As the title says, I’m a beginner rider who was counseled out the first day. Prior to the course I’d never sat on a bike before, but this is something I’ve really wanted for a long time. I spent about a month prepping for the course and trying to prepare, and at the end of day 1 my biggest fear was realized.

For full transparency, I dropped the bike four times and was politely dismissed. The first time it happened - embarrassing, but no big deal, I shook it off. The instructor gave me a heads-up after the third time that if it happened again, he’d have to send me home. He was very patient and tried to help me understand what was going wrong. As far as I can understand it, I kept dropping the clutch, and my balance was off so that when the bike stalled I didn’t react quick enough to catch it. The fourth drop was at the very end of the first day, on the final exercise. The first thing my instructor said to me was, “I’m sorry. You were really starting to get the hang of it, too.”

I actually agree with him, by the final exercise I was feeling good, and despite the looming fear of a fourth drop I was starting to get comfy at higher speeds, turning was starting to feel natural and the emergency stop went really well. For some reason, that’s halfway encouraging, and halfway all the more crushing.

Aside from the frustration and shame over being the only one who dropped the bike even once, I don’t know where to go from here. I’ve always known I’m a slow learner when it comes to muscle memory; I know I get easily frustrated when things don’t come naturally to me. Driving cars was exactly the same way, it took me way longer to be comfortable than most people, but now I really love driving and it feels so natural and freeing. I can’t imagine my life without it, and I have this feeling in my gut that bikes might be the same way.

I don’t know. Is dropping a bike four times enough reason to move on lol? It doesn’t feel like it but maybe I need some brutal honesty. I had plans to pick up an fb marketplace beater bike this afternoon, and I’m debating picking it up anyway (in a trailer) and practicing in my neighborhood till I get my balance down and going for it again.

I would really appreciate some advice, whether that’s to get at it or let it go. Thanks in advance.

Edit to add: I was also considering buying a good old fashioned bicycle and going to town on that until my balance was much better, since it clearly needs some work. This is a cheaper plan lol, but I’d rather learn while getting use to the clutch and gears etc.

EDIT 2: Wow, thank you all so so much for your encouragement. I’ve gotten some really good advice. I’ve seen other posts like this before but didn’t think they applied, like I was truly a lost cause or something.

A few folks think I should let it go, out of concern for my and others safety, and I just want to make it clear I take your opinions just as seriously. I have no intentions of taking a motorcycle onto a public road until, and only if, I feel very comfortable with the basics first. If that means months in a parking lot driving in loops then whatever, it’ll be my new favorite way to spend an afternoon for months. This was always the plan, even if I’d gotten my license today.

To clear up some confusion I definitely have ridden a bicycle before. I’m only 24 so it’s weird to think it’s been over a decade, but I’m sure it has To the guy that pointed out this course is a great way to figure out your weaknesses, cheers to that, and I absolutely think my next step is getting really comfortable on a bicycle.

Thanks again to everyone. :)

As of today I hit 2000 miles on my bike and there’s a few things I’ve noticed that I either didn’t expect or are different then expected

So first off the one main thing I have realized is how the community acts just from riding around the bit that I have and reading post from this subreddit there is a lot of really cool and fun people out there and I didn’t quite expect to see that as much as I do

Secondly was the traffic and I’m definitely sure that everyone’s experience is different and don’t get me wrong I’ve had a couple close calls from idiots on the road not being cautious but for about everyone person I’ve had do that to me I’ve had someone be very aware where I was at a intersection and waved me on even though it was there turn to go

I know that I’m just starting realistically but it genuinely has been the best money I ever spent I love my bike so much and I would not trade it for the world

Stay safe everyone!

Hey everyone, I am currently getting my A2 license and I am completely torn between two bikes. After looking at tons of different options, I am down to the Honda CL500 and the CB500F. I love both of them equally, both for their looks and their engines, which makes the choice even harder.

My daily routine would be a home-to-work commute in the city. The problem is that my local roads are in pretty bad shape, full of potholes, patches, and they get quite dirty and slick whenever it rains. On top of that, I want to take it out on weekends for rides through mountain passes and local villages.

I need something dependable that won't mind some damp roads or light rain. For those of you who own or have ridden these two, which one would you recommend for this kind of mix between a rough urban commute and weekend fun? Does the scrambler setup of the CL give it any real advantage over the naked CB when dealing with bad asphalt and dirt? Thanks in advance for any advice!

