I’m A Cooool Rider: My Journey In Getting A Motorbike
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Let’s see, I have always had a need for speed. As a passenger in the car, I loved when my dad would go fast, and I began to mimic driving a stick shift as he was driving. Loved rollercoasters and going on airplanes. After getting my license, I was one of those ‘responsible aggressive drivers’ which I get is somewhat of an oxymoron, but I stand by that. Ha. And today, I’m not aggressive but I definitely drive like a speedster - still defensively and have taught my kids accordingly.
My appetite for motorbikes happened at university. My closest friends all starting riding Kawasaki Ninja’s and I loved riding on the back...I recall going 130 mph around an exit with that foot peg scraping the road. What a rush. After the tragic death of one of our friends, everyone sold their bikes and vowed to never ride again, and I decided I would no longer pursue my urge to get my license. That changed in 2021.
For the last 10 years, I contemplated getting a moped or a Vespa because of that motorized 2-wheel craving I’d get once in a while. And then I’d reconsider since I know most accidents happen close to home, driving locally, and that’s what Vespa’s and mopeds are for. Since Georgia is known for fast drivers, I refrained from caving. But the pandemic really made me reevaluate my pursuit of happiness, and learning to ride a motorbike, getting my license, and getting a bike is something I know will bring me joy. So, I signed up for classes with the Harley-Davidson Academy - a 3 or 4 days classroom and riding experience that prepares you for the streets and includes a written and riding test so that you don’t have to take it at your local DMV (bonus). The bikes you practice on are Harley-Davidson Street 500’s which have a 500cc engine, and weight around 520lbs!
There were 6 signed up for my class - you need a minimum of 4. One person didn’t show up on day 1, another quit the next day after being on the bike for 10 minutes since it wasn’t comfortable for her, a third quit just after lunch on day 2 because he could not multi-task and riding a motorbike requires you to use your left and right hand simultaneously, whilst changing gears with your foot and/or breaking with your other. It can get tricky and if you require more time to practice, you aren’t going to make it in this class.
How did I do you ask? Well, I found it easy to find the friction point - which is where your motorbike starts to pull forward as you ease on the clutch lever, triggering you to give the bike some throttle so that you move forward without stalling - that’s where having the experience of driving a manual car comes in handy. It took a while for me to figure out the right combination of clutch and throttle as I made s shaped turns and U-turns because of how light I am; ordinarily you can make those turns at 4 mph, but I needed to be around 7mph so a bit trickier. It’s funny because my instructor did say I was the lightest person he has ever taught and asked how I needed to compensate because of that...well it was tough, but I did it! I passed both written and driving tests.
Bottom line, I highly recommend this course. Not only is it tough, but it feels much more advanced than just beginner’s level. They understand that the difficult part of riding a bike is at low speeds, so you spend your entire 2 or 3 days on the bike in low gears, taking tight turns, stopping fast, weaving, bobbing, dodging, etc. all of those techniques you will have to use when in traffic and on local roads. And you practice over and over again until you’ve nailed it.
What did I end up purchasing, you ask? A 2019 Yamaha MT-07. After advice from an experienced rider, as well as the instructor concurring, I opted for an engine that I can grow into instead of something that will need upgrading after a few months. We also looked at other options like a Harley-Davidson Sportster, Yamaha Bolt, Triumph, Kawasaki 640, Kawasaki Ninja...but ultimately I knew I didn’t want a sports bike, didn’t want something too heavy which street bikes are (like what we practiced on), so the MT was just right in that it can ride like a street and a sport bike.
Next is the gear. Not trying to go cheap when it comes to protecting the noggin so got a Shoei RF 1200 helmet, an Alpinestars fabric jacket perfect for warmer weather, and Bilt gloves (because they fit the best).
Last, modifications for the bike since that is apparently something everyone does. Factory taillights, levers, turn lights are the most common things to swap out immediately and most get a new exhaust so as to be super loud and obnoxious. The MT’s aren’t as loud as street bikes but more so than a Ninja, but loud is good as it is another warning to 4 wheel drivers that you exist.
So what’s next? Practicing in my neighborhood, then getting on and off the highway to get used to exists, turns, acceleration, and last taking it for some gorgeous rides in the blue ridge mountains. I plan to buy a trailer so that I can take it with us when we do trips to a cabin over long weekends - cannot wait!
