I figure that many people want to get a bike, and want to just jump on it, and ride.

Here are a few things that I tell people.....

1) Gear

Buy loads and always wear it !

Your skin is really easy to wear through when you fall off, at 30mph, on an average road, skin will last about 1.1/2 inches per layer - given that you have 6-9 layers, as soons as have slid maybe 14 inches, you are down to wearing out flesh, and bone.

Jeans last all of 6 inches at 30mph, the higher the speed, the shorter the distance they last, and the faster you wear out your skin and bone.

Your ankles are vulernable if you ride in sneakers, socks have very little abrasion resistion, and wear through faster than jeans. Walking without ankle bones, or with shaved ones, is extremely difficult.

Your head is easy to protect, you need a helmet.

German military style helmets offer no facial protection, even if you are extremely ugly, you will be worse off after your first face plant.

Chewing is tough with a broken jaw bone, or no teeth, and baby food sucks after the first couple of months.

Budget for a lot of gear
Boots - $150-$200
Jacket - $300-$400
Riding pants $200
Gloves $150
Helmet $200 - $600

Then there are things like adding CE armour, under-leathers for the summer, spare gloves for when you get you favorites wet, and maybe a 1-pice if you go to the track.

2) Training.

In the US you can take an MSF course, and many states accept successfull completing of the course as a license waver.

For what it costs ($free - $250) and the time it takes, its more than worth it. Do it yearly.

Now you are ready for your first bike.

First Bike

Ask yourself a few questions....

1) Did you "ace" the MSF course ?
2) Have you ridden dirt bikes since before you could walk ?
3) Are you Wayne Rainey ?
4) Did you "get your knee down" on the slalom test ?

If you answered yes, to all of them, maybe, just maybe, you are ready for a GSXR600/R6/CBR6/RX6R etc.

If not, and I doubt that many people can honestly answer all of those "yes", may I suggest another set of questions ?

1) Is Survival more important than style?

(If not, go by a GSXR1000)

2) Do you care about learning to ride ?

(If No - you are a squid - and beyond help)

3) Like the look of the SV650 ?

4) Do you mind if you drop your chosen bike a few times in the next two years ?

So, if you want to learn to ride, and you are not bothered about image, buy something that is not going to kill you as soon as you open the throttle.

My I suggest an EX250, EX500, GS500, SV650 ?

maintenance

Learn how to fix your bike, in general dealers will ass-rape you, especially if you come over as a clueless newbie all the time.

Essential home fixxors are....

Clean and lube the chain
Adjust the chain
change oil and filter
inspect and replace brake pads
Adjust bearings (head race)

For these jobs you need a good torque wrench, a selection of sockets, a couple of small 10mm and 12mm wrenches.

For the head bearings your bike came with a tool.

Front and rear stands are more than usefull.

Again - budget about $500 for tools, stands, manual etc.

Still want to own a bike ?

Good, lets talk about insurance.....

You need it, and if you are 16, trying to insure a GSXR1000, you had better hope that your daddy is rich. There is a reason that people under 25 find sports bikes tough to insure, and the reason is that they make a lot of claims, they are a high risk.

Set your sights on an older, slower, cheaper to insure/fix machine, and get full coverage.

Get a quote before you buy a bike, this way at least you will not be stuck with something that you cannot afford to insure.

Finally you are ready to hit the road, you have your bike, your gear, insurance, a license, and a clue (training).......

[ 01-13-2003, 01:07 PM: Message edited by: fRaGgLe ]

clap ,clap, clap......(eco in empty room)..... clap, clap, clap, clap

Good write up......

[ 01-14-2003, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: Chip@RonAyers.com ]

Another sticky me thinx, nice one frag

BUmp.

Fraggle ....did you ever do any technical writing..? That is one hellva read...Bravo...very well done... graemlins/thumbup.gif graemlins/thumbup.gif graemlins/thumbup.gif

Great reading for all not just newbies. graemlins/thumbup.gif

Jim

Excellent reading.. graemlins/cheers.gif

If not, and I doubt that many people can honestly answer all of those "yes", may I suggest another set of questions ?

1) Is Survival more important than style?

(If not, go by a GSXR1000)

2) Do you care about learning to ride ?

(If No - you are a squid - and beyond help)

3) Like the look of the SV650 ?

4) Do you mind if you drop your chosen bike a few times in the next two years ?




1) not really, i want to live but style is very important. If you were really concerrend about survinal you would drive a Hummer rather thatn a sport bike.
2)yes i want to learn how to ride, but i want to take it slowly, i am not a mad man
3)no, i like 2001+ gsrx 600 and 2000+ gsxr 750 and honda RC51 (but i aint a moron, aint no way i and going to get of for atlease 4 years)
4)no, if it drops it drops. it can always ge repaired or replaced

so would i do alright on a GSXR 600?

Just my 2 cents, worth less than that but the economy might get better!
Coming from a perosn that has taught every type of "newbie" you can imagine.
When first learning to ride there are key things to keep in mind...
If you plan to rid e asport bike once you have learned, learn on a sport bike. If you are small in physic get a 250. If you are average size get a 600. (this goes for guys and girls. If you look like leonardo Dicapprio or Christina Agulara get the250. If you are average szed man or have an ass the size of J-LO get a 600)
I suggest the Kawa-Sucki ZX6. Not the r! Thas bike sits very low in the crotch. It will help you to have both feet flat on the ground. This is key.
GO TO A NON-TRAFFIC AREA!
Next, spend at leats 10 actuall hours starting and stopping. That means put the bike in first and get a feel of the clutch. Once the bike gets moving pull in the cluth. Also use the front brake to stop. once you havea feel for the front brake and the pressure it takes to stop the bike you will a safer rider. WHile doing this exercise keep your feet OFF of the foot pegs.
Once you have reached a comfort level yu are now ready to put your feet on the pegs and get use tothe bike balancing ITSELF. Yes the bike does this on its own for the most part. Once you are able to do this up and down the street, ( with your teacher turning the bike around for you) you are ready to practice changing gears. This will get you use to were the gears are and make you count the gears and knwo were you are @ all times.
Now, the last one should all but 2 hours to get down. If you can not count to 5/6 forward and back sell the bike, you are to stupid to ride! AND PLEASE DO NOT BREED!
Now it si time to practice turns. If ou can balanc a bike @ low speeds it will be 200% easier @ high speeds. The side of the tires are smaller in circumfrence. This means it takes less distance to go all the way around the tire. By leaning the tire will pul to the side you ar leaning toward. Start by going in a straight line an putting pressure on one of the pegs. Push your foot down hard on the left peg, the right. You will see hat the slight change in weight makes the bike swirve. It really is that simple. Now, do this for at least 10 - 15 hours on the bike time.
Once you have done all of this you are now ready to THINK about the street. get on the back of your instuctors bike and watch what he/she does. Now you get on ethe bike and ride the bike around your block for a few hours.
After doing all of this you will see how 10 feels like 100 and it will mve up to 20 feel like a 100, then 40 .. 50 ... 60 ... etc..
ALWAYS REMEMBER...
If someone makes fun of you for going slow always reply, "What does your sponcor pay you? I ffigure you must havea sponcer sine you are the only rider int he world that did not have to learn how to ride and were just able to get on and go!" Also look @ thier bike. Just how many times have they crashed?
Ifyou are ina ack that is going 120 miles an hour for 1 mile it takes them 30 seconds to get there. If you go 60 it will take you 1 minute. How can not think of any regular roads that do not have a stop light at leats every mile! IF it does not, it is a highway and newbies should not be on a highway.
If you staw your bike @ a light and peopel are yelling and beeping do NOT get embarrised! You will never see those peoepl again. Who cares. Think about it, they are Soccor Moms and Dads that are pissed they are in a mini van! Cut them some slack!
Showing of to get chicks etc... is dumb. All chicks love live dorks rather than dead studs!
DO NOT GIVE ANYONE ON YOUR BIKE TIL YOU HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE THAT YOU ARE READY., Then wait another 500 miles. The girl you think is hot will be butt ugly when they peel road out of her face! Leave the lot Lizards in the lot. Besides, they havebeen ridden by everyone else anyways!
There is much more, but I am sick of typing!

