Mile Marker 0: What I’m Learning Before I Buy a Motorcycle
If you’re reading this, I’d say we’re in the same boat — new riders looking for direction before we hit the road, both literally and figuratively.
Motorcycles can be intimidating. Not just because they’re dangerous for beginners like us, but also because of the overwhelming amount of information and opinions out there. The fact is, the bike we eventually choose will shape our learning curve, our rides, the people we meet, and definitely our finances.
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect guide to start my motorcycle journey. But what I ultimately learned is — there isn’t one. No perfect guide, no one-size-fits-all answer. So, this is how I’m starting my journey into the world of motorcycles:
MSF Basic Rider Course (BRC)
The first step: search for an MSF Basic Rider Course (BRC) in your area. If you’re like me, the interest in riding is already there — and the first real step should be taking a course with qualified instructors. It’s the safest and smartest way to find out if motorcycling is really for you.
The course offers hands-on exposure to core riding skills and safety techniques. It gave me a clear sense of whether riding fits me — it confirmed that it absolutely does.
I completed the BRC at my local Harley-Davidson dealer and found it incredibly well-organized, helpful, and encouraging.
Our group had riders of all experience levels, so it wasn’t uncomfortable being a total beginner. The instructors were knowledgeable and patient, and the structure of the course was the perfect introduction to riding.
It began with classroom sessions focused on rider safety, road awareness, and motorcycle basics. After passing a written test, we moved to the practice lot. We started by getting familiar with the bike’s controls — feeling the weight, learning the startup procedure, and practicing clutch and brake control.
Each drill built on the one before, slowly adding new elements like throttle control, low-speed maneuvers, cornering, and emergency braking.
By the end of night two on the practice lot, I felt surprisingly comfortable being around the motorcycle — and even more eager to ride.
Watching Ride Reviews (a.k.a. "Game Film")
As I started envisioning myself riding, the reality set in — motorcycling carries real risk, especially for new riders. That’s when I leaned into what I call “game film” — watching ride reviews, crash analysis, and ride-along videos on YouTube.
Seeing how experienced riders navigate real-world situations helped me develop the right mindset for the street — scanning, anticipating, and understanding what can go wrong.
The creators I find most helpful right now are:
MotoJitsu – great for skill drills and techniques
DanDanTheFireman – crash analysis and risk management
Motosport.com – gear reviews and ride stories
These channels offer some of the most informative and easily digestible content out there, in my opinion.
I highly recommend watching real ride footage and commentary. It sharpens your situational awareness and helps improve decision-making — both of which massively reduce the risks of street riding.
What Kind of Riding Do I Want to Do?
As I mentioned in my first post, “This is Me...”, I’m interested in a lot of different types of riding — and honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever settle on just one style. That’s part of the foundation of The Rider Atlas.
Different motorcycles serve different purposes, and each offers a unique experience. Locking myself into one category too early feels limiting.
That being said, it’s important to ask yourself:
Where will you be riding?
How far do you plan to go?
Are you riding solo, with a passenger, or carrying luggage?
Do you want relaxed, scenic rides on a cruiser?
Are you chasing speed and performance on a sportbike?
Or are you an adventure rider looking for dirt trails and remote places?
Figuring this out might be the hardest part of getting into motorcycles — but it’s also one of the most exciting.
Bike Education — Matching the Machine to the Mission
Learning about different bikes goes hand-in-hand with figuring out your riding style. Every motorcycle has strengths and weaknesses depending on what you plan to do.
For example:
If you live in a crowded city and plan to commute, a big cruiser probably doesn’t make sense.
If you want to tour across your state or country, you’ll need luggage options, wind protection, and comfort — which rules out most sportbikes and naked bikes.
I’ve been watching countless YouTube reviews and breakdowns of motorcycles to help guide my choices. There are incredible creators doing the exact kind of riding you might be imagining — use their experience to help shape your own decisions.
Final Thoughts
If I can give one piece of advice from my experience so far, it’s this: just get started.
Sign up for the MSF BRC. Get on a bike. Then dive deep into the internet, YouTube, and forums. There’s no perfect roadmap — but the act of learning, practicing, and exploring will lead you exactly where you need to go.