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 Newbie
User of semicolons.
 
Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,528
Loc: SoCal 
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 Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class  [Re: Dosile Kouki]
#13230483 - 09/22/10 09:03 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'll have a clearer plan of action when I complete this course. If I do okay on their bikes, I'm thinking of a CBR or a gixxer 600, but the thing that scares me IS the power. I had ZERO intention of driving my buddy's bike over 10mph in the parking lot. I eased off the clutch, felt it grip, then listened to the sound of the bike. It sounded like it was going to stall out, so I gave it more gas. I lost balance and tipped over, gripping the throttle for dear life and in turn revving it even faster. If my buddy hadn't come over to hit the kill switch my foot might not be here anymore lol. Even though I know the theory behind the operation, I made every newb mistake in the book and still dropped it.
Which brings me to my next point. I was nervous because it was his bike, not my own. I wasn't worried about my safety; we were in a parking lot with proper gear, I had my permit, and he's an experienced rider. Maybe when I OWN a bike it'll be different. I won't be as afraid to drop it because it's mine. We'll see how the class goes, but I'm really beginning to teeter on 250 or 600.
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Doctopus
Trying Pans
Registered: 09/08/10
Posts: 286
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230497 - 09/22/10 09:09 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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How much different is riding a street bike than a YZF 250cc? I was so comfortable on my 250 Ihad not a care in the world. Yet the power was gripping, it was quite orgasmic to ride...
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Psychedelics are the only capable thing of pushing one's mind to the edge of infinity....
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230512 - 09/22/10 09:14 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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yeah i know totally what you mean. it start to stall so you think more throttle, but yeah the clutch was your saving grace in that situation. pull the clutch in and the engine will never stall. cos you can just let it out and take off again, unfortunately the mistake you made was trying to give it alot of throttle quickly, and as the bike takes off you get pulled back and it makes you wind the throttle more, and you lose control of the bike.
the thing is the faster you go the more stable the bike is, the way the bike is engineered, the forces from it moving push the bike upright, thats why when exiting a corner you can wind the throttle on and the bike will stand up naturally. at low speeds the bike is least stable and more prone to tipping or wobbling a bit etc. there you just need good balance and dont do this but back brake control also helps with slow speed balance and stands the bike up.
i admit the power can be scary, but thats the thrill of hte bike my friend. you will learn to love it. once you get confident on it and you ring it out for the first time i guarantee there will be a smile on your face from ear to ear.
and the thing is, the power is only as scary as you make it. carefully rolling on the throttle is fine , the bike will only accelerate as fast as you make it. so if you rip the throttle ofcourse the thing is going to take off, but if you deliver the power slowly and cautiously then it wont take off it will just cruise nicely.
so you want to be as smooth and fluid with the controls of the bike. no quick darting motions just slow steady controlled motions.
also whenever you drop down to a slowish speed, just put your feet off the pegs and close to the ground so you can be ready for when it stops and it wont tip on you cos youll be ready for it and catch it with your feet.
its all just practice mate , youll get used to it, i know after an experience like that the thought of buying a bigger bike is intimidating, but these are just kinks in your technique you need to iron out. once you get the handle of taking off, cruising and maintaining speed, proper shifting etc, and being comfortable in situations like that to either roll the throttle on slowly or grab the clutch, then youll be set.
another area you want to practice in is braking. read up on locking the brakes and how to avoid it because you can get into a bit of trouble if you lock the brakes up. as i said slow but increasingly firm application of brakes and if it locks disengage straight away and re-engage to stop the lock and again begin slowing down.
id recomend a gixxer 600 or r6. TOP BIKES. like really great. cbr is also great too, but id say the two first place runners are definately gixxer 600 or r6.
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circularvortex
Bass Head
Registered: 08/31/06
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Loc:
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230521 - 09/22/10 09:17 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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When I get a bike (Hopefully next year) I really want one of these bad boys.
Suzuki Boulevard C50
4-stroke, Liquid-cooled, OHC, 45-degree V-twin 805 cc
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No statements made in any post or message by myself should be construed to mean that I am now, or have ever been, participating in or considering participation in any activities in violation of any local, state, federal, or fashion police laws. All posts are works of fiction.
