[Rupmisc]

Yes after much reading and much research, including numerous posts on this site, I made a decision. The bike will have a plate and be ready for pick up tomorrow. For those who have patiently answered my questions, thank you. For those who are curious, read on.

I bought a new Nighthawk 250 with every intention of using it to hone (or just develop) my skills. For others who may be making similar decisions, I thought I’d outline my thinking [ ? ] process. Being totally new to motorcycles I also learned a lot about bikes, dealers, experts, and a bunch of other stuff I’d never dealt with before. But, I’ll save most of these stories for some other time. So anyway, here is why I did what I did, and what I think about it.

I am by nature conservative, and I am lucky in that I can afford to buy a different bike if and when I want to or need to. At my size (which we all now know is 6 feet, 190 lbs, 32 inch inseam), the nighthawk is not wonderfully comfortable, but neither were the 500R or even the 250R (although I did try to get a 250R). It’s old technology, expensive for what it is, but reliable, and more comfortable to me that the Ninja 500R. I’m pretty sure that the 500R would have been just fine, and maybe better after the first 2 days. But without opportunities to test ride, it just wasn’t worth it to me to take the chance. The 500R might have lasted a little longer, but I hope to switch to something more comfortable if I stay with riding, and when I become competent. So what the hell, if I made a mistake, I’ll take the hit. Meanwhile, a little extra mental comfort isn’t a bad thing (silly or not, I just kept wondering what would happen if I grabbed brake and throttle on a 500).

I hope to spend the next three months (about what I figure to be the rest of the recreational riding season here in eastern Mass.) riding on suburban roads, and finding some good places to practice stops and turns. I hope the Nighthawk is up to it, but I suspect it will do just fine. Although I nurse a secret desire for a Triumph Bonneville, I have sat on, and read reviews of the 650R and the Versys. The 650R is comfortable, the Versys is even better for my body, and if it can be a touring bike that can handle a few extra bumps, so much the better. All of the other bikes will still be around next year, and there are so many that look like fun. By the way, I wasn’t delusional when I said that I crave precision rather than speed. Also, the fact that I have acquired a good helmet, jacket, over-trousers, boots, and gloves with gauntlets, demonstrates my preoccupation with being around for my kids. My inquiries about larger bikes weren’t ego, just leg position.

My gut tells me that a person in control of his desire to go fast, would be fine on any 2 cylinder sport-ish bike up to 650 (if he/she stays within limits and practices). Cruisers are different, I think. Because of their weight, a beginner might be able to go up to 750ccs on some bikes. He/she might not ride with elegance, but I don’t think there would be as much chance of catastrophic trouble from accidental acceleration. I still believe that a good review of the 650R and, yes, the Harley Sportster, might be useful for some. There is little downside for me, however, in taking any chance, so I’ll start with the Nighthawk 250.

It would be ironic if, after all this rational thinking and safety planning, I get nailed by some dimwit with a cell phone who just happens to lose control of his/her car.

If any one cares, I’d be delighted to detail my progress in subsequent posts. I’ll look forward to reading about those intrepid souls who went straight for the 650R, it seems like a pretty cool all purpose bike.

For what it’s worth, some posters here really caused me to examine my feelings and my priorities. I am grateful. I am pretty sure I made the right decision, and not concerned if I didn’t. My time here has been well spent. Thank you Ben.

Maybe I’ll meet one of you some day. Meanwhile, speak to you here. Wish me luck.

Oh, for any of you who also like cars, and watch the BBC show “Top Gear”, I am feeling a strong desire to give the bike a name–“Oliver”.

[Matt]

Oliver!
Hopefully your Oliver has better luck with water and subsequently electrical systems than Hammond’s.

Good luck!

P.S.
Oliver is being professionally restored for filming of “something” starting July 14th… I’m curious to see what becomes of that.

[battlewagon]

I just went to go look at the Honda Rebel here in So.Cal and the dealer was going to tack on an extra $1600 for freight/setup? The MSRP is only $3200. WTF!

[ShannonG]

Happy riding!

[megaspaz]

If any one cares, I’d be delighted to detail my progress in subsequent posts.

Are they going to be novels like this one?

I KEEED, I KEEED…

Congrats on deciding on a bike. Now get some gear (I’m wondering how long it’ll take you to decide on what gear to get)…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Kickprivate]

Grats on the bike. Post your experience if you so choose. People will read it.

~Not your average hairless monkey
Kick

[Rupmisc]

Just kidding, but I always wanted to write a long-winded novel.

Gear was easy and already done. Cortech Air 2 jacket, Joe Rocket over-pants, Arai Helmet, Sidi boots, Joe Rocket leather gauntlets. Should be ok for summers in Massachusetts.

Now, we’ll see how much of an expert I can turn into in the next 12 months. We had an unofficial motto at one of my schools: “Seldom right, but never in doubt”. I have failed to live up to either part- – – I hope.

