A couple of weeks ago we reviewed MotoLearn.com, an excellent online training guide for new motorcycle riders or prospective motorcycle riders. MotoLearn.com is a well written guide that any new rider, especially considering its skimpy $16 price tag, should read.
“Get Ready To Pass” is, by all accounts, a much better product. Along with pictures and reading material, it presents incredibly high quality videos on every aspect of riding. Not only that, but the material presented is applicable for both cars and motorcycles. While most people will already have their car license before getting their motorcycle license, having that information present is a bonus if you don’t have either license.
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I can still remember the first time I had a passenger on the back of my motorcycle. I was riding a 1999 Kawasaki Nina 500R at the time (a classic beginner motorcycle- read our Kawasaki Ninja 500R review here), which was just barely big enough for me (I was 6’2″ and 265 lbs at the time). When my passenger, my 115 lb girlfriend, got on the back the motorcycle the suspension dropped a fair bit at the rear. It was like riding a completely different motorcycle.
Are you ready for a passenger on the back of your motorcycle?
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It might take a while for the dust to settle, but once it does you’ll realize that the Honda CRF230M9 may very well be the first attractive dual-sport… kind of. Clean lines, combined with sleek and stylish bodywork make the CRF230M one of the best looking dual-sports (kind of) around. A comfortable ride and peppy acceleration certainly add to the fun, but when you look this good, does it really matter?
What do we mean by kind of? Keep reading.
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Riding ATGATT (all the gear, all the time) is something that every new rider does at first. After all, it only makes logical sense. However, many riders soon begin to stop wearing some of their gear when they go riding. They forget that safety is more important than “looking cool”, and it only takes one meeting with the asphalt to make that a rather harsh lesson.
This article explains why riding ATGATT is crucial for all riders, especially new ones. If you have ever wondered what the difference between a pair of work boots and riding boots were, or why those $30 motorcycle gloves are so important, this article will explain it all.
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Many people will ask an experienced rider the same old question: “How do I ride a motorcycle?” The answer, of course, is quite complex. Most riders start off with the “oh, well you just do this yabba yabba yabba…”. Good luck trying to explain it, because to be honest, it’s the feel of riding a motorcycle that a new rider needs to experience.
Naturally, because of this, we tend to find the “how to” guides to be a little off the mark. Some do a good job of explaining the mechanics of riding a motorcycle, and others do an excellent job of describing the feeling that comes with riding a motorcycle. None of them, it seemed, were able to do both.
Until MotoLearn.com.
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It really says a lot about a motorcycle when the manufacturer truly believes in it. Not sure what we mean? Suzuki made a supermoto version of the DR-Z400S. Just as Honda has made race versions of its CBR600RR, as has Yamaha with the R6 and R1, Suzuki took the plunge and made a hopped up version of the DR-Z400S.
There’s plenty of reasons why, but the bottom line here is due to one simple fact: The Suzuki DR-Z400S is one helluva bike. The 400cc engine packs plenty of power. Where other, smaller bikes may have a hard time getting going in the low RPM, the DR-Z400S just starts rolling. Popping the front tire up is easy to do, and it’s lightweight enough that even beginner riders will enjoy experimenting with the bike and testing their limits.
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Dual-sports are our favorites for total newbies to motorcycle riding. They are friendly, lightweight, and very simple to maintain and operate. The Suzuki DR200SE, a 200cc dual-sport, is an ideal first bike for someone looking for a bike that can get around town or around some country back roads.
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Summary: A new 4 stroke engine, mated to a slick 5 speed transmission, allow the Yamaha XT250 to act as a country cruiser or a city commuter. However, this bike is not recommended for those that will be doing a lot of highway riding. Engine Size: 249cc Price (new): $5,499 CAD/$4,680 USD Comparable bikes: Yamaha [...]
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It’s important that you recognize that the Yamaha TW200 is not a motocross bike, but rather a potent and capable dual sport. Once you realize that it’s not a tourer or a crotch rocket you will come to see it as a comfortable bike that can hold its own both on the road and off of it.
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Yamaha FZ6R Video Walkaround Scroll down for our comprehensive review of the Yahama FZ6R. Fast Tube by Casper Summary: A detuned R6 motor from the last generation R6 provides plenty of power and torque throughout the rev range, and a solid suspension setup keeps this bike stable when it counts. New riders may find the [...]
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