5 Common Mistakes That Every New Rider Should Avoid

[@MotoJitsu]

My Instagram to connect/chat instagram.com/motojitsuclub/

[@curist8411]

"If you cant afford gear, you cant afford hospital bills" is a great message for new riders

[@2mjz84]

In America only*

[@curist8411]

@@2mjz84 Acting like you cant die in other countries 💀

[@2mjz84]

@@curist8411 no my friend I’m talking about hospital bills😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@2mjz84]

@@curist8411 I should’ve made it more clear😅

[@curist8411]

@@2mjz84 Lmao youre right tho, hospital bills in america can literally bankrupt a person. insurances are garbage

[@JimVeneskey]

"4. Trying to Keep Up". First group ride I was ever on - unbeknownst to me, I was placed behind the two best riders in the group. Luckily for me - I quickly realized I couldn't keep up with them - but I was smart enough to quit trying and ride at a pace that my skills could handle. It was quite an ego deflating experience. Later at our destination, I mentioned it to someone else in the ride and he laughed and told me those two were the best riders in the group and no one else could keep up with them in the twisties and not to even bother trying,

[@virupakshawalla5734]

That was a dumb group to be honest. You take off after them and are accelerating and they brake for corner or a dog and your up their ass 😂

[@SilVer-hu2ps]

Good you didn't learn it the hard way.

[@LiLgPnoy15]

Good advice. Do you, and get home safely!

[@leonardhpls6]

​@@LiLgPnoy15he never left home, it's all a story in his little head

[@imasavage95]

@@leonardhpls6lol

[@nicolehelms3711]

“I’d rather sweat than bleed.” Amen brother!!! Gotta love that MotoJitsu wisdom!

[@JamesS.254]

I'd laugh at the people I knew that rode without gear and had the mentality of "you can still break bones or die in a crash so why bother", and I would reply "would you rather have the broken bones with or without road rash"? You could see the hamster wheel turning in their heads, LOL. There is always a chance of death, but choosing to ride without gear is just tempting fate when it comes to turning your skin into ground beef.

[@davidbreen4727]

Nicole, got that right!!!

[@SFV4]

The wording is inspired by the military saying: The more you sweat, the less you bleed

[@cody2493]

@@SFV4 MotoJitsu is a veteran, so I'm not surprised that any of his wisdom comes from his experience.

[@cody2493]

I like the phrase "dress for the slide, not the ride."

[@SQTierHog]

Thank you for all the time you take to produce your content so that we all may be safe and live another day to ride! I'm probably the oldest guy in the room, I'm here to say that an old dog can definitely be taught some new tricks!

[@MotoJitsu]

You're very welcome!!!!!

[@paliy241]

How old are you?

[@SQTierHog]

@@paliy241 soon to be 60. You?

[@Bikertrons]

@@SQTierHog Would love to say 70, just to sound like the oldest.... But since my real age is 24, that would be a lie XD

[@alangolightly9850]

​@@SQTierHog68😅

[@Slightapex]

I just went down hard. Broken shoulder, ribs, & punctured lung. Not the worst experience but not fun either. I had all my gear on, high end stuff. I am very impressed with how it worked! All Alpinestars stuff cuz I’m a fanboy😁 I hit the asphalt and rolled. A lot. Broken bones from impact aside, I did not have 1 single abrasion anywhere on my body! Just monster bruises.

[@jacobmontes5000]

glad ur ok man

[@tink6225]

hope youre all healed now

[@floridaredneck]

Okay, I'm hanging around for episode 2. I wanna know what happened. Anything you might share that could help us out on the road? I got my Alpinestars jeans on eBay for $40; love them. I guess after a year you're better, huh? I was really sad to hear that you got hurt, I'm sorry that happened to you, whatever that was. So if that wasn't the worst experience, what he hell was? You get an Oscar for suspense, now tell us what went down?

[@izzojoseph2]

Glad you made it! Can I ask what happened?

[@Sena121]

I guess its safe to say that this high end gear saved your life. The Armor absorbs a lot of impact, so if you still had a broken shoulder, ribs and even a punctured lung i assume without the armor you would have just broken your neck, your skull and your spine. Im very glad to hear you got all the gear on and it saved your life and your skin. Many people dont consider this, but road burns can stay forever. Ive got a road burn ones on my leg, 20 years ago, its still a visible scar and this part of my leg skin is still and will be forever numb, i only feel pressure there.

[@davidsissons3299]

Started out as an older rider in 2005. Started on 125cc, out 34,000 miles on that, moved to a 400cc for commuting for a few years then up to 650c c. Take time to learn, is so true. As for riding kit, the saying is dress for the slide, not for the ride. Enjoy life on 2 wheels but ride defensively in traffic.

[@angrycapsicum6027]

Was looking to upgrade from my 225cc, tried a inline 4 600cc, didn't take me long to realise that I was not ready for that. Got a CB400SF instead.

[@SludgedB]

I went straight to a 850cc triple. It’s fine.

[@noahknight4039]

I started on a 650cc and after 3 months jumped to a 1250cc. And honestly, I felt like the 650cc was a waste of time and money. Take your time but this is excessive.

[@ridgeydidge4012]

My first road bike was a 250 when I was 16 I did 33500 kilometres on it in less than 6 months when I road it back in to the shop I bought it from they said no way. Kawasaki 250 belt drive. Put it down about 6 times including once on a beach getting swamped by a wave.

[@SludgedB]

@@ridgeydidge4012 Kawasaki - that’s your problem right there

[@michaelcarlson2400]

At almost 60 years old I’m a new rider. Been riding bicycles my whole life mopeds etc. My first bike, royal Enfield classic 350! Absolutely love the bike! Perfect size and weight for me and just having a blast practicing all the time. Many thanks to you Moto Jitsu for putting out these videos. Greatly appreciate it!

[@Jimmy_Jim_Jim_1234]

Practice counter stearing on your Bicycle. Get good at it. On a motorcycle it WILL, one day, save your life.

[@seeburg10]

I also recently started at age 60, my first bike a 2017 Royal Enfield Classic 500. I bought it because it felt like riding a bicycle! Agree, great first bike.

[@hisride]

@@Jimmy_Jim_Jim_1234 I don’t understand what you mean by this. Counter-steering is something that you have to do above dead stop manoeuvre speeds (yes even at 1mph) I don’t turns the bars to the left to go to the left. You might think that’s what you do but really you offset the bikes stability by tipping the wheel in (by turning the opposite way). Am I missing something here? On my bicycle sure I can “practice” an emergency counter-steer but that is just a swerve and like I said it’s something you have to do to ride, like turning the pedals. Please can someone genuinely explain to me the whole practice counter-steering thing to me as to me it is an inherent part of riding and something one does intuitively Edit: I was having a convo with my friend about this the other day, explaining what counter steering was and he was like counter steering? That’s just turning. He was shocked it was seemingly treated as a skill and in his words “you just do it”

[@akpost8780]

@@hisride Agreed. “Countersteering” is just something some riders talk about to sound experienced or to confuse new riders. It’s the only way to steer once you’re above 20 mph. And you don’t “steer” with the opposite hand.. you’re pushing the bar and leaning the bike naturally as you would on a bicycle. There’s nothing to practice. Spend your time on clutch control, throttle control, and braking. These are the most important skills.

