New Rider - A few questions!

L

Love

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Hey guys,

I'm not actually quite a new rider yet, I'm taking my M1 as soon as possible, then doing a safety course there-after and looking at my M2.

Basically I'm looking to save up for next spring and get a bike then, but I also wanted to get some experience with the course, and lower my insurance if possible.
Thing is, I've been on bikes before; Pocket bikes and a dirtbike with a kick-shift.

Not sure what it is about it, but I'm nervous for the safety course, even though I'm positive I'll be fine. I understand the mechanics of the clutch and everything, I just think I'm going to over-think/do it; any tips?

Also; what are your opinions for a new gen Ninja 250, or a WRX250 as a starter bike? I'm not getting either one to impress anyone else, I just love both of these bikes.
 
Love said:
Not sure what it is about it, but I'm nervous for the safety course, even though I'm positive I'll be fine. I understand the mechanics of the clutch and everything, I just think I'm going to over-think/do it; any tips?
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Don't worry about it. The course will be largely made of up of people who have never ridden a bike before. The instructors are typically very very helpful and understanding.

For getting the bike going... build up the revs and then control the launch with the clutch, when you feel the revs drop then get on the throttle some more. New people will (rightly so) try to let the clutch out, get to the friction zone, then balance rolling on throttle with letting the clutch out. That can be confusing and overwhelming. I think of the throttle as a hose and the clutch as the nozzle, using the clutch to deliver the power, not the throttle input

But they will teach you bit by bit, and build on every lesson. Just do what they say, practice, and you'll have it down
 
its just like driving a standard car except its your hands not your feet working the controls,good luck.
 
You will have gap for 2 month between m1 and m2 ( with m1 exit safety course. You will pass test on third day of course. It is easy)

this course and small cc on bike is good combination to lower insurance.
Be ready to pay around 800-1000 upfront for insurance for first year.

it will be smart to check insurance quote before buy bike.

personaly I started with cbr125r and my first payment was 890.
i was more than 25, no driver history, no car insurance, G1 license.

I loved cbr125 and learned a lot from it.

Have a good luck!
 
Love is Offline - All is left is **** disturbing
 
Welcome to the forums! the course is pretty easy just remember to have fun. Also where are you taking the course? centennial? RTI?
 
I'd book your course now, and then gauge that to see when you need to have your M1 by, as usually ime I found the course in my area was booked pretty solid, I called in like April and wasn't able to get in until September, so if that happens to you, you would have to write your M1 twice :D

(I think it's 3 months, right?) Too lazy to google.
 
I didn't get taught much with clutch control and throttle from a dead stop. This made me stall so many times over the training course. Eventually caught on to throttle/gas it and slowly let the clutch out.

What we did go over a lot of is riding exercises. You'll get to practice them over and over. I was pretty terrible at it, thinking I wasn't going to pass. I had no experience prior to taking the course either. You should be fine. With the amount of practice you get during the course will help build up your confidence.
 
We were taught a ton of clutch control where I went...

Was one where you started from a spot and it went into a sharp turn right off the start, if you gave it any throttle you couldn't make the turn, just had to keep the clutch at the right spot to give you enough speed to make the turn, then accelerate off
 
You guys are awesome haha, Thanks for the constant support and tips over the last day or so on my thread :) I appreciate the help. I know I'm overthinking it, thanks again for keeping my head cool.
 
went to RTI last month for my course. emphasis was mainly on clutch and throttle control.
when you're done with the course I would be very surprise if you stall more than once on your new bike.

CBR125's are awesome deal I think right now, something like $1200 off msrp.
(I think because they are trying to clear out for the new one thats coming for 2014) but regardless, 2300 for a new bike I'm tempted to buy one just because lol.

My friend that went with me was at a disadvantage being barely 5' and dropped their bikes like 5 times.
she still ended up passing so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

the only thing about the RTI course is that they could spend a bit more time teaching you how to turn at speed ABOVE 30km/h.
first time I took a left on the street i nearly didn't make it push steering needs to be practiced, not just mentioned
 
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RTI made us practise push steering doing hard swerves up and down a lane and making the swerves bigger and bigger

the course is nothing to worry about, just don't give up and dont' get discouraged if you're not doing well at first, it will sink in, trust me.
 
Love said:
Also; what are your opinions for a new gen Ninja 250, or a WRX250 as a starter bike? I'm not getting either one to impress anyone else, I just love both of these bikes.
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I got my m1 march of 2012 then took the safety course may of 2012. i learned a lot, i had no experience whatsoever with motorbikes, just bicycles. i picked up a 2011 ninja 250 right away. great bike to start off with and insurance is affordable as long as your driving record is somewhat clean. im on my 2nd season with it and i am not bored of it at all. love every second i get on it. i'll probably upgrade next year but i'd reccomend the bike to anyone. ride safe!
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