Good read! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

i'm a fairly big guy..6' about 230 pounds. I've been wanting to learn to ride and will be taking the MSF course this coming May. I've been reading alot about beginner bikes and i definitely want to learn on a smaller bike. I have a friend with a ex250 and it seems really small, for my build atleast so i dont know how comfortable id be riding around on one of those. I was also told that starting on an older 600 like a CBRF2/F3 might suit my build a little better than the 250. what would be the best route for me? thanks for the help. peace

TypeSiK said:

i'm a fairly big guy..6' about 230 pounds. I've been wanting to learn to ride and will be taking the MSF course this coming May. I've been reading alot about beginner bikes and i definitely want to learn on a smaller bike. I have a friend with a ex250 and it seems really small, for my build atleast so i dont know how comfortable id be riding around on one of those. I was also told that starting on an older 600 like a CBRF2/F3 might suit my build a little better than the 250. what would be the best route for me? thanks for the help. peace



one reason why beginners are encouraged to start on smaller bikes is because bigger bikes can get you into trouble quicker. take the msf course (they usually use small bikes like 250's) and see how it goes first. a 250 will probably feel like a bicycle to you, but that's not a bad thing for someone just starting out. you'll have plenty of other larger displacement choices in the future after you've gotten the basics down - don't forget the kawasaki ex500 (ninja 500).

RUKUS said:

Just my 2 cents, worth less than that but the economy might get better!
Coming from a perosn that has taught every type of "newbie" you can imagine.
When first learning to ride there are key things to keep in mind...
If you plan to rid e asport bike once you have learned, learn on a sport bike. If you are small in physic get a 250. If you are average size get a 600. (this goes for guys and girls. If you look like leonardo Dicapprio or Christina Agulara get the250. If you are average szed man or have an ass the size of J-LO get a 600)
I suggest the Kawa-Sucki ZX6. Not the r! Thas bike sits very low in the crotch. It will help you to have both feet flat on the ground. This is key.
GO TO A NON-TRAFFIC AREA!
Next, spend at leats 10 actuall hours starting and stopping. That means put the bike in first and get a feel of the clutch. Once the bike gets moving pull in the cluth. Also use the front brake to stop. once you havea feel for the front brake and the pressure it takes to stop the bike you will a safer rider. WHile doing this exercise keep your feet OFF of the foot pegs.
Once you have reached a comfort level yu are now ready to put your feet on the pegs and get use tothe bike balancing ITSELF. Yes the bike does this on its own for the most part. Once you are able to do this up and down the street, ( with your teacher turning the bike around for you) you are ready to practice changing gears. This will get you use to were the gears are and make you count the gears and knwo were you are @ all times.
Now, the last one should all but 2 hours to get down. If you can not count to 5/6 forward and back sell the bike, you are to stupid to ride! AND PLEASE DO NOT BREED!
Now it si time to practice turns. If ou can balanc a bike @ low speeds it will be 200% easier @ high speeds. The side of the tires are smaller in circumfrence. This means it takes less distance to go all the way around the tire. By leaning the tire will pul to the side you ar leaning toward. Start by going in a straight line an putting pressure on one of the pegs. Push your foot down hard on the left peg, the right. You will see hat the slight change in weight makes the bike swirve. It really is that simple. Now, do this for at least 10 - 15 hours on the bike time.
Once you have done all of this you are now ready to THINK about the street. get on the back of your instuctors bike and watch what he/she does. Now you get on ethe bike and ride the bike around your block for a few hours.
After doing all of this you will see how 10 feels like 100 and it will mve up to 20 feel like a 100, then 40 .. 50 ... 60 ... etc..
ALWAYS REMEMBER...
If someone makes fun of you for going slow always reply, "What does your sponcor pay you? I ffigure you must havea sponcer sine you are the only rider int he world that did not have to learn how to ride and were just able to get on and go!" Also look @ thier bike. Just how many times have they crashed?
Ifyou are ina ack that is going 120 miles an hour for 1 mile it takes them 30 seconds to get there. If you go 60 it will take you 1 minute. How can not think of any regular roads that do not have a stop light at leats every mile! IF it does not, it is a highway and newbies should not be on a highway.
If you staw your bike @ a light and peopel are yelling and beeping do NOT get embarrised! You will never see those peoepl again. Who cares. Think about it, they are Soccor Moms and Dads that are pissed they are in a mini van! Cut them some slack!
Showing of to get chicks etc... is dumb. All chicks love live dorks rather than dead studs!
DO NOT GIVE ANYONE ON YOUR BIKE TIL YOU HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE THAT YOU ARE READY., Then wait another 500 miles. The girl you think is hot will be butt ugly when they peel road out of her face! Leave the lot Lizards in the lot. Besides, they havebeen ridden by everyone else anyways!
There is much more, but I am sick of typing!




Now im all for riding safe and what not, hell, i bought a katana for a first bike, but c'mon, 10hours of stopping and starting? Have your instructor turn the bike around for you? Its riding a bike not a gad damn Shuttle landing.

Some excellent stuff here

http://motorcycle-training.co.uk/

Rider safety may sound gh3y when your trying to get excited about sports bikes. After 20 years of riding I can tell you its worth focussing on! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Amen! One thing that I will add is that we have all heard the arguments against why someone should get a smaller bike for a begginner. These include: "I'm too big for a small bike" or "I am a natural at this riding thing and will be as good of rider as Mat Mladin in a few years (squid)," or my all time favorite "I have rode my '03 gix6 for 2000 miles and haven't had a problem so far."
DOn't get me wrong I am not trying to make myself out to be a more experienced rider than what I am, and I should have taken the time to learn more than what I did before I bought an "R" bike.
WIth that said, unless you are 400-500lbs and feel a need for high insurance, costly repairs and you are Mat Mladin, a SV650(s) is more than enough bike to start out on. Many veteran riders ride the SVs and love them. Also many other will steer you away from the SVs because they are very easy to wheelie.
If you are a vertivally challenged rider, go for the EX500 or EX250. They are both have very low seat heights and are enough to reach freeway speeds with relative ease. A freind of mine just bought an EX250 for his first bike. He is short and felt that he could touch ground better on the 250 than the 500. He is taking it slow and doesn't care what other people think about his progress. He hasen't dropped it...yet. I have heard some of my other friends say that he is still riding too slow, but I always tell them that "we all have to start somewhere," and I make sure to tell him that too.
That brings me to another good point. When you start riding with groups, after you have learned the basics of course, don't try to keep up if they set a pace faster than you are comfortable with. I personnaly like to let the newbie ride in the front of the pack, though this is a highly debated issue. With them riding in the front, they won't be worried about keeping up, and hopefully they will set a pace that they are comfortable with.
Some newbies and veterans for that matter are too worried about impressing others and they make dumb decisions. If the people that you are riding with are even half-way intelligent, they will not rip on you for going too slow or doing what you are comfortable with. However, I think it is good to offer advice and help the person along. Everyone that I know that rides has a bad habit or two, the quicker you can get a newbie away from a bad habit, the sonner they can learn something that will help their riding.
Being a good rider is all about control. Not only in turning but every aspect: turning, power deliver, braking, riding postition ect.. Being a good rider is not about how far of a wheelie you can ride, how fast of a stoppie you can do or whatever, all of that is for an EXPERT rider. If you don;t consider yourself and expert and feel completely comfortable with your bike, it is still to early for tricks. Get good on two wheels (and fast if that is important to you) then learn tricks. "Fast" should also be left to people that feel completely comfortable on their bike but, are not yet ready for tricks, but, know how to control the bike thouroughly. I know I don't mess with tricks yet. Anyways I hope this adds a bit. Great write up fraggle!

