bill2 0 #76 June 5, 2003 Stay away from that bike - it will kill you. The best thing to do is before you buy a bike is to take the Motorcycle Safety foundation beginner class - you get to practice on their bikes, and if you crash you're not out any money. All you need to do is get a helmet, over the ankle boots, and long sleeves and pants. Also after you have at least 6 months riding or 3000 miles, you can take the MSF experienced rider course, on your bike. From there, take Reg Pridemore's course - it's on a track and allows you to practice while getting good feedback from his instructors. He has classes all over the country. As for buying a bike - don't get a sport bike. I know some people here have said get a 600 cc sport bike which is a good beginner's bike. They're not - you can go over 120 mph and get yourself into trouble so easily you won't believe it. Start out with a used bike, not a new one so you won't spend too much money and can decide if you really like riding. Want ads are full of low mileage hot sport bikes -usually because they scared the shit out of their owners who didn't realize what they were getting into. Suzuki SV650, as mentioned elsewhere here, is a good one. So is a Kawisaki EX500, or a Honda 750 nighthawk. Yes, they're not cool, and people won't be shooting you admiring glances as you ride down main street but they're a much better way to learn. You can actually push these bikes closer to their limits and learn what's it like to do that, then you can with a CBR 600 or Ninja 600. After a couple of track courses, like Reg Pridemore, and lots of miles on the road, then go get a hot bike. I've got a BMW R1150 GS,"only" 85 horsepower but it will go 120 miles an hour and is fine for me. I started riding in the 70's in Europe, stopped for awhile and took it up again in 96. Bought a used Honda Shadow 1100 (another good bike to learn on) and then got the Bimmer in 2000. Unlike skydiving, there way fewer restrictions on the equipment and how you ride when it comes to motorcycles. Be careful out there so you can actually enjoy riding, because it is a great experience. Two more things - dirt riding is a great way to enhance your riding skills, the MSF now has a dirt riding course; check it out. And two, someone brought up that tired old thing about ER doctors and donorcycles. It's a bullshit statement since the doctor only knows that the corpse in front of him rode a motorcycle, nothing else. Just like in skydiving, this guy could have an idiot with no brains and even less common sense. He could have been drinking, he could have not had a license (you'd be amazed at how many accidents happen to unlicensed motorcyclists), he could have been riding above his ability and not stopped due to pride and wanting to keep up. The doctor has no idea why this accident happened. People who have trained themselves, who don't drink or do drugs lower the odds way down. I have about 50,000 miles on bikes and have never gone down; my brother has been riding since '67, has over 300,000 miles and has only gone down once with minor injuries. This brings me to my last point on this rather long winded rant - if you ride with a group, ride at your pace not the leaders. You might be with a group of riders that have a wide variety of skill levels. the leader may have decades of experience and numerous track schools behind him. Trying to keep with him can put you in a situation that your limited skills won't get you out of. Oh, and always wear the amount of equipment you feel is necessary to prevent the injuries you wouldn't want to experience. If you really like riding without a helmet, be prepared to accept the potential of brain damage/death. go ahead and ride, it's a hell of a lot of fun. and like skydiving you'll meet a lot of great people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #77 June 7, 2003 read the above post like the bible... well not quiteLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OATSF14 0 #78 June 10, 2003 For your first bike buy a used 600. New 600's are to fast and responsive for a new rider. The issue with getting a large sport bike is simply sensory overload. Remember your first jump? All large sport bikes are capable of 165 plus. If you have not been in that territory before, it can sneak up on you at the wrong time. You need to grow into the "speed thing" before you jump on a big bike. Going fast in a straight line is boring? Why are there bikes that do 170...180...190...? Can't believe that skydivers are writing that drivel. If you think laying on the tank at 165+, with your buddy next to you on his bike, with the bikes screaming....the suspensions working....totally concentrating....is really boring...you are not being honest to yourself. I believe there is nothing better than the new class of litre bikes. R1...GXXR 1000, ZX10R, RC51, 999....power, speed, light weight. Grow into these. They do not like newbies. An old 600, MSF, track days....in a couple years you will be ready. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 0 #79 June 10, 2003 Any potential rider should watch this example of how not to ride a sports bike. http://www.honda-blackbird.dk/film/Specielle/pascal.mpg (56 Mb mpeg file). Most bikers can tell a few "no shit, I thought I was going to die" stories and have the scars to prove it but this takes the biscuit. Pascal (the idiot) was killed trying to break his own record a few months after this was filmed. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OATSF14 0 #80 June 10, 2003 I agree that speed in the wrong place can kill and in the case of fast sport bikes.."Blackbirds"...can kill quickly. I live in Oklahoma. There are places here where roads are very condusive to going fast. The video shows this guy doing his thing on a busy interstate type road. (No offense but very stupid) The whole question here relates directly to skydiving. Start out slowly on 'forgiving equiptment". Learn the basics. With luck you will hang out with intelligent and responsible peers. At some point, you will be ready to upsize (bikes) or downsize (canopies). Responsible and sensibility are paramount. Any local area riders, Oklahoma/Texas PM me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SniperCJ 0 #81 June 10, 2003 Im gonna have to call this one like I see it: Yes, youre going to DIE! And youre going to trash a very nice bike in the process. Ive been riding bikes (mainly sportbikes) for since I was about 10 (im 39). I currently ride a Kawasaki ZX12R (Ninja 1200). Look it up, its the number 1 or 2 fastest bike in the world depending on who's writing the story. At any rate, no way in hell would I need to be on this (or the 'busa) without some serious experience. Unfortunately, this is a lot like skydiving and downsizing, youre probably not going to listen. My advise: get a 'beater' bike for a year and learn to ride, then get a 500 or 600cc sportbike and learn some more. Those'll go plenty fast enough to kill you too. JC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JumpCrazy 0 #82 June 10, 2003 If you really want some power for your first bike, check out the Boss Hoss (502hp 1300lbs) this bike will kill you if it tips over and lands on you even if it is parked! Seiriously though, don't get the 'busa or the Boss Hoss, they are both way to powerful.Flying Hellfish #470 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hayazuki 0 #83 June 23, 2003 go here and check out everything you could possibly want to know about your soon to be new bike... suzukihayabusa.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
