r/NewRiders • • May 23 '20

Welcome, FAQs, and Resources

72 Upvotes

Welcome to New and Experienced Riders alike!

The purpose of this sub is to create a welcoming space for new riders to ask questions and get information as they begin their journey into the world of motorcycling.

Experienced Riders: Please make this a place where new riders feel comfortable asking questions. Give supportive advice with the assumption that the person wants to learn. Any Instructor who wants relevant flair may message the mods to verify.

New Riders: Ask questions and take feedback with an open mind. There is a TON to learn.

Now ON TO THE FUN STUFF:

Useful Subreddits:

Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair: r/Fixxit

Motorcycle News: r/MotoNews

Gratuitous Motorcycle Pics: r/bikesgonewild

Track Riding: r/Trackdays

Motocamping: r/motocamping

Women Riders: r/TwoXriders

Learning Resources:

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Gear by Ryan Fortnine. Evidence-based and budget-conscious recommendations on basic gear.

MotoJitsu: SoCal based Instructor that primarily teaches the Total Control Curriculum but also has his own skills challenge curriculum. This link is to his "10 skills for new riders" video.

DanDanTheFireman: Arizona based MSF RiderCoach. He does a lot of crash analysis and has good videos on awareness strategies.

A list of Parking Lot Exercises by u/CodeBlue_04

"Advice to New Riders" by u/PraxisLD. Includes tons of links, and good good advice.

“Picking up your new bike” by u/Ravenstown06

Twist of the Wrist: Classic video about skills and how a motorcycle works. As corny as it is informative. It's on YouTube but no link because the YouTube one is probably not an authorized version. You'll have to search it yourself, or buy a copy.

Life at Lean: An experienced track rider who talks in a simple, informative manner about skills and riding theory. This channel is largely track oriented, but the same skills have street applications, and it is very helpful in understanding how things like body position work.

The Physics of Countersteering: does a great job of explaining why a bike has to lean, and an okay job of explaining how countersteering works from a physics perspective. Here's another video with more demonstration from Ride Like a Pro, a gruff, crusty, motorcycle officer trainer. He does a great job of explaining what is and what isn't countersteering or "handlebar steering." His protective gear is questionable but his advice is good.

"Total Control" by Lee Parks. Excellent book about riding skills, the learning process, and how bikes work.

Fortnine: Run by Ryan Klufitinger (the guy you see talking) and Aneesh Shivanekar (the editor), they are technically affiliated with Fortnine.ca, a Canadian online gear retailer, but their reviews are supposedly free of influence and seem unbiased (other than Ryan’s actual opinions of course). They do highly informative reviews and explain the how and why of gear well. They also do a lot of just plain entertaining videos, and their production value is way higher than it has any right to be.

Licensing:

The easiest and best way search your state/province/country's training website and take whatever beginner class is available. In some countries it's mandatory. In the US the class usually waives the DMV skills test at a minimum. NOTE: In some states—if you've already been riding for a while and just need the license—there is an option to take an Intermediate class and get a test waiver instead of the Basic, allowing you to take a 1 day class instead of 2, and giving you a chance to work on next-level skills.

Buying a Bike

How to navigate buying a bike from a dealership (USA-centric advice) by u/eatmeatdrinkmilk

Teaching:

for experienced riders who find teaching fulfilling more instructors are needed pretty much everywhere:

Motorcycle Safety Foundation: runs classes in almost all US states, and the US military

Total Control Training: runs all the classes in California. Also has classes in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. (Also used to run all Pennsylvania classes, but PA has cancelled all classes in 2020. Sorry PA.)


r/NewRiders • • 14h ago

First bike, 1 month experience 🤣

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145 Upvotes

I’m a small woman so I decided on the Honda Rebel 300. It does have e clutch (not dct)

Took the MSF, got my license and bought my first bike all in the same week. I was too excited and I’ve been putting this off for years.

So far I’ve just been sticking to side roads and parking lots. But I’m getting more comfortable with it :)


r/NewRiders • • 1h ago

360 camera was a bad idea for me

• Upvotes

I took a friend’s advice and bought a 360 action camera for riding. The video quality is great and I can totally see why people use them for social media clips and trip videos.

But honestly, taking it on and off, charging it, checking settings, making sure it’s recording... it’s become more work than I expected. Kinda regret going that route, not gonna lie.

I think what I actually wanted was something more or less idiot proof. Turn the bike on, ride, and have the footage there if I ever need it. I really don’t want another gadget to think about every time I head out.

