Anyone know bikes? May buy this...but I know nothing about bikes lol.

[upflying]

What ever you do, never enter an intersection with a green light without looking both ways first.

[TCAT]

Originally Posted by upflying

What ever you do, never enter an intersection with a green light without looking both ways first.

Another piece of great advice, thank you. Luckily, I do that same thing even when I'm in a car. Ever since I drove home from work one night, stopped at a stop sign, and was about to turn left, saw a driver FLY through without stopping going at least 50mph, I'll never not look both ways for a stop sign or stop light. That person would have easily taken me out, and I'd never know what hit me.

[TJ91]

Originally Posted by TCAT

Bitchin bike Adam! That looks to be a good price too.

Sorry Adam, I don't mean to butt into the thread, but since we are on th topic of motorcycles for beginners, I'd also like to ask a question.

I've never ridden a sport bike in my life, but the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R 636 in white and black or black and green has me smitten. I think I would need a hell of a lot of riding experience though to get a bike like that. I've ridden ATV's before, but never a sport bike or dirt bike for that matter. I was thinking about taking a motorcycle riding instructional/safety class and trying to get used to riding a bit at a time. The tough part is that I don't want to spend money on a practice bike first, and then have to go try to sell that to purchase an upgraded bike that I likely won't outgrow like the 636. However, from reading a bunch of motorcycle forums, many people say buying a 600cc bike of above will likely kill a first time rider. I obviously enjoy fast toys regardless if its cars, planes, motorcycles, etc., but I am as responsible as I can be with powerful toys, as I understand how to treat them, and to have respect for power. Hopefully, in regards to motorcycles, this frame of mind will come in handy.

What's all your guys' input from all your experience riding.

Hey man im coming up on my 6th year of riding. How I did it, was take a motorcycle course. You ride a 250cc and they put you through all the situations you would face on the roads from sharp emergency to turns, to panic stops to complete control of the bike at low speeds. They covered everything. So how it works here in Ontario Canada is you do your written test to get your M1 (beginners). I didnt dare touch the 1000cc Vtwin Superhawk I had in the garage. I then went and did the course which they test you afterwards to get your M2 (basically full license). After that weekend course, I felt way more comfortable and confident. I then took the Superhawk to an empty parking lot. The first thing everyone needs to realize is the weight differnce off a 250 and say a 600 and a 1000. So I began doing laps around the parking lot and practiced all the maneruvers until I began to feel confident. Ive now been riding for about 6 years and absolutely love it. Have had MANY scares and I ride as defensive as possible.

So point of the story, the 250 is great for a weekend to learn how to ride, and thats about it. You will outgrow it for sure much quicker then you expect. Within one riding season for sure. A 600 is a great choice, you can even go 1000 like I did. The key is to be respectful and the bike will respond respectively.

The feeling you get when you ride is completely worth it, in fact I drive my Camaro far less now. My bike is what relieves my stress and gives me that feeling of freedom. Now I cant wait to ride my new Gixxer

Originally Posted by AdamZ

Would be my first bike lol. Just looking from something from home to classes and home to work. Looks like I should be getting a 600 though.



White and black and match your camaro

Yeah man go 600, but try taking a weekend course on a 250. Would be a great asset. Still get to learn on the 250, but you spend 450 on that and outgrow it in a weekend vs 3000 and stuck with it for a year

Originally Posted by upflying

The 600 will perform just like a 250 as long as you treat the throttle with respect.

This is key! Just like the Camaro, treat the power with respect and youll have no problems.

Originally Posted by TCAT

Thank you. That's how I'm thinking about it as well. What I'm more nervous of than anything is other drivers to be quite honest. I don't have control over them like I do over the bike. I don't want to be paralyzed for life for someone else's mistake. Now, accidents can happen with cars as well, but a person has more protection in that circumstance. It seems like this is a risk that a person must be willing to take riding motorcycles, and risk can only be minimized by being cautious and knowing personal limits, respecting the motorcycle and its power, and being as alert as possible to try to predict any potentially dangerous situations.

