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.
I think that RE 350 would be perfectly fine to use as your starter bike. It's the bike you want that's not going to push your beginner skills into dangerous territory. Keep in mind that as you start riding more and making riding buddies, your tastes may change and you may prefer a different style of bike. This might take years, months, or even weeks lol. You'll just get the itch one day to want to upgrade or change it up.
I'd also recommend holding off practicing or practicing too much on whatever bike you end up with until you've done a beginner course - those fundamentals may save you from self injury or bike damage...as well getting you set up with good habits.
Finally, expect to make mistakes as you go. Try to make each and every one something to learn from and try not to feel too bad about yourself as they happen. I've made embarrassing mistakes soooo many times. But one thing I've discovered is that the riding community in general is amazing - full of very helpful, adventure-loving, and spirited individuals and many will help you along the way. Happy riding!
Yeah, I get the changing tastes. I suppose that's why my friend wants to switch it up, and get a fair bit more power. And my concern with getting the 350 isn't that it would be dangerous, but that I'd be too cautious and unwilling to take it out and practice slow maneuvers where I might drop it, and get it damaged. Which would either lead to me not developing control of the bike well enough and getting in worse situations where the worst case isn't just dropping the bike, or just not getting out riding as much as I would like, and being less comfortable when I do. I might be overthinking that and once I'm on it I'm fine, but it would be the single most valuable, and most beautiful, thing I own, and I feel like I might beat myself up a bit if one of the mistakes I make ends up with the bike being scratched, dented or otherwise damaged.
As for the riding course, in Australia you get the learner's permit at a two-day course, which includes parking-lot and on-road riding. Is that not what happens elsewhere, or do you not think that's enough to get to practising myself? The place I'm going to do the test doesn't seem to have any courses meant for before you have a bit of experience on your L's other than a 1.5hr taster to see if you want to go to the course. I'll probably do at least one of their extra courses, but I thought they were meant for after you've had at least a month or two of riding experience.
And are any of those mistakes you've made ones I could learn from you telling me? I'll definitely end up making different mistakes, but it might be nice to have a few things to avoid before I make them.