[@thomasbucker7215]

@@hisride watch the video from Motojitsu kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWa3d3R6qNuiZq8 he explains everything

[@LesterCampbell-e2y]

I'm a new rider, 2 weeks in. Watching yours and others' videos on KZbin about the do's and don'ts, you've helped me more than you know. Started Ninja 650, eventually get to a ZX10R, but I got a couple years before all that. The slow stuff is definitely tricky, I've been practicing as much as I can without burning myself out lol

[@dwgalvin]

Thanks for a good video. However, I disagree with the practice of trying on a helmet at your local dealer and then purchasing online. You will likely not save much money, and you won't get valuable support from your dealer. Furthermore, if you don't support them, one day they won't be there to support you. If you try on and like a helmet from a local dealer, give them the option to match your online price and sell it to you. I've actually found that a local dealer gave a better price than online for Shoei helmets.

[@davidbreen4727]

David G--- i'll have to try that, i have an HJC full face, would like the same with drop down visor, but they seem to cost the same in store and on line.

[@TzeiEm]

I agree. I always buy from local stores rather than online. Recently I was buying a new pair of riding jeans and saw that they cost 20€ less online, but decided to buy them from the store anyway. Karma was on my side, because the cashier then told me that they are moving away from selling gear (most likely because people just buy them online) to focus more on selling actual bikes and all the gear was -50% so in the end, I won 😁

[@samuraidoggy]

Definitely this. Keep the local business alive, dont first use their services for free (testing equipment), and then give the money to the big online business!! Not only it will hurt your own services in long period of time, but also is frankly a bit of an asshole thing to do.

[@dixiepoet]

I wish I could buy local. Our only local shop doesn't sell anything for a female.

[@michael3408]

Support local for sure but definitely do your research in terms of prices when buying online. I was able to buy a Shoei rf-1400 online which was $275 off and my local store couldn’t match that price. Definitely happy with my purchase!

[@seanfannin8299]

Awesome videos! I inherited a 2002 CBR 1100xx and took some safety classes and started riding it at the beginning of this year. I love this bike! I'm ~50 years old and have a deep respect for the power of this bike. It's amazingly smooth and stable over some of the worst L.A. roads and very forgiving. I've ridden smaller, newer bikes however they seem less safe due to their handling and weight. I've caught criticism being a new rider and having this as my first bike. You've mentioned that this wouldn't be a good first bike, but it's perfect for me @6'1' ~190 pounds. I ride it weekly and and practice your methods and have never had any issues with it. Not sure why all of the criticism and skepticism from others though.

[@MotoJitsu]

thanks!!

[@CurtisDurden]

I'm a new rider, 2 weeks in. Watching yours and others' videos on KZbin about the do's and don'ts, you've helped me more than you know. Started Ninja 650, eventually get to a ZX10R, but I got a couple years before all that. The slow stuff is definitely tricky, I've been practicing as much as I can without burning myself out lol

[@RU-pj5rt]

Started on a 2018 ninja 650 myself. Then eventually moved up to a gsxr 600 then a new R6

[@CurtisDurden]

@@RU-pj5rt How is the power difference? I'm used to 650 pretty quick, but supersports might blow my mind, idk lol

[@RU-pj5rt]

@@CurtisDurden very different lol. Night and day. The 650 really helped me learn tho. A good thing is that 650 is heavy. The r6 and gsxr 600 are a lot lighter so that was nice. Have to get used to the different riding position also. 650 is more upwards casual. Also less shifting on the gsxr and r6.

[@lumberjaxe8910]

My suggestion has always been, buying a 185cc or 250cc dirt bike as a beginer and go riding basic forest trails, get the feel of the bike by weaving around obstacles, feathering the clutch, braking etc . After a while can start throwing the bike around, certainly builds your skill level and confidence and reflexes needed for the road.

[@tremolony4924]

@@lumberjaxe8910 Every new rider should get a Mountain bike & hit the single trails. Fast flowy trails really help you nail trail braking. Basically all MTB skills translate & help once you get on your first motorcycle.

[@reknas78]

You made a good point. Here is my progression profile in order I started on a moped 50cc, 200cc Honda, 650cc Honda, 1340 Harley, 1900cc Harley, 2000cc Harley Stg 2, 2200cc Stg 4. Like you said, don't get a bike that is to much power for you. you can always upgrade.

[@longboardmt]

I can say starting on a 600cc supersport and Harleys was a little detrimental to my riding skill and control I got a ninja 250 coming back to riding after a couple year break and I have to say a light little Flickrable bike has really taught me the potential I have in alot of situations.

[@QSpeedRacer]

I want a Honda grom or z125 even though I have a 1000c 🤣

[@Chickentenddies]

@@QSpeedRacer Same man. I started on a 700cc sportbike and I've grown into it over the years but honestly I been thinking about getting a 125 or 250 dual sport just to practice.

[@HyPeDCommando]

I'm barely going into motorcycles, been wanting to ride for years. Bought my first one a few days ago, a 2022 Iron 883, but I have been told that it as an excellent beginners bike.

[@loveofeagles003]

@@HyPeDCommando I'm hoping the same. Harley said it's a great 1st bike for never ridden been on one . Time will tell. Good luck

[@chillydawgg4354]

I started on a 250 & I recommend it. I made a couple mistakes on the 250 I was really glad I didn't make on a bigger bike

[@imyourcaddy9333]

New rider here, almost got a 650 but wasn't comfortable with the weight for my first bike. Ended up getting a 500 and I feel so much more confident to learn on and yet still plenty of power to get around. Definitely a good tip not to get ahead of yourself. Friend of mine got a golding 1000 for his first and he could not handle the bike at all. Stay safe out there

[@Dr.BenjiBuddy]

500 is enough for highways?

[@Hellothere-xc5ph]

@@Dr.BenjiBuddy Not sure about in the USA whatever your speed limits are, but in the UK I’ve got a CBR 500R and is more than enough for highways. Abit of vibration when you get up 80+mph but can hit 100 easy in a tuck

[@county_bear9509]

​@Dr.BenjiBuddy displacement isn't everything. I think power is a better way to determine a bikes highway capability. I wouldn't get anything below 40 horsepower. Anything more than 40 can handle the highway without much stress.

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

I'm 70 years old and I've been riding since I was about 12. I agree with everything you've said. A few years years ago I started going the otherway and started downsizing. I sold my baggers (except for one) and bought a 320cc R3, a 400cc standard (kick start only) and a 650cc Cafè Racer styl bike. Love the 650, reminds me of the first bike I baught with my own money a BSA 650. All the fun without having to tickle the carbs. Or coming out to the oil spot under the bike lol. Good vid buddy.

[@majoras51]

Me and my grandpa restored 2 bsa bikes. A thunder and a lightning

[@zeroneutral]

So you like the largest capacity and most powerful engine that you own 🤔

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

@zeroneutral2329 I like them all, but the Yamaha SR400 is probably my favorite.

