Motorcycle learner tips

[DROQUE215]

Good day ma'am. do you think if you're good in driving a car would it be easier for you to drive a motorcycle? I am planning to buy a motorcycle.Thank you and more power.

[Drino1969]

@DROQUE215 Hello! If you're driving a manual car (and change gears using a clutch and gearstick), you'll have a great foundation for changing gears on a motorcycle. But motorcycles are a lot different to driving a car. There are so many more skills needed - and you're a lot more vulnerable. I really recommend doing a 3-day safety course which will immediately give you the skills you need to ride safely and confidently. Good luck - it's an exciting journey!

[2wheelsteve]

Did you belch at 2.47 ??? :))), informative video well done

[Drino1969]

@2wheelsteve - LOL no, it was something going on with the mic - it happens again a little later on but quieter. But I have been known to produce some very impressive burps.... :-)

[styXv3ngeance]

Aussie in the USA ??

[Drino1969]

@styXv3ngeance Yep - you pegged me. :-) Been in the USA since 1998, so I've got some Yankee in my Aussie accent.

[rockon6191]

Hello, I'm looking into buying my first street bike. I know it's best to start with something smaller, but I've been riding a 250cc dirtbike in brutal course, off road, and woods conditions for years, and recently took a 250cc honda CBR through the mountains and highways of Vietnam on a multi-day trip. I feel very confident in my riding and think I should go straight into a bike I won't outgrow. What do you recommend?

[Drino1969]

@rockon6191 G'day! Well you already have great skills from offroading, and with your experience I think you'd be smart not to start with a 250 street bike - you'll surely outgrow it too fast. My first bike was a VStar 650cc, and I outgrew that within the year, and bumped up to the 1100. The bigger they are the more stable at speed and less vibration you get, but they also get heavier. Of course a 650 cruiser is a totally different beast to a 650 sportbike - which you could happily have for years

[pillonsin]

burp at 2:46

[CappedBetweenTheEyes]

Hi people I would like a bike which when I accelerate it goes but not a sports bike a bike wich has a low centre of gravity any suggestions ?

[Drino1969]

@CappedBetweenTheEyes - I'd look at cruiser style bikes. Harley, Victory, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc. They come in a range of CCs, generally have a low center of gravity, and they're easy for beginners to flat-foot which is great for confidence. They're heavier than sports bikes, but still have performance. You might try a used 650cc to start. You may need a bigger bike quickly especially if you're doing trips loaded up.

[xiaoecho]

Thanks for these tips. Bought my first scooter today. Excited but nervous

[Drino1969]

@xiaoecho - Congratulations! You'll love it... just take it easy and before you know it you'll be zipping everywhere without a second thought. Have fun and ride safe!

[jkms]

Thank you so much I feel a lot better seeing ur vid. Im on my gf pro. I have a kawasaki ninja zx6r its 599 but its. 600 I just got it andi never been on a bike. Im about to get in to tho classes soon be for I get on it ur right :) thank. For the confidence booster.

[RickJames12398]

wow you sound like Natalie from communitychannel!

[Drino1969]

@RickJames12398 LOL - she's a funny Aussie sheila

[omarkhan29]

Well happy to report that I succesfully passed the MSF course, got my endorsement and bought a 2009 ninja 250 which i am enjoying riding and learning on. Hope you are well and thank you again for all your thoughtful advice:)

[Drino1969]

@omarkhan29 - Congratulations!! You're going to love that Ninja - It'll open a whole new world to you! Ride safe and keep the rubber side down. :-)

[starguard]

How many miles can you travel on the V-Star 1100 from Full tank to Empty (rangewise)?

[Drino1969]

@starguard I sold this bike a couple of years ago, but I think it was around 150 miles? I used to look for a gas station around 130. Hated having to flip to reserve. :-)

[tkmirabal92]

Great video!!! Great info!!! very positive!!! I'm an extremely new rider, and am a girl. i started off small and am looking forward to building my confidence to one day be riding beyond my Suzuki GZ250 starter bike!

