{"product":{"product_id":"1620081199","title":"Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, Updated \u0026 Expanded 2nd Edition (CompanionHouse Books) The Must-Have Manual: Confront Fears, Sharpen Handling Skills, \u0026 Learn to Ride Safely","price":"24.95","image_url":"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51EMjWwE7xL._SL500_.jpg","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199"},"comments":[{"body":"Read [Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough.](https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DQ0T4WOUC2B9\u0026amp;keywords=proficient+motorcycling\u0026amp;qid=1561898366\u0026amp;s=gateway\u0026amp;sprefix=proficient+%2Caps%2C245\u0026amp;sr=8-1)  It's the most comprehensive guide in becoming a better rider; beginners and experienced alike agree that this is a great read; I have it on paperback and in the off season, I give it a read; there's so much to learn.","subreddit_name":"Harley","author":"funnythebunny"},{"body":"You are in prime riding country, in all directions you can go exploring. You’re gonna have so much fun!  Then you know about dear, just be careful dawn and dusk when they tend to move. There’s some really good reading material for you.\r\n\r\nProficient Motorcycling: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"09RaiderSFCRet"},{"body":"Man that's a lot to unpack.  There's a ton to learn and the school of hard knocks is the toughest one.\r\n\r\nAs u/Ralliartimus noted, wear the gear.  That's boots, overpants, jacket with spine protector, gloves, full-face helmet.  All the gear, all the time.\r\n\r\nGenerally speaking, drivers are nowhere near as aware of you as you might think they should be.  Be very aware of this, particularly in places where someone can turn in front of you (approaching intersections, driveways, etc.)  No gear will protect you going from 45 to zero in a few feet.  \r\n\r\nNot sure what bike you're getting and it sounds like you're committed already, but I'd advise getting an older bike without a lot of fairings.  You are going to tip over.  Guarantee it.  Learning and tipping a cheap, older, lower powered bike is definitely the way to go.\r\n\r\nKeep the stock exhaust.  Virtually no one likes listening to a loud pipe and, if we're being honest, they're hard on the rider as well.  Speaking of, include ear plugs with your gear.  Tinnitus really, really sucks.  \r\n\r\nTake every rider training class you can.  Read [Proficient Motorcycling](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1620081199/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_RN3AY0FZ62J0J4DM7PP8) and other books about riding.  If there are off-road riding classes around you, take them.  It's a different kind of riding and you can learn things that apply to your road skill set.  A lot of professional riders got their start off-road.  \r\n\r\nThere's paragraphs and paragraphs more, but that's off the cuff.\r\n\r\nGood luck!","subreddit_name":"IdiotsInCars","author":"StateOfContusion"},{"body":"Practice. Practice. Practice. Find an experienced riding buddy and get a helmet headset/intercom. Take some more classes. Read a book - here's a really good one:  \r\n[Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough](https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199/ref=asc_df_1620081199/?tag=hyprod-20\u0026amp;linkCode=df0\u0026amp;hvadid=266239047524\u0026amp;hvpos=\u0026amp;hvnetw=g\u0026amp;hvrand=11708122495263152707\u0026amp;hvpone=\u0026amp;hvptwo=\u0026amp;hvqmt=\u0026amp;hvdev=c\u0026amp;hvdvcmdl=\u0026amp;hvlocint=\u0026amp;hvlocphy=9017900\u0026amp;hvtargid=pla-437013819598\u0026amp;psc=1)","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"Worldly-Number9465"},{"body":"The Suzuki’s are wonderful bikes as well, they’ve got their own look sound and feel. I’m not sure if you’ll find any in your price range that has ABS but on the other hand we’ve been riding without it for over 100 years.  Have you taken the safety class yet?  Do you know anyone who rides who can help you look at bikes and answer questions?  I recommend this book, because you’ll read it more than a few times over the next year or so as you learn to ride. Covers a lot of information most of it or much of it anyway you may not understand yet until you get on the bike.\r\n\r\nProficient Motorcycling: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share","subreddit_name":"motorcycle","author":"09RaiderSFCRet"},{"body":"Well first it’s really important to stay up on the maintenance aspect. You know how the brakes feel on your bike and if they ever feel different for some reason you examine that carefully. I check the brake pads when I start the season and of course examine the tires. But I test the air pressure in my tires once a week for sure. I still work as a field service engineer so I don’t ride the bike much during the week, so before it comes out of the garage on the weekend I check the tires cold with a quality air pressure gauge.  There’s a couple three places around my house in the country where I can safely see if there’s anybody around and I start first about 20 or 30 miles an hour and I progress to 40 and then 50 or 55. You’ve got to know your bike and I have discovered with my big Yamaha Raider, especially if carrying a passenger, if I “touch” the rear brake lightly first (it’s a very quick transition I don’t mean to sound like I’m holding the back at all it’s just a touch and then a clamp on the front) the back squats down a little then I can really clamp hard on the front and the front will stop me. That may not work for your bike, you have to experiment with it and get the feel and you need to do this about 8 or 10 times.  The next week try it again and you’ll notice right away that your hand and foot and brain are working slightly differently and you’ll find yourself stopping better. If you get new tires, especially if it’s a different manufacturer, wait until they’re broke in and try this again.  