It took me nearly a year to get on the bike I wanted.
I had bought a CBR600RR from a Navy kid who [thankfully] put it as collateral towards his new 1000RR. Needless to say I got my money back because he couldn’t free the title as I had bought it for less than he owed on it.
This was last season…
I got a little depressed seeing as I spent the money on a new Shoei helmet and was ready to get insurance, remaining gear, etc. I had a friend of the family [55] who has been riding all his life ready to teach me to ropes. It took me up til just a week ago to finally get on my first bike.
I bought the 08 Ninja 250R because well…it looked hot! I read the reviews including the extensive ones here. Got involved in the kawiforums and got informed. While on the forums I was asked if I ride ATGATT…shamefully I had to google it but “All the Gear, All the Time” is exactly how I plan to ride. Yesterday in 90 degree heat I was out practicing in the parking lot figure 8’s in full gear. I’ve done nothing but practice the simple exercises and now I feel comfortable to get out on the road.
Unfortunately I cannot get into any MSF courses around here. They are packed with Squids…every day riding home from work I see some new bike being torn down the highway with the rider wearing shorts and a short sleave tee. But I also see those in full gear…just none on a sport bike.
Plain and simple I hope I “got it”. It took me 10 months to get on a bike but now that I have my 250 geeze I’m so glad I never once rode that 600. I passed my DMV test with no problem at all. My “competition” was a new guy trying to maneuver a hulking Fat Boy who laid his bike down twice while making turns.
Every other day I get told “Oh I started on a 650 too man!”…only to disappoint them when I tell them it’s a 250…but I smile when I can handle the back roads of VA and they have to slow down to 5 mph for a “sharp” turn.
I said it before but thanks Ben for the awesome website. Those 250 reviews are what got me thinking in the right direction.