"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
04/28/2018 at 09:26 • Filed to: None
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"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
04/28/2018 at 09:26 • Filed to: None | 7
| 26 |
The MSF class in my county is $20. They provide everything, you just show up wearing gloves, over-ankle shoes, jeans, and long sleeves. At the completion of the class you can either get the $20 back or donate it to the MSF. A certificate is then mailed to your house. You take it to the DMV, pay $10, then get your motorcycle license!
After reading your suggestions, I’m thinking 250 or 300, most likely from Craigslist. Of course, I’m taking the MSF first just to see if riding is what I hope it to be. My biggest concern is manual shifting, but I bet I’m just overthinking it.
As fun as a Grom looks, it’ll likely lack the oomph for the roads around here and the price puts it competing with used sport bikes. Plus I shouldn’t buy a new bike for my first.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 09:32 |
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buy a Vespa!
;)
Ash78, voting early and often
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 09:37 |
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You’re joining Doctors Without Borders??
/s
RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> pip bip - choose Corrour
04/28/2018 at 09:40 |
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I still want a Vespa......expensive things though! :(
bob and john
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 09:41 |
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missed the first post, remember I teach the course.
3 main pieces of advice
1: 500cc or under, less then 10 years old is the rule for first bike. you dont want anything too powerfull, and you dont want some 20 year old beaten to shit rat bike that you cant get parts for.
2: LOOK. WHERE. YOU WANT. TO FUCKING. GO. CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. do NOT look at the ground 30 ft ahead of you. you should be looking like 500ft ahead of you
3: relax. being tense on a bike is the worst thing you can go. the whole thing has to flow, that how you become a better rider. being tense and fighting the bike will just end badly.
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pip bip - choose Corrour
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/28/2018 at 09:42 |
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minor detail
just-a-scratch
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 09:43 |
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At $20 it’s a steal. The MSF course is a great starting point for riding. Most people get the shifting easily enough. It’s low speed maneuvering that’s difficult. You’ll do fine.
My strongest recommendation on purchases is to get decent great that’s comfortable. If you are comfortable in the gear you will more likely use it.
Don’t buy a used helmet. Three are too many ways for it to be damaged that you cannot detect.
The motorcycle just needs to work well. It’s even better if you could have it fall over and not worry. Cheap old bikes that run well are great a firstmotorcycle.
BeaterGT
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 09:47 |
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$20?! You’re so lucky. It’s $300+ in New Jersey.
Update: Did some more research, apparently you can do a “Basic Rider Course” and pay $300 through a training center. Or you can pay $42...but you have to bring your own bike and pass a vision/knowledge test.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> pip bip - choose Corrour
04/28/2018 at 10:00 |
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There’s always the option of getting something like a Genuine Stella - based on the original Vespa blueprints, compatible with all original parts, but cheaper as not an authentic Vespa!
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Mercedes Streeter
> bob and john
04/28/2018 at 10:18 |
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Ooooh that explains your screen name. It took me until now to figure that out. lol *facepalm*
I’ll keep all of the above in mind! I read the bit about looking where you want to go a lot. The other note about not getting something as old as I am will also most likely be beneficial too. Last thing I’d want is two project vehicles.
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Mercedes Streeter
> bob and john
04/28/2018 at 10:21 |
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Err...your old “motorcycle prof” screen name, that is.
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bob and john
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 10:25 |
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I’m tempted to throw it back in, but 1: i donty really have time for it this year and 2: my name is long...
Ssfancyfresh
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 10:50 |
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MSF class is super fun and a bargain considering all they offer. When i did it, I was surprised at the diversity of people and the range of riding experience. There was a guy at my table who was in his late 40’s. He’d been riding for 20 years on a temp license (you can sort of do that in Michigan). There were other people there who clearly had no business being on a motorcycle. You will see it all.
It’s fun. Stay calm. Listen. You’ll be fine.
SmugAardvark
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 11:16 |
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$20?!? Damn, it’s $250 out here, plus a written test and a driving test.
Good luck though! It’s not terribly difficult to learn. Just take the advice that the other commenters have already given and you should be fine.
And if you want a cheap-ish bike to buy for your first, a Honda Rebel might be worth looking into. You can get a reasonably new and properly maintained one for $3,000, and as long as you aren’t very tall, it’s a nice bike to learn on.
WilliamsSW
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 11:23 |
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I’m not a rider but $20 is ridiculous and you should do this ASAP!!! Good luck!
shop-teacher
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/28/2018 at 11:28 |
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There was a nice orange Stella for sale last winter for $1000. I should’ve bought it.
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shop-teacher
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 11:31 |
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When I get the $100 Elite going (gonna test the reassembled clutch tomorrow), you’re welcome to come over and ride that around to get a feeling of being up on 2-wheels.
fintail
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 11:41 |
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$20? I’d do it just for the fun. I think it was $100 when I did it in WA years ago, and even at that a bargain (as they test you for the endorsement and then all you have to do is get a new license) - it can be pretty entertaining.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> shop-teacher
04/28/2018 at 11:41 |
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“Bought it and shipped it to RallyDarkstrike”
Corrected that for you! :P
I rally wish cheaper scoots were more common here....scooters, period are just not common at all where I live, and Vespas and their counterparts like Stellas either don’t exist or are insanely expensive! :(
XJDano
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 11:54 |
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I learned first on a 4-wheeler that was a manual shifter. Helped not thinking about balance.
It’s like driving a stick shift, all 4 appendages doing different things. once you get it, you get it.
Enjoy.
atfsgeoff
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 12:54 |
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One final suggestion for your first bike. Feel free to buy a good condition used bike, but try to get one with FUEL INJECTION. I say this because it’s not as ubiquitous on motorcycles as with cars yet, so make sure to verify.
I’ve had too many carb related running problems on older bikes to ever recommend anything other than fuel injection for a new rider, especially someone who isn’t keen on fiddling with the fuel delivery system a few times a year just to keep the bike running correctly.
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shop-teacher
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/28/2018 at 13:13 |
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Hey, when the time comes that you have the money, I’d be happy to aquire and ship you a scooter.
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Mercedes Streeter
> shop-teacher
04/28/2018 at 16:16 |
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Deal! Wait, what’s an Elite?
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shop-teacher
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 17:47 |
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80cc’s of screaming fury. I picked it up in the fall for a C-note. Still working on getting it going.
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Mercedes Streeter
> shop-teacher
04/28/2018 at 18:02 |
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Oh! I would love to learn on that! I forgot that you have a thing for scooters. :)
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shop-teacher
> Mercedes Streeter
04/28/2018 at 23:09 |
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That I do :)
stry
> pip bip - choose Corrour
04/30/2018 at 13:08 |
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I’ve always wanted to get a vespa and then engine swap to reach highway speeds.... ultimate troll bike.