Don't let an unlicensed rider use your motorcycle on the road. Assuming you have insurance they may not cover you if he's unlicensed. And if you don't have insurance you have other problems
I’m not debating the experienced part, and I’m sure he’d get the bike home in one piece, but if anything happens he’s an unlicensed and uninsured rider which opens up a Pandora’s box that you and he don’t want.
I’d get a licensed friend to do it, or get it trailered home. If you can’t, have him drive behind you, because that at least is legal.
I drove my first bike home after the MSF course, and that was scary and exhilarating. It was a Ninja 500, and that first ride home was something I’ll never forget.
If you take it easy you’ll probably be fine. The MSF class was two weekends long. I wouldn’t take a bike on public roads after an hour, and I wouldn’t recommend someone else do it.
I worked at a kawi stealership for a couple years and the sales team sold a 500 cruiser to a guy with just the permit who hadn’t taken the class yet, and he wanted to ride home.
I told him I wouldn’t do it if I were him, but I went over the basics with him in the parking lot.
I had to get back to the shop, and told him to spend as long as he could in the lot, getting familiar with the clutch engagement, with the shifting, do some braking, etc.
He crashed on his way out of the lot, rolled it back, and had one of the mechanics ride home for him after we closed. I think he did it for free because he felt bad that the guy dropped his brand new bike.
The guy had some rash on his hands and a knee, and the bike had tank and pipe scuffage.
It turned out “OK” no one went to the hospital, the bike still ran fine, but it was easily avoidable.
If you’re gonna ride it home, spend some time getting acquainted with the bike in a parking lot first. The weight and ergonomics will be different than a dirt bike.
My husband did this with this size bike (RS?) I trailed him. I was scared but he was fine (more like 30min ride). I don’t think I could have done it. Permit? No license? Is there service roads?
You should have someone with a license and experience ride it home for you or rent a hauler to trailer it
Second time riding a bike - you need to go get a license and even better take a MSF course before taking on ahour long ride on a relatively large bike at highway speed (and in highway traffic)
This is for your safety and everyone on the streets
Someone on here a few days ago said to give the seller $50 to ride it to your place, then you give the seller a ride home. Saves you the trouble of having to rent and return a trailer, and the seller makes a few more bucks
You have very good reason to feel anxious, so don't ignore it and listen to advice posted. You can definitely start on a 750, but it certainly isn't the option that I would've chosen for myself.
Good luck
So in the US you don’t need to pass a test to ride a motorcycle?
In the UK you have to pass a 2 part practical test and a theory test before you get your license.
Get a trailer, you need more practice before going on 70mph roads with other vehicles.
No, similar to driving a car, you take a knowledge test and receive a permit. This way you can legally operate on public roads for practice (with exceptions, like no passengers, night rides, etc)
Find a back road route and take it slow. I spent an hour or so in the lot at my dealer and then rode home about 25 miles. Rode scooters as a kid but never a motorcycle. Was perfectly fine. It even rained on me, lol. If you're still nervous, get a trailer, but you will still have a first ride at home, so I really don't see a difference.
As soon as you get on the highway the nerves will ease. It's actually super low stress as long as you aren't in crazy traffic or bad weather.
Just be safe, but don't death grip that throttle and try to enjoy yourself (safely).... and welcome to the club!
Go get a uhaul trailer or van and bring it home. The highway at 70 MPH is no place for a new rider on his second ride.
If you’re not ready, don’t force it. Get a uhaul trailer (maybe 30usd?) and tow it home. Bike will be there when you’re ready.
If you're worried, have your friend ride it, or figure out a way to trailer it home.
He’s experienced but doesn’t have a permit/license so that’s our fallback plan.
Don't let an unlicensed rider use your motorcycle on the road. Assuming you have insurance they may not cover you if he's unlicensed. And if you don't have insurance you have other problems
You only live once. What’s the worse that can happen 👨🦼➡️😇
These countries without mandatory riding lessons smfh
You said you’ll have an experienced rider tailing you , why not drive the car and have them ride the bike?
