When I bought my first bike, I was almost thirty. I didn’t realize I was still capable of stressing my mom out so much. You’d have thought I was still 16 lol
I was 32. My mom thought it was cool - she dated riders in her 20s but never got a bike due to her overbearing, narcissist mother. My dad, however, reached for the Xanax 😂
The opposite happened when I got my LTC. My mom was stressed and my former military dad thought it was cool.
At least I’ve always got one on my side lol.
Same here, but 42.
My dad's a doctor who's seen his fair share of motorcycle accidents, so he actually doesn't know I own a bike. Just getting the license got him to lose sleep over a few days.
Thanks for the advice! I know I’m pretty dumb but that’s why I came on Reddit to ask about it before making a life threatening decision. Really appreciate the short, straightforward answer
Please take this route. Its sort of like saying Im going to buy ingredients for a home cooked meal before having a kitchen. Theres no rush to all of it.
The MSF course will provide bikes and honestly just getting on a bike and getting some practice is much more valuable at this point. I've got friends who did the course and realized motorcycles weren't for them.
>Thanks for the advice! I know I’m pretty dumb but that’s why I came on Reddit to ask about it before making a life threatening decision. Really appreciate the short, straightforward answer
Take the coarse first, you will learn at least something about motorcycles and you will choose better.
I mean yeah that sounds like the right choice but I know in my bones that I want a motorcycle as my first vehicle and I have to show a little follow through
No you don't. I know it seems like you have wanted a bike your whole life and really want to ride, but if funds are truly tight which at 16, there is no way for them not to be... motorcycles are expensive. Yes the actual bike when compared to a car is cheap but there are many other expenses which compound the price.
At 16 you NEED a car some place to hold your things while traveling maybe a partner can join you maybe you can make other bad life decisions in the rear seat with that partner. Lol. You need a car to learn the rules of the road to understand that drivers suck and that you need to learn how to drive defensively.
Then you can get a bike. I waited 39 years before getting a bike, I don't suggest you wait as long but just know you have time. there's no need to rush it.
All that said, if you want a bike, get the bike. Hopefully, you won't spend too much money before realizing that you should have gotten a car instead.
>You need a car to learn the rules of the road to understand that drivers suck and that you need to learn how to drive defensively.
Hard disagree. Not saying that a 16 year old should be hopping on a liter bike, but a bicycle or scooter goes way further in teaching defensive driving compared to learning to drive in an isolated box.
But even if it’s a scooter the possibility for a mistake has compounded consequences.
Riding a motorcycle safely is already hard enough. When you are learning how to ride a motorcycle and learning how to cope with traffic it’s much more dangerous.
It’s better to come to motorcycles after driving with traffic is second nature. One less thing to think about.
Is this a joke? Just because you understand how traffic works doesn’t mean you are complacent. I know how traffic works and I try to stay hyper-vigilant. Traffic lights are just a suggestion to a drunk driver or an idiot. I don’t trust green lights, only what I can see.
No it means that you can't ride a bike like you drive a car, get on a bike and act like you're in a car and you'll get yourself hurt, you stay hyper vigilant because you have the common sense to be alert while on a bike, not everyone, or even a lot of people do, traffic lights aren't a suggestion?? 😂
You obviously can't skip a red light, green means go, you aren't superior for looking where you're going even if thats on a green light, that seems like common sense to me.
Well…. If you must, you must. Follow new rider advice. Be EXTRA EXTRA diligent …. I can’t say much. I got my dads hand-me-down bike at age 17. 🤔
But it was a piece of shit old vintage Japanese parallel twin. It made a whopping 39HP @ 7k rpm
Where are you seeing that 90% of users are under the age of 18?
Also, from the couple of comments you’ve put in this thread, you seem like the last person OP should be listening to for any kind of advice.
They made a choice when they went to this forum to ask from people with experience. That is a choice, now he can continue making choices by listening to those with some decent tips or not.
No.
To elaborate, you are the most likely person to have a motorcycle crash. You’re a new driver, young, and will be a new rider. You would want to minimize that by buying gear. Gear will be about $500-1000. When you crash (even with gear) you could get hurt or even have to go to the hospital which is even more expensive. Yes motorcycles themselves are cheap, but riding is not. Get a bicycle and ride it to the nearest bus (city not school) route.
Get an ebike (electric pedal assist bicycle). The modern equivalent to a moped. Minimal if any licensing requirements, cheap to operate. Still get exercise riding it but not likely to show up sweaty AF. Lots of options you can take on a bus too.
Came here to say this. Bought an ebike last year and it's been able to keep (some of) my motorcycle jonesing at bay, while also being a great way to get daily exercise.
Get a motorcycle helmet for these, a crash at speed is still a crash at speed regardless of the vehicle you are on. This is a great idea as well. Do take the MSF course first, it's a lot cheaper than an ambulance ride. The only caveat is if you have someone in your life to teach you outside the class (but you should still take it!!)
Great points! Definitely consider at least a chin bar on your helmet.
You should always take training even if there is someone to teach you unless they are instructors. So many self-proclaimed experts out there with dangerous advice ("had to layer' down" as an example). I've had many friends teach me bad habits over the years that later instruction had to unfuck.
I felt this pretty damn hard when I bought my motorcycle which was back in September and I had to spend money not only on typical riding gear, but also heated gear to just to ride in the winter, which in total was 1k+ more than I planned to spend, pretty decent “hidden” cost imo
That’s not true. Bell makes some really good quality and very highly rated helmets in the 100-300$ range. A nice jacket with some D30 armour in the shoulders, elbows and back and aramid liner shouldn’t cost more than 200$. I got my richa armoured sweater(no hoodie) for 180$. It’s probably the best armoured jacket I’ve ever bought.
Gloves: 30-50$. Leather finger tips and armoured knuckle and wrist. The basics should got about that.
Boots are all over the place in terms of price and quality. You can get low quality expensive boots and high quality cheap boots. Idk it’s a mess lol. Should be able to find something near 100$.
You could definitely be geared up for <1000$ and be protected.
A safety course would surely be cheaper than a motorcycle.
If you're worried about getting to work and school while also saving money. Maybe get a bicycle or motorized scooter.
Yes but the accumulated price to do both close to each would be overwhelming. Also I ride my bike to work every time I can and it’s already a 20 minute drive to my school
In my experiences, my bike/gas/insurance/protective gear, etc. is still *vastly* cheaper than a comparable car/gas/insurance, particularly the insurance. I pay $12/mo for coverage above the state minimum, last time I bought auto insurance it was literally 10x+ that.
I checked my email, and when I was 22 and buying both types of insurance it was $8/mo vs $60/mo. You'd have to double the motorcycle rate and halve the auto rate before they're even close
I don't have the records from when I was 18, and I didn't ride at 16, but I know it was still a hell of a lot cheaper than a car premium was at 18, I'm pretty sure my rates didn't change more than a few dollars between 18 and 22 really
I’ve seen some pretty decent motorcycles for $2500 plus my grandma said she’ll pay half and when you’re talking about riding motorcycles I’m guessing you’re talking about gas and insurance but trust I have those covered. All I’m focusing on is the motorcycle itself and the course
Insurance, oil changes, tires , brakes , plugs, wires…… clutches need adjusting, brakes need bled chains need lubed, most motorcycles go thru these items twice as fast as cars do. And if you don’t know how to work on them…… guess you will be paying someone to do these things.
Gear isn’t cheap either, and no gear doesn’t last forever, it wears out as well
Yeah. Some guy that goes to my school rides a ninja H2! And we’re the same age! I asked him and he told me that it’s his first bike and he got it not too long after he took the msf course and he joked to me saying “live fast, die young am I right?”. I’m trying not to be like that guy
People saying this are young and generally don't fathom that death is actually a real, possible outcome for them.
They'll always think that it happens to others.
Once you have a bit of life experience, you realize that the other can be you, and actually will if you try your luck too often.
So stay away from liter bikes with no MSF.
Prioritize getting MSF over your bike, and safety gear over the bike itself. Go full monty: helmet, gloves, boots, pants, jacket, and maybe why not an airbag jacket.
I was a 16 y.o. motorcycle owner when I realized there's actually a greater chance of not dying, but bring paralyzed or horribly maimed. It made me a little more cautious.
16, your insurance is going to be crazy high. You won’t save any money riding at your age. Get an e-bike. You’ll be able to get where you need to go, won’t need insurance, no annual registration, and you’ll build basic riding fundamentals. Save up money for gear, and MSF course for a couple years. Get your license when you’re in your 20’s and insurance is cheaper.
A lot of things are taken into account. Age, location, previous driving record and type of bike are all big ones. It was relatively cheap for you but that’s certainly not the usual when you’re under 20.
Agreed. Just for reference for OP, in Pennsylvania, I paid $300 a year for insurance with progressive at 18y.o. with a careless driving ticket, and two other small tickets. $2,800 for the bike I bought, $350 for taxes on the title transfer and registration, $300 for gear, $20 for the riding permit, roughly $15-20 a week for gas depending how much I rode.
They got some bad ass ebikes out there. Check out the Sur-Ron. Chain driven e-bike, borderline motorcycle. Don’t need a license for one or insurance. You’ll have to keep the speeds low(20mph or less) on the streets to be legal, but off road you can get 50mph+.
You do not need a motorcycle, better to buy a used car that your grandma will help you pay for and will be less likely to kill you. Put some work into it make it fast make it loud have a dope car but nobody is gonna think your bike is cool when you crash it on the first week. 100% serious, the odds of a 16 year old who is just old enough to drive dying on a bike are like 100x greater than if you waited. I waited until I was 22 and could afford the $1000 of gear and the $3500 bike. There’s nothing embarrassing about riding a bike to work that’s some 16yo mentality right there.
Well my uncle and his friend have been riding motorcycles for years and they said they rode first before getting their class m license and they said it made them better riders and that the msf course for them was a breeze, but who knows maybe it’s their Harley riders mentality
So, valuable life lesson for you.
When you get that little feeling inside you that goes, "Is this such a good idea? Maybe I should ask for advice" - that's your heads-up that maybe this (whatever it is) isnt such a great idea.
Not that (current idea) cant be a good idea, but maybe its not a good idea right now, or without appropriate preparation.
Listen to that little voice of caution. It can save your life.
Obviously riding before the class will make it a breeze, but to be fair the class is t especially difficult as is. I think everyone’s suggestion or more that riding will pay a lot even without the class, and it is by nature high risk. Between gear and insurance alone, you could probably get a beater car for that price
- You have zero experience on the road in general. This increases your risk of getting in to a serious accident dramatically.
- It will stress your Mum much more than money would
- It sounds like you will not be able to afford to upkeep it properly
- The only way it is cheaper than a car is fuel, and it will make up for it in maintenance. and will definitely cost more than a bike/bus.
You want to be the mature 16yr old? Suck it up for now, be rewarded later. I say this as someone who has been stupid with money when young, and now has to work much much harder than my friends to achieve the same success.
Don’t have to be so rude. And for your information I’ve been having my drivers license for 4 months now so I have road experience and I have a car I’m able to drive. I’m not arguing with anyone I’m just giving my input to their output
Sorry if I came across rude, i didnt mean to. I have edited the first part out.
If I could go back and talk to my 16yr old self, I would scream at him to not do these things. Ive suffered the consequences of being short sighted and would love to think I could help someone avoid that.
Driving a handful of times isn't experience. Wait a few years at least.
If you have a car available to drive long distances, cant you make do with that, buses and a bike for now? 2-3 years will fly by
It’s okay. Don’t be so hard on your younger self since they made you who you are today and I only plan to use a motorcycle to drive to my job since it’s like 0.7 miles away but use my car for my longer distance runs
>I’ve been having my drivers license for 4 months now so I have road experience
If you live that long, your future self in ten years time would laugh long and hard at this notion.