So now I’m looking at proper motorcycle dashcams instead. Ideally something with a physical controller too, since I’d rather not rely entirely on a phone while riding.

What are you guys using these days? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Cheers.


r/NewRiders • • 2h ago

Searching for a helmet for my bike

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone, i’ve been looking for helmets for a while but it doesn’t seem to be a helmet i feel comfortable with in terms of design, i wanted to know if anyone knows a helmet with a pilot style design/street fighter, i want a radical design with noticeable front vents, my best option at the moment is the qwart phoenix 14 but it is a little overpriced for me as i live in colombia.
I wanted to know if anyone knows about some leather gloves that are recommended.


r/NewRiders • • 5h ago

So uh...how I do clean melted shoe rubber off a chrome pipe?

4 Upvotes

Snugged my foot up a little too close to the header pipe coming off the v-twin and left some melted shoe material on it. I've hit it with all the standard cleaning brushes, and it isn't coming off. My search for cleaning products on Amazon just offers more nylon brushes. Suggestions?


r/NewRiders • • 2h ago

Do I need CBT

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2 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 3h ago

Experienced my first real close call last night

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2 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 6h ago

phone mount

2 Upvotes

bought a ninja 250 a few weeks ago, i’m not sure how the phone mounting situation works, any help for a brother?


r/NewRiders • • 20h ago

What's one helmet mistake you made as a new rider that you'd warn others about?

24 Upvotes

Six months in and looking back at my own early mistakes, bought based on looks alone, didn't actually check the fit properly, and rode with the chin strap way too loose for the first month without realizing it. What's the mistake you made early on that you'd flag for someone just starting out, so they can skip the same learning curve?


r/NewRiders • • 8h ago

How much is too much

2 Upvotes

Came across a ninja 400 2019 67,000 kms (40,000 miles). Looks to be in superb condition.

Any considerations for a first bike, with the mileage, any guidance or insight is much appreciated.

Thanks


r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

New Bike, New Rider!

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28 Upvotes

2025 CFMOTO 450SS with ABS. Just under $6k new and got it 40% off with 2k miles on it (from a private seller that wanted it gone ASAP). Bike in perfect condition. Already put a fender eliminator kit on it. I know the brand gets some hate from other sport bike enthusiasts but I think it has been a fantastic bike to start on.


r/NewRiders • • 14h ago

Honda Rebel 1100 DCT vs. 2010 Harley Dyna Super Glide with auto-clutch — help me decide

2 Upvotes

I'm a new rider trying to decide between a used 2025 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT and an older Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide (2010 FXD).

My situation:

I'm a beginner with little motorcycle experience.

I'll be riding in heavy stop-and-go traffic regularly.

I really like the classic Harley aesthetic, particularly the Dyna, but I'm not necessarily attached to having a traditional manual transmission.

I want something I'll enjoy riding without making my daily commute exhausting.

Option 1: 2010 Harley Dyna Super Glide

Bike price: $6,995

Rekluse Radius X auto-clutch: $1,179

Harley gear indicator: $232

Subtotal: $8,406 before installation labor, taxes, and fees.

The Rekluse would eliminate the need to operate the clutch lever for normal starts and stops, but I'd still shift gears manually. I'm also aware that a 2010 bike could need maintenance or repairs, depending on its condition.

Option 2: Used 2025 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT

Example advertised price I've been considering: $9,960 before taxes and fees.

Factory DCT means no clutch lever and automatic gear changes.

I'd potentially spend another $1,000–$2,650 customizing its appearance with things like a different seat, handlebars, blacked-out details, and fender changes to get closer to the Harley look.

So the prices could end up fairly close once I account for Harley installation labor or Honda customization.

What I'm struggling with:

For anyone who commutes in heavy traffic, how tiring is a Harley clutch in real-world use? Does it become second nature, or does your hand still get tired?

Has anyone used a Rekluse auto-clutch on a Dyna? How does it behave in traffic, at low speeds, on hills, and when maneuvering slowly?

Would you trust a 2010 Dyna as a daily commuter, assuming a good inspection, or would you prefer a newer Honda?

Can a Rebel 1100 DCT be customized to look convincingly like a Dyna or Softail, or will the differences in the tank, engine, and overall silhouette always be obvious?

If you were in my position, would you buy the Harley because you love its looks, or the Honda because the DCT is more convenient for daily traffic?

I'm not looking for a brand-war argument. I'd especially appreciate honest experiences from people who have owned both, used an auto-clutch, or commute daily.

