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First ride

1675 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  MrSciTrek
Holy crap, you guys. I just took my EX500 out for the first time, having never ridden a bike before. This is so much fun I'm surprised it's not illegal. Once I get a license plate and everything I doubt my wife will ever be able to get me off of the thing.
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And keep your eyes OPEN and a hand on the brake lever.

Get yo'self some protective clothes if you don't already have them, & go practice some panic stops & emergency avoidance maneuvers...

Too much unbridled fun can get a new rider hurt.
Or an old rider for that matter.

The Pahty Poopuh...
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ASAP is in April. :mad:

I certainly intend to take it once that's an option, till then I don't intend to put myself anywhere near a large amount of traffic. The road where I live is pretty empty most of the time, though I did have a couple of dogs try to intercept me.

And I'm too much of a safety freak to ride without all the gear-- helmet, gloves, jacket w/ armor, boots, jeans w/ padding, all that good stuff.
If you're not going to get a motorcycle endorsement anytime soon, at least get a learners permit. the first thing their going to ask you if/when you get pulled over is your license. without a permit, you've got no business being on a motorcycle in the streets. It's going to be a pretty embarrassing experience if you get busted without SOMETHING. It's also a moving violation and insurance agents love those. Means more money for them! Besides, the state doesn't care if the MSF says you passed their Basic Riders Course written/road testing, you're going to have to pay and pass the written state test for a permit anyway. it's a requirement before you're issued an endorsement of any kind. If you get it out of the way, you're that much closer to getting legal.
Permit's in the bag, knocked that out even before I bought the bike. All I really need to be legal right now is a license plate.
Lucky#13 said:
Knightslugger said:
If you're not going to get a motorcycle endorsement anytime soon, at least get a learners permit. the first thing their going to ask you if/when you get pulled over is your license. without a permit, you've got no business being on a motorcycle in the streets. It's going to be a pretty embarrassing experience if you get busted without SOMETHING. It's also a moving violation and insurance agents love those. Means more money for them! Besides, the state doesn't care if the MSF says you passed their Basic Riders Course written/road testing, you're going to have to pay and pass the written state test for a permit anyway. it's a requirement before you're issued an endorsement of any kind. If you get it out of the way, you're that much closer to getting legal.
That all depends on what state and how old you are.
Can you give me an example?
that's true here in Wisconsin as well. However you are still required to have a motorcycle endorsement if you are operating a motorcycle on streets, grandfathered or not. It's a trivial matter if you qualify for automatic licensing, but it's still required. Most who qualify don't bother with the process, but without it, you're fair game to law enforcement.
Lucky#13 said:
LOL . In MSF class they told us that dogs are the most predictable animals. I live in the woods and dogs don't have to be on a leash . Anyway... there is one that lives up the road , and he is anything BUT predictable . He's not the only loose dog around here but he is the best of the best ! Deer are way more predictable than him.
Glad to hear you are gonna take the classes . Good luck and keep the shiny side up!


A dog was the reason for my first wheelie (done on the KZ). A deer was almost the reason I lost my EX, though.

Knightslugger said:
If you're not going to get a motorcycle endorsement anytime soon, at least get a learners permit. the first thing their going to ask you if/when you get pulled over is your license. without a permit, you've got no business being on a motorcycle in the streets. It's going to be a pretty embarrassing experience if you get busted without SOMETHING. It's also a moving violation and insurance agents love those. Means more money for them! Besides, the state doesn't care if the MSF says you passed their Basic Riders Course written/road testing, you're going to have to pay and pass the written state test for a permit anyway. it's a requirement before you're issued an endorsement of any kind. If you get it out of the way, you're that much closer to getting legal.
I've heard way too many stories about local riders having nothing at all and law enforcement not really even caring. It ticks me off just a little bit, it's aggravating when someone won't take a little time to get legal. It's skin off their back, not mine, though.

ipso said:
Holy crap, you guys. I just took my EX500 out for the first time, having never ridden a bike before. This is so much fun I'm surprised it's not illegal. Once I get a license plate and everything I doubt my wife will ever be able to get me off of the thing.
I don't know of anything as liberating or fulfilling as the first few times out on the bike. It's almost like sensory overload. Enjoy it!
Back in the late 70's - mid 80's I put matbe 25,000 miles on my 3 different bikes. Then I sold them to raise kids. I kept my "M" endorsement (NE) just in case. I had to pass the written test once when I was late renewing but never another riding test. I was pretty shaky being on a motorcycle the first 5 times, & my skills felt barely better than as a beginner.

I'm hoping my daughter (24) & I will take the safety class this Spring. She likes to travel/adventure & figures that cycles are more common, cheaper & easier in many places.
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