road test. I have been learning on a Honda 125 and Honda 150. They are from Peru or something. I want a DR650 or KLR650 or KTM 640 Adventure or most of all a F650GS Dakar. That is from lowest to highest cost. I think ABS would be really valuable to me in the beginning.
WORD?

Nice work! Good luck finishing up.

As for ABS, it actually ads a whole new experience to riding. You are probably better off without ABS at first, but if you find the bike you want and it has it, I would go for it.

When I got my K100RS it had ABS, so I was forced into it. It's okay, I have hit it twice, kind of a freaky feeling to be honest.

Being a new rider, not having it will help you brake better and know how to handle emergency braking. With ABS, since it kicks in when you would usually lock up you may become dependent on it. Not to mention the stopping distance may be greater.

Once you do get a bike, find a nice open parking lot and work on tight turns and hard braking. No parking lot is going to mimic the real world, but it will get you familiar with the bike and how it handles.

I might even recommend just getting a little nighthawk or something for the first 6mos to a year of riding. Get something you wont be heartbroken about if you dump it a few times. It's not a matter of if, but when.

Plus, a bike like that you would be able to get your money back out of it after a year if you don't kill it. Then you will have that money and any other saved money to go towards the bike you really want.

Whew, okay, sorry for the long post, just my opinion on things. Say, aren't you supposed to be working on your car right now?

brake sliding is a very effective tool in the dirt....all nice bikes, and all very tall bikes, hope you are a big guy!
Get a DRZ 450...a little easier to handle!

Read and memorize the Hurt study. Link a few posts down.

Try to sit on, and if possible ride, each bike. Find the mailing list/forum for each bike and join.


Ride your own ride, every day, all the time. Anyone who makes fun of you for not being able to keep up/wheelie/stoppie/jump is an asshat. Find someone else to ride with.

Unless you are sure which day you will crash, always wear your gear. Remember, you don't dress to ride, you dress to crash.

<b>Motorcycle Skills Course (Part 1)</b>
Develop riding skills &amp; control techniques needed for braking, cornering, turning &amp; collision avoidance in the real world. With our friendly &amp; knowledgeable instructors, improve your confidence &amp; comfort as they focus on high quality training and pay attention to detail. Low student / instructor ratio provides you a better learning environment - max. 5 students per instructor during practical training. MSC includes: motorcycle &amp; traffic safety issues &amp; challenges / traffic rules &amp; regulations / defensive riding tactics, effective steering / basic balance &amp; braking / higher speed steering / emergency techniques / street &amp; highway riding strategies / ICBC motorcycle skills test. (Part 1) MSC alone $495 +gst/ Package Pricing for MSC (Part 1)+TSC (Part 2) available, please inquire. Also ask about our group pricing.

Non Member Fee
$495+gst

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A 3 hr. evening theory course shall precede the Motorcycle Skills Course. Please bring: Valid BC Motorcycle Learner's permit / student must bring their own: jacket &amp; pants (leather or denim) / boots that cover ankles / gloves that cover wrists.

Length:
24 hours

Course Materials:
Includes use of motorcycle and helmet

<b>Motorcycle Traffic Skills Course (Part 2)</b>
In addition to the Motorcycle Skills Course, this Traffic Skills Course provides in-traffic training: in-traffic skills for motorcycles &amp; practical training / includes demonstration coached riding &amp; practice (max. 4 students per instructor) / on-facility ICBC Road Tests may be arranged

Non Member Fee
$345+gst

Prerequisites:
successful completion of MSC and ICBC Skills Test/ Please bring: Valid BC Motorcycle Learner's permit / student must bring their own: jacket &amp; pants (leather or denim) / boots that cover ankles / gloves that cover wrists.

Length:
2 days

The rest stands as advice.


Motorcycle are *incredibly* unforgiving of stupid.