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Private Lessons a good choice?

ToraTora said:
VCT--while this may be a minority view here with the TurboBusaBarfers--the majority of really good riders start off on very small displacement bikes. They do this because learning how to be a good rider on a large displacement bike throws extra challenges at the rider that in most cases are never over come.

The reason for this is on the bigger bikes the important experimentation needed to develop the skills are overshadowed by the risks, which trigger survival instincts that block the learning pathways. That said the human is an incredibly adaptable animal which can over come much adversity. Now ask yourself this question--do you really want to put extra adversity in the path of your learning to became a competent rider?

For all that it is the Ninja 250 is way too much bike for a beginner. Even seasoned riders have been mortally put down by that bike. It is too heavy, and has too much power for a new rider to get the most out of their learning--the new Honda CBR250 isn't a better choice for it basically suffers in the same ways.

When you hear people talking about a bike not being large enough for the freeway that should be an instant clue that they are talking about a stage beyond a first bike. If the bike is capable of being a decent freeway bike then it is too much bike for a new rider. It will be too heavy and too powerful for the new rider to properly develop the needed skill set. Additionally, due to the overwhelmingly fatal nature of a mistake on the freeway the risks involved with riding on the freeway before developing the necessary skill and judgment needed to survive on the freeway out weight the benefits of freeway riding. Simply put stay off the freeway while you are developing competency on the motorcycle.

Cruser bikes while useful for exploring a life style suffer a mechanical disadvantage for learning how to ride. They place the feet too far forward to allow the rider to learn important riding techniques, and therefore make for a poor choice for a first bike.
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So what, then, DO you recommend for a first bike? A scooter? I'm asking seriously, not sarcastically. I'm a n00b on a Ninja 250, and I struggle with confidence, and it very well MIGHT be what you are saying.
 
as far as private lessons go, i know motomike and have ridden with him and can say he knows what hes doing and hes a great teacher. just off the demo ride with him he commented about some of my riding habits and helped me correct them then. as a plus hes in my shop a bit so we talk about riding situations a lot and hes really helpful.
i too bought a lot of gear before a bike while living here. seemed a bit smarter to spend the money on good gear first then have more money for the bike. it was a wise decision. i also know and work with joanne and if its anyone that can fit someone thats smaller in size its her and fred at scuderia too. between the two of them they can get you set up in clothing that fits for the ride.
good luck with whatever it is you decide to do and im gonna parrot mcarb and say its awesome to see real advice here as opposed to what you would have gotten in general or the sink.
 
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