tokin

I'm a totally nub bike rider, and I'm going to sign up for the beginner classes and pick up my class-m with a buddy of mine. Should have license + bike in 1 - 1.5 months. I'll probably buy a Kawasaki 250R to start, and try not to dead myself.


Anybody else getting into biking/wouldn't mind riding with a nub/taking on bit of an apprentice? I already bought my helmet, boots and gloves, need to buy leather jacket and pants. Any advice appreciated

patrick_andraste

I am always up for riding with newbies. Best to learn bad habits early. My Girlfriend is a newbie too. I bought her a NS-50

send me a message or e-mail me, patrick@andraste.com

swoope

iTrader: (5)

ride dirt for a couple of years.. then think about the street..

food for thought.. you are fine people that drive cars are stupid.

beers

bch3779

I actually went to the RX-8 to get away from bikes. I have owned over 10 sport bikes in the past 7 years and have totaled 3 of them. I love riding motorcycles more than anything but decided to give it up after my second daughter was born so I took up cars as a hobby again. If you are looking for a GREAT beginner bike look no farther than the Suzuki SV650 (vtwin). It is still one of my favorite bikes to ride. Vtwin sportbikes are great for the twisties. Once you are a seasoned rider and are ready for the next level the new breed of I4 liter bikes (GSXR1000, R1, etc.) are just insane! Light, nimble, and a sick power to weight ratio. If you like the vtwin feel then find yourself a Honda RC51...by far one of the best bikes I have ever owned. If you want nothing but power, like keeping it straight, and love modding then build yourself a turbo Hayabusa that will run 8's in a 1/4 mile!

dmp

+1 for the SV650; although the two-fitty is also a good beginner bike. :D I REALLY miss my previous bike; but since my crash, I started to get skeerd....when I got skeerd I'd be more-inclined to panic/not think clearly....which sux with a 2" contact patch.

FWIW- I doubt anyone 'needs' any of the new 160whp+ Liter bikes...find a good Zuk 750; ALL the fast you need...without such high-side-a-bility power of a liter bike. :D

patrick_andraste

I have a 250.

It is far scarier than my 998.

215 lbs and 60+ hp

honda_nos

+2 for SV650. I've had 5 motorcycles over the years (sport, street, and cruiser) and i too gave it up after my son was born. I used to ride dailiy and knock on wood, never had a major accident. There are definitely dumb drivers out there though.

Revlis

BAH Heresy.... Everyone Needs 160 HP between their legs...


OK, Seriously though, DMP has hit upon what is probably the BEST first bike out there right now.

If you really want to learn on something small or are simply not very coordinated then yeah find a used 250 for a little while. But if you are fairly level headed, and able to learn as you go, an SV650 after completing your MSF course is a decent way to go. Enough bike to keep you interested, but not so expensive when it falls over.

Wear your gear, and take it easy. Motorcycling was my only transportation for about 12 years. Then I developed a taste for being dry and having A/C... Go figure.

If you have specific questions though, I'd refer you to NSR.com

And even more so, PNW Riders Sign on in, start reading. Lots of good information and good folks.

It's fun, but there is a definite risk/reward balance that you have got to work out.
Also, check the bookstore, lots of good books on Motorcycling.

One thing to never forget on a Motorcycle. YES they are trying to kill you, You are Invisible, and the Law doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to your safety.

You are on your own, life in your hands. There is rarely a "Minor Accident", and just ONE misstep can kill you regardless of the machine you are on.

But it's worth it, if you enjoy it...
This is Lilah, she is evil, she is a temptress and does nothing but get me in trouble... but I love her for it.



Big Fun, My first Street bike in 92 was a GSXR750, not as unreasonable back then when it made all of 100hp and weighed 500lbs.

05TiGr8Lady

Ha ha... I was waiting for you to join the thread! Did you ride today? Are you going to keep her?

Revlis

Oh yeah I'm keeping her... I dunno what the hell I was thinking.

Right now I am breaking in the Softail Custom, so Lilah is still tucked in. I may not ride her much anymore, but i am pretty certain she isn't leaving...

05TiGr8Lady

Yeah, I would be surprised if you did sell 'er.

Are you taking Mrs. Revlis out on the softail this weekend - retracing the route of the club drive to Pacific Beach?

patrick_andraste

My Mistress:

bch3779

Here is a pic of my last bike that I sold 2 years ago. It was a 2002 Honda 954RR that had been chromed out and modded to hell and back. I loved this bike and wish I would have never sold it! And yes....I am running a true 6000k HID conversion!

dmp

:D I'm on NSR, Revlis.

:D

Did you ever see the video of my wreck a few years ago?

tokin

MAN that's a beauty


After some deeper though I'm thinking about the Ninja 500R, heard anything good about those?


Also, dmp, It'll be a couple weeks here until I'm ready to ride

dsmdriver

iTrader: (3)

+1 On a Kawi 250R.

I've got a Honda CBR600F4i and my wife has a 250R. The 250R is a blast to ride, is faster than most cars on the road, and is much easier to handle than a bigger bike. I'm much more willing to really lean into a turn on the 250 because of the lower center of gravity and lower weight. I started on the 600 but it was a mistake. I shoulda started on the 250.

It will do 100 MPH if you want it to.

Great beginner bike, and cheap if you drop it / wreck it / re-sell it.

I'll go riding with ya too- I live right near Patrick.

dmp

That ninja 500R is a good starter bike, too!

I don't have a bike anymore, Tokin:

Went from this:



To this:



Causing this:



Lost my nerve - realized how LUCKY I was to escape (You should see the video of the crash!) w/o serious injury.

Fixed then sold the bike a year later.

tokin

Ouch! Good advice on the 250, I think I will go with it then. It's 2grand less, only thing I'm worried about is I don't want to hold groups up if we go on group rides and such. It should be able to keep up under sane riding conditions though right?

dmp

Oh - dude...ANY Group worth it's salt will preach "Ride your own Ride". If any group pressures you to go 'faster' they aren't a group with whom you should ride. seriously.

www.cycleforums.com/nsr - as shown above, is a GREAT group, by and large.

tokin

Was just reading: http://www.pnwriders.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31390 good read. I like to stay at the head of the pack on group drives, but I just realized "Oh, hey, I've been driving for 5 years, riding for 0, not going to be the same", and that I have a lot of catching up to do in terms of learning.