Hey man, I think I might be the first to say it here, but im sure other bikers here will agree, theres only soo defensive and alert you can be, sometimes shit just happens way out of left field that you can never expect or explain. Shit happens, and I have to honestly say, ive gotten out of tricky situations by sheer luck sometimes. This is not including the MANY near hits ive avoided by being defensive and alert.
Its like anything you do in the world, you cant stop everything but you can do your best to minimize it.
Is it dangerous (hey guys my question mark key keeps putting an É, anyone know how to change this im not a computer literate :( )
anyways is it dangerous, yes but its definitly worth it. Its just the risk of serious injury or death occuring when that shit happens moment happens

This keyboard thing is annoying the shit out of me

[TCAT]

Originally Posted by TJ91

Hey man im coming up on my 6th year of riding. How I did it, was take a motorcycle course. You ride a 250cc and they put you through all the situations you would face on the roads from sharp emergency to turns, to panic stops to complete control of the bike at low speeds. They covered everything. So how it works here in Ontario Canada is you do your written test to get your M1 (beginners). I didnt dare touch the 1000cc Vtwin Superhawk I had in the garage. I then went and did the course which they test you afterwards to get your M2 (basically full license). After that weekend course, I felt way more comfortable and confident. I then took the Superhawk to an empty parking lot. The first thing everyone needs to realize is the weight differnce off a 250 and say a 600 and a 1000. So I began doing laps around the parking lot and practiced all the maneruvers until I began to feel confident. Ive now been riding for about 6 years and absolutely love it. Have had MANY scares and I ride as defensive as possible.

So point of the story, the 250 is great for a weekend to learn how to ride, and thats about it. You will outgrow it for sure much quicker then you expect. Within one riding season for sure. A 600 is a great choice, you can even go 1000 like I did. The key is to be respectful and the bike will respond respectively.

The feeling you get when you ride is completely worth it, in fact I drive my Camaro far less now. My bike is what relieves my stress and gives me that feeling of freedom. Now I cant wait to ride my new Gixxer



Yeah man go 600, but try taking a weekend course on a 250. Would be a great asset. Still get to learn on the 250, but you spend 450 on that and outgrow it in a weekend vs 3000 and stuck with it for a year



This is key! Just like the Camaro, treat the power with respect and youll have no problems.



Hey man, I think I might be the first to say it here, but im sure other bikers here will agree, theres only soo defensive and alert you can be, sometimes shit just happens way out of left field that you can never expect or explain. Shit happens, and I have to honestly say, ive gotten out of tricky situations by sheer luck sometimes. This is not including the MANY near hits ive avoided by being defensive and alert.
Its like anything you do in the world, you cant stop everything but you can do your best to minimize it.
Is it dangerous (hey guys my question mark key keeps putting an É, anyone know how to change this im not a computer literate :( )
anyways is it dangerous, yes but its definitly worth it. Its just the risk of serious injury or death occuring when that shit happens moment happens

This keyboard thing is annoying the shit out of me

Thanks a ton for the great advice and in depth reply. I really appreciate it! I will do just that, take a course, or several courses to et accustomed to riding, as well as riding in various situations. I will also be sure to purchase a bike that will suit me well for years to come that I know I'll still enjoy regardless of experience.

You are so right, as it's impossible to predict all driving situations no matter what. There is always an element of surprise, and all we can do is be alert, and try to always have a plan B, C, etc. if need be. I'm sure I'll have many scary situations riding will come out of nowhere, and I'll have to deal with it. It's nerve racking to be put in situations like that, but at the and time, the reward of riding a motorcycle and the amazing feeling it will provide will likely be worth it. If its not, then I obviously won't ride anymore. I'll never know until I take some classes, and get out there and ride . I'm looking forward to it though.

Thanks again for the great info., and congrats on the Gixxer . Any pics of the bike?!

[TJ91]

Originally Posted by TCAT

Thanks a ton for the great advice and in depth reply. I really appreciate it! I will do just that, take a course, or several courses to et accustomed to riding, as well as riding in various situations. I will also be sure to purchase a bike that will suit me well for years to come that I know I'll still enjoy regardless of experience.

