Making the jump to two wheels

"titsinmymitts" (titsinmymitts)
03/23/2015 at 19:57 • Filed to: None

Just signed up for the MSF course near me today. Been waiting to ride a motorcycle since I was 14 years old. I think it's finally time to get my own bike.

DISCUSSION (19)

Clown Shoe Pilot > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 20:27

Welcome!

Whatcha looking at for a first bike?

titsinmymitts > Clown Shoe Pilot
03/23/2015 at 20:46

Thanks!

Pretty set on an sv650. Has plenty (possible a little overkill) of power and there's a handful in the low 3,000 range near me. Would consider a GS500 as well, but the sv650 is much easier to find and a bit more mod friendly.

Was considering a Ninja 250R but just don't think it has the punch I need to move around out here. I live in Iowa, and have a mix of both urban and rural areas. Some highway driving necessitates a bit faster bike, IMO.

I'm open to suggestions, though. Eventually I'll find myself on an R6 or CBR600, but taking it slow to start.

desertdog5051 > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 20:52

Glad to have you aboard. Hope you are up to a top tier bike as a starter. Just remember that the first 2 years are the game changers. Invest in and wear your gear. Welcome.

titsinmymitts > desertdog5051
03/23/2015 at 20:54

Would you recommend NOT going with a 650 to start?

I have very little riding experience on an old Aprilia RS50 (yes...50), but don't want to be caught out with a bike that is too slow to get out of its own way.

I'm 6 feet and 185 with an athletic build, for reference.

Clown Shoe Pilot > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 21:04

I had a 100hp, 375 pound 600cc street fighter as my first bike. If I did it over again, I'd get something less potent.

I recently got a Honda CB500F. I'm already more comfortable on it than I ever was on my first bike, because I'm not scared that I'm going to get bit. It'll still do nearly 100mph with my fat ass on it. One of my coworkers just started riding a month or so ago. He got a CB300F. He's bigger than me and his bike will do 85.

Read up on the CB300F. It's 4 grand BRAND NEW and it's likely going to be a bike that holds value well. Ride it for a couple years, build some great riding skills, and sell it for 3 grand.

Also - GEAR. Get decent stuff that fits you well and WEAR IT.

desertdog5051 > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 21:12

Not necessarily. All I can tell you is bikes with a lot of power get out of control a lot easier than other vehicles. That is why I bring up the 2 year thing. You just need to have the respect for what you ride and the power it has. That comes from experience with it. The unexpected situations with cage drivers are always going to happen, no matter how long you have been riding. I got into a situation where I had to lay mine down due to a left turner a year ago. Many years of riding could not have prevented that. But a guy I know lost his Ducati and 3 fingers a few months ago because he let it overpower him. Be cautious and think ahead. You will do well.

yamahog > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 21:13

Honestly you'd probably be more than fine on a used Ninja 250 or 300. Hell, I know people who have one just for funsies on the side since they're so light and easy to fling around. Go cheap on your first bike and use the savings on the gear. Beginner bikes hold their value very well if you want to get a 600 down the line.

titsinmymitts > Clown Shoe Pilot
03/23/2015 at 21:27

Thanks for your input!

I'm lucky in that there are a couple of good bikes shops around here. I'm looking to purchase used, mainly.

I take the MSF course in two weeks and hopefully they will have a ninja 250R that I can see if I like. Not really looking for a ton of power right away—more want to get used to really maximizing my skills so I can get comfortable enough to start doing track days in 1-2 years.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 21:51

I took my course this past August and we used CBR 125s. Around the parking lot they felt plenty fast!

I ended up buying a 2011 Ninja 400R. Not sure where you are located - I think these things only exist in Canada (and New Zealand, according to Wikipedia). I picked up the bike with my friend who has a CBR 600. He rode it home and commended it for being smooth, predictable, and powerful enough. He said he started out on a 250 Hyosung and didn't enjoy it too much, though it was a cheap bike to begin with.

I rode on it for only 2 months before I had to park it for the winter. I'll be honest - I got a bit bored of it by that time. It didn't fulfill my inner speed demon. And I think that's a good thing, because if I got a 600/650 I might be in a wheelchair, or worse, by now. When I told my buddy this he said it's because I only had a chance to drive around the city and on straight highways. When the weather improves, he promised to organize a ride through some twisties and I cannot wait.

Watch this video by Mr. Regular, where he eloquently explains how getting a 600cc is a bad idea for a beginner.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 21:52

Edit: I got Kinja'd. Double post.

bob and john > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 21:57

saw the other replys.

your under 20?

as a guy who DD's an SV right now (and is 20)...I wouldnt say id recommend it. I really wouldnt. I would I would have done some STUPID shit with it if it was my first (and mine if the ABS as well)

rather look for something under 500CCs. its slow enough tht you dont get into trouble with, but its still quick enough to cruise on the freeway.

titsinmymitts > bob and john
03/23/2015 at 22:04

Nah, I'm 24.

