34 and Determined to finally ride on two wheels!

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• January 26, 2009 at 4:20 am #2496
  JakeInFla

  Participant

  Having done years of online research, comparisons, read reviews, talked to veterans, I always ended up putting owning and riding a bike on the back burner to bills and other ventures. I’m ready to ride and preparing to find the best “first bike” for me, taking into account safety, responsibility, and aesthetics. Not necessarily in that order, hence the conundrum wrapped in an enigma.

  I’ve recently re-entered the search for an affordable, attractive first ride, paying attention to a newbie’s learning curve, and ensuring I don’t feel like a “bear on a circus bike”. At 5″10″, 250 pounds, I find myself, like most new riders, waivering between a safer, logical low CC learner bike and the 600CC sport touring versions. I’ve ruled out any Super Sport models, as a blip of the throttle would likely end me, painfully I might add.

  I’ve got the search narrowed down to a 2006 Yamaha YZF 600R recently posted by a local bike shop for sale and a newly aquired trade in 08 Ninja 250R.

  I’ve read all four parts of the fantastic review on the 250 here, and it is this damn review that has my one sided mind back to neutral, unsure of which way to go. I’m signing up for the MSF course here in Fort Lauderdale soon, but my goal is to purchase the bike first to get a feel for her on the side roads, and then hit the course with some basic muscle memory. Is there such a thing as a temporary endorsement on your license for learning purposes btw?

  The Yamaha 600R I found. Price: $4999.00 (Heavier bike, more high end power)

  

  The 08 Ninja 250R I found – Price $3699.00 (More affordable, better learning curve)

  

  After reading the reviews, and pondering the learning curve, I’m leaning towards the Ninja. Hot looking bike, very forgiving for a noob like me, and given it will not be my primary transportation, the fun factor minus the worry of riding an overpowering, scary bike in daily rush hour traffic may make the learning transition a safer and more enjoyable one. So it’s back to square one on which bike to buy. Sigh…

  My only reservation on the 250 is its size, my weight, the highway romps seeming to be next to impossible on the Ninja 250R. Given South Florida traffic and the chaotic, distracted, speed demon drivers can be frustratingly unpredictable, perhaps a higher power band at the top end is prudent? Or maybe not. I honestly don’t know which way to go. Other than that, I enjoyed the articles on this site, and appreciate the information.

  Thoughts?

  Thanks much,

  ~J.

  January 26, 2009 at 5:12 am #16017
  briderdt

  Participant

  The rider position has some pretty significant differences between these two bikes. Not like the difference between a sport and a cruiser, but if you can get on them side-by-side, the differences will become very apparent. Also, when you climb on the bikes to get their feel, make sure you’re doing so with both feet on the pegs.

  “the highway romps seeming to be next to impossible on the Ninja 250R”

  Uh… Wrong. It’s plenty capable. Don’t feed into the myth.

  January 26, 2009 at 12:57 pm #16019
  ranette

  Participant

  “I’m signing up for the MSF course here in Fort Lauderdale soon, but my goal is to purchase the bike first to get a feel for her on the side roads, and then hit the course with some basic muscle memory. Is there such a thing as a temporary endorsement on your license for learning purposes btw?”

  The one prerequisite of the BRC is a motorcycle learners permit. If you haven’t already, pick up and read the Florida rider’s manual. Once you pass the written test you’ll be eligible for the BRC and you’ll be able to putter around on some side roads if you want.

  January 26, 2009 at 1:08 pm #16020
  wbsprudels

  Participant

  I would recommend not buying a bike prior to the class (unless you find a great deal that you are afraid will get away). The class will help teach you good riding practices. If you have never ridden on a motorcycle prior to the class, then you will not be trying to unlearn bad habits. I had no bike experience prior to taking the class, and had no trouble with the class.

  January 26, 2009 at 1:52 pm #16021
  Sangria7

  Participant

  Agreed. Complete MSF first then choose bike.

  Good luck mate on the bike selection. Its always a difficult one in the beginning.

  January 26, 2009 at 2:45 pm #16023
  JakeInFla

  Participant

  Appreciate the information guys. I’ll look into a learner’s permit and sign up for the MSF course prior to buying the bike. I need time to get my money together for the purchase anyway. Thanks for the quick replies. It’s appreciated.

  ~J.

  January 26, 2009 at 2:46 pm #16024
  JakeInFla

  Participant

  One more thing…I’ll need a helmet of my own for the MSF course though right?

  January 26, 2009 at 3:30 pm #16026
  Clay Dowling

  Participant

  That 250 is a really good first choice, because you won’t lose anything on the resale value. You can ride it until you decide to move up and you’ll be able to recoup your investment very quickly.

  Don’t waste your time thinking you’re going to outrun speed demons. You can probably outrun most of them even on the 250. But you don’t really want to outrun them, you want to get out of the way and get them in front of you, where it’s easier to keep an eye on them. Any motorcycle excels at that role, and a nimble 250 in particular.