no b/s and a great tidbit of info...thanks!

another good one, frag. the whole skin peeling ratio should be very persuasive. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

What do you thinks about the Joe Rocket Atomic Jeans? I have ordered a pair and want to know if these are good enough to take a spill. I have been riding dirt bikes for about 15 years now and within the last year bought my first sport bike a ninja ZX-6R. I like riding and have given up dirt for street. I am about to buy a GSXR 1000 and yes I respect the power and danger of a liter bike. I have been riding my friends Busa while he was away and I love it. It is just a little to much for me. I am also going to take courses at the new track we have here (Barber Motosports). I have just been waiting to buy my bike to sign up. I have all the gear but the boots. I have been using Columbia boots that are made for snow. They have good protection but I am wondering what kind of boots to get. Well let me know about the JR Atomics. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif

You cannot beat motorcycle specific gear .

For boots, I always wear my faithfull old Sidi Strada's - not the high-est tech looking boots, but they have protection in all the right places, and I can actually walk in them....

For jeans, I wear leather motorcycle specific ones, either my lewis (English) ones with no sliders, or my Apline Stars with sliders (pucks).

Gloves are either Akito, Joe Rocket or A-Stars.

I have numerous jackets, and they range from my Joe Rocket mesh thing, up to a choice of leathers.

I would not trust anything that was not motorcycle specific.

A friend of mine wear goatskin gloves when riding, as they have very soft palms, but offer zero abrasion resistance, falling in a parking lot put a hole in them !!!

Hello - 1st off, I think what you people are doing is a good thing. Explaining the dangers of riding and helping newbs understand that it's better to be ride safe & smart then trying to look cool!

But with that being said, i have some problems with it all. Scaring the shit out of people isn't going to make them better riders!

I am a brand newbie, & basically did everything wrong. I rode my friends 93 yamaha 600 for about 45 minutes total on about 4 different rides around the neighborhood. I stalled all the time & almost dropped his bike a few times. Then I went out & bought a new 03 gixxer 600. I know, I am a freaking idiot right! Well maybe I am. But now I have 300 miles (i know , that aint shit!!!) on it & I feel somewhat confortable. More confortable on some days then others. The 1st thing i did with my new bike was had my friend ride it home from the dealership. I wasnt gona pull out & get slammed before I even got it out of the dealership. We went straight to an industrial park & i just practiced learning the clutch spot, starting & stopping for about 30 minutes until i felt like I could pull off without stalling. I wasnt gona pull out & stall in traffic so i could be a sitting duck for that car doing 55 mph that was not anticipating me to be sitting there in the middle of the road like a fool. Then i stayed to backroads & away from traffic & intesections for a while. Next i road to work for the 1st time. It was the day after a hurricane & i got blasted with 30 mph wind & then it started raining on my ride home. I was nervous but stayed at slower speeds & i made it home alive. I think i am a better rider for it now! I am building more confidence every day, however I always respect my bike & it's power & I'm not about to get cocky! I have never lifted the front wheel, I am gentle & consistent on the throttle & I use both brakes & I am gentle with them too. I'm not trying to grab a handfull of front brake & go over the bars!

So - the jury is still out on me. I could crash tomorrow & I may very well regret even writting this post! But this is one thing I know... when i THINK TOO MUCH or RIDE SCARED I am at much greater risk of dumping my bike. My best rides are when i don't think about what could go wrong & I just ride.

SO AM I A FREAKING IDIOT? PROBABLY! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif But i just wanted to make the point that scaring the crap out of people isn't going to make them a better rider. You may just be planting the wrong thoughts into their head! Someone who is in this section of the forum to begin with is obviously intellegent enough to care about safty and knowledge of riding. So why not give them good info without trying to scare them out of riding!

Maybe these types of posts should be in the Tricks & Stunts section. Thats the 1st place an idiot newbie is gona go! Like me, I'm gona check it out next http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But anyway - I just wanted to argue the other side of the coin. I respect what you folks are doing - you just make me NOT WANT TO RIDE after i read these types of posts!!!

Maybe I should mention that I am 28 not 18 so maybe that helps a bit. I have driven a manual car for years so i do understand shifting and all that. Not saying I know everything about shifting on a bike, but the concept is not new to me. I did'nt even take the MSF course yet. I'm, not proud of that - it's just booked for the next 1 1/2 months. I have insurance & a bike permit, not full coverage insurance though so if i dump my bike (and i'm sure I will) it's gona come out of my pocket http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So now maybe someone could help me a lttile bit so I'm not as much of an idiot. Since I know I am a rookie rider I think I should be protected the best I can. Today I want out in sneakers & shorts & a t-shirt. Once again excersizing bad judgemeant! SO here is my deal - I am looking for a jacket. i think i want one of thos AlpineStar jackets. the other 2 jackets i liked were out of stock so it's taking me longer than expected to get one. I'm gona call on Monday for the AlpineStar. I wil look into gloves as well, I like my shin! But here are my questions. I was gona ride in jeans but i would rather have better protection. I was gona get a pair of boots, but not riding boots. I feel like if I were to go out & ride in full riding gear that I would look silly because I'm not that good of a rider. I know that sounds dumb but If saw someone all hooked up in their gear i would think that that dude must be doing some serious ass riding & anticipates that he may go down because he is pushing his limits. I intend to always ride within my limits & I havent even had my bike over like 63 mph yet because I'm just not confortable at those speeds yet. SO - should I just say screw em all & get a full set of gear??? Or would my helmet, glovers. jacket combo along with jeans & a pair of workboats be sufficent? If I could ride my ass off i would not feel silly being all geared up!!!

Today I had people yelling at me to "GET IT UP!!!" I just shook my head at them. Then and the next light all i hear is "WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF THAT THING??" Grrrr I just yelled back "I only been riding for a week! Where is your bike?? Let me see you get your car UP!!!"
That shut them up!! But i feel like i would be getting way more of that shit if I was wearing full gear!

OH Ya - one more thing, I'm on my tippie toes! Shoudl i lower my bike. I been hearing differnt things. "The bike is setup for the avegae dude & your the average dude." That's what the dealer told me. hmm I'm 5'5 and 155 pounds, I always considered myself small. They also said it could effect other things & Suzuki has it dialed in for optimal performance so i should leave it alone. Other peopel tell me to lower it so I am flat footed!
What should I do????????

And to the guy who teaches all kind of newbs how to ride - i hope you teach better than you spell!! - Haha


PS>> I'm from Philly! That's just how we do!!!

how about a "changing gears 101", also, downshifting while blipping the throttle is kinda tough, how about fraggle or someone write up something about all the basics of gear shifting (how to use the clutch, when to shift gears, downshifting smoothly, ect) ? please? =)

What a great write up!!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif

Damn your good!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif

You are definetly one of the best informational writers on this website. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif

Keep up the great write ups http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif

Peace
Dumax

wow both of those were great....first, i AM getting the sv650 haha, but im getting the sv650s with the front fairing...pretty sweet ass bike...but first i must check with the insurance, and ya i did ace my rider's training course, got the 2nd best score...the 1st best was a guy who;'s been riding for 30 years...ya im not going to be dumb trying to impress...im getting full gear, wearing it all the time...i get mad when i see people riding in shorts and a tank top, pisses me the F OFF! anyway...i am a newbie, but i think im a rather smart one....im reading forums on this site everyday to gain knowledge and hinters (the reason y i changed my bike choice from a gixxer to an SV, gotta stick with suzuki u know!) i plan to ride like a lilttle BIATCH for the most part...practicing at my school's parking lot when no one is there..u know, stopping, turning (i need to work on low speed cornering but i kicked ass in weaving hehe) so that's about it right now, gotta go to work!