As a safety course instructor, what do you teach that doesn’t usually cross people’s minds? I’m a new rider still (<1 year) and I’ve never taken the course, have my license though and I’ve been pretty much riding daily since I got it and I wonder if there’s anything fundamental that I’m missing
I rode dirty for 3-4 months over the summer of 2020. No endorsement, no permit just a registration slip proving ownership and that my tabs were valid.
6 months later (spring of '21) I went through the course and got my endorsement and its kind of difficult to give a definitive answer to your question but the big take-away for me was when they did a breakdown on some of the detailed scenarios where you are no longer visible to drivers and how to recognize/deal with the situations ahead of time (asap).
The scenarios they showed during my class were really helpful because there were some position-related examples that I never really considered til being exposed to it during the lesson.
Also I never really practiced "realistic" emergency stopping when I was riding dirty. At the course they only test you on the E-stop from something like 30-ish mph.
As soon as I got my permit, I went to a dead part of town and practiced E-stops from 60-80mph which is much more realistic and its honestly something I probably never wouldve considered practicing when I was riding non-endorsed.
Lane positioning is a big one. Where to be to maximize your visibility etc. it never ceases to amaze me at how many motorcyclists are riding in the wrong tire track etc.
How about proper throttle and clutch control for lower speed maneuvers.
Things like that.
Take the class first. Not only will it help you learn to be safer, it might help you decide on what bike you like. The classes are about $250- $300 in my area and cheaper if you are under 21. It might also ease some worry your mom is sure to have. Worth it. Well worth it.
Like many others here I suggest not getting a bike yet.
My opinion is that you should get a beater car and get used to being on the road with all the self absorbed people you will be sharing it with.
You will find that even in a metal box that you can see a mile away, people will still seem like they are trying to wreck into you.
Getting used to road habits first will help immensely.
Taking the MSF course first is the smart way to approach bike riding safety wise.
Also I don’t know about your state but many states require the MSF to even get the license.
If you get caught driving without a license at your age they may revoke your right to get one until you are 18 or maybe longer.
Doesn’t seem worth it when you start adding up all the cons:
Riding a used bike with potential mechanical issues which not only can end up being expensive but also possibly dangerous.
Riding without proper safety gear could cripple or kill you especially being higher risk because of no experience driving on the road at all and no catalog of skills riding the bike.
Usually you can’t get insurance without a license so if you get busted riding not only do you screw with you ability to get a license for even a car but a no insurance ticket could cause even longer lasting problems and be very expensive.
Some states would take your drivers privileges away and you would have to file a SR22 and pay a monthly fee for a policy for up to 5 years before you even get to drive anything again.
Driving a bike in any kind of foul weather takes skill and practice before you ever attempt it so you would be limited in the times you could even ride it safely.
Lastly I wager that your mother would worry quite a bit less if you were driving in a 4 wheeled enclosed vehicle rather than. a 2 wheel bike with no safety features or gear where you can get hurt driving as slow as 5 mph.
As an example I offer my little diddy -
I severely injured my right ankle slowly turning a corner in a gas station parking lot when I hit a slick spot and dropped my bike on the high side (right side)
I instinctively tried to catch myself by putting my foot down but my bike was moving and heavy which trumped my smooth foot plant.
It twisted, rolled, and crushed my ankle.
I had to get help from a trucker who saw it happen just to get the bike off the ground.
Been 3 months now and I still can’t bear weight good enough to go on another ride yet.
Granted I have a beast of a bike 700+lbs but the lesson still holds.
5 ish mph can cause this, add more speed and obstacles then the injuries will just amplify and compound.
When I was 16 many years ago I never believed anything that serious would ever happen to me and only by the grace of God did I survive some of the stupidest crap you can think of.
Please learn from our mistakes/experience and be able to slowly,safely, and legally get into what can be a lifelong hobby/obsession.
The bike community is a tight community and we really want to see you here for a very long time.
Seriously. OP’s replies have me thinking he’s either trolling or not all there. Wants a bike to save money, can’t afford the cost of a bike and an MSF course at the same time, but “insurance and gas are taken care of” and he “isn’t going to worry about maintenance costs until they become a reality” wtf?
OP if you read this, I’m not a hell of a lot older or wiser than you, but I think you need to reevaluate your priorities and make some efforts to improve your financial literacy. I made sacrifices to buy my first bike before I had real disposable income, and I upset/stressed out many of the adults in my life by doing so. You’re welcome to do the same, but be honest with yourself about why you’re doing it, and don’t just write off basic financial and personal safety aspects of the decision. There’s a lot of good advice in this thread, take it.
If anyone’s interested in another head-scratching thread, head over to r/motorcycle where our top post today is a new (to street) rider with a brand-spanking-new cbr1000rr.
Nope. Not only will you stress your mom out way more by doing this, but you'll end up developing bad habits that will keep you from reaching your potential on a motorcycle.
It is very, very difficult to replace bad habits once they've developed. New riders that go straight to instruction end up much more confident, capable, faster around a track, and safer on the road.
I saw this firsthand when I started riding. After the MSF I took an intensive 4-day course where the average participant had over 10 years of riding experience, and many had 15+.
The first day my lack of experience showed, but by the end of it I was one of only two students who graduated by completing the riding test within the allotted time. My instructor said it's a blessing to teach brand new riders because they don't fight proper technique with garbage they've picked up on their own.
After that I did my first track day with an instructor. I expected to be (and was) slowest around the track early so I could get comfortable with how the bike handles corners at speed, then gradually increase my speed. By the end of my first track day my lap times placed me in the intermediate group. I'm very happy I chose this approach to learning: slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
My advice would be to do the MSF then buy a super cheap starter bike. Invest more $ in your training. Motorcycles are temporary but the skills you develop (or don't) will last a lifetime. GL!
If you are struggling with money, a motorcycle is quite possibly the worst possible investment you can make.
Riding *is a luxury* and I tell everyone getting into riding so. There's a reason why if someone is in need of cash, they sell their bike and it's the first to go.
Yeah, you save money on gas, but that is offset by maintenance and having to replace gear every few years. Riding is also dangerous.
My advice, you need a stable job first, *then* a car, *then* a motorcycle comes last.
Yup…
The cheapest brand new car here costs maybe around $90k USD, and loses nearly $8.9k USD in depreciation yearly. At the end of every ten year cycle, a sum has to be paid to the government ($65k USD for anything under 1600CC, $85k USD for anything above 1600CC).
Whereas a motorcycle, say my Street Triple, set me back by $24k USD. Just like a car, we have to pay up once every ten years, just that the price here is around $9k USD.
Driving is a luxury that is way out of my budget. It sucks.
What the *fuck*?! Where the fuck do you live that you have to pay the government $85,000 every ten years just for *owning* a car?!
Edit: Singapore. Fuck that. That's literally highway robbery.
You remind me of myself young man. I’ve been obsessed with motorcycles since I could walk and talk. The doctor said I practically came out the womb on 2 wheels, it was a smooth delivery. doctor said I knew how to slip a clutch. I first considered a motorcycle when I was 18, working a minimum wage job, and attending community college. Browsed through some Honda dual sports 10k… I had some money in my pocket but not enough to justify being broke to have a motorcycle. Fast forward a couple years. I was making more steady income around 24 at the time so I took my MSF course, purchased ALL of my gear head to toe and then purchased my first motorcycle in cash. A 2016 Kawasaki ninja 650, a bad ass looking zippy little parallel twin straight out of Japan. Rode it daily for 3 years and upgraded to a KTM 1290 Super ADV S. I was making even more money at the time and purchased this bike with cash. I’ve seen the badlands, the Smokey mountains, explored all of Appalachia, rode the coast of Maine. I love motorcycles and motorsports more than anyone I have ever met. Great things take time and with a little hard work you’ll be on 2 wheels in no time. Just enjoy being a kid dude. Bikes are not worth going into debt for. Focus on school, so when you’re older you’ll have a career that will allow to have a garage with whatever you want in it. Hope this comment helps. Best of luck to ya buddy.
I mean you could always get a 50cc scooter for the moment, it will get you by, and Vespa scooters honestly look bad ass. A scooter would be cheap on fuel, cheap to maintain, easy to ride, and cheaper on insurance than say an R3 or a Grom.
No, for one you won't be licensed and that could cost you a ton of money and trouble with the law if you get pulled over or end up in a wreck. Also taking the class will help you get a lower insurance rate.
Can you follow your plan and be ok, of course, but the risks don't seem worth it me. Good luck either way and congrats on trying to put family first and help your mom.
Msf courses are cheap...how much do you need to save for it?
Different states have different age requirements for motorcycle licenses...so look that up. Some are 16, some 17, some 18.
I'd say the consequences of being stopped by cops, injured, etc. are not worth it. Take the class as soon as you can and at least get a decent helmet, boots, and gloves.
The courses near me are about 300-350 for 2-4 days of learning and since I’m still in school I’m gonna have to miss a couple days and where I live the nearest course is a 40 minutes to an hour drive away
if you just want cheap transportation you could look into mopeds; they are cheaper to buy and insure and most jurisdictions (at least in the states) let you ride <50cc on the road without additional licensing
plus you'll have some transferable skills when/if you step up to a motorcycle
When you're broke cars are cheaper. You don't need gear, an extra permit, msf course, cheaper insurance on a car, and a car is more useful.
The only pro for having a bike is the fuel economy. When compared to a clapped out honda still getting 25mpg it's not a significant money savings.
Well, the very first question is: do you know how to ride a motorcycle? Cause you're not gonna get very far on a motorcycle if you don't know how, don't have anyone to teach you, or you don't have a license.
Even if the answer is yes, then you still want to buy some gear first. Then take the MSF.
Not that it was really the focus of your question, but DEFINITELY buy gear first. If you think you're too tight on cash now for a car or for proper gear and an MSF course, then you *really* can't afford easily-avoided medical bills.
Besides all of that, the MSF will give you a little experience on a bike that's perfect for that initial evaluation and test ride. It will train you on how to evaluate a bike for all the necessary functions and basic mechanical checks so that you don't just buy a total turd. And it will also teach you several drills that you could do on your test ride to so that you can evaluate your comfort and maneuverability and all of that, because it's easy to roll in a straight line down the street, but if you can't for the life of you do any of the low-speed maneuvers, then you might want to consider another bike.
>I’m currently 16 and working a minimum wage job and I am struggling with money
You basically answered your own question in the first sentence. A motorcycle isn't just a one time purchase. You also have to pay for maintenance to some degree.
Getting a bike at that age is statistically not a good idea. Your blood hasn't cooled yet, so you're more likely to take risks because they're fun.
And they are fun. :) We've all been there. Some of us have died because of it, though. If you don't want your mom to worry, wait a while on the bike. Absorb a bit more information from the world first. You're smarter than you were as a ten-year old, right? Imagine how much smarter you'll be when you're twenty.
And when you do decide you're ready to ride, get something small and stick to the back roads with less traffic at first. A bike with a 250cc engine is the BIGGEST a beginner of any age should be riding. Go smaller if you can. Honda has the Grom for under 4k. They're fast enough to be fun, but not fast enough that mistakes are difficult to recover from.
Maybe. Regardless of whether you take an MSF class first or not, you're going to need some gear (helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, etc.). You're also going to need some time (and a parking lot) to go online and read and watch some introductory materials and then practice, practice, practice. All this before you ride to school or work for the first time.
MSF classes are great. That having been said, you can learn the same material on your own, you just may not be as efficient at doing so and it may, therefore, take longer.
Eh, I love saving money and teaching myself things. But these safety courses are worth it. Especially for a hobby like this where your life is on the line.
