DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT A NEW RIDER’S FIRST BIKE

Want to see an argument?

Ask a rider what they recommend as the best “first” motorcycle for a newbie.  And then ask me.

I have the disadvantage of being an opinionated older rider and have seen motorbikes evolve through many marketing and manufacturing generations.  And things sure ain’t the way they used to be.

What we used to consider a “BIG” motorcycle in the 70’s is now a midweight.

Back then, many riders started their motorcycle experience out on small bikes.  And I’m talking about bikes that are REALLY considered small today.

WOULD YOU ADVISE A MID-WEIGHT BIKE?

So, here’s a simple question: Would YOU advise a new rider to purchase a middle-weight bike? (To be more specific, let’s say in the 500cc-900cc range).

If you’ve been riding for a few years, I bet you’d be inclined to say “SURE.”  You might logically state that a new rider on a mid-sized bike will be able to “grow into” his/her machine after gaining some real-world experience.  The idea is that there is an economical advantage to starting with a bigger bike (midsize) than a brand-new rider may be able to readily handle while learning to ride.

I RECOMMEND SMALL BIKES FOR NEW RIDERS

I argue that men and women should start “small” (250cc or smaller) and then move up to a bigger bike as their experience, confidence and actual skill level increases.

Of course you could prop a new rider on a LARGE bike (1000cc-2300cc) and get them going.  Heck, they may ride happily ever after and gain some legitimate competence.  But that rider will never have gained the experience or knowledge of what it’s like to fully fling a bike around and be in total control of the thing, and wrench it out of last-second messes that you inadvertently find yourself in.

Riding a motorcycle is not hard.  And, particularly, if you are just plodding along as a newbie, you could definitely experience some good times during the majority of your riding.

But here’s the thing:  A new rider – or even experienced rider (with bad habits) – will primarily need to have his/her skills truly in gear and precisely responsive in those small percentage of the times when the environment gets unfriendly.  It could be when a car cuts you off on the highway; or when a deer jumps out in the road right in front of you; or when a truck crosses your right away; or when you lose traction in a turn by hitting some spilled oil and/or gravel; or when someone runs a red light just as you are entering an intersection – the list goes on and on.  A rider who needs to instantaneously divert and control his/her bike in ways that he/she has never experienced, simply has less of a chance of responding ideally to the circumstances.  In other words, just because a rider can generally handle a bike the vast majority of time does not make him/her the person I’d want to bet my life on.   Heck, even a highly experience and skilled rider could find himself in a circumstance over his head that ends tragically.  But what chance would a less competent rider have under threatening circumstances?

RIDING SMALLER BIKES IS AN EASIER WAY TO LEARN

Here’s the point:

Smaller bikes are easier to lift up after you drop because you neglected to set down your side stand correctly.

Smaller bikes are generally easier to handle and are more forgiving: Larger and more powerful bikes demand greater precision, skill, and smoothness to keep them controlled.

A side benefit of smaller bikes is that insurance costs are less.

And nowadays, the fuel economy advantage of a small bike, is perhaps more relevant than ever. (Of course many riders would continue their bike passion even if fuel was more costly for a motorbike than a car).

Perhaps the most obvious advantage is that smaller bikes, with smaller engines, aren’t as powerful and don’t go as fast as bigger bikes.  And do not be fooled by the term “midweight bike.”  That category comprises a lot of sport bikes that are tremendously more powerful than most people will ever experience on 4 wheels.  Certain midweight sport bikes can be thrilling while under an experienced rider’s control.  But toss a newbie on one and you have the potential for an out-of-control and unguided missile rocketing through a neighborhood near you.

To re-state the obvious, newbie riders do not need to have the opportunity at their fingertips to dial in triple digit speeds while they are trying to figure out where the brakes are.

In short, starting a new rider on a SMALLER bike is the best way for that rider to gain experience, confidence and greater competence, especially in threatening situations.  Which in real concise terms, means that the opportunity for short- and long-term motorcycle enjoyment (and survival) is better for riders who start small.  (I’ll get off my soap box now).

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