Motorcycle thread!

[ls1ac]

an old love

[Irace86]

Originally Posted by JSanders

I have one! Best motorcycle I've been on! Started out on a 2012 Ninja 250 (was a friends that also had a Harley Sportster so very rarely rode the 250).


First purchase was a 2004 Ducati Monster 620. Loved the bike and the attention that comes with anything Ducati, hated the riding position (already have a bad back so it hurt to ride more than 20-30mins at a time) and the maintenance expenses.....


Traded that in on a 2015 Yamaha Stryker Bullet Cowl and never looked back! I love this cruiser! Was never fully confident on the Duc in turns but within 2wks on the Stryker, the bottoms of the pegs have touched the pavement a few times!




Also pictured are two friend's bikes out on a 2hr jaunt to find good backwoods bbq... 2013 VROD Muscle (forward) and 2008(?) Street Bob

Nice Duc. If you ever want to get back into a Ducati the new XDiavel has forward pegs.

[bcj]

Took a ride up Mt. Walker yesterday. Just south of Quilcene WA.

[kingnba6]

2006 Vulcan 900

[AznKirby]

Opinion time!

Do you guys think I should buy a lower powered bike first when I'm learning? Or should I just go learn on what I'll be riding with eventually?

Age-old question, I know..

[JSanders]

There's good points to both sides. While a lower powered bike is easier for a beginner, you can also very quickly become more confident in your own abilities than the bike will allow. After riding the 250 I learned on, I got to the point were I would be waiting to get into traffic and knew I had the ability to pull out in certain gaps but the bike would've almost certainly not been able to get out of its own way.

If you want to get a low powered bike to learn on go for it, but if I were to do it again, I would probably buy something I want (without going to like a liter bike right away or something. Lol).

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[echo419]

Originally Posted by AznKirby

Opinion time!

Do you guys think I should buy a lower powered bike first when I'm learning? Or should I just go learn on what I'll be riding with eventually?

Age-old question, I know..

the Honda VFR I have now is my first one. I laid it down pulling out of a parking lot. granted I probably would have done the same thing on a 250. maybe start with a 500 or 600. still plenty of power to go way faster than most cars but not crazy fast.

back to my VRF. I started putting on my new fairings I ordered from China and like most stuff from China it's crap. nothing fits right. I have to bore out almost all the holes to get bolts and what not to fit. most every body panel is missing a screw/bolt because it's so far off I can't get everything to line up so I'm just getting what I can. I'll post up pics when I'm finished. not sure what looks worse. panels being torn up from wrecking or body panels just not lining up.

[tennisfreak]

Originally Posted by AznKirby

Opinion time!

Do you guys think I should buy a lower powered bike first when I'm learning? Or should I just go learn on what I'll be riding with eventually?

Age-old question, I know..

Well what do you plan on riding eventually?

If you plan on riding something like a liter sportbike then NO do not start on that, you will likely hurt/kill yourself.

[bcj]

Get something used to start out on. May not be the thing for you after all.
Shiny new is nice, but comes with more financing unless you can spring for it with cash.

Get a twin cylinder motor rather than a high rpm four.
They're more tractable on the street and for most of the situations you'll encounter.
Accumulate some miles before getting a high performance track bike.

[echo419]

I've had a lot of people recommend this to me as a first bike.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%...50/2017/SV650A


personally I have zero experience with it so I can't offer an opinion.

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by AznKirby

Opinion time!

Do you guys think I should buy a lower powered bike first when I'm learning? Or should I just go learn on what I'll be riding with eventually?

Age-old question, I know..

Go with a Supermoto or a KTM Duke390 (or RC390), they are all fast enough to get out of their own way, but not so much that you'll low-side if you sneeze on the throttle mid corner. I test rode one of the 390s last week, I actually had more fun on it that the 1290 Superduke because it was so light flickable and revvy. Kind of felt like riding a mountain bike with just north of 40hp, or a grom with better ergos and bigger balls

**EDIT** This is if you must buy new, I'd recommend buying used for when you drop it.

Speaking of supermoto, just finished up with this project this weekend...

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by echo419

I've had a lot of people recommend this to me as a first bike.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%...50/2017/SV650A


personally I have zero experience with it so I can't offer an opinion.

Yep, the SV would be a decent choice as well, real tame low down, and pulls hard once you build up enough courage to explore WOT. I love mine, with a GSXR fork swap it's one of the most fun and versatile bikes I've ever owned.

Plus I've never met anyone who hasn't regretted selling their SV, that says something.

[AznKirby]

Awesome - thanks for the help!
I'm still very undecided right now. The whole process takes over a year to get my license anyway, so you could say I'm just planning ahead!

[iamjacob]

Originally Posted by echo419

I've had a lot of people recommend this to me as a first bike.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%...50/2017/SV650A


personally I have zero experience with it so I can't offer an opinion.

Not a great idea for a first time rider. While an SV650 isn't a huge bike it is a very torquey bike. Torque isn't what a new rider really needs as it's easier to make a mistake when small throttle inputs make large changes.

An older ninja 250 or newer 300 is a great starter bike that can easily be resold if and when you decide to trade up. They are also cheap and parts abound for when you drop it in a parking lot.