Want to learn to ride

[al35thsc]

With rising gas prices and the chick magent level (:p ) I've been looking into buying a motorcycle. Having ridden one (semi auto) only a few times I have a lot to learn. Anyone of the local people here have a bike they can let me practice on and teach me. I cant afford to pay you much, but I got mad polishing skillz :) or we can use the bartering system :p

:cool: Alex :cool:

[Matt SC ESC]

Al, i too, thought a motorcycle would be better. boy was i wrong. I bought a 2001 CBR 600 F4, biggest mistake of my life. To be honest, you're going to kill yourself. I was nearly killed when a late model taurus tryed to merge into me, on the 78w. Since then i have yet to touch the bike. and that was in open traffic, i can only imagine what will happen in heavy traffic. DONT GET ONE! pay the gas prices, and save your life =\ honestly...

[GONE14S]

Al, I have been riding all different size bikes since I was 16.
It is really a matter of for site in seeing a problem before it happens. That and a good reaction to the problem.
A bike has it's advanages and it's draw backs.
I've never been knock off a ROAD bike, but I have fallen off a dirt bike more times than I care to count. But it was a good teacher.
Good luck in which ever way you go.

Kurt Sr

[SuperCoupe007]

Hey Al, having a bike is cool. you can usually get from point A to pint B faster than u could in a car. The dangerous part is what happens while u are going from point A to point B. True you would save money on gas 25 MPG vs. 40 MPG (well in your case , it would be more like 10 MPG with your lead foot on your SC :D ) Driving a bike aint like driving the SC or any other car where you just sit down relax and spin the wheels.. On a bike you have to always be on alert, you can't afford to relax your body cuase that split second is crucial, and you have to not only drive for yourself but for other people because like Matt say they can run you off the road.. If I were you i wouldn't trade in my safety for a few cents.. just my .02 cents.. :D

[al35thsc]

Matt,

Looking to sell? I still want to at least learn just so I can say, yep I cand rive one. (I do get about 12-14 mpg in the sc :()

Alex

[plev72]

Al, if you are thinking about getting a motorcycle, I STRONGLY encourage you to take the motorcycle safety class first from the motorcycle safety foundation. I took it about 10 years ago at a local community college when I was still in michigan, I think it cost me $25 and they provided the bikes! Not sure too much about what they have in Cali, but you might start here:

http://www.motorcycle-info.com/motorcycle_ride/motorcycle_safety_foundation/motorcycle_safety_foundation_msg42922/motorcycle_safety_foundation_msg42922.shtml

Paul

[Matt SC ESC]

Al, if you want to learn on a bike, i don't recommend this one... even though it's only a 600, it's the meanest 600 i've ever seen. start on a littler bike... one of your neighbors might have a yamaha 400, or similar. BTW, i would want an arm and a leg (hah, get it?) for this bike, considering it has a mere 620 miles on it. I payed 7900 out the door. not looking at selling it right now though. Maybe when i find my nuts somewhere on the 78, i'll build the courage to ride it again.

[ekesz13]

Hey Al, some very good points by all. I have been riding street bike since I was 16. I started with a 600 ninja back in the late 80's and tried several other bikes until I got my 93 cbr 600 f2. This is, like Matt said, a very strong 600. When a friend of mine wanted to learn to ride, I recommended the riding course (we were in the Navy so it was free). You can not get a better learning expierence. I think every rider should have to take it. Then go out and get a bike like a early (cheap) Honda Interceptor 500 that you don't care about (so if you drop it, it doesn't matter). Ride it around parking lots and get familiar with it, then think about a 600 that is newer and nicer.

The freeways are rough in So Cal and I wouldn't recommend it as a commuter. My CBR was my only mode of transportation for 3 years (not practical) and it can be rough out there. You have to be alert and the smallest mistake can mean sliding down the freeway. Bikes are not forgiving. Also, always wear your safety gear. I have had one bad wreck (with my wife on the back :() and we were the only pair in our group wearing our gear. We walked away with just bumps and bruises (I cracked my collar bone, but nothing you can do about that).

Hope this helps.

[al35thsc]

So it sounds like I'm still getting one after I take the course somewhere cheap. If I roll it oh well *shrugs*

Alex:(

[mannysc]

ive rode my whole life started at five with a mini bike and and raced dirt bikes in my teens to early 30s , and a few street bikes ,

nobody see,s you they act like your not there. and cut you off.

