Planning on riding a motorcycle

[titanic3]

I'm a complete and total noob to bikes but I do plan on learning how to ride one. What are the first steps and what should I do to get started? Google offered plenty of general info but I figured getting it first hand wouldn't be a bad idea either. I live in NYC so big cruisers are out of the question for me. I also have a very slim tall body so I'm not quite sure what type of bike would fit me best (5'11, 115lb). Any help/tips is appreciated. 

[morfiend]

 Sign your donour card and write a will......





   

 PS: Get a good starters bike,take a riders course and get the best helmet,gloves,boots and jacket you can afford.

[titanic3]

Sign your donour card and write a will......





   

 PS: Get a good starters bike,take a riders course and get the best helmet,gloves,boots and jacket you can afford.

 

Dang, looking at some of these apparel, boots alone are $300-450!  How are the cheaper ones? Or are these things something I shouldn't be cheap on?

[Delirium]

Start small, don't get something bigger than you can handle. I started on a 250cc which I rode for about 6-9 months. Afterwards, I went to a 650cc and now (after a couple years of riding) I'm ready for something a lot bigger.

Don't be in a hurry to die, ignore the fools that tell you to buy a super bike because you'll either drop the bike (at the very least) or even kill yourself.

edit: speaking of boots, don't be in a hurry to buy the best gear. As long as you have a durable jacket and a GOOD helmet, the rest can wait until you know what you want. I wore Mechanix gloves when I initially learned and I still wear them when it is hot outside. I would wear long pants (jeans or better) until you get a lot of experience and always wear closed toe shoes (no flip flops).

[Schen]

You need to understand good gear is worth the investment having raced 600s in a semi pro setting when i was younger and 6 years on the street before i stopped, gear is important. The biggest advise i can pass is take a course, ride within your limits and work on SA its the thing you don't see that can get you hurt. Riding is a very enjoyable pastime as long as your safe  educated and prepared to learn.

[Midway]

I'm a complete and total noob to bikes but I do plan on learning how to ride one. What are the first steps and what should I do to get started? Google offered plenty of general info but I figured getting it first hand wouldn't be a bad idea either. I live in NYC so big cruisers are out of the question for me. I also have a very slim tall body so I'm not quite sure what type of bike would fit me best (5'11, 115lb). Any help/tips is appreciated.  

Don't.  Almost died three times on them.

[titanic3]

Thanks for replies, I'll look into good gears, any name brands I should be aware of? And is it advisable to get experience in a car first or jump straight to a bike first?

[Delirium]

Thanks for replies, I'll look into good gears, any name brands I should be aware of? And is it advisable to get experience in a car first or jump straight to a bike first?

You are learning to drive too? If you have no experience on the road, wait a few years before you get on a motorcycle.

[titanic3]

You are learning to drive too? If you have no experience on the road, wait a few years before you get on a motorcycle.

Point taken. Although I wonder, does anyone actually only ride bikes?

[Midway]

Point taken. Although I wonder, does anyone actually only ride bikes?

I did from age 17 to 20.  KZ400 and Honda 750 Four w/extended fork

[Schen]

To only ride bikes is difficult in north america. Very few places allow year round riding. Weather affects a bike more then a car. The contact patch for your bike tires is about the size of a silver dollar. Just keep in mind a bike and a car are two very different things.

[titanic3]

I did from age 17 to 20.  KZ400 and Honda 750 Four w/extended fork

Hmm, I'm in the same spot..and I live in the suburbs side of NYC, so that's not such a far fetched idea.

[NOT]

To only ride bikes is difficult in north america. Very few places allow year round riding. Weather affects a bike more then a car. The contact patch for your bike tires is about the size of a silver dollar. Just keep in mind a bike and a car are two very different things.

I live in Ga and I ride year round. Only time I am on 4 wheels is in the rain.

titanic3, if you are still in the process of learning to drive a car, hold off on the bike for at least a couple years. Get to know the roads first, it is an entirely different world on 2 wheels. When your driving, pay attention to motorcycles, and watch how most(99%) people dont notice them.
As far as gear goes, you really cant put a price on it, helmet, leathers, boots, gloves.. they are all priceless on a bike, especially in the learning stages. 






NOT

[Midway]

Hmm, I'm in the same spot..and I live in the suburbs side of NYC, so that's not such a far fetched idea.

Get a car not a bike... live a good life.

[AAJagerX]

Get a car not a bike... live a good life.

For some of us, riding IS the good life.

For the OP....  Echoing what the others have said, get comfortable with driving a car first.  After that, take a GOOD rider safety course.  Alot of community colleges/HD dealerships offer them.  Then choose a smaller, easy handling MC.   I started on a Ninja 250, then moved up to the 600's after a couple of seasons.  750's and 1000's after a few more years.  HD V-Rod now.   

Always gear up, and keep the rubber side down.