[ArmyStrong91]

How is everyone doing! So I'm brand new to everything motorcycles but I've always been interested in them. I've finally taken a step to learning how to ride by enrolling in an MSF course that I'll take on the 8th and 15th of June. Pretty excited! I'm extremely hesitant though.. My father was killed riding a motorcycle but what a great way to remember him by doing what he loved to do.. Ride! I'm open to any advice/tips you have! First bike, gear, etc. Like I said, I'm a new as they come.

 

[Strom]

Welcome to everything ArmyStrong91 - the forum, riding and to the Stryker! You will find some great advice here on the forum. I learn something just about every day. All the best to you and thanks for your service!

 

[ArmyStrong91]

Thank you sir!

 

[strykenshane]

I 2nd the thank you for your service and welcome from Atlanta, ga, after you take the course and get a bike just remember to stay within your experience level, stay away from the twisties and heavy traffic until you master cornering, counter steering and evasive maneuvers

 

[Stryker2012]

Welcome Army! Best thing is to just take it slow and enjoy. Leave the racing for the rocketeers

 

[11Stryker]

Welcome to the forum! Just stay relaxed and focused. Stay within your comfort level and all the rest will come with time.

 

[bozzly]

Welcome to the world of Motorcycles. If you have ever heard the words driving defensively. That's what you want to do on your bike. :wink:

 

[BillyD66]

Sorry to hear of your loss but agree that giving riding a try is a very nice tribute.

The guys at my MSF course were very good. Once you take that and get your license practice what they taught you on your bike in an empty parking lot.
As others have said take your time and build confidence. And if it doesn't feel right in the end make the smart but hard choice and walk away.
Had a woman in our class (came back 2nd time) who had already crashed a HD Bagger without a license. After 2 days I was thoroughly convinced she shouldn't ride and in the end our instructors didn't bring her for the DMV license. I sadly believe that if she didn't take their experienced advice and went ahead and rode that she would become a statistic...

Ride safe and get to know the sexy beast we call Stryker!!

 

[mikoloe]

Congrats and make us old Army guys Proud...

 

[JesterAZ]

Welcome from Northern AZ!

My 2 cents....
There's no shame in taking it slow. I just got back into riding after a 5 year hiatus. I got to know my subdivision and local parking lots real good until I accustomed to the Stryker. Now its my daily driver.

You won't enjoy the ride unless you are comfortable. Get what fits best for you, even if it costs a bit extra (this applies to both clothing and bikes).

I outgrew my smaller cc bike quick and wanted to trade up within the first 6 months. This is common. I think the Stryker is an excellent balance of long term enjoyment and versatility, without being too much bike for a beginner.

Wear a good helmet!

 

[beth75kiss]

Welcome, and thank you! The course is excellent, and that's coming from someone who only knew how to start her bike when I took the course. I've been riding now for 7 years or so, and the things I learned in that course still keep me safe. My advice? Don't forget what you learn, don't ride faster than your guardian angel can fly, and count on everyone else on the road to do the dumbest thing possible around you.

 

[strykermac]

Welcome and what ever your first purchase will be your gonna love it. Army Strong HOAH!!!

 

[DraEagWol]

Welcome from Indiana!

 

[ArmyStrong91]

Thank you all very much! Nice to see so many helping each other out. So it sounds like comfort is key. I was reading some other threads and it looks like most dealerships won't let you test ride, so apart from sitting on the bike, how do you know if it's feels comfortable to you? May be a silly question...

 

[Stryker2012]

Thank you all very much! Nice to see so many helping each other out. So it sounds like comfort is key. I was reading some other threads and it looks like most dealerships won't let you test ride, so apart from sitting on the bike, how do you know if it's feels comfortable to you? May be a silly question...

Some dealerships do have demos, some don't. When I bought my Stryker, there were no demos to try (and no they won't let you ride the showroom bikes (= less $$$$) but...at least the salesperson held the bike upright so I could actually sit on it in a riding position. Other than that, I found a bike is a bike style-wise. Everything else you gotta take on faith if your going brand new.

 

[Strykeback]

Good question. The answer is you don't know until you do a test ride of several bikes, including other manufacturers. You just need to find a dealer that will and that may require you to drive outside your area. I was exactly I'm your position one year ago. Never rode a motorcycle but always wanted too and 43yrs young. Took my MSF in May, got my license in June and finally bought my Stryker in January. Star has a semi truck that carries all of their bikes around the country and does demo days. Look up their schedule on the star website. To learn more beyond the class pick up the Proficient Motorcycling series of books. These are survival techniques and scenario books that expand the classroom knowledge. Remember the acronym ATGATT. All The Gear All The Time.

 

[Skwerlee]

How is everyone doing! So I'm brand new to everything motorcycles but I've always been interested in them. I've finally taken a step to learning how to ride by enrolling in an MSF course that I'll take on the 8th and 15th of June. Pretty excited! I'm extremely hesitant though.. My father was killed riding a motorcycle but what a great way to remember him by doing what he loved to do.. Ride! I'm open to any advice/tips you have! First bike, gear, etc. Like I said, I'm a new as they come.

