Looking at getting into Motorcycling - Page 3

hypurone · 05-06-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFD

It's funny that people always mention weight of a motorcycle when it is not that important unless you dop it and have to pick it up, the idea is don't drop it, I have female and male customers who are under 5' tall and probably weigh no more than 100lbs and they have no problem. You sit on the bike not carry it

So not true. Take the DMV riding course for example (the one in the parking lot) Every person I know who has taken the test has wanted to get/borrow the smallest & lightest bike to take it on. Take that test on a 400lb bike and then again on a "heavy" bike. MUCH different!

Anyone who has had to do low speed maneuvers can tell a big difference in weight. At speed, in a collision avoidance maneuver, even BIGGER difference!

To the OP. Go lighter to start with my padawan learner...

bigearl · 05-06-2010, 09:51 AM

Regarding weight not being important.

The point really isn't "don't drop it". When you first learn to ride there's a billion things going on. For instance you may have to maneuver more by duck walking , or you get your feet down a little early or a little late, or you get too much rear brake and you get a little out of whack, or whatever else. The easier it is for you to push the bike back to balance point after being off-balance, the less nervous it will make you. Even if you don't drop it those little things add up for new riders. And if you do drop a bike in public and it's heavy and you can't get the bike back up fast enough- it will humiliate and scare people enough that they may just give up right then.

So light weight helps that comfort feeling. The OP just asked if that 250r was a good one to start on, AND IT IS. But if the question was "what's the best way to learn how to ride" my response would be get a light plated dirtbike and go to your local ORV/OHV/Old logged national forest area and spend every weekend for the summer cruising dirt roads. Get a little crazy, have fun, wear good gear, figure out what what it feels like when you are just short of locking it up, things like that. Then take the MSF and find a 650 or less bike with good ergos for you for a year. Then buy whatever you want.

There's a lot of good advice here though and some very good bike choices. Used bikes can be a great buy as others have mentioned if you know what to look for. I like the WRx I mentioned because you can drop them without harming them and it's really hard to upset the suspension with things like train tracks and potholes.

jokerswild · 05-06-2010, 12:26 PM

My first motorcycle was a 750 Nighthawk. Everyone I've talked to who's ever ridden one agrees that it's a fantastic learning bike. That being said, they stopped production on the 750 in '03 I believe.

You'll outgrow a 250 VERY quickly. I'd recommend a decent 500-650cc bike, that you won't outgrow immediately, but can still learn on well into intermediate levels. A GSXR-600 is NOT a learners bike (and I thought that whoever suggested the Hayabusa was kidding... I wouldn't recommend that for all but the most experienced riders).

Rule 1 - Safety
Rule 2 - Safety
Rule 3 - Safety

There are lots more rules... but kudos to everyone talking about getting good gear 1st. Gear is the 2nd most important piece of the picture... your awareness is 1st.

Suzuki SV650 is a great bike to learn on, with more than enough power. Kawasaki, Hondai, and Yamaha all have similar bikes... I've just always had a preference for the SV line.

ALWAYS respect the bike and it's power. Even a 650 won't hesitate to kick your ass if you're goofing around. The safety course is (IMHO) a necessity.

I currently ride a Suzuki Bandit 1250. They make the Bandit 650, and a VStrom 650 that would both be good learning bikes.

bluch · 05-06-2010, 09:32 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am still shopping around. It snowed 5 inches on Tuesday, so I got some time till the dry, warm weather comes around. haha.

bluch · 05-06-2010, 09:35 PM

Oh, another question:

You take the safety course before you go to get your motorcycle license. So, if you don't own a bike, then they supply a bike for you at the safety course (for a fee) right? Then what do you take the test on if you don't own a bike? Would you have to rent another bike to do the driver's test? Then go buy a bike and register/insure it?

I'm just a little unsure on the order of things....

67 Convertible · 05-07-2010, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluch

Oh, another question:

You take the safety course before you go to get your motorcycle license. So, if you don't own a bike, then they supply a bike for you at the safety course (for a fee) right? Then what do you take the test on if you don't own a bike? Would you have to rent another bike to do the driver's test? Then go buy a bike and register/insure it?

I'm just a little unsure on the order of things....

