im 17 and considering it because it seems so much fun and great on gas but l dont know how to start? do l go to classes? what bike should l get?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS? plz help

Do not do it. Your not rider, you got to really know what your doing out there classes do not help. If you do not any riding experience do not start but if you had dirt bikes or scooter all you need to do is take road test and get your lic. Also when it rains you do not ride unless you got a lot of riding time

Im kinda in the same boat.
Motorcycles look like a lot of fun, rather cheap compared to cars, and yeah, great on gas.
If you're really into it, you should take riding classes, get your licence and then shop for something you can call your own.

It sounds like you want da bike because u seen it and think it is just the best way 2 go at this point, but bikes are very dangerous and if u do not know what your doing when you're on the road you can harm yourself and others. So just get a licences and save up 4 a car hun!! Your too young to risk your life on a motorcycle!!

they are great on gas, just choose if you want a sport bike or some type of cruiser
to get a license you have to take a riding class & a written test at the DMV

i would say start with a 250cc bike, its safe & easier to ride than alot of other bikes (something like a kawasaki 250r)

and i'd say dont ride in the rain

btw- l started out on a yamaha R6, but im a big dude.

Hey man,
Getting a motorcycle is a life changing choice; one l am glad l made. But the absolute first step to take is to get enrolled in a class. The best classes r offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They offer classes almost everywhere in the world.
http://msf-usa.org/
They r the best way to start.
As far as the bike choice, go to a dealership & sit on the bikes. Find one that is comfortable for you. Do the following:
- The bike will be on a kick stand in the show room. Go to the left (down) side of the bike, place ur left hand on the left handlebar, right hand on the right handlebar, throw ur right leg over the bike.
- Once seated on the bike comfortably, with ur left leg pus the bike upright & straighten out the handlebars. At this point the stand will be off the ground & u will be holding the bike up yourself. And now on to what u r looking for in a bike.
- Make sure u can actually hold the bike up with ur legs. Most weigh anywhere from 360lbs to upwards of 900lbs.
- Make sure with both feet on the ground ur butt is still seated well on the seat.
- Make sure the seat hight isnt preventing ur feet from making good contact with the ground.
- With ur hands on the handlebars check to make sure u can pull the clutch in (lever on left handle) without moving ur whole hand. Repeat procedure with front brake (right handlebar). This can be adjusted later, but on a first bike u do not want to do too much customization.
- Check to see if u can reach the all of the controls & operate them (especially the front brake, clutch, & throttle) without having to put any weight on ur hands & arms. Use ur core to support ur body, not ur arms.
- Put the bike back down on the stand & turn the handlebars all the way to the left. Then put both of ur feet up on the pegs (dont worry, the stand will be able to support ur weight & the bike is weight). With ur feet on the pegs use ur left foot & see if u can easily & quickly get ur foot below, then above the little bar sticking out in front of the peg (without taking ur foot off of the peg), this bar is ur shifter. If that goes well, watch ur right foot & make sure u can press down on the little bar in front of the right peg without moving ur foot from the peg. This is ur rear brake.
- If all of this is in place & u feel physically comfortable on the bike u know the general size to look for in other bikes. Do this same proceure on every bike in the dealership that u think u may be interested in.

Now on to engine sizes. As a beginner do not feel compelled to get the biggest baddest bike around. You will get hurt or killed. Start out on a bike that is 500cc or less. Honestly on ur first bike, less really is more. You can find engines less than 500cc in any style bike u shoose (Sport, Standard, Cruiser, Dual, etc). The bikes that we learned on in the MSF class were Suzuki GZ250s & Nighthawks. Both were 250cc bikes & had plenty of get up & go for everyday road travel, but not for real speed demons. The first bike l bought to sharpen my skills on was a Suzuki GS500F. Classed as a 500cc bike, but really 487ccs. Not overly powerfull, really manouverable, great on gas, still looked sporty. But find what u like.
Once u have found a bike that u like & that fits u well, go find it used!!!!!! Do not get a new bike as ur first bike. It will get a lot of wear & tear as u r really getting used to it, so u might as well find one that will save u some cash. Just make sure a good mechanic checks it out before u pay for it.
And last but not least ( cannot emphasize enough). If u have to get less of a bike so u can afford better safety gear, please do. Do not skimp on helmets, armored jackets, & gloves. They will save ur skin & ur life. This stuff gets expensive, but it is worth every cent u can pour into it. Do not be a squid (people riding in shorts, t shirts, sandals or barefoot, no gloves, no helmets). These people make me cringe when l see them. They r asking for the worst all for what they think makes them look cool. Road rash, cracked skulls, broken bones, & death r NOT COOL.
Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, but despite what people say, as long as u use common sense & do not try stunts, u r no longer the danger. It is our comrades on 4 wheels that r the danger. You must always bear in mind that we r a small target on bikes & often times they just do not see us. It is the nature of the beast sadly. We have to do our part to ride safe & remain as visible as possible to cars. When in doubt, let the cars go. In a wreck we wont win.
But do not let it scare u from learning to ride. There is something almost zen like about it.
Whatever u decide ride or drive safe.

- Chris

You need to take a MSF class, your parents have to give you permission, start with something you feel comfortable on, you will probably get to see a few different kinds at your MSF class, you will get wet in the rain.

The DMV can tell you where the MSF course is given ( usually on a local college campus). The Harely-Davidson dealer also has an approved course called ''Riders Edge''.

When it rains, you wear your rain suit and slow down.