I totally agree with rukus... In 2 days I am getting my bike, 04 GSXR 600, its my first bike, like everyone here says... the driver controls the throttle. I dont care about going fast as of yet. The majority of people get in a wreck on bikes in their first 6 months. I will worry about going fast after that.

Speed doesn't always = crash!

Stay within YOUR limits!!! Not mine, his or hers, BUT YOURS! There is no right time limit or wrong time limit!!! Time will not make you ready for the world... only you control that! When you're new on your 600, you'll have good days ridding and mistake days ridding, but always stay within you limits or else your bike will be at the dealership more than you want. (mistakes I mean wide turns or a wobble) Graduate from the driveway to the parking lot to the NON-busy street and so on.... Same thing with speed. The throttle you need to respect. Expect the unexpected "bump" on the throttle, so you don't flip off the back of your bike!! It does happen.... I know of people that have gone backwards off the bike with it and without it! (neither looked like much fun!) Relax and enjoy! Respct the bike, respect the pavement, and watch out for the morons of the world! They took my friend and his bike. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Have fun and enjoy!! The new 600 is F-U-N!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif

Rob

This is for the guy that wanted a bit of info. on downshifting etc.
Here is how I view it.

You've noticed that when you down shift that the revs go up and the bike seems to decelerate, and if you just dump the clutch instead of smoothly disengaging it the bike will feel like you just stabbed the brakes ( you might even chirp the rear tire too)? This deceleration/affect is called engine braking, which I won't get into. I'm sure you can find a good explanation elsewhere.

Well, the idea behind blipping the throttle is to get the revs up just enough that when you use the clutch you won't get very much engine braking. You will still get engine braking (after fully disengaging the clutch), but it should feel more like when you stay in the same gear high up the rev range and roll off the throttle. Now don't go and bang off three downshifts! You'll be over the bars!

Basically, blip (the amount is different per bike. You'll just have to figure it out on your bike) the throttle and snap off a quick, but controlled downshift.

Let's say, you have to downshift a total of three gears. If you do the downshifting properly for each gear, you should experience a relatively linear deceleration (engine braking) with the strongest deceleration happening right after the downshift and the weakest right before the next downshift.

So in summary, downshifting is the art of stringing together, as smoothly as possible, the deceleration each gear has to offer.

Downshifting is usually used in concert with braking, and is most effective (and the most fun http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) when your blazin'.

Your going to have to just practice to get it right. Just go to a parking lot and try third to second downshifts, as I always find first a bitch with it's higher gear ratio. You don't have to be going fast to get the idea.

Good luck!

Hello All, I'm new to this site. Getting a Gix 1k next week and yes I've been rideing for a long time.

Thought I would make a note.
Ok about going down.
You ever here the saying, "there are two kinds of riders, Those that have been down, and those that will go down?"
It's totally totally TRUE!!!! I've been on dirtbikes sense I was 5. And I've been on street for a few years. I've crashed just about everything that I've been on, it's only a matter of time.

Little story might help.
I started rideing street on my dads late 80's model Yamaha 550. I was 16 we went on rides with eachother, he was on another bike. This taught me the most by far. I could learn from what he was doing and I never felt pressured to, "look cool, or show off." After a few months of rideing that "old girl" around I looked for a bike of my own. I grabbed a 1992 Seca ll. Yea not a fast bike not a great looking bike. But only cost me just over a thousand bucks. I took that thing everywhere. If I had free time I was rideing putting hundreds of miles on it a day for weeks. Great time no doubt. Well my buddies at school at first laughed but then got jealous of me haveing a ride. So my good friend got his parents to buy him one. A 98 F4i(honda cbr600). By this time I had laid my bike down once already. The tires were cold and I didn't know this ment big trouble turning into the parking lot at school. So my friend proclaimed that he had much more self control then me and would never crash his bike. "I'm just not stupid enough to go down." I laughed when he said that but let him know how much I wished he was right. Well one day we decided to ditch school and hit the road. He had been rideing his bike for about 2-3 weeks. The whole time he was totally careful. He took his time and let me give him some pointers. Well that day we were rideing out of his neighborhood. He had begun to get a little more dareing on his ride. So going around the bend we really start to wrap things up. I get in front of him and poor the sauce on my not so fast bike. He does the same. I see around the corner a couple cones so I lay off the gas and allow him to pass.

The road is a two lane residential and the right lane had been cut off due to a moveing truck. I wached as my friend paniced. We had plenty of room to stop and or make the turn with no problem. Well he forgot what he was doing. Left hand turn and I see him sit straight up on the bike then try and pull the handlebars to the left. WOOPS!!! Thats not how we turn. The bike doesn't react right so he gives it some gas. Woops again!!! now he's headed straight for the curb doin about 40mph. He locks up the rear wheel but doesn't apply front breaks. It slows him alot, probably to 20 or less but he still hit the curb. Scratched up his pretty bike. And I about pissed myself laughing as we picked it up and inspected the damage.

So please don't say things like, "I have no plans to go fast." It's all a bunch of newbie BLAH BLAH!! Your are getting the race car of motorcycles. After you get comfortable you will think your ready. The key is to actually be ready.

Something I was told by my father along time ago helps me greatly. Before you go to bed at night think about a skill you need to work on, or think about something that is not normal about rideing, for example the fact that you turn the wheel the opposite direction of the turn. Now lay in bed and play it over and over in your head. Think of it in detail. How the clutch is feeling, how much gas you are giveing it, how the road looks, and what you hear. Then think of something jumping into the road. Whatever you want it to be, a ball a truck a kid anything. Then think about what you have to do to avoid it. You must pick your dirrection and make the bike follow that path. Do not concentrate on the object. Target fixation is a great trick your mind likes to play to get you to hit what you are looking at. So make mental notes of everything that you are going to be doing.

This has helped me because when something happens and my mind freaks out, my reflexes are to do the right things not the wrong ones.

Sorry if what I am saying is out of place but these things have worked for me. Hopefully they help out someone and save a life! Or maybe just some pride.

Bulletbikeguy

On the story of Bullet Bike Guy

That is what just about every newbee needs to read.That was COMPLEATY in line with the mind of a new rider.Myself included! I have been riding for about 8 years on the road and about 6 more in the dirt.The fact that you see others doing all these tricks and things of that natuer makes people think they can do the same.It's easy to watch the X games and think its all childs play.When in reality its not.The years put into riding (riding right)dictate the rank of your skill not what you have seen.Everyone should have some one as good a mentor as you have in your father.I am now a father of 2 so I respect the lessons he has taught you,and will use them myself.I learned the same way.Picture what is going to happen before it does.You dont even have to be on a bike to do this eaither.I just wish more people understood this before they went out and bought the new !000,900,or even the 600 class sportbike.Great post http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Hi, I just enrolled in a MSF course for this summer, and i plan on reading most of what is on this board to get a sense of what to expect. I'm already looking at gears, and most definately will get the gears, they are freaking cool!!

but seriously, i thank all of the expert riders for the pointers. I am typically a wuss and i doubt i will ever push my limits, but who knows, i have done stupid things in the past. I originally wanted to go for a gsx r600, but after reading all of this, i am going to wait until my MSF course if over to make a decision.

thank you.