You are so right, as it's impossible to predict all driving situations no matter what. There is always an element of surprise, and all we can do is be alert, and try to always have a plan B, C, etc. if need be. I'm sure I'll have many scary situations riding will come out of nowhere, and I'll have to deal with it. It's nerve racking to be put in situations like that, but at the and time, the reward of riding a motorcycle and the amazing feeling it will provide will likely be worth it. If its not, then I obviously won't ride anymore. I'll never know until I take some classes, and get out there and ride . I'm looking forward to it though.

Thanks again for the great info., and congrats on the Gixxer . Any pics of the bike?!

Hey man, really glad your taking the advice! Youll honestly love riding man, its a feeling like no other! As for the gixxer, it at the dealer until the weather gets better here, I lost my phone two weeks ago, so once I go back to see her, Ill snap a few pics and post em up here. Going to mod that one too lol

Once you do your courses and get used to riding. I honestly encourage shopping for a while depending on budget. If your going for a used older bike it will be a little tougher to get a feel for it. But riding position vary greatly from bike to bike. I always loved R1s and thought that would be my next bike, but compared to the Gixxer, the R1 feels too wide for my liking. Find the bike that best suits you. The styling of bikes from about 2004 til now still look fresh on the streets so thats something to think about. My 01 Superhawk looks outdated but an 04 R1 looks great, 06 CBR etc. You get where im going with this hopefully. As for 600cc bikes, check out the 2007 GSXR 600s, theyre great, I love the design of an 08 but the prices on those can be a little up there. Ive found 08 600s for about $6500 to 7k here.
You can pick up some good bikes for 4-5k, but 6-7500 and you can get some really clean bikes. Thats in Canada by the way, might even be cheaper in the States
Goodluck man and keep us posted on all of it!

[Camaro_Corvette]

Suzuki is where it's at...

[TJ91]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

Suzuki is where it's at...

You got good taste sir

[TCAT]

Originally Posted by TJ91

Hey man, really glad your taking the advice! Youll honestly love riding man, its a feeling like no other! As for the gixxer, it at the dealer until the weather gets better here, I lost my phone two weeks ago, so once I go back to see her, Ill snap a few pics and post em up here. Going to mod that one too lol

Once you do your courses and get used to riding. I honestly encourage shopping for a while depending on budget. If your going for a used older bike it will be a little tougher to get a feel for it. But riding position vary greatly from bike to bike. I always loved R1s and thought that would be my next bike, but compared to the Gixxer, the R1 feels too wide for my liking. Find the bike that best suits you. The styling of bikes from about 2004 til now still look fresh on the streets so thats something to think about. My 01 Superhawk looks outdated but an 04 R1 looks great, 06 CBR etc. You get where im going with this hopefully. As for 600cc bikes, check out the 2007 GSXR 600s, theyre great, I love the design of an 08 but the prices on those can be a little up there. Ive found 08 600s for about $6500 to 7k here.
You can pick up some good bikes for 4-5k, but 6-7500 and you can get some really clean bikes. Thats in Canada by the way, might even be cheaper in the States
Goodluck man and keep us posted on all of it!

Thanks a ton man! I definitely will let you guys know how it goes. I will also shop around a lot to see what I would like to buy if I go used. To be honest, I'd be completely happy with an 06+ 600 size bike. However, if I go new, there is something about that new Kawasaki 636 that has me going bananas. I'll know the moment I start trying new bikes and shop around. Like you said, I may completely dispose some of the bikes and the way they feel once I sit and ride them. Good luck with your bike, and I look forward to pictures!

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by TCAT

Thanks a ton for the great advice and in depth reply. I really appreciate it! I will do just that, take a course, or several courses to et accustomed to riding, as well as riding in various situations. I will also be sure to purchase a bike that will suit me well for years to come that I know I'll still enjoy regardless of experience.

If you're going to take a class then check out http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

This is the company that does most of the motorcycle classes in the US and offers classes in almost all states. It's $150 for the beginners class which is a 3 day (Fri-Sun) class. They start offering classes at the end of March and they go all the way through October. Be warned though they are small classes (around 10 people) and they are very popular. MSF recommends you schedule 4-6 months in advance. A guy from work took the beginners class back in Sept and he said he had to wait 8 months as all the other classes was full. I'm wanting to take the class as well and learn how to ride but all the classes here are already booked until Aug.