The sensation of driving a motorcycle is almost superhuman: Your senses are heightened, and you command, through light touches, the power of dozens of mechanical horses. I’ve never experienced anything as simultaneously energizing and calming. And I’m talking about just, like, driving to the store.When you’re first thinking about getting into motorcycles, you’ll quickly realize that for every sensible argument in favor (great gas mileage) there’s an equally foolhardy one (wheelies). You can consider your time, budget, free space, and appetite for risk—but thinking about that stuff is way less fun than riding a bike. Ultimately, it’s not that complicated.
Advertisement
Still, buying a motorcycle probably makes more sense when you have some deeper reason. Maybe you want to clear your mind with long, scenic Sunday drives. Maybe your job is doing spreadsheets in an office park, and the daily commute would be too soul-sucking without lightly putting yourself in harm’s way every morning. Maybe you don’t even care about riding and simply want to be left alone in your garage, tinkering. All valid—and all with subtle implications about the best path forward, like whether you buy new or used.I got into motorcycles twice, at two different times in my life. In my early 20s, it was more about a way of testing myself, including my ability to bring back to life a Honda that was older than I was. Later, I settled down, moved out of the city with my family, and bought a Suzuki DR650, a burly, cult-classic off-roader that’s lovingly known as a “bush pig.” It gives me my little moments of zen.Before buying a motorcycle, it genuinely helps to watch other people ride—you need to learn what you’ll need to learn because, for the most part, you’ll be teaching yourself. But there’s an overwhelming amount of motorcycle content online, with decades' worth of message boards full of boomers debating beginner bikes, carburetor maintenance, and tire options. Where to start?Jump in with the YouTube series Daily Rider w/ Zack Courts, which is put out by RevZilla, a big online shop for motorcycle gear. It’s a great example of a crucial motorcycle video genre: guy with a GoPro riding a bike while talking about it. Your goal isn’t to decide whether your first bike should be a Ducati or an MV Agusta because the answer is neither. It’s about getting a sense of what style you might vibe with—cruiser or sportbike?—and, even more importantly, seeing how a seasoned rider moves on a bike. The throttle is here, the kickstand is there; shifting sounds like this, turning looks like that.
Before you set foot on a bike
Advertisement
Very soon, you’ll be visualizing yourself on a bike—which is really all the prep you need to get a motorcycle license. Because as it turns out, obtaining a license is almost shockingly easy.
How to get a motorcycle license
Advertisement
What motorcycle gear to buy first
Advertisement
Jacket: There are a million motorcycle jacket options, and they’re often advertised for different climates: Some people get a better-ventilated jacket for summer and a better-insulated one for the fall. Probably start with one that’s good for summer, or get one with built-in layers for multiple seasons. Definitely look for padding that’s rated CE level 2, like the REV’IT Tornado 3 jacket ($370) I got as soon as I was ready to go back out. If you prefer leather, consider the Joe Rocket Classic ’92, where you buy Forcefield protective pads separately to slide into specially-made slots. Gloves: It’s almost impossible to crash without touching the ground with your hands. Pretty much any motorcycle glove will be fine for just getting started—though consider getting a pair with knuckle guards and longer wrist sections that enable more straps since they’ll be less likely to come off. You can often buy decent gloves from your jacket company, so they match. Or Alpinestars is a safe bet, with the sportier SP-2 or classic leather Mustang both costing around $100.Pants and boots: Starting off, you don’t really need special motorcycle pants or boots—your biggest concern will likely be protecting your calves and ankles from the engine when it’s hot. Just wear whatever you already have, then consider upgrading to something more protective if and when you’re spending more time at high speeds.
Advertisement
Which motorcycle to buy
Advertisement