r/NewRiders

I love riding my bike and I plan to ride more regularly like to work on the good days, but man, even when I go "practice" riding late at night and have even a single car coming from behind me, I'm always holding my breathe.

I've watched some youtube videos about riding in traffic and some things I've picked up are:

1. Always stay in gear (incase you need to ride away)
2. Pick a side of the lane and not stay dead center
3. Flash the rear brake light to grab the drivers attention until they come to a full stop
4. If there's a car behind you while coming up to a light, try to slow down much a bit earlier so you have space to accelerate away if needed

While these techniques work, I've also been thinking about:

1. Getting a brake light that strobes (not sure about legalities)

2. LEDs for my turn signal without doing a LED relay so my turn signals hyperflash

Any thoughts?

Picking up a used CB500F for a steal of deal tomorrow and kind of nervous about riding it home. I have only had cruiser style bikes that have mid or forward controls. Will I get the hang of shifting this much more rearward foot control after a couple minutes in the parking lot before heading home?

Hey everyone! I have been wanting a motorcycle for a long time and am gonna buy one next year most likely. However, I don’t have any experience with riding a motorized bike. I thought of the idea of buying maybe an e-bike or dirt bike, something motorized and cheaper.

I know it’s obviously not the same, but would it be a good way to practice? I figured getting used to balance and turning on something small like this could be beneficial for when I buy my bike. Any advice or opinions

Edit: thanks for the advice! I had no idea the MSF course would provide a bike and be the best way for me to start. I’m joining a course in October

Any tips and tricks for riding in the rain?

Is it something you should avoid if you know ahead a time that it’s gonna rain?

I’ve put 4-6 hours on my bike since I got it last week, I feel confident riding around country roads and normal roads but I’ve never driven a car other than a few lessons. The thought of heavy traffic roundabouts puts me off a lot. I’ve gone and done them late at night when there’s maybe 1-5 cars but haven’t done it yet in prime traffic do I just have to get it done? (My cbt was no help) I’ve learned everything myself and off YouTube basically

Hey guys need some advice buying my first bike.

So I found a 1981 yamaha XS in marketplace with only 20k odo. When I check it out in person, it is very clean, new tires, it looks like it installed last month or this month. Over all it is superb, it starts and run well, the price is ($2.5k).

Am I crazy considering buying it? Should I look for another bike?

I plan to ride my first motorcycle for a couple of years btw. Before I will buy a new one (need to save first). Also I plan to commute with it (6km total, everyday). I live in Canada so I can inly use it till November (maybe) and will park it to the underground garage.

Edit: thanks for the advice guys!

Hello everyone,

I am currently training for a Category A (unrestricted) motorcycle licence, and this is my first experience riding a motorcycle. My only previous experience on two wheels is riding a bicycle, although I have been driving cars for about 10 years.

Overall, I am doing fairly well in most parts of the practical test. My instructor says that I have good body position, good balance, and that I handle the slow-speed exercises and the slalom without major issues.

However, I am struggling almost exclusively with the two higher-speed exercises:

• Emergency Braking
• Obstacle Avoidance (swerve)

For both exercises, we must accelerate and cover a 40-meter distance in less than 5 seconds before performing the required maneuver.

My main problem is that I don't have a good sense of how fast I actually need to be going in order to pass the test. As a result, I usually end up in one of two situations.

Scenario 1:

I start too gently, take too long to shift gears, and by the time I realize I won't make the required time, I end up opening the throttle much more aggressively near the end of the run.

In this case, I usually finish in around 6 seconds. My instructor also gets worried because I sometimes keep accelerating even after passing the small cone that marks the point where you should stop accelerating, making it look like I won't stop in time.

Scenario 2:

I start more aggressively, but then I rush everything.

My shift into second gear becomes sloppy. Sometimes I leave a little throttle on while shifting, sometimes I don't press the gear lever firmly enough and accidentally hit neutral instead of second gear, and other times I continue holding the clutch slightly after shifting into second.

When these things happen, I see my instructor reacting strongly, I get even more confused, and sometimes I roll off the throttle or even touch the brakes when I shouldn't.

I have even tried doing the entire run in first gear only, just to remove the gear change from the equation, but even then my time is around 5.5 seconds, so clearly I am still doing something wrong.