Do this whenever you feel the need, but also realize that during practice you “know” that it’s going to happen. The idea is to get the muscle memory going so that when you Don’t know it’s going to happen, you can safely perform the maneuver without thinking and focus on the Myriad of other things taking place in that moment.  I have found this book an excellent read.\r\n\r\nProficient Motorcycling: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"09RaiderSFCRet"},{"body":"Safety course is a great idea. Helps your brain understand the physical mechanics of riding. Also this book really helped me too and I give it to any friend that buys a scoot. \r\n\r\nhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_TM46DFBEXPXY1CSYK3E3","subreddit_name":"scooters","author":"Lt_Castillo"},{"body":"I don’t understand why your father is disrespecting you especially knowing this is all you can do right now. That’s pretty sad, though I don’t know the entire situation of course. If I saw you I would wave, I don’t give a rats ass what people are riding. I wave to mopeds just see them smile.  Take the time learning everything you can now because what you do now will stick with you for the rest of your riding life. always wear your gear and take time to practice emergency stops in a safe area of course. Read your operators manual and learn everything you can about operators maintenance and take care of your bike. Knowing how things work helps you imagine what the machine is doing as you are operating it. I totally recommend this book, it really teaches you a lot about riding on the street. Proficient Motorcycling: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Take care out there!","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"09RaiderSFCRet"},{"body":"Here’s some real good reading material for you, one of the biggest thing he teaches you is how to look 12 seconds down the road in front of you and identify the hazards, learn to prioritize and react before things become dangerous to you and what to do when they do. Good luck out there.  Proficient Motorcycling: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1620081199?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share","subreddit_name":"cruisers","author":"09RaiderSFCRet"},{"body":"https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3HZ6NR01N9BVX\u0026amp;keywords=proficient+motorcycling\u0026amp;qid=1663852957\u0026amp;sprefix=proficient%2Caps%2C137\u0026amp;sr=8-1\r\n\r\nBest book you can buy about riding safely.","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"Oblio_Jones"},{"body":"as I keep telling people about my bikes, the power might be there but it's up to you how much you use.\r\n\r\nboth my MT09 and my current GSX-S GT are supposed to be in the same \"dangerously fast and powerful\" category as the Hayabusa, and... I've mostly not used the top 6000rpm of the GT but it's still plenty fun that way.\r\n\r\nride reasonable, ride fun, and ride for your friend. I suggest you read [Proficient Motorcycling](https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199) by David Hough, it's all about the pleasure of riding the most beautiful curve instead of the fastest one :)","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"Le_Vagabond"},{"body":"Yes: it's a paperback book, written by D.L. Hough. It's available on Amazon. (This link ⬇️ is Amazon Canada) https://www.amazon.ca/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2A8J3D7J1XMUC\u0026amp;keywords=proficient+motorcycling\u0026amp;qid=1659271230\u0026amp;sprefix=profic%2Caps%2C255\u0026amp;sr=8-1","subreddit_name":"motorcycle","author":"AbbyM1968"},{"body":"Well You’re still alive so that’s a major plus!\r\n\r\nI had a serious look at myself when I went down. I crashed into a brick wall and a telephone poll. Completely totaled my little 250. I remember looking up at the ambulance driver in a cervical spine collar and he just said “Damn son, you are very lucky”. I walked out of the hospital that day determined to learn to really ride. That was 8 years ago. One thing that I would wish for you is to check out this book called [Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough](https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=14SVAH6AMBUZB\u0026amp;keywords=proficient+motorcycling\u0026amp;qid=1654803741\u0026amp;sprefix=profici%2Caps%2C120\u0026amp;sr=8-1-spons\u0026amp;psc=1\u0026amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE3N1JJTDlJRFA0TiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRJZD1BMDYxNTUyMDFHTjgyQ1FTN1AxNFUmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDY0NDc2OEFLNTRYWFdIVDZTNCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl)\r\n\r\nI read mine cover to cover and every season I glance through it as a refresher. It’s a wonderful book and it has a lot of great riding tips from a die hard daily rider.","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"S1I7"},{"body":"Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book: www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=11KCXXHTVUHDQ\u0026amp;keywords=proficient+motorcycling+by+david+hough\u0026amp;qid=1651986401\u0026amp;sprefix=proficient+mot%2Caps%2C240\u0026amp;sr=8-1\r\n\r\nRead up!","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"Sasquatch_Hillbilly"},{"body":"This is one of the best books I've read on real motorcycling on real streets with real cars. Instead of telling you how to shave fractions of a second of of a perfectly apexed corner, the author discusses real road strategy. Give it a read and see if you can identify what you'll do differently next time, and why! Good luck!\r\n\r\nProficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, Updated \u0026amp; Expanded 2nd Edition (CompanionHouse Books) The Must-Have Manual: Confront Fears, Sharpen Handling Skills, \u0026amp; Learn to Ride Safely https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1620081199/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_NPTB3KR5KWZF3MY32XY6","subreddit_name":"motorcycles","author":"swillson73"}]}