Motorcycle guys need opinions

tonyb

Syndil wrote: »

Eh, I hear this a lot, but don't fully agree with it. I started on the same bike I have today, a Ninja 600R. I have ridden a 250 and a 500 since, and while they are indeed fun to fling around because they are so light, I would be scared to ride one on a highway for the same reason. I get blown around enough on the 600.

Anyway, the bikes only go as fast as you tell them to. Just don't wring the throttle out and a 600 is capable of being just as slow as any other bike. I think a 600 is the ideal place to start, myself. A 250 (or 300 now I guess) is going to leave you thirsting for more bike in a hurry. That's why you see so many of them for sale in like-new condition with low miles. People buy them because they are supposedly great beginner bikes, but they tire of them very quickly.

I'll second your thoughts, spot on. A good weighted midsize bike is ideal for starters and many good used ones on the cheap available too. Part of riding, like everything else, requires some experience under your belt before jumping into the big boy Harleys. Safety is always a concern, no matter your level of experience. With that in mind, you don't want a bike with no history, or too old and could fail at 60 mph on the expressway 50 miles from home. Bikes need to have constant maintenance too just like cars, so make sure you can commit to that also.

D_M

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

Lol, heroism? I'm a licensed professional, there's a difference between street and track, give it a moment and the truth will set you free.

A new rider needs to be scared of what can happen. Total respect for machine and elements are a must. No one is talking about going trip digis on the street.

Exactly, so help the guy with your street experience. Tell him about the cost of boots, gloves, helmets, and a suit recommendation. I never said you were, but being relaxed is an important part of motorcycling. I agree with you. A healthly respect for what can happen, keeps you alert.

cstmar01

Well to give some more background.

I have some friends that are really into bikes. One races all the time and works on everything himself. I know he would be cool helping me do any work needed.

The guy I would be getting it from is 21 and was looking to sell to get away from the sport bike for the most part. He is looking to build a bike now and was selling this for money.

I have a total respect for bikes, I know how dangerous they can be as my dad has wrapped his bike (when he rode long ago) around a tree after hitting gravel on a road etc.

I mostly want it for the joy of being able to ride a powered bike. I love mountain biking, road biking, etc. I have ridden motorcycles very little and the last time was a few years ago on a Buell that a guy had around. I like speed but wouldn't be trying to bust 100+ on the streets anytime soon.

I just wanted to see if it would be a good deal to jump on as I know some guys here ride and wanted to get some opinions. My one friend told me to stay away and another told me it would probably be fine. I just wanted to get some more opinions before I dropped money on something that would be a endless money pit if it needed parts etc.

The guy I would buy it from said he would always help me do work too if needed. He told me the headlight needed work and some of the chrome as well wasn't in the best shape. I've only seen the bike at night but never really looked it over.

D_M

Cstmar01,

Take the racer with you in the daytime to inspect the bike. Your coworker might even let your test rider take it for a spin, if you place the $1600 in the coworker's hand contingent on the test ride results.

exalted512

I still think 600s are too much for beginners. Even if you're 'mature' about throttle control mistakes happen. When letting out the clutch too fast can literally loop the bike from right out under you, you have too much power. It's not about being mature, it's about being experienced.

I've never noticed a difference on getting 'blown around' more on a smaller bike, than a larger one. I own a 95 ninja 250, a 09 zx6, and a 09 ninja 650.

My 250 weighs about 375 wet, my zx6 weighs about 390 wet, and the 650 weighs about 440 wet. I weigh around 160 myself.

I do agree the reason people upgrade is because they get bored quickly. I'd also invite those people to the track, where they'd get smoked by some experienced riders on a 250.

I'm very pleased with with the new 300. I think when they start getting more on the used market, they will be will the perfect beginner bike. ABS, fuel injection, and a slipper clutch!? Sign me up!
-Cody

jeremymarcinko

Check the tires, chain/sprockets. Wheel, steering head and swing arm pivot bearings. Those things can be somewhat pricey to replace. One or two of those items wouldn't be too bad. Be sure the forks are parallel with each other, and the seals are not leaking. The throttle is smooth and snaps back to idle. The triumphs throttle seem to have a very long twist to full lock compared to the japanese varieties. Which wouldn't be a issue for a while but you may wish to install a quicker throttle eventually. Definitely look for leaking fluids, that is a real safety issue. Side case oil leaks are easily fixed however oil from the countershaft or engine case forget it.

Syndil

exalted512 wrote: »

I still think 600s are too much for beginners. Even if you're 'mature' about throttle control mistakes happen. When letting out the clutch too fast can literally loop the bike from right out under you, you have too much power. It's not about being mature, it's about being experienced.

Only if the throttle is too much. Let out the clutch too fast with a reasonable amount of throttle, and the bike will stall.

