything, but I do think that he has a lot of insight and good ideas to offer. Once it warms up, do as much riding you can in the most safe/boring context you can find for yourself, and then add new challenges slowly. Give yourself a break, there are a lot of new things to learn and the stakes are very high. You do want to keep improving, but there's no need to be scaring yourself out there. After a season or two of riding and getting comfortable on the bike, give very serious thought to going and doing the FAST Riding School in Shannonville, or turning south and doing one of Keith Code's schools. It's a ton of fun and a great way to be exposed to some more advanced riding techniques & situations in the safest and most controlled setting possible.

As for judgement: I think that the single most important lesson is this: People tend to crash when they make something else more important than not crashing. It's that simple. Keep cool out there and remember that your first duty is to get home safely - that puts a lot of things into perspective. Right now, ask yourself these questions - what's more important?

Catching up with your buddies, or not crashing?
Enjoying a beer or two with dinner, or not crashing?
Flipping off a driver who cut you off, or not crashing?
Getting home before that storm gets worse, or not crashing?
Giving your passenger an exciting ride, or not crashing?
Getting away from the cops and avoiding a ticket, or not crashing?
Making it to the theatre before the previews start, or not crashing?
Killing your chicken strips, or not crashing?
Getting your knee down, or not crashing?

I hope that helps a bit. :)

Again, welcome. Riding a motorcycle can be one of the most enjoyable, challenging, and rewarding things a person can do. Have fun!
 
Welcome, and congrats on the new bike! Be safe, stay off the highways for a bit, and enjoy the back roads, they are much more fun and safer too!
 
Ftw

Catching up with your buddies, or not crashing?
Enjoying a beer or two with dinner, or not crashing?
Flipping off a driver who cut you off, or not crashing?
Getting home before that storm gets worse, or not crashing?
Giving your passenger an exciting ride, or not crashing?
Getting away from the cops and avoiding a ticket, or not crashing?
Making it to the theatre before the previews start, or not crashing?
Killing your chicken strips, or not crashing?
Getting your knee down, or not crashing?
 
Thanks very much PurplePeopleEater for the advice it helps alot. It's nice to hear of someone who has been riding for a while accident free. I understand what you're saying, as soon as safety isn't the first thing on your mind when your riding that's when accidents are more likely to happen. I plan on taking all of the advice you gave and I'm particularly interested in the book you mentioned and I can't wait to read it. The courses you mentioned are things I will look forward to taking in the future.

Thanks again to everyone for the friendly welcome2008-Suzuki-GS500E1.jpg
 
PurplePeopleEater said:
Hey there. Welcome to the site, and welcome to the world of motorcycling!
As for judgement: I think that the single most important lesson is this: People tend to crash when they make something else more important than not crashing. It's that simple. Keep cool out there and remember that your first duty is to get home safely - that puts a lot of things into perspective. Right now, ask yourself these questions - what's more important?

Catching up with your buddies, or not crashing?
Enjoying a beer or two with dinner, or not crashing?
Flipping off a driver who cut you off, or not crashing?
Getting home before that storm gets worse, or not crashing?
Giving your passenger an exciting ride, or not crashing?
Getting away from the cops and avoiding a ticket, or not crashing?
Making it to the theatre before the previews start, or not crashing?
Killing your chicken strips, or not crashing?
Getting your knee down, or not crashing?
Click to expand...
I second! Great list.

This will be my second season riding, I can't wait to start riding again but also have a bit of that nervousness that I had last year too. It will be 5 months from when I stored my bike until I get on the road again. I know the nerves will go away quickly once I'm on two wheels again.
 
Welcome the GS500 is a great first bike to learn and many people even end up keeping it as its a great bike for general use. I have a GS500F anyways look forward to riding with you and stay safe make sure you get all your gear.
 
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