Welcome from TEXAS and thank you for your service to our great country. I like to see newb’s approach motorcycling in a responsible manner as you are doing. The MSF is by far the best first step you can take as you can learn in just a few hours what it may take you years to learn otherwise. I’d highly recommend taking the course BEFORE you purchase a bike. Some folks decide after taking the course that riding just isn’t for them…it’s better to figure that out before rather than after dropping a lot of $$ on a nice bike. If I were you I’d buy a small used cash bike to get some good experience with before investing in a nice new bike. You can cruise back roads and practice slow speed maneuvering in parking lots and if you drop it it’s no big deal! You can pick up the little 250cc bikes they use in the MSF classes on Craigslist for less than $2,000…and then sell it for the same amount so long as you don’t destroy it. The last thing you want to do is buy a new $$ bike and then wreck it due to lack of experience…don’t’ ask me how I know! Once you’re ready for a new bike just call around to your local dealerships to check if they have demo models. I’m in Dallas and it’s not difficult to get a test ride around here…as a matter of fact most salesmen scratch their heads and look at you funny if you don’t want to test ride first. Lastly, just use common sense…don’t be that guy riding around with shorts, a t-shirt, flip flops, and no helmet…

 

[ArmyStrong91]

Good question. The answer is you don't know until you do a test ride of several bikes, including other manufacturers. You just need to find a dealer that will and that may require you to drive outside your area. I was exactly I'm your position one year ago. Never rode a motorcycle but always wanted too and 43yrs young. Took my MSF in May, got my license in June and finally bought my Stryker in January. Star has a semi truck that carries all of their bikes around the country and does demo days. Look up their schedule on the star website. To learn more beyond the class pick up the Proficient Motorcycling series of books. These are survival techniques and scenario books that expand the classroom knowledge. Remember the acronym ATGATT. All The Gear All The Time.

Thank you for the info! I'll definitely take a look at that. I'm in Utah and so far I haven't found anyone that even has the Stryker in stock.

Welcome from TEXAS and thank you for your service to our great country. I like to see newb’s approach motorcycling in a responsible manner as you are doing. The MSF is by far the best first step you can take as you can learn in just a few hours what it may take you years to learn otherwise. I’d highly recommend taking the course BEFORE you purchase a bike. Some folks decide after taking the course that riding just isn’t for them…it’s better to figure that out before rather than after dropping a lot of $$ on a nice bike. If I were you I’d buy a small used cash bike to get some good experience with before investing in a nice new bike. You can cruise back roads and practice slow speed maneuvering in parking lots and if you drop it it’s no big deal! You can pick up the little 250cc bikes they use in the MSF classes on Craigslist for less than $2,000…and then sell it for the same amount so long as you don’t destroy it. The last thing you want to do is buy a new $$ bike and then wreck it due to lack of experience…don’t’ ask me how I know! Once you’re ready for a new bike just call around to your local dealerships to check if they have demo models. I’m in Dallas and it’s not difficult to get a test ride around here…as a matter of fact most salesmen scratch their heads and look at you funny if you don’t want to test ride first. Lastly, just use common sense…don’t be that guy riding around with shorts, a t-shirt, flip flops, and no helmet…

I appreciate the kind words. Great advice! Thanks. I hope I'm not one of those that decides riding isn't for me. But, you get what you put into it right?! I like the idea of getting a smaller bike to hone your riding skills so long as you aren't out too much in the $$ department. Plenty of people here in UT looking for motorcycles :thumb: I hate when I see riders in flip flops, no helmet. It's like skydiving with no parachute haha

 

[afcop97]

Welcome from a brother in AF blue from Michigan. My Stryker was my first bike ever. I took my MSF course last year at the age of 38 and that was the first time I'd ever ridden a bike. I'd heard the Stryker was a little challenging because of the rake, but having nothing but a little Suzuki 250 from the course to compare it to it didn't seem that bad to me.

Like everyone else has said, ride within your comfort level. I started off in a school parking lot during the summer, worked up to subdivisions, and finally in traffic. This spring I took my first group ride of about 70 miles and felt very comfortable.

Just look out for everyone else, because they aren't looking out for you. I told my wife the first rule of driving is assuming that everyone around you is getting ready to do something incredibly stupid at all times....they usually are.

 

[ArmyStrong91]

Welcome from a brother in AF blue from Michigan. My Stryker was my first bike ever. I took my MSF course last year at the age of 38 and that was the first time I'd ever ridden a bike. I'd heard the Stryker was a little challenging because of the rake, but having nothing but a little Suzuki 250 from the course to compare it to it didn't seem that bad to me.

Like everyone else has said, ride within your comfort level. I started off in a school parking lot during the summer, worked up to subdivisions, and finally in traffic. This spring I took my first group ride of about 70 miles and felt very comfortable.

Just look out for everyone else, because they aren't looking out for you. I told my wife the first rule of driving is assuming that everyone around you is getting ready to do something incredibly stupid at all times....they usually are.

Hey, Go RED WINGS! Huge fan. Father is Canadian so hockey is in the blood

Working my way up to traffic is a great idea! Never thought to start the way you mentioned. I'm getting more excited about the Stryker now. Especially after hearing so many people say it's been a great first bike.

I'm glad that you are loving it. I worked in Law Enforcement before the Army and it's so true about "the first rule of driving". Always, always be on the lookout! How long did it take for you to get a really good feel for it? 600lbs is a fair amount of weight to handle for a beginner right