Anybody willing to teach a complete novice with a new bike in Manhattan?

[corpthug]

Hey there,

First I'd like to say hello to all of you.  I've been reading these forums quite a bit lately and received a ton of knowledge (well as much as someone who doesn't know anything about bikes can soak in) from everyone who contributes.  I just picked up an 06 S2R DARK (all stock)  with the help of a friend who's trying to teach me how to ride.  Thing is he lives in Jersey and it's harder for him to make it out to manhattan (murray hill area) where the bike and I reside.

Now I got a few problems with trying to learn how to ride, the biggest one being in the city.  But I think i found a decent place (empty streets looping on the east side) that I can at least learn how to go and stop.  My buddy is planning on coming in on Sat/Sun to teach me but being the impatient kid I am, I was wondering if anyone was interested in teaching me (the basics of riding) any time during the week (either early mornings, talking 7am, or later at night 9pm onward-ish) or wknds.  I'd be able to pay an hourly fee of some sorts (no idea how much these things go for but we can discuss) and would probably only need a few hrs of practice before I can head to the streets.  So, if anybody is interested, please let me know!

If not, I'll prob learn from my buddy in the coming weeks and see you on the streets!

[CDawg]

Corpthug,

Have you taken Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Begining Riders Course?  If you have not, then you should.  If you have taken it and have the "M" license endorsement with proper gear and all the necessary paperwork (insurance, registration, inspection) I would be happy to spend an hour with you in the parking lot.
http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx


Here's the direct link to a location in the Bronx.  You can take the subway to get there and back:
http://www.ridemss.com/?page=22&ctype=2

Here's their private lesson link:
http://www.ridemss.com/?page=22&ctype=1

BTW, I have not financial interest in MSF or MSS.

[jmoses]

MSF. MSF. MSF. Cant recommend it enough.

You shouldnt be learning how to operate a bike in the streets of Manhattan. It can be done, but your adding a lot of distractions to whats most likely an already challenging environment. There is also Ferrari driving school. They have a location in Queens not too far over the 59th Street bridge. For 60 dollars they give you an hour lesson and a bike to learn on. So when/if you drop it, you dont mess up your beautiful S2R. You got a really nice bike as your first, I'd learn how to ride the proper way before you get on the monster and build up your skills.

Good luck,

JM

[tommys67]

I took my MSF class in October of 2006, bought the bike in January of 2007, and made the mistake of learning on NYC streets.

First of all, most motorcycle accidents involve people with no formal training - ie, their friends taught them.

Secondly, even AFTER finishing a MSF class, my instructor put it best "you are now qualified to ride in a big parking lot."

Third, NYC SUCKS to have a bike.  Trust me, trust anyone here who lives in the 5 boroughs.

I don't mean to be harsh, but your plan is not a good one.

I can speak for the whole board when I say we want to see you out and about enjoying your new passion.  Many of us would even like to ride with you when you've come up the learning curve a bit.

Do the right thing, please!!!!

[GLantern]

Do the right thing, please!!!!

+1 for the MSF if you have no experience or training the streets are not the place to start

[corpthug]

Hey guys,  thanks for the (immediate!!) input.  You know when you get yourself into something that you know might not be the smartest thing but you do it anyways cuz you want it so much??  Well that's how I got my bike and why it's parked in the city  .  I realize I made a few "hasty" (read: dumb) decisions by getting the bike without MSF or proper practice but what can I say other than I'm a dolt.  BUTTT, I still want to start learning asap.  I registered for MSF a few wks ago but the wait was so long I don't start until Sept.  That riding school in Queens sounds like a good idea before MSF.  One of the main reasons I've been hoping I can learn in the city is that my working hrs suck and I usually have to go into the office on wknds.  I guess I was just trying to find the easy way out of being a complete riding noobie.

Again, thanks for the helpful advice.  I expect to be around here quite often (shirking at work is fun! ha) so I'll see you guys around.

As for riding, I gotta go back to the chalk board and think of some rational ways I can get up the curve.  But sometimes knowing your brand new bike, helmet, and jacket are waiting to be used can be a bit of a bummer  

[Pakhan]

Hey corpthug, welcome to MCs and the board. 

There are a few ways to learn, some better than others.  Most people will tell you to take the MSF because it is a good introduction, from what I have heard.  Learning on your own can work too, My only suggestion is do it in an empty parking lot.  It will minimize any damage to yourself, your bike, and other liabilities.  If you can't find a parking lot be careful on those streets.  If you can't maneuver quickly if someone/ something pops out of nowhere it can end unpleasant.

You can go for pointers in the "Riding Tech" section: CLICK ME
You can also read "Total Control", great book: CLICK ME
http://www.ridemss.com/

Another thing to consider is parking your bike.  If you don't park in a garage you might want to consider it.  Manhattan is the capital of knocked over bikes amongst other little unpleasantries.  Sorry I can't help with 1 on 1, too many things I have on my plate.

Good luck  [moto]

PS rubber side down.