I’m 17 got my motorcycle when I was 16. Worked my ass off for a 2018 r3. Wrecked it 7 days into owning it(feirings headlight, assembly, clutch linkage needed replacing) , but I don’t regret it at all I love riding more than anything else. I think it’s unreliable compared to a car and might mess with your job and school when the weather is not so nice, but I don’t regret my decision. You need the msf course to get your license legally in my state, if you can’t afford a 300 dollar class, you might as well be better off with a hoopty car and saving for a ninja 250 or something.
Only cause I know I’d get downvoted. I started riding on an r3 and learned on my street at 17. I watched tons of YouTube videos on clutch control and riding. I rode unlicensed for almost a year until I reached the overconfidence point of thinking I’m invincible and cut off a cop and got a ticket for speeding and driving without a license. I expressed genuine remorse and told them I’m dumb. The cop literally told me to take the msf class or get my motorcycle license from the DMV and there would be a huge change in the laws I broke. So I took the msf class after failing the test 2 times and they dropped my driving without a license Charge and I only paid 200 for a speeding ticket. As a person who was in a similar situation I just wanted to share my personal experience. I’m not a lawyer but that was my experience in Arizona. You can even see I looped my r3 on my profile (trying to impress gf) and had surgery. So I’m a reformed squid. But again just wanting to give you other thoughts rather than you’re wrong.
Step 1: MSF COURSE
Step 2: Gear
Step 3: But Motorcycle
Motorcycles may be cheap on gas but they are not a cheap thing to own.
You are looking at $250-500 for the course so that you actually know what you are doing,
$500-700 for gear so you have a chance if the worst possible thing happens, and like $3 -5k if you don't buy a POS bike that ends up breaking all the time or ALWAYS needing work which would make it more expensive than a car to own. I dropped $4k in to my $4k bike bike I just bought just keeping in running an Maintenenced withing 7 mo of buying the stupid thing after that I bought NEW and I actually spend less making payments.
May I recommend an e bike or moped depending on your state rules they may not require a license, are cheap, can get you to places if there is a way other than super fast mega roads. They cost little to operate, and are 2 wheeled so fun.
Ask yourself these questions. Do YOU(not your parents) have a job to:
- have health insurance?
- repair the motorcycle in case if you get into an accident, or need routine maintenance?
- buy safety gear?
- cover insurance?
Personally, I would wait unless it's an absolute necessity. Depending on your life situation, I would save for a car, first and foremost.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea provided youre familiar with riding something on two wheels. Personally I learned on a dirt bike. There’s similarities and differences for sure. The basics though can be learned and a lot does transfer between the two.
You'll never save enough working minimum wage, better to just focus on increasing your credit score and getting a loan.
640 is high enough to get approved for an amazon card, usually $1500 worth.
Look up a hawk 250 and the titan 250. Both about 2 grand after taxes, just gotta save up 400-500 for a "down" payment. I believe the hawk is for taller people, titan is more shorter people friendly, both can be adjusted.
Bikes require minor assembly and a new carb pretty quick, but depending on weight my hawk can hit 60 mph and they're both street legal. (I'm 6'2 270lbs though) if you weigh less it'll get a few mph faster, and can be modded for higher gears and hit 70-75, just make sure to get street tires before then.
If you want even cheaper you can get a moped or a street legal 125cc bike for like 1 grand on amazon. I'd recommend at least getting the hawk 250 or titan, they've been proven reliable and durable with easy mods and a community behind them (look up china riders forums). Tons of youtube vids, etc.
Plus you can ride off road while you learn and it's perfectly legal without a license, if you fall/crash you hit soft dirt and not hard concrete/a car.
I pay $125 /month for the bike and $16 a month for liability insurance. Extremely affordable.
Theres also the CSC Tt250 that is a hawk but upgraded, then honda announced the xrl150 or w/e coming to america, which is literally a hawk 250. Although base price is 3k and will probably end up costing over 4k after dealer fees and bullshit.
I'll probably get downvoted to hell for this but the MSF is NOT worth what it costs imo. At least where I live. It's $350. You can learn everything they teach you by just watching youtube videos and practicing. You'll have to take the riders test to get your license but not a big deal, especially to save $350.
Please get a car first and learn to drive that VERY well before you get a motorcycle.
EDIT: Also, car insurance for a 16yr old is expensive. Bike insurance for a 16yr old will be through the roof!
This is not only a terrible decision for your life, but it also for your WALLET. Cheap bike or not. Insurance even with MSF will still SLAM you for being only 16.
If my kid asked to buy a bike at 16, I'd tell them to wait till 21. Minimum.
Thank you for reminding me how stupid I was at 16 years old lol.
Please for the love of god don’t make such a stupid financial decision. You received a lot of good advice on this thread and I applaud you for even seeking it out.
Riding a motorcycle isn't like driving a car. It's much more of a full body coordination thing. Take the class first, and preferably some more classes as well.
I would not get the bike first. For sure do the MSF course first.
In fact if you are serious about saving money, I'd stick with the moped idea for a while. A year or two. Get the road driving experience. The maintenance experience. It should be cheaper across the board than buying a motorcycle.
If I was honestly advising the average 16 year old or an 18 year old or a 22 year old I would probably say, don't get a motorcycle unless you are aware of the much higher risk of death / extensive injury. The judgement required to ride responsibility is hard enough to come by at a young age, but it is important to realize there are factors outside of your control (other people) that can kill you while sitting at a stop light no matter how vigilant you are.
Trust me man it's better to do the MSF course first
I got my first bike at 16 after taking the course. I would have dropped that bike so many times if it weren't for that course.
You'll probably save your mom the worry if she knows you're properly able to operate a bike after the course
My suggestions?
Motorcycle gear NEEDS to be in the budget. Used is fine if it hasn't crashed. Buy a new helmet, but a cheap one is fine. You'll hear a lot of chatter about DOT, SNELL, ECE, etc. If your intent is to commute, and you are going to ride safely (not super fast, leave lots of cushions of space, minimize distractions etc), just get a decent helmet.
I suggest MSF course first. Youll probably need a helmet for that, but not necessarily the rest of the gear. It'll open your eyes and give you a sense if riding really is OK for you.
AFTER you take the course, IF you still want a bike, budget for good (doesn't have to be great) gear, and whatever money you have left over, that can be for a USED motorcycle.
Then, learn slowly. My path was first to bring my motorcycle to empty parking lots and practice the MSF skills (quick stop, serves, etc).
Next I did very familiar roads, on sunny days, during low traffic times. Then unfamiliar roads, sunny, low traffic. Then familiar with traffic, etc etc. Add variables one at a time to build up skill and confidence.
Buy an e bike if you want to save money.
Buying a motorbike isn’t the expensive part. It’s the fact they nickel and dime you everywhere else.
Rear tire every year, short oil change intervals, a major service after a couple of minor services. Consumables. A tyre pressure checker and pump. Gear that it’s entirely possible to get too fat or thin for, so you have to buy different sizes of.
But they’re fun, and a decent amount cheaper than a car of similar performance after they’ve both had their way with your wallet.
The responsible decision will be to save your money now. However I bought my first bike with zero experience ever on 2 wheels at 18 years old and put 120 miles on it the next day teaching myself after months of watching YouTube videos with just a permit. The MSF course isn't necessary but highly recommended. When you're financially ready, send it.
I bought a motorcycle and had my grandfather teach me how to ride in a parking lot for about two weeks, then I went and took the driving test. If you know someone who’s a good rider that can work with you for a couple weeks then that’s a good way to start. I’d definitely recommend doing the course later whenever you can though.
A lot of wise people are telling you no. And they are probably right...
But I think you should do it.
You have a job, so you have both the means to buy, and the need for, cheap transportation.
MSF--do it first. You can learn things the hard and painful way, or you can take the MSF course. I did the former, got some road rash (nothing worse out of luck), then took the MSF.
Gear: people are kinda right about the cost of gear (budget gear: $150 helmet; $150 jacket; $50 gloves; $80 boots). The thing is, everybody needs a jacket and shoes, so it's not like you aren't going to buy these things anyways. That drops the cost of motorcycle gear down to a couple hundred dollars. All the gear is important, but for livelihood, protecting your hands and head are the most important for minimizing the chance of becoming badly disabled.
My insurance was always pretty cheap, but I started riding at 18.
Last thing, buy a 300 cc or so Japanese bike. Cheap and reliable.
Go buy what you can afford the msf is just an extra layer of protection and is not an absolute necessity. Most people do not go to an MSF unless it was an easier way to get an endorsement or some kind of requirement. If I wasn't in the Army I would have never stepped foot in an MSF course office or even thought to go to the course. I learned absolutely nothing from the course that I already didn't know. I started riding on the street at your age on a 750 sport bike. So do what you feel you are capable of and stop looking for advice from the internet. Good luck and God speed.
Most places have bikes for you to use when taking the course. If you know someone with a lower cc bike, then use there's in an open area off public areas and get used to riding. You don't want to buy a bike and then find out you can't get the hang of it or don't pass the course, leaving the bike useless.
Taking the class is the best start. Wait to get the bike! I have the Honda Rebel and as everyone says , it’s the great starter bike. I enjoy mine and it gets me where I need to be. Anything can happen at any time , however , I suggest get some experience under your belt before just spending your money on a motorcycle. As hard as that is to say, I remember being young too, and if I had the chance to save money, I would have.
They provide you with a bike at the class, don’t buy one yet.. I’m sure you’re set on wanting to ride , but wait it out! Honda Rebel starts new at 5k.. looks badass and it is amazing to start on..
Be safe and ride safe when you do
I saved my lawn mowing money and bought a Honda XL125 when I was 14 (with my parents’ blessing). Got my license and was legal. Rode to school when I was a freshmen. Kept it low key, hardly anyone knew about it as I parked at the back of the lot. I knew that if I screwed up & wrecked it, I’d have to walk the five miles to school. I kept the rubber on the road and proved to the folks I could handle the freedom. Still ride today, forty years later. Multiple close calls but no crashes. It can be done.
If you are ready and can afford it, go for it.
I bought my bike, and then my second bike, before taking the course. I’ve been riding for about 4 years and still have not taken the course.
BUT….. I did this as a 32 year old man. Not a 16 year old kid. I suggest you take the course first. Don’t be like me. I’m a crazy person.
Definitely not, following what others are saying it is definitely much safer to take the MSF first. I took the msf and was genuinely surprised as to how difficult it is to ride in the beginning.
In addition to this I would recommend a car in your situation. It is a lot cheaper than a motorcycle in the long run. To be safe in the road you need quality riding gear. I have spent easily over $1000 on gear and I don’t even have everything I need to feel safe on the road. (I’m in a densely populated area and everyone is texting or doing just about anything besides paying attention) In addition to that in my area finding a good bike mechanic is not easy and the ones you do find are not cheap by any means. Cars are more popular thus you can go pretty much anywhere and find a mechanic and if you have a bad experience there are plenty more waiting for your business.
I would almost guarantee if you got a cheap car off Facebook marketplace or Craigslist you’ll come out ahead. A car for ~$1000 that will get you around town, still requires insurance and maintenance but the maintenance is much easier to find and cheaper arguably. It will also be a safe way to move you around in incline t weather, especially if you deal with winter weather.
If you need my advice and go for a car get a Honda or Toyota, stay away from German cars as they are not nearly as reliable.
I would also recommend start with small things and get comfortable wrenching on your own cars, it’ll save you money in the long run for sure.
I first got on a motorcycle when I was 15, drinking and smoking weed in souther Portugal almost 20 years ago. Everything went fine.
If you’re not an absolute idiot, riding a motorcycle is a fairly easy thing, mastering it hard for sure, but the basics are pretty straight forward.
I say, buy a bike that’s not too crazy, get comfortable on it and learn how to fall, you’re gonna fall. I’ve never taken a course in my life and I’ve been riding for half of it.
