Never been on a bike

barneybwilde · 08-30-2010, 01:06 PM

Hello, I am thinking about getting a bike soon. When I was younger my pops use to take me with him on the Harley FLHT which was a lot of fun. I am hoping to learn to ride on my moms Virago 250, but the bike I want to get here sometime in the future is the Sportster 883 or maybe the nightster 1200 once I get some hours on the Virago. My main concerns about riding is I got 3 small children at the house and if something happens to me I dont want to put their lively hood in jeopardy. Is that a common feeling? I will mainly be using it to commute back and forth from work and maybe to joyride on the weekends. I will probably not take it out to Houston to ride till i become more experienced. I definitely not gonna act an ass on it either. Is there anything I should worry about? I am 24 never rode any kind of motorcycle but I am tired of dreaming and day dreaming about being on a bike.

Thanks,

Dodsfall · 08-30-2010, 01:17 PM

A good, solid life insurance policy might help ease your concerns about the future financial well being of your family.

Jesterrace · 08-30-2010, 01:20 PM

A 250 Virago would be a great way to learn how to ride without getting yourself killed. They are good bikes for beginners. As far as being concerned about the kids, definitely take a motorcycle safety course to enhance your skills and start small (ie practicing on a small residential street at low speeds doing things such as figure 8s, etc. while you are waiting for the course). As for what you are using it for, do you need to take the highway to work? If so then definitely hold off at least until you take the course. Be sure you get plenty of safety gear, DO NOT be the stereotypical harley rider and ride with no helmet. A Full Face Shield really is the only type of helmet that offers any real protection and leathers can definitely help protect from road rash. There are always risks to riding and even with safety skills and equipment you are never going to be 100% safe, just assume that everyone else on the road is an idiot and be alert and you should be okay.

barneybwilde · 08-30-2010, 01:27 PM

True that, my grandpa has always told me to just remember that you have to look for "them" because their not looking for you. I have a life insurance policy, just would be bummed out if I got into a wreck over some idiot and would have set in a hospital bed for x amount of days missing work. I can't afford a bike right now, but when the time is right I would like to get one. In the meantime I will be doing my research and learning to ride on the Virago. I live in a hick town and travel through a smaller hick town to get to the refinery, its about a 15 minute drive 70 mph tops. I get up early and it is still dark out so I would definitely get some hours under my ass before I ventured that dark road lol.

louturks · 08-30-2010, 01:36 PM

That Virago 250 is a great bike to learn on. That's what I learned on and still ride today

Easy Rider 2 · 08-30-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barneybwilde

I have a life insurance policy,

I can't afford a bike right now,

Would your present insurance take care of EVERYTHING for your kids, at least up to them reaching 18 ??? And how about the mother; you didn't mention her ??

Then, you can't afford a bike until you can pay cash for it. That should give you time to think things through.

Gotta keep your priorities straight and with 3 kids at home, a bike MIGHT not be in your immediate future.......no matter how much you are "tired of waiting".

tds1195 · 08-30-2010, 03:57 PM

I agree with Easy. It will be good for you to think about it. Too many people come here and ignore advice because they just think a bike is all fun and games (it is fun dont get me wrong!), but you're actually thinking logically. I like to see that, because too many people are just impulsive. Think it though, pay cash, and get full coverage (still usually under $50/month on a bike)

barneybwilde · 08-30-2010, 04:35 PM

I got momma and the kids takin care of with my policy till the ages of 18. I plan on paying cash when I get it, most of the bikes I have found I have seen on Craiglist. Im gonna make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I make a big move like that. I like to have fun, but Im not gonna ignore the facts of reality.

ByTheLake · 09-13-2010, 01:53 PM

I can understand your concerns ... I didn't get my first bike until the kids were grown and left home, so that was less of a concern for me.

Anyway, enjoy your ride.

08-30-2010, 01:06 PM	#1
barneybwilde Newbie Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 3	Never been on a bike Hello, I am thinking about getting a bike soon. When I was younger my pops use to take me with him on the Harley FLHT which was a lot of fun. I am hoping to learn to ride on my moms Virago 250, but the bike I want to get here sometime in the future is the Sportster 883 or maybe the nightster 1200 once I get some hours on the Virago. My main concerns about riding is I got 3 small children at the house and if something happens to me I dont want to put their lively hood in jeopardy. Is that a common feeling? I will mainly be using it to commute back and forth from work and maybe to joyride on the weekends. I will probably not take it out to Houston to ride till i become more experienced. I definitely not gonna act an ass on it either. Is there anything I should worry about? I am 24 never rode any kind of motorcycle but I am tired of dreaming and day dreaming about being on a bike. Thanks,

08-30-2010, 01:17 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,820	A good, solid life insurance policy might help ease your concerns about the future financial well being of your family. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-30-2010, 01:20 PM	#3
Jesterrace Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 988	A 250 Virago would be a great way to learn how to ride without getting yourself killed. They are good bikes for beginners. As far as being concerned about the kids, definitely take a motorcycle safety course to enhance your skills and start small (ie practicing on a small residential street at low speeds doing things such as figure 8s, etc. while you are waiting for the course). As for what you are using it for, do you need to take the highway to work? If so then definitely hold off at least until you take the course. Be sure you get plenty of safety gear, DO NOT be the stereotypical harley rider and ride with no helmet. A Full Face Shield really is the only type of helmet that offers any real protection and leathers can definitely help protect from road rash. There are always risks to riding and even with safety skills and equipment you are never going to be 100% safe, just assume that everyone else on the road is an idiot and be alert and you should be okay. __________________ Without a bike again. Thanks to Harley/Buell.

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08-30-2010, 01:27 PM	#4
barneybwilde Newbie Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 3	True that, my grandpa has always told me to just remember that you have to look for "them" because their not looking for you. I have a life insurance policy, just would be bummed out if I got into a wreck over some idiot and would have set in a hospital bed for x amount of days missing work. I can't afford a bike right now, but when the time is right I would like to get one. In the meantime I will be doing my research and learning to ride on the Virago. I live in a hick town and travel through a smaller hick town to get to the refinery, its about a 15 minute drive 70 mph tops. I get up early and it is still dark out so I would definitely get some hours under my ass before I ventured that dark road lol.

08-30-2010, 01:36 PM	#5
louturks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: VA Posts: 1,367	That Virago 250 is a great bike to learn on. That's what I learned on and still ride today

08-30-2010, 03:57 PM	#7
tds1195 Semper Fi! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Southern IN Posts: 125	I agree with Easy. It will be good for you to think about it. Too many people come here and ignore advice because they just think a bike is all fun and games (it is fun dont get me wrong!), but you're actually thinking logically. I like to see that, because too many people are just impulsive. Think it though, pay cash, and get full coverage (still usually under $50/month on a bike)

08-30-2010, 04:35 PM	#8
barneybwilde Newbie Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 3	I got momma and the kids takin care of with my policy till the ages of 18. I plan on paying cash when I get it, most of the bikes I have found I have seen on Craiglist. Im gonna make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I make a big move like that. I like to have fun, but Im not gonna ignore the facts of reality.

09-13-2010, 01:53 PM	#9
ByTheLake Verified Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Alden, MI USA Posts: 44	I can understand your concerns ... I didn't get my first bike until the kids were grown and left home, so that was less of a concern for me. Anyway, enjoy your ride.