Buying a motorcycle/learning to ride - Page 34

Eomer · 10-05-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippygoose

So over the weekend I took a Sat/Sun novice riding course to get my motorcycle endorsement. In Washington state they subsidize the class for you and if you pass all of your tests you come out with your endorsement and just turn it in to the licensing office for your full license.

I highly recommend taking a course like this for anyone who is thinking about getting started with motorcycles. It was worth every penny and a ton of fun. I've had a bit of riding experience in the past and still feel like I learned a ton of new stuff this weekend.

Now it's time to find something cheap and used to learn on as a starter bike. Does anyone have any recommendations? The instructors recommended not spending more than 2k and riding whatever you get for 1,000 miles or so to give you an idea of what you really want in a bike. Thoughts?

liter bike...

...seriously though, what do you want to get out of it? There's such a wide variation of bikes available it's impossible to recommend anything without having an idea of what you plan on doing with the bike.

Zippygoose · 10-05-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eomer

liter bike...

...seriously though, what do you want to get out of it? There's such a wide variation of bikes available it's impossible to recommend anything without having an idea of what you plan on doing with the bike.

I suppose I left that a little too open ended

. My background is that my dad and I have had a pair of Honda CT110 trail bikes since I was about 14 (which are awesome and a ton of fun). When I was 15 I would commute to school on them with a permit-which is where my "previous riding experience" comes from. Now clearly you can see why I didn't feel ready for an actual motorcycle, having never ridden a real motorcycle, which was the reason for me taking the course

Originally my plan was to get my license (done) so I can legally cruise the neighborhood on my old 110, then buy a used "real" bike to start doing any serious riding.

After reading this thread I figured I should get something over 250ccs, since many have stated that after a little while you'd just get bored with so little power. I was thinking about an older R6 to learn on, but am having second thoughts now since I eventually want to use the bike for commuting to work-once I get a good deal of experience under my belt, and I'm not sure how comfortable a sportbike would be for a commute. Do I buy the older bike without worry so much about commuting since I won't be doing that for a while anyways? Is an R6 too much bike to get some experience on?

tl;dr version: I have some street level experience-negotiating traffic and the like. I have no experience on a bike that goes faster than 40mph. I eventually want to commute about 10miles each way and be relatively comfortable. I like the look of sportbikes.

Hatorade · 10-05-2009, 12:01 PM

Zippy, it all depends on you and what you like. I was EXTRMELY happy with my 08 250 but so many get a 250 put 1000 miles on it and want something with more power. This makes getting a 250 easy and cheap with great resale, however if you know you will need something more than a 250 go with something bigger to start with in the 500CC range.

Two things though, buying a new bike means you will respect it more and drive a little safer. If you buy a used piece of shit you feel like you can abuse at and do something stupid. Fun? Hells yay. Stupid? Hells yay.

R6 is smooth if you are smooth, however if you slip that throttle you are going to know it.

Eomer · 10-05-2009, 12:54 PM

How long is your commute? I can ride my sport bike for several hours without getting sore or stiff, but past that I need to start taking quick breaks every hour or so. I rode it 1000km in a single day on a trip back in June, and had a great time, although the last couple hours of the ride were lame as fuck (prairies are the worst after coming out of the mountains).

That said, you'd probably be better of getting some sort of cruiser or something in between if you're going to commute daily. I drove my R6 to and from work on a pretty regular basis over the summer, but my commute is about 6 miles.

Candiarie · 10-06-2009, 09:45 AM

Yeah, depends on what kind of commute also. I have a 4 mile street commute where my fatass R1100 doesn't even really get warmed up by the time I get there, but my roommates 600 GSXR works fucking great for him on his 7 mile commute on the highway. Really I'd just recommend at least sitting on and possibly riding as many bikes as you can before you make your purchase.

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with hatorade since it seems most people end up dropping their bike at some point when they're learning, and it is a lot more bearable on bikes with 50k on them opposed to less than 5k.

Hatorade · 10-06-2009, 10:23 AM

You are always learning, may as well get a new one you are happy with. Insurance rate however may cause you to get an older used one.

Eomer · 10-06-2009, 10:48 AM

I still don't understand how people drop their bikes so frequently, unless they're learning on an 800lb Harley or something. Maybe karma will come bite me in the ass, but my bike has never been dropped, and the only close calls have been in my parkade when I'm parking it, and my foot slides in the sand where my car's tire tracks are.

Seventh · 10-06-2009, 01:55 PM

FWIW, I commute on my R1 and it's about 55 miles each way. Even with my bike's very aggressive riding position, I don't have any comfort problems.

And everyone drops their bike. Everyone. If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will. Just hope that it's something that you can walk away from in disgust rather than riding away in an ambulance.

