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Waiting on my First Ride!

by Leanna Hamm
(Springville, IN)

I have a husband and three boys WOW I know! No they are great they are my Fab 4. Well we have all had quads for a long time now and I love mine but my husband just traded his in on a XR650. and now all my boys are going to bikes so I think I am going to go for a XT250. I have only rode a motocross bike around the yard and never on the road but I am excited to learn and I think this will be a great starter bike. I will be getting it next week and I will start my journey from 4 wheels to 2. Any tips or tricks that the husband may forget to teach me (i doubt he will forget he has raced motocross for 15 years) but you know it might be nice to get a tip from the girls?

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Oct 15, 2011

New Bike
by: Katie

Welcome Leanne
I am a new rider myself and learning so much. I have 2 girls so our house is totally opposite of yours. I had absolutley no ridiing experience when I went for my course and I failed it by 1 mark TOOOOO SLOW I had crashed earlier that day and was a tad sore. I was upset but knew I was still going to get my license. I had a used 650GSXF that was mine and I got on it and logged over 1000'Ks in 3 weeks before my 7 hour course and retest. BEST thing I ever did. I passed with flying colours and learned tons. My hubby rides but wanted the professionals to teach me. I went out on a 120k ride by myself Tuesday and had a blast. I am 45 and so enjoying this.

I have no doubt you will do great. I am glad I did not start with a 250. I am 5 10 and large boned. I believe I have a bike I can ride for several years and keep up with everyone.

Let us know how your course goes.

Katie

Oct 13, 2011

Whoa!
by: Dawn

First. Take the MSF course. Yes, I'm sure your spouse is just awesome and a wonderful teacher, but leave it to a professional. Let a professional make sure there's nothing left to chance. For FL (where I am), you're required to have the endorsement to ride on the road. If you need it, they offer that as part of the class. If not, then it's always better to be safer than sorry.

Second. When you ride with someone with so much more experience, and if they are good at taking advice from, then investing in a helmet-to-helmet communicator like the Scala Rider G-2 or (more expensive) Q-4 are VERY worth while investments. It allows for immediate advice or updates without a lapse in time which could be critical. When group riding, make sure your most experienced rider is in the back, the second most in the lead, and the least experienced behind the lead, and everyone else, falling inbetween. That way the least experienced rider doesn't feel forced to keep up with the group, but still has someone behind them to help if necessary. The communicators also allow for immediate assistance with this very detail.

Third. You might want to consider something slightly bigger than the 250 since you already have motorcross or offroad experience, it's not about controls for you, just onroad. You will quickly find that a 250 is small and lots of times (depending on how rural an area you live in), doesn't have the pickup to quickly get out of the way of traffic. Not saying to move into an 1100 or bigger, but 250 might just be too small. You may find keepin up with just your family .... difficult. Perhaps a 500. Light, agile, but good pickup.

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