Q:I want to buy a motorcycle, but I don‘t want to just go out and buy one without knowing how to ride. And how do I practice riding?? Is some guy really going to let me test-drive his motorcycle without me being licensed or experienced.??

ride a bicycle-that will introduce you to some basics of balance, steering, braking and road rules. go from there- yes if you pay enough, someone will hire you a bike to learn to ride on. Damage it you will pay the excesses on his insurance. The hardest part of riding a bike is developing safe thinking. Controlling the bike is easy, controlling yourself is much more difficult, but essential if you want to live to get old. Emotionally unstable people should not ride, nor drive.

Q:Leaving my motorcycle outside?

Nike Bauer One95, PM9 blade pattern(Malkin's) Malkin's blade is the best pattern for stickhandling, and good for shooting. It's super light as well. Can't go wrong.

Q:Hi, I am looking to buy a motorcycle (my first). Specifically a Kawasaki 250r. I want it new and retail is $4k. I am 18 but do have parents who could buy it since they have credit if you catch my drift. Im really confused and need some help on a couple things though-Should I get a motorcycle loan or a personal loan?-Can you even use a personal loan for a motorcycle?-What are the average interest rates for the better option?-Will this increase my auto insurance for any reason?-How long does a bike like this usually last if well maintained?-Any information on maintenance would be great, (how often to get oil changed, how long brakes and tires last, etc)?-If I were to get a used one, roughly how much would it cost me to have a mechanic verify its in good shape?-Is it worth buying a new one for $1000 more if it doesn‘t have 5000 miles on it? (idk how much is too much)Sorry for all the questions, I just want as much information as possible, thank you. ]

Okay so lots of questions lets see how I can do. First I have owned two 250r's so I have experience with them. If you get a personal loan you will not have to keep full coverage on the motorcycle but the interest rate may be more. I can tell you that if you use a kawasaki card you will get reduced rates of interest for some time and they do not required full coverage insurance. Check Kawasaki's web site for current offers on rates. Your auto insurance should go down if you insure with the same company. You will get a discount that way. If a bike is maintained it will last a very long time. Maintenance is more important than anything Else on a bike. Your first service will be 600 miles on a new bike. Then every few thousand miles depending on your riding habits. If you get a used one and have a shop check it, it will cost around 75 bucks (around here anyway - colorado) New or used is a tough one if your financing a new one could potentially cost you less in the end. Run the numbers and judge it for yourself. If your paying cash I would get a used one and let someone else take the depreciation hit. Hope I helped.

Q:Are there gear shifters for motorcycles that change the gears for you? Without having to use the throttle or clutch.

They're out there, but as far as I've seen any that were made were discontinued. Almost all motorcycles are manual and it would do you a lot of good to learn to drive a standard transmission (manual) before you do it on a bike.

Q:i needs to know who invented the first hydraulic brake for a motorcycle and in what year ? please help me i have searched all over the net!!!! thanks diana

the answer is both UNLESS your stopping in a hurry. in an emergency stop the front brake is 100% of your stopping power which is why newer bikes can stand on the front wheel great brakes good tyres the rear isn't even touching the road so its not stopping you you should practice grabbing a handful of front brake so you know how much will stop you quickest the ability to do this in a hurry will save your life

Q:How did you get from never rode a motorcycle to doing wheelies on the freeway? (What were the steps you took to being able to drive one) and advice on safety and necessary precautions.What do I need to know about motorcycle accidents. I am interested in saving on gas for a cost efficient vehicle and a good beginner motorcycle. And thank you this means a lot.

Like most of us, your first step to riding a motorcycle is to learn to ride a bicycle. Once you have the sense of balance required to stay upright on 2-wheels, you can progress to a motorcycle. My advice for safety: learn to ride from an accredited school and always wear a full set of gear (helmet, jacket, pants, boots, and gloves). The only thing you need to know about collisions (the term 'accidents' implies nothing can be done to prevent it) is how to avoid them. You should always be aware of what is going on around you. You should always be looking well ahead of traffic, and you should always assume the other person cannot see you. A good beginner bike is a small displacement motorcycle such as a Kawasaki Ninja 250 or a Honda Rebel 250. They are fast enough that they can get up to and sustain highway speeds but they are not too powerful as to overwhelm a new rider. By the way, wheelies on a freeway is not only unsafe, it's stupid. It also gives motorcyclists, as a whole, a bum rap. If you want to learn how to do stunts, do it in a private parking lot, not on public roads.

Q:On a motocross bike, the FRONT brake supplies how much of the potential stopping power?

On a motorcross bike, sitting up bigger can provide a extra physically powerful ability for flying over the handlebars, than on a highway bike. So the front brakes are not fairly as powerfull, however the front brake nevertheless contains fairly some the burden.

Q:I want to know the secret to do sharp turns when taking the motorcycle skills test. I heard people say like hold in the clutch and feather on the rear breaks. wat do they mean when people say feather the rear breaks. Does it mean tap it or hold it slightly.

The proper technique is to use the 'friction' zone of the clutch, the area of the clutch that is between the clutch fully engaged and disengaged. That combined with learning how to use the throttle at the same time as the friction zone should you give you good low speed control. You can also add in using a little bit of back brake (holding slight pressure on the brake) on top of this to add even more stability and control to low speed manuvers. If you are an absolute beginner, start practicing these techniques in a straight line. When you get the hang of them, then start practicing the low speed u-turns and turns that are needed for the test. While proper use of the front brake on the street is essential, at low speed with your handlebars cranked way over for a maneuver, grabbing a handful of front brake will generally make you drop the bike. So for the low speed stuff practice not using the front brake. For everything else, make sure you use both your brakes. There is a video 'Ride Like a Pro' by Jerry 'MotorMan' Palimino that is very instructional, although it is more oriented towards advanced riders. He also has a video for beginners that should be very useful to beginners. I would actually recommend the MSF course in your local area. They will help you practice your skills and in the end, most states will give you your license after you pass the class. Besides, it will normally get you a discount on your insurance and you get to learn on their bikes rather than your bikes.

Q:I have a 2000 Suzuki Bandit S. Sometimes when I‘m at a light, for some reason it wont switch into first gear. Other times it‘s really easy. What can be causing this?

let off the clutch just a little while gently engaging into first gear. Happens to my busa sometimes.