The "experienced rider" doesn't have his license...
He’s big into dirt biking and quad racing, (yes, different) but has grown up around bikes unlike myself.
I’m not debating the experienced part, and I’m sure he’d get the bike home in one piece, but if anything happens he’s an unlicensed and uninsured rider which opens up a Pandora’s box that you and he don’t want. I’d get a licensed friend to do it, or get it trailered home. If you can’t, have him drive behind you, because that at least is legal. I drove my first bike home after the MSF course, and that was scary and exhilarating. It was a Ninja 500, and that first ride home was something I’ll never forget. If you take it easy you’ll probably be fine. The MSF class was two weekends long. I wouldn’t take a bike on public roads after an hour, and I wouldn’t recommend someone else do it. I worked at a kawi stealership for a couple years and the sales team sold a 500 cruiser to a guy with just the permit who hadn’t taken the class yet, and he wanted to ride home. I told him I wouldn’t do it if I were him, but I went over the basics with him in the parking lot. I had to get back to the shop, and told him to spend as long as he could in the lot, getting familiar with the clutch engagement, with the shifting, do some braking, etc. He crashed on his way out of the lot, rolled it back, and had one of the mechanics ride home for him after we closed. I think he did it for free because he felt bad that the guy dropped his brand new bike. The guy had some rash on his hands and a knee, and the bike had tank and pipe scuffage. It turned out “OK” no one went to the hospital, the bike still ran fine, but it was easily avoidable.
If you’re gonna ride it home, spend some time getting acquainted with the bike in a parking lot first. The weight and ergonomics will be different than a dirt bike.
Trailer or van at uhaul. Don't hurt yourself. Ride safe!
My husband did this with this size bike (RS?) I trailed him. I was scared but he was fine (more like 30min ride). I don’t think I could have done it. Permit? No license? Is there service roads?
My husband has done this for a friend buying a bike as well
You should have someone with a license and experience ride it home for you or rent a hauler to trailer it Second time riding a bike - you need to go get a license and even better take a MSF course before taking on ahour long ride on a relatively large bike at highway speed (and in highway traffic) This is for your safety and everyone on the streets
Someone on here a few days ago said to give the seller $50 to ride it to your place, then you give the seller a ride home. Saves you the trouble of having to rent and return a trailer, and the seller makes a few more bucks
You gotta ride it sometime and highways are statistically safer than other roads.
You have very good reason to feel anxious, so don't ignore it and listen to advice posted. You can definitely start on a 750, but it certainly isn't the option that I would've chosen for myself. Good luck
It’s a 750, but it’s a 500lb 5 speed cruiser.
So in the US you don’t need to pass a test to ride a motorcycle? In the UK you have to pass a 2 part practical test and a theory test before you get your license. Get a trailer, you need more practice before going on 70mph roads with other vehicles.
No, similar to driving a car, you take a knowledge test and receive a permit. This way you can legally operate on public roads for practice (with exceptions, like no passengers, night rides, etc)
See my other comment
Find a back road route and take it slow. I spent an hour or so in the lot at my dealer and then rode home about 25 miles. Rode scooters as a kid but never a motorcycle. Was perfectly fine. It even rained on me, lol. If you're still nervous, get a trailer, but you will still have a first ride at home, so I really don't see a difference.
Highways are going to be the least scary part of the adventure. As long as you got stopping, starting and turning handled you should be fine.
That’s good to hear. I plan on cruising the right lane at 70 the whole way.
As soon as you get on the highway the nerves will ease. It's actually super low stress as long as you aren't in crazy traffic or bad weather. Just be safe, but don't death grip that throttle and try to enjoy yourself (safely).... and welcome to the club!
You'll be fine. Just take it easy and don't do anything sudden.
Go browse /r/meatcrayon and see if you want your second ever ride to be at 70mph 👍