Questions to ask people who are buying a motorcycle

[psychochild]

So around here ive been suddenly labled as the motorcycle person, as im sure many of us have.  so Im constantly getting questions for which kind of bikes for new riders to buy, or experianced riders to upgrade to etc.  Im always happy to get new people into riding so Im working on a list of about 10 or so questions that can help people decide what bikes suit them best.

1 riding experiance
2 money to spend
3 height leg length etc.
4 riding style, sporty, touring, cruising etc.

anyone got some stuff to add when recomending motorcycles to others?

[madmax178]

So around here ive been suddenly labled as the motorcycle person, as im sure many of us have.  so Im constantly getting questions for which kind of bikes for new riders to buy, or experianced riders to upgrade to etc.  Im always happy to get new people into riding so Im working on a list of about 10 or so questions that can help people decide what bikes suit them best.


4 riding style, sporty, touring, cruising etc.

anyone got some stuff to add when recomending motorcycles to others?

Are you going to be riding two up? and how much maintenance do you want to do?

[Capt baz]

rule # 1: become a motorcyclist not a biker. one particular brand almost makes this impossible.

[ODrides]

Take the safety course!
Buy somthing used and cheap, so when you drop it you won't cry.

[ducatiz]

#1 When I say "footwear" do you think of a) sneakers b) sandals c) riding boots or d) huh?

#2. At what speed will a human hand need a skin graft when the palm is scraped across pavement?  a) 50mph b) 30 mph c) 15 mph d) 5 mph    (answer is d)

[psychochild]

#2. At what speed will a human hand need a skin graft when the palm is scraped across pavement?  a) 50mph b) 30 mph c) 15 mph d) 5 mph    (answer is d)

yeah thats exacly what I want to ask people who are looking to buy their first bike    When purchasing a set of cooking knives do you ask someone how they want to be butchered?

[Sinister]

I agree with ODRides and ducatizzz.  I always promote the MSF and buying gear.  Buy gear before you get the bike, that way people don't spend too much on a bike and use the excuse that they don't have money left over for gear.

[ducatiz]

yeah thats exacly what I want to ask people who are looking to buy their first bike    When purchasing a set of cooking knives do you ask someone how they want to be butchered?

I am sorry if you misunderstood. 

the point is to convince people that it is mandatory to wear proper riding gear.

wearing a $30 pair of riding gloves will save you from a trip to a hospital if you have a 5 mph lowside in a parking lot.  plenty of people have discovered this the hard way.

[mcgalinmd]

+1 on the MSF class, and here's why:

you might not like it (I see a lot of this)
you are not able to coordinate clutch and throttle and brakes
you might be afraid of the feeling of nothing around you
you can't balance (many come to class not even have been on a pedal bike; imagine trying to drive and learn to balance at the same time!)
you can't stop correctly
you are scared @#$&*&$#.  period.
you have no experience on a motorcycle at all (some come to us never having sat on a bike)
your husband, wife, or signifigant other want you to do it. (and you're not sure or don't want to)
your idea of proper gear is a beanie helmet and shorts.  Maybe flip flops and a tank top?
you've NEVER driven a vehicle with a clutch
you are considering at some time riding your children on your bike
you think you are a good rider already since you rode a dirt bike 15 years ago

I could go on and on....you'd be amazed what we see on the parking lot, even from so called "experienced" riders.  Can't tell you how many of these "experienced" riders have failed miserably.

Soooo, my vote for the list is: take the MSF class.

[psychochild]

I do see what your saying d-zzzz, about getting the proper gear,  Id definitely push the MSF class on anyone getting their license.  I sortof discus these things with everyone, beginners and experienced riders etc.  what im trying to do here though is figure out more specifically the type of motorcycle to fit someone,  down to mechanics and physics,  I think the mental aspect and attitude are something that should be emphasized but its really the bike area that im trying to dissect in this area.

[DoubleEagle]

I ask why do you want to ride a motorcycle. ?  Also how do you see yourself as a rider in 3 months, in 6 months. Are you planning on riding with other riders or by yourself. I try to get inside someone's head and find out their expectations and what they plan to do with their bike .

[FatguyRacer]

I ususally tell people to buy a helmet and take the MSF first before they buy a bike.  I didnt do it that way, as I was pretty much self taught and licensed before I took the MSF. But I dont tell people that. It's really not the right way to do it.

[bigiain]

anyone got some stuff to add when recomending motorcycles to others?

I always recommend people keep in mind that their first bike isn't doesn't need to be their _only bike ever_ - you can start out on a cruiser and end up on a sportsbike or a supermoto. Don't cause yourself _too_ much angst choosing your first ride...

big

[Doctor Woodrow]

+1 on the MSF class, and here's why:

you've NEVER driven a vehicle with a clutch

Soooo, my vote for the list is: take the MSF class.

I took the MSF class at 16, two days after I got my drivers license, having never driven a clutch (ANY clutch) before. The class was Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. I knew how a clutch worked, but had never actually operated one. The instructors didn't believe me when I told them I had never ridden before; until Sunday when I finally killed it . . . four times in a row.

I guess I just have good balance and am incredibly good at how mechanical things work.

The Doc

[SKOM]

I guess I just have good balance and am incredibly good at how mechanical things work.

And incredibly modest 

+1 on the msf.