[@SternDrive]

I just turned 73 and am on my 4th bike. I went much bigger. I just bought a 1300 Sabre, and the first week was pretty rough. I'm starting to ride like a pro again though. This bike is tough to handle at low speeds, so I'm doing lots of slow speed practice on vacant lots. Slow and steady!

[@iamoperator]

I've been riding for a long time, and I couldn't agree more with #1, even as an experienced rider. 300-500 is an amazing range that is really not only good for beginners but fun for experienced riders.

[@lostrappervideos]

do you think that Kawasaki ninja 400 a good starter bike

[@iamoperator]

@@lostrappervideos Absolutely! It handles amazingly well. Very nimble and forgiving all around. The slipper clutch is great for new riders. Not too much power so you can comfortably run through all the gears and really ring its neck if you wanted to. I still have mine, and although the new ZX4R looks really tempting, I'm most likely going to keep my 400. It checks all the boxes for me.

[@MattCantSpeakIt]

I am returning to motorcycles after 8 years, I got a 2023 Ninja 400 on Thursday, I never had this much fun in my life, and I never wanted to go ride more either, even when I had bigger bikes back in the days! The 300s I don't like, too anemic, highways are a pain... but the 400 is absolutely perfect!!

[@bploan8464]

What about physical size? I just put a deposit on a royal enfield meteor 350 and I'm nervous it's physically to big for learning to lean etc

[@johna.favata5909]

@@lostrappervideos I started on a GSXR 1000. but to each their own.

[@DEZ42746]

“The glove will either go underneath your riding jacket or the rider jacket will go over the glove” 😂😂 thanks for the vid. Taking the msf course in 2 weeks. Can’t wait.

[@avinashkrishnappa1115]

Hiya, thanks for these tips. I agree with your suggestions regarding the jackets, especially regarding adding an extra back protector. I wear a separate back protector under my armored jacket. Being a medical professional with surgical and orthopedic experience, I would always suggests boots up to mid calf with the zipper on the inside. The ankle joint is weaker on the outside than the inside. If the boot has more protection on the outside, it would save the rider from injury. I also agree about the gauntlet gloves as they are more protective. Being a doctor for racing tracks, I wholeheartedly agree with all that you have said. Please keep up the good work you are doing with educating less experienced riders!

[@theheyseed]

Good advice all around, especially about bike size. Countless young guys would come in my dealership wanting to buy the ZX-10 or a CBR 1000 as a first bike. They read or heard how FAST one would go. I always pointed them toward smaller bikes in the 600 range. Trying to explain how they would enjoy riding more and probably go faster with a bike that size.

[@rage9667]

What about the Suzuki GSX-r 600-750 there is no size difference?

[@theheyseed]

@@rage9667 it wasn't the actual size of the bike, it was being able to handle the power those bigger machines have.

[@chrisharker4821]

I owned 2 ZX-10s and if you weren’t careful those things would end up riding you. Absolute monsters. 600’s are just better for everyday street life.

[@savhuman8922]

I started with a 150cc more than a year back. It's really fun, and now I can do some of your drills way better than my friends who own 600s.

[@SongJLikes]

I have a ‘beginner bike’ (cbr500r) and it is PLENTY powerful enough for the highway AND pretty forgiving… I’m getting the basics ironed out, and in a year or so, I’m getting a zx-6r. Videos like these gave me the priceless advice, and I couldn’t be more thankful; I love motorcycling and plan on riding for the rest of my life.

[@BanjoLuke1]

I concur totally with the "size" advice. I learned in the early 80s and never felt the need to go beyond 500cc and two cylinders. I rode bigger bikes, but owned nothing bigger than a 550. On the public highway a 500 twin is quick enough and (importantly) handles well and can be hustled along for hour aftwr hour.

[@boostedsm]

My first bike was/is my KTM 390 Duke. I had it all of 2 months before I started looking at a larger cc bike. This video and my bike mentor(buddy) said the same thing and convinced me to stay and learn. Thank you I love wringing everything out of that bike and its so agile my confidence is improving at a much faster rate than if I was on a big bike.

[@westernartifact4163]

Eddie, I want to thank you tremendously. After watching alot of youtube vids, you were the only one that fixed my sticking point with tight cornering at higher speeds. You explained the high downforce on the turn apex sided grip, and very light downforce on the opposing grip. This was a complete game changer for me. I only have my permit, and because of this was just able to carve corners around my local park twisties like I've never felt comfortable doing. Prior to this, all I could do was lame, wide (and dangerous) turns that required alot of unnecessary braking and slowing up. I also found shifting my body forward towards the headlights when leaning really creates that proper downforce on the correct grip. You are saving lives my friend!

[@EEEBA1]

Which video explains that? Thank you.

[@BrunoSa96]

@@EEEBA1 indeed what video?

[@knightlautrec4311]

I started on a 125, went up to a 250, then now I ride a 900. It was definitely the way to do it, slightly more hassle buying and selling bikes as I moved up the ranks but well worth it.

[@miken2968]

Started on a c50/vl800 and it was light and easy to control

[@nicerides9224]

When I first started riding way back in the late 80's I was told everyone drops their first bike. I didn't buck that trend and dropped mine several times. It was a cheap cb250 Honda which took the punishment well. It was sometimes a painful lesson but a good one to keep my riding ambition in check. By the time I bought bigger and much faster bikes I was much more weary of doing the same things that made me drop the 250. So if you're considering buying your dream bike as your first bike that's something for you to consider. It's much easier to learn on something lighter and slower and in all likelihood you will drop it.

[@kotiwan]

True. I have a CB300R. I've dropped it twice now...😂 Glad I didn't buy a Ducati as my first bike...

[@mikecleveland823]

I have always said that there are two types of riders - those who have laid their bike down and those who will lay their bike down.

[@Racko94]

I've only dropped mine once, when I pulled into my driveway, went to get off but the kickstand didn't go down all the way, so as soon as weight got applied to it, it folded back up and my bike tried falling on top of me lol. Been riding for 5 years now

[@bernardcandlin7733]

Brit here I’ve only been riding for 48 years (don’t drive a car) and all I can say this is the best video for new riders and some old ones I’ve seen 👏 well done excellent advise

[@MotoJitsu]

thanks

[@khareckless6769]

I'm on my 1st bike, a used ninja 250r. Can't explain how grateful I'm that a friend of mine who is a more experienced rider recommended it. ~140kgs of weight and its power rly leave nothing to be desired for a new rider

[@bangboats3557]

Here in Australia we have a system that restricts new riders to lower capacity bikes; 660cc capacity and a power to weight of nor more than 150Kw/tonne (sorry, we are metric here) and its a good system that lets beginners learn skills on machinery that is less likely to get them into trouble. And yes you must have gear and must wear it EVERYTIME. The day you go "just down to the shops" in shorts and sandals and T-shirt, is the day you come off that thing. As my riding instructor said to his classes, "Wear your gear, all the time, everytime. Shoes, pants, jacket, gloves, helmet. Guys, if it's too hot to wear your gear, it's too hot to ride. Take the car."

