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Kymco Vitality 50
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dcJohnParticipant
Glad you’re ok!
With < 400 miles I've already had someone try to drive right over me. Yesterday an older fellow in an Expedition (because what octogenarian doesn't need a massive SUV for their afternoon drive to the mall?) tried to change lanes right over me mid-turn. It was shortly after a light (T intersection), so at least the speed wasn't that that high. I didn't locate the horn right away, and I was very tempted to try and kick the side of his truck to get his attention and stop the lane change (aka: bad idea theater). Although, in my defense, while the MSF training warns about kicking dogs, it says nothing about kicking negligent old driver's SUVs. I was fuming for the next couple of blocks, plotting different ways to dramatically get across the message that the guy should pay more attention to where he directed his land barge. But then I remembered an old story from my days of hanging out at zen retreats:
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Two monks were returning to the monastery in the evening. It had rained and there were puddles of water on the road sides. At one place a beautiful young woman was standing unable to walk accross because of a puddle of water. The elder of the two monks went up to a her, lifted her in his arms, and carried her to the other side of the road, and continued his way to the monastery.
In the evening the younger monk came to the elder monk and said, “Sir, as monks, we should not touch a woman ?”
The elder monk answered “yes, brother”.
Then the younger monk asks again, ” but then Sir, how is that you lifted that woman on the roadside ?”
The elder monk smiled at him and told him ” I left her on the other side of the road, but you are still carrying her “
—-And so, I let go of that anger and started working on practicing finding my horn in a pinch.
JohnSeptember 29, 2008 at 2:02 am in reply to: I took delivery on this baby today………… first bike ever #12920dcJohnParticipantSweet bike! If I was taller (only 5’8″), I’d have started on the Versys, and I’m still seriously considering it as my next bike.
September 24, 2008 at 4:10 am in reply to: MSF School: Waste of time, waste of money, both, or none of the above……Flamers