Thanks!


r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Need help to ride. 20M

13 Upvotes

Short story- My parents had a divorce and she ended up with a Harley Davidson 2022 Sportster S. She doesn't ride it and offered it to me. The idea of starting to learn how to ride one sounded interesting to me.

I have never operated a motorcycle only have been a passenger before. All the basic information I've Gathered so far is that I need to do training courses and practice in parking lots. I would be getting help from my dad who's been a rider for 13 years. should I be getting crash bars too? All help/info is welcomed.

I'm not the type of person to speed or do anything dangerous when driving.

Edit- Pops didn't want it back and decided this was an opportunity to get a new bike


r/NewRiders • • 12h ago

Help me with an important decision please!

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0 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

If I get a cruiser for my first bike can I go up in cc

11 Upvotes

My plan for my first bike was to get a sports bike and I’m still thinking about it but I am liking the cruisers a bit more, I have found some nice ones but some of them are around 750cc and I know that’s not recommended for a beginner, I also know it will handle a bit different. Just need some advice! Thank you !


r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Help Choosing First Bike

2 Upvotes

I'm an international student studying in Australia and I've got another 1.5 years to go in my degree.
Just got my bike license, and I need advice between these two options. I prefer the R3 over the CBR250, but after factoring in potential maintenance, insurance, registration, tax, etc the CBR250 sits much more comfortably in my budget, assuming either bike doesn't encounter new maintenance issues after purchase.

R3 is still possible, I would have to stretch my budget by a couple hundred to make it work, but I'd be happy to do so if it is the better bike long term. (Also thinking about resale value, as I have to sell the bike in 1.5years before I graduate)

Overall, just worried about the CBR250's

high mileage, afraid it might be a problem with maintenance or when selling.

Advice on what to look for when inspecting would be greatly appreciated as well. So far, I've been told to check for tyre cracking/flat spots and fork seal leaks.


r/NewRiders • • 18h ago

Rear disc or not ?

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0 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Glasses getting fogged up

12 Upvotes

So I have a full face helmet with vents that let air in, my visor also has a pin lock fitted and I usually keep the visor up anyways. However I have prescribed glasses under which get fogged up when it's raining and I end up having to sip them every 5 minutes. I have tried a bunch of those anti fog sprays but it only helps for the first 20 m before just giving up.

Any solutions?


r/NewRiders • • 23h ago

Clueless mom here

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1 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Help me in choosing my bike

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1 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Recommendations for a first bike?

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1 Upvotes

r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

First bike: Ninja 500 SE vs. Z500 SE—how bad is highway wind on the Z?

0 Upvotes

I’m looking to buy my first motorcycle and I’m deciding between the Kawasaki Ninja 500 SE and Z500 SE. I’m leaning toward the Ninja because I like the looks and want the wind protection from the fairings, but I keep finding better deals on the Z500 around me.
For anyone who owns a Z500, how does it feel on the highway around 65–75 mph? Is the wind manageable once you get used to it, or does it get tiring pretty quickly? Does adding a small windshield make much of a difference?
Especially curious to hear from anyone who’s ridden both. Would you hold out for the Ninja or be comfortable getting the Z for a better price?


r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Got my approval for my first proper motorcycle helmet

2 Upvotes

About 8 months riding a Ninja 400 now, still in the $150 helmet I grabbed when I got my license. It's loud on the highway and the visor fogs every cold morning. I've put aside around $600, and every thread I read points at Shoei or Arai, so I'm not sure i should save more or get one


r/NewRiders • • 1d ago

Alpinestars allstars tech air -3 vs klim ai-1 airbag vest opinions

2 Upvotes

Im on the fence between these 2? Klim is a little cheaper but has a subscription like $12 a month? Anyone have any experience with these pros and cons?


r/NewRiders • • 2d ago

Confidence kills you in this hobby

64 Upvotes

Took an advanced class this weekend that actually was pretty neat. There were 4 of us and one guy was admittedly very good despite only having 6 months experience. The riding coach gave him a few compliments, and then on the next slow speed maneuvers skill this guy getting really confident and goes at it at 15-20mph. Tire gets caught in a cone while he’s leaned over going at the speed…. and down he went busting his lip open.

Gotta watch out for that confidence that kicks in after a few months. Most of that is just luck and your brain telling you you’re fine just because you’re good at riding in a straight line.

Edit: to be fair a better word would be OVERCONFIDENCE