What I usually do is:

• Apply a little throttle
• Gradually release the clutch
• Pull the clutch back in
• Shift into second gear
• Continue accelerating

Because the slow-speed exercises involve a lot of clutch control, I think I have become conditioned to reach for the clutch whenever the bike accelerates harder than I am comfortable with.

My instructor insists that the problem is not really technical, but that I am getting overwhelmed and trying to perform too many actions at once. He also says that during these exercises I tend to grip the handlebars too tightly, which causes accidental throttle inputs. Then I pull in the clutch because I feel like the bike is taking off faster than expected.

Personally, I don't feel particularly scared, but my instructor clearly sees something that I may not be noticing myself.

I still have two lessons before my test, so I would really appreciate advice from experienced riders or someone who has been in a similar situation and managed to overcome it. If anyone has dealt with a similar issue, I would love to hear how you handled it.

Is there a particular technique, mindset, or training approach that helped you consistently pass this type of acceleration test?

Thank you for your time and any advice you can offer.

Hey all. A couple months ago I posted about my terrible time taking my local msf course and how much it left me feeling defeated. I just wanted to give yall an update on everything. If you wanna read it here it is.

Since then my husband manged to get a used 2019 yamaha r3 and to get his license from the dmv. I also managed to get my learners permit. Hes been riding every chance he gets. He talked me into being his backpack and at first I was absolutely terrified but now Im getting a lot more comfortable feeling the speed and the wind. Hell just being backpack makes me really understand how leaning, counter steering and how the bikes moves in general.

Right now our msf course isn't running because its waaaaay too hot. But the other day my husband started wanted me to get comfortable actually riding again. Ill be honest, I was anxious. I thought I was gonna do terrible, drop the bike, fall, stall, do everything I did wrong in my msf course but i told myself that the worst had already happened and how bad could it be.

We went to a big opened parking lot around a bunch of unused warehouses so I had ample room. He started off walking me through the friction zone of the bike which was one of the bigger issues I had trouble with during the course and I honestly did great? I managed to get up to first gear idle speeds with my legs up on the pegs and it was fun and easy. I even managed to give it a little throttle and make it up to 10mph without feeling anxious or terrified like in my msf course.

That really gave a boost to my confidence. The r3 is a lot lighter than the sportster I used at the course. I think i really just needed a lot more time getting use to the friction zone than the msf course gave me, plus being in a much better headspace helped a lot. I plan to do more practicing throughout the summer, then go back yo do my msf course in the fall once it cools down and my risk of heat stroke/heat exhaustion is lower. I really feel like i can do this now and im so excited and ready to keep practicing.

Riding a 300 vespa. have put a fly screen on and now the wind noise in the helmet is horrendous. Have ridden with Apple EarPods which was great but are they safe.? I bought some Pinlock earplugs but they didnt really change much so thinking of getting rid of the screen or do I ride with the EarPods in. Does anyone listen to music through them when they ride?

How long does it take to feel comfortable and start having fun on your motorcycle.

For background I rode a Honda VFR 800 for a year back in 2022 and had to sell it. Now I have 2025 ZX6R and I've been getting back into riding over the past 5 months. I only have about 800 miles on the bike cause of weather where I live.

Don't misunderstand I do enjoy riding but as I have been getting back into the hobby it feels like im getting worse at riding and each ride feels more stressful. I do have fun moments but 70 percent of the time I just feel a little stressed after riding .Between my throttle hand going numb( and yes I don't have a death grip and I keep my weight off the handle bars),traffic, bumpy roads, noticing every mistake I make and trying to improve on those mistakes I just feel exhausted.

I guess what I more trying to ask is am I in some sort of weird adjustment period that everyone experiences cause I am kinda still a new rider or am I alone in this endeavor.

To end I appreciate everyone's input and thank you for your time in this matter.

PS the 30 percent of the time I feel like im having a blast is on empty back roads

2024 cb300r “very simple” apparently to any mechanic / tech. Anyways took it in for the 4k service with all oem parts for oil change, and my own preferred lube for them to use. They didn’t use my lube, said the drain plug and washer were wrong (they used the same parts last service no issue), used a different lube, slightly overfilled oil, and overinflated my rear tire by 6 psi and my front by 5 psi

Bro

I can do basic maintenance myself. I have the service manual now though and will learn how to do it all. I cannot trust this bs anymore 😭

I’m just in shock tbh

Howdy. Bought my first bike about 2 months ago, a honda Sahara 300 (brazilian adventure bike, same engine as CB300F). Ive put about 1000 Km (about 600 miles), been riding mostly in the city, but ive gone to a couple nearby towns (30 km), and some twisties with like 10 percent incline.

