So you want to ride?  Here's how!

Riding is not for the faint hearted.  While there are risks with riding, the adventure and freedom of cruising on two wheels is unparalleled.

For those seeking to ride for the first time, here are some recommendations:

Get a state-issued permit.  Don't underestimate the written exam's difficulty, so study.

Sign up for a beginner riding course, such as Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) - see www.msf-usa.org for a location near you.

• MSF has some basic requirements for participants, such as knowing how to ride a bicycle.

Required gear:

• Boots

• Shatterproof sunglasses

• Armored motorcycle gloves

• Helmet (check MSF if they have any)

• Protective pants and jacket

As you can see, becoming a new rider is also expensive!  Make sure you are committed to see this through.

After the course:

Find a riding buddy to work with and improve your skills.  It's important to get continuous feedback from an experienced rider.  As part of this, I strongly recommend a two-way communication system.  Examples include Interphone's FMC-5 and Sena 10C.

When selecting a bike for purchase, start with something small and dependable.  It's possible that you could accidentally drop your bike at least once as a new rider, especially during slow maneuvering.  (Yes, I've done it a couple of times.  The only thing that was hurt was my pride, thankfully.)

Finally, practice often and stretch your skills.  Developing skills requires periodic training, practice, continuous feedback, and taking longer and longer rides to build endurance.