You would need to check that out with the riders course people.
There are some states in the US that upon completion of the course, the DMV right there and you are issued your M/C license at the end of the course.

motorhead · 05-07-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moriartii

THIS is NOT sound advice. I own a Zx-14 which goes back and forth with the hayabusa for fastest production motorcycle. While the 'busa is comfortable it is NOT a beginner bike period. For the person that had one as their first bike, I congratulate you as you are a lucky person.

You are right on taking an MSF course.

Good luck and keep the rubber side down.
Cheers
K

It's only fast if you run it that way. I never owned a motorcycle but I bought a hayabusa for my first bike and never looked back. Very comfortable and easy to learn on at least for me. Now that I have more seat time it's a big plus that I don't have to trade in a bike for a better one because I bought it right the first time.
AS for the guy that said why do we buy jap bikes in stead of harleys. Well It's the difference between driving a corvette or a big luxury car for me. Don't knock until you try it.

hollywoodGU · 05-07-2010, 07:51 AM

I'm looking at getting into this too...looking at a used 05 ZXR6
That a good bike to learn on, or still too powerful?

Moriartii · 05-07-2010, 09:52 AM

Motorhead-
I can see your point and it appears you used the most important piece of gear when it comes to motorcycling - that which is between your ears!

This caused wrist restraint.

At hollywoodGU-
Really that is something you have to ask yourself. As stated previously I strongly believe and recommend a MSF course as manditory. I took one and that is how I learned to ride. Now as far as the bike goes, I believe this is one that is run in the race circuit (I could be wrong as I havent followed that in a while) however the speed and torque of a lawn mower engine is enough to hurt you depending on the application. Motorhead got one of the fasted motorcycles out there as his first bike and used his head so it really comes down to:

MSF
Using your head
Knowing honestly your limitations
Gear
Using your head

Good luck and have fun

Cheers
K

jokerswild · 05-07-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

You take the safety course before you go to get your motorcycle license. So, if you don't own a bike, then they supply a bike for you at the safety course (for a fee) right? Then what do you take the test on if you don't own a bike? Would you have to rent another bike to do the driver's test? Then go buy a bike and register/insure it?

In California, there are two safety courses. Beginner and Advanced. The beginner class, THEY provide the bike for you to practice on. Usually little 125-250cc Honda's or similar. The advanced class requires you to bring your own bike.

If Canada is anything like California, you should go get your motorcycle permit. This will allow you to ride with limitations - no freeways/highways, no nighttime riding, no passengers. Then you go take the safety course, and the safety course gives you a written AND riding test at the end.

Again, in CA, you can turn that proof of passing BOTH courses into the DMV and skip the RIDING portion of the test... you still have to pass the state written test.

Look up the rules/regulations for your state/country... it's different everywhere.

2010 SSRS · 05-07-2010, 02:37 PM

get a Hyabusa, start at the top

hollywoodGU · 05-07-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moriartii

At hollywoodGU-
Really that is something you have to ask yourself. As stated previously I strongly believe and recommend a MSF course as manditory. I took one and that is how I learned to ride. Now as far as the bike goes, I believe this is one that is run in the race circuit (I could be wrong as I havent followed that in a while) however the speed and torque of a lawn mower engine is enough to hurt you depending on the application. Motorhead got one of the fasted motorcycles out there as his first bike and used his head so it really comes down to:

MSF
Using your head
Knowing honestly your limitations
Gear
Using your head

Good luck and have fun

Cheers
K

Yeah, over here if you take the MSF you don't have to take a class or do any tests from the DMV so I will deff be going that route

hollywoodGU · 05-07-2010, 10:44 PM

btw i meant ZX6R not ZXR6 it was just a typo

Trifle13 · 05-08-2010, 09:47 PM

Go with the Gixxer.

05-06-2010, 09:32 PM	#32
bluch OH CANADA! Drives: 2011 RAM 1500 LARAMIE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 3,930 View My Garage	Thanks for all the advice guys. I am still shopping around. It snowed 5 inches on Tuesday, so I got some time till the dry, warm weather comes around. haha. __________________ Had to trade in the Camaro for a truck :(, but hopefully I can join the Camaro family again one day

05-06-2010, 09:35 PM	#33
bluch OH CANADA! Drives: 2011 RAM 1500 LARAMIE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN Posts: 3,930 View My Garage	Oh, another question: You take the safety course before you go to get your motorcycle license. So, if you don't own a bike, then they supply a bike for you at the safety course (for a fee) right? Then what do you take the test on if you don't own a bike? Would you have to rent another bike to do the driver's test? Then go buy a bike and register/insure it? I'm just a little unsure on the order of things.... __________________ Had to trade in the Camaro for a truck :(, but hopefully I can join the Camaro family again one day

