January 30th, 2012, 08:47 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jen
Location: NYC
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Special Edition Posts: 95
|
Can anyone ride a motorcycle?
Can anyone learn to ride a motorcycle? I don't mean your grandmother or your 5-year-old kid, I mean anyone in their 20s? I'm sure the learning curve will be different for everyone, but do you think that there are just some people who were never meant to ride? I've been thinking about this lately. Looking forward to your input.
|
|
January 30th, 2012, 08:50 PM | #2 |
Ambrosia.
Name: Jaymie
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.
|
As long as they don't have an acute fear of something related to riding, I see why not.
__________________________________________________
Life's better on the Mountain. |
|
January 30th, 2012, 09:05 PM | #3 |
Motorcycle Hypermiler
Name: Vic
Location: Livermore CA
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.
|
Most people are physically capable of learning to operate a motorcycle . Some may lack the strength and coordination. In my opinion the bigger issues are not physical but mental.
1) Is the person really interested in riding or just the idea of riding? Are they motivated enough to learn and pursue the skills needed to be a good rider. 2) Do they have the ability to focus their attention while riding. 3) Do they have the guts to overcome their fears. Can they react in an effective manner or do they panic or over-react? Motorcycling demands more than driving and those who are unwilling or unable to meet those demands shouldn't do it. My2 cents worth. |
|
January 30th, 2012, 09:14 PM | #4 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
|
No. I've met people who are scared to ride a bicycle with training wheels. I don't see them riding that, let alone a motorcycle. If they have terrible coordination, they'd probably end up dead, or crippled before they learned.
__________________________________________________
|
|
January 30th, 2012, 09:41 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jason
Location: Mississauga
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634
|
Anyone can learn to ride...
But not everyone can continue to do so successfully. |
|
January 30th, 2012, 09:46 PM | #6 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Apr '13
|
I don't think blind people can ride motorcycles. I'm not sure though, let me do some research and check some facts
__________________________________________________
If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
|
January 30th, 2012, 09:52 PM | #7 |
Avid Kitteh Poster
Name: Justin
Location: Norcal
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.
|
__________________________________________________
I powdercoat stuff Help me pay for my addiction I say funny stuff. http://twitter.com/JustinPWNSyou sometimes... I write like a 12 year old too, http://justinpwnsyou.wordpress.com/ |
|
January 30th, 2012, 10:09 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bill
Location: Orlando
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r - Traded for 2009 ER-6N Posts: 424
|
No. Motorcycle riding is just out of some people's abilities. Most people who can't don't try.
The rest wreck.
__________________________________________________
|
|
January 30th, 2012, 10:28 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ken
Location: Indio, CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
|
Technically, yes. Realistically, no.
As other members have commented, some people simply aren't meant to ride motorcycles, either due to limitations of physical or mental capabilities.
__________________________________________________
< ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name? |
|
January 31st, 2012, 07:28 AM | #10 |
Russian Ninja :)
Name: Andrei
Location: Ocean City, MD
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, 2009 Yamaha FZ6, 2010 Kawi 250r (sold) Posts: 335
|
My fiancee expressed an interest that she wants to ride, so I have been thinking about that as well.
She is a tiny 95 lb girl. I told her I want her to have one more year of driving experience (as she is a new driver), then take MSF course, and then we will talk. If I see that she is comfortable on a bike, I will give her a 250 as a present It would be awesome to have her as a riding buddy though
__________________________________________________
2009 Fazer (2009 Yamaha FZ6), 2012 Triumph Street Triple R Last futzed with by koenigcitizen; January 31st, 2012 at 08:33 AM. |
|
January 31st, 2012, 07:43 AM | #11 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ross
Location: NoVA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R Posts: 214
|
Quote:
+1 Some people are just not capable to handle the physical and/or mental requirement of riding.
__________________________________________________
----------------------------------------- --Power is nothing without control-- ----------------------------------------- |
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 08:46 AM | #12 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
|
Everyone can learn, that does not mean that everyone should.
__________________________________________________
The Venom List - For All Things Venomous!!! |
|
January 31st, 2012, 09:06 AM | #13 |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
|
How'bout those who are missing digits and/or limbs.. good number of them coming back from overseas in their mid 20's.
