Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: batdog on August 06, 2001, 12:32:00 PM
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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 :)
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Question: You ridden anything before?
(http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)
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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 :)
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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.
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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 ]
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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
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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 :D
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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 ]
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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
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I'm jesting, please do not read my posts as you would the book of Genesis :P I find humor is a good way to balance things out, its saved my sanity innumerable times!
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Its all cool, I appreciate the advice. Even Nutz... his is prob the best, dont get one but I prob will anyway <S> :)
xBAT
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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. :D
'89 Honda CR 250:
(http://www.off-road.com/~kirk/hon/cr25089.jpg)
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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 ]
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GET A DUCATI 900SS!!!!!!
it looks bloody awsome
(http://www.thegeekhost.com/raven17583/bike.jpg)
[ 08-07-2001: Message edited by: raven 8 ]
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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
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My brother owned a '97 Ducati (900-something cc displacement, can't remember) a few years ago. He made the mistake of leaving that lil jewel with 'ol HB for a week. :cool:
WOW, what an awesome bike, almost got killed twice on it though. :eek:
Very fast machine.
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if it wasnt a 900, all 900 somethings are super bikes!!, ie, 916 996
those bikes are bloody awsome, but i would not recommand u buy as a first bike.
but the 900 is actually quite tame, its only got 80 hp i think........some of the japanese bikes go up to 120+
anyway i just think it looks bloody awsome, and my sole reason for wanting a bike is to look good on it:-).......so if i were to buy a bike i would definately get a duc.
rav
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I used to ride bikes a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away :) I recomend starting with a small light motorcyle & workin your way up from season to season. my first bike was a 1986 suzuki 650 tempter. I then got a 1988 honda v65magna(wheele king), & then graduated to a 1989 NINJA ZX10. Damn thing jus bout killed me :)
ps. if u ride with harley guys get a BUELL(it is a harley eng mated to sportbike chassis)
[ 08-08-2001: Message edited by: Geeb ]
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Just one thing, if ya wanna spend every other saturday in your garage up to your elbows in grease and spare parts......then buy a Ducati.
(http://www.swoop.com/images/logo_small.jpg)
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Yeah - get a Buell or a BMW. Most bikes have appalling resell value, but these guys hold up almost as good as a Harley.
If you can't take the excellent advice already put forth about learning to ride dirt bikes first, due to either financial or facility considerations, then at least ride with your homies till you're comfortable with your bike and your "street saavy" awareness of other drivers. Riding in a group makes you more visible and the lingering stigma of bike gang violence makes other motorists think twice before cutting you off.
Have fun - post a pic of your choice here after you decide :)
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Batdog,
Let me pass on a couple things here. am a retired cop who spent over 12 years on motorcycle duty in some of the worst traffic you can imagine.
First you have the right idea. Go enroll in a MSF, or Motorcycle Safety Foundation coure and take both the basic and advanced rider courses. Once you have done that, THEN get serious about what bike you want to buy. You will have a much better idea of what kind of riding you want to do and what size bike you want to ride.
Remember most bikes are purpose designed.
The street bikes are good on pavement and not so hot on dirt. They are also mostly 4 cycle engines which is MUCH quieter than a 2 cycle job.
Trail bikes are set up to be lighter and taller. If you are not at least average height you will have trouble when you come to a stop as you legs might not be long enough. They are also "twitchier" in that they can maneuver quickly. The center of gravity is higher due to the higher road clearance and may be dificult to keep upright if you are not up to the skill level they demand.
The main choice as to type of bike will be determined by HOW you intend to use the bike. Urban or city riding is different from highway driving as is trail riding, but most bikes will be able to do them all to some extent.
I prefer to ride on pavement and have a street bike. A 90 BMW K75RT. I started on a Honda 350, then a Honda 500 four then went to BMW's. I have had 3 of them and have over 150,000 miles altogetner on that brand.
I trained on a MotoGuzzi then rode Kawasaki's (KZ1000P's) for the city. I went through 4 of them and still like the way they handled. They were set up very well for law enforcement style of riding. Heavy but much more nimble than you would believe and stable in town. I estimate I put in about 175,000 miles of intown driving on those bikes. There was very little distance traveling on those scooters. It was all in city traffic.
As I sad before, get those MSF courses under your belt and you will have a much better idea of what you want to do. The MSF courses I have seen done here have bikes available to ride so you don't have to learn on your own scooter. It will save you much wear and tear.
PS don't think you will be safe on side roads. Those are where people are LEAST likely to be paying attention. The collision that got me retired from the Police Department happened on a residential street at 30 MPH. I turned that Mustang into a banana with my Kawasaki wehn he hung a left tunr in front of me. Remember people are not usually looking to see motorcycles in traffic. They have a hard enough time just seeing cars, trucks and busses. :eek:
Mav
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definatly take the safety course(most of us don't heal fast enough for the 'crash' course i took when i started riding 25 years ago) and it's a real good idea to get a older cheaper off-road bike and get your skills up before you throw traffic into the equation. it'll save you money on repairs(you will crash) and it's really better to take your beginner dumps without that big rig doing 60 behind ya.
drive the cheap bike for a year or 2 then upgrade, you will also have a better idea what you are looking for in a bike by that time.
good luck and have fun.
apathy