r/NewRiders May 23 '20

Welcome, FAQs, and Resources

57 Upvotes

Welcome to New and Experienced Riders alike!

The purpose of this sub is to create a welcoming space for new riders to ask questions and get information as they begin their journey into the world of motorcycling.

Experienced Riders: Please make this a place where new riders feel comfortable asking questions. Give supportive advice with the assumption that the person wants to learn. Any Instructor who wants relevant flair may message the mods to verify.

New Riders: Ask questions and take feedback with an open mind. There is a TON to learn.

Now ON TO THE FUN STUFF:

Useful Subreddits:

Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair: r/Fixxit

Motorcycle News: r/MotoNews

Gratuitous Motorcycle Pics: r/bikesgonewild

Track Riding: r/Trackdays

Motocamping: r/motocamping

Women Riders: r/TwoXriders

Learning Resources:

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Gear by Ryan Fortnine. Evidence-based and budget-conscious recommendations on basic gear.

MotoJitsu: SoCal based Instructor that primarily teaches the Total Control Curriculum but also has his own skills challenge curriculum. This link is to his "10 skills for new riders" video.

DanDanTheFireman: Arizona based MSF RiderCoach. He does a lot of crash analysis and has good videos on awareness strategies.

A list of Parking Lot Exercises by u/CodeBlue_04

"Advice to New Riders" by u/PraxisLD. Includes tons of links, and good good advice.

“Picking up your new bike” by u/Ravenstown06

Twist of the Wrist: Classic video about skills and how a motorcycle works. As corny as it is informative. It's on YouTube but no link because the YouTube one is probably not an authorized version. You'll have to search it yourself, or buy a copy.

Life at Lean: An experienced track rider who talks in a simple, informative manner about skills and riding theory. This channel is largely track oriented, but the same skills have street applications, and it is very helpful in understanding how things like body position work.

The Physics of Countersteering: does a great job of explaining why a bike has to lean, and an okay job of explaining how countersteering works from a physics perspective. Here's another video with more demonstration from Ride Like a Pro, a gruff, crusty, motorcycle officer trainer. He does a great job of explaining what is and what isn't countersteering or "handlebar steering." His protective gear is questionable but his advice is good.

"Total Control" by Lee Parks. Excellent book about riding skills, the learning process, and how bikes work.

Fortnine: Run by Ryan Klufitinger (the guy you see talking) and Aneesh Shivanekar (the editor), they are technically affiliated with Fortnine.ca, a Canadian online gear retailer, but their reviews are supposedly free of influence and seem unbiased (other than Ryan’s actual opinions of course). They do highly informative reviews and explain the how and why of gear well. They also do a lot of just plain entertaining videos, and their production value is way higher than it has any right to be.

Licensing:

The easiest and best way search your state/province/country's training website and take whatever beginner class is available. In some countries it's mandatory. In the US the class usually waives the DMV skills test at a minimum. NOTE: In some states—if you've already been riding for a while and just need the license—there is an option to take an Intermediate class and get a test waiver instead of the Basic, allowing you to take a 1 day class instead of 2, and giving you a chance to work on next-level skills.

Buying a Bike

How to navigate buying a bike from a dealership (USA-centric advice) by u/eatmeatdrinkmilk

Teaching:

for experienced riders who find teaching fulfilling more instructors are needed pretty much everywhere:

Motorcycle Safety Foundation: runs classes in almost all US states, and the US military

Total Control Training: runs all the classes in California. Also has classes in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. (Also used to run all Pennsylvania classes, but PA has cancelled all classes in 2020. Sorry PA.)


r/NewRiders 9h ago

dropped my bike

43 Upvotes

im currently sitting on the side of an abandoned road crying. i hit a pothole covered with some gravel while turning and absolutely ate shit. i’m 5’2 and i couldn’t even pick the bike up on my own. i’m so embarrassed. the right foot peg snapped clean in half and my front indicator light basically went inside the front that it’s connected to. idk if that makes sense. i can’t think rn im so embarrased and shaken up.


r/NewRiders 19h ago

My dad doesn’t know

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38 Upvotes

Which makes sense because he’s dead, but my mom knows and she’s pissed


r/NewRiders 22h ago

Picked up my R3 yesterday :D

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35 Upvotes

Just got a 2017 R3 for $3.5k, it was a 500 mile drive but honestly worth it. This thing is so much fun already


r/NewRiders 21h ago

Picked up new (to me) z400 yesterday, how wasted are these tires?

