Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: New Rider, suzuki katana 600, protection gloves

Question
I am thinking about getting a bike and getting into the whole motorcycle thing but I have no experience at all. I've never even riden one before. But thats not going to stop me. What should I do before I get a bike and where can I go to learn more about riding and owning a bike? By the way, the bike I have been looking at is the Suzuki Katana 600. Would this be an alright bike to start out on?

Answer
Before you ever get on a bike, take the MSF Basic Rider Course. Call 800-446-9227. Sign up now, there is often a wait.

Next: buy and read the book "How to Ride a Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety, and Skill Development." That will tell you everything you need to know to get started in motorcycling: what you need to know beforehand, how to pick out riding gear and a bike, how to operate the controls, how to ride it, how to improve and work your way up to full-fledged motorcyclist, etc. I wrote the book: I promise you you'll be glad you read it.

Buy your riding gear next. Get the best gear you can afford, and don't skip any of it: helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, jacket, and pants.

After all this, buy your first bike with the money you have left over from taking the class and buying your gear. A 600 Katana is not a good bike to start on. You should go no higher than a 500cc for a four-cylinder bike and no higher than 650cc for a two-cylinder bike.

Good luck!

Pat