[Drino1969]

@tkmirabal92 Good for you! It's always wonderful to see more lady riders out there! Just take it at your own pace and before you know it you'll be riding bigger and faster! :-)

[EatMeBeatMeGirl]

Really nice vids! Thanks for the advice! It's nice to hear from a woman rider; you've got a really chilled out voice, not patronising just really reassuring! I'm getting my first bike this summer, aged 30, wanted one for years and can't wait. Got to be a cruiser, I agree, but anticipate long search for one as I'm 6ft tall...Looking forward to learning some about maintenance too. Could you do a video or two on that maybe?

[Drino1969]

@EatMeBeatMeGirl Hey congrats on taking up riding! Your whole life will change - I've met more wonderful people through my bike than anywhere! Good suggestion on the maintenance vids - we ladies get to do that stuff too. :-) Fingers crossed for getting your bike - luckily you can move pegs and controls so you can get a little extra leg room. At least you won't need to worry about getting your feet down flat! Good luck - you're going to love it!

[MasterMyers101]

@EatMeBeatMeGirl Welcome aboard!!! never too old to start. i'm 6ft 3, i can relate about the height issue, Hayabusas are very comfortable crotch rockets for taller ppl but i wouldnt recommend something that nice or expensive for your first bike since your more likely to lay it down. Check out the choppers and bobbers, their stretched more than most bikes combined with lower and highway running boards or pegs, it feels like your kicked back in a recliner going down the road

[hackneo64]

you mean half a click is neutral!!!!!

[omarkhan29]

Thanks yet again for the great advice. I will wait until I complete the MSF course to see how I feel about which bike to get. I read about starting on a 250 but I feel I may outgrow a 250 pretty quickly. I will try out some bikes and see how I feel about getting a cruiser vs. a sportbike. Did you find the 650 difficult to manage as a starter bike?

[Drino1969]

@omarkhan29 No, not at all. Maybe initial lack of confidence - it was a big bike to me then, but within a year I was on the 1100. A smaller cc bike is lighter too, which helps confidence. You'll definitely outgrow a 250 quickly. The key is to get a bike you can put both feet down flat when stopped. And have fun!!!

[omarkhan29]

Thank you for the wonderful video and the great advice. I am in my mid thirties like yourself, living in Seattle and will be taking a MSF course this month. Will decide after taking the course what bike I would like to get. Really like the new Honda Shadow Phantom btw. Hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Regards!

[Drino1969]

@omarkhan29 So happy you're taking your MSF course this month! You're going to have a wonderful summer - a whole new world is opening up for you! I like the looks of the Phantom, very retro. Good luck and enjoy!

[omarkhan29]

@Drino1969 Thank you for the nice message :-) Been wanting to do this for many years but kept putting it off for one reason or another. Anyways excited and nervous about passing this in the first go. I learned to drive on a manual transmission so hope that helps me with the bike. Would you suggest any other bike for someone who is just starting out? Cruiser or Sportbike? Love to hear your thoughts! Have a great week!

[Drino1969]

@omarkhan29 Knowing how to drive a manual transmission will help. Cruiser or sportbike - depends on taste and riding style. Both are excellent but very different. I'd suggest sitting on a lot of them - you'll want to get your feet down as flat as possible to begin with. My first bike was a 650cc - quickly outgrew it to an 1100, now I have a 1731cc. Maybe a used bike to begin with, you won't freak if it gets dropped or dinged, and you can trade up for something bigger as your confidence grows.

[DelaDePaz]

sound like your from NZ :) , thanks for the tips

[nickoswoos]

@DelaDePaz aussie i think. us NZ'rz are more rugged in the dialect, and if it were new zealand she would have died in the making of the video from some retarded local driver.

[Drino1969]

@nickoswoos You win the prize! Yes, I'm Aussie, although the accent has some US inflections from living here since '98. Seattle drivers are retarded though - so maybe that counts. :-)

[mchew92]

hey great video, im thinking about buying a bike and this was really helpful. sweet voice to btw.