Yea, I'm leaning towards a GS500 (if I can find one) or a Ninja 250 to start.

Tbh, I know the kind of person I am and I DO drive aggressively and know that I need to break those habits when on the bike because people just DO NOT see you.

My only concern with the 250 is any sort of highway driving. BUT, I don't know how much of that I'll really be doing as this is more of a toy than a commuter, so there may be no real concern there. The plus side is 250s tend to be pretty cheap, which is good.

titsinmymitts > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
03/23/2015 at 22:07

Yea I'm not in any way looking at any of the inline or literbikes. That would just be a terrible idea. Knew a few dumbasses who bought 600s in high school and it didn't take long for them to crash out.

More looking to do it as a hobby and see if I even like the prospect of riding. I love (LOVE!) how goddamn fast bikes are, but have considered just pouring money into a faster daily instead as it's miles more usable and I spend a lot of time in my car—plus the potential for autocross, etc.

titsinmymitts > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
03/23/2015 at 22:08

Val, did you end up buying a bike after your course? Saw you were looking at STIs too and I have considered that route as well.

bob and john > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 22:12

they arent bad...i mean they are going to top out at like 90? but other then that they are super fun. I would commute on one.

and REALLY cheap to convert into track toys. tires are cheap, it doesnt use a lot of gas, spare are easy to come by. and they are WAY more fun in the corners because they are so light. there is even a spec series involving them and the CBR250

personally, i started out on a buell blast. 27hp, 30 lb-ft, super cheap. loved it. kinda miss it compared to my SV if i'm 100% honest. it had more character

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 22:30

"see if I even like the prospect or riding" don't kid yourself man!!! Like you, I have always been fascinated by motorcycles (and I turn 24 next month, so we're similarly aged). You've already committed to taking a course - you will love it, no doubt.

Yes, I bought my bike within a month of finishing my course. Since I took the course in late August I knew that I had to get a bike before the winter or else the chances of picking it up again after 8+ months would be very slim. I highly recommend you get a bike while everything is fresh in your mind.

I was looking at STis because I am bad with money :D I recently graduated and now that I'm working full-time I'm just itching to buy fast, expensive things that I couldn't afford earlier. If I had to choose, I would keep my motorcycle and stick with a car which is a bit boring. A bike is just so engaging and fun.

titsinmymitts > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
03/23/2015 at 22:55

Haha, this sounds all too familiar.

I'm actually considering selling my Focus ST and getting something cheap like a Honda Civic, and then using the leftover coin to pay for a 600cc bike down the road. 250Rs are cheap and I can pay for one of those in cash, no problem.

There's a 250 in my area that I'm looking at getting. Do you know what to look out for on used bikes?

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/4890473895…

titsinmymitts > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
03/23/2015 at 23:03

Val, what kind of gear did you end up buying?

I know gloves,jacket,boots,helmet, pants. I'm wondering if I'd be better off with just a straight race suit instead. Any ideas?

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > titsinmymitts
03/23/2015 at 23:26

I'm by no means a mechanic but 17,000 mi on a bike isn't the same as it is on a car. Personally, the "pimp my ride" bolt-ons that bike has aren't my style but it's not difficult to remove the underglow lights if you want to (on the flip side, high visibility is a good thing!). He mentions that the bike has been dropped and he's made some other modifications to it. Bikes aren't that difficult to work on however, if you are into that (from the pics you can see he's working on other bikes so perhaps the guy knows what he's doing). You can always take it to a shop and pay for an inspection, or talk the seller into doing so. I bought my bike from a dealer - I actually got a cheaper price for my 400R than any other private sale and peace of mind knowing that there's a warranty. However don't go selling your ST just yet! Who knows how long you'll keep the 250 for.

At first I bought the bare minimum gear for the course - helmet, jacket, and gloves. We were allowed to wear jeans and regular work boots. The store owner told me that I'd be back once I start riding. Soon after I bought a pair of boots and later on pants as well. Lastly I bought a back protector for highway riding. Whatever you do, don't skimp on a helmet. It stays with you for several years and protects the most important thing. I bought a Shoei GT-Air Wanderer helmet - expensive as fuck but very comfortable and it has a built-in drop-down sun visor (good for me because I wear glasses and it acts like a pair of sunglasses). The jacket and pants I have are mesh, which is crucial to me in order to stay cool in the summer because I overheat incredibly quickly. They have a removable inner layer which is warm enough once it gets colder. All-in-all, it was cheaper than a suit and IMO more versatile as well.