[@christinekelly1686]

As an MSF coach I 100 percent agree with these being the most common new rider mistakes.

[@toddmayer6859]

I very much appreciate all your videos. This one, like all the others, has given me a lot to think about & practice. I am now 71 .. have a 2010 Triumph Speedmaster that I bought new & have ridden on and off. But now I am getting back into riding it more. South Florida doesn't exactly have a lot of twisties. But ... I still needed to learn about trail braking, etc things you teach. I see riders down here with flip-flops on and practically naked. I always wear jeans, but after watching this video, I'm going to step up to the Kevlar padded jeans you showed. Thanks much. God bless you always

[@JoJoEnglish]

I started on a Ninja 250 but bought it brand new at the time back in 2004. After about 13 months riding with my friends who all had 600's-750's I just couldn't keep up and it actually made me not want to ride with them anymore until I was able to keep up. My next 2 bikes were Ninja zx-9Rs and I had no problems keeping up after that

[@motomuto3313]

I'm a new rider, and just paid off my bike. I try to learn everything about motorcycle riding. For the last 45 years I've been riding bicycles everywhere. I'm blessed that there is a street near me that has very little traffic I can practice. Since there are a couple intersections It encourages me to practice my down shifts and stops. I noticed the difference between thrill and fear. I have fear for riding my bicycle on the roads. I get a thrill of the sensation of speed with a little fear on my motorcycle.

[@TheVaughan5]

Sensible and logical advice. I started on a 250, graduated to a 500 and then a 1,000. Learned so much on the way, I’d probably have killed or seriously injured myself if I’d started on a 750 or 1k. Correct gear is a must, I learned that the hard way .

[@MotoJitsu]

Send this to a new rider you know...or to someone who's thinking about getting into riding so they can avoid some of these all too common new rider mistakes :) MotoJitsu.com/gear for all my stuff.

[@petercreagh8797]

One point you missed was correct braking ability by using both brakes with more emphasis on the front when on dry roads. Having looked at online discussion on braking even experienced riders have different theories on the correct way to stop.

[@biyahenibigdaddyblog2222]

Its too late, ive just bought trk 502X last 3 days ago. But no worries im following your teaching. I will start practicing starting tomorrow. First, i want to remove my fear of falling.

[@mickthegyp]

@@biyahenibigdaddyblog2222 just don't look down when slow turning its definitely a recipe for fear of dropping your bike.. you will snatch the brake and down it goes (speaking from experience whilst taking lessons). Just look to wherever you are going 😁👍

[@roywalls5595]

I can not use long boot because I wear right knee brace but I did purchased Tour Master Air to help out and Rock Port boots! MotoJitsu

[@biyahenibigdaddyblog2222]

@@mickthegyp tried it yesterday still with fear😂 but guess what, i did it! Its true, practice again and again to perfect it. Thank you

[@CompaCookies]

I’m 17 and I started on a klr650. I got like 5k miles under my belt so far so I think it’s the perfect time to do another driving course. Thanks for the advice.

[@microcolonel]

I picked up a KLR650 as my first bike, back in April; I rode three or more hours every day for the month, read motorcycle handling books and watched videos, worked my way up, got my ueys down to 12ft. Just got back from a trip out from here in Wyoming, through Michigan out to New Hampshire and back; I am super pleased with my choice. The KLR so easy to ride, very inexpensive to insure even for a brand new rider. I got Icon Mesh AF jacket and overpants with full D3O armor and I splurged on the helmet. I am really pleased with those choices as well. Still looking for some good gloves with sliders, I have some decent protection in mine (perforated leather with some pads and panels) but they're not what I'm looking for.

[@mustafamuflehi4980]

I really appreciate how you lay it out clearly. I'm 42 and a relatively new rider, having started in March of this year (2024). With no prior experience, I completed the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and am currently working towards my full motorcycle licence. I've already passed the theory and Module 1 (off-road manoeuvres) and am eagerly awaiting Module 2 training and test (on-road riding)! Your channel has been invaluable. I frequently refer to your videos, focusing on specific techniques to practice during my daily commute. Speaking of which, I recently realised my jacket lacks a good back protector! Safety is a top priority to me, especially as a newer rider, so I'm going to have to get another back protector. Thanks for creating such excellent content. Best regards from the UK!

[@MotoJitsu]

thanks!!!! instagram.com/motojitsuclub/

[@jennifersenner4007]

I've recently bought my first bike, a Yamaha Vstar 250 and it's been perfect for getting used to riding. I feel certain that within a year I'll go bigger and be more confident about it.

[@muhammadtv8646]

I just bought my first bike, 2022 Yamaha r3. I do kind of regret but at the same time I’m happy that I bought. I regret it because I’m not too experienced in riding a motorcycle and even though it’s a light bike and great for starters, I still feel like starting more smaller is the best. I’m still practicing with my bike and hopefully I get to understand my bike fast.

[@patmcbride9853]

I confess, my 1st bike was a 650 twin and it was (initially) too big. Ironically, I moved up to a 750, then ended up with a 550 before I stopped riding. The 550 (cafe style) was the best of the 3 because it had the lowest GC and best handling while still being fast enough. I always had full face helmets because I wore contacts and dust is a killer, always wore gloves too, and pants, and full shoes or boots.

[@eliudmkenya001]

Why did you stop riding?

[@patmcbride9853]

@@eliudmkenya001 Got a job that required me to drive a car into work because I might end up carrying a big roller case full of tools and a bunch of large circuit cards to a local customer's location. After not being able to ride it except weekends for over a year, I sold it. When I got another job, I decided the old body was not as good at healing as it used to be.

[@ragetobe]

I’m 4 years in to getting back to riding (I rode when I was younger), I retook my theory and mod1 and 2 exams in the UK. My first bike was a Triumph Tiger. The instructors where I took my test all said don’t be scared of a bigger bike, the Tiger 800 XRT seemed like the perfect bike and I bought it before I passed my test, it was delivered to me and I instantly thought I made a mistake, I’m fortunate and live on a country lane off road. Soon I realised the bike felt like nothing when riding. I spent 3 years on this bike while studying Roadcraft and various KZbin video including this channel. I’ve recently change my bike for a BMW R1250RT and I love this bike, everything I learned has paid off, I plan my journey, keep my ego in check, adjust road positions correctly in relation to approaching hazards in a dynamic way. I think each persons approach to picking a bike is going to be completely individual. For me riding is a constantly progression of learning. I still go to the car park and do figure 8s, emergency breaking, practice positions when taking corners to hit the apex correctly. It’s exciting to master something, I’m not a master though. As far as gear goes, I wear Rukka all over with a Shoei neotec 2. When I became a furniture making lecturer my mentor said "Mastering every single skill requires a minimum of 10,000 practices each" this applies to my bike and myself.