I am sorry, I totally agree with EVERYTHING that you say in this post, BUT....

it's just that the grammar and spelling is so bad that once I got to the part that says "If you can not count to 5/6 forward and back sell the bike, you are to stupid to ride! AND PLEASE DO NOT BREED!" I laughed and questioned the poster's own intelligence.

Please don't take offense, but if you are trying to come across as knowledgeable source and a good influence for new riders I would higly recommend that you clean up your writing, even for something as informal as this so that you, yourself, don't come across as being too stupid to take advice from (which obviously is not the case, however, your writing says otherwise).

Anyway, great post, would be better without the typos and crap every 2 words though.

Just my 2 cents....

Rob L

I've seen bad accidents and had a skin changing one also. I rode without a helmet and its pretty tough when its windy. I always wear my gear now since i just cant risk it. It also keeps me feeling safe. Gear is better than no gear. As a newbie, gear should be worn all the time. Its a bit expensive but well worth it.

I just signed up for a MSF class, and I have been wanting to get my motorcycle license for the last few years. I really appreciate the info on gear and riding here. I am reading manuals and all sorts of beginner bike books/forums to get ready for it. I have had enough road rash from skateboards and bicycle wrecks to know that the right gear is a must. Thanks for the info. I'll be reading the boards. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
-Jason

Enjoy the MSF class and have fun riding!! Rash is no fun, so I'm glad you're already talking about gear! It's hot in the summer, but it beats skin graphs by a million times!!

Be safe!!

Rob

thanx man... I jus baught my Gsx600 and prolly gunna go to a school or somthing.. but for practice i will definitly count the hours im on the bike...

how about a "changing gears 101", also, downshifting while blipping the throttle is kinda tough, how about fraggle or someone write up something about all the basics of gear shifting (how to use the clutch, when to shift gears, downshifting smoothly, ect) ? please? =)

could someone do this? :-) i too am signed up for MSF in early March and will have my bike fixed by then and want to soak up this webiste as much as possible till then. Your pictures of road rash and noob stories almost made me sell the bike before I got on! thanks for all the post guys they really do help... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Good post. I'm a newbie myself (10 months) and this is some good advice. I finally got my suit ready for the track. Just trying to learn some insights from experienced riders....

Good post bro

hey im a newbie a guess. i am twenty four and i recently sold my first bike. about two years ago i bought a 89 katana from my friend for 150 bucks. he was leaving for iraq and his father wanted to get it out of the garage. well before he sold it to me he taught me the basics of riding and then i took the msf course. since he taught me the basics i handled it alright and didnt find anything too difficult. i definitely found the entire course to be an unbelievable wealth of knowledge. i have never been one to push it too much and have never dumped the bike so far. i just sold it about a month ago and i am looking to get a newer bike. i have always wore the right gear and practiced driving within my limits. anyway, i am in love with the gsxr's and i am heavily looking at gettin a 600, nothing more however. i am a very comfortable rider who is braced for the problems that may arise. i do not claim to be an expert and i definitely have alot to learn, i was just wondering if after two years of riding a katana 600, if a change to a gsxr 600 would be an alright decision? also, how much difference will there be between the two bikes?
-scott

Whow RUKUS that was some manual..:) , great read.

My first bike was a 1969 Srambler 350. It was great wasnt fast enough to get me in trouble, and I learned how to counter steer and lean in corners. I did that for about 6 months. Then I bought a used 03 GsxR600 and now I ride better then if I just went out and got the 600( I did drop the 600 with in the first 2 weeks, two grand later its nice again).

I've had a gsxr600 for six months now. Its an excellent bike and won't bite you if you respect it. It's steering damper stops it shaking its head over bumps. Just take it easy to start with and you'll soon get used to it

Some great advice and great info.

I bought a 04' GSXR 600 for my first bike. Not my first street bike, MY VERY FIRST EVER, NEVER BEEN ON ONE BEFORE BIKE! That was freakin' crazy. I didn't think it would be any worse than jumping aout of an airplane at 130mph at 800ft at midnight with a chute someone else packed, but it was. Very quickly, I gained respect for my 103hp beast! I have had it for about 6 months and had put about 4000 miles on it. I was taking it slow, and learning proggressively. Then I was deployed to Iraq. 6 months later I came home for a 2 week R&R. I had only been home about 4 hours, and I had only been on my bike for like 6 minutes. Yes, thats right the 'prodigy child' as my friends call my was in over his head. Turns out a Semi-truck driver can't see a tiny blue/white gsxr going a 110mph, and will pull out in the road at will. So I had a choice to make while I was slamming on the brakes. Hit the semi or aim for the ass end of the semi and slide off into the gravel.(NOTE: I had decided not to wear my leathers that day 'cuz' it was hot.) I took # 2 'cuz' decapitation was not a risk I was willing to take. SO THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LEARN PROGGRESSIVELY AT A PACE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH. DONT PUSH YOURSELF TO LEARN TOO FAST. THAT WILL CAUSE NOTHING, BUT BAD TECHNIQUE. I AM A NOVICE RIDER ON A GOOD DAY. IF YOU ANLY DO WHAT YOU ARE CONFIDENT IS WITHIN YOUR CAPABILITIES, RESPECT THE BIKE, AND APPRECIATE THE DANGERS YOU WILL BE FINE. STEP OUTSIDE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF LOOKING UP FROM THE SPEEDOMETER INTO A WORLD OF HURT! BE SAFE AND GOD BLESS

I bought a 04' GSXR 600 for my first bike. Not my first street bike, MY VERY FIRST EVER, NEVER BEEN ON ONE BEFORE BIKE! That was freakin' crazy. I didn't think it would be any worse than jumping aout of an airplane at 130mph at 800ft at midnight with a chute someone else packed, but it was. Very quickly, I gained respect for my 103hp beast! I have had it for about 6 months and had put about 4000 miles on it. I was taking it slow, and learning proggressively. Then I was deployed to Iraq. 6 months later I came home for a 2 week R&R. I had only been home about 4 hours, and I had only been on my bike for like 6 minutes. Yes, thats right the 'prodigy child' as my friends call my was in over his head. Turns out a Semi-truck driver can't see a tiny blue/white gsxr going a 110mph, and will pull out in the road at will. So I had a choice to make while I was slamming on the brakes. Hit the semi or aim for the ass end of the semi and slide off into the gravel.(NOTE: I had decided not to wear my leathers that day 'cuz' it was hot.) I took # 2 'cuz' decapitation was not a risk I was willing to take. SO THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LEARN PROGGRESSIVELY AT A PACE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH. DONT PUSH YOURSELF TO LEARN TOO FAST. THAT WILL CAUSE NOTHING, BUT BAD TECHNIQUE. I AM A NOVICE RIDER ON A GOOD DAY. IF YOU ANLY DO WHAT YOU ARE CONFIDENT IS WITHIN YOUR CAPABILITIES, RESPECT THE BIKE, AND APPRECIATE THE DANGERS YOU WILL BE FINE. STEP OUTSIDE YOUR CONFIDENCE AND YOU COULD FIND YOURSELF LOOKING UP FROM THE SPEEDOMETER INTO A WORLD OF HURT! BE SAFE AND GOD BLESS


Amazing story dude. Too bad you had to learn the hard way. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif You should post your story elsewhere on the site. Unfortunately not too many people read these sticky threads, and your experience will be helpful to noobs. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Outstanding! Thanks for taking the time!

I'm new to the boards here and have so far found everything to be quite informative. I am looking for some feedback as I am in the process of procuring a '97 GSX-R 600. It will be my second bike as I have been paying my dues on a Ninja 250 for about 9 months now. I have ridden it at least three days a week for the past 9 months through snow, rain, and sunshine, however, I have yet to take the MSF course. I hope to do so soon. Given my history as a 20 year old rider, am I making a big mistake by moving up to a 600 at this point in my riding "career"? Thanks.

