- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by Munch.
Starting from scratch in the US
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March 15, 2010 at 7:32 am #3756raviParticipant
Hello !
I read almost all of this site and must admit that its very useful for a new biker.
Something about me:
I have been in the US for past 3 years, came here for higher studies and now am fortunate to have a stable job.. hence i can afford to feed my passion for riding… everytime i drive my automatic korean car.. i puke a little
I could get a cool manual trans car, but i would much rather bike, than be in a cage.. dunno if everyone feels as claustro as i do..My Bikes:
Started on a Kinetic Honda (http://www.motosindia.com/gifs/kinetic-scooter.jpg) which is 110cc and 7.2 bhp way back in 1997 (at 13… i know its not legal but oh well.. )
and sorely miss my bike (a bajaj pulsar, 15bhp, 179cc, http://www.bcmtouring.com/pics/khajuraho/15-my-bajaj-pulsar-180.jpg) which i had been riding since 2002-2007.
Have been driving since 07.. no bike makes me a really sad boySO.. I wonder:
1. Am I beginner ?
I have good control over the bike and have crashed less than 5 times.. all with minor scratches.. used to weaving in an out of traffic .. to open highways of 75 mph (thats how fast my bike could go before redlining.. of course there are speed limits but no one to enforce them ))) good times..).
I also realise that I have been riding with grossly underpowered bikes compared to here.. so I should start with a basic MSF course, but would be able to ramp up pretty fast..2. Which bike ?
I like the naked bikes (Triumph Speed Triple gives me the wet dreams, cause the way it looks, yet to ride it)..
I am leaning towards the Ninja 250, just to get familiar and ride it around for a few years but would be moving to the speed triple (or similar) when i get comfortable..
So the question is … Speed Triple V/s Ninja 500 v/s Ninja 250…
I do think that a new bike would be more trouble free for me so i can concentrate on the ride..
Moreover, I dont think I can figure out the good / bad in a used bike (Lemon.. does that apply to bikes??)3. How quickly can i start riding ?
I am in Raleigh NC.. and have a car license..
what is the quickest way to get from dreaming to doing ?
I know the start is from MSF course.. but then what ?
Is it a good idea to get the course from HD dealership instead and then rent a Buell Blast or something ?4. Insurance
Since my licence would be new.. how much (ballpark) should i be looking at with the bikes mentioned above.. ( I am 26)Thanks for answering any/ all of my questions
I shall be lurking around here… hopefully helping other people make similar transitions once i am able enough..
March 15, 2010 at 7:39 am #24956raviParticipantforgot to mention.. i am short fat guy.. 5’6″ and 190
March 15, 2010 at 3:20 pm #24957MunchParticipantWelcome…. I am in the Raleigh area myself… so make that a double welcome.
Answer to #1 ……yes you are a beginner. Not as much as some but a beginner none the less. “”I have good control over the bike and have crashed less than 5 times.. all with minor scratches.”””
answered your own question.
The MSF would be hugely beneficial to you. Granted your used to “throwing ” the bike around in between cars and weaving and bobbing, but you haven’t learned how to do it correctly and safely. Not to mention your looking to step into heavier machines with a bit more power.As far as which MSF course… Ray Price on South Saunders St. gives and that’s where I took it. very comfortable and very relaxed. The only other spot I know of is Wake Tech., though they were a touch slow in response to me a couple years ago and then when I got a response it cost near as much as Ray Price with twice the wait. The difference between the 2 was about $100 the wait about 3 months. You make the decision on what works for your plans.
Insurance will depend on Bike model, bike motor size, rider age, use and purposes (always tell them its for leisure), and some companies will even scale it against how popular the bike is to thieves, and bike year. Shop around and see what you can do.
March 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm #24918CBBaronParticipantEasy answer for insurance is go online to a couple sites like Geico and Progressive and get a quote for the bike you are interested in. There are a ton of variables that go into insurance so it hard to get an idea what it will cost without doing the quote yourself.
Ninja 250 or 500 are great starter bikes and are good bikes for general use also. Speed triple is a completely differ league. You may have the skills to step up to one but it will be a huge jump from your previous experience. Ninja 500 or GS500 may be a good bike for you to start with then step up after some experience with a bigger motorcycle.
MC licenses vary by state, but in general you can get a license in several steps.
With a valid drivers license you take a written test and get a MC learners permit. You can then legally drive motorcycles with some limitations (usually no highway or after dark).
Once you have the temp you can take the skills test and then get your permanent endorsement.
An excellent suggestion is to take the MSF basic riders course even if you are an experienced rider. You really can learn alot in the course and in many states you can take the skills test at the end of the course.Also look for used bikes to start with especially if you intend to upgrade soon. Lightly used Ninja beginner bikes like the Ninja 250r are easy to find on the used market and you can usually recover much of your cost when you resell. If you buy new you are usually luckly to get half that cost back when you change bikes.
Craig
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