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Under closer inspection I realised it was a funky ball of tits from outer space.
  
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geokills
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230524 - 09/22/10 09:17 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Good on you for taking the MSF course. I started riding on my brother in law's 250cc Honda Rebel.
 
Then I took the MSF course, bought a 1000cc retired cop bike (KZ1000), decided it was a hunk of junk and way too heavy/tall, and currently own a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 800cc. From personal experience, I would state that the 250cc will definitely be the best choice to learn on, but if you plan on riding your bike on the highway, you will probably want a 400cc or larger. You want to match power with power, so if you'll be cruising along at 55mph+ with other large vehicles around you, a 250cc bike may not be powerful enough to "get out of the way" quick enough when it becomes necessary.
Not driving under the influence is exceptionally important on a bike... your awareness and attention will help keep you out of trouble. Frankly, I enjoy a little bit of pot on a daily basis and that is one of the reasons I'm thinking of selling my Vulcan 800 since I hardly ever use it anymore! Not to mention, driving around Los Angeles is a pretty stressful experience on a bike. When I move out into the country, I'll be all over riding on two wheels again... but in the city amidst millions of other stressed out oblivious commuters and poorly maintained roads, I've found my desire to ride my bike nearly non-existent.
  
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: geokills]
#13230540 - 09/22/10 09:22 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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nice bikes, i love the look of the orange honda. i prefer sports bikes over cruisers personally, cos i liek the riding position and feel of the bike better but to each their own.
thats also really true too. im not condoning drink driving, but i can drive safely easily in a car when im intoxicated, but i never hop on my bike when im intoxicated because you really need a high level of co-ordination and cocentration to ride it properly and safely. but thats why alot of people enjoy it so much because its a challenge to ride it and once you master it its a really rewarding feeling.
Edited by DosileFlynn (09/22/10 09:24 AM)
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure
Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 3 months, 15 days
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230552 - 09/22/10 09:29 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Newbie said:
I eased off the clutch, felt it grip, then listened to the sound of the bike. It sounded like it was going to stall out, so I gave it more gas. I lost balance and tipped over, gripping the throttle for dear life and in turn revving it even faster. If my buddy hadn't come over to hit the kill switch my foot might not be here anymore lol.
Never mind the foot. Your buddy didn't take your head off? 
When my son was 7, I bought him a honda 100 to learn on. He rode it until he outgrew it and then it rusted behind the barn for years. When he got back from Iraq at age 25, he bought a brand new Harley and took off with no problems, even though he hadn't been on a bike in 15 years.
Get something small, and learn to 'feather' the clutch. If the bike starts to stall, don't give more gas. . .instead, ease back into the clutch. It's a dancing act between the throttle and clutch. Once you get the feel for it, you'll be able to ride everything from a dirt bike to a crotch rocket without trouble.
RR
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,528
Loc: SoCal
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13230560 - 09/22/10 09:33 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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He knows how to fix bikes and he had some crash pegs on it so it was ok. He even said, he wouldn't have let me ride it if he didn't expect me to drop it. I still remember the look on his face though. 
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scienceguy
Instrument
Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 1,983
Loc: One Mile High...
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Dosile Kouki]
#13230573 - 09/22/10 09:39 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
DosileFlynn said:
ask this guy for mechanical advice newbie 
Sure thing. I have a few ASE certs in auto mechanics too.
I think one of the most important things you can do when learning to ride a motorcycle or a bicycle, is get one that feels comfortable. If you don't feel balanced or stable on it, or like turning the handlebars would be difficult during low speed maneuvering, look at a different style of bike. You can always get that Ducati Monster after you figure out what the fuck you're doing dropping your Honda Shadow over and over.
One more thing about the crotch rockets... A few years back, a motorcycle journalist took a BOX STOCK crotch rocket, equipped it with an oil pan to meet regulations, and entered into a world class level circuit race. With his stock bike, competing with some of the most heavily funded racing development teams, he still managed to place in the top 25 in a field of 200. Respect the power, and realize you're basically piloting an engine with wheels.
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"Freedom starts between the ears."