~Joe

I'm new to the boards here and have so far found everything to be quite informative. I am looking for some feedback as I am in the process of procuring a '97 GSX-R 600. It will be my second bike as I have been paying my dues on a Ninja 250 for about 9 months now. I have ridden it at least three days a week for the past 9 months through snow, rain, and sunshine, however, I have yet to take the MSF course. I hope to do so soon. Given my history as a 20 year old rider, am I making a big mistake by moving up to a 600 at this point in my riding "career"? Thanks.

~Joe


Don't worry about moving up. You're way ahead of the game already. Beleive it or not, some people actually feel the need to START on 600, even 750s and 1000s. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/squid.gif
Your experience on that 250 is an excellent background. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif I suggest taking the MSF course, THEN get whatever bike you want.

Thanks for the quick feedback. The people on this site have been nothing but helpful since I got here. Any other instructions about moving on up to a 600 (the east side) that would summarize the 18 1/2 pages of newbie threads that I read this afternoon?

~Joe

good job

fragg good right up,rukus you too.

i think everyone says tat they will do all that but i think in reality theyll just do what they feel comfortable.

ihavent got a bike nor do i know how to ride one honestly. the approach im gonna take is take my course,have my father or a biker friend bring it home for me since my block is a dead end,ill just go up and down there till ifeel confident to go around the block.till you now driving around the nieghbor hood then city.i like to read this forum and honestly out of the 10 car forums im on this seems to be the best forum in general more usuful.i plan on reading all of the saftey right ups whether its gear or maneuvers.
im about 5'7 210 im not big but im far from small im going to get a 600 or bigger because ill be paying payments. i want something heavier so itll be heavier for me to pull up.

i plan on learning not with confidence but i dont wanna be scared the only thing worse than someone too cocky is someone to scared.

I bought my bike on 8/6/05, 2 weeks ago. I bought a GSX-R 750. I've wanted that bike since I was 12 (I'm 28 now btw). I've never ridden a bike before in my life. Regardless of what people told me, I figured you can crash a 500cc bike just as easy as a 750cc bike. So I bought it anyways. I don't think it has anything to do with the bike, but it has everything to do with the driver. So when I bought my bike, I didn't even have my permit (I just got it last Thursday). So I had my brother-in-law, who btw is a CHP on a bike, take it home for me. When I got home I asked him how do I ride? He gave me a whole shit load of instructions, how to change gears, how to take off, etc etc...So I took of on my first drive in my neighboorhood minutes after I bough it, stalled it and layed it down. I didn't fall, but the bike fell and I was holding onto the handgrips all the way down, so I didn't scratch the body, but scratched some black metal part at the bottom and a small scratch on the mirror and handgrip.
It was okay, I lifted my bike back up, and jumped back on and tried again. I've laid it down 3 times, only when I stalled it. But I haven't stalled it since the 2nd day I had my bike. I broke the shifter on it one of those times, so I drove to the dealership, paid $65 for a new shifter, went back home, fixed it, and jumped back on.
Once I got my permit, I hit the streets. I've been riding on the streets for past week now. I've read the motorcyle riding tips that came with the bike, and follow on the instructions to a T. My brother-in-law helps out a lot too. I call him up for tips almost everyday asking how I should do certain things. I'm not afraid to ask questions, and I'm not embarrased that I'm a newb. When I bought my bike I bought a Shoei helmet, and a really good jacket with pads on the shoulders and elbows, it says GSX-R on it and everything. Very cool riding jacket. Very cool helmet, and some very good gloves. I think I may have gone overboard with the gloves because they have like this thick knucle protection on them, they look like gloves for pro racers. But I don't care, I want to protect myself with the best gear. I need to buy some pants and I'm good, cause I already have boots too. I'm wearing thick jeans for now. I though that was enough, but after reading and seeing all these things, I've decided I really need pants and am getting some this weekend before I ride again.

The bottom line is that on a 500cc I can go 100MPH with a T-Shirt and shorts and eat it and spend a few months in the hospital. But I'm not like that. My dream was to have a GSX-R750, and I ride it with a good riding jacket and a good helmet, and I follow all the laws and posted speed limits. I am going to the MSF school on Sept. 30th. I wanted to go earlier, but that's the only spot they had avialable.
I appreciate all the tips that are given in the forum. And I don't play with my skin, or my life. My job is based on commision, and everyday I miss from work I pretty much loose $1,000! So I don't plan on playing on my 750. I have a lot of respect for my bike, for my paycheck, and for my life.
I think that regardless if you are a newb with an 1100, or have been riding since you can walk and have a 500, you always have to be safe.

you want to do exactly what was said in the long above post by Frag , i think its always best to start on a 600 because you learn how the bike works , rides and leans and learn about yourself as a rider and maintaining it. in a couple of years you can sell it and go to a you guessed it a 750, now you got a new bike and it almost all the same except for motor size. you ride the 50 well and throw it around in all the twisties and smash through the straights, in a couple more years you'll be ready for a 1000, there is no fun in buying a 1000 right away because you're just learning. also get a bike that is not nessessarily old but something you wont cry over if you drop in a parking lot or highside around a corner. this was advice my dad gave me growing up. i have a 2002 gsxr 1000 now and i've been riding 10 years , my first bike was a vespa 250 , as queer as that sounds , then i had an ugly ninja 500, slow as hell , then an R6 , then a gsxr 750 and then a cbr 900 and now a gsxr 1k. by far i think i'm a better rider because i learned how to ride on smaller slower bikes to learn how they react to real world conditions and now that i have my first liter bike which was 2 years old when i got it mind you not brand new i look back and thank my dad. there's no way i could've hopped aboard a gsxr 1k after getting my license , just now way. hope this helps.

That is one of the best statements I've read on here yet!!!!


Enjoy the MSF class and have fun riding!! Rash is no fun, so I'm glad you're already talking about gear! It's hot in the summer, but it beats skin graphs by a million times!!

Be safe!!

Rob



I feel better knowing I'm researching and learning what to do and what not to do. I have learned so much in just 3 days that it's overwhelming!!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif



You should post your story elsewhere on the site. Unfortunately not too many people read these sticky threads, and your experience will be helpful to noobs. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I made a little website about bike stuff, it has a newbie and a riding tips page. it also has a consumables page that has a bit about gear.

Maybe it will help

www.bikesetup.com (http://www.bikesetup.com)

RUKUS said:

Blah Blah Blah...!

The above Quote took up too much room...Heehee


Now im all for riding safe and what not, hell, i bought a katana for a first bike, but c'mon, 10hours of stopping and starting? Have your instructor turn the bike around for you? Its riding a bike not a gad damn Shuttle landing.



That's Funny. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wtf.gif It never occured to me to not turn the bike around myself.

All Kidding aside...I think this is a good thread. It has a lot of useful advise. A lot of it my mentor/instructor has already told me, but it's always good to hear it again. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Good luck on riding. I remember the first time I got on a motorcycle I thought I would never learn to NOT stall. Its second nature now, just be careful always look for idiots and people not paying attention. Learn your machine and respect it. Believe me I have to reread my own post and take my own advice cause.

I thank every person that took their time to post 2 cents on this thread and any other place I have yet to find. I have just bought my first bike. And I mean FIRST bike... I have never ridden any type of bike, only an ATV for hunting. I now ride (or rather am always learning to ride) a 2006 Silver GSX-R 600. This is now my baby, although it seems to have more balls than I will ever hope to use. I have all the gear and all the bike I need but now I need the experience and help from all of you.

