As a new rider, and as a person who isn't the best at making friends I have been pondering how to go about finding a riding mentor. Does this kind of thing even exist? If not it should. By riding mentor all I mean is that seasoned rider who showed you the ropes and threw you to the wolves. Doesn't matter if it was a friend, uncle, ex-girl friend.. Whoever. Who imparted their wisdom of riding onto you in an effort to keep you from killing yourself. This is of course outside of whatever safety class you took to reduce insurance premiums. Any advice from the crowd is appreciated.

 

I met my mentor in the parking lot of Home Depot. Was in the far end of the lot and my buddy Marc came out of the store and saw me practicing U turns. He rode over and asked how long was I going to be practicing? Told him about another hour. He rode home got his bike and orange cones and returned, that's when he informed that he was one of the MSF instructors. Been riding buddies since, oh that was back in March 2001!

 

Oh boy! Geez. I'm glad I do't live in Ga.

 

Walking down the street minding my own business. As I passed by a Harley dealer a salesman grabbed me and said you look like you need to get laid.

He sold me a bike. I found some women. Now Im broke.

Moral of the story. Don't let your salesman be your mentor, lol

 

As already stated, take the MSF course and I'm sure that you will meet someone or some people that you will want to ride with.

Back when I bought my first bike I had NEVER ridden anything with two wheels except a bicycle.
I didn't know anyone who owned or rode a motorcycle.
This was before MSF classes.

I bought a Honda CB175 and basically learned to ride it in the dealership parking lot and on my way home.

For my first year of riding I mostly rode to work (I lived in the city) and occasionally to nearby suburbs, all by myself.

The following year I bought a real (750cc) motorcycle and started taking longer rides, but again, by myself.

During my fourth year of riding my best friend and I bought matching Honda CB450's and he was the first person that I had ever rode with.

Good luck and ride safely and defensively.

 

If you're looking for instruction, take a Basic Rider's Course.

 

1, Go out riding early on weekend mornings, like 6:30-7am. When you ride by a breakfast place that has some bikes parked in the lot, stop in. In the old days you could read the odometers, now you just have to figure out if the bikes have some miles on them. When you go inside see if the riders are some 1% ers etc. if so, avoid. If they are just some guys, ask if they mind if you join them as you are new to riding and the area. I've met a lot of people that way.
2. Go to some HOG meetings and see if there are any folks that don't go on the organized ride, ask them if you could buy them a cup of coffee somewhere you'd like to pick their brains about your bike.

 

I never had a mentor, but what i have had is almost 50 years of experience.

 

The guy I bought my first bike from said. "This is the gas, this is the brake, here's how you shift gears."


I took it from there.

 

My wife's best friend was a long time Harley rider. After my BRC, he lent me a Virago
2​​​​​50 for a week. I rode it 70 miles.
Then he lent me an Electraglide Standard, and we took a 500 mile weekend trip, including interstates. I look back now and consider myself blessed, that I didn't crash that weekend. I really lacked the skills for such a heavy bike, especially on entrance and exit ramps.
I went on several trips over the next couple of years with him. I learned a lot by following his lines. Occasionally he would take off 30-40 mph over the speed limit, and I would just meet him in the next town.
Do you know anyone who rides?