05-07-2010, 02:37 PM	#39
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,186 View My Garage	get a Hyabusa, start at the top __________________ Jannetty Racing JRE Street Package

05-06-2010, 09:51 AM	#30
bigearl Drives: 10 Camaro 2lt Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Napa Posts: 553	Regarding weight not being important. The point really isn't "don't drop it". When you first learn to ride there's a billion things going on. For instance you may have to maneuver more by duck walking , or you get your feet down a little early or a little late, or you get too much rear brake and you get a little out of whack, or whatever else. The easier it is for you to push the bike back to balance point after being off-balance, the less nervous it will make you. Even if you don't drop it those little things add up for new riders. And if you do drop a bike in public and it's heavy and you can't get the bike back up fast enough- it will humiliate and scare people enough that they may just give up right then. So light weight helps that comfort feeling. The OP just asked if that 250r was a good one to start on, AND IT IS. But if the question was "what's the best way to learn how to ride" my response would be get a light plated dirtbike and go to your local ORV/OHV/Old logged national forest area and spend every weekend for the summer cruising dirt roads. Get a little crazy, have fun, wear good gear, figure out what what it feels like when you are just short of locking it up, things like that. Then take the MSF and find a 650 or less bike with good ergos for you for a year. Then buy whatever you want. There's a lot of good advice here though and some very good bike choices. Used bikes can be a great buy as others have mentioned if you know what to look for. I like the WRx I mentioned because you can drop them without harming them and it's really hard to upset the suspension with things like train tracks and potholes.

05-06-2010, 12:26 PM	#31
jokerswild Drives: 2SS/RS CGM M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 96	My first motorcycle was a 750 Nighthawk. Everyone I've talked to who's ever ridden one agrees that it's a fantastic learning bike. That being said, they stopped production on the 750 in '03 I believe. You'll outgrow a 250 VERY quickly. I'd recommend a decent 500-650cc bike, that you won't outgrow immediately, but can still learn on well into intermediate levels. A GSXR-600 is NOT a learners bike (and I thought that whoever suggested the Hayabusa was kidding... I wouldn't recommend that for all but the most experienced riders). Rule 1 - Safety Rule 2 - Safety Rule 3 - Safety There are lots more rules... but kudos to everyone talking about getting good gear 1st. Gear is the 2nd most important piece of the picture... your awareness is 1st. Suzuki SV650 is a great bike to learn on, with more than enough power. Kawasaki, Hondai, and Yamaha all have similar bikes... I've just always had a preference for the SV line. ALWAYS respect the bike and it's power. Even a 650 won't hesitate to kick your ass if you're goofing around. The safety course is (IMHO) a necessity. I currently ride a Suzuki Bandit 1250. They make the Bandit 650, and a VStrom 650 that would both be good learning bikes.

05-07-2010, 07:51 AM	#36
hollywoodGU Drives: 1999 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Monmouth, OR Posts: 656 View My Garage	I'm looking at getting into this too...looking at a used 05 ZXR6 That a good bike to learn on, or still too powerful?

05-07-2010, 09:52 AM	#37
Moriartii Drives: 11 IOM 2SS/RS M6 w/Hurst Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,269	Motorhead- I can see your point and it appears you used the most important piece of gear when it comes to motorcycling - that which is between your ears! This caused wrist restraint. At hollywoodGU- Really that is something you have to ask yourself. As stated previously I strongly believe and recommend a MSF course as manditory. I took one and that is how I learned to ride. Now as far as the bike goes, I believe this is one that is run in the race circuit (I could be wrong as I havent followed that in a while) however the speed and torque of a lawn mower engine is enough to hurt you depending on the application. Motorhead got one of the fasted motorcycles out there as his first bike and used his head so it really comes down to: MSF Using your head Knowing honestly your limitations Gear Using your head Good luck and have fun Cheers K

05-07-2010, 10:44 PM	#41
hollywoodGU Drives: 1999 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Monmouth, OR Posts: 656 View My Garage	btw i meant ZX6R not ZXR6 it was just a typo

05-08-2010, 09:47 PM	#42
Trifle13 Drives: 2010 Black LT, Here I come!! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 7	Go with the Gixxer.