| When you first think about riding a motorcycle, | | | | forward as you move your feet from the ground to |
| something triggers that interest. For some people this | | | | the pegs to get a feel of the bike under some type of |
| interest prompts words like exciting, thrilling, freedom, | | | | power. Maybe partner power is not much but it does |
| powerful machines and similar words. Riders generally | | | | move you and provides a first feel of movement on a |
| find, soon after riding their bike that these words might | | | | motorcycle that you do not provide. You will do this for |
| have triggered an interest but they do no justice in | | | | a while. |
| describing the experience. | | | | These motorcycle choices provide insight into what |
| Throw you leg across the bike and settle into the | | | | many training organizations find workable for most |
| saddle. Touch the starter and feel the throb of the | | | | new riders. While motorcycle size and weight might be |
| engine fire up in response to slight throttle adjustments. | | | | your first concerns of this choice, the reality is the seat |
| At that moment, you start to notice the first reality of | | | | height is more important. If your motorcycle seat does |
| riding your motorcycle. All the words mentioned above | | | | not provide a comfortable reach to the ground, you will |
| roll up onto a small bundle as you begin to experience, | | | | find learning more difficult. |
| to see this exciting adventure. | | | | Experience riders slid to one side or the other to |
| Before we get to the streets, let us back up for a | | | | extend their inseam reach. While that works it is not |
| minute. Often people ask What Size Bike Should I Get, | | | | something a new rider should have to handle. It also |
| the correct size, style, type of motorcycle they as a | | | | can create some problems if you slide to a side, |
| new rider should buy. The answer is a varied as the | | | | extend your leg onto level ground and it actually is a |
| people asking the question. There are some guidelines | | | | recessed hole. You will find the bike leaning at an angle |
| but your choice should come from a person, a dealer | | | | beyond your ability to recover. The only choice is to |
| who can look at your physical size, weight, age to help | | | | lay it down and using lifting techniques, maybe help |
| you make the choice. It is a personal decision as much | | | | from others place it back on its wheels. |
| as anything in your life. | | | | For most people finding a motorcycle they like |
| If you elect to obtain training from an organization | | | | combines appearance, size, weight, and lastly seat |
| dedicated to training new riders you will often find they | | | | height. The sequence of choice should start with seat |
| provide small motorcycles, light in weight, low seat | | | | height to find a bike that feels good when you sit in the |
| heights so newbie's are more comfortable. We want | | | | saddle. While size and weight do matter, starting with a |
| something that is not frightening when we start to ride, | | | | good foundation for your ride is a key concern. |
| something we feel we can control. The small size bike | | | | Weight and size can be a concern on long rides as |
| helps reach that comfort level. | | | | moving the heavier bikes can be tiring however once |
| You will also find one of the first things you do is | | | | you are riding all bikes feel lighter. Few people can hold |
| "paddle walk" the bike. You sit in the seat and move | | | | up a bike regardless of the weight if it gets tilted over |
| by walking the bike forward, backward just to see | | | | 10 degrees from center while standing still. If sliding to |
| how it feels. Seat height is important to allow your feet | | | | the side of the seat is necessary to reach the ground |
| comfortably to reach the ground. | | | | this problem compounds. |
| Next, your training partner will get behind you; push you | | | | |