Backstory to why I'm here: I've ridden pillion behind my Dad every so often since I was quite young, and always enjoyed it, but never ridden myself. But now, I'm thinking I'd quite like to get into it, and just a couple of conversations have got bikes on my mind.
I was chatting with Dad about his bike, then a friend turned up with a Royal Enfield Classic 350, and in chatting with him he said he's maybe thinking of upgrading, so I could get what I think would probably be the perfect bike for me (at least early on). Then the first of my highschool friends announced he's getting married, I said to another friend that that means it's time for an early mid-life crisis, and without knowing I'd already been thinking about it, he joked 'time to buy a motorbike'.
And I'm trying to be more active on Lemmy than I was on The Predecessor, so figured I'd ask for advice here. I'm thinking I'll put off getting the Royal Enfield, as long as my friend is happy not selling right away, and just getting something relatively cheap and disposable, so I can practise maneuvering in parking lots or quiet streets without being too concerned about dropping the bike, then get the Royal Enfield when I'm more confident and riding around town. Is that sensible, or should I skip a step and just go straight to the bike I actually want?
Also, any general advice that isn't immediately obvious? I'm in Australia and have yet to go to the learner's course, so anything I should do to be ready for that or things to keep in mind when starting riding would be grand.
It probably goes without saying but wear your gear! I live in a hot and humid climate and I'd still rather sweat than bleed. You're learning so you will be on the ground at some point. Having asphalt scrubbed out of road rash is the best case scenario there.
Be aware that people will not see you. They will turn into you, they will pull out in front of you, and they will change lanes into the lane you are occupying. Its the nature of the beast. It also means you must be hyper vigilant to make up for it.
All that being said, I've ridden for 20+ years and don't plan on stopping any time soon. I always found it calming to go for a ride to clear my head. I wouldn't trade it for anything even after having been hit by multiple cars.
Yep, I've heard someone mention All the Gear, All the Time, and plan to stick to that. It wasn't said so explicitly, but that's also pretty much what I did with Dad. Having looked at some motorcycle youtube, I suspect what Dad had/has isn't exactly top-of-the-line, but we both wore all of it whenever we went out. Having said that, do you have any specific recommendations for hot-weather (or otherwise) gear that's safe (as much as you can be), and not too expensive?
Check out FortNine on Youtube, they have a lot of gear guides focused on many scenarios and budgets, e.g.
https://piped.video/watch?v=AWd4shge0qc
Yeah, I've been watching a fair few of his videos recently. Hadn't seen that one though, so thanks for the link.
Gear - absolutely agree. Don't cheap out. If you can't afford it, then you can afford to wait.