  Also, the 250 Ninja looks like a lot of fun. I see them tooling around on the twisty country roads in my area and they look like a blast.

  January 26, 2009 at 3:37 pm #16027
  Munch

  Participant

  Not sure about the Helmet or the permit requirement for the BRC in your area. Here neither was a HAVE TO HAVE. There again I took the Riders Edge course which is the same exact thing just involves money to take and gives the dealer a chance to snag you as a customer. Here in NC the learners permit is not required to have to take the course as the practice/lessons are in a parking lot and not on the streets. Helmets are optional here also as they could provide you with a used one. You will need to check with the program/school that you take the course through.
  However it will be better to have your own helmet either way. That away you already know it fits comfortably, and it will become one less thing you got to worry about. Here we also had to have full gloves ( no fingerless) and boots that provided support for the ankle, you also were required to have a long sleeve shirt or Jacket and long legged pants.
  Again call the organization your taking it through to get clear cut rules.

  January 26, 2009 at 4:00 pm #16029
  Clay Dowling

  Participant

  and a jacket. Somebody bites it in most of the classes. If you’re the one, you’ll be glad you had the gear. Also, get the full face helmet because the crashes often involve the face and the pavement meeting. Certainly the one in my class did. The woman’s full face helmet kept her from getting a nasty case of road rash on her face.

  They’ll tell you for sure everything you need on the first day, which is usually just an evening classroom session. But getting to a shop to buy gear can be a real nuisance between when you got out of class late on the first night and when you show up early the next morning.

  January 26, 2009 at 4:39 pm #16031
  briderdt

  Participant

  I did just what you’re suggesting — bought the bike before taking the MSF course. And I did have to “unlearn” some habits. But the habits I had to unlearn were things like covering the brakes while riding (they teach not to, while others — like Hough — teach to cover them), or using 2 fingers on the brake lever.

  In Washington, there is no requirement to have a learners’ permit prior to taking the course. I went ahead and took the DMV written test, though, so that I would be legal to practice riding before taking the class.

  Would I do things differently if I had to do them all over again? Probably. But that has more to do with what’s happened after the class (my wife not passing her class, and her very slow climb up the learning curve) than anything else. Reason is, part of the “why” I got the bike I did was because we’d planned to doing some longer road trips together, and it looks like she is going to be a lot slower in getting to that point of ability. I could have done fine with a smaller bike (not that I’m afraid of the bike I have) and upgrade in a year and still not impact the schedule of our planned trips at this point.

  January 26, 2009 at 4:47 pm #16032
  wbsprudels

  Participant

  I was the one who bit it in my class. I was first to try the quick stop from 2nd gear and grabbed a whole lot of front brake. As a result, I went flying over the front of my bike. No real damage to me or the bike, fortunately I was athletic enough to land on my hands, feet and roll. However, it scared two of the other students enough that they dropped out.

  January 26, 2009 at 5:56 pm #16033
  ranette

  Participant

  Hmm, in Vermont, where I live, and NY, where I took the BRC, a permit is necessary to even enroll in the class. I had thought that was nationwide but I guess not. At the place where I took the course they supplied helmets if you didn’t have, but you needed to wear a bandana for sanitary purposes. If you didn’t bring your own bandana they sold them for $5.

  I realize that the BRC is designed for anyone, even if you’ve never been on a bike. However if you have access to a bike, a parking lot. and an experienced friend I think a little time in the saddle would be helpful for the class. Any bad habits that you might pick up in a few hours of practice will be quickly corrected in the class and I just feel that getting somewhat familiar with the basic controls before the class can be a big help. If you don’t have access to all of those just take the course, in fact the one person in our class who scored 100 on the test had never been on a motorcycle before.

  January 26, 2009 at 6:04 pm #16034
  Dagger

  Participant

  You should check with your MSF course and see what they require.. Here you need to have your motorcycle permit. Also for the class they asked that you bring your own helmet, gloves, boots and at least a long sleeve shirt that covers your arms (Jackets preferred). That said.. They did have some helmets for those that did not have them, and some gardening gloves for a couple people that came without them.. But neither were anything too comfortable so it was better if you brought your own. Good luck on your course.

  Dagger

  January 26, 2009 at 7:09 pm #16036
  DK

  Guest

  No temporary permit is required in Florida to take the class. I would not bother with it unless you are so impatient that you must be out on the road before you can take the class (not recommended). I also would not want to wear my own helmet for class. If you drop the bike and fall on your head, you just wasted a lot of your own money on a helmet that probably should be replaced after the impact. Also you will be out in the hot sun for 2 days at speeds that do not give you much of a breeze to stay cool. Wearing a full face helmet in these slow conditions is really not necessary. Your concentration should be on your skills improvement, not equipment discomfort. Besides, living in Florida you may not want to wear a helmet (not recommended), and therefore won’t buy one (not recommended). Same argument applies to wearing leather to your class. You should be fine with the minimum attire requirements the school gives you.

  As far as bike capability goes, my body dimensions are almost identical to your description and my 250 ninja has plenty of juice to get me off the line and down the road.

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