[@aridragonbeard745]

My first bike was a Suzuki TU250X, which I knew I wanted as my first bike for a few years before I had the money to do anything about it. I have over 13000 miles on it, most of that from the first year I had it. Small bikes are under-appreciated, they're great fun for back road riding. Eventually I started looking for something that was a little more highway-capable (to be clear: the TUX can do highway speeds all day, it just gets to be a little anxiety-inducing when you're pinning the throttle just to keep up with traffic, especially the way people drive at night around here), and picked up a used Honda Nighthawk 750 that I never really gelled with. I put around 2500 miles on it in the 6ish months I had it. It was a somewhat fun bike, but had more power than I really needed/wanted, took a bunch of work to have everything working right, and it had a quite wide seating position that made me always struggle with confidence as a shorter rider, not being able to get my feet solidly planted on the ground. On top of that, the weight distribution made it very top-heavy, and I dropped it a couple times and couldn't get it back up onto its wheels without help. I traded it in for a Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone, which has been much more of the bike I was looking for. I still have the Suzuki, but it definitely doesn't see anywhere near as much use as the Guzzi lately.

[@cameronhicks5225]

Guzzi life, props!

[@dadandmari-polishandproud771]

All are very good points for new riders. I started riding in 1966 and still ride, The right bike, the right gear, the right instruction and practice, ride, ride, ride. Evaluate your errors and close calls, what just happened and why? And the best piece of advice I ever received from my first dealer, "ride as if they're all out to kill you'.

[@poppy5986]

A great video- thank you! Lots of useful advice and information. I started out with a Honda 125. After I had passed my test, I found the 125 was not enough bike for me, so bought a Fazer 600. That was the perfect size. I now own an SV650 and an FZR600. Around 6 months after passing my bike test, I went on an advanced riders course- I learnt a lot. Recently, after watching your videos, I have started getting up early on a Sunday and riding down to the local supermarket car park. There I practice riding in circles, figure 8s, emergency braking, and sharp left and right turns from a stand still. Doing this has given me even more confidence in my riding ability. I have heard enough horror stories of people coming off their bikes to make sure I am always fully geared up, even though (at the moment) I am melting underneath it all! I am very attached to my skin.

[@stronga1999]

I can’t tell you how much i appreciate this video. I’m a beginner and just bought a rebel 500. This is by far the most informative and helpful video I’ve watched. You sir are doing a Gods work for the motorcycle community lol

[@dragonniteIV]

Never forget Hearing Protection! I think it's the most overlooked thing

[@treytucker5619]

Huh?

[@neonix01]

@@treytucker5619 Earplugs. To stop you going "huh? "whaat?" constantly because of hearing damage after 5-10 years of riding - especially with loud pipes or at highway speeds (wind noise). 15 minutes of riding a motorcycle at highway speeds is enough to cause permanent hearing damage. And it adds up over time.

[@bladeofwar]

Not only does it protect your hearing but I feel it can actually increase your focus. You still hear your engine and everything around you. But everything being muffled a bit is nice for focus as well as comfort.

[@treytucker5619]

@@neonix01 Yes my hearing is bad because we didn’t consider hearing protection. Please tell my wife! I am a 60 yo physician and son of a motorcycle dealer. I’ve been on motorcycles more than the average bear. Dad and I used to believe ear plugs were a liability and it was safer to hear road noises. Lol, I’ve spent a fortune on high-fi in the past and didn’t realize I couldn’t hear it. Today’s technology hopefully will create something useful. I imagine it won’t matter when all cars are electric, listening for traffic will be useless. Deer will not have a chance to cross the road again. Just think of all the pets that will die😪

[@Joyx2011]

WHAT!? 🧓👂

[@billvickers1367]

Thanks!

[@DavidSmith-wy5rb]

MotoJitsu, Thanks for all the information you've provided. I'm a 77 yr.old guy who used to ride a 150 Honda when I was 17yrs old from 1962 to 64 and worked at a Honda dealer from 62 to 63 in Woodland Hills, Calif. There was a little older guy that worked there, nick-named 'Mouse' who rode TT on a 125 Honda Sport bike and a very good rider along his friend Bud and often during the warmer months after work ended all three of us would go for rides on some of foothill back roads. *Case in point; On one of these rides we connected to Topanga Canyon which was a 14 mile long twisty mountain pass that led to the Pacific Coast or back to Woodland Hills the way we went. The reason for the foregoing is your advice, to new riders or returning riders like myself of, ""Don't try and keep up with more experienced riders" and I'll add, "Get very familiar with how your bike handles before you push it to any extent""!! To exemplify this; Mouse and Bud started out ahead of me, the road was dry but it was dark and I was trying to keep up with them but the rear suspension on the 150 was on the soft side and I didn't have the experience of the two other guys. *> Going hard through a right hand curve and leaning a fair amount I could feel the bike drifting towards the center line of the reverse S curve and saw the head lights of an approaching car so I leaned the bike over even more to where the foot peg rubber boot was dragging on the asphalt and the rear tire was skipping as it attempted to gain traction as it fortunately did or I would have slid right underneath the front of the approaching car. So again, "Don't try and keep up with more experienced riders" and I'll add, "Get very familiar with how your bike handles before you push it to any extent""!!

[@beandaddy07]

I'll agree with don't start too big, but also starting too small can be just as bad imo. Spending the money for that could seem like a waste and they get regrets. That doesn't mean start off on a Busa, but something in the middle as long as you're understanding of the power and mature enough to ride your ride, you should be fine. But everyone is different, speaking to the masses I'll highly agree with what you said.

[@petercreagh8797]

I started on a Honda XL125 back in 1976 and I did grow out of it quite quickly but went that small as a first bike due to lower cost plus if I had got a 250 which is the biggest size beginner riders were allowed at the time I thought I could possibly grow out of that too. So my second bike a year later was an XL350 and 2 years later I got an XL500 when they came out. The XL500 had all the power I wanted but 3 years later I got a CB750 at a runout price. It took me about 6 months to get used to that bike as it did not have the low down torque that my XL500 had but its stability on the freeway was phenomenal in comparison and I ended up keeping it 23 years. My next road bike was a BMW850r as I had read they are more torquey than an inline 4 which brought back the memory of my old XL but still offered the stability of my old CB750. I noticed a substantial improvement in stopping power too despite both bikes having twin disk brakes. I then bought a XL700 Transalp due to finding the BMW not having the suspension travel to handle the poorly maintained city streets where I live plus earthquake damage to them. The XL700 Transalp reminded me more of my old XL500 but with offering better stability due to its heavier weight. It does not stop as quick as the BMW though.

[@pedro99396]

Having too big or too powerful bike can you get hurt, dead or broke. How "having regrets" is "just as bad ?🤔

[@beandaddy07]

@@pedro99396 There's a maturity factor that comes with it. I would tell 20yo to get smaller. I am definitely not as reckless as i used to be and understand why people try and tell people to steer away from them at first. Money reasons, why spend it on something you'll outgrow so quick?? if its what you want to do, sure, but i would rather save a bit more and get a 650. I agree don't get a 4 cylinder, just stick with a twin for awhile though.