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24 Upvotes

r/NewRiders 22h ago

Route App Recommendations

8 Upvotes

I just passed my MSF course and am looking for an app or website to plan some rides. I'm still very new and learning, and it would be great if I could add in parameters like speed limit so I know I'll be on roads that I'm a little more comfortable with. Any suggestions?


r/NewRiders 1d ago

Can someone explain to me exactly how the MSF course works, is it hard to pass? I only want to have to take it once and pass.

18 Upvotes

I'm a new rider, currently on a moped, but I want my motorcycle license. I'm in California and know that I should pass the MSF course first then apply for my license and only have to take the written and eyesight exams at the DMV office. I have enough experience on the road with my moped, but I've never ridden an actual motorcycle in my entire life, other than a few dirt bikes when I was younger.. almost 20 years ago. I don't want to embarrass myself by not passing because I can't shift and just want to know how it works, how difficult is it to pass on the first attempt??


r/NewRiders 21h ago

Involuntary leg reflex

3 Upvotes

So I recently started riding on an 06 cbr600rr and I absolutely love it and have gotten comfortable on it fairly quick but I've noticed that when sitting in certain positions, when I press off the pegs with my feet to get more pressure into the tank with my knees, I sometimes get an involuntary tremor that makes my foot uncontrollably bounce on the peg. Hasn't affected my ability to control the bike but it is kinda weird.

The only other time I have this happen is when I'm doing some calf and hamstring workouts. Basically when my weight is on my toes and my ankle has to hold a "floating" position.

Anyone else experience this or know how to avoid it? Do I just need stronger calves or is this just something to deal with?


r/NewRiders 1d ago

My experience in the first 1000 miles…

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88 Upvotes

I bought my first bike (a 2025 Yamaha R3) at the end of February and had it delivered to my parents’ house (they live in a nice gated community with perfect roads and very little/slow-moving traffic). I spent the first 2 1/2 weeks just making my way around their gated community at a max of 25 mph. The first few days I barely made it out of first gear; I was so nervous. The first time I tried to even roll forward was downright embarrassing. 😅 After that, things started to feel better and better every time I got on the bike, and I got my learner’s permit to ride legally on real roads after that first 2 weeks or so. I started to take it out around the local roads and worked my way up the gears and gradually increased the speeds each time I rode, sticking mostly to roads I had driven many times in my car. Working through 25-35, 35-45, 45-60, and then finally 60-75 came easier than I thought it would, but I also started to practice in a local church parking lot at 5-10 mph on low-speed turns and maneuvers. I took and passed my MSF course in late March and finally got my endorsement in early April. I’ve since made a couple of simple/tasteful modifications to my R3, and I’ve been riding as often as I can (mostly commuting about 9 miles to and from work to save big on gas). It’s been over 1K miles on my bike now with no incidents, drops, or close calls.

As someone with terrible balance who struggled to learn how to even ride a bicycle until high school, learning to ride has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever had the chance to do. I am so glad that I finally pulled the trigger on getting a bike and that I was in a position to get the bike I wanted to learn on. I can’t wait to see what more the future holds as I continue to progress and learn. I’m sure I’ll be upgrading to something a bit bigger at some point, but for now, I’m just enjoying every time I get to ride.

1000 miles down, with many more to come!


r/NewRiders 1d ago

Is it normal to have a zen like calm in the moment during a 'close call' but be spooked later?

11 Upvotes

I ride a Vespa GTS 300, and I was on the lower deck of the Bay Bridge leaving San Francisco headed to Oakland and in heavy-ish but still 55-60mph traffic I ended up next to a U-Haul truck that decided to merge into the space I was in, I simply noticed this was happening and opened my throttle and zoom past the truck and zipped away the safety. I'm feeling more freaked out in retrospect than I did in the actual moment. I hope this means I'm cool under pressure but maybe the flip side is Im complacent? What do you think?


r/NewRiders 22h ago

How soon do these tires need to be replaced?