[CityHunter357]

Happy to hear you have a new ride. I’m still waiting to buy one, but I’ve been looking at the Nighthawks (both CB250 and CB750). The 750 is a pretty sharp looking ride with the alloy wheels

–“You don’t get to be old bein’ no foo, see? Lotta young wise men that’s deaaad as a motha!#@% ain’t they?– Richard Pryor as “Mudbone”

[Rab]

Congratulations on your new purchase and I think you’ll find the Nighthawk 250 is up to the task at hand; especially if, as you say, you are conservative by nature.

The Nighthawk 250 is quite zippy around town and will be ideal for Massachusetts back roads (I used to live 15 miles S.W. of Boston and later, on the North Shore); watch-out for wet (and dry) leaves in the fall though! Note that first gear feels very short on this bike, so you’ll probably want to change to second as soon as you’re rolling. It has gear range markings on the speedo which you might find useful in the beginning.

You may even find that you want to keep it as a runabout when it’s time to move-up; I know I wanted to, but alas, finances wouldn’t allow MBS (multiple bike syndrome).

Incidentally, I moved from the Nighthawk 250 to the (much heavier) Triumph Bonneville and it was an easy transition as they are both traditional style “standard” bikes with smooth and even power delivery. Needless to say, the (“slow” by today’s standards; 0-60 in 5 seconds) Bonneville, felt like a rocket ship after the Nighthawk 250

FYI – It takes a *lot* of self-discipline (more than I have at times), to ride conservatively on a fast bike when you become reasonably competent.

Take it easy and keep the shiny side up

[Rupmisc]

The ride home from the dealer was about 20 miles, avoiding the highway. It proved most interesting.

First, I had to return to the dealer twice because the speedometer was not functioning properly. Aside: interesting that it feels as if I’m going slower than actual speed (speedometer is a necessity). The dealer had been very pleasant to deal with, and remained so, but I am now a bit concerned about their service capabilities if it took two tries to check a cable. Anyway, all flawless since then.

Rab, you are absolutely right. The bike is more than up to my needs, especially since I plan to avoid the freeway until I am more experienced (and I know if the 250 can get up to speed).

I had 3 unpleasant experiences on the way home, (Rte. 62 if you remember the North Shore). As I made a right turn from a right turn lane, a truck in the same lane decided to blow past me mid-turn. As I waited to make a left, in a left turn lane, a pickup behind me (towing a trailer) decided to change lanes – – the trailer missed me by about 6 feet but it felt closer). No day would be complete without someone on a cell phone making a left right in front of me no signal-but, thanks to “Precision Motorcycling” I had been watching her front tires.

I also hit a road being repaved, complete with grooves and edge traps. Very glad I knew to avoid the edge traps.

I was a lot happier on the nighthawk 250, than I would have been on a bigger bike. Control is that much easier. Because I bought a new bike, the clutch, throttle, and brakes were much smoother than the much abused bike I rode in the MSF course. I have been practicing on smaller streets until I can find a large empty parking lot where I can practice without bothering anyone (actually not so easy around here). But everything I have read here, or in the books, about just how aware one needs to be is, if anything, understated. Riding my little bike at low speeds requires as much (or more) concentration, as driving an M3 or M5 on a race course. I am very glad that I elected to proceed gradually. Despite the “overdressed for every occasion” comments, I plan to keep the full gear on, even for a two minute trip.

Rab, right about leaves in fall, and shifting. Manual says top gear at 36mph.

Glad I got the Nighthawk, even beginning to think of it with affection. By daughters are debating whether it should have a name (possibly tacky) and if “Oliver” is not original. I don’t feel that an homage to Top Gear would be inappropriate, but daughters will have last word.

[ScottyJ]

Congrats on the bike. Sounds like you had an eventful ride home. I get comments about being geared up in 100 degree weather but it doesn’t bother me. There are lots of others who agree with and respect my decision to wear protection. And my loved ones definitely approve of it.

[Rab]

Glad to hear you’re pleased with the Nighthawk 250 and it sounds like you’re getting a flavor of why a 250 is a good choice for the beginning rider.

Re. watching the front wheels of the cars, I think you meant “Proficient Motorcycling” by David Hough. Yes, that’s a great book and the edge-traps advice is sound as they can throw you into a wobble no problem at all. It can be a little un-nerving to read though, as it seems that there are a million scary things you’ve got to watch out for. I know my first few rides after reading it were done with some added trepidation. Still, motorcycling, while a lot of fun, can be dangerous as we all know, so it’s worth reminding yourself of that every now and again when you find yourself doing something reckless.

Well done on the 20 mile journey home; quite daring for a newbie

After a while, motorcycling will move from the jerky conscious part of your brain to the subconscious part, then much of it will become fluid and automatic; like learning to play a musical instrument well. Then the scales will begin to tip from the “this is scary” end of the scale to the “hey, I’m enjoying this” end of the scale.

Be safe, always ride within your limits, and ride your own ride.

[Rupmisc]

ScottyJ, the comments don’t bother me either. I too have loved ones.

Rab, quite right on the book title. I appreciate the rest of your comments.

[Author]

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