[@beandaddy07]

@@petercreagh8797 Thats what i mean. If you can afford it, i dont mind people starting on their comfort level. BUt if you can really only get 1, i don't see why you should start so small to just try and get rid of it. The re-sale of >400 is so hard around here its insane. Maturity is a big thing of understanding what youre getting into either way.

[@Skyrider12]

Hey Y’all, 58 & new. Got a Honda shadow! Man I love that lil cruiser. She ain’t fast but she’s loud! 💯🇺🇸

[@paliy241]

Thank you for your videos! I am watching them from start to finish. I am 55 YO and live in NH USA. The 2022 Ducati Monster is my FIRST motorcycle and I love it. All electronic aid kept and continue to keep me from trouble. The gauge cluster was overwhelming for only 30-45 min then it becomes making more sense, and after 2 days of riding, I saw it as a very useful, complete, and simple source of information. Here in NH, we have very good roads, so I feel that the front suspension could be stiffer. However, when I drive to Boston (the roads are not so good) the front is very as it should be. Right on the money. After riding the bike for 1,500 miles (~2,400 Km) from new, I feel my decision on starting with the Monster is most appropriate. It is only heavier by 10-15 lb (5-8 Kg) than true "Entry Bikes" like R3 or Ninja400, however, it can be a bike to enjoy for years to come. Highly recommended as a "First Bike" even if it is almost a liter engine (937CC).

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

2:02 Bought all my gear a year in advance to even getting my license in a new country. And I've been on motorcycles for nearly 20 years before this. Infact, since i had a long gap from riding regularly, I'm treating my rebirth in motorcycling just like that, like a beginner. Even then I make some silly mistakes in my classes at times. So, never underestimate gear and never let yourself get overconfident.

[@rickconstant6106]

It seems to be very easy, maybe too easy, to get a bike licence and then ride a big bike in the US. Here in the UK, most new riders (with a few rare exceptions) have to start out on a restricted 125 or smaller, then progress towards bigger bikes through a series of driving tests over an extended period of time.

[@ErichWilhelmVW]

It's far too easy. Here in Washington State though, they recently changed it so the basic course is for a permit and the advanced is for a full endorsement. It's still kind of crazy though because the permit has no restrictions other than you can't ride at night and no passengers... but you can still ride whatever the hell you want and you're not even fully licensed lol

[@Gideon_Judges6]

It seems like it's way too hard in the UK. Take your country back. 🤷‍♂️

[@rickconstant6106]

@@Gideon_Judges6 I'm quite happy with the way it is now - I got my licence 50 years ago when bikes were less powerful, and I dread to think what the accident/death rates would be if people could go straight out and buy a 160 mph sports bike with no experience.

[@jakegarrett8109]

In the US 125cc isn't safe, it won't keep up with most road here, it would be like having a 250w Ebike on busy roads... oh wait, you guys do that too in the UK, haha!

[@petercreagh8797]

@@jakegarrett8109 I think Adventure Bikes are the safest to ride as you are sitting up higher and can see further than any other bike. The only negative thing about them is due to their height they are limited to tall riders only. Even I am not tall enough to ride all models of adventure bike. As for size I have found 700-800cc suits me best and offers a good mix of power and handling. I have test ridden a 1000cc adventure bike but they are just too big and heavy to take off road. As a tourer though they would be better than a road bike for countries that have poor road maintenance.

[@jefferymmccann]

I started on a shadow 750 aero as a first bike, In my opinion it is a great bike to start on. Cruising on it is fun, it has enough power to have fun and is lighter in terms of cruisers

[@michaelparker2449]

I wasn't exactly legal when I first got on the road with no license or insurance, but I stayed under the radar with a 125cc and not doing anything crazy. Even though it taught me a lot about the rules of the road, I developed a lot of bad habits I struggled to change when eventually getting my license.

[@vincentkuzniar7446]

Started on a 2015 ZX6r, did fine got about 13k - 15k miles under my belt in 2 years learned a lot, thinking Ducati Monster for number 2. Something that can power wheelie easier and is slightly more comfortable to ride a longer distance.

[@kasiryemartin3856]

“I’d rather swear than bleed”

[@robertperry2285]

Sweat (not swear); you will definitely be swearing while bleeding

[@iraqvet87]

New rider here, been riding a little over 1 month. My first bike is a 07 suzuki C90T (which I think is 1475cc) and I'm loving it. I'm also pretty large at 6'3 350. Can't wait to get a couple years experience and get a Road King!

[@gab9433]

your first bike is 1475cc? youre a trooper bro, mine was 49cc hahaha

[@nieczerwony]

@@gab9433 49 cc is essentially moped. Well you may consider this motorcycle (as it has motor), but I don't. I got my first moped when I was 7 years old, and then I had few more 50 cc in different shapes and forms, but my first "real" bike was 150 cc, then 250 cc followed by 350cc.

[@gab9433]

@@nieczerwony im sorry, but i don't consider my Aprillia rs50, with a top speed of 130km/h, a "moped" 🤣

[@Farinhir]

1. For my first bike I went with an Indian Scout Rogue. I know I had people around me saying 1133cc is too big. The power to weight ratio and the power band are likely the only reason I had people saying I would be able to handle it just fine. I spent the last year on my 1200w Ebike (controls setup like a motorcycle). While there were some things for me to pick up after changing to the motorcycle there were also so many things that are the same. Now, I am not a sportbike rider. I don't like the peg position (hurts me) or the body position of the drag bars. I am a bigger (6' tall muscular) guy. Cruiser life for me. 2. I bought full gear before I even built my ebike. I wore helmet (full face), jacket, motorcycle pants, gloves, and boots that have ankle support. But I also had highway bars installed when I had them assemble my bike. 3. Well, to get home from the dealership I was forced to ride 100 miles. It was not a choice here. Trying to keep up? Naw. I make it clear to anyone I ride with that I ride where I am comfortable. I won't go faster than I am comfortable. I won't take a corner faster than I am comfortable. I have bought your app. Sadly, nowhere around here to setup. Coastal Oregon here. Very rural.

[@andresitoelpana]

I just got a gsx750f as my first motorcycle and im just loving it! Its all about being resposible with the power output + i just limited it to a2 so its not that powerfull, love the fact that its just big and heavy, not a little 300cc motorcycle and i fall in love everytime i see her xD

[@x340x]

"if you dont have money for gear you should save some because you wont be able to afford hospital bills" sike, im from Europe, hospitals are free

[@RezaQin]

Nothing is free, especially not in Europe

[@72bso]

We pay for it trough our sallary but USA has a lot more problems.....

[@dakotageorge8358]

I havent paid shit for my hoapital bills. Maybe like $50 insurance is a thing. ​@72bso

[@susanaskye1]

Thanks!

[@MotoJitsu]

No problem!

[@marcelloshinton4402]

I think the first bike varies by person. My first bike was a 2020 Harley Low Rider S with the 114ci. Was not hard to learn on it.

[@georgeleavell4465]

You don't know what you don't know. It's been my experience that most riders start on bikes that are too big and that pushes them to develop bad habits because bigger bikes are harder to ride so new riders make work-arounds that seem to work but actually lessen their control and safety. But they don't realize it because they don't know there is a better way.