Every minute you spend typing one more piece of advice or story of experience is a life long lesson I and other new riders can hope to learn from. I thank you all for your time. As well as any unfriendly or hurtful experiences you must have undertaken in order to make my life easier and less painful.

**Any piece of advice is always worth more than two cents (it could be a life)**

Hello all,
My name is Dewayne and I have read thru almost all of the post. I am 34 and have been driving a stick since I was 17. My first Bike is a 2006 GSXR-1000 bought on 7 July 2006. I am in the army so the MSF course was free. I took it 7 days after getting the bike. The first bike i ever rode was a CBR 900 and that was just around the block a few times on the 4 july 06 One thing I was looking for but didn't see was a recommendation for a book. The name of the Book is Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch. This book helped me really understand the art of riding. I got my bike on 7 July 06 and have so far put 3000 miles on it. I ride everyday that the weather is nice and back and forth to work (about a 50 mile round trip). I have a Captain in my unit that rides sport bikes and has over 2000 miles of track time. So i look to him for advice. I will be taking a motorcycle race course in the spring. It will only cost about 300 or so dollars. All I can say is never ride above your limits. I ride with a lot of guys that do willies and all this crazy stuff but i never feel the urge to do it . That little thing called death is a factor. I have talked to two guys that i ride with and both have crashed. One hit a car backing out in front of him and one lost it in a curve on loose gravel. When I asked did you see the car backing out he told me YES BUT I THOUGHT THEY SAW ME. Never assume that someone sees you and always look for the worse to happen this will help to keep you alert I think. And the loose gravel, always think that normal roads are bad and have gravel in the curves so you will always expect it even if it is a nice and clean curve or road way. I don't have a lot of ridning experience as far as years go but I am taking things at my own pace and learning something each time I ride.

Over and Out
Dewayne

Another good read.
Thanks,

V

Now im all for riding safe and what not, hell, i bought a katana for a first bike, but c'mon, 10hours of stopping and starting? Have your instructor turn the bike around for you? Its riding a bike not a gad damn Shuttle landing.



LMAO at the last part....ok, back to reading... :D

all very good info....

i enjoyed it. thanks

Yep. Thanks.

My first ride was 01 gsxr600 and last year I replaced it with 06 gsxr600. I am 5.8' and 169lbs and I still dont feel comfortable with 1000cc on street.

Rukus said it well - if you want to learn riding a sportbike, you need to learn it on a sportsbike and GSXR-600 is a GREAT starter bike together with MSF course. As long as you control the clutch, you ll be okay. Course will give you every hint..

Drive safe-- avoid lady drivers!!!

Hi im new to the forum so im not sure if this is the right thread to ask this. I am a new rider with very little experience. My brother in law has a "07 Ninja zx6-r. This is the bike hes been teaching me on which by the way scares the hell out of me cause its so powerful. Im thinking of buying a Gixxer 600R in the spring and from what ive read these Gixxer's come with an engine management system so you could have a low performance setting as well as normal and i guess a race or high performance option. now my question is when the bike is set to the low performance do you think that it would be a more suitable bike for a newbie to ride? Also how much less power does the bike have on low level setting? Is it drastic? Like the power of a 400cc or 500cc bike? Or is low level perform as a regular 600cc streetbike while the other 2 levels are insane for like track use? Also I understand everyones point of view with noobs getting on street bikes and I appreciate your concern. But I am a very stuborn person and will most likely pick one up anyway. So any tips on riding would also be appreciated. And just to let you know I signed up for the motorcycle driver training course and the local college so hopefully that will help give me experience and more knowledge of defensive driving and what not on a motor cycle. Thanks.:confused

I second (third?) a SV650S as a good starter bike. I've had mine for two years now, and just now got used to all it has to offer, in terms of power. Hence moving on soon, but its a great bike, torquey and very useable on the road. In terms of ergonomics, the -S is also pretty close to a sports bike, I even found if less comfortable and more weighty on the wrists!
On, moving on - the sensible side in me says "130mph, isn't that enough?" but then, who rides bikes to be sensible?

bravo bravo, very nice, lots and lots of extremely good information for the newer riders. For sure keep up the good work! :)

Again thanks to all who put into making everybody think just a little bit more about riding a motorcycle. I am going to be brand new to a 04 gsxr 600 in a few days, and i have been just lurking around this site and others for all the info i can soak in.
Thankfully i have had experience riding bikes and while I am excited to get on my first super bike i am very nervous as well. I feel very comfortable in my riding and i realize the power these bikes have. It baffles me, now that gas prices are skyrocketing 10 more cents everyday everyone and their mom wants a bike. And everyone wants to look hot while doing it. So they look to getting a beatiful bike like the gsxr, without any idea what they are getting into. I hope everybody out there will read through all they can, but in all truth, the real learning comes from riding, SAFE.

Cheers

"So, if you want to learn to ride, and you are not bothered about image, buy something that is not going to kill you as soon as you open the throttle.

My I suggest an EX250, EX500, GS500, SV650"

I have been learning on a 05 tw200(family members) and am looking to buy my first bike. I have been on a 750 and was really thinking about getting the sv650 for my first bike.

My question: why do you suggest those bikes?

everyone says get a 250, 500. So why did you include the SV650? I really want one

"So, if you want to learn to ride, and you are not bothered about image, buy something that is not going to kill you as soon as you open the throttle.

My I suggest an EX250, EX500, GS500, SV650"

I have been learning on a 05 tw200(family members) and am looking to buy my first bike. I have been on a 750 and was really thinking about getting the sv650 for my first bike.

My question: why do you suggest those bikes?

everyone says get a 250, 500. So why did you include the SV650? I really want one

Even though it is a 650, it way more forgiving and easier than the gixxers to start out on!!! The SV650 is more of a sport tourer kind of bike rather than a bike built to be used on the track like the gixxers. Get one!!!!!!!:cheers

sell me one for 2500! and a case of beer!

Just got in a trade an '04 GSXR 600.
Never had a bike before or even ridden on one.
Had my friend show me some pointers yesterday and been practicing since. Took it out again today. Soo much fun. Obviously going real slow now as it is only my 2nd day on the bike. Really takes off so quick. Don't quite have the throttle down yet, hard to keep it smooth when cruising for me. Need to find a parking lot to get some time in. Gonna take it easy on it for a long time I am sure. Definitely feel like with some good practice this bike will be a lot of fun and safe fun!
Now I just need a permit and then take one of those riding/license courses.

Wow, what a great thread. See this is exactly why I'm here, sweet.

Got a lot of my questions answered here.

Very nice.

thanks guys really cool post really helped out cheers!

hey, you surprised me with all this information! good post.

Hi everyone names dylan, im new to this, um i dont know which forum was best for my question, and that is If i were to buy a fairing kit titled for 06-07 gsxr 750 could i buy that and install the fairings on my 07 gsxr 600?

being a noob, i really think all this info is helpful.
another great incentive shops offer, at least around me. i bought my bike and for the next year i get 15% off accessories so i got a helmat and gloves that day. im looking into getting a joacket as well but i wouldnt if they hadnt offered this discount for basically just shopping with them.

being a noob, i really think all this info is helpful.
another great incentive shops offer, at least around me. i bought my bike and for the next year i get 15% off accessories so i got a helmat and gloves that day. im looking into getting a jacket as well but i wouldnt if they hadnt offered this discount for basically just shopping with them.

I'm almost 26, had an HD Sportster 1200 for two years. I traded it two days ago for a 2002 GSX-R 1000. I have 20/40 with comp/collision, $250 deductable from progressive. My rate went from $31/mo to $110/mo. Eeep.