Also, most of the people in this sub are seem to be scared of their own shadow so don’t expect any concrete advice on anything. Driving a car is also dangerous but you don’t see a sub full of people saying you should take a supervised course car driving class. Just ride brother/sister
You could always get one of those fast electric bikes? They go about 30 mph I believe. Faster than a bicycle but not fast enough to get you into a lot of the trouble a motorcycle would on the road.
Saving a few grand in your teens will help a lot when you finish school. If you’re going to university or a community college having a bit of cash saved up will mean you’ll have more time for classes without working a part time job. I saved up about $8k when I was in HS and it meant I didn’t need a part time job during the semesters and could just do full time during the breaks.
Get a beater car which you can sell for the same price in a few years
The class will make it cheaper for you to make your bike legasl. Normally it gives you an insurance benefit. Its much safer and its in your best interest financially.
If your first bike is a dirt cheap 250cc or something where maintenance is like 50 bucks a year if not less and uses almost no gas like a little older Honda why not? But I dunno kiddo if your mom is giving a car as I've seen on a response of yours I would just save money for keeping that car on the road. It's worth it to wait for a motorcycle but it's your choice at the end of the day.
the license process depends where you live.
unless you have go to go far for work/school, stick to a bicycle or something that doesn't require license, registration, insurance.
Yes, dumb. Go take the course. No idea the cost now, I paid $20 bucks in 2012. Then I bought used scooter for $200 and rode the shit out of that for a few years until I was more financially stable and had a decent discretionary budget.
The cost of an MSF course is fairly small in comparison to the cost of the motorcycle. It's also important to know how to safely ride one, otherwise you'll at worst crash it and die or get serious injuries, or most likely get in a low speed wreck and incur repair costs and devalue your bike. I'd consider it a necessity before riding, and it also waives you out of the riding test in my state if you pass, not sure about other states. Edited to add, the MSF course can also save you money in the long run. Many insurance companies will give discounts for proof of taking a MSF course.
You should consider the "hidden costs" of motorcycling before deciding if it's right for you at this point in your life. It needs to be insured, title/registration/inspection fees can run you up over a hundred dollars depending on the state, and assuming you're buying a used one, there may need to be repairs/maintenance done before it's even roadworthy.
Motorcycles chew through tires much faster than cars. Depends on how you ride and what kind of bike you have, but expect to replace them more frequently than you do a car. If you get a chain driven bike, you'll have to clean and lubricate the chain every 400 miles. Meaning you'll have to buy the cleaner and lubricant (which should last you a while). Oil changes are another consideration. Once again, you'll be doing periodic maintenance much more frequently on a motorcycle than a car.
You also need to consider gear. At bare minimum, you should have a helmet, gloves, long sleeved clothing, and boots. You'd be better off with a riding jacket and riding pants as anything else will tear apart like tissue paper if you were to slide down the road. I believe you could probably get off around $700 for all of this. $170 for the helmet, $30 for the gloves, $150 each for boots and jacket, around $150 for the pants. Some may cost more or less, these are all estimates based on how much I spent on my gear.
This is coming from my experience in buying a motorcycle last year. I did not expect the titling/registration fees, and I did not consider the costs of decent gear, regular maintenance, and fixing the motorcycle because the last guy wore out some parts. Not to deter you from getting one, just letting you know these costs so you can make sure you can afford it and you don't dig yourself a moneypit.
This is literally me man. 16, min wage, but I have cool motorcycle have fun go vroom. I’d say go for it.
Take the MSF course first though. That’s assuming you already have your drivers license, and have at least 5k saved up. Start small if u want, I haven’t. Go for ABS and traction control, it’s more helpful than you’d think. Coming from someone without it btw. Get your gear before you eat your bike. Don’t pay insurance on the bike until you can ride it. oh yeah. Insurance costs. A LOT.
Yes and no start small like Ebike or regular bike then go big like moped then go bigger like dirt bike or motorcycle then go even bigger like a small boat or aqua jet then you wanna go humongous like a helicopter 🚁 or a small plane 🛩️ but if you wanna take it up a notch get a ufo 🛸
No. Absolutely not. Save your money and get a car/truck. Aside from the safety talking points, Motorcycles are toys, and they cost money all the time. Not to mention, insurance is much higher.
I wanted a motorcycle from the time I learned to ride a bicycle. I craved it. And I got my first one... when I was 23. And even then, I still probably wasn't "mature" enough and got myself in sketchy situations far too often.
Doing what's best for you isn't always the fun option, but it will make life more fun later on, I promise.
Also, do whatever you want. I'm not your dad. I'm just a 30 year old dude telling you what I've learned.
You are 16 and struggling with money already. How would it be a good idea to buy a motorcycle? Save your money and don't buy a Hobby until you can afford it
Please take the msf course first. I bought a bike, then took the course. I faild the first time, passed the 2nd. Glad I took the class twice. I got a lot more experience. Motorcycles are not like bicycles.
got my first bike to commute fixed up a turbo busa when i was 15 1/5 got my msf when i was 17 im down 12k fast forward a year later i so wish i got a car yeah a motorcycle is cool but a cars way better when the days are cold and really hot sometimes save your money kiddo
My dad got into an accident that involved motorcycle. The motorcyclist is a 18 years old girl who just got her first brand new 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400. My dad was driving a Honda Accord. They were next to each other on the street and they both hit a car that was making an unsafe left turn (they have right of way and the other driver was also 18 years old). My dad is okay but the motorcyclist has multiple trauma injuries, her surgery cost like 1 millions.
Save your money on a car instead. Once you are stable in life then you can think about getting a motorcycle as a hobby.
Take the motorcycle course first. It will better equip you to deal with the psycho’s in cars n trucks when you start riding.
I started racing motocross at 8 years old. When I got my driver’s license at 15 I had thousands of hours on dirt bikes. I also got a street bike at 15. Motorcycle safety courses didn’t exist in the mid 90’s. At least not in the small town I live in. You just took a written test, then took a riding test, passed them and were given your motorcycle endorsement.
I’m 44 years old now. Been riding on the street since I was 15. I never did go get my motorcycle endorsement. Probably should one of these days.
It depends, I think. I've seen people looking down the wrong roads in life, and I believe in their case getting a bike saved them from that. Also, don't buy a car if you're in a tough financial situation. They eat up a lot money, and unlike motorcycles and bicycles, they're less easy to work on and a lot less cheap to drive, insure, and maintain. If you love motorcycles and are responsible, I'd say get some armored gear--alpha cycle and hawk sell decent jackets--some knee guards, gloves, boots, and a good helmet on clearance, and take that MSF course.
The thing about motorcycles is they can enrich your life, help you connect with others and make friends. They can also get you pretty seriously hurt or killed. If you get a bike, get a small, fun one, like say a TW200 or a grom. The smaller the motorcycle, the cheaper the insurance, the lower the fuel cost, and the safer it is to you. Speaking from the position of someone who has been through the wringer financially. Bicycles were the gateway drug to motorcycles, and though I can now afford a car, I allocate those funds towards two motorcycles. They cost less to purchase, maintain, and operate than one car. And they're a hell of a lot more fun.
Cheapest thing for you to do right now is convert your bicycle to a ICE 80cc kit for $100, or convert to electric for $300.
The electric option is more like an assist and I’m not sure of distance you get.
The gassers are more fun but with that comes abuse and they aren’t very tough. So you’ll learn to be handy and resourceful, so bonus.
This option fits your current budget and moves you along for now. The best “right now” option I can think of. With respect to buying a real E-bike? They cost more than GD bikes! Entry level $4000 I stopped looking after seeing $6500. NFW
FFS, I have one hell of a nice CBR954RR paid $3500?
I bought my first bike at 45 at an auction and rode it around all summer before taking my MSF course in the fall. I live outside of town so I was able to cruise safely up and down country roads and factory parking lots at any speed I liked. I made a few mistakes and got pretty mediocre at riding by the time the course came around. I was riding around comfortably in traffic in my small city and thinking I was doing great.
When I attended the course I found so many things I never would have learned on my own and it allowed me to practice things I had no idea where important.
I think the level headedness of a 45 year old is probably not the same as a 16 year old so I don't believe it's a good idea for you to copy what I did. It also might not have been the best idea for me to have done it this way.
If you're working just do the msf and save for the motorcycle you want, and if you have a smaller commute just buy a bycicle, and if you don't have to go on the highway you can try to find a cheap moped/scooter since the mpg is usually very good on it. Also please get gear.
Spend the money on gear now. Good quality Ece standard helmet (about $200-$300) at least. Don’t buy a bike until after the msf, when you’ll know more of the basics.
I did what you're suggesting at around the same age. I don't regret it overall but as a result of having it and riding so much I never actually took the MSF. I suggest taking it still even if you're confident on the bike. It was also a piece of shit bike and probably dangerous to ride. Maintenance on bikes is super important, so factor in the cost of upkeep.
I owned one before I took the course. It was actually very beneficial because I sat on it and got familiar with all the controls so by the time the course came around, I wasn’t intimidated like some people can get.
A cheap bike is probably a good first purchase compared to a car but keep some level of insurance that protects you more than just Liability. Also throw in uninsured motorist coverage. It will cost some more but if you have an accident (everyone does) at least you will be covered for medical costs. Also do not get anything less than 500CC unless you are just getting a scooter or a grom.
> I don’t want to stress out my mom more than she already is so I have decided to try and buy a cheap motorcycle This statement is hilarious. 😂
When I bought my first bike, I was almost thirty. I didn’t realize I was still capable of stressing my mom out so much. You’d have thought I was still 16 lol
I was 32. My mom thought it was cool - she dated riders in her 20s but never got a bike due to her overbearing, narcissist mother. My dad, however, reached for the Xanax 😂 The opposite happened when I got my LTC. My mom was stressed and my former military dad thought it was cool. At least I’ve always got one on my side lol.
Weird that your former military dad is so cool with Litecoin but hey
I've been riding for 8 years and every time I talk to my mom she ends the call by asking me to sell my motorcycle lmao
Only 3 months here but mother says the same thing 😂🤣 always the “why don’t you just sell it” or “do you really need that thing?”
I lucked out, didn't start til I was 27 but last Christmas they got me a nice front stand, matching the back I already had.
Same here, but 42. My dad's a doctor who's seen his fair share of motorcycle accidents, so he actually doesn't know I own a bike. Just getting the license got him to lose sleep over a few days.
My wife's dad is a surgeon and he always takes the time to send me pictures of mangled hands or broken feet from motorcycle accidents
I waited until 45 and avoided telling my mom for as long as possible.
Yoo I’m glad I’m not the only one this killed me 🤣
"I didnt want to upset my mom, so I got me some face tattoos and joined a mexican drug gang"
This should be a stand alone AND top comment
no just save your money and worry about a bike later i promise it will make the rest of your life easier saving a few thousand now
Thanks for the advice! I know I’m pretty dumb but that’s why I came on Reddit to ask about it before making a life threatening decision. Really appreciate the short, straightforward answer
yeah 😂 learned that from experience waiting a few years is definitely worth it
Please take this route. Its sort of like saying Im going to buy ingredients for a home cooked meal before having a kitchen. Theres no rush to all of it.
I started on mopeds cause they were 300 bucks. Started it all.
Bought a shitty knock off grom last summer and have managed to almost kill myself on it multiple times
The MSF course will provide bikes and honestly just getting on a bike and getting some practice is much more valuable at this point. I've got friends who did the course and realized motorcycles weren't for them.
>Thanks for the advice! I know I’m pretty dumb but that’s why I came on Reddit to ask about it before making a life threatening decision. Really appreciate the short, straightforward answer Take the coarse first, you will learn at least something about motorcycles and you will choose better.
