Looking at getting into Motorcycling - Page 2

Moriartii · 05-05-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

If I were you I would get a Suzuki Hayabusa. It's a great starter bike for the novice.

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

CFD · 05-05-2010, 02:55 PM

That is an old mans bike, I'm 55. I build custom bikes for a living but that is going to be my new personal ride, yes it is a work in progress, thats the reason for no paint, wiring and incidentals. It might be a bit much for a newbie but then so is a 400 hp Camaro.

Blownhotrodder · 05-05-2010, 04:45 PM

Anyone that is thinking about learning to ride all I can say is do it. Riding is a great experience and will actually make you a better driver too.

ninety6 · 05-05-2010, 04:56 PM

on getting good gear. forgot to mention that. my padded jacket and helmet saved my collarbone, shoulder, and head (helmet hit twice!) when i got cut off on the interstate at 55mph and took an 80 foot roll/slide down the right lane (construction zone, walls on both side, crazy traffic).

yes, everyone is out to kill you. from ignorance, arrogance, or distraction.

Thank you Jesus for letting me get up and walk, pick up my bike, and drive it home.

only had to replace one mirror, both brake levers, and live with a few scratches. not bad if you ask me.

bigearl · 05-05-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluch

Hey Guys,

I am considering getting into motorcycling. I have NEVER ridden a motorbike before, but I just think it would be fun to try. I would definitely be taking a beginners training course if I did decide to get into it.

So my question for you guys in the motorcycle world is, What is a good starter bike? I am looking at brand new ones, or maybe a year or 2 old. Don't mind spending some cash. I want to have enough power to get going and stuff, but I don't need some crazy 1000 cc engine or anything. I was looking at the 2010 KAWASAKI NINJA 250R as a starter. 250 cc and the reviews have been saying it is pretty easy to handle.

Anyway, just looking for some thoughts on the subject.

Thanks.

This bike is one of the most recommended 1st bikes of any bike on the market. The MSF course or equivalent is great. Getting the right gear and right mindset is important too.

I'd recommend a more motorcycle specific forum to get specific bike advice. I like advrider personally but I do a lot of dualsport touring. That particular bike (the 250r) has a cult following and it's not necessarily a throw-away after 2 weeks bike. Another good choice in that class IMHO is the Yamaha WR250x which is a supermoto -handles great, has good position and visibility, and very forgiving suspension. Also not a throwaway- even people who move on to much bigger bikes tend to hold on to these for various reasons.

I don't know if people realize this, but that 250r is good for over 100mph so it's fast enough to be scary.

CFD · 05-05-2010, 07:03 PM

Buy American. Many Harley dealers offer a program where you can buy an entry level Harley( sportster) and in a year when you decide to go bigger, and you will, they will give you full price for your trade in towards a bigger bike.

shevyman · 05-05-2010, 07:23 PM

go buy a used bike for 3-4 thousand practice then look into a new bike. i know there are people here who ride and there is a lot of good advice but remember you will drop it more then once. so used who cares, get the clumsy out of you and buy a new one.

csjcsj · 05-05-2010, 07:31 PM

My first bike was an 06 Suzuki Katana. Great starter bike. I have never dropped it and been riding 2 years and it had 1000 miles on it. Now it has 23,000. I ride it to work every day, which is 100 miles round trip. Once you get one you will be hooked.

CFD · 05-05-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shevyman

go buy a used bike for 3-4 thousand practice then look into a new bike. i know there are people here who ride and there is a lot of good advice but remember you will drop it more then once. so used who cares, get the clumsy out of you and buy a new one.

I have a passion for Harleys, I drag raced s/modified pro gas and pro stock harley's for years but with that said the above advice is the best so far , although I'm not sure about the dropping it, some do, most don't.I have seen/taught many people to ride through the years, some try it and say never again and some are instantly hooked so rather than spend a lot of money on a bike start of used untill you get the feel of it, then go out and buy a Harley.

. Remember us older guys say there are two types of bikers, those who have gone down and those who are going to go down.

bigearl · 05-05-2010, 08:50 PM

I'm all for Harley's, but I really don't think they make the best first bike. Even the 883 is 570lbs. I know some people do- but that doesn't mean they should.

CFD · 05-05-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigearl

I'm all for Harley's, but I really don't think they make the best first bike. Even the 883 is 570lbs. I know some people do- but that doesn't mean they should.

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

Dion_1969 · 05-05-2010, 09:28 PM

Everyone is spot on with going with a used bike and the safety class. You would be amazed at how often you can get a little off balance at low speed and put a foot down on a pebble instead of solid ground. Down you go. It doesn't hurt nearly as much when its a 5 year old $1000.00 bike instead of a shiny new $13,000.00 bike!

I would also recommend getting a headlight modulator and a back-off brake light modulator. I was blown away at what a difference the headlight modulator made. I had ridden sine I was 16 and the day I put one on my V-star I noticed a huge drop in the number of people who pulled out in front of me, cut me off or made a left turn right in front of me. After drinking the next highest type of accident involving motorcycles is a car pulling in front of the bike.

BlackSunsine · 05-05-2010, 09:32 PM

Lots of good advice - If you like the sport bike, go with that. No matter what anyone else says. Just like a car, you go with what YOU like.

