Learning to Ride....

[sause]

After all that HD defense, I kinda agree. Oh, and my other bike is a 1972 Honda CB750 that I restored from the ground up.

I've got a 76 that I need to get running right do you by any chance have any extra parts? It's scary that the bike I ride is 7 years older than me. But needed that bike because of my size comma 200+. I have friends that are "fit" that can get around on a 500-600cc bike.

To the HD-Jap discussion Harleys are built for long riding. Japs are built for short sporty riding. If you are going 65 on the highway and needed to pass someone I would take the Harley because it can go from cruzing to accelerating fast than a Jap. Harleys are made to run around 2-3 on the highway and they create most of there power there too. Japs bikes around around 4-5 on the highway but gererate most of their power at 6-7. But to get up to speed japs can stay in that range and will biuld more power than a harley. It's physics it's not which bike I favor and remember I ride a Honda.

 

[z987k]

Ok i was not going to post again but, that is complete bull ****!!!! With a pro rider on a sea level track the new 600 go Mid 10's. The new 1000's only go high 9's. The 600 also do not have 120 HP. Sorry i just could not let this go.

2006 ninja 600RR has 125hp @ 14,000rpms and 52ft-lbs @ 11,500. Google it.

 

[z987k]

I've got a 76 that I need to get running right do you by any chance have any extra parts? It's scary that the bike I ride is 7 years older than me. But needed that bike because of my size comma 200+. I have friends that are "fit" that can get around on a 500-600cc bike.

To the HD-Jap discussion Harleys are built for long riding. Japs are built for short sporty riding. If you are going 65 on the highway and needed to pass someone I would take the Harley because it can go from cruzing to accelerating fast than a Jap. Harleys are made to run around 2-3 on the highway and they create most of there power there too. Japs bikes around around 4-5 on the highway but gererate most of their power at 6-7. But to get up to speed japs can stay in that range and will biuld more power than a harley. It's physics it's not which bike I favor and remember I ride a Honda.

Sause rides tooo! awesome.

 

[Pumbaa]

Dont get me wrong I rode a Honda for the simple reason that it was 1/3rd the price of a Harley and 1/3rd the mechanical PITA. Not to mention any after market gear you want to buy doesnt cost you an arm and a leg just cuz it's got HD on it somewhere

 

[98EXL]

I'm making the SWMBO take the MSF class this spring....she's pumped, and I'm going to let her ride my 94 CBR F2, I learned to ride on it, it's freaking great. I'm glad I didn't get anything smaller, or bigger, it's just right

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I've got a 76 that I need to get running right do you by any chance have any extra parts? It's scary that the bike I ride is 7 years older than me.

Sweet! Sorry, no extra parts to get rid of. I do have plenty of working knowledge of the bike and its motor if you need a hand (we'll start a new thread for that or PM about it). My '72 is 5 years older than me...

 

[Craig5_12]

I'm making the SWMBO take the MSF class this spring....she's pumped, and I'm going to let her ride my 94 CBR F2, I learned to ride on it, it's freaking great. I'm glad I didn't get anything smaller, or bigger, it's just right

Hey I learned on an F2 as well. They're great beginner bikes, but there is no way I'd suggest a beginner go out and get one of the newer 600's. They are way more advanced than the archaic F2. I've ridden with too many people that have done this and it's just plain sad when someone can't handle the bike.

 

[98EXL]

Hey I learned on an F2 as well. They're great beginner bikes, but there is no way I'd suggest a beginner go out and get one of the newer 600's. They are way more advanced than the archaic F2. I've ridden with too many people that have done this and it's just plain sad when someone can't handle the bike.

I love her...although I can't seem to adjust the clutch very well....the lever has to be all the way to the grip, not anywhere in between

 

[jdoiv]

If you are getting the bike because gas is going up and you want something more fuel efficient, I'm guessing you are going to be commuting to and from work. I commuted on my bike when I lived in LA. I would suggest the following things to consider.

1. Get a riding suit, check out www.Aerostich.com, that is waterproof and has reflective panels.
2. Get riding boots. Sneakers or even regular boots will do little to protect your feet when you crash (you will crash eventually, may not be going fast, but it will happen if you ride long enough).
3. Spend money on a good helmet and make sure it is comfortable. I have a Shoei multitec that allows the front to lift up. Very handy as I wear glasses.
4. A bike with hardbags is a great convienece. I could actually do my grocery shopping using the hardbags on my bike. Also, makes a good place to store your helmet and riding suit.
5. Get earplugs and wear them.
6. Take the MSF course.
7. Pick a bike that gives you a more upright riding position if you have a long commute. Sportbikes can put stress on your wrists and neck and are not comfortable for a long days ride. They also make it more difficult to look up and be aware of what is going on around you.
8. It's you against the cages. Be very careful as drivers have a hard time noticing motorcycles.
9. Plan on 10 extra minutes in your commute time to suit up, warm up and get started.