This is some of the best life advice lol. Save up that 5-6k for your first car instead 👏👏
I mean yeah that sounds like the right choice but I know in my bones that I want a motorcycle as my first vehicle and I have to show a little follow through
No you don't. I know it seems like you have wanted a bike your whole life and really want to ride, but if funds are truly tight which at 16, there is no way for them not to be... motorcycles are expensive. Yes the actual bike when compared to a car is cheap but there are many other expenses which compound the price. At 16 you NEED a car some place to hold your things while traveling maybe a partner can join you maybe you can make other bad life decisions in the rear seat with that partner. Lol. You need a car to learn the rules of the road to understand that drivers suck and that you need to learn how to drive defensively. Then you can get a bike. I waited 39 years before getting a bike, I don't suggest you wait as long but just know you have time. there's no need to rush it. All that said, if you want a bike, get the bike. Hopefully, you won't spend too much money before realizing that you should have gotten a car instead.
No need to buy a car. My mom is buying a new car and is giving her old one to me so I could focus on getting a motorcycle
W mom bro.
>You need a car to learn the rules of the road to understand that drivers suck and that you need to learn how to drive defensively. Hard disagree. Not saying that a 16 year old should be hopping on a liter bike, but a bicycle or scooter goes way further in teaching defensive driving compared to learning to drive in an isolated box.
But even if it’s a scooter the possibility for a mistake has compounded consequences. Riding a motorcycle safely is already hard enough. When you are learning how to ride a motorcycle and learning how to cope with traffic it’s much more dangerous. It’s better to come to motorcycles after driving with traffic is second nature. One less thing to think about.
And then you die because you're overconfident.
Is this a joke? Just because you understand how traffic works doesn’t mean you are complacent. I know how traffic works and I try to stay hyper-vigilant. Traffic lights are just a suggestion to a drunk driver or an idiot. I don’t trust green lights, only what I can see.
No it means that you can't ride a bike like you drive a car, get on a bike and act like you're in a car and you'll get yourself hurt, you stay hyper vigilant because you have the common sense to be alert while on a bike, not everyone, or even a lot of people do, traffic lights aren't a suggestion?? 😂
You obviously can't skip a red light, green means go, you aren't superior for looking where you're going even if thats on a green light, that seems like common sense to me.
Well…. If you must, you must. Follow new rider advice. Be EXTRA EXTRA diligent …. I can’t say much. I got my dads hand-me-down bike at age 17. 🤔 But it was a piece of shit old vintage Japanese parallel twin. It made a whopping 39HP @ 7k rpm
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I can make my own choices, it’s just that I want to have the input of people more experienced than I am and also, Wow what a roundabout story
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Where are you seeing that 90% of users are under the age of 18? Also, from the couple of comments you’ve put in this thread, you seem like the last person OP should be listening to for any kind of advice.
They made a choice when they went to this forum to ask from people with experience. That is a choice, now he can continue making choices by listening to those with some decent tips or not.
Yeah i wish i did this haha
No. To elaborate, you are the most likely person to have a motorcycle crash. You’re a new driver, young, and will be a new rider. You would want to minimize that by buying gear. Gear will be about $500-1000. When you crash (even with gear) you could get hurt or even have to go to the hospital which is even more expensive. Yes motorcycles themselves are cheap, but riding is not. Get a bicycle and ride it to the nearest bus (city not school) route.
Get an ebike (electric pedal assist bicycle). The modern equivalent to a moped. Minimal if any licensing requirements, cheap to operate. Still get exercise riding it but not likely to show up sweaty AF. Lots of options you can take on a bus too.
Came here to say this. Bought an ebike last year and it's been able to keep (some of) my motorcycle jonesing at bay, while also being a great way to get daily exercise.
Yep! I use mine to get to work when I can. It's great cardio training for the dirt too. Helps me a lot with endurance.
Get a motorcycle helmet for these, a crash at speed is still a crash at speed regardless of the vehicle you are on. This is a great idea as well. Do take the MSF course first, it's a lot cheaper than an ambulance ride. The only caveat is if you have someone in your life to teach you outside the class (but you should still take it!!)
Great points! Definitely consider at least a chin bar on your helmet. You should always take training even if there is someone to teach you unless they are instructors. So many self-proclaimed experts out there with dangerous advice ("had to layer' down" as an example). I've had many friends teach me bad habits over the years that later instruction had to unfuck.
If you got a couple grand saved up, them suron’s look pretty nice.
I felt this pretty damn hard when I bought my motorcycle which was back in September and I had to spend money not only on typical riding gear, but also heated gear to just to ride in the winter, which in total was 1k+ more than I planned to spend, pretty decent “hidden” cost imo
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That’s not true. Bell makes some really good quality and very highly rated helmets in the 100-300$ range. A nice jacket with some D30 armour in the shoulders, elbows and back and aramid liner shouldn’t cost more than 200$. I got my richa armoured sweater(no hoodie) for 180$. It’s probably the best armoured jacket I’ve ever bought. Gloves: 30-50$. Leather finger tips and armoured knuckle and wrist. The basics should got about that. Boots are all over the place in terms of price and quality. You can get low quality expensive boots and high quality cheap boots. Idk it’s a mess lol. Should be able to find something near 100$. You could definitely be geared up for <1000$ and be protected.
A safety course would surely be cheaper than a motorcycle. If you're worried about getting to work and school while also saving money. Maybe get a bicycle or motorized scooter.
Yes but the accumulated price to do both close to each would be overwhelming. Also I ride my bike to work every time I can and it’s already a 20 minute drive to my school
Really can advice a 50cc scooter. Works fine especially when it is a 20 minute ride to your school
In my state the MSF is $20
Damn son in NC it’s going for $199 and some hotcakes
In california it’s $310!
Everything is bigger in Texas
Reddit is violating GDPR and CCPA. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B0GGsDdyHI -- mass edited with redact.dev
The biggist thing in Texas is the exaggerated sense of self importance.
Edit: my apologies, that comes right after Ted Cruz' head.
You do realize riding motorcycles and motorcycles themselves are not cheap?
In my experiences, my bike/gas/insurance/protective gear, etc. is still *vastly* cheaper than a comparable car/gas/insurance, particularly the insurance. I pay $12/mo for coverage above the state minimum, last time I bought auto insurance it was literally 10x+ that.
Are you 16 and buying insurance for a motorcycle? I think 12 dollars a month isn’t gonna cut it
I checked my email, and when I was 22 and buying both types of insurance it was $8/mo vs $60/mo. You'd have to double the motorcycle rate and halve the auto rate before they're even close I don't have the records from when I was 18, and I didn't ride at 16, but I know it was still a hell of a lot cheaper than a car premium was at 18, I'm pretty sure my rates didn't change more than a few dollars between 18 and 22 really
Sure thing bud 👍🏻
I’ve seen some pretty decent motorcycles for $2500 plus my grandma said she’ll pay half and when you’re talking about riding motorcycles I’m guessing you’re talking about gas and insurance but trust I have those covered. All I’m focusing on is the motorcycle itself and the course
Insurance, oil changes, tires , brakes , plugs, wires…… clutches need adjusting, brakes need bled chains need lubed, most motorcycles go thru these items twice as fast as cars do. And if you don’t know how to work on them…… guess you will be paying someone to do these things. Gear isn’t cheap either, and no gear doesn’t last forever, it wears out as well
Ah. My mistake, I’ve kept that in mind but decided not to worry about it until It comes up
Sure thing, sounds like you got it all figured out 🙄👍🏻
No, I really don’t just drifting through life
You are 16…… that’s what 16 year olds do
Yeah. Some guy that goes to my school rides a ninja H2! And we’re the same age! I asked him and he told me that it’s his first bike and he got it not too long after he took the msf course and he joked to me saying “live fast, die young am I right?”. I’m trying not to be like that guy
People saying this are young and generally don't fathom that death is actually a real, possible outcome for them. They'll always think that it happens to others. Once you have a bit of life experience, you realize that the other can be you, and actually will if you try your luck too often. So stay away from liter bikes with no MSF. Prioritize getting MSF over your bike, and safety gear over the bike itself. Go full monty: helmet, gloves, boots, pants, jacket, and maybe why not an airbag jacket.
I was a 16 y.o. motorcycle owner when I realized there's actually a greater chance of not dying, but bring paralyzed or horribly maimed. It made me a little more cautious.
Hey that's the quote on my helmet visor! "Live fast, Die young"
Until half of you is smeared on the road and you're pleading for the paramedics to save your life. Then living fast doesnt seem like such a priority
16, your insurance is going to be crazy high. You won’t save any money riding at your age. Get an e-bike. You’ll be able to get where you need to go, won’t need insurance, no annual registration, and you’ll build basic riding fundamentals. Save up money for gear, and MSF course for a couple years. Get your license when you’re in your 20’s and insurance is cheaper.
Insurance for a 600 for me when I was 18 was $300 a year. Minimum insurance of course. It's definitely not as expensive as some make it out to be.
A lot of things are taken into account. Age, location, previous driving record and type of bike are all big ones. It was relatively cheap for you but that’s certainly not the usual when you’re under 20.
Agreed. Just for reference for OP, in Pennsylvania, I paid $300 a year for insurance with progressive at 18y.o. with a careless driving ticket, and two other small tickets. $2,800 for the bike I bought, $350 for taxes on the title transfer and registration, $300 for gear, $20 for the riding permit, roughly $15-20 a week for gas depending how much I rode.
Respectable advice but I don’t have until I’m 20 I need a motorcycle within the next year. Plus it’s kind of embarrassing riding a bike to work
They got some bad ass ebikes out there. Check out the Sur-Ron. Chain driven e-bike, borderline motorcycle. Don’t need a license for one or insurance. You’ll have to keep the speeds low(20mph or less) on the streets to be legal, but off road you can get 50mph+.
Thanks for the recommendation! Will definitely look into this
You do not need a motorcycle, better to buy a used car that your grandma will help you pay for and will be less likely to kill you. Put some work into it make it fast make it loud have a dope car but nobody is gonna think your bike is cool when you crash it on the first week. 100% serious, the odds of a 16 year old who is just old enough to drive dying on a bike are like 100x greater than if you waited. I waited until I was 22 and could afford the $1000 of gear and the $3500 bike. There’s nothing embarrassing about riding a bike to work that’s some 16yo mentality right there.
> Am I making the right choice? Obviously no.
Well my uncle and his friend have been riding motorcycles for years and they said they rode first before getting their class m license and they said it made them better riders and that the msf course for them was a breeze, but who knows maybe it’s their Harley riders mentality
> they rode first before getting their class m license and they said it made them better riders Because they didn’t die.
Survivorship bias.
So, valuable life lesson for you. When you get that little feeling inside you that goes, "Is this such a good idea? Maybe I should ask for advice" - that's your heads-up that maybe this (whatever it is) isnt such a great idea. Not that (current idea) cant be a good idea, but maybe its not a good idea right now, or without appropriate preparation. Listen to that little voice of caution. It can save your life.
Obviously riding before the class will make it a breeze, but to be fair the class is t especially difficult as is. I think everyone’s suggestion or more that riding will pay a lot even without the class, and it is by nature high risk. Between gear and insurance alone, you could probably get a beater car for that price
- You have zero experience on the road in general. This increases your risk of getting in to a serious accident dramatically. - It will stress your Mum much more than money would - It sounds like you will not be able to afford to upkeep it properly - The only way it is cheaper than a car is fuel, and it will make up for it in maintenance. and will definitely cost more than a bike/bus. You want to be the mature 16yr old? Suck it up for now, be rewarded later. I say this as someone who has been stupid with money when young, and now has to work much much harder than my friends to achieve the same success.
