I just bought my first motorcycle, a '22 Trident. I'm starting from complete scratch, not ever riding before. My plans are to take a riding safety course after the beginning of the year. I've been thinking about it for a while now, and have friends who ride. It feels ilke a cliche, I turn sixty and buy a motorcycle. I thought about a Harley, but that is like a cry for help. A Triumph just seems like a cooler bike. So, I had the bright idea of goint to a dealership just to look and sit on a few bikes to get a feel for what style of bike made sense. I wasn't going there to buy a motorcycle. Unfortunately there were a handful preowned, and even worse, there was a Trident that checked every box on my wants page, and it was affordable. I couldn't say no. So here I am. Hi!
Hi and welcome! I am not sure how common additional lessons are in the US, but that's some bike if you have never ridden before at all. The rider safety course is a good idea, but a few more lessons probably also wouldn't go amiss (I know you can just jump on and ride anything in the US as opposed to the UK system).
@BuzzBomb Welcome to the family. Nice choice and great bike thanks for sharing the picture. Yes a course would aid you as the Trident could surprise you immensely. Just take it very gingerly till you get the feel of the bike. Let us all know how you get on.
Hi there! Welcome to the forum! Your bike looks great! If possible book some additional skills lessons. Nobody is perfect! The rest is up to you - riding, riding, riding. You will love it!
Welcome to the forum, congrats on your new bike! Do take the riding course. I started at 56 yo, and it has been amazing—it has been 6 years now... It takes practice and some humility to learn to ride. I took the beginners class and practiced along with my brother for endless hours. When riding slow, it is key to learn to use the clutch friction zone. This will prevent you from dropping your bike and gives you control when doing U-turns or any other slow maneuver. There are many twisty roads where I live, and to be honest, it's what I like doing the best. During the first few rides (perhaps a year, I'll say), I'll run into a scary situation on every ride: entering too fast into a curve, fixing my sight into the wrong spot, etc. Learning to control the speed using the brakes even while turning helped me control the bike at normal riding speed. There are many videos about trail braking. I also practiced this with my brother—we had communicators on our helmets and constantly offered feedback on how we were riding. It was invaluable.
Welcome to biking and the forum, additional training is always a good idea. If you go out with your friends, don't try and keep up with them, especially if you're at the back. Just agree beforehand where you're going to stop next and ride at your own pace. There's plenty of choice of bike to bike intercoms available if that's your thing so you can keep in touch with your buddies while your riding. Enjoy.
Hi Buzz, welcome to the forum from North Wales. Nice intro and bike, go easy, ride safe. I read somewhere DO NOT RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY. so true.
Welcome, never too late age wise, just take it steady learning and treat group riding carefully, last man needs to be faster!
Hi and welcome…. Some great advice from the guys on how to start your riding experience. As said do some training, lots of riding and most of all enjoy yourself.
