"E. Julius" (soonerfrommi)
06/02/2015 at 20:30 • Filed to: Two Wheels Bad
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"E. Julius" (soonerfrommi)
06/02/2015 at 20:30 • Filed to: Two Wheels Bad | 1
| 13 |
Pictured is the extent of my experience on two wheels: hand built in some guy’s shed, no suspension, and arguably functional brakes. All for $150 in the sketchy part of East Lansing. I’m ready for a real bike now, and over the next few months I’m going to document my evolution into a competent beginner motorcyclist.
The Goal:
My intention is not to write a guide or any form of instruction—there are plenty of those out there already, written by people who have actually ridden before! Instead, I’ll be giving an honest account of my thoughts and experiences as I buy a motorcycle, get properly licensed, and learn to ride without killing myself. The idea is to capture everything, errors and all, so that people looking to go down the same path can have some idea of what to expect, and maybe avoid making the same mistakes. In addition, since there will likely be a number of experienced riders reading this, hopefully they can point out when I’m being an idiot and correct any bad behavior before it becomes habit.
I won’t be telling anybody what they should or shouldn’t do in my own writing, but I will be sharing some of the resources I’ve used to educate myself. This will certainly include the work of Oppositelock’s own !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , who has written some very informative pieces on this blog and offered his honest advice on many occasions. There will be other helpful things shared as well, and if you have your own potentially helpful information or advice, feel free to share in the comments!
Who am I, and why do I want a motorcycle?
I’m just a college student from a small town in Southeast Michigan who has always enjoyed the open road. The previous two summers I made good money at my internships, but one trip to Europe two years ago and a school year spent in France the year after meant most of my money went towards travel expenses. That’s not the case this year though, so I thought now would be the time to indulge myself with a new toy.
Originally I wanted to spend a few grand on a car cage (am I doing this right?) at the beginning of the summer, then turn it around and sell it before I left for school. After discussing it with some people, I realized this likely would have gone way over budget, become a huge headache as I spent the last days of my summer meeting randos and desperately trying to sell the car, and annoy my parents who don’t want some old crap can sitting in their driveway. Then somebody suggested a motorcycle.
Like I said in the intro, that back shed special I bought two years ago was about as much experience as I had on two wheels with a motor. I’d never considered getting a motorcycle before, but I remembered how much fun I had whipping around parking lots and annoying my neighbors with the Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine. The possibility of doing this at higher speeds, with an even more annoying engine, on something that didn’t have a busted frame weld and the ride quality of a rock tumbler, was thrilling!
At that point, nearly six months ago now, I began my research into the world of motorcycling. I educated myself about the proper gear and learned about different kinds of bikes. I even managed to convince my parents to let me keep a bike in their garage and not kick me out of their house! Now, as I prepare to return from a year abroad, I’m ready to act on this knowledge and start my life on two wheels. Join me along the way, and hopefully you’ll be entertained.
Hell, you might even learn something.
In my next installment, I’ll be writing about the process of attempting to shop for gear and a bike when you know nothing about either of them, including something I like to term “The Cool Guy Effect”. Expect this in the next few days. After that post I should actually have some gear and/or a bike to write about. I also have my motorcycle safety course scheduled for the first weekend of June, so plenty of new content about that as well.
GeorgeyBoy
> E. Julius
06/02/2015 at 20:43 |
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el yoooo
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E. Julius
> GeorgeyBoy
06/02/2015 at 20:46 |
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wut
Makoyouidiot
> E. Julius
06/02/2015 at 20:48 |
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To paraphrase what someone told me when I got my M endorsement, “welcome to no car feeling fast again ever” :)
Pick up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling, if you haven’t already, it is soooooo helpful. That’s my little bit of advice.
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GeorgeyBoy
> E. Julius
06/02/2015 at 20:54 |
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El, that’s like my back yard.
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E. Julius
> Makoyouidiot
06/02/2015 at 21:00 |
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I actually do have it already! Great read!
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E. Julius
> GeorgeyBoy
06/02/2015 at 21:00 |
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Ohhh now I understand what you’re saying.
XJDano
> E. Julius
06/02/2015 at 21:22 |
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You are starting off well. But the hardcore guys prefer sandals to loafers.
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E. Julius
> XJDano
06/02/2015 at 21:37 |
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Go loaf or go home.
desertdog5051
> E. Julius
06/02/2015 at 21:38 |
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Go for it. Just remember the rule that if you survive the first 2 years, you will survive the rest.
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Makoyouidiot
> desertdog5051
06/02/2015 at 21:48 |
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And also remember that there are more idiots on the road than ever before, and half of them will never see you.
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desertdog5051
> Makoyouidiot
06/02/2015 at 21:52 |
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I know. I had my first major accident in December 2013 from one of those. I have been riding for many years.
No contact, but the slide and tumble hurt a bunch. Cage driver never stopped.
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Makoyouidiot
> desertdog5051
06/02/2015 at 21:54 |
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:( I’m always super cautious being in my first year of riding, and I’ve still nearly been tagged twice. Once was a freaking semi truck. Guy wasn’t looking for bikes and pulled out in front of me, luckily I was only going about 40 and had time to stop.
Mike
> E. Julius
06/06/2015 at 14:00 |
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Hello fellow college student from southeast Michigan who wants to get into riding!