Here, if you have a valid car license, all you have to do in order to get a bike license as well is do a 2-day motorcycle safety foundation course, a bit like a direct access course back in the UK. Â You can also just choose to pitch up and do a test at the DMV. Â The military runs free MSF courses for existing riders to improve their safety, so if I take one of those as a non-rider it means I get a bike license for free, so frankly I may as well just do that. Â A bit of research reveals I can ride in the UK on a US license for a year before I need to do a British test, so it's a cheap route into it.
I thought it would be prohibitively expensive, but I've just checked prices of things and got a quote for $99 for the year on a 850cc bike.
I have no interest in riding at 150mph and dying, I'm more likely to amble to work at 50mph and show off an utterly beautiful bike to everyone.
Tales of woe/reasons why it's awesome/things I haven't thought about, anyone?
Do it, it's great. Especially if you have the decent weather (though actually hot is often worse than cold)
I'd say get as much professional training as you can, 2 days sounds a bit light but it depends how much is squeezed in. Even in the UK a DAS course would be more like 4 or 5 days.
Can you actually ride a (geared) bike or do you need to learn the mechanics as well?
My experience of bikes is several family members and close friends being knocked off and suffering horrific injuries through no fault of their own. The worst being two lost legs, although this was more through mrsa.
I've ridden one literally 3 times. I understand the basics, but I'm far from slick. I've just looked and for a beginner, I'd get a half day of theory and the basics, then 2 days of riding (10 hours a day!) to get an MSF certificate.Â
I imagine out here it'd be like a convertible; people have the roofs down September-April, and midsummer's way too hot for one. But I think it'd be nice for a change for the 43 mile trip to work of an evening with the sun setting etc.
I'm sure you're sensible enough to know where your and the bikes capabilities begin and end and stay within them. Just watch out for those DUIs the American roads seem to be full of.
Well if you're looking for genuine things to look out for;
- Protective clothing can be very hot. Â Sitting in traffic when it's hot (lol) in Scotland is bad enough. Â Would be near unbearable where you are I'd guess. Â It's one of the reasons that (relative to here) so few Americans wear ATTGAT (all the gear, all the time). Â
- Harleys and other cruisers are the bike of choice out there. Â Comfy for short runs but bad for the lower back after a while. Â Your weight isn't spread out over various parts of your body like it would be with a tourer for example. Â 43 miles wouldn't be an issue, unless you have back problems.
- 850cc is a pretty large engine for a beginner. Â Unless that was purely for a quote. Â It doesn't matter so much with cruisers mind you as they're heavy and tend not to go particularly quick. Â Though if it's a sportsbike you want, aim for 600cc or lower to start with.
- I haven't tested any personally but from what I read in bike magazines, American crash helmets are shite.  The safety standard isn't as good as the EU one.  So try buy one of the bigger brands.  No need to go daft though.  Once you get over £200 you're just spending cash on extras like ventilation rather than safety.
- You'll probably fall off your first bike at some point. Â Or at least drop it. Â So don't spend 20 grand on a glistening HD.
There's a lot of bullshit get's thrown around about helmets, but don't underestimate the usefulness of good venting and a comfy lining. Anti fog systems probably won't apply in the states but if you're planning on riding here at somepoint you'll need it.
I remember being told to spend as much on your helmet as you think your head is worth, and it should be 50% of the cost of all your kit? Lots of people ride to work just in uniform with gloves, jacket, reflective kit and helmets, but I'm amazed at the number you see around the city on sports bikes in shorts and nothing but a helmet. I don't think you could safely ride in midsummer here.Â
I'm pretty sensible and I wasn't far from the truth when I said I'd like to own something I think looks good, that I want to ride, but mostly use it for quick trips to work at the speed limit rather than testing it's 0-60 time. Definitely not a fan of big cruisers and the like, so I'll be getting some sort of sportsbike.