Westside Los Angeles - Wanna teach a noob to ride for $$?

natastical · Post by **natastical** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:40 pm

Hi all

I'm a Brit that's just moved to the US. Growing up in London, i never needed to drive so blissfully took the Tube for years. In December i moved to LA...and quickly realized i needed some wheels! I got my permit and figured out the bike for me

I've just bought a Stella 4T and need an experienced rider to show me the ropes.

Does anyone live in West LA, and would you be willing to teach me for some cold hard cash? I don't know anyone here so can't ask a friend or family member.

Any offers, help or recommendations of people would rule.

Thanks!
Natalie

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:58 pm

Why not take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation basic riders course? You get taught by experts, you get your motorcycle license, and you usually get an insurance discount.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:16 pm

Yep, do the course! But in the mean time, hopefully someone who lives in your town will volunteer to teach you in person as well. Nothing like also meeting local scootering peeps at the same time!

natastical · Post by **natastical** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:19 pm

I am registering to do the course, but it's a 3 week wait before i can get onto it....

Having a bike sitting in the garage that i can't even get a feel for in the side street next to my apartment is killing me!!

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:44 am

natastical wrote:I am registering to do the course, but it's a 3 week wait before i can get onto it....

Having a bike sitting in the garage that i can't even get a feel for in the side street next to my apartment is killing me!!

I don't blame you. If I lived close, I'd help you out, but I'm a couple hours away. Good luck.. It will all be worth it in the end!

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:14 am

First thing I recommend is buying yourself a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough to read while you are waiting to take the MSF course. It is an invaluable how-to for how to ride safe and smart and is a great companion to the MSF course.

I your case, since you have never even driven a car before (never mind being used to the different side of the street) I think you might expect a bit of a longer period for getting comfortable riding in traffic. So be patient. I had been driving cars all my life before getting a scooter and it still was a good 2-3 months before I started settling in to riding comfortably on two wheels. It's now been 4 years additional since then and I still am learning.

I would suggest that you find a nice vacant parking lot or open space (you are on the westside so the VA Hospital at Wilshire and Sawtell might be a good place) and just spend days riding around away from traffic and getting used to things. Certainly don't rush yourself getting out into traffic before you are truly ready. And even then, when you do, allow extra time to get wherever you are going and pick quiet back-routes away from busy traffic to begin with.

Bottom line, take your time and learn to ride correctly and safely. There is no hurry.

natastical · Post by **natastical** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:36 pm

Thanks all for the input!

I've found an instructor that's willing to come by Saturday and give me a day of parking lot practice by my house. I'm also booked onto a course for 2 weeks time.

Looking forward to getting to know my new bike, and eventually, riding the open road.

I'll post pictures soon!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:39 pm

Glad you found someone!

Even if you're taking the MSF course, there are some basic shifty scooter and Stella-specific things that won't be covered in the class (which I highly recommend, of course).

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 5:23 am

Glad you found someone. Have fun learning! And congrats on the new scooter BTW

wanderingwaldo · Post by **wanderingwaldo** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:24 pm

Just remember nothing brings out someones dark side like being behind a scooter. While riding in LA I have seen everything from people driving on the wrong side of the street to get around me, cars going 65 in a 45, honking at me like a maniac, passing me in my own lane, and one jackass even tried to fistfight me at an intersection (even though I was wearing crash gear and weighed double what he did). Try to take it with a grain of salt, and take your time getting used to riding it before jumping into traffic as all of the above can and probably will happen at one point or another and it's best to be completely comfortable riding before any jackassery is added into the mix.