Motorcycle riders, or people who have seen one, click here. NOW WITH PICS!!!!

[kenrippy]

My first bike was a '90 gsxr750 (bought it in '92) and I had only ridden dirt bikes before that. That was also before it was a requirement to take a MC course before you got your liscense. I just took it real easy for the first year or so. It also helps to have a friend or two that are safe riders that you can learn from. You will not do well riding w/ squids and stunters. I bought a new '96 gsxr750 and still ride it occasionally.

Your insurance will cost you less if you have a car or truck also. Just tell them it's a second vehicle. It's not like you're gonna be driving/riding both at once. We have State Farm (wife also rides a '98 zx6r)

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: kenrippy
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Your insurance will cost you less if you have a car or truck also. Just tell them it's a second vehicle. It's not like you're gonna be driving/riding both at once. We have State Farm (wife also rides a '98 zx6r)

excellent point! hadn't thought of that.

 

[PushHands]

up for PICS!

 

[nan0bug]

bleh. You mentioned 'sport bike' and didn't mention Ducati. Shame on you.

 

[The Stigenator]

just letting you know that is a supersport, its not a beginner friendly bike even though this is from a few years back.
Its using the genesis box rather than teh delta box but still has plenty of punch in it.
I wouldnt recommend it.

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: nan0bug
bleh. You mentioned 'sport bike' and didn't mention Ducati. Shame on you.

Please enlighten me by what you mean w/ that statement. Seriously

The_good_guy, why wouldn't you recommend it? Too much punch?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: PushHands

Originally posted by: nan0bug
bleh. You mentioned 'sport bike' and didn't mention Ducati. Shame on you.

Please enlighten me by what you mean w/ that statement. Seriously

Ducati is an italian Motorcycle manufacturer that makes a number of touring, sport touring and supersport models. Among smart consumers, their supersport models are generally regarded as overpriced, uncomfortable to ride, and slower then their equivalent Japanese 4-cylinder supersports. I agree, you can buy a much better bike for the money.

And with all that said, I want one more than you can possibly imagine.

 

[Whisper]

Heh, the one thing I'll say about Ducatis is this: anyone that considers them overpriced has never ridden one. Their Japanese counterparts usually are faster for the money (the 999 runs upwards of $20k), but nothing can truly beat the combination of sound, handling, and power delivery of a Duc...at least in my eyes.

Then again, they also are some of the scariest bikes made. They're temperamental, finicky, and prone to kicking you off if they don't like you. But dayam, they're a lot of fun to ride

You have the possibility of living if you learn on a 600, just be EXTRA careful. They have a lot more punch than many people realize. I personally learned on a 900 and am still around, but do not recommend that path for anyone. I'm ready to trade my 500 up after a year, but it was a great bike to make typical beginner mistakes on. Those same mistakes on a 600 would've put me on the ground, so just watch what you're doing, and safe riding to ya.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: PushHands

Originally posted by: nan0bug bleh. You mentioned 'sport bike' and didn't mention Ducati. Shame on you.

Please enlighten me by what you mean w/ that statement. Seriously The_good_guy, why wouldn't you recommend it? Too much punch?

punch = power.. something like that has about 90+hp in a bike that weighs under 500 pounds.. the issue isnt that you cant handle it, you should be able to, but majority of ppl cant. When you ride a motorcycle you got to do someting called throttle control where you vary the throttle. In the canyons or curvy roads you use that the most. if you start on something too powreful you will be afraid to lean the bike because you will be afraid to give throttle .. I can throw my 500cc bike around a lot more than someone new on a 600cc supersport even though he or she has a more powerful bike i can still beat time on the canyons and Ihave.

A 600cc supersport also is a wheelie machine, and its not forgiving for beginner mistakes. I have heard countless stories of ppl giving too much gas and too fast clutch reliease and wheeliing it.

I wouldnt suggest that bike as a new rider, stay alive, get a smaller bike, ride for 2 years, get used to it and then upgrade. The problem is in the US we have no horsepower/engine size restrictions like UK and Europe. That's why we have so many accidents with new riders buying the latest and greatest and then crashing it because they cant control it.

Just save yourself, get some good gear (helmet,jacket, boots,gloves, riding pants/dragging jeans or jeans when you ride) and you shuld be ok

 

[PushHands]

I think I'm getting a pretty good deal on the bike, on the lower end of 1k, and I trust that BiL has taken good care of it. I believe the bike is 500cc, still very strong I presume so I'll be extremely careful, especially the first 6 months of riding. I understand that the consequences of my actions on the bike extend beyond myself.

I'll be getting all his riding gear, which is a plus. He recommend that I purchase my own helmet because it's important to get a proper fit even though he and I are almost idential in height. I'll have to get different boots due to different size. I haven't tried the helmet on yet but could I go with his helmet depending on how it fits?

 

[boyRacer]

Well it's still a sportbike... but i think you'll be a lot better on it than my friends in their new Yamaha R6s who are in this "hey everyone's getting a motorcycle let's get one too" trend... and can't beat the price if you know who take care of it.

The helmet should be a snug fit... and it shouldnt be moving around your head.

Here check out fzrarchives.com/ for some info on that bike...

...and check out kneedraggers.com/ to see some info on helmet sizing... and see if you like any of them. Ride safe amd enjoy your new bike!

TeH_gOod_gUY is a lot better at telling you how to stay alive though so maybe you can PM him...

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Nice bike, like the look of it. heres my bike

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Nice bike, like the look of it. heres my bike

that's not a bike...

 

[PushHands]

What's a good place to buy helmet and boot gear? I'm just began looking at kneedraggers.com to see what info they have.

