Motorcycles, a newbies guide.

**Omnipotent** · 2012-05-04 11:17

I'm actually about to take the course for my license... my uncle has a 1982 Yamaha Seca 550that is a beast that he is giving to me that has beeen in storage for 15 years, I just need to get it a new battery and do some tune-ups... It's a beast for a starter... but it is free, and I like free.

http://motorcycle-specs.com/general/..._Seca-1982.jpg

**Brill Weave** · 2012-05-04 11:37

Honestly for a first bike I wouldn't go over 600. So you should be in good shape with it. If you're going to keep it make sure you get a battery tender for when you store it away for the winter. That way you aren't buying a new battery every spring/summer.

**Omnipotent** · 2012-05-04 11:39

Okay. good tip.

**Obiron** · 2012-05-04 11:45

I've owned two motorcycles, and dropped them both.

My first was a Honda CBR 600F4i. I was coming out of a parking lot, and couldn't see traffic because cars were parked along the street all the way up to the exit. Started exiting and had to hit my breaks mid-turn. With the bike already leaning, I couldn't hold it up and had to lay it down.

The second, and current, is a Honda VTX1300. This one was the stupidest mistake, one you will only make once. On the CBR, the handle bars locked and unlocked with the ignition. On the VTX, the handle bar lock is completely separate, meaning you can start the bike with them locked in position. Normally I would straighten them out before pulling away, so if they were still locked I would notice right away. In this case, I wanted to exit my parking spot going left, the same way my handle bars were facing. So I pulled out to the left, tried to straighten out and when I met resistance I got thrown off the bike (high side). I picked up the bike and rode home. Later when my arm wouldn't stop hurting I went to the doctor and found out it was broken.

**Talint** · 2012-05-04 12:19

I did a motorcycle class a few months ago. Great stuff, very fun, highly recommended.

I don't know how else it works in other states, but in FL you can take the basic course for free any time after you get certified if you feel like you need a refresher. I didn't buy a bike immediately after taking the course (as I was unemployed, couldn't justify the cost), but now that I am I might do the refresher to make sure I'm road-worthy of a starter bike (as I tend to lack confidence in, well, just about everything I do).

**FNH** · 2012-05-04 13:02

Originally Posted by Dantrag

What is the seat position on the EX500? Up or leaning?

"Standard" more upright, the begs are mostly below the rider and not back, however there are mods that can move them to a more rearward position. The rider position sounds like a dumbway to do insurance lol. Progressive is by displacement size, I think geico was too.

On to the drops story, my first one was a low speed turn where it was that exact speed where your speed drops below the counter steering range and lowsided. Broke my foot. The second one was @ around 60-70 taking a turn I had taken everyday, I'm thinking I had an issue with the bars or my rim though, started as a lowside then went violently high side slamming me to the pavement. Scared me more than anything, though I did lose a bit of skin on my knee, the bike took the worst of it.

**Brill Weave** · 2012-05-04 13:07

The second one was @ around 60-70 taking a turn I had taken everyday, I'm thinking I had an issue with the bars or my rim though, started as a lowside then went violently high side slamming me to the pavement. Scared me more than anything, though I did lose a bit of skin on my knee, the bike took the worst of it.

You got fucking lucky son. Holy shit.

**Acevalefor** · 2012-05-04 13:16

I think their justification for insurance based on riding position is that forward riding bikes and anything deemed a sport bike attract the more reckless people and are involved in more accidents/tickets/whatever other negative study they can do on motorcycles.

**Seanr** · 2012-05-04 13:18

nice thread, I was planning on getting my M endorsement this summer. all this info will help

**Brill Weave** · 2012-05-04 13:24

I've only wiped out once badly going about 40mph on the Pennsylvania turnpike. Wasn't paying attention and I was riding through a construction area where they had just laid fresh cinders. Steering started getting loose and I lost it low side and slid for about 40 - 50 feet on my back and side feet first. Luckily nobody was behind me otherwise I would probably have gotten hit. Construction workers to their credit, hauled ass over to me and stopped traffic. Whole side of my bike was destroyed. I'll see if I still have some pictures of the road rash I got when I get home.