[@luapmckeever721]

Do NOT try on stuff in a store and go get it online. That's the stupidest comment ever. Support your local businesses. Period. When they're all dried up, then what will you do? Put your money into your local economies and businesses that support your local everything.

[@BaronSemediLive]

I started with a BMW 310R and rode that for 5 years. When I felt comfortable I moved up to a BMW F 900R. I was a bit intimidated moving up but after riding in 1st & 2nd gear I realized that while faster in those gears. It wasn't anything I wasn't already accustomed to riding a 310 for as many years as I did. I then graduately rode in higher gears working my way up to 6th gear.

[@sewerfr0g]

Always good advice. One thing. You recommend trying on helmets then finding cheaper online. This is douchebag behavior that puts local dealers out of business. If I use the facilities of a local store, the help of the people working there, the use of the demo clothes and helmets...Then I buy it there. Don't be a douche.

[@cameronhicks5225]

Just because we're cheap doesn't make us douches!!

[@TheForgedReality]

Um... It's capitalism. If they're overcharging, THEY are the douche. Maybe they should reassess their business. Either you're saying just pay the most money you can as a new rider, and don't shop around for good prices, or you're saying don't bother trying things on before buying them, and then you have to go through a whole return process, if it's even possible. Returning products wastes everyone's time, and it doesn't help the environment. Often, returned products just get thrown away by the company, people have to take time processing your return, and shipping things both ways is wasteful. Wouldn't you rather reduce costs for everyone, optimize everyone's time, and not contribute to waste in the only world we get to live in? Being wasteful is being a douche. Overcharging for products is being a douche. Not considering the impacts of your actions is being a douche. 🙄😬

[@gggukkk]

@@TheForgedReality Nah, you’re just a douche.

[@sewerfr0g]

@@TheForgedReality No. Online stores can charge less...because they are online. If you want local stores to disappear...continue being a douche.

[@Big_DT]

I normally look it up online while I'm in the store and then ask them if they'll match the price or at least get close. Most of the time they do.

[@jameshall2017]

Best advice I could give to touch vase on the size of the bike... if you have ridden before and you do have the clutch, break and throttle control down then you could start out buying an 833 or 1200 sportster if you like Harleys. That's something I'm personally looking into. You get the decent power but also the speed you may need if you live off a busy highway.

[@inspectorchicken]

I understand that the smaller bike makes sense, but motorcycling is a luxury to most of us and it's purely designed for having fun whilst doing a mediocre task. IMO the only bike that makes sense is the bike you want, as long as ergonomics allow it. If your dream bike is a BMW 1250 and you made your license just for it, why not go for it? Everything else will be anything but the bike you actually wanted.

[@CaffeineFreak13]

yea but what good is the bike you want if you crash it day one and now the bike is gone, and youre in the hospital recovering.. 90% of the time your first bike isnt the last bike you ever buy. in 7 years ive owned 5 different bikes. one of them was wrecked by a careless driver and i still ride after the accident.. no need to put yourself in a handicap by getting too much bike without being able to control it

[@inspectorchicken]

@@CaffeineFreak13 I also don't keep bikes longer than two years and my first one was way overpowered for my skill but I would never have started if it wasn't for that bike at the time.

[@ajarncraig2327]

You don't keep your first bike long anyway. Most people try something out and move on to something else when they figure out what they really need, as opposed to what they wished for. I had my first bike for about 6 months I think, then bought something completely different. It was nice and light though, and great for learning. :)

[@KristianKumpula]

I've never understood the mentality behind getting a motorcycle just to use it occasionally when you don't really need to go anywhere. When I got my first proper motorcycle, I sold my car and have been using motorcycles exclusively since then because it's a much better experience, takes up much less space, and requires much less fuel to go much faster. One just has to get panniers and a backpack for grocery shopping and the appropriate gear for the weather.

[@Grapes2wine-MJK]

New to riding. Like never rode anything but a bike. I bought the 883 sportster. I thought it had to much power for me. 3 weeks in, im glad I made the decision because its freaking perfect

[@peb2392]

I've started with 1000cc i rode as a child.. I wanted a big one and I'm happy

[@TheN3rd]

I was looking for this comment I just bought a bmw k100 as a barn find and couldn’t pass it up. So now I gotta start with 1000cc’s 😂

[@dlairdjr71]

Started out on a '78 Honda CB550. Didn't ride for about 20 years, but got back into it a couple years ago on an '86 Magna 700. Awesome handling bike, and plenty of torque and speed for me. Upgraded to an '03 Dyna Wide Glide last spring, very comfortable ride and easy to maneuver. Don't start big, work your way up to it!

[@3ormoree]

This video has 1 million views and it doesn’t have a comment

[@haydonrex]

howw

[@3ormoree]

@@haydonrex idk

[@bumpyface228]

Great video. I'm a brand-new rider. Just got a Vulcan S 2023. I wanted to get an older, used bike, but prices are ridiculous right now, so I said F it and got a new one. I'll be practicing in somone's parking lot way more than on the road starting out. Wish me luck.

[@PaulLindgren]

Started on a 2001 Honda shadow ACE 750. Thought is was HUGE when I first started and felt I made a mistake. Then I got used to it. Rode it for 10 years and then upgraded to a 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600, and then realized the 750 was light! I am now completely used to the 1600 and it feels great!

[@REVAMPEDWRESTLING2K]

Thanks for this video, I have an electric motorcycle and I turned off the limiter so I can go faster up to 100 KM and one day I was going 70 at a sharp turn and my back tire gave way with some dirt and I went right into a ditch planting my bike into the dirt and me flipping right off my bike forward, if it wasn't for my helmet I'd be dead. I was also only on my second month of riding so I was still new to it and still learning :)

[@MotoJitsu]

You're welcome :)

[@axelfoley5155]

Honestly I started off on to small of a bike my first bike was a 2021 Honda monkey after that I went straight to a 2023 Indian Scout Rogue from 9 horsepower to 100 Horsepower at least now I have all the power that I'll need and I'm extremely happy with my Scout! I wear full gear and I'm 13,500 miles in on my scout and I've had it for a year.

[@Peter-gz6ux]

Rode dirt bikes in my twenty’s. I wanted to get back into riding going into retirement. Bought a classic 1979 KZ650 . Got used to riding that and gave me an idea of the type of riding that I would do. Rode the KZ for a few years and heading into retirement, started doing some research. Watched a lot of comparison videos here. Settled on a cruiser style bike. Bought a new 2020 Triumph Speedmaster. What a great bike.

[@davidwegs1]

Good sound advice here, although the rigid/tough armor is typically less important than we think. More important i believe, is the material that holds it together (jacket materials).