First a little bit about me....
I grew up riding dirt bikes in the mountains of Tennessee. My first one was a 1981 Suzuki RM-80 I was 11 yrs old (I'm pushing 40). I rode the wheels off that bike. I got a 1985 or 86 Honda xr-200r after that. It was a good bike, dual carbs, fast for a 4 stroke. 1987 Kaw KX-125 was my last 2 wheeler. Then had a 4 wheeler. I didnt ride anything for years after about 1991, main reason was there was no where to ride on dirt where I moved to, plus busy with school and all... anyways.. In early '08 I got a wild hair up my ass and got my first street bike pictured at left. I will say this to all the noobs. Your best friend on any bike whether it be dirt or street is your confidence in your ability to ride, and knowing your limitations. Dont take unnecessary risks, it aint worth the potential consequences. And of course gear is very important too, if nothing else always wear a helmet and some sort or eye protection. riding in shorts is bad idea too.. not long after i got my gixxer I burnt the hell out of my leg on the exhaust while refueling. I wasnt paying attention and stepped back right onto the exhaust with my right calf. sustained a really nasty burn and I only touched it for a micro-second. I was shocked at how hot the pipe was... I'll never ride in shorts again. anyways.... Being afraid of a bike and attempting to ride street, with a lot of traffic is a very bad combination. I would also suggest to any rider on street, pretend you are invisible and stay alert! The road is full of careless people in their "cages" talking on cell phones, putting on makeup, eating, arguing.... the list goes on. If you have never been on a bike and are starting out on a streetbike, DO NOT get a sport bike. You would be much better off with a simple 250 if you are small framed person or even a scooter really until you get the basics down and get the feel of riding in traffic and how the bike handles on the street vs. on dirt. .. completely different animal!! If you are a bigger person something like a Suzuki S-40 is a good beginner bike. 650cc single, air cooled. very forgiving and has decent torque and will let you cruise interstate speeds comfortably all day long. My wife has riden before and she has a '07 S-40. All the bike she will ever need, although she wants a Can-Am Spyder real bad! When I got my bike I knew that it would be completely different than dirt. I rode around in my neighborhood for a few days getting the feel for the brakes, how it shifts and the overall feel of the power and how it handles before I got out in traffic. I was in Ft' Lauderdale at the time too... crazy traffic down in south florida!!! I would suggest doing the same thing as I did, even if you have a lot of dirtbike experience. Another important thing is remember a streetbike is meant to be ridden on two wheels not one. As much as I want to learn how to ride a wheelie for a mile at 80 mph I dont think I will ever attempt it. I cant think of a more foolish way to wreck a shiney new bike and more importantly mangleing my body than attempting stunts like that. I get my jollies from feeling the incredible acceleration and having fun going through the twisties is plenty fun for me. Now maybe if I had some old bike that I didnt pay that much money for I might try it but I'm not gonna risk it on mine. Maybe when its time to move onto a 750 or 1000 and I still have my 600 I'll play around with it but my bike has plenty more miles in it to try it before then!! I know my post wasnt that informative but maybe some of you can get something usefull out of it. Peace all! Have fun and be safe!!

Parapraphs are your friend.

yeah my bad, thanks for tip

good writeup mostly, my first bike is a 2004 GSXR 600 and I'm still alive so that would be the only thing I don't agree with. Gear is a definite must and don't get anything too nice because it will spend some time on the ground in the first couple months typically. I did the MSF course and it was totally worth the investment of my time and money, I would probably have a different story to tell if I never did the course.

nice thread

My first post.

I am 33 years old. Never rode a bike a day in my life. Not even dirt bikes. Some friends ride so I decided to get a bike to hang out with them. They have what people would consider starter bikes. I don't know why but I just couldn't bring myself to start on anything but what I got. I purchased a 2004 Honda CBR 600rr. It looks great but it scares the mess out of me. I have had it less than a week. Only rode around my neighborhood so far. Very unskilled. I have had it less than a week and already dropped it on a slow left turn. I have frame sliders so it didn't do any damage. It scared me and shocked me how heavy the bike was. I wasn't injured. Trying to teach myself doesn't seem like a really good idea so im going to start looking for a class. My local college does something I think. Learning to ride has been more difficult then I thought it would be. Turning and breaking have been my weak points. I drive a manual transmission car(WRX STI ) so have no problem with that aspect.

I dropped the bike because I tried to make a sharp left turn. I slowed down too much and rather than pulling in the cluch I let the bike die. When it died I panicked and it fell over on the left side. Glad the previous owner had frame sliders. I have never felt more like a noob than when I dropped my bike riding in my neighborhood. Very embarrassing.

This is all good info. I was hit in 1989 and haven't ridden until October. It scared the shit out of me!! So I took a basic rider course at my local community college. $295...8 hours in the classrom and 8 hours on the range on their bikes, 250 Nighthawks. It came with an endorsement for your license, upon completion anyway. Riding came back to me immediately. It was just soooo worth the money to get my "sealegs" back under me before riding on the streets again. Especially on a Gixxer!! I suggest these type classes to everyone.

go by the old saying that was drummed into me while i was learning .... Hope for the best , but expect the worst !!!!
will serve you well as it has me ....

Something I was told by my father along time ago helps me greatly. Before you go to bed at night think about a skill you need to work on, or think about something that is not normal about rideing, for example the fact that you turn the wheel the opposite direction of the turn. Now lay in bed and play it over and over in your head. Think of it in detail. How the clutch is feeling, how much gas you are giveing it, how the road looks, and what you hear. Then think of something jumping into the road. Whatever you want it to be, a ball a truck a kid anything. Then think about what you have to do to avoid it. You must pick your dirrection and make the bike follow that path. Do not concentrate on the object. Target fixation is a great trick your mind likes to play to get you to hit what you are looking at. So make mental notes of everything that you are going to be doing.
Bulletbikeguy

i am totally gonna try this tonight lol

This is a great read! This site has some really good info! I just decided to pick up an 08 GSX-R750 black on black since I've been looking for one for a while and found one local. I grew up riding a 125 and 250 enduro so I'm no stranger to dirt or street but I never feel safe in the city around a lot of traffic and I don't think anything will make me feel safe when it's the other "people" on the road that are the danger.

Anyway, it's nice to be riding again and I look forward to riding all over hell this summer! Oils changed and we're waiting at the garage door \/

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww331/howeser/08%20GSX-R750/2011-03-20_14-14-17_587.jpg

Phenomenal write up, always down to take a few pointers from someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Well done sir.
:cheers

Originally Posted by bulletbikeguy
Something I was told by my father along time ago helps me greatly. Before you go to bed at night think about a skill you need to work on, or think about something that is not normal about rideing, for example the fact that you turn the wheel the opposite direction of the turn. Now lay in bed and play it over and over in your head. Think of it in detail. How the clutch is feeling, how much gas you are giveing it, how the road looks, and what you hear. Then think of something jumping into the road. Whatever you want it to be, a ball a truck a kid anything. Then think about what you have to do to avoid it. You must pick your dirrection and make the bike follow that path. Do not concentrate on the object. Target fixation is a great trick your mind likes to play to get you to hit what you are looking at. So make mental notes of everything that you are going to be doing.


If you are preparing for a big race and during practice sessions you should be thinking the abilities you can do. You should be thinking and preparing for the possible circumstances during practice and during the race you will be involved at. Some riders do practice in there dreams as well it may sound a bit silly but that's how serious other riders are. Every detail from the track, terrain to the timing of the brakes and the sound of the wheels.

Good read - I'm investing in riding gear after watching the Semper Ride video and reading this thread.

I wear full-face helmet and steel toe boots with ankle support but need the jacket/kevlar inserts, pants, and double plastic goves.