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 09:13 AM | #14 |
The Black Widow
Name: Eva
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189
|
There's a guy in my neighborhood with a prosthetic leg who still rides. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident.
__________________________________________________
The Venom List - For All Things Venomous!!! |
|
January 31st, 2012, 09:30 AM | #15 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
|
I'm with general consensus that almost everyone has the physical capability. With proper instruction and technique (and occassionally some bike mods), it is easy enough for almost anyone with the desire to learn and the right mental approach.
But that is the catch. People could have a mental block or fears that hold them back. My wife, who is physically capable of riding, has a healthy fear that blocks her combined with lack of patience to learn. She'll never be able to ride. Seemed like a good place to put this:
__________________________________________________
"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
|
January 31st, 2012, 09:39 AM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Alex
Location: Salt Lake City
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, 2011 250R SE (sold 5/8/13) Posts: 128
|
There was an older guy on my MSF course who had been riding a 250 scooter for a year. He struggled a lot, so half way through the first day the instructors took him off the motorbikes and got him to use his own scooter.
He still struggled. One of the scarier sights I've seen to be honest - knowing that this guy had been riding on public highways for a year already and still possessing such little control over his scooter. I don't think that this guy will ever be able to ride a proper motorbike. I've known other people throughout my life with very little coordination who I think would struggle with the controls. If you can drive a manual car I'm pretty sure you have the faculties to ride a bike. |
|
January 31st, 2012, 09:48 AM | #17 | |
KThanksBye
Name: Kevin
Location: Orange County
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 zx636r Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
----> My Youtube! <---- Unregistered, watch my youtube page! |
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 10:34 AM | #18 |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
|
Use common sense guys, just because it can be done doesn't mean that it's a good idea.
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 11:23 AM | #19 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Andrei
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2008 Daytona 675 Posts: 212
|
A story
When I was taking my MSF class, we had a guy show up. He was greek, so his bro was there to translate...but thats besides the point. Just by looking at him you could tell something was not quite right...blank stare, seems like someone kept on hitting him with a 2x4 every morning. But that's besides the point. Did not have a drivers license. Also besides the point.
He was eventually (on 2nd day) downgraded from a bike to a scooter. And then he got kicked out. We were doing the laps with S-boxes. I was in my box going though an S when I saw him sort of just casually blow by his box, ride all the way around, and simply just follow the line into my box, where I was doing the S. And just keep on rolling right towards me, looking straight at me. I stopped at that point, got on the horn and started yelling at him. About 3-4 yards away from me SOMETHING snapped in his head and he just realized the fact that he was coming towards someone. We're not all created equal, some (and this guy was probably the bottom end of the curve) seem completely incapable of being able to look at the road, recognize where they are supposed to be, what to do, and do it. Everything must have happened very slow and serially for him. His bro took him home and told the instructor that he would practice in the backyard or out on a dirt field somewhere. I hope I don't run into that 'tard anywhere. |
|
January 31st, 2012, 11:37 AM | #20 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Brian
Location: Detroit, MI
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
I agree with everybody else. Physically is one thing and unless that person is insanely small or insanely large, sure why not. Mentally is a totally different question. There are just some people that make crappy decisions all the time. Not the type of people that should be riding or driving.
__________________________________________________
2009 Ninja 250R SE Green Sport Touring Style: ZG ST; Symtec heated grips; RAM GPS w/ mUSB; DIY reshaped seat; DIY Givi E21 Sidecases; 15T sprocket |
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 12:25 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Iowa City
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 54
MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16
|
I had a friend that rode bicycles a lot . He wanted to ride a BMW to Alaska. I said he should take the MSF class and study riding. Ware all gear all the time. Then get a cruser to learn how to ride. He did everything right . Three months and he was killed when he turned in front of a van. I later found out he wrecked every car he ever owned. If I had known that I would have suggested he not ride motorcycles.
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 01:10 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Norfolk, VA
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.
|
motorcycling is not meant for everyone...
other than basic necessities, few things in life are. |
|
January 31st, 2012, 01:28 PM | #23 | |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
|
Quote:
...... oh wait.