Edward Abbey
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: scienceguy]
#13230578 - 09/22/10 09:43 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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yeah dude. the high end bikes are crazy fast. i think the gsxr 1000 or it might be the hayabusa (1300cc) gets from like 0-200 km p/hr in like 9 seconds ?!?! like warp speed styles.
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teaparty
Don'tHaveaCowMan
Registered: 12/03/07
Posts: 671
Loc: The Steele City
Last seen: 10 years, 5 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230855 - 09/22/10 11:18 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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i dont personally agree with dosileflynn on a few points.
1. practice using both brakes, never just one or the other. As a beginner you should be focused on technique and not on teaching yourself bad habits. The back wheel is harder to lock than you think, and generally happens during a hard brake + downshift. When slowing to a stop its better to use the full braking potential of the bike.
2. the ninja 250r is an excellent choice for a beginner bike. when ran in the high rpm range (which the bike is geared to do) it has enough power to safely travel in freeway situations. Its also smart to learn safe riding technique in traffic situations rather than relying on the bikes power to get you out of a jam. Yes, you may be bored with it after a summer, but its better to be bored on a 250r rather than dead on a zx6r
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I'm so ahead of my time, my parents haven't met yet.
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 MadSeasonAbove
Reef Donkey
Registered: 09/29/03
Posts: 3,143
Loc: Florida
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13231222 - 09/22/10 12:45 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Yes, you may be bored with it after a summer, but its better to be bored on a 250r rather than dead on a zx6r
No, you can kill yourself riding a moped going 20 miles an hour. There's no difference with engine size..
In fact, you should be essentially safer on a bigger bike, because hopefully you respect the power and not abuse it. By you going to a MSC tells me you are planning on being a safe operator.
One thing I recommend for you to consider when buying your first bike is to not base your decision on a smaller engine because you're a "Newb"(pun intended), but rather you should look to get a bike you can grow into, instead of grow out of. There is always debate on this matter of what to buy for your first bike. I was told this by more than one experienced rider(riding for over 30 years).
My first bike was an 1100 Yamaha. I never drove a mc in my life before that. I am so happy I listened to those experienced riders by not buying a smaller bike. I'm still comfortable riding it after almost 4 years. I've grown into it, it has plenty of power for me, and I still love riding it 33,000 miles later.
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teaparty
Don'tHaveaCowMan
Registered: 12/03/07
Posts: 671
Loc: The Steele City
Last seen: 10 years, 5 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: MadSeasonAbove]
#13231343 - 09/22/10 01:22 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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whoa hold on there, lets look at the stats
zx6r: 114 hp, ~480lbs, top speed speed of 165mph, 3.2 second 0-60mph
250r: 33hp, ~450lbs, top speed 105mph, 5.75 second 0-60mph
thats like giving someone with a toothache some heroin over a vicodin and saying: "here this way you wont get bored"
the 250r is not only a much safer and forgiving ride for a beginner but its still quicker than 70% of the traffic you'll encounter. you wouldnt place an inexperienced driver into a ferrari, and imo you shouldnt put an inexperienced rider on a super sport bike.
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I'm so ahead of my time, my parents haven't met yet.
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ManianFH
living in perverty
Registered: 07/06/04
Posts: 14,514
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: teaparty]
#13231683 - 09/22/10 02:37 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I disagree somewhat with the 250 argument. A 600 is not such a fast bike that youll pop wheelies by accident on it. I like the idea of starting out on a medium bike (250-small,600-med,-1100+ large) because you get an option of power that can be very useful in certain situations.
As geokills said: at 55mph+ with other large vehicles around you, a 250cc bike may not be powerful enough to "get out of the way" quick enough when it becomes necessary.
If you are on the freeway at 70mph and notice a car coming behind you at 80-90 with no intention of stopping, you either get out of the way or speed up (then safely get out of the way). Most often you dont have time for option a, and if youre riding a 250, option b is near impossible with the amount of time you have. Same goes at a stoplight. If youre in deadstop traffic or a redlight engaged in first (as you should be), and someone comes blazing behind you, a 600 is going to have the better takeoff as you split lanes to avoid the collision.
just my opinion. first bike i owned was a harley 883, then a ninja600. the 600 is perfect amount of power for me, though sometimes id like to have a little more.
