[fotobits]

I’ve been riding for more than 30 years, but my wife is a newbie to motorcycling. After reading Gary’s review of the 2008 Ninja 250 we put down a deposit on a 2009 model yesterday. I’m planing to buy a Ninja 650R for commuting and occasional track days, and as my wife’s future bike after she outgrows the 250.

Great site. Even us old farts can learn from and enjoy sites like this.

[megaspaz]

Hiya and welcome! Hope to hear more from ya, especially with 30 years experience behind ya.

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

[ShannonG]

Welcome! I hope she loves the Ninja!

[SuperMotoRider]

at this rate, you might as well put a payment down for the 2010 model instead. by the time you get your 2009 model, the 2010s will be out

Cool bike though.

[Ben]

Welcome aboard. Is that you in your avatar pic? What is that, a Honda f2?

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[fotobits]

On my (now sold) Honda F3. Turn 2 at Laguna Seca during one of Reg Pridmore’s schools, 2001.

[fotobits]

Seeing as how all the Kawasaki Ninja 650s in this area are sold out, I broke down and bought a 2003 Suzuki SV1000 yesterday, and took it out for a 90-mile round trip ride this morning. Great bike for riders with the experience to handle it, but definitely not a beginner bike. Tons of torque, great brakes and good suspension. Handles like an extension of my thoughts, but even while cruising home in relaxed mode I found myself taking corners at twice the speed posted on those yellow signs. The bike and I still had plenty in reserve, but it would be way easy to get in over your head with this 996cc V-twin.

Now I need to get signed up for some track days.

[megaspaz]

Awesome! When I do the twisties here, it sure feels like i’m doubling up suggested entry speed signs, but then on the exit i look at the speedo and weep…

been thinking about track day myself… a co-worker’s been bugging me like crazy trying to make me feel bad for not going to the track day he’s trying to organize… Don’t wanna sound nosy or nothing, but where you situated at? Are you in b.a., california and if so, you do the usual backroad “tracks”?

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

[fotobits]

…just north of Austin in Round Rock. I moved back here from the Bay Area a bit less than four years ago. We had a house in Hollister, and I got to ride some great roads, as well as some great tracks. I highly recommend Reg Pridmore’s CLASS, Lance Keigwin’s novice schools, and Red Shift Motorcycle Safety School. You’ll not only become a better and safer rider, you’ll get addicted to track riding.

After riding on the track a few dozen times I’ve definitely slowed down on the street. I was crazy in my youth, partially because I didn’t have access to tracks and had to get my speed buzz on public roads. Back then the roads we used were deserted. Now the (new) stores on those roads sell T-shirts publicizing my favorite Texas back roads to every squid in the state. Good thing we have tracks here now.

Get yourself to a track, but start with one of the schools, not an open track day. Zoom Zoom also has excellent instructors.

[Author]

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