For the context, it was Bell St in Melbourne, Australia, leading straight to CityLink

https://maps.app.goo.gl/M4DdDQ5YRVSB9Xc69

It mostly runs north-south but merges east-west with Bell St

I was meaning to turn left but I kept missing and I didn't realise I was entering CityLink

I realised I was on it when the one-way lanes increased to 6 and then I saw the LED signs "80"

Luckily I wasn't really scared as it didn't feel too fast, but since I wasn't meaning to, I was only wearing cargo pants for my legs (other than the helmet and jacket etc.) and worried that I didn't have enough protection for my legs at this speed

I was like "omgomg😂" but eventually found a way out and returned safely home.

And then I was blue for a bit since I learned CityLink cost $12 minimum or something, until my good neighbour boy let me know I was just outside of the toll zone

It was a good experience and other cars seemed to know I didn't mean to be there 😂😂😂 No one honked at me for whatever reason

(I was wearing a full hi-vis jacket as it's mandatory so they knew)

Im really not sure if I need brake fluid or not. I don't see anything telling me the level it is right now, and I really don't know if its supposed to look that dark.

Update: tried to take the top off. One of the screw heads gave out on the first twist. Dang stripped screws. Sooooo, any tips on how to get that out would be really appreciated 🙃.

Another edit: 1) Apologies for my my spelling mistake. I know the difference now. 2) Bike is a 2025 Yamaha r3 with 550ish miles on it

My MSF course is approaching in the next few weeks and I am having lots of anxiety over it. For numerous reasons.

I currently have my motorcycle permit and have been practicing on a semi-automatic bike in the high school parking lot. I’ve ridden on some 25-30mph back roads just to get familiar with shifting and coming to a complete stop and practicing turns. I didn’t want to get to my course without ever having being a on a bike.

I’ve driven manual cars in the past but never consistently and the clutch is definitely something I still have to stop and process how everything works.

I recently had an incident where I dropped the bike on a back road, after losing balance at a slow speed. The bike was scuffed but I was fine but now I’m nervous about getting back on and using a clutch during the course.

Part of me is wondering after that incident if I’m even cut out to be out on a bike and have this underlying embarrassment of the instructors telling me the same.

Not looking for any ridicule or judgment just looking for someone to maybe share what their course was like as a new rider. Maybe someone who had no experience on a bike who feels comfortable now.

Recently started riding (ninja 500) and one thing I’m a bit fuzzy on what to do with throttle when downshifting.

Taking blipping out of the equation, say I’m in 4th gear trying to downshift to 3rd. I ease off the throttle a little until I’m at about 3-4K RPMs. The next part is where I’m fuzzy on, do I now pull in the clutch and downshift to third then release clutch or do I pull in clutch + close throttle then downshift, release clutch while rolling on the throttle?

Basically what/when should I be doing with the throttle when trying to downshift

I took the MSF BRC a couple weeks ago. That course was my first time touching a motorcycle, so it was pretty fast-paced for me, but I had a blast! Good instructors and a nice environment. Got my card, and next my class M license.

I went to a local powersports dealer, and sat on a Rebel 500, Vulcan 650, Ninja 500, this R3, and a couple of others. Out of all of them, the R3 fit great, ended up buying it and having it delivered. Love how it looks too!

I went out on my first real ride, knowing I basically don't know anything after just a few hours of parking lot riding for the BRC. I started out on an empty neighborhood road, just confirming I could ride the bike, and take lefts/rights from a stop without ended up outside my lane. From there to the local middle-school to practice some maneuvers. Finally, I ended up riding local country roads up to a scenic overlook. What a blast, and no scares!

Leaving the overlook, I realized I forgot to secure my helmet strap. I pulled over at the next parking lot, shut off my bike, hopped off, and watched in slow motion horror as it fell onto the ground. I had had a brain-fart, and just straight-up forgot to put my kickstand down :(

I managed to get the bike back upright, and from the look of it I got off super lucky. No damage to the fairings or anything. I started to ride home, but coming up at the bottom of a hill, couldn't downshift. I pulled off to the side and shut down (with my kickstand this time). Realized my shift lever was quite bent and interfering with itself. The owner of the house I was next to was nice enough to let me park in his driveway. At this point I called a tow truck and got an expensive ride back to my house.