Edit: My first drop was pretty epic. I was on my first bike, an FZR600, and I pulled into this little lunch place with picnic tables outside. The parking lot was sloped downhill, so after getting my sandwich, slapping it in my tank bag and going to back my bike up the incline so that I could pull out, the thing went over on me. Fortunately for everyone around, I naturally tried to "save" it by grabbing the bars. What I accomplished was simply winding my bike up to about 14k RPMs juuust before it fell over, so as to get the complete attention of the dozen or so people sitting outside enjoying their subs. Nothing I could do but bow gracefully, pick my bike up and ride away feeling like an asshole.

My second drop was just as professional. I pulled up to a friend's house with people hanging around outside, hopped off my bike, walked over "Sup guys?" and heard "WHAM" behind me because I didn't put the kickstand down.

Hatorade · 10-06-2009, 02:09 PM

All dumb mistakes, if you are 100% focused all the time you will not drop the bike.(easier said then done) All bike dropping stories start the same way "I wasn't paying attention..." I understand being distracted by friends or whatever though, pulled into a friends drive way and hit the horn instead of the kill switch because she was standing outside and waved. Small thing but they are on completely different sides of the bars.

Not putting down the kick stand properly is acceptable it is like leaving your keys in the car, it just happens to everyone. Not putting down the stand at all is like forgetting to put the car in park getting out and letting it idle down the road...

Zippygoose · 10-06-2009, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I was just at a motorcycle shop looking at helmets and they had a few different Triumphs there. Man do they look sexy, but then again for some reason I'm just gay for all things British. I really like the looks of the Street Triple; it has a bit of a sport bike look but with what seems to be a more cruising posture.

Eomer · 10-06-2009, 02:23 PM

I have made a habit of kicking my stand twice after I put it down, just to be sure.

Hatorade · 10-06-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippygoose

Thanks for the responses guys. I was just at a motorcycle shop looking at helmets and they had a few different Triumphs there. Man do they look sexy, but then again for some reason I'm just gay for all things British. I really like the looks of the Street Triple; it has a bit of a sport bike look but with what seems to be a more cruising posture.

I have ridden a few Triumphs, one on track day. Great bike, should have no problem finding a used one in great condition.

Bralkan · 10-06-2009, 03:27 PM

I love Triumph's throwbacks.

EmpireF4i · 10-06-2009, 03:50 PM

The best time I dropped my bike was at a party at my house. There were tons of people there and some people wanted to see my bike and me do some "stunts" on it. Well I took it out front and did a few wheelies and stoppies (yeah I know) in front of my house and felt like a bad ass. Then I come in the drive way to park it, and my pant leg gets stuck on the peg and I cant put my foot down. The bike was already leaning to the side and I couldnt do anything about it.

A few minor scratches and a major ego dent, but I try to keep my pants off the pegs now.

Eomer · 10-06-2009, 05:09 PM

lol, that nearly happened once with shoe laces. I always tuck them in now if I'm not wearing my riding boots. I've stayed the fuck away from doing stunts, the only time either of my tires have come off the ground is because I was pushing the acceleration or braking of the bike, but otherwise I've never intentionally done a wheelie. Scared the piss out of me the one time my front wheel came off the ground a foot or so. The R6 is a fast bike, but it doesn't have the power to do wheelies unless you're really leaning back intentionally, if your weight is forward it just doesn't have the torque.

10-05-2009, 12:01 PM	#498 (permalink)
Hatorade Cause it's better than water Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,217 +78 Internets	Zippy, it all depends on you and what you like. I was EXTRMELY happy with my 08 250 but so many get a 250 put 1000 miles on it and want something with more power. This makes getting a 250 easy and cheap with great resale, however if you know you will need something more than a 250 go with something bigger to start with in the 500CC range. Two things though, buying a new bike means you will respect it more and drive a little safer. If you buy a used piece of shit you feel like you can abuse at and do something stupid. Fun? Hells yay. Stupid? Hells yay. R6 is smooth if you are smooth, however if you slip that throttle you are going to know it. __________________ Wii Friend Code 1729 2890 3780 7210 AION group Last edited by Hatorade; 10-05-2009 at 12:03 PM..

