Author Topic: Bike Question/advice (Read 979 times)

batdog · « **on:** August 06, 2001, 12:32:00 PM »

Okay... I notice there are many bike ie motorcycle riders out here. If persay I wanna jump into a "rice" burner whats a mid level "learner" type to get my feet wet... and I dont know jack about bikes for the most part...

xBAT

P.S. Thinking of it as bored lately...I've jumped,rappeled etc but some speed would be nice

Swoop · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2001, 12:59:00 PM »

Question: You ridden anything before?

Staga · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2001, 01:14:00 PM »

It depends what you want from it.
If you're going to drive mostly in cities with some young lady hanging on your ribs then a "SuperSport" might not be a best buy.
If you're going to spend some time in the country-roads driving like Evil Knievel then 600cc CBR or ZXR could be good choice.

Think where you going to drive it and then head to shop for a test drive. IMO street-enduro bikes like BMW F650 or Honda Transalp could be nice; Enough power, easy handling and more space than in super-sports.

One of the most nicest bikes I've ever ride was BMW K75. Very comfortable, about 75hp (enough), nice to ride (like a train in highway), low center of gravity and fuel-injection. With that bike you could drive 600km in 6 hours without need to see your kiropractic next day

LePaul · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2001, 01:24:00 PM »

If you haven't ever had a motorcycle before, then get an on/off road dirtbike. And, go ride on the trails. Trails are much more demanding than street driving, in terms of the road conditions, etc. As my friends told me when I first became interested, if you can master the whims of a dirt bike, then you have a fighting chance on the street. And on the street, not only do you have to watch out for yourself and your driving, but everyone elses!

Once you get the hang of a beginner bike (yes, I know, who wants to start small, right? But trust me, learning on a ZX-6 is STUPID...Ive seen many people do that and get hurt really bad.)...then ponder a street bike, like a 600cc or so.

Our local dealership here has a wall of shame. We have 7 CBRs, FZFs, ZX's and such that still have the dealer/temp plate...all bikes bought by beginers and wrecked. Some of the kids were pretty badly hurt, while some just got skinned up. But there you have it, super light, super fast bikes bought by newbies who thuoght they could handle them, and couldnt. Most were dumped on corners, got whacked by an unattentive driver and so on.

So, be smart (and you are by asking)...start with a small bike, learn the basics, then work your way up.

batdog · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2001, 02:28:00 PM »

Yea...never ridden before to amount to much. I'm thinking of taking a "biking" safety course and then buying aprox around 500-600cc size bike. I've alot of friends who ride,mostly Harleys, but the crotch rocket look appeals to me alot more and eventualy I can see where I'd want to open up.

My friend was saying that the foot placement is often the killer? He said you can get the "racer" type bike but with a mid placed gear/clutch/foot?

xBAT

P.S. FInding a trail to dirt bike on isnt a feasiable option... thus the "starter" bike and the bike course which will help me hopefully from laying it over to often.

[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: batdog ]

NUTTZ · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2001, 03:24:00 PM »

If you never rode a bike before i suggest this

Buy a bicycle and clip a baseball card to the spokes ( makes a great motorcycle sound)

Disclaimer: DON'T use your dad's Micky Mantle card!!!!

A low filled balloon can be replaced witht the baseball card and you get that "Harley" sound

NUTTZ

LePaul · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2001, 04:08:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by batdog:
Yea...never ridden before to amount to much. I'm thinking of taking a "biking" safety course and then buying aprox around 500-600cc size bike. I've alot of friends who ride,mostly Harleys, but the crotch rocket look appeals to me alot more and eventualy I can see where I'd want to open up.

My friend was saying that the foot placement is often the killer? He said you can get the "racer" type bike but with a mid placed gear/clutch/foot?

xBAT

P.S. FInding a trail to dirt bike on isnt a feasiable option... thus the "starter" bike and the bike course which will help me hopefully from laying it over to often.

[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: batdog ]

Sorry, your friend is on crack (or something). Most of what gets people in accidents with these kinds of motorcycles is speed, pure and simple. These are faster than the Hogs from all aspects and how you sit, hold the bars or twist the throttle is no different. You're talking F-16s versus Cessna Skyhawks.

You friend needs an MRI, I'm wondering if there is any grey matter up there

batdog · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2001, 07:21:00 PM »

Well... THATS why I'm asking. I see many "mentaly challanged" indivduals riding. I fiqure if I ride w/some common sense I'll be okay. I'll most likely stay off main roads etc for time. I'm use to being patient for results.

xBAT

P.S. I appreciate the advice... but there is NO need to get fired up.

[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: batdog ]

P.S.S Oh..my post makes it sound like the foot postioning is the reason for accidents. No... he ment on a comfort level. Not the hazard. He advised me if I was gonna do it to A: get a dirt bike as advised here or B: At a min take a course and get a smaller bike and avoid the speed urge...

xBAT

[ 08-06-2001: Message edited by: batdog ]

batdog · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2001, 08:30:00 PM »

Oh and NUTTZ... I have NO idea where your post came from. I'll assume it was ment in good humor

I am not some punk bellybutton kid, nor have I been for some time. I am posting here for advice nothing more, nothing less.

xBAT

LePaul · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2001, 09:16:00 PM »

I'm jesting, please do not read my posts as you would the book of Genesis

I find humor is a good way to balance things out, its saved my sanity innumerable times!

batdog · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2001, 09:43:00 PM »

Its all cool, I appreciate the advice. Even Nutz... his is prob the best, dont get one but I prob will anyway <S>

xBAT

hblair · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2001, 10:13:00 PM »

Get you a dirt bike. :)Street bikes are nice, but you can get killed real quick on the street. It's always the car that didn't see ya that gets ya.

I used to have a CR250 similar to this. Nothing like blastin' through the woods, hearing that two-stroke engine scream. Ahh, the memories.

'89 Honda CR 250:

MrBill · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2001, 02:00:00 AM »

A tweener would be the best starter, imho.
Before you buy, at least check out the Royal Enfield.
Yes there are scooters other than Harleys that are still made of steel.
Mid performance (but still fast enough to kill yourself on) and a mid price, and greatly reliable, also easy to work on.
The only piece of advice I have for a new rider is "check 6" and 3 and 9 often, ride as if everyone out there in a car is trying to kill you ... ditto animals, oil slicks, wet spots, etc.
I have been up since 58 and been down twice, once a guy in a pickup wanted to drive where I was and didn't look, the other time I took a dragonfly in the forehead at about 60. Lucky I was on a little traveled road and had a bro. riding with me.
Have fun but be afraid be very afraid (fear will keep you safe)

I learned fear commuting from south San Jose to Berkeley on the Nimitz. The CA guys that remember the Nimitz (before the reconstruction and name change to 880) will know what I mean.

[ 08-07-2001: Message edited by: MrBill ]

raven 8 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2001, 04:53:00 AM »

GET A DUCATI 900SS!!!!!!

it looks bloody awsome

[ 08-07-2001: Message edited by: raven 8 ]

batdog · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2001, 05:59:00 AM »

Heh... thanks raven. That bike would nodoubt make my wife richer and save me 30.00 a mont,LOL.

Yea, MrBill I think thats what I'm looking at. You see the dirt bike would really appeal to me BUT there is a time factor for the ride to a dirt track that is LEGAL around here...

xBAT