Take the Lessons! I taught myself to ride for some time, and then took the lessons, and I was ALL wrong. ask people and ride with people, they will help you get better.

Watch Cars!!!! They will change on you Always! Be alert. use your mirrors and turn your head.

I started with a HD Road King Classic - over 700 lbs. Weight is not a real issue as stated
I love it. It is an 04, and I am finally at 38,000 miles.

Good luck, have fun, and RIDE!

oldfriend · 05-05-2010, 09:36 PM

THE NINETY6 ADVISE IS RIGHT TO THE POINT no???? there

05-05-2010, 07:31 PM	#22
csjcsj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS 6spd Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Jefferson, Ga Posts: 4,399 View My Garage	My first bike was an 06 Suzuki Katana. Great starter bike. I have never dropped it and been riding 2 years and it had 1000 miles on it. Now it has 23,000. I ride it to work every day, which is 100 miles round trip. Once you get one you will be hooked. __________________

05-05-2010, 09:28 PM	#26
Dion_1969 Drives: ABM 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tarpon springs Posts: 215 View My Garage	Everyone is spot on with going with a used bike and the safety class. You would be amazed at how often you can get a little off balance at low speed and put a foot down on a pebble instead of solid ground. Down you go. It doesn't hurt nearly as much when its a 5 year old $1000.00 bike instead of a shiny new $13,000.00 bike! I would also recommend getting a headlight modulator and a back-off brake light modulator. I was blown away at what a difference the headlight modulator made. I had ridden sine I was 16 and the day I put one on my V-star I noticed a huge drop in the number of people who pulled out in front of me, cut me off or made a left turn right in front of me. After drinking the next highest type of accident involving motorcycles is a car pulling in front of the bike. __________________ Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it- George Santayana

05-05-2010, 09:32 PM	#27
BlackSunsine Drives: 1967 Custom Camaro Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 5280 Posts: 296 View My Garage	Lots of good advice - If you like the sport bike, go with that. No matter what anyone else says. Just like a car, you go with what YOU like. Take the Lessons! I taught myself to ride for some time, and then took the lessons, and I was ALL wrong. ask people and ride with people, they will help you get better. Watch Cars!!!! They will change on you Always! Be alert. use your mirrors and turn your head. I started with a HD Road King Classic - over 700 lbs. Weight is not a real issue as stated I love it. It is an 04, and I am finally at 38,000 miles. Good luck, have fun, and RIDE! __________________ Current Cars - 1967 Chevrolet Camaro (1983) 2004 Harley Davidson Road King(2004) Ex 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe (2007) (Totaled Labor Day) 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe (Thursday) 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS(2009) Colorado Fall - Beautiful - Cool - Snow is soon!!!

05-05-2010, 02:55 PM	#16
CFD Drives: 2SS/RS L99 BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Franklin , MA Posts: 6,696	That is an old mans bike, I'm 55. I build custom bikes for a living but that is going to be my new personal ride, yes it is a work in progress, thats the reason for no paint, wiring and incidentals. It might be a bit much for a newbie but then so is a 400 hp Camaro.

05-05-2010, 04:45 PM	#17
Blownhotrodder Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Clarkesville , GEORGIA Posts: 1,857	Anyone that is thinking about learning to ride all I can say is do it. Riding is a great experience and will actually make you a better driver too.

05-05-2010, 04:56 PM	#18
ninety6 2xSOM Drives: 2002 Camaro SS \| 2002 Camaro V6 vrt Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mason, OH Posts: 284	on getting good gear. forgot to mention that. my padded jacket and helmet saved my collarbone, shoulder, and head (helmet hit twice!) when i got cut off on the interstate at 55mph and took an 80 foot roll/slide down the right lane (construction zone, walls on both side, crazy traffic). yes, everyone is out to kill you. from ignorance, arrogance, or distraction. Thank you Jesus for letting me get up and walk, pick up my bike, and drive it home. only had to replace one mirror, both brake levers, and live with a few scratches. not bad if you ask me.

05-05-2010, 07:03 PM	#20
CFD Drives: 2SS/RS L99 BLACK Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Franklin , MA Posts: 6,696	Buy American. Many Harley dealers offer a program where you can buy an entry level Harley( sportster) and in a year when you decide to go bigger, and you will, they will give you full price for your trade in towards a bigger bike.

05-05-2010, 07:23 PM	#21
shevyman Drives: 2010 Camaro SS IOM Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: california Posts: 1,734 View My Garage	go buy a used bike for 3-4 thousand practice then look into a new bike. i know there are people here who ride and there is a lot of good advice but remember you will drop it more then once. so used who cares, get the clumsy out of you and buy a new one.

05-05-2010, 08:50 PM	#24
bigearl Drives: 10 Camaro 2lt Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Napa Posts: 553	I'm all for Harley's, but I really don't think they make the best first bike. Even the 883 is 570lbs. I know some people do- but that doesn't mean they should.

05-05-2010, 09:36 PM	#28
oldfriend Drives: Fiat 500 E Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 32.7607/N. 16.95947/W Posts: 7,816 View My Garage	THE NINETY6 ADVISE IS RIGHT TO THE POINT no???? there