[@FroggDX]

Ive been riding for a year on my lil suzuki gixxer 150sf clocked up over 8000km, took a 260km ride 2 days ago made classic rookie error on 1 corner entry speed was lil to fast thanks to 1 of you other vidz i rememberd to ease the brakes on rather than stab them on and got round the corner safely

[@davev5554]

Thanks for the great advice, its made me rethink what i was about to do, namely jump on a CB1000R and ride 200 miles from where it used to live, and ride it to where its new home is going to be, there is a saying “ no fool like an old fool “ I’ve not riden a motorbike for over 20, i would have been very foolish jumping straight onto a 1000cc motorbike ! Glad I’ve reconsidered how I’m going to collect the bike, i am now going to hire a van to collect it, I’m also going to have some riding tuition before going out on the CB1000R 🙏👍

[@doggking001]

I started with a used 883 and went to 889cc Yamaha, just because 1000cc bike's insurance are through the roof. But I am really happy with my both bikes and will add a another sports bike in future.

[@georgemacdonald5282]

Totally agree about not jumping onto a big bike shortly after passing your test, i went from a 125cc to a 1200cc, just a little too big, nothing went wrong but i was lucky, small medium and then large.

[@MotoJitsu]

sheesh

[@youtubecensors5419]

Just got my dream MTT 420 RR! It was pretty spendy, so I had to forego the helmet and stuff, but I'll get em later, after I finish my Seattle to San Diego ride with my friends Randy and Kyle, they've been riding forever and even race from time to time. We're figuring on making the ride in less than 24 hrs, so stoked!

[@frankieu2598]

Had a 1959 BSA Lightning chopper way back. Heavy iron through and through. One thing I learned after the Honda CB 350 is if you can’t stand it upright after it falls on its side “for any reason”, maybe get a lighter bike.

[@rickwe818]

Excellent advice and video! I'm new to sport bikes, and needed advice on bike wear. I've ridden Harleys for years, so this video was definitely helpful. I'm starting out with a Ninja 400, but I just wanted something I didn't have to finance. But, since you recommended starting off small, I feel better about it now. Thanks for the video!

[@brax2364]

Been riding since 1965 starting with my Honda CB 305 Superhawk. Made the full route upgrading to bigger and faster bikes (much much faster), dirt bikes, and now at my age my back insists I go back to a cruiser. My current bike is a 110 year anniversary Harley Dyna SuperGlide. Oh, and I’ve turned wrenches at a Honda M/cycle dealership and later worked as a Honda M/cycle salesman. A lot of good info in this video. I strongly agree with training and recommend taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner and expert riding courses. The U.S. Military requires it for soldiers, sailors, and marines.

[@Brovillion559]

I started out on a 300 ninja with no gear or helmet. Super lucky to be alive and only minor damage. Road rash and a few headaches. Now days years later, I won’t ride around the block without a helmet, gloves and boots. Learn to ride. Start out slow and learn to cruise. Then ride on.

[@jameslewis2635]

That first point on buying bikes that were too big is true. I personally started on a 125cc bike when I was learning (as it is the most powerful class that you can ride on a learners licence in the UK) before moving to a 500cc when I finally got my full licence. I would only suggest moving on to a heavier bike after having a few years experience.

[@wallyc1349]

Started on a Yamaha vstar 650, then a Yamaha Bolt 950, now my daily driver is the Yamaha MT-03 (321cc), and love it. Great for city driving and a little highway driving.

[@henning8737]

I started on my dad's bike 720 cc. I started with a lighter bike in driving school, and the upgrade to a BMW F800GT was really appriciated when I passed. It has good stats, but yeah I think nothing is better than driving a bike to it's limit. So I would love to drive a bike with worse stats, but in Germany you can drive as fast as you want on the Autobahn.

[@eric62backstrom]

My first bike was a 92 CBR 600 F2. Little on the heavy side for street bikes, as it had a steel frame/swingarm but it's a great bike to learn on. It'll take a heck of a beating due to the solid steel chassis. The carbureted engine isn't as desirable as fuel injection these days but it's still a good temporary bike. F2 or F3 (they are the same thing). Honda Fanboy for life right here.

[@ILoveChubbyPiglets]

Started on a z900. It’s a 2017 so no modes 100% power. Power isn’t an issue because it only goes as fast as you allow it to go. The issue is the weight but I’m 6’3 so it’s not a big deal.

[@pg.travels]

For a minute, I thought that was the worlds biggest Python crossing the road at 10:20 lol

[@Crazy-Chicken-Media]

My first bike was a Z650, loved it but wanted to also go off road, so I gave myself two years to "get good" after two years I picked up a Tiger 1200, well had to relearn bikes all over again. That was a completely different beast but I still have it to this day. Super happy with it.

[@johntheaccountant5594]

I started riding motorbikes in Thailand at 50 years old. I worked my way up from a Honda Wave 125 in Bangkok city to a Honda CB300R that is considered a big bike in Thailand and in honesty well adequate to do everything. Now I ride a Honda CB650R that is a superbike in Thailand.

[@marsmott1]

I've been riding for almost 30 yrs and absolutely agree start with a smaller bike though I'd say they're more forgiving safety wise but tempermental operationally; great for treating your bigger bike better :-) Any of the trainings push you until you put your bike down and "how to fall"? Thats how I was trained and thankful for it. The "keeping up" reminds me of a time I almost got taken out almost 30 yrs ago by oncoming traffic, ahh the memories. Good video ;-) I've got to say the safety gear is one of my biggest draws to these vid's as most weren't readily available when I began my journey (except at the track). For the noobies; check your cables everytime out; only time down (non-training) was when my accelerator cable came dislodged during a turn on wet pavement and goosed (due to getting caught) coming out of it....

[@hunterbigelow9327]

In terms of CC for a starter bike, I feel like it depends on the size of the rider and style of bike, I've had my 05 Shadow 750 for a couple months now and that has felt like the perfect engine size for me at 6'1" and 250 pounds, I'd actually say it could use a 6 speed instead of a 5 speed for better highway cruising, not that I like being on the highway in a medium sized city anyhow lol. If I was going for a lighter sport bike, I feel that I'd go for a 550 or 600 for my size. In terms of comfort level, yeah it took a minute to get cozy with the bike since it had been 3 years since I got my endorsement at a MSF course and that was all I had, but I'm also a truck driver with a lot of miles under my belt in general and a lot of the awareness and defensive driving skills translate smoothly between tractor and bike. Just took my girlfriend out for a riding date this afternoon for the first time and the added person definitely made me start braking earlier and smoothly like a truck lmao. In terms of gear, I had a leather jacket and jeans for a week before I got my breathable gear in the mail, I tried jackets and pants at a powersports store but hated everything I wore, I'm a big guy riding in stop and go 45 mph traffic most of the time and was miserable lol, I have armor/padding, but lightweight mesh and minimal layers were a must for me to enjoy riding at all. I think it's fair to adjust the ruggedness of gear depending on riding purpose and weather. I commute only on nice days on my bike so weatherproof apparel felt awful and sticky and sweaty just trying it on. Don't know why I am sharing my experience but maybe a guy in my size range and who also hates summer heat like I do might find this helpful lol

[@truecrimetime007]

Best tip on video. New riders not riding w gear. Very true and very important. I was guilty of this as a newbie myself. Love it. "Id rather sweat then bleed".