>
zx6r: 114 hp, ~480lbs, top speed speed of 165mph, 3.2 second 0-60mph
250r: 33hp, ~450lbs, top speed 105mph, 5.75 second 0-60mph
with great power comes great responsibility (as we learned from spiderman), but in an emergency situation on a motorcycle, every second, half seconds, and even quarter seconds count. Its good to have the option.
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notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... "
ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."
Edited by ManianFH (09/22/10 02:44 PM)
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scienceguy
Instrument
Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 1,983
Loc: One Mile High...
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: ManianFH]
#13232561 - 09/22/10 06:13 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Also, do yourself a favor and get some stainless steel brake lines. A 600 pound bike will use almost 100 feet less to stop from 60mph with stainless lines versus normal ones. They're pretty cheap, and a pretty easy installation job if you're interested in getting your mechanic's gloves a little dirty on something straightforward.
Learning to use both of your brakes at once creates a habit that will ultimately keep you safer than only learning to use one aspect of the braking system. It is true that about 80 percent of your stopping power comes from up front, but 20 percent can be an awful lot of stopping power to need, depending on the context. By learning to effectively use both brakes in a balanced, controlled manner, you develop the habit of always dual-braking and the skill of proportioning brake power between front and rear. Having this skill makes emergency braking maneuvers a natural extension of your normal braking technique, not an unfamiliar maneuver to learn in your newly developed emergency situation.
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"Freedom starts between the ears."
Edward Abbey
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Liquid_Dimension
Lighthousekeeper
Registered: 02/15/04
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Loc: Radioactive state
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: scienceguy]
#13232608 - 09/22/10 06:25 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I've had my license since 07 and havent been on a bike since,ugh...i need a job.
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Liquid_Dimension]
#13233590 - 09/22/10 09:38 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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ok so i do agree now with the back brake arguement. use the bikes full braking potential but be very cautious with the back brake. it really is easy to lock it up with a light stamp onto the pedal as a panic'd reaction.
i still stand by the 600 though. and those statistics that are quoted sure the bike can get to 60 and 120 mph fast, but the bike will only go as fast as you make it. those figures are quoted by people going balls to the walls full throttle, obviously newbie being a cautious and prudent rider isnt going to be doing that right away untill hes comfortable with controlling the bike. the 600 is better value and more rewarding in my opinion. but it seems there are other opinions also present here so its up to you to weigh up which opinion sways you more. which ever bike you get you will be happy.
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andymc
cocoa beetles from zanzibar
Registered: 11/25/09
Posts: 2,395
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Dosile Kouki]
#13236914 - 09/23/10 04:29 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
DosileFlynn said:
yeah dude. the high end bikes are crazy fast. i think the gsxr 1000 or it might be the hayabusa (1300cc) gets from like 0-200 km p/hr in like 9 seconds ?!?! like warp speed styles.
I'm on my second 'Busa. I had the original, unrestricted 200mph (320kph) 1999 model. I put 70K miles on it but someone still went to the trouble of stealing it.
My '08 is crazy powerful too (more powerful than the '99) but they've evened out the power delivery. I don't frighten myself anymore if I give it too much of a twist.
I don't speed around very much, but that acceleration is the tits. I go through back tires (tyres) like they're going out of style. Chains, brake pads, and wheel bearings too 
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: andymc]
#13243581 - 09/25/10 04:19 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I have my first ride in about an hour. Today we get on the hogs and putt around the parking lot course. 
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,528
Loc: SoCal
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13244426 - 09/25/10 11:07 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Holy shit that was exhausting. I was shaky at first. I was afraid of the throttle and balance, but by the 2nd exercise where we actually rode I got extremely comfortable with it. Toward the end I started getting tired and dehydrated, and that directly reflected on my performance. We had to get into 2nd gear then come to a stop when he put his hands up. I kept stalling it and missed a few marks when we turned around.
Bottom line: I didn't drop the bike, and I have a lot more confidence in myself about this whole thing. I don't think I really deserve a license yet by any means, I might elect to take the course over again in the spring. I have 2 more classes left; one is the written test, the next is more practice followed by the driving test.
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