- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 7 months ago by Eddiepowerfm.
New rider in NC
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September 17, 2009 at 4:20 am #3435AmyD_onKawasakiParticipant
Hey there!
I’ve loved motorcycles for a long time. My dad has been riding for 30+ years and I felt so cool way back in the second grade arriving to school on the back of his bike. I took an MSF course last year and just didn’t have the time to carry through with regular practice and getting my licsense so my dad has been letting me loose in empty parking lots to get back into it. So far all my rides on the road have been chaperoned by my dad riding his reliable Nighthawk while I follow on my very loud (thanks to that Muzzy) 04 Ninja 500r. I love it!
First found this site while looking at the 250r for my first bike. Even sat on a beatuiful brand new green one and I thought it was love. But after reading too many reviews about the 250’s not having enough power, we got my 500r and I couldn’t be happier. Sure, it’s not pretty and new. But I take that as a good thing because if it were new I would be VERY upset about the scratches I put on it. And now I can save up for something shiny
September 17, 2009 at 6:10 pm #22385owlieParticipantWelcome to the group!
We’d love to see some pics of your ride so we can oohh and aahh over it.
As for the scratches on the new ride, I can understand, but I got over them pretty quickly. It was the $100 bucks that I had to shell out to replace the tail light that really galled…
September 18, 2009 at 4:58 pm #22420AmyD_onKawasakiParticipantOuch! I won’t have to buy any new parts (thank goodness) because my dad has a ’94 500r thats got major engine problems. we use that for parts
September 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm #22430Sheri DParticipantHey, Folks:
I just read the intro by Amy and talking about her dad who has been riding for 30+ years. My guess is he and I are about the same age . Amy, if all goes as planned, we will move to Asheville in the next few months. Where in NC are you (area – not address!)?I am currently without a bike because I live outside NYC, so it’s impractical to still own one. My last bike (three years ago) was a Kawasaki Vulcan LTD 500. I got rid of it when my commute to NYC began. I was too tired to ride it and being tired on a bike do not go together.
My life began on a Hondamatic 90cc. I took my motorcycle test on it when I was about 25 years old. I quickly moved to a Honda 250CM but sold it quickly to buy a Honda 650 Nighthawk because the 250 didn’t have enough power.
My youngest sister is currently looking at bikes. Have any of you had experience buying from eBay? She’s looking there and on Craigslist. I can advice her about bikes but I don’t know how eBay bike purchases are (she told me eBay will protect the buyer from fraud if there are problems with the transaction and I have my concerns).
Thanks, All!
September 20, 2009 at 5:23 pm #22439AGParticipantAt 62 I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one here who qualifies for the senior discount at the movies. Passed (barely) the new rider MSF course a couple of months ago. I had bought a used Triumph Bonneville. Newbee mistake number one. A beautiful bike but too heavy for a brand new rider, at least in my opinion. And being inseam challenged I could not flat foot it.
Found a nearly new Suzuki S40 a much better ride for me. I’m surprised it barely gets a passing mention in these discussions. Yes it did backfire once when I closed the throttle abruptly after revving the engine. And I get that pfft sound when shutting her down. So what. kind of makes me smile actually. It’s a good looking bike in my opinion and it’s light, nimble, belt drive and simple. And it does have some oomph to it. It may be considered a starter bike but I have kept it even after buying a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. I know that’s regarded as a beginner bike too, but it calls for a liitle adjustment in riding style when I switch rides. I like to do my parking lot practice on both bikes. If I can manage the maneuver on the S40, then the heavier Kawi gives me a bit more of a challenge. I really like both bikes for different reasons. That’s just part of the learning process I guess. Anyway, having fun along the way.September 20, 2009 at 11:05 pm #22443owlieParticipantWelcome, Sheri and AG.
AG – I think that the S40 is just under appreciated in general. I will say that it is probably on the outside of what should be considered beginner, and having started with one myself, I would probably go smaller if I were to do it all over again. I think that it gets a short shrift because it is a little too large to be a first suggestion for a beginner bike and too small for people who are “looking to move up.”
September 21, 2009 at 12:40 am #22446AGParticipantI guess you’re right about the S40 Owlie. They used 250s at the new rider course and I just didn’t think it had enough hp to haul my rather bulky carcass around. I suppose a more experienced rider would say the S40 and the Vulcan500 are underpowered too. But they have plenty of zip for me…..for now.
September 21, 2009 at 4:38 am #22448EddiepowerfmParticipantother than the weight what are some of the other differences in your bikes?
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