**Dantrag** · 2012-05-04 13:34

Originally Posted by FNH

"Standard" more upright, the begs are mostly below the rider and not back, however there are mods that can move them to a more rearward position. The rider position sounds like a dumbway to do insurance lol. Progressive is by displacement size, I think geico was too.

It makes pretty good sense to me. A 1300CC cruiser is going to be cheaper to insure than a 600cc super sport. No matter your age or sex.

**bluefan** · 2012-05-04 14:43

Originally Posted by Dantrag

It makes pretty good sense to me. A 1300CC cruiser is going to be cheaper to insure than a 600cc super sport. No matter your age or sex.

I guess it depends on the area too. Riding season here is like 5 months, 6 tops. And our roads are so shitty here (probably the worst in Canada for a major city) riding a supersport here is asking to get killed.

But I did take another look at my insurer and they changed their policies a couple of years ago, which I recall getting a letter for but never reading lol. Now it's a mix of displacement size and what your bike is classified as. As soon as you hit the supersport models, a hefty premium is added on.

My drop story....the day I got my EX500

Was in the parking lot at the mall, after grabbing something inside and I forgot I had the kickstand still down. You learn real quick after that first drop to never do it again lol.

**Boyiee** · 2012-05-04 14:50

Originally Posted by Dantrag

It makes pretty good sense to me. A 1300CC cruiser is going to be cheaper to insure than a 600cc super sport. No matter your age or sex.

Which is ridiculous cause more cruisers end up on the ground or under a car than sport bikes, at least from personal experience.

**Dantrag** · 2012-05-04 15:06

Originally Posted by Boyiee

Which is ridiculous cause more cruisers end up on the ground or under a car than sport bikes, at least from personal experience.

Opposite experience here. Also, I've seen a lot more stupid shit done than on cruisers.

**Boyiee** · 2012-05-04 15:08

Stupid shit is different, but accident-wise almost every motorcycle crash im at is a cruiser into the side of a car, car into side of cruiser, or cruiser laying in one place with the rider in another.

**Dantrag** · 2012-05-04 15:22

80% of MC accidents I've seen have been sports. But then again, I've not seen a ton. But also, I think most single vehicle accidents will be a sports where as a car to bike accident can pretty much be either.

http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2007/10...rsus-cruisers/

This is an excellent link:

http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/motorcycles.html

**Boyiee** · 2012-05-04 15:51

I've seen hundreds, pretty much every week

**Zansho** · 2012-05-04 15:58

I've dropped my first bike, twice. Once at a stop sign, and another at an intersection trying to avoid a stupid motherfucker on his cell phone who walked in front of me when I had a green light. Douchebag kept on walking too. I should have let Darwin win that day.

I've yet to drop my S40. Biggest thing is GOOD shoes. No tennis shoe bullshit. You need shoes that have good support, and can get your feet planted FIRMLY on the ground. Good test to do to find out is to go and look at a bike, and sit on it - bring it to an upright position. If you find your feet on tippy toes, you're either going to have to find a smaller bike, or have the shocks adjusted to lower the bike a bit - but there's only so far the shocks will go. You want BOTH feet on the ground. BOTH. Not one. BOTH. I don't care if you're fucking incredible Hulk with your legs, get both feet on the ground to support your bike properly at intersections.

Personally, for your first bike, I'd suggest something under 1k, because I can PROMISE you, YOU WILL DROP IT. Even Chuck Norris would drop a bike.

**Dantrag** · 2012-05-04 16:51

2nd the height thing. My R6 was a TALL fucking bike. I couldn't plant both feet, but I was ok with it since I used my rear break at intersections once I was at a complete stop anyways. But it is annoying not being able to plant both feet.

**Boyiee** · 2012-05-04 17:04

Originally Posted by Dantrag

2nd the height thing. My R6 was a TALL fucking bike. I couldn't plant both feet, but I was ok with it since I used my rear break at intersections once I was at a complete stop anyways. But it is annoying not being able to plant both feet.

R6 and all sport bikes are pretty much all the same height give or take 0.5-0.8 inches.

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