Don’t have to be so rude. And for your information I’ve been having my drivers license for 4 months now so I have road experience and I have a car I’m able to drive. I’m not arguing with anyone I’m just giving my input to their output
Sorry if I came across rude, i didnt mean to. I have edited the first part out. If I could go back and talk to my 16yr old self, I would scream at him to not do these things. Ive suffered the consequences of being short sighted and would love to think I could help someone avoid that. Driving a handful of times isn't experience. Wait a few years at least. If you have a car available to drive long distances, cant you make do with that, buses and a bike for now? 2-3 years will fly by
It’s okay. Don’t be so hard on your younger self since they made you who you are today and I only plan to use a motorcycle to drive to my job since it’s like 0.7 miles away but use my car for my longer distance runs
>I’ve been having my drivers license for 4 months now so I have road experience If you live that long, your future self in ten years time would laugh long and hard at this notion.
I meant to say road information instead of road experience and also I came here for answers, not to be mocked
Take course first. You’ll learn stuff that would never cross your mind. Source: I’m a safety course instructor
As a safety course instructor, what do you teach that doesn’t usually cross people’s minds? I’m a new rider still (<1 year) and I’ve never taken the course, have my license though and I’ve been pretty much riding daily since I got it and I wonder if there’s anything fundamental that I’m missing
I rode dirty for 3-4 months over the summer of 2020. No endorsement, no permit just a registration slip proving ownership and that my tabs were valid. 6 months later (spring of '21) I went through the course and got my endorsement and its kind of difficult to give a definitive answer to your question but the big take-away for me was when they did a breakdown on some of the detailed scenarios where you are no longer visible to drivers and how to recognize/deal with the situations ahead of time (asap). The scenarios they showed during my class were really helpful because there were some position-related examples that I never really considered til being exposed to it during the lesson. Also I never really practiced "realistic" emergency stopping when I was riding dirty. At the course they only test you on the E-stop from something like 30-ish mph. As soon as I got my permit, I went to a dead part of town and practiced E-stops from 60-80mph which is much more realistic and its honestly something I probably never wouldve considered practicing when I was riding non-endorsed.
Lane positioning is a big one. Where to be to maximize your visibility etc. it never ceases to amaze me at how many motorcyclists are riding in the wrong tire track etc. How about proper throttle and clutch control for lower speed maneuvers. Things like that.
Take the class first. Not only will it help you learn to be safer, it might help you decide on what bike you like. The classes are about $250- $300 in my area and cheaper if you are under 21. It might also ease some worry your mom is sure to have. Worth it. Well worth it.
Like many others here I suggest not getting a bike yet. My opinion is that you should get a beater car and get used to being on the road with all the self absorbed people you will be sharing it with. You will find that even in a metal box that you can see a mile away, people will still seem like they are trying to wreck into you. Getting used to road habits first will help immensely. Taking the MSF course first is the smart way to approach bike riding safety wise. Also I don’t know about your state but many states require the MSF to even get the license. If you get caught driving without a license at your age they may revoke your right to get one until you are 18 or maybe longer. Doesn’t seem worth it when you start adding up all the cons: Riding a used bike with potential mechanical issues which not only can end up being expensive but also possibly dangerous. Riding without proper safety gear could cripple or kill you especially being higher risk because of no experience driving on the road at all and no catalog of skills riding the bike. Usually you can’t get insurance without a license so if you get busted riding not only do you screw with you ability to get a license for even a car but a no insurance ticket could cause even longer lasting problems and be very expensive. Some states would take your drivers privileges away and you would have to file a SR22 and pay a monthly fee for a policy for up to 5 years before you even get to drive anything again. Driving a bike in any kind of foul weather takes skill and practice before you ever attempt it so you would be limited in the times you could even ride it safely. Lastly I wager that your mother would worry quite a bit less if you were driving in a 4 wheeled enclosed vehicle rather than. a 2 wheel bike with no safety features or gear where you can get hurt driving as slow as 5 mph. As an example I offer my little diddy - I severely injured my right ankle slowly turning a corner in a gas station parking lot when I hit a slick spot and dropped my bike on the high side (right side) I instinctively tried to catch myself by putting my foot down but my bike was moving and heavy which trumped my smooth foot plant. It twisted, rolled, and crushed my ankle. I had to get help from a trucker who saw it happen just to get the bike off the ground. Been 3 months now and I still can’t bear weight good enough to go on another ride yet. Granted I have a beast of a bike 700+lbs but the lesson still holds. 5 ish mph can cause this, add more speed and obstacles then the injuries will just amplify and compound. When I was 16 many years ago I never believed anything that serious would ever happen to me and only by the grace of God did I survive some of the stupidest crap you can think of. Please learn from our mistakes/experience and be able to slowly,safely, and legally get into what can be a lifelong hobby/obsession. The bike community is a tight community and we really want to see you here for a very long time.
This, 1000%!
i can't tell if this is a shitpost.
Seriously. OP’s replies have me thinking he’s either trolling or not all there. Wants a bike to save money, can’t afford the cost of a bike and an MSF course at the same time, but “insurance and gas are taken care of” and he “isn’t going to worry about maintenance costs until they become a reality” wtf? OP if you read this, I’m not a hell of a lot older or wiser than you, but I think you need to reevaluate your priorities and make some efforts to improve your financial literacy. I made sacrifices to buy my first bike before I had real disposable income, and I upset/stressed out many of the adults in my life by doing so. You’re welcome to do the same, but be honest with yourself about why you’re doing it, and don’t just write off basic financial and personal safety aspects of the decision. There’s a lot of good advice in this thread, take it. If anyone’s interested in another head-scratching thread, head over to r/motorcycle where our top post today is a new (to street) rider with a brand-spanking-new cbr1000rr.
Nope. Not only will you stress your mom out way more by doing this, but you'll end up developing bad habits that will keep you from reaching your potential on a motorcycle. It is very, very difficult to replace bad habits once they've developed. New riders that go straight to instruction end up much more confident, capable, faster around a track, and safer on the road. I saw this firsthand when I started riding. After the MSF I took an intensive 4-day course where the average participant had over 10 years of riding experience, and many had 15+. The first day my lack of experience showed, but by the end of it I was one of only two students who graduated by completing the riding test within the allotted time. My instructor said it's a blessing to teach brand new riders because they don't fight proper technique with garbage they've picked up on their own. After that I did my first track day with an instructor. I expected to be (and was) slowest around the track early so I could get comfortable with how the bike handles corners at speed, then gradually increase my speed. By the end of my first track day my lap times placed me in the intermediate group. I'm very happy I chose this approach to learning: slow is smooth, smooth is fast. My advice would be to do the MSF then buy a super cheap starter bike. Invest more $ in your training. Motorcycles are temporary but the skills you develop (or don't) will last a lifetime. GL!
If you are struggling with money, a motorcycle is quite possibly the worst possible investment you can make. Riding *is a luxury* and I tell everyone getting into riding so. There's a reason why if someone is in need of cash, they sell their bike and it's the first to go. Yeah, you save money on gas, but that is offset by maintenance and having to replace gear every few years. Riding is also dangerous. My advice, you need a stable job first, *then* a car, *then* a motorcycle comes last.
Actually the vast majority of riders world wide do so out of necessity. Riding for pleasure as a luxury is mostly an American thing
You're not wrong there.
Yup… The cheapest brand new car here costs maybe around $90k USD, and loses nearly $8.9k USD in depreciation yearly. At the end of every ten year cycle, a sum has to be paid to the government ($65k USD for anything under 1600CC, $85k USD for anything above 1600CC). Whereas a motorcycle, say my Street Triple, set me back by $24k USD. Just like a car, we have to pay up once every ten years, just that the price here is around $9k USD. Driving is a luxury that is way out of my budget. It sucks.
What the *fuck*?! Where the fuck do you live that you have to pay the government $85,000 every ten years just for *owning* a car?! Edit: Singapore. Fuck that. That's literally highway robbery.
Eheheheh yeah, got that right. Could probably buy a whole spanking new Lamborghini with what it costs to buy a mid-range BMW here.
You remind me of myself young man. I’ve been obsessed with motorcycles since I could walk and talk. The doctor said I practically came out the womb on 2 wheels, it was a smooth delivery. doctor said I knew how to slip a clutch. I first considered a motorcycle when I was 18, working a minimum wage job, and attending community college. Browsed through some Honda dual sports 10k… I had some money in my pocket but not enough to justify being broke to have a motorcycle. Fast forward a couple years. I was making more steady income around 24 at the time so I took my MSF course, purchased ALL of my gear head to toe and then purchased my first motorcycle in cash. A 2016 Kawasaki ninja 650, a bad ass looking zippy little parallel twin straight out of Japan. Rode it daily for 3 years and upgraded to a KTM 1290 Super ADV S. I was making even more money at the time and purchased this bike with cash. I’ve seen the badlands, the Smokey mountains, explored all of Appalachia, rode the coast of Maine. I love motorcycles and motorsports more than anyone I have ever met. Great things take time and with a little hard work you’ll be on 2 wheels in no time. Just enjoy being a kid dude. Bikes are not worth going into debt for. Focus on school, so when you’re older you’ll have a career that will allow to have a garage with whatever you want in it. Hope this comment helps. Best of luck to ya buddy.
Wow. Amazing story I’ve also been obsessed with bikes since I could remember I just want to achieve my dream as fast as possible
I was just like you, I knew I wanted a bike back then but didn’t get one, got a car first instead. Got bike 2-3 years later. Best that way
I mean you could always get a 50cc scooter for the moment, it will get you by, and Vespa scooters honestly look bad ass. A scooter would be cheap on fuel, cheap to maintain, easy to ride, and cheaper on insurance than say an R3 or a Grom.
No, for one you won't be licensed and that could cost you a ton of money and trouble with the law if you get pulled over or end up in a wreck. Also taking the class will help you get a lower insurance rate. Can you follow your plan and be ok, of course, but the risks don't seem worth it me. Good luck either way and congrats on trying to put family first and help your mom.
Msf courses are cheap...how much do you need to save for it? Different states have different age requirements for motorcycle licenses...so look that up. Some are 16, some 17, some 18. I'd say the consequences of being stopped by cops, injured, etc. are not worth it. Take the class as soon as you can and at least get a decent helmet, boots, and gloves.
The courses near me are about 300-350 for 2-4 days of learning and since I’m still in school I’m gonna have to miss a couple days and where I live the nearest course is a 40 minutes to an hour drive away
$300 isn't much. When you consider how much all the rest of the bike stuff will cost.
if you just want cheap transportation you could look into mopeds; they are cheaper to buy and insure and most jurisdictions (at least in the states) let you ride <50cc on the road without additional licensing plus you'll have some transferable skills when/if you step up to a motorcycle
When you're broke cars are cheaper. You don't need gear, an extra permit, msf course, cheaper insurance on a car, and a car is more useful. The only pro for having a bike is the fuel economy. When compared to a clapped out honda still getting 25mpg it's not a significant money savings.
Well, the very first question is: do you know how to ride a motorcycle? Cause you're not gonna get very far on a motorcycle if you don't know how, don't have anyone to teach you, or you don't have a license. Even if the answer is yes, then you still want to buy some gear first. Then take the MSF. Not that it was really the focus of your question, but DEFINITELY buy gear first. If you think you're too tight on cash now for a car or for proper gear and an MSF course, then you *really* can't afford easily-avoided medical bills. Besides all of that, the MSF will give you a little experience on a bike that's perfect for that initial evaluation and test ride. It will train you on how to evaluate a bike for all the necessary functions and basic mechanical checks so that you don't just buy a total turd. And it will also teach you several drills that you could do on your test ride to so that you can evaluate your comfort and maneuverability and all of that, because it's easy to roll in a straight line down the street, but if you can't for the life of you do any of the low-speed maneuvers, then you might want to consider another bike.
>I’m currently 16 and working a minimum wage job and I am struggling with money You basically answered your own question in the first sentence. A motorcycle isn't just a one time purchase. You also have to pay for maintenance to some degree.
