Motorcycle Riders

[dgmorr]

Whatever you say. Your opinion is your opinion. I'm pretty sure when you see my riding a bike I won't be attempting wheelies. It's good of you to offer your 'constructive' advice for whatever it may be worth. Anyway, seeing how one replies on a forum is not really a good scale to judge their real-life personality, but then tehre are some exceptions.

Again, whatever way you perceive me is most probably wrong. I am not one that thinks I am invincible, immune to an accident, king of the bike. In fact, I can count the times I have driven a real bike on 2 fingers. You'll probably see me riding on residential streets only. But whatever, to each his own.

If it's the bike I was selling a few months ago, it has already been sold.
Still looking for something else? I assume you're in Vancouver? It'd probably be a LOT cheaper to buy somethign out there.

[motorcycleguy]

umm....Shannonville......arrr...
me do wheelie every day. me no slow. me like racing. me is motorcyleguy

[dgmorr]

Well, I ended up buying the Ninja 600 and I DO NOT regret it. Best purchase I have made in a very long time.

[rc51]

You'll probably see me riding on residential streets only.

Statements like that really demonstrate your lack of experience and knowledge. Any experienced rider will tell you that residental streets are more dangerous than highways or freeways...probably more dangerous than anything except maybe downtown traffic.

I hate riding res streets... kids can run out at anytime, typically there's sand lurking in the worst spots (ie, braking areas), and be afraid of sand...very afraid..especially a new rider. Old ladies that pull out w/o looking... if you're smart, stay away from res. streets..until you get really good at emergency stops on very unfriendly pavement conditions.

[dgmorr]

Yes, I see what you mean now that I've put a couple hundred kilometres on it already. At first I was riding around my neighbourhood. Really quiet area. There is a nice long loop down the street. Looks like a running track sort of loop. No kids on the street, no parked cars. It was good for learning. I still try to avoid the busy sections of the bigger roads such as Burnhamthorpe & Mavis, Dundas & Dixie, Britania & Mavis. Other than that I have found some really good quiet streets to ride around on.

So far I've found it best to ride Saturday and Sunday mornings before 10. Really nice and quiet. No stress.

[rc51]

If you're anywhere near a track... GO! take a track day. That is what riding is all about... you'll soon find out either how good you are or bad you are and where you need to improve your skills. Also it's great being around other people who will definitely have better skills at this time and will be able to pass down some skills... of course, you'll run into the 'squids' as well.... take them for what they are... eventually they do go down.

I remember an instructor telling me years ago.... the day you think you're better than your bike..it's time to quit riding or go PRO.

[dgmorr]

I am defineatley not ready for track riding. I assume track riding is more like...amature racing either organized or not? Is it an actual race or is it more like an open track? In the latter case, is it not safe for slow cruisers?

I doubt I will ever think I am better than my bike. I stalled it once (was nervous turning on the a major road for the first time, and had it tip about 15 degress, felt like i was trying to hold up a large house! I have pretty much mastered the clutch now. I guess it's more training my nerves and actual riding skills now.

How bad is it to shift without using the clutch? I know they have dual syncronizers or something similar to that. I know "clutches are cheaper than trannies" but I was just wondering how bad it is? Seems like it's made for clutchless shifting.

[Shiifty]

A 1986 600R is going to be MUCH less powerful than today's 600's. I think it is an ok first choice for a new responsible rider. The newer Katana's (YZF600 I believe) are also 'lower' power 600's that should be ok. The nice thing about an old bike, is that you won't mind (too much!) if you drop it, and it's not a hot ticket for thieves.

Clutchless upshifts aren't too bad, if you do it smoothly. Practice on the higher gears (3rd-4th) so that you get smooth, and try lower gears. The higher gears are easier since they are closer in ratios. Don't bother with clutchless downshifts, those are much harder to do smoothly and there really is no need to. Clutchless shifts are best when ripping through the gears or racing and you don't want to spent that 0.2 second pulling the clutch!

Congrats on the purchase, and be careful. People REALLY don't see you out there. Keep an eye on traffic around you at all times and pay attention, don't let your mind wander like you do in a car. Always imagine the cars don't see you, and they will pull out at any minute. Of course I hope you took the safety course so you know all this already.

[Ohboiya]

I just joined the GTAMotorcycle.com forums. I've been wanting to get a bike for some time now and I may do so this spring / summer.

I'm 31, know how to drive stick and had 3 different bikes when I was in university many years ago. Any insights / suggestions? I am planning on taking the course at Humber but besides that I'm not sure what bike to get or where to get it. I am thinking that I will purchase a bike I can grow into ... thanks in advance!

[motorcycleguy]

Harley?Dirt bike?
Don't you know what kind of type of bike you would like to have?

Oh, you don't need to grow into anything. Buy something you like then sell it if you'll see something more interested

[Ohboiya]

Probably a street bike. I had a couple bike and some cruisers while @ UWO but want to move to a street bike.

[UrbanPoet]

Hey cool. My bro is into bikes. I dunno much about them. I just know its a 600CC Kawasaki Ninja.. a Sport BIke.

[motorcycleguy]

Probably a street bike. I had a couple bike and some cruisers while @ UWO but want to move to a street bike.

Like this is going to help...

Go to a bike shop and take a look at the bikes they have and see which one you like. A sales man would help you out.