Ive had a few spills from dirt to street they all suck.
from pined bones to broken ribs, fingers road rash real bad ,

to front wheel lock up blow outs , it can be bad . but for the most part if you take every intersection like its a potental for someone to hit you and stay away from cars with kids fighting in them .

and always be on the look out you will be 99% safe,

they are fun start small and work up as your skills get better,
its like working on a sc takes time to learn and once your skilled nothing is to hard to do.

my best fun times where on a motorcycle, free and no back seat driver, unless you want one . I say go for it Al you will have the time of your life and save money on gas too.

man I wish I was your age do it you will never forget it.

[al35thsc]

Gee this sounds like the answer to all my problems!!! Broken bones, road rash, potential to be a hood ornament...

Sounds like its not a good way to commute. More than likely I'll pick it up in the future, but wont do it any time soon (in the next year). I'll do the next best thing and get a beater Honda * shiver* God forgive me if I EVER try to mod it.

Alex

[ekesz13]

HEY! No bashing on the Hondas (Motorcycle market). They are great bikes. If you want to feel at home, like with your supercoupe, then get a Harley. You can fix it every other weekend also! :D

[al35thsc]

Sorry doggie, I meant beater Honda car, not bike; hence the shiver and the God should SMITE me for modding it. Honda bikes are "cool" :D

Alex

[ekesz13]

Alright, we'll let it slide! ;)

[dseidner]

guess who works for the #2 motorcycle aftermarket retailer in the nation....

too bad i live in Nor-Cal now. My bike gets 50mpg, vs the crappy 16 I get with my beater 5.0 t-bird. I've talked to you already Al...IM me if you need more biker info. Later SoCal crew.
------Dylan

[al35thsc]

Come tax season next year, you and I will be talking son :)

Alex

[ekesz13]

Dylan,
What company is that? (#2 aftermarket company) just out of curiosity. If you can't list it, PM me. Are you saying that you are offering deals to the SoCal crew :D My CBR needs alot of parts!

[al35thsc]

I decided to learn on a mini bike. Picked one up for 150 bucks, next week I'm putting a 25 shot and pipe on it. Currently building a ramp.

Alex

[plev72]

Y'all are goofy, the CBR 600 (and its various iterations... F2F3F4) has generally been considered one of the tamer and more all around 600 supersports on the market... Al if you are looking for a crotch-rocket starter bike, don't go with a 400... they are terrifics bikes - if you can find them - but are not readily available and are relatively expensive. The best bang for the buck starter bike is most likely going to be an '89-9x Yamaha FZR 600, a CBR 600F2 (the older one got bad reviews and the newer ones are probably more expensive and more bike than you need...) A Kawa Ninja 600R (not the sexiest, but reliable) or ZX6 (that's a lot of bike too...) if you want a sport-tourer that is relatively inexpensive, the Suzuki Katana 600s are alright (although don't try and tell anyone it is a supersport ;-) or even a Katana 750 is you are a bigger guy... You should be able to get yourself into something reliable for $2000-$2500 I would expect...

Paul

[ekesz13]

Is the ramp less than 6'? If so, no problems, let us know how it goes for you! :D

[al35thsc]

Its a bit taller than that. My ears tend to pop when I'm at the top *shrugs* I'm sure I'll be OK...or was that KO.

Alex

[ekesz13]

Get an oxygen mask and all should be good!

[al35thsc]

Using the oxygen from the Nitrous OXIDE :) in a custom setup full faced helmet. Should at least make for one HELLUVA buzz!

Alex

[ekesz13]

Yep, that sounds safe to me. I give it the thumbs up!

[dseidner]

i work...now it's past tense..worked for www.ridegear.com
I have to go back to school so I'm only here for another 5 days, but I'll be back here in the holiday season. My AIM is gwar slave dylan, my email is seidin@yahoo.com

I don't know if I should hook the SoCal crew up....I've actually lived here in Santa Cruz for a year, but I'll see what I can do when holiday season comes around.

-Dylan

[ekesz13]

Hey Dylan-
No worries man, if you don't want to hook anyone up that's okay. I might have assumed since most of the guys in the So Cal group are always going out of there way to help each other. Hook ups and exchanges are the best way to get stuff! :D I don't know if I have mentioned it to anyone in So Cal group, but I am an engineer working at an R&D shop. I have access to a machine shop, 3-D modeling software, etc. My services are there (gratis) if you need some help designing or fabricating for you ride!

[dseidner]

Nah, I was just teasing. I don't feel at home in the NorCal chapter...but I've sort of been exiled from SoCal...so you see the toss up. Like I said, my days here are numbered, and because of that I don't get the cool benefits I used to. But I'm plenty prepped and connected for another job in the motorcycle industry. Anyways, drop me a line some time...
-Dylan

[ekesz13]

Dylan-
Cool, will do!