Motorcycles, a newbies guide.

[Dantrag]

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

Suzuki was MUCH lower, at least my friends was stock. He's about 5'7 and was able to sit flat footed. Yamaha is known for really tall bikes.

[Zeb]

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.

Which is the right way to do it. Only need to be able to flat foot with both feet if you back up a lot.

[Dantrag]

Near accident story. I was going down a two lane road was in the left lane. There was a car in the right lane. There was a light up ahead with 2 left turn lanes. I moved over into the right left turn lane. The car suddenly dove from the right turn lane to the right turn lane and slammed on the breaks to stop before the line. I had to hit the the hand and foot break pretty fucking hard. I ended up locking the real wheel and ended up coming to a stop with my tail end out about 45 degrees from a normal straight line.

Oh, don't ever use all 4 fingers for the hand break. If you squeeze too hard you can flip yourself over depending on what kind of bike you get. Always use both breaks except in tight turns which you shouldn't be using the break at all once you're in the turn. If have to use either break I personally would use the foot break if you're in a turn.

[bluefan]

Looking at a Suzuki SVR 650 Gladius tomorrow. Used, low odometer (4000km) and white, which will match my riding gear. Will be a nice step up from my EX500.

[Boyiee]

Suzuki was MUCH lower, at least my friends was stock. He's about 5'7 and was able to sit flat footed. Yamaha is known for really tall bikes.

I ride a gsxr, it's the same seat height as an r6, r1, zx, whatever. This is going back present up until at least 5 years ago though.

The 06 gsxr600 is the lowest bike I remember since the seat is scooped, so that would be reversed suzuki being lower. GSXR and CBR's should technically being the lowest going back a few years, r6 being highest.

Years ago bikes were in the 29-30inch range, now they are all 31-32inch. Size of the engine doesn't matter, the bikes are the same size. That is why I hate when my 6'4, 240lb friends say "oh I can't ride a 600 its too small for me" and I tell them they are stupid and are going to end up being the people I clean up off the street within weeks of getting their overpowered zx10s. Seat shape is really the only thing to consider, as cbr's will sit you up more and gsxrs scoop you a little, where as I felt my brothers kawasakis leaned me onto the tank more.

[Dantrag]

Yeah, this was 5-6 model years ago. 06 07 models. I haven't sat on one in a loooong time though so my knowledge of ride height is definantly dated.

[Zeb]

Random tips:

• If you're riding and it starts to rain, pull over for 15 minutes. That is the absolute worst time to ride. The rain starts picking up all the oil off the road and makes it as slick as fuck. It's pretty well washed away after that depending on how hard it's raining.
  
• If you have someone riding bitch who has never done it before, tell them if they need to adjust their seating position, to do it while at speed. That shit will make your drop your bike at a stop or very low speeds.
  
• Choosing a helmet, wear one at the shop for a long time. Helmet sizes and shapes vary from make and model, so don't just think that one size is the same across the board. Make sure it's not too tight or too loose. Nothing like buying a helmet that starts to become uncomfortable after 30 minutes of wearing it.
  
• Ride like no vehicle can see you. Especially oncoming cars turning left in front of you.
  
• Try not to wear footwear with laces. If you do, make sure they are tied tight and tucked away. Had the laces on my left boot come undone and get caught in the chain coming up to a stop light. Almost dumped it.
  
• Get a nice flat piece of some hard material. Doesn't have to be big. Like 3-4" across. Put that under your kickstand if you're parking on dirt or hot days on asphalt.

[Boyiee]

High beams. All times of day. Fuck other drivers.

Tap your brakes often if drivers are behind you regardless of distance, especially when slowing down for cars in front of you and intersections. Let them notice you 100+ feet in advance.

First customization I would make to a bike is brighter LED brake and signal lights. Also if you can put any legal non-ground effect leds in the spaces between your plastics so vehicles can see you from the side.

Fuck other drivers.

Don't wear shorts, get a jacket. They can be worn in the heat as the nicer ones will be vented like fucking crazy.

Take a safety course. Harley davidson dealers offer them around here. They are like $350 but they will pass you and give you a license at the end of it. No better way to learn than with their courses. They have you do retarded maneuvers and go over railroad ties and shit, curb-like things, stuff that WILL spill you if you've never gone over it before.