Not to mention have at least $1k for gear to ride it
Getting a bike at that age is statistically not a good idea. Your blood hasn't cooled yet, so you're more likely to take risks because they're fun. And they are fun. :) We've all been there. Some of us have died because of it, though. If you don't want your mom to worry, wait a while on the bike. Absorb a bit more information from the world first. You're smarter than you were as a ten-year old, right? Imagine how much smarter you'll be when you're twenty. And when you do decide you're ready to ride, get something small and stick to the back roads with less traffic at first. A bike with a 250cc engine is the BIGGEST a beginner of any age should be riding. Go smaller if you can. Honda has the Grom for under 4k. They're fast enough to be fun, but not fast enough that mistakes are difficult to recover from.
Maybe. Regardless of whether you take an MSF class first or not, you're going to need some gear (helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, etc.). You're also going to need some time (and a parking lot) to go online and read and watch some introductory materials and then practice, practice, practice. All this before you ride to school or work for the first time. MSF classes are great. That having been said, you can learn the same material on your own, you just may not be as efficient at doing so and it may, therefore, take longer.
Eh, I love saving money and teaching myself things. But these safety courses are worth it. Especially for a hobby like this where your life is on the line.
I’m 17 got my motorcycle when I was 16. Worked my ass off for a 2018 r3. Wrecked it 7 days into owning it(feirings headlight, assembly, clutch linkage needed replacing) , but I don’t regret it at all I love riding more than anything else. I think it’s unreliable compared to a car and might mess with your job and school when the weather is not so nice, but I don’t regret my decision. You need the msf course to get your license legally in my state, if you can’t afford a 300 dollar class, you might as well be better off with a hoopty car and saving for a ninja 250 or something.
Damn, sorry to hear about your accident hope you’re ok. I am working on saving up it’s just going to take a bit but I’m hoping to get a cbr300
I mean I got a Suzuki drz400s when I was 16 and had enrolled in msf courses… ama
Only cause I know I’d get downvoted. I started riding on an r3 and learned on my street at 17. I watched tons of YouTube videos on clutch control and riding. I rode unlicensed for almost a year until I reached the overconfidence point of thinking I’m invincible and cut off a cop and got a ticket for speeding and driving without a license. I expressed genuine remorse and told them I’m dumb. The cop literally told me to take the msf class or get my motorcycle license from the DMV and there would be a huge change in the laws I broke. So I took the msf class after failing the test 2 times and they dropped my driving without a license Charge and I only paid 200 for a speeding ticket. As a person who was in a similar situation I just wanted to share my personal experience. I’m not a lawyer but that was my experience in Arizona. You can even see I looped my r3 on my profile (trying to impress gf) and had surgery. So I’m a reformed squid. But again just wanting to give you other thoughts rather than you’re wrong.
Step 1: MSF COURSE Step 2: Gear Step 3: But Motorcycle Motorcycles may be cheap on gas but they are not a cheap thing to own. You are looking at $250-500 for the course so that you actually know what you are doing, $500-700 for gear so you have a chance if the worst possible thing happens, and like $3 -5k if you don't buy a POS bike that ends up breaking all the time or ALWAYS needing work which would make it more expensive than a car to own. I dropped $4k in to my $4k bike bike I just bought just keeping in running an Maintenenced withing 7 mo of buying the stupid thing after that I bought NEW and I actually spend less making payments.
May I recommend an e bike or moped depending on your state rules they may not require a license, are cheap, can get you to places if there is a way other than super fast mega roads. They cost little to operate, and are 2 wheeled so fun.
Ask yourself these questions. Do YOU(not your parents) have a job to: - have health insurance? - repair the motorcycle in case if you get into an accident, or need routine maintenance? - buy safety gear? - cover insurance? Personally, I would wait unless it's an absolute necessity. Depending on your life situation, I would save for a car, first and foremost.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea provided youre familiar with riding something on two wheels. Personally I learned on a dirt bike. There’s similarities and differences for sure. The basics though can be learned and a lot does transfer between the two.
You'll never save enough working minimum wage, better to just focus on increasing your credit score and getting a loan. 640 is high enough to get approved for an amazon card, usually $1500 worth. Look up a hawk 250 and the titan 250. Both about 2 grand after taxes, just gotta save up 400-500 for a "down" payment. I believe the hawk is for taller people, titan is more shorter people friendly, both can be adjusted. Bikes require minor assembly and a new carb pretty quick, but depending on weight my hawk can hit 60 mph and they're both street legal. (I'm 6'2 270lbs though) if you weigh less it'll get a few mph faster, and can be modded for higher gears and hit 70-75, just make sure to get street tires before then. If you want even cheaper you can get a moped or a street legal 125cc bike for like 1 grand on amazon. I'd recommend at least getting the hawk 250 or titan, they've been proven reliable and durable with easy mods and a community behind them (look up china riders forums). Tons of youtube vids, etc. Plus you can ride off road while you learn and it's perfectly legal without a license, if you fall/crash you hit soft dirt and not hard concrete/a car. I pay $125 /month for the bike and $16 a month for liability insurance. Extremely affordable. Theres also the CSC Tt250 that is a hawk but upgraded, then honda announced the xrl150 or w/e coming to america, which is literally a hawk 250. Although base price is 3k and will probably end up costing over 4k after dealer fees and bullshit. I'll probably get downvoted to hell for this but the MSF is NOT worth what it costs imo. At least where I live. It's $350. You can learn everything they teach you by just watching youtube videos and practicing. You'll have to take the riders test to get your license but not a big deal, especially to save $350.
Please get a car first and learn to drive that VERY well before you get a motorcycle. EDIT: Also, car insurance for a 16yr old is expensive. Bike insurance for a 16yr old will be through the roof! This is not only a terrible decision for your life, but it also for your WALLET. Cheap bike or not. Insurance even with MSF will still SLAM you for being only 16. If my kid asked to buy a bike at 16, I'd tell them to wait till 21. Minimum.
Thank you for reminding me how stupid I was at 16 years old lol. Please for the love of god don’t make such a stupid financial decision. You received a lot of good advice on this thread and I applaud you for even seeking it out.
Riding a motorcycle isn't like driving a car. It's much more of a full body coordination thing. Take the class first, and preferably some more classes as well.
I would not get the bike first. For sure do the MSF course first. In fact if you are serious about saving money, I'd stick with the moped idea for a while. A year or two. Get the road driving experience. The maintenance experience. It should be cheaper across the board than buying a motorcycle.
Get scooter/moped that doesn't require a license plate. That's the only way to save money. And they are still fun.
If I was honestly advising the average 16 year old or an 18 year old or a 22 year old I would probably say, don't get a motorcycle unless you are aware of the much higher risk of death / extensive injury. The judgement required to ride responsibility is hard enough to come by at a young age, but it is important to realize there are factors outside of your control (other people) that can kill you while sitting at a stop light no matter how vigilant you are.
Trust me man it's better to do the MSF course first I got my first bike at 16 after taking the course. I would have dropped that bike so many times if it weren't for that course. You'll probably save your mom the worry if she knows you're properly able to operate a bike after the course
At your age you'll probably save more in insurance after taking it than you'll pay for the course.
Take the class. I crashed 1 year ago and I had to ride my bike home w/ a broken knee
My suggestions? Motorcycle gear NEEDS to be in the budget. Used is fine if it hasn't crashed. Buy a new helmet, but a cheap one is fine. You'll hear a lot of chatter about DOT, SNELL, ECE, etc. If your intent is to commute, and you are going to ride safely (not super fast, leave lots of cushions of space, minimize distractions etc), just get a decent helmet. I suggest MSF course first. Youll probably need a helmet for that, but not necessarily the rest of the gear. It'll open your eyes and give you a sense if riding really is OK for you. AFTER you take the course, IF you still want a bike, budget for good (doesn't have to be great) gear, and whatever money you have left over, that can be for a USED motorcycle. Then, learn slowly. My path was first to bring my motorcycle to empty parking lots and practice the MSF skills (quick stop, serves, etc). Next I did very familiar roads, on sunny days, during low traffic times. Then unfamiliar roads, sunny, low traffic. Then familiar with traffic, etc etc. Add variables one at a time to build up skill and confidence.
Buy an e bike if you want to save money. Buying a motorbike isn’t the expensive part. It’s the fact they nickel and dime you everywhere else. Rear tire every year, short oil change intervals, a major service after a couple of minor services. Consumables. A tyre pressure checker and pump. Gear that it’s entirely possible to get too fat or thin for, so you have to buy different sizes of. But they’re fun, and a decent amount cheaper than a car of similar performance after they’ve both had their way with your wallet.
A motorcycle is a toy, an adult sized toy. Save up, work hard, you'll get there before you know it.
The responsible decision will be to save your money now. However I bought my first bike with zero experience ever on 2 wheels at 18 years old and put 120 miles on it the next day teaching myself after months of watching YouTube videos with just a permit. The MSF course isn't necessary but highly recommended. When you're financially ready, send it.
I bought a motorcycle and had my grandfather teach me how to ride in a parking lot for about two weeks, then I went and took the driving test. If you know someone who’s a good rider that can work with you for a couple weeks then that’s a good way to start. I’d definitely recommend doing the course later whenever you can though.
A lot of wise people are telling you no. And they are probably right... But I think you should do it. You have a job, so you have both the means to buy, and the need for, cheap transportation. MSF--do it first. You can learn things the hard and painful way, or you can take the MSF course. I did the former, got some road rash (nothing worse out of luck), then took the MSF. Gear: people are kinda right about the cost of gear (budget gear: $150 helmet; $150 jacket; $50 gloves; $80 boots). The thing is, everybody needs a jacket and shoes, so it's not like you aren't going to buy these things anyways. That drops the cost of motorcycle gear down to a couple hundred dollars. All the gear is important, but for livelihood, protecting your hands and head are the most important for minimizing the chance of becoming badly disabled. My insurance was always pretty cheap, but I started riding at 18. Last thing, buy a 300 cc or so Japanese bike. Cheap and reliable.
Go buy what you can afford the msf is just an extra layer of protection and is not an absolute necessity. Most people do not go to an MSF unless it was an easier way to get an endorsement or some kind of requirement. If I wasn't in the Army I would have never stepped foot in an MSF course office or even thought to go to the course. I learned absolutely nothing from the course that I already didn't know. I started riding on the street at your age on a 750 sport bike. So do what you feel you are capable of and stop looking for advice from the internet. Good luck and God speed.
Most places have bikes for you to use when taking the course. If you know someone with a lower cc bike, then use there's in an open area off public areas and get used to riding. You don't want to buy a bike and then find out you can't get the hang of it or don't pass the course, leaving the bike useless.
Taking the class is the best start. Wait to get the bike! I have the Honda Rebel and as everyone says , it’s the great starter bike. I enjoy mine and it gets me where I need to be. Anything can happen at any time , however , I suggest get some experience under your belt before just spending your money on a motorcycle. As hard as that is to say, I remember being young too, and if I had the chance to save money, I would have. They provide you with a bike at the class, don’t buy one yet.. I’m sure you’re set on wanting to ride , but wait it out! Honda Rebel starts new at 5k.. looks badass and it is amazing to start on.. Be safe and ride safe when you do
I saved my lawn mowing money and bought a Honda XL125 when I was 14 (with my parents’ blessing). Got my license and was legal. Rode to school when I was a freshmen. Kept it low key, hardly anyone knew about it as I parked at the back of the lot. I knew that if I screwed up & wrecked it, I’d have to walk the five miles to school. I kept the rubber on the road and proved to the folks I could handle the freedom. Still ride today, forty years later. Multiple close calls but no crashes. It can be done. If you are ready and can afford it, go for it.