BTW The_good_guy, when are you moving to Sacramento?

edit: dayam!! Boots are quite expensive! Would someone recommend me ones that are not for racing and won't kill my wallet? Seems like the websites I visit don't have gear for every day use. I must be missing something here.

 

[PushHands]

up for some answers

 

[Brutuskend]

<Croc Dundee voice> "That's not a motorcycle, THIS is a motorcycle!" <Croc Dundee voice>

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: PushHands
What's a good place to buy helmet and boot gear? I'm just began looking at kneedraggers.com to see what info they have.

BTW The_good_guy, when are you moving to Sacramento?

edit: dayam!! Boots are quite expensive! Would someone recommend me ones that are not for racing and won't kill my wallet? Seems like the websites I visit don't have gear for every day use. I must be missing something here.

I think something like these shoes would be cool, but you have to watch out for the euro sizing. they have narrow shoes generally

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: PushHands
What's a good place to buy helmet and boot gear? I'm just began looking at kneedraggers.com to see what info they have. BTW The_good_guy, when are you moving to Sacramento? edit: dayam!! Boots are quite expensive! Would someone recommend me ones that are not for racing and won't kill my wallet? Seems like the websites I visit don't have gear for every day use. I must be missing something here.

PushHands, I am moving up north over the labor day weekend.

Anyway for boots and stuff check out www.newenough.com and www.motorcycle-superstore.com Also check out www.helmetharbor.com . Basically motorcycle superstore (MCSS) has better info than helmet harbor but helmet harbor has free shipping.
If you follow MCSS's directions for how to buy a helmet for your head size it will fit fine. In generally you want a helmet that is tight when its on (it will be extra tight when new but that will break in slowly) and it shouldnt move when you pull it up and down.

How much are you looking to get for boots. I have some generic work boots (from work boot warehouse) that has ankle protection and stuff. It works fine for me. You can get decent boots for about 80 bucks.

 

[dreamer]

First things first, start off small and do not let anyone pressure you. Ride for for the love of it. KNOW YOUR LIMITS!! That being said, I am an avid sportbike enthusiast and go to the track and hit the backroads often. I love riding and unfortunately I have seen many bad get-offs. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Here is a pic of me at Palomar Mountain in San Diego:
Left Hander

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: dreamer
First things first, start off small and do not let anyone pressure you. Ride for for the love of it. KNOW YOUR LIMITS!! That being said, I am an avid sportbike enthusiast and go to the track and hit the backroads often. I love riding and unfortunately I have seen many bad get-offs. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Here is a pic of me at Palomar Mountain in San Diego: Left Hander

i could never do that on mine.. But i have scraped a peg or two.

I agree with you on starting small, but many ppl think that they will go back to pre publucent days if they are caught riding something small and would rather have a bike that match the amount of pubic hair around their balls. I persoanlly started on a 60cc moped, and to this day I will take an ungeared scooter to my gs500.

Dreamer: Check out www.gstwins.com/forum we are having an August 16th So.Cal ride, your welcome to come if you like. We are doing ortega. Mostly GS500's but a few more bikes will be around.

 

[dreamer]

Hey thanks for the invite!

Alot of new riders feel like they have to get a bigger bike to validate themselves, how wrong could they be! I started off on dirtbikes and a Yamaha YSR50 many years ago. I then had a Honda CBR F4i (600cc) for a year and learned on that. It was a great bike and I loved it. I would have kept it, but decided to move onto a V-Twin. Smaller bikes are better learning bikes and still provide enough oomph for most riders. If you are so inclined, older Honda CBR F2s, F3s or Suzuki SV650s can make good starting bikes if you bigger in stature.

 

[Woodie]

For helmets, use a local store, where you can try the helmets on in the store. Yes, they're not cheap, but remember that what goes *inside* the helmet is irreplacable!

Some people have "Arai" heads, and some have others. It's not just the size, but the shape. I'm on my 3rd BMW helmet (hinged chin-bar), because it "works for me". Not cheap. :Q

FWIW, I pay $160/year for full coverage ($300/100K) w/ GEICO Cycle-Guard, but: I'm >30, and it's not a sport-bike! This from the very comfortable seat on my BMW R100RT.

C ya! and enjoy your ride!

Brustus: That's sick!
Winston: OK, that's a nice ride.

Hey, anyone interested in doing a New Engalnd 1000 in 1? (that's 1,000 miles in <24 hours, around New England).

 

[The Stigenator]

true that the older f2's and f3's and sv650's are okay for beginner bikes but for me they are on the top end of the beginner bike, its more intermediate riders than beginners, i have seen my share of accidents and all these guys are riding supersports and sv650's. That's why I just say get a 500cc or lesser bike (SV650 max) on the sportsbike side and 750cc for teh cruiser side (sportster 883 is okay).

 

[dreamer]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
true that the older f2's and f3's and sv650's are okay for beginner bikes but for me they are on the top end of the beginner bike, its more intermediate riders than beginners, i have seen my share of accidents and all these guys are riding supersports and sv650's. That's why I just say get a 500cc or lesser bike (SV650 max) on the sportsbike side and 750cc for teh cruiser side (sportster 883 is okay).

I totally agree. There are some very nice Kawasaki Ninja 250s, 500s out there that make great learning bikes also. One thing also, when it comes to gear, I believe in getting the best, it is what protects you. Dress for the crash, not the ride.

 

[PushHands]

Good info all around guys. I espcially like the cross conversation everyone is having. I'm learning bit and pieces here and there. I'm going to check out some of those sites.

edit: For clarity, this will be used mainly for leisure. I need a method to relieve all the stress that school brings upon me. I don't have a need to impress anyone by reving my engine

edit2: visiting http://www.helmetharbor.com/streethelmets/index.htm, I noticed they mention Full Face and Flip-Up helments. What are the difference since the look the same to me. And I did check the FAQs