by "benjrblant" (benjblant)
Published 09/03/2017 at 18:32
by "benjrblant" (benjblant)
Published 09/03/2017 at 18:32
Tags: Two Wheels Good
; MSF
; Motorcycle
STARS: 13
Passed my MSF class this weekend! Now I just need to bring some paper to the DMV, stand around for several hours, and I’ll have my motorcycle endorsement.
I spent Saturday and Sunday mornings on a Honda Nighthawk 250cc. While I’m sure it was pathetic by current standards and it definitely wasn’t much to look at, I didn’t care. I was having so much fun.
Off to look at some gear and lust over motorcycles! Grom? Maybe some dual sport- XT250? CRF250L? I dunno! I kinda just want them all.
"slipperysallylikespenguins" (slipperysally)
09/03/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 1
Congrats! I got lucky and was on a TW200 for my course. Tons of fun and I still want one almost 10 years later.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
09/03/2017 at 18:36, STARS: 0
There were two in the class. I wanted to ride one but it was spoken for before I got to it. Looks mad fun.
"PanchoVilleneuve ST" (PanchoVilleneuve)
09/03/2017 at 18:39, STARS: 2
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This is you now.
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
09/03/2017 at 18:52, STARS: 1
All the motorbike you’ll ever need...for overlanding
"fintail" (fintail)
09/03/2017 at 19:29, STARS: 0
Two words: Turbo Busa
Any cruiser over 700 lbs is a good choice too
"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv)
09/03/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 1
Congrats! You’ll have lots of fun on two wheels. I recently wrote something about getting a first bike, if you feel like reading it’s here: https://valsidalvblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/my-first-motorcycle-part-2-time-for-some-wheels/ . In summary I recommend a used bike, not too down on power (usually 300 cc’s and up, you’ll want that when competing with cars on the road), comfy, relatively light, and ABS if possible.
"CRider" (crider)
09/03/2017 at 20:11, STARS: 0
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Dual sport is definitely the way to go!
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
09/03/2017 at 20:42, STARS: 0
Congrats! I need to copy you and get my M endorsement. I’m still window shopping KLRs and equivalent.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
09/04/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 0
That was a good read, thanks!
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
09/05/2017 at 09:30, STARS: 0
Congrats! Can’t go wrong with a little dual sport. Do you have trails in your area to do some off-roading on? If you plan to be on-road more, the Ninja 250 is a great choice as well. Not nearly as sport-bikey as they seem.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
09/05/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 0
Initially, I was leaning towards a Grom just for commuting but there are lots of trails around Denver. Many have suggested that 250cc is a better starting point and I’m coming around to the idea.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
09/05/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 1
Mostly it depends on the type of riding you want to do. Dual sports are fun, but 6 months down the road you might find yourself not riding because you’re not enjoying trail riding and the dual sport doesn’t handle the highways well, for example.
Have a realistic discussion with yourself and the types of riding you want to do, then buy the best bike you can afford. That’s the advice I try to give every new rider searching for their first bike.
All that being said, you’re in one of the best locations in the US for trail riding. If you get a dual sport I’ll be very jealous.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
09/05/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 0
In a dream scenario, I’d love to own an Africa Twin or an F800GS but those are very far out of my budget and definitely more bike than I’d want to start out with.
I’m honestly unsure of the type of riding I’ll be doing in a year. I’d originally thought of a bike solely for commuting but now I’m realizing other applications and uses for it.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
09/05/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 1
Depending on your height and comfort level of being on a taller bike, a KLR650 might be a solid option as well. They make lowering links for them if you need it lower. Cheap and easy to find.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
09/08/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 0
Any input on a used F650GS? Seems to be a respectable balance of features, power, and functionality.
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
09/11/2017 at 07:37, STARS: 1
I think you’ve summed that bike up perfectly. Little spendy, but a solid machine. Check out advrider.com. Lots of helpful folks on there and tons of real world info on lots of models.