[miokomioko]

Taking (passing) the class doesn't technically earn you a Class M license. It's just a certification that, in most states, waives the driving portion of the DMV test for your license and may discount insurance. You'll still have to take the written portion of the test either way. Regardless, what is learned in the class is hands-down invaluable. I believe it should be everyone's very first step in regards to wanting to ride a motorcycle.

[Tyche]

So I've been doing some searching. Ninja EX500 (any different than a 500R?) are seemingly difficult to find around here. The 250's are much more abundant. 250 just too little, even for starters?

[Boyiee]

Taking (passing) the class doesn't technically earn you a Class M license. It's just a certification that, in most states, waives the driving portion of the DMV test for your license and may discount insurance. You'll still have to take the written portion of the test either way. Regardless, what is learned in the class is hands-down invaluable. I believe it should be everyone's very first step in regards to wanting to ride a motorcycle.

Written portion only grants you a permit which you need before the course, upon finishing the course you go to DMV with completion notice and get an M stamped on your license.

[miokomioko]

The great thing about Ninjas (even if they are little and weak) is that they are super easy to turn around and sell when you're done with it and ready to move on. Most of the ones you'll find have been a dozen other dudes' first bikes too. There will always be a need for a little starter Ninja.

Written portion only grants you a permit which you need before the course, upon finishing the course you go to DMV with completion notice and get an M stamped on your license.

Must be different either by state or between the different organizations that run these courses. In CA, you take the course first, then go to the DMV and take a written test and you're done, no permit needed since you can ride or drive whatever the hell you want on private property.

There are two evaluations which must be passed to complete the course. At the end of the Classroom session there is a (multiple choice) written evaluation to ensure each student has cognitive understanding of the lessons covered. At the end of Range 2 there is a riding evaluation where each student demonstrates the skills learned and practiced in the 10 hours of riding.
After passing both evaluations, you will receive a graduation card and, if eligible, later in the mail a California DMV certificate DL389 which can be used to waive the motorcycle license riding test at the DMV. (The DMV still requires you to take their written test. If it has been more than a year since you received your car license, they may also ask you to take the car written test. If you never had a car license and are applying for only a motorcycle license, they may also ask you to take an on road riding test at an intersection near the DMV office.)

[Boyiee]

Also, if you don't end up doing the safety course and take your road test the real way - don't do it on your bike. The course in NJ is impossible on a sport bike. Rent a scooter for $100.

[Tyche]

A friend called me to day and rambled on something like "look at my YouTube channel and see what I just bought". It was a chopper. The he offered me his GSX-R 750 for really cheap. He didn't know I was thinking about buying a bike. I passed, obviously.

[Boyiee]

What year, where is it, any extras?

Best fucking bike ever.

Not looking to get a second, at least not till winter anyway ;p

[Tyche]

It's in Kentucky. It's red, 2008, told me $4500, which I took to be a good price because he said he'd craiglist it for more. that's about all I know, ive only I seen him ride it to class before, not sure about mods. After he told me it was a GSXr750, that's about as far as that conversation went.

So, should I consider a 250 or keep looking for a 500?

[Dantrag]

High beams. All times of day. Fuck other drivers.

Just... no. High beam isn't even needed 90% of the time.

Random tips:

[list][*]If you're riding and it starts to rain, pull over for 15 minutes. That is the absolute worst time to ride. The rain starts picking up all the oil off the road and makes it as slick as fuck. It's pretty well washed away after that depending on how hard it's raining.

you'll be fine, just don't try and take any sharp corners.

[Tyche]

Here's the monstrosity he's buying (not a chopper fan)

[jmc]

Just... no. High beam isn't even needed 90% of the time.



you'll be fine, just don't try and take any sharp corners.

Considering you can't predict traffic situations, its alot safer to wait the 15 mins.

Also because once rain hits a car, drivers go caveman stupid behind the wheel.

[Zeb]

you'll be fine, just don't try and take any sharp corners.

I've had the back end come out on me taking a left from a stop. Wasn't a fast take off either.



Also, your ass will pucker the first time you go over a bridge with grating.