Bikes are alot of fun. Wish I weren't selling mine. It's getting picked up tomorrow.

 

[krispy d]

If you are getting the bike because gas is going up and you want something more fuel efficient, I'm guessing you are going to be commuting to and from work. I commuted on my bike when I lived in LA. I would suggest the following things to consider.

1. Get a riding suit, check out www.Aerostich.com, that is waterproof and has reflective panels.
2. Get riding boots. Sneakers or even regular boots will do little to protect your feet when you crash (you will crash eventually, may not be going fast, but it will happen if you ride long enough).
3. Spend money on a good helmet and make sure it is comfortable. I have a Shoei multitec that allows the front to lift up. Very handy as I wear glasses.
4. A bike with hardbags is a great convienece. I could actually do my grocery shopping using the hardbags on my bike. Also, makes a good place to store your helmet and riding suit.
5. Get earplugs and wear them.
6. Take the MSF course.
7. Pick a bike that gives you a more upright riding position if you have a long commute. Sportbikes can put stress on your wrists and neck and are not comfortable for a long days ride. They also make it more difficult to look up and be aware of what is going on around you.
8. It's you against the cages. Be very careful as drivers have a hard time noticing motorcycles.
9. Plan on 10 extra minutes in your commute time to suit up, warm up and get started.

Bikes are alot of fun. Wish I weren't selling mine. It's getting picked up tomorrow.

^^quoted for posterity. good points that should be taken to heart.

 

[sirsloop]

you mean take off 10 minutes off the commute? You'll spend 10 extra minutes getting suited up, but then the rest of the trip happens at mach 2
















jk!

 

[jdoiv]

you mean take off 10 minutes off the commute? You'll spend 10 extra minutes getting suited up, but then the rest of the trip happens at mach 2
















jk!

Yeah, I did make the actual trip to and from the office alot faster. But it took just as much time to get from door to door with all the suiting up and stuff. Of course, not having to actually sit in the bumper to bumper on the 405 was nice. Lane splitting speeds things up but is also very dangerous. Almost bought the farm a couple of times. Eventually, I went back to using the car as I could make calls and listen to the news while on the commute.

 

[mykayel]

There's a lot of very biased information in this post... so I'll add a little of my own.

Start off small and learn to ride. If you are looking for a sport bike, I highly recomend the Ninja 250 as a starter. You can find one cheap ($1000) in perfect condition or new for a little over $3000. Ride it a month or so and then sell it and upgrade if you want. But that bike is not too small for anyone, only to small for someone with adequacy issues and thinks that a bigger engine gives him a bigger dick. It is a very forgiving bike and can be very fun to ride. And its veyr light, weighs like 305 lbs (unlike the tanks that HD puts out). The newer 600's are well, bikes on crack; they are still very light weight 380 lbs or so but a ton of power (I have an 03 R6). Yes they hit their power band at around 6000 rpms but they have more power below that than the Ninja 250 does at all. Just from putting it at full throttle they'll wheelie in 1st or 2nd gear when you hit 12k rpms(or so, I'm not really looking at the tach when that happens). But they only get 40 mph give or take, but they aren't designed for gas mileage, they're designed for performance and handling and they are very veyr good at it.

What I would suggest is an SV650. While I haven't ridden one, I've only heard good things about them. They are a little toned down as they are a V twin, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun on them, and they are a more up right seating position. Not that any sportbike is bad, if someone says their wrists hurt from riding a sportbike that's because they are putting all their weight there which you shouldn't, you should be able to hold yourself up.

And my favorite quite about the good 'ol HD's: HD, the most efficent means of turning gasonline into noise and vibrations without added side effect of hoursepower.

Do your research, there's a ton of motorcycle boards out there, look aroudn a few.

 

[sause]

Dude comma V-twin hondas and such have the same vibrations at the engine that a HD has but they are rubber mounted and HD's aren't because people like it that way. If you destoyed the baffles in a "sport" bike they would be louder than a HD. Thats what most HD owners do comma I personally don't like it becasue of the sound but also that it srcews up the back pressure and will over heat the valves in the engine. HD's are easy to learn on I started riding one right when I was starting and the low end torque helps people get use to the clutch. HP can't be measured comma it's a calulation. Only torque can be measured because torque is what really does matter when accelerating. Torque is what gets you going HP is what keep you going.

