So You’re Thinking of Getting a Motorcycle…
Apr 24th, 2007 by Leo
It’s that time of year again…motorcycles are coming out of storage. And the question looms, is this the year you get up on two wheels? Now motorcycling isn’t for everyone: There are no cup holders on motorcycles, you can’t smoke a cigarette and you can’t talk on your cell phone… You can’t even zone-out and daydream because if you do, you’ll probably die. Okay, maybe not die, but it’ll get you into trouble. Riding a motorcycle is harder that taking the subway or driving a car, but there are some reasons in favor of it:
1. You can bypass quite a bit of traffic when traffic is at a standstill…
2. Gas mileage. My first bike, Ninja 250, gets 50-70 miles per gallon! AND yet it’s faster than 90% of the cars on the road (corvette’s and luxury cars are whales in comparison)…
3. You can enjoy your commute and the freedom that comes with it…
4. Parking (see previous post)
5. The skyline is awesome when you’re riding at night…
But what about all the dangers associated with motorcycling? There are real dangers…but they can be managed. If we’re talking about riding in Manhattan, you’re already facing similar dangers as a pedestrian (mainly from cabs and cars). The only difference on a motorcycle is you can move fast enough to avoid them. And after you spend some time dodging thru city traffic, the highway is a breeze… Life is full of risks, but we learn to manage and minimize them. Riding a motorcycle is no different.
Some questions you might want to ask yourself before you decide is: are you comfortable driving in the city? If you’re not comfortable driving a car safely, you probably shouldn’t be getting up on two wheels in the city. Are you accident prone when you’re on the road – are you a defensive driver? If you’re not, then you might want to reconsider getting on a bike.
How do I get started? There’s only one way to learn to ride in NYC…take the Motorcycle Safety Basic Rider’s course. It’s pricey in NY, you have to take a couple days off and travel to one of the boroughs…but in return you get the basic skills you’ll need to start riding – and if you pass the course, you get a waiver for the DMV (so that you won’t have to take a road test). In rural parts of the country, you can get away with learning from friends and practicing on your own, but NY traffic doesn’t give you that luxury. You have to be pretty much in control of your bike at low speeds (which is the hard part – going fast in a straight line is easy) and maneuver your way in traffic without holding everyone up – the Basic Rider Course can help you get there. After you get your MSF certification and your new license, practice practice practice on not-so-busy roads…because there are lots of skills you’ll need to develop, and you’ll never stop learning.
So here’s what you need to do:
- Get your motorcycle learner’s permit at the DMV (just a written test that is very similar to the automobile learner’s permit test – mainly concerning road rules). More info.
- The motorcycle learner’s permit allows you to ride a motorcycle in the presence of a licensed motorcyclist…this is a prerequisite for any motorcycle class.
- Sign up for and take the Basic Rider’s Course. Completing the course will provide you with a Road Test Waiver that you then take to the DMV to get your motorcycle license.
Do I need to buy a motorcycle before I get my license?
If you’re going to take the Basic Rider’s Course, the answer is “no” you don’t need to. They provide you with a motorcycle and a helmet (all you need are long sleeves, boots, gloves). If you decide to skip the basic rider’s course and learn on your own, you can purchase a motorcycle and get insurance with your learner’s permit, but you must ride in the presence of a licensed motorcyclist in order for it to be legal. Many people taking the BRC have already purchased a motorcycle and just wait for the class to go pick up their bike at the dealer. When you do purchase your first motorcycle, it is normal and sensible to have a more experienced rider drive it home for you (or rent a truck to bring it home in). You don’t want your first real-world ride to be on a brand new bike on the way home from a dealer…
If you do not plan on taking the Basic Rider Course, then you will need to buy or borrow a motorcycle (as well as bring a car) for your road test. Certain motorcycles are better for this than others: small and light motorcycles are easier to do figure-8s in than heavy cruisers or sportbikes. For many, the cost of getting a car and bike, and taking a day off (for two people) is about the same as taking the $350 BRC in the Bronx, so there are trade offs involved in taking this route. When you’re ready to start looking for your first bike, check out some helpful tips (1,2). Good luck and ride safe!
Related posts:
How about the insurance? where do you get good rates?
I’d say give Progressive a call for NYC. They’re pretty bike-friendly (unlike some of the other big companies) and their rates are good for NY…which is still high.
Just for reference, I pay under$400 a year for a super-sport, just for liability. A friend of mine pays a little over $200 for an SV650 just for liability (I think it’s around $400 for full coverage).
Oh my gosh i love city riding.
nice to hear about riding in NYC.
Maybe I’ll hire a bike there next time I visit. Would be an interesting alternative to the subway!
In the meantime, I’m riding and writing my learner motorcycle rider blog about the experiences of a new learner rider on the way to getting their full motorcycle licence in Sydney Australia. Hope you find it good reading!
This helped me a lot I’m thinking of buying an underbone. Thanks!
Riding in New York would be fantastic! I learned to ride in Los Angeles… I loved the test. They send you off to go around the block and if you make it back, you get your license! Exactly what would show that you’re now able to navigate the highways at 90mph.
I recommend trying dirt biking if you can, it makes you a much better street rider very quickly. Also, if you’re too chicken to start off on a motorcycle, get a scooter. Scooters would be perfect in a city like NY and so easy to ride my wimpy girly girl friends can even do it.
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