10-06-2009, 09:45 AM	#500 (permalink)
Candiarie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 978 +0 Internets	Yeah, depends on what kind of commute also. I have a 4 mile street commute where my fatass R1100 doesn't even really get warmed up by the time I get there, but my roommates 600 GSXR works fucking great for him on his 7 mile commute on the highway. Really I'd just recommend at least sitting on and possibly riding as many bikes as you can before you make your purchase. I'm going to go ahead and disagree with hatorade since it seems most people end up dropping their bike at some point when they're learning, and it is a lot more bearable on bikes with 50k on them opposed to less than 5k. __________________

10-06-2009, 10:23 AM	#501 (permalink)
Hatorade Cause it's better than water Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,217 +78 Internets	You are always learning, may as well get a new one you are happy with. Insurance rate however may cause you to get an older used one. __________________ Wii Friend Code 1729 2890 3780 7210 AION group

10-06-2009, 01:55 PM	#503 (permalink)
Seventh metalguitarist.org Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 611 +12 Internets	FWIW, I commute on my R1 and it's about 55 miles each way. Even with my bike's very aggressive riding position, I don't have any comfort problems. And everyone drops their bike. Everyone. If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will. Just hope that it's something that you can walk away from in disgust rather than riding away in an ambulance. Edit: My first drop was pretty epic. I was on my first bike, an FZR600, and I pulled into this little lunch place with picnic tables outside. The parking lot was sloped downhill, so after getting my sandwich, slapping it in my tank bag and going to back my bike up the incline so that I could pull out, the thing went over on me. Fortunately for everyone around, I naturally tried to "save" it by grabbing the bars. What I accomplished was simply winding my bike up to about 14k RPMs juuust before it fell over, so as to get the complete attention of the dozen or so people sitting outside enjoying their subs. Nothing I could do but bow gracefully, pick my bike up and ride away feeling like an asshole. My second drop was just as professional. I pulled up to a friend's house with people hanging around outside, hopped off my bike, walked over "Sup guys?" and heard "WHAM" behind me because I didn't put the kickstand down. __________________ Ex-EQ: Asylum, 65 Ranger - TCR/Kane Bayle Ex-WoW: Ibanez, 80 Mage / Arkanjil, 80 Rogue - [H] Wildhammer PVP 360: CQ7String777 Metalguitarist.org Last edited by Seventh; 10-06-2009 at 01:58 PM..

10-06-2009, 02:09 PM	#504 (permalink)
Hatorade Cause it's better than water Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,217 +78 Internets	All dumb mistakes, if you are 100% focused all the time you will not drop the bike.(easier said then done) All bike dropping stories start the same way "I wasn't paying attention..." I understand being distracted by friends or whatever though, pulled into a friends drive way and hit the horn instead of the kill switch because she was standing outside and waved. Small thing but they are on completely different sides of the bars. Not putting down the kick stand properly is acceptable it is like leaving your keys in the car, it just happens to everyone. Not putting down the stand at all is like forgetting to put the car in park getting out and letting it idle down the road... __________________ Wii Friend Code 1729 2890 3780 7210 AION group

10-05-2009, 12:54 PM	#499 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,975 +66 Internets	How long is your commute? I can ride my sport bike for several hours without getting sore or stiff, but past that I need to start taking quick breaks every hour or so. I rode it 1000km in a single day on a trip back in June, and had a great time, although the last couple hours of the ride were lame as fuck (prairies are the worst after coming out of the mountains). That said, you'd probably be better of getting some sort of cruiser or something in between if you're going to commute daily. I drove my R6 to and from work on a pretty regular basis over the summer, but my commute is about 6 miles.

10-06-2009, 10:48 AM	#502 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,975 +66 Internets	I still don't understand how people drop their bikes so frequently, unless they're learning on an 800lb Harley or something. Maybe karma will come bite me in the ass, but my bike has never been dropped, and the only close calls have been in my parkade when I'm parking it, and my foot slides in the sand where my car's tire tracks are.

10-06-2009, 02:19 PM	#505 (permalink)
Zippygoose Math Enthusiast/Badass MC Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 735 +5 Internets	Thanks for the responses guys. I was just at a motorcycle shop looking at helmets and they had a few different Triumphs there. Man do they look sexy, but then again for some reason I'm just gay for all things British. I really like the looks of the Street Triple; it has a bit of a sport bike look but with what seems to be a more cruising posture.

10-06-2009, 02:23 PM	#506 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,975 +66 Internets	I have made a habit of kicking my stand twice after I put it down, just to be sure.

10-06-2009, 03:27 PM	#508 (permalink)
Bralkan Llama Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,571 +5 Internets	I love Triumph's throwbacks. __________________ -insert cute, witty remark- err..... fuck

10-06-2009, 05:09 PM	#510 (permalink)
Eomer You mean I can change this? Neat! Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,975 +66 Internets	lol, that nearly happened once with shoe laces. I always tuck them in now if I'm not wearing my riding boots. I've stayed the fuck away from doing stunts, the only time either of my tires have come off the ground is because I was pushing the acceleration or braking of the bike, but otherwise I've never intentionally done a wheelie. Scared the piss out of me the one time my front wheel came off the ground a foot or so. The R6 is a fast bike, but it doesn't have the power to do wheelies unless you're really leaning back intentionally, if your weight is forward it just doesn't have the torque.

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