[Airborne]

Try just showing up to one of the MSF courses and getting in as a walk on. Idk if it works the same in NY as NJ but I recommended that method to a co worker of mine who has a son who just got a bike. MSF was backed up until september, kid showed up early twice, his second trip there were some empty spots and he got in. The msf instructor told him the way they book is funny and theres usually a space or two. I took it in the dead of summer and there were two empty spots no one claimed in my class  . just fyi... try it out if you've got the time.

[GLantern]

You can also read "Total Control", great book: CLICK ME
http://www.ridemss.com/

I full endorse total control also i still read it when i have some free time to just go through the techniques and motions in my mind.  The drills in the book are great tools to help improve your skills too and they all can be done in a parking lot!

[EvilSteve]

MSF BRC

I'd be happy to help but you really need to be riding somewhere that's controlled.

[Kroe]

A big fat +1 to what everyone has said here already. I understand your enthusiasm, believe me it's shared by all here, but you said it yourself, hasty decision. I cut my teeth riding in NYC and the only way I can describe it is complete sensory overload with the highest of consequenses if something goes wrong. Once you're riding you'll know what I mean. Most will agree that even with several years of experience you can never be 100% prepared for what you face on these streets. An an example, my buddy got hit 2 weeks ago on his 749 in Williamsburg, a 10 minute ride from where he lives. He's owned several bikes and learned/has ridden in NYC for 6+ years. 7k+ worth of damage & an afternoon in the ER for an incident that happened under 25mph.

OK, enough negative bs from me. My $.02: You may want to try choosing an MSF location in upstate NY; they may have more availablity. 

Be safe man....

[Howie]

One more for the MSF recommendation.  Standby on a rainy day can speed things up for you.

[mookieo2]

+1 again for MSF. I started riding last year. I rode for  a month or two while I was waiting to take the class. After the class I felt so much better. I really learned a lot of things that I didn`t know. It helps to learn the right way early before you pick up bad habits and have to break them. I see so many people riding that just look like they never learned properly. Like the squids in timberlands riding w/ there heals on the edge of the pegs and toes hanging way out to the side like a duck. Don`t be a squid and learn the right way. I could go for a ride during the week but after 8:00 AM. Once you get some experience, get out on a ride w/ some DMF people and that is how you will really improve your skills. There are so many good people here. Everyone is pretty helpful.

[He Man]

If you really wanna do MSF that badly, (do you own a car?) you could always go to another location thats less packed ie, across states. Again, learning in NYC, is probably the toughest thing ever. I always tell people, after a few months of riding in NYC, you can ride anywhere. Doenst mean youll never get into an accident, but you would of been in so many "couldda been" situations that you will automatically recognize dangerous situations that non Nyc riders would never notice. Thats how much effort you have to put in to the ride in nyc. Crazy drivers, crazy people, crazy TAXIs, hell, ive been cut of by cops before. its not a nice place to ride and you really shouldnt do it unless you have no other way to get around.

[corpthug]

Thanks for all the responses, guys.  As an update, on Friday I actually did start learning on a quiet street on 36th between 1st and 2nd for those who might know where that is (right next to the midtown tunnel entrance).  Just started off with getting used to the clutch and going forward and braking.  Just went back and forth on that small street the first night. 

Second lesson on Sunday morning I felt pretty comfortable feeling where the clutch releases (didn't stall anymore) and continued some back and forths on that small street.  With the encouragement from the buddy that's teaching me, I decided to take the bike to the street just to take a lap or two around the neighborhood.  With my friend following behind me in his car, I ended up riding about 10 blocks up and 10 blocks down - on 2nd and 3rd aves, starting to get used to stop and go and also getting into 2nd gear and back down.  Gotta tell you, I got a huge rush from it all, prob went 40mph max.  After that I decided to call it a day, just to prevent myself from getting too confident.

So that's my first wknd on the bike.  I realize some (all?) of you may think I'm a huge liability to the streets and how I'm learning is dumb.  For whatever it's worth I feel comfortable with controlling the bike and myself for now.  Of course I lack the experience and will be much more vulnerable to unexpected events, but hopefully I'll be fortunate enough to get to a sufficient level of experience before I actually run into something like that.  I plan on going out to Jersey next wknd so I can learn on some more open roads and practice technique in a parking lot.  I can tell already that becoming an "experienced" rider will take a lot of time and effort. 

As I had my first experience on the streets I really realize how vulnerable riders are on the road.  Just the thought that a split second of misjudgement can cause a crash really hit home, especially as I know cabbies do some really wacky driving.  I think that's aiding the learning process in a sense that you're forced to be 100% alert at all times.

I know I didn't follow much of the advice given here but I definitely appreciate all the informative advice this board has to offer.  I'm actually very much surprised how nice and helpful you guys are.  If you ever see an S2R dark and black sport 1000 riding together, it's probably me and my friend, so feel free to say hi 

p.s.  If you have any constructive advice, no matter how harsh it may be, please feel free to let me have it.  I'm a big boy, I can take it