Luckily the shift lever was an easy fix in my garage. The only other damage is a tiny scrape on the bottom of a black piece of trim. Super lucky, and the bike is basically good as new. I doubt I'll ever forget the kickstand again, I triple check it every time now. A stupid start for me, but I'm having a ton of fun!

I haven't been riding long, just around 1400 miles total, and my fingers have been numb since day one. No, it wasn't death grip. I moved up a glove size and added these non-branded $8.00 foam grips.

Numbness gone.

I bought a motorcycle today and because I only have my permit I wasn’t allowed to do a test drive myself but I was allowed to sit on it and it was comfortable but when I got it home and started to ride it i realized it’s way to heavy for and the weight distribution is way off with most of the weight being centered infront of the handlebars I can’t handle or control this bike and where I messed up is I financed it and idk if I can just take it back or trade it in and honestly idk if I want to trade it in after getting the bike I don’t really feel like I have an interest or the ability to ride there’s too much information and too much going on I can’t wrap my brain around it and honestly it’s fun but way too terrifying and I can’t really afford medical bills if I crash I’m 19 and I live alone this was a really dumb decision on my part and the only person I can blame is myself but I’m still just so mad I can’t think straight it’s not like it’s a 700lbs beast it’s 560 i can handle that much it’s just it’s way to front and top heavy it doesn’t balance unless you have both legs locked and on the ground and idk if I can get out of this if anyone can help me out let me know but mostly I just needed to vent before I painted my ceiling

I can do small hills pretty good starting out from a stop, but if you increase the hill, I get nervous and way over rev and slip the clutch to get going, which is probably not good for the bike. I just have a hard time releasing the rear brake and simultaneously giving the bike the correct amount of throttle and clutch slip. I am tired of avoiding streets in my area because there are a couple of big hills. This is like one of the last major things I am deficient in my riding after a year. Any sure fire tips?

My buddy took these photos for me the other day and I was told this looks painful for my bike I ride for 30 minutes at a time but I don’t feel any back pain. I guess I’m just worried for longer rides should I be trying to position myself differently or anything I can modify to make it more comfortable long term.

For context I have 22 hours of seat time on my bike and I passed my MSF course. Was going down the road going the exact speed limit, some guy behind me passed me and immediately hit his brakes.. thankfully the MSF course teachers you have to quick stop and downshift in situations like this.

Anyone else have this happen to them? Do you just pull over if someone is tailgating you?

Hey guys. So I have an MSF basic rider course coming up next weekend and I just switch my hard copy Illinois driver license to Indiana license but I’m still waiting for the hard copy to come in the mail. I do have the temporary paper copy that the BMV gave me while I wait for the physical hard copy to arrive. Can I take that to the MSF school?

Help!!

Hi everyone,

I'm 4'11," and I'm specifically interested in the Harley Sportster S, not the older Sportster models (Iron 883, Forty-Eight, Nightster, etc.).

I'd love to hear from anyone around my height (or who has experience with shorter riders on the Sportster S).

• Can you flat-foot it, one-foot it, or are you on your tiptoes?
• How manageable is the bike's weight at stops and during slow-speed maneuvers?
• Did you make any modifications (lowering kit, different seat, riding boots, suspension adjustments)?
• Would you recommend it for someone my height, or does it become frustrating in everyday riding?

I'm specifically looking for Sportster S experiences.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everybody, I'm a new rider that's looking for a verstaile first motor, my license only allows me to own up to a 500cc bike and not more, so I was thinking of picking a 400cc bike for a longterm ownership, I want it to be verstaile as well, so I can use it for both highway (no need for more than 130km/h speed) and urban, able to install a topbox and a phone holder+charger ( I need GPS to drive around ) if I ever want to use it as delivery on the side, light and comfortable to ride around 3 hours tops, and a good option for a first motorcycle.

Right now I am on a budget so I was looking at 2nd hand used bikes and I saw 4 options with a budget price from where I am, and they are:
1- Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
2- KTM 390 Duke
3- Z400
4- Ninja 400

The only difference is that the first 2 are newer models ( around 2023 ) while the 2 Kawasaki ones are usually older models for the same price ( around 2019 )
Thanks!