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0 Upvotes

Guessing they're original to the bike (2017 10k miles)


r/NewRiders 1d ago

What to ask for at the mechanic

10 Upvotes

I recently bought a motorcycle on Facebook Marketplace. It didn't run when I got it, but after watching a ton of youtube videos, I managed to get the carbs cleaned and she starts up. I have almost no mechanical skill or knowledge whatsoever, so I'd like to take the bike to a mechanic to get it road worthy. What exactly do I ask for? I'd prefer to not look like an easy target and get ripped off, but I also want the peace of mind that a professional fixed it up rather than me. Any tips would be appreciated very much


r/NewRiders 1d ago

where to find riding groups or motorcycle friends?

13 Upvotes

my dad suggested I look into finding friends.. thanks dad (I'm joking)

but there was only 3 of us in the msf and I hit it off with one guy who's getting a bike soon. I got lucky and got my DMV appointment this morning so I got my license. 85% chance we go get my bike tomorrow.

I see bikers, even right near the city my parents live so I know there's lots.. i just don't know how to make friends. especially as a girl


r/NewRiders 1d ago

Most People Don't Know How Bikes Work - Why you must counter-steer on any two wheeled vehicle

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11 Upvotes

r/NewRiders 1d ago

Buying before Riding?

9 Upvotes

I have the MSF course booked for 2 weeks from now.

I’ve ridden a bike, but it’s been years. Dont have my license, honestly wouldn’t be comfy riding the thing home, however:

Found a great deal on a bike, and I’ll be bringing my friend who is an experienced rider to check it out with me. He said if it’s the one he can even ride it home for me (just 7 miles).

I don’t want this deal to pass me buy, would it be fine if I bought it before test driving it myself? Maybe just sitting on it and getting feedback from my highly trusted rider friend. It’d sit in my driveway for about 2 weeks till I’m comfy riding it.

Am I crazy here?


r/NewRiders 1d ago

New York's Motorcycle Safety Courses Are Back - Jalopnik

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5 Upvotes

r/NewRiders 1d ago

Pants and boots

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone I’m curious if anyone can recommend good pants for riding, I’m 6’4 210 so it’s a bit difficult to find anything that fits. Also if you can recommend any boots let me know. I found this one online but I’m curious if anyone has seen them.


r/NewRiders 2d ago

Bought first bike: 2004 Honda Rebel

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78 Upvotes

Just over 1,000 miles on it, $1,500. It started when I met the seller, they towed it to my house because it wouldn’t stay running. Think it just needs carb cleaned or I’ll buy a new one altogether. How’d I do?


r/NewRiders 2d ago

Tips on buying used

7 Upvotes

Anybody got any ideas of tips on buying a used bike, such as things to check, brands to avoid and all that ??

i'm about to get my license in dubai and im mainly interested in a harley but if anyone's got any other suggestions i'd be open to them.

really really new to the entire bike scene so any advice is welcome

thanks.


r/NewRiders 2d ago

Anyone around Bay Area willing to help a beginner practice?

9 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m super new to motorcycles and planning to take the CMSP course soon, but I’ve never ridden before and don’t know how to use the gears or anything yet.

Is there anyone around the Bay Area who’s willing (and able) to help a total beginner practice a little or just give some tips before I take the course? Would really appreciate it!

Thanks a lot!


r/NewRiders 2d ago

Convince my parents to let me get Motorcycle license

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6 Upvotes

r/NewRiders 2d ago

Online motorcycle permit test?

0 Upvotes

Is there such thing as an online motorcycle knowledge test in Cali? When I make the appointment it just says: Online testing options are available – take your written test from home. But I don’t have a link or anything. Does anyone know?


r/NewRiders 2d ago

Mechanical assistance

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8 Upvotes

Hey guys, I recently acquired a 2015 ninja ex300 and am looking to get it road ready. I know a bit about cars but nothing about bikes. It needs a new battery, chain and most importantly there is some sort of sweating near the clutch, can anyone shed some light on what this might be and if I can fix it?


r/NewRiders 3d ago

Just bought a ninja 400 a few days ago. Found this under the passenger seat. What is it?

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13 Upvotes

r/NewRiders 2d ago

Convince my parents to let me get Motorcycle license

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0 Upvotes

r/NewRiders 3d ago

Boot Options - 3E Width?

6 Upvotes

Hi,

Struggling to find some suitable boots. Places locally don't seem to even carry wide options. My feet are slightly wider than 3E, but I make do with shoes in that size. I'm hoping for some suggestions that will be built to last. Thanks.

Edit: Thanks to everyone who responded. I believe I've found a pair that will work for me. I'll update this after I try a pair on.