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 01:50 PM | #24 |
Nooblet
Name: Akima
Location: England
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '13
|
My really rough, noobie, completely unsubstantiated guess, is that only ~50% of adults are of the right mental and physical state to be able to ride without problems. There are so many boxes that you need to tick in order to effectively command a bike:
[ ] Do you have good muscle-control for making small precise movements in your feet, wrists and fingers? [ ] Do you have good muscle-control for making confident, broader movements with your arms legs and torso. [ ] Do you have confidence in your own abilities? (Not everyone has the belief in themself they need to do something, despite the fact that they may be more than physically and mentally capable of doing it. I think this holds more women back than men. More of my girl friends than guy friends will shoot themselves down and talk themselves out of things. If you haven't developed that inner confidence before starting something then I think you're likely to be on a fast track to disaster if you try and ride a motorcycle out on public streets. I think if you have just enough confidence to do it then I think motorcycles can be a major confidence boost. Personally I find them quite self-empowering.) [ ] Do you have the mindset that you must take charge of your own destiny and your own bike?... not just for operating your bike, but for fueling it, maintaining it, cleaning it, servicing it, listening to it and generally giving it all the love that it needs to keep you safely rolling. No one else is going to take responsibility for your bike (unless you're loaded!), so if you don't the bike may well let you down... and when it does and you crash it would be your own fault. [ ] Are you able to overcome your fears of riding? As mentioned by other people, there seem to be so many opportunities a motorcycle presents you to act out of fear and subsequently end up in a bad situation. I love Keith Code's discussion of all the different fear reactions that riders will go through and how they all lead to disaster. I've experienced a fear-induced accident before where I panic'd and target fixated. I later overcame that mindset and fear in a very similar scenario, which aloud me to confidently move the bike the way it needed to be moved. I remember reading about how Alex completely lost the back end in a turn and was sliding around a corner, but instead of freaking out, grabbing brakes or bailing, he did what you're supposed to: stayed focused, stayed on the throttle and he rode it out. [ ] Do you have the energy to ride. Like most people here I've driven cars and ridden motorcycles. It's a damn sight easier and requires much less energy to drive a car. Some people are more lethargic than others and may not have the energy needed to gear up, endure rain, high temperatures, near misses, powerful wind, bug splats and everything else. Personally I love it all!! That's all I can think of for now. I know more people who can't tick all those boxes than people who can. |
|
January 31st, 2012, 01:57 PM | #25 | |
Russian Ninja :)
Name: Andrei
Location: Ocean City, MD
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, 2009 Yamaha FZ6, 2010 Kawi 250r (sold) Posts: 335
|
Quote:
+1
__________________________________________________
2009 Fazer (2009 Yamaha FZ6), 2012 Triumph Street Triple R |
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 02:28 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: E
Location: 818 but i rep 516/631/718
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 GIXXER 600 Posts: 381
|
my wife can barely drive a car.. there is no way she would be able to ride without a lot of coaching before the riding course
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 05:14 PM | #27 |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
|
Not an elephant
__________________________________________________
blink-182 |
|
January 31st, 2012, 05:15 PM | #28 | |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
My gfs good with the car, and was very good first time bike. But your reply made me think of probably 70% of the drivers I see everyday Most don't know where the cars battery is.
__________________________________________________
blink-182 |
|
|
January 31st, 2012, 05:20 PM | #29 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Apr '13
|
Best way to cut down weight for track riding is to start amputating limbs.
__________________________________________________
If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[motorcycle-usa.com] - Ride for a Cause: 2014 Brittney Ride for St. Jude | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | October 14th, 2014 09:31 PM |
[motorcycle.com] - Ride With The Sons Of Anarchy Cast At 4th Annual Boot Ride And Ral | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | October 14th, 2014 10:40 AM |
[motorcycle.com] - Duke’s Den – Ride To Work, Right To Ride | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | June 4th, 2014 04:20 PM |
[motorcycle.com] - Live Tweed, Ride Dapper The Distinguished Gentlemans Ride This We | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | September 24th, 2013 11:40 AM |
[topix.net] - Bea Rice finds second motorcycle ride as exciting as her first ride | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | August 31st, 2010 04:20 PM |
|
|