I dropped mine once when I was green, but that was a slow turn on gravel. Lesson learned: Don't do a slow turn on gravel. Better yet, don't do gravel at all. Never had any scares with the throttle or clutch. I guess YMMV.

exalted512

I'm not talking just from a stop.
-Cody

Geoff4rfc

D_M wrote: »

Exactly, so help the guy with your street experience.......

Try reading my first post, the offer has been made.

cstmar01 wrote: »

Well to give some more background.........

I think you'll be okay. I agree with Cody that a 600 is not an ideal starter bike for most. There is the exception to the rule.

My advice to you, is get in a large parking lot and put the bike through it's drills, learn what counter steering is about. Know that on the street, 75% of your braking power is in the front (I use 100% on the track). Do most of your braking, especially your hard braking straight up and down. Brake hard enough to lift the rear off the ground, but do it on warm tires. They need to brought up to temp, before you start doing drills. Practice and get to know the bike under you in as extreme conditions as you can in the parking lot so when you hit the street :cheesygrin: you'll be ready for emergency situations.

That is only part of it. Safety classes will clue you in on others goodies. Ride well rested and not on an empty stomach and not too full. Make sure you're hydrated, ride to live and live to ride.

By the looks of it, your buds will be able help you a ton, my offer stays on the table.

Syndil wrote: »

Only if the throttle is too much. Let out the clutch too fast with a reasonable amount of throttle, and the bike will stall.....

Clutch, who needs a clutch, come to think of it, who needs brakes, highly overrated.

Hey Cody, how's your shift pattern??? I use GP shift, or upside down shifting. For those that don't know either of those terms; 1 up, 5 down.

Geoff4rfc

exalted512 wrote: »

I wrecked going around 130 on my 600 -Cody

Oh yeah, I watched the vid. Man, and I thought Seattle was in bad condition, that track is a POS!

I love the way you went by the dude in the red trying to look all GP, he was going flying when you went by him

So, I'm pretty sure I can read your mail here, either a 750 or a liter bike comes flying by you, you try to make up some ground on the brakes, only you trail braked too much and whamo, you found the unsavable limit.

exalted512

I'm GP on the track bike, standard on the street bike.

And mostly correct. The guy is on a liter bike, is a member at that track, and is probably one of the top 5-10 fastest people at that track whom currently race CMRA. He's our Dunlop dealer.

Anyway, I was blocking him going into the corner before...hence why my line was half way in the track, got a good drive out, but that dude is just ridiculous...plus, the liter bike helps. Although, I attribute my fall mostly to suspension. If you look at the slow-motion, and I could feel it too when I wrecked, the bike came up and just never settled back down on a bump.

I was gaining on him a little bit going in, so I modified my line to be slightly outside of his path because I didn't want to be hard on the brakes. I don't think I was trailing off the brakes hard enough to cause me to low-side. I think it was mostly a new suspension set up...and combined with a bump and brake pressure, the combo sent it over the traction limit.

And yeah...that dude on the red cracked me up a little. I saw his BP and was like...okay, this dude is going to get it. I was actually initially going to try and pass him on the outside, but I figured he'd lay on the gas and drift out, so I changed my line slightly to try and come under him. Then he stayed there. and stay there...and finally I got my opening...lol.

Most of the tracks in Texas are pretty rough. The soil isn't good here. The exception being CotA. I was able to instruct there a couple days in June and it was AMAZING. Just wow. But that is definitely a track that will show you who has the most HP. 1st gear, top out 6th, and brake back down to first on the long straight. But soooooooooooooo smooth.
-Cody

boston1450

Go the speed limit or less & enjoy the ride. Back country roads are enjoyable too

tonyb

Buy a scooter and get a **** Angels tattoo.

Geoff4rfc

exalted512 wrote: »

I'm GP on the track bike, standard on the street bike.

And mostly correct. The guy is on a liter bike, is a member at that track, and is probably one of the top 5-10 fastest people at that track whom currently race CMRA. He's our Dunlop dealer.-Cody

Have you tried GP for the street? It actually makes as much sense on the street as the track.

Dog gone tire dealers and their liter bikes, + they come to play with best tires. Dog gone rough a** tracks, beating your suspension to death. I would love to have you tow me around a few laps on some of those TX tracks, just keep me away from those dog gone Aggies

tonyb wrote: »

Buy a scooter and get a **** Angels tattoo.

I've been considering a scooter for the street however, I'll forego the tattoo

exalted512

just let me know when you want to come down. I'll be sure not to ride on the track within 3 months....lol.

Can't do gp on my street bike without buying aftermarket rear sets 09 650, there's no linkage, the lever bolts directly to the transmission.
-Cody