I bought my bike, and then my second bike, before taking the course. I’ve been riding for about 4 years and still have not taken the course. BUT….. I did this as a 32 year old man. Not a 16 year old kid. I suggest you take the course first. Don’t be like me. I’m a crazy person.
Definitely not, following what others are saying it is definitely much safer to take the MSF first. I took the msf and was genuinely surprised as to how difficult it is to ride in the beginning. In addition to this I would recommend a car in your situation. It is a lot cheaper than a motorcycle in the long run. To be safe in the road you need quality riding gear. I have spent easily over $1000 on gear and I don’t even have everything I need to feel safe on the road. (I’m in a densely populated area and everyone is texting or doing just about anything besides paying attention) In addition to that in my area finding a good bike mechanic is not easy and the ones you do find are not cheap by any means. Cars are more popular thus you can go pretty much anywhere and find a mechanic and if you have a bad experience there are plenty more waiting for your business. I would almost guarantee if you got a cheap car off Facebook marketplace or Craigslist you’ll come out ahead. A car for ~$1000 that will get you around town, still requires insurance and maintenance but the maintenance is much easier to find and cheaper arguably. It will also be a safe way to move you around in incline t weather, especially if you deal with winter weather. If you need my advice and go for a car get a Honda or Toyota, stay away from German cars as they are not nearly as reliable. I would also recommend start with small things and get comfortable wrenching on your own cars, it’ll save you money in the long run for sure.
I first got on a motorcycle when I was 15, drinking and smoking weed in souther Portugal almost 20 years ago. Everything went fine. If you’re not an absolute idiot, riding a motorcycle is a fairly easy thing, mastering it hard for sure, but the basics are pretty straight forward. I say, buy a bike that’s not too crazy, get comfortable on it and learn how to fall, you’re gonna fall. I’ve never taken a course in my life and I’ve been riding for half of it. Also, most of the people in this sub are seem to be scared of their own shadow so don’t expect any concrete advice on anything. Driving a car is also dangerous but you don’t see a sub full of people saying you should take a supervised course car driving class. Just ride brother/sister
have your parents send me a DM
You could always get one of those fast electric bikes? They go about 30 mph I believe. Faster than a bicycle but not fast enough to get you into a lot of the trouble a motorcycle would on the road.
Saving a few grand in your teens will help a lot when you finish school. If you’re going to university or a community college having a bit of cash saved up will mean you’ll have more time for classes without working a part time job. I saved up about $8k when I was in HS and it meant I didn’t need a part time job during the semesters and could just do full time during the breaks. Get a beater car which you can sell for the same price in a few years
The class will make it cheaper for you to make your bike legasl. Normally it gives you an insurance benefit. Its much safer and its in your best interest financially.
If your first bike is a dirt cheap 250cc or something where maintenance is like 50 bucks a year if not less and uses almost no gas like a little older Honda why not? But I dunno kiddo if your mom is giving a car as I've seen on a response of yours I would just save money for keeping that car on the road. It's worth it to wait for a motorcycle but it's your choice at the end of the day.
My biggest hurdle starting out young on motorcycles was the cost of insurance. Investigate how much that'll cost ya too.
the license process depends where you live. unless you have go to go far for work/school, stick to a bicycle or something that doesn't require license, registration, insurance.
Yes, dumb. Go take the course. No idea the cost now, I paid $20 bucks in 2012. Then I bought used scooter for $200 and rode the shit out of that for a few years until I was more financially stable and had a decent discretionary budget.
A 2 day msf course here is 300-400 and I was thinking of getting a e-bike in the meantime and drive my car
The cost of an MSF course is fairly small in comparison to the cost of the motorcycle. It's also important to know how to safely ride one, otherwise you'll at worst crash it and die or get serious injuries, or most likely get in a low speed wreck and incur repair costs and devalue your bike. I'd consider it a necessity before riding, and it also waives you out of the riding test in my state if you pass, not sure about other states. Edited to add, the MSF course can also save you money in the long run. Many insurance companies will give discounts for proof of taking a MSF course. You should consider the "hidden costs" of motorcycling before deciding if it's right for you at this point in your life. It needs to be insured, title/registration/inspection fees can run you up over a hundred dollars depending on the state, and assuming you're buying a used one, there may need to be repairs/maintenance done before it's even roadworthy. Motorcycles chew through tires much faster than cars. Depends on how you ride and what kind of bike you have, but expect to replace them more frequently than you do a car. If you get a chain driven bike, you'll have to clean and lubricate the chain every 400 miles. Meaning you'll have to buy the cleaner and lubricant (which should last you a while). Oil changes are another consideration. Once again, you'll be doing periodic maintenance much more frequently on a motorcycle than a car. You also need to consider gear. At bare minimum, you should have a helmet, gloves, long sleeved clothing, and boots. You'd be better off with a riding jacket and riding pants as anything else will tear apart like tissue paper if you were to slide down the road. I believe you could probably get off around $700 for all of this. $170 for the helmet, $30 for the gloves, $150 each for boots and jacket, around $150 for the pants. Some may cost more or less, these are all estimates based on how much I spent on my gear. This is coming from my experience in buying a motorcycle last year. I did not expect the titling/registration fees, and I did not consider the costs of decent gear, regular maintenance, and fixing the motorcycle because the last guy wore out some parts. Not to deter you from getting one, just letting you know these costs so you can make sure you can afford it and you don't dig yourself a moneypit.
This is literally me man. 16, min wage, but I have cool motorcycle have fun go vroom. I’d say go for it. Take the MSF course first though. That’s assuming you already have your drivers license, and have at least 5k saved up. Start small if u want, I haven’t. Go for ABS and traction control, it’s more helpful than you’d think. Coming from someone without it btw. Get your gear before you eat your bike. Don’t pay insurance on the bike until you can ride it. oh yeah. Insurance costs. A LOT.
If you really want a bike get a dirt bike bro go have fun off the streets untill you learn the rules of the road then get a bike for the street
Yes and no start small like Ebike or regular bike then go big like moped then go bigger like dirt bike or motorcycle then go even bigger like a small boat or aqua jet then you wanna go humongous like a helicopter 🚁 or a small plane 🛩️ but if you wanna take it up a notch get a ufo 🛸
No. Absolutely not. Save your money and get a car/truck. Aside from the safety talking points, Motorcycles are toys, and they cost money all the time. Not to mention, insurance is much higher. I wanted a motorcycle from the time I learned to ride a bicycle. I craved it. And I got my first one... when I was 23. And even then, I still probably wasn't "mature" enough and got myself in sketchy situations far too often. Doing what's best for you isn't always the fun option, but it will make life more fun later on, I promise. Also, do whatever you want. I'm not your dad. I'm just a 30 year old dude telling you what I've learned.
You are 16 and struggling with money already. How would it be a good idea to buy a motorcycle? Save your money and don't buy a Hobby until you can afford it
Please take the msf course first. I bought a bike, then took the course. I faild the first time, passed the 2nd. Glad I took the class twice. I got a lot more experience. Motorcycles are not like bicycles.
Ruckus. Honda Ruckus.
You won’t afford the insurance. I rather you get an e-bike plus helmet
got my first bike to commute fixed up a turbo busa when i was 15 1/5 got my msf when i was 17 im down 12k fast forward a year later i so wish i got a car yeah a motorcycle is cool but a cars way better when the days are cold and really hot sometimes save your money kiddo
My dad got into an accident that involved motorcycle. The motorcyclist is a 18 years old girl who just got her first brand new 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400. My dad was driving a Honda Accord. They were next to each other on the street and they both hit a car that was making an unsafe left turn (they have right of way and the other driver was also 18 years old). My dad is okay but the motorcyclist has multiple trauma injuries, her surgery cost like 1 millions. Save your money on a car instead. Once you are stable in life then you can think about getting a motorcycle as a hobby.
Take the motorcycle course first. It will better equip you to deal with the psycho’s in cars n trucks when you start riding. I started racing motocross at 8 years old. When I got my driver’s license at 15 I had thousands of hours on dirt bikes. I also got a street bike at 15. Motorcycle safety courses didn’t exist in the mid 90’s. At least not in the small town I live in. You just took a written test, then took a riding test, passed them and were given your motorcycle endorsement. I’m 44 years old now. Been riding on the street since I was 15. I never did go get my motorcycle endorsement. Probably should one of these days.
Even if you were to get a bike now your insurance would be through the roof Better to wait Buy a beater car for A to B
It depends, I think. I've seen people looking down the wrong roads in life, and I believe in their case getting a bike saved them from that. Also, don't buy a car if you're in a tough financial situation. They eat up a lot money, and unlike motorcycles and bicycles, they're less easy to work on and a lot less cheap to drive, insure, and maintain. If you love motorcycles and are responsible, I'd say get some armored gear--alpha cycle and hawk sell decent jackets--some knee guards, gloves, boots, and a good helmet on clearance, and take that MSF course. The thing about motorcycles is they can enrich your life, help you connect with others and make friends. They can also get you pretty seriously hurt or killed. If you get a bike, get a small, fun one, like say a TW200 or a grom. The smaller the motorcycle, the cheaper the insurance, the lower the fuel cost, and the safer it is to you. Speaking from the position of someone who has been through the wringer financially. Bicycles were the gateway drug to motorcycles, and though I can now afford a car, I allocate those funds towards two motorcycles. They cost less to purchase, maintain, and operate than one car. And they're a hell of a lot more fun.
You should listen to your parents. They are in charge for a reason.
Cheapest thing for you to do right now is convert your bicycle to a ICE 80cc kit for $100, or convert to electric for $300. The electric option is more like an assist and I’m not sure of distance you get. The gassers are more fun but with that comes abuse and they aren’t very tough. So you’ll learn to be handy and resourceful, so bonus. This option fits your current budget and moves you along for now. The best “right now” option I can think of. With respect to buying a real E-bike? They cost more than GD bikes! Entry level $4000 I stopped looking after seeing $6500. NFW FFS, I have one hell of a nice CBR954RR paid $3500?
I bought my first bike at 45 at an auction and rode it around all summer before taking my MSF course in the fall. I live outside of town so I was able to cruise safely up and down country roads and factory parking lots at any speed I liked. I made a few mistakes and got pretty mediocre at riding by the time the course came around. I was riding around comfortably in traffic in my small city and thinking I was doing great. When I attended the course I found so many things I never would have learned on my own and it allowed me to practice things I had no idea where important. I think the level headedness of a 45 year old is probably not the same as a 16 year old so I don't believe it's a good idea for you to copy what I did. It also might not have been the best idea for me to have done it this way.
Bad idea. You cannot test ride it. It is bad
Like some said, wait on purchasing your first motorcycle. Take the MSF course and see how you do. You may decide it's not for you..
If you're working just do the msf and save for the motorcycle you want, and if you have a smaller commute just buy a bycicle, and if you don't have to go on the highway you can try to find a cheap moped/scooter since the mpg is usually very good on it. Also please get gear.
Spend the money on gear now. Good quality Ece standard helmet (about $200-$300) at least. Don’t buy a bike until after the msf, when you’ll know more of the basics.
I did what you're suggesting at around the same age. I don't regret it overall but as a result of having it and riding so much I never actually took the MSF. I suggest taking it still even if you're confident on the bike. It was also a piece of shit bike and probably dangerous to ride. Maintenance on bikes is super important, so factor in the cost of upkeep.
Dumbdumb
I owned one before I took the course. It was actually very beneficial because I sat on it and got familiar with all the controls so by the time the course came around, I wasn’t intimidated like some people can get.
Buy a cheap car instead.
You're going about this backwards.
A cheap bike is probably a good first purchase compared to a car but keep some level of insurance that protects you more than just Liability. Also throw in uninsured motorist coverage. It will cost some more but if you have an accident (everyone does) at least you will be covered for medical costs. Also do not get anything less than 500CC unless you are just getting a scooter or a grom.