[Thraxz666]

Ohio? Miles? Girl is you aint ozi i'm go get me hearin checked. nice vid, sexy voice but the fella bellow is right about the turning (i'm not experienced but did just watch plenty of vids on it so its fresh), ta.

[valter1997]

ur making really bad lines, on ur turns.

[vtfollett]

I really liked the way you embedded the audio in the clip. You have a very easy-on-the-ears delivery, and the accent is just perfect. Very nice job of organizing and presenting the material - it flowed smoothly, just like the ride.

By now you have probably been told (or figured out yourself) that you need to raise your camera. Otherwise, great job. You'd love Vermont.

[IlluminusQ]

Good video :)

[leparditas]

is it worth to buy this bike?

[Drino1969]

@leparditas - the Yamaha VStar 650 was a great first bike. Reliable, good performance (for a 650), low center of gravity. It does have vibration at about 60mph+ because of the gearing (really needs another gear or overdrive). But for a beginner, it's a great bike at a good price.

[hyper080]

@Drino1969 here in australia there was a lottery and my dad spent $10 and won a vstar

[Drino1969]

@hyper080 - That's awesome. Much better than a frozen chook. :-) Hope he's enjoying it!

[jakesouth342]

you sound hot!

[MrTexaskase]

what kind of bike is that? thnx for the tips.....

[Drino1969]

@MrTexaskase - it was the VStar 650 with Vance & Hines Cruizers exhaust. I'd been riding about a year when I did that vid. It was my first bike. I'm on my Victory Jackpot Cory Ness Signature now.

[GeeClassLoco]

G8 video there Drino... Have watched most of them and have to say quite entertaining as well as informative... love the Ozzie accent... LOVE your Victory...

Getting onto a course next weekend(Riding/Learner's Permit)... I'm a bit like yourself... but MID-FORTIES... LOL.. and have been on youtube for the last 6 months researching.... But i think the Victory's are No.1 with me at the moment(Hammer S)... But first things first... anyway... i really enjoyed your video..Cheers from Ivan.. Geelong AUS

[Drino1969]

@GeeClassLoco G'day Ivan! Congrats on doing the course. It's a great start. Saw Victory opened a HUGE showroom in Vic. Rode the 2010 Hammer S (B&W suede). It's an awesome bike - lots of power and handles like a dream. I'm a huge Victory fan. :-) Good luck with your course, and welcome to motorcycling! Ride safe and have fun.

[redneck500]

Good video lady! I took a spill this weekend going about 70. I fell off into the grass, and got scratched up a bit :(

[Drino1969]

@redneck500 - Oh no! Hope you''re OK! You're darn lucky.... thank heavens it was grass. :-) What happened, and how's the bike?

[redneck500]

@redneck500 Well, it was my first long ride. We rode about 200 miles. There was an old country road and off to the side was a long grassy embankment. I saw myself moving a little far to the right, but its like my body froze before i could counter steer to the left. By that time the bike went off into the grassy ditch.. I

[redneck500]

@redneck500 rode it out a bit and got the speed down a bit, then it fell. But im ok and the bike just suffered a little cosmetic damage, and im working on getting it fixed up. I say about 200 will fix it up nice ;). Thanks for the concern.. Josh

[SkylineJet]

How long have you been riding when you filmed this video? 

[Drino1969]

@SkylineJet - Probably around 18 months to 2 years.

[Bastii311]

Thank's for uploading this video, it's help me on!!

I want to learn to ride a bike this year. Thank's a lot!

Best wishes from germany!

[Scythian1]

I'm about to learn to ride, and am taking a course. But I don't fit in the 'biker mould' - I'm a tall lady at 6'2". In the UK we have to stick to 125's before moving on - I've always liked cruisers but fear I might be too big for them. Can you think of anything for someone like me or would a cruiser be fine? Love your vid by the way - very informative.