The thing is, im going to my hometown for a couple weeks, and i was thinking on going with the bike, its around 400km (250 miles) and done in a major highway (already ridden in highways before) mostly a straight line with some curves, but nothing that crazy compared to, say, the florida section of i95

Im thinking of leaving town around 10am (gotta do a couple things before)

The bikes cruises comfortably around 100-110 kmh (60-70 mph?

Im asking mostly cause a couple guys have told me the wind can be a little intimidating (wind in general when travelling, its not that is gonna be super windy or anything) cause im riding in the middle of an open plain (chilean central region, if you know) and also trailers will kinda "push me" when passing me. Even tough ive ridden highway, i havent been in a situation with that many trailers, only met a handful on the road, along with buses (like greyhound type) and so.

Checked the weather, not going to rain. Keep in mind its the middle of the winter here (chile) and ive got full gear.

So any tips, should i do it, should i get some experience before i plan to do this kinda trip, or what,

Thanks beforehand

Hi yall!

I have yet to get my first bike. I just got a quote from both Geico and Progressive. $350-600 a month!! This just doesn't seem right. I know insurance is a complicated algorithm, but this is crushing my dream. What insurance are you guys using?

Details:

I am a 31 year old female with 11 years (car) driving experience. No accidents, no tickets. I live in California and I am looking into a Ninja 500, but maybe I might have to change the bike I want due to this, I've seen quotes for $100k cars for less than this.

Suggestions on what to do would be helpful! Especially if you live in California too

Edit:
I did take my MSF course and I just got my M1 endorsement two days ago

Edit 2:

I just got quoted using a VIN for a 2017 Honda Rebel and it dropped to $60 a month. A 2023 Ninja 400, $250. Maybe it's a combo of sports bike + high theft area + new rider. My friend who lives 15 minutes from me pays $115 for his Triumph Daytona 650. Insurance is greeeat so not complicated 🙃

Edit 3:

Its the financing. I knew it would make a difference but not that much of a difference. The 2023 Ninja 400 went from 250 a month to 20. Thankfully I can buy it cash, I just didn't want to but now I will!

Need some advice from the bikers here.

I’m thinking about getting a motorbike. The catch? I’ve never ridden one before... and I’m embarrassingly bad at riding a bicycle. 😂

That said, I’m determined to learn.

Where do I even start? I briefly considered asking some random biker to take me for a ride so I can see if I even enjoy it, but that seems slightly unhinged, ‘cause said person could be unbelievably inexperienced and I'd rather not end up dead before I even get started. That would be extremely anticlimactic to say the least.

What’s the best way to get into riding? Riding schools? Beginner courses? Bike recommendations? Any tips for someone starting from absolute zero would be greatly appreciated.

I got a RE Shotgun 650 not long after my MSF course. I was definitely not used to a bike that heavy and dropped it the first two times I went out (luckily very slow drops with no real damage). I think I honestly just didn't get to practice and feel things out enough during the course, and the smaller bikes were more forgiving.

Since then I've taken it around my neighborhood and to an empty parking lot, probably about 6 times total. I started watching the Be the Boss of Your Motorcycle channel, and it REALLY helped me become more comfortable on a bit of a larger bike (compared to the MSF course bikes, at least). I've put a lot of time into practicing just the first two exercises with smooth starts and stops, and I'm at the point where I typically only put one foot down at a light, very gently. Being able to do this seriously made me feel so much more in control around traffic.

Additionally, my husband has a lot more experience and rides to work almost every day. So today we decided to go on a ride together on the route I would need to take to work. Just having someone more experienced there and knowing he'd be able to help me if anything happened gave me the confidence I needed to head out of the neighborhood and onto real roads. We ended up riding around for about 2 hours, and it's exactly what I needed to feel okay about commuting to work. I thought it would take much longer for me to get to this point, but everything really started clicking today.

I don't know if these types of resources are helpful for other new riders, but watching those videos and having a riding buddy were exactly what I needed to get out there and push past the fear! Happy riding!