I don't normally takes sides and since I have riden both comma own a honda comma come from a Harley family(Uncle been riding one since the 70's). I try to be as balenced as posible. But when people are bashing one side with facts that aren't true I feel I have to make sure people aren't getting the wrong idea.

 

[mykayel]

lol... I love how defensive some people can get, lighten up a little, HAHB. Look at my opening line dumb***. I have some very constructive adivise including to not get a high end sportbike. I even suggested a V-twin.

"Why don't Harley riders wave to other bikers? Because they're afaid if they let go of the handlebars for a second the vibrations buck them off."

oh, and "comma"

 

[sause]

Defensive? Me? Man you really never read my stuff do you. I've been here for about 2.5 years and am the senior active member on the board but still don't have over 1comma000 posts. I don't write stuff to get into fights or rashley try to prove a point. When someone reverts to name calling is when someone is getting "defensive". We can all agree that getting a 1200cc bike is not a good idea for a beginer. Now when people just start stating facts that are not true I take offense because the purpose of this board is to help people. You'll never see me call people names because whats the purpose? Now lets get back to helping jjasghar find a nice bike to learn on shall we?

And come on man comma if you try to make fun of me for using the word comma instead of the symbol take some time and read the posts on this board. I have.

 

[mykayel]

eh, you're right, name calling is a little out of line. But please, please, all mighty senior active memeber list the "facts that are not true" that I have stated. So far, all you have done is taken offense, but you have not corrected anything to help out our new rider hear so that he can learn from the experienced memebers of your board.

 

[Brewiz]

Dude comma V-twin hondas and such have the same vibrations at the engine that a HD has but they are rubber mounted and HD's aren't because people like it that way.

All Harely's are rubber mounted now and before this past year all the "Touring" and "Dyna" series were. I have a 98 Road King with 71,000 miles on it, many of those miles have been on extended trips and at speed it's smooth as silk.
The bottom line is get something your are comfortable on, take a riders course and ride, ride and ride more. After a while you can decide what you want based on "your" riding style.

 

[LouT]

First bit of advice, if I'm not too late here: Don't buy that bike you posted from Craigslist. Buy a bike with a brand name you recognize, and that non-bikers will recognize. This will also end up being a bike you can resell easily later. It will be a bike you can get parts for, and with a dealer (service) network that is nationwide/worldwide and very accessible. Same idea as buying a John Deere tractor instead of a korean brand that you can get cheap but not sure the dealer will be around in 5 years (or if he is around will he still cary that brand you bought from him).
Second: Take the MSF class, the beginner one, that provides a bike for you to use. Usually they have several styles of bike there, also usually smaller in the engine size, like the 250cc range. See what you like, what's comfortable to you. Remember that a parking lot is not the street, will the bike be enough bike for you on roads/highways/etc?
Get with a friend that is a rider, and take your time looking for used bikes -- do not be in a hurry or you will make a purchase you will later regret.
Third: Listen to all advice stated above regarding safety equipment!
Good luck, keep the rubber side down!

 

[Cregar]

1 word.....

Vespa

 

[LouT]

This might be a good alternative to a Vespa - really for a more aggressive beginner:

 

[Radarbrew]

Have you seen that "Spyder" from Bombardier?
Take the class, wear the bucket. Have you ever seen the "after" picture of the shorts wearing-no helmet-and sandals with a t-shirt guy after a guardrail tap at 70 mph in a 45mph zone riding something bigger than they could handle? "Get a sponge."

 

[boldone]

I would suggest getting whatever you are comfortable with. If you want a sport bike, get one. If you want a cruiser, get one. If you just want to save on gas, get a Vespa.

"Why don't Harley riders wave to other bikers? Because they're afaid if they let go of the handlebars for a second the vibrations buck them off."

No sure where this quote came from, but Harley rides probably wave to other bikers more than other riders. I know it is just a joke, but so uncalled for. Crotch Rocket riders give all motorcyclists a bad name, out there riding like complete A-holes.

BTW here is my 2005 rubber mounted V-Twin Super Glide Custom, with straight pipes. The EFI system has been adjusted specifically for the pipes. Loud Pipes Saves Lives. The motorists out there, not paying attention, can hear me from a 1/2 a mile away.

Whatever your decision to get riding, be safe and pay attention to your surroundings at all times.