[Drino1969]

@Scythian1 There are a lot of tall guys riding cruisers too :-) You can do mods to make one fit you - change the handlebars, move the pegs and controls forward, etc. You're right most cruisers have a low seat height, but some are higher than others. If I were you I'd go check out some dealerships and sit on a bunch of different bikes.You'll find one that fits your frame (or you can modify to fit) and your pocket. Good luck, and welcome to the cruiser world!

[Scythian1]

@Drino1969 Thank you, I appreciate your comments.

[redneck500]

"Bad Boy Jimmy Dead Machine" :D Your a cool lady :)

[Alec772]

good vid

[PsychoShaft]

cheers :D

[PsychoShaft]

Thanks Drino! Very useful video! i have booked my CBT for tuesday next week and really cant wait!

[Drino1969]

Good luck on your course!

[Drino1969]

G'day, sorry you're having trouble. Each bike handles differently and usually wider tires take more effort to countersteer/lean. Dont overthink it - if you can ride a bicycle through corners, you can ride a motorcycle - same forces apply. Youll want to maintain speed or accelerate thru the turn. Is there a MSF or motorcycle course you can take? Also see vids on countersteering and cornering - they might help. Try practicing on a straight road, swerving left to right to get the feel. Good luck.

[Gothemopunkskatersss]

I'm a beginner rider from England, I'm 16 so therefore just have a 50cc. I have a superbike model, but I'm not confident at leaning and often panic, resulting in falling off. I'm selling it and getting a "dirt bike" model. Is the need to lean on these models greater than one of the superbike genre?

[XMitsuhideX]

This was like a video they show in traffic schools... Great job! Definitely made me want to ride! Now, a quick question. I'm interested in sportbikes, and the Ninjas have caught my eye. I live in a small town so highways and freeways are a must for me. Would it be wiser to start with a 500 or a 250? 500 is more $, but I don't want to outgrow a 250, or discover it's not enough power. What are your thoughts?

[Drino1969]

Congrats on deciding to ride! You won't regret it. I'd say to go with the 500 or maybe the 650. I have a good friend who bought a Ninja 650 as his first bike, and he loves it - he's had it for 3 years now. He travels mostly highway miles. The 250 will disappoint on the highways. And, it'll end up costing you more to buy the 250 then the bigger bike vs. just buying the 500 (thinking registration/title costs, depreciation, etc). You might want to think about frame sliders just in case. Good luck!

[XMitsuhideX]

Great, thanks for the advice. Me being a lowly college student means more bikes = more bucks! :)

[DFX2K9]

@Drino1969 Agree here totally, 250 cc's are going to top out 70mph, and that's as fast as it will go, adding wearing out the bike quick to the list there for ya, since it's going to be top end all the time... Now, 600/650, good learner bike, BUT FOR GOODNESS SAKE, watch that right wrist, lots of acceleration, great when you need/want it, but it dose require full attention.... in speaking of, shouldn't you be doing that anyway? XD

[natemorris925]

great video! i watched your one on starting and shifting as well. ironically im going to pick up my 09 vstar 1100 silverado tomorrow (graduation present to myself) i have an 82 honda cm450A. its actually a rare motorcycle that is an automatic. i have an hour drive on the vstar to get it back to my house so i watched your videos for some last minute pointers on shifting.very helpful. the first vids i watched were done on sportbikes and i was happy to see it done on a vstar ...very cool 1100 btw!

[Drino1969]

Congratulations on the new 1100 Silverado - and congrats on graduating! I hope your ride home was fun and safe. What a fun summer you're going to have. Enjoy your new ride!

[Drino1969]

Awesome! Glad you liked it! :-) It was fun to make.

[roninsoul]

this is what i call a perfect video , amazing , it looked amazingly easy , fun and educational to see and learn , you really have a nack for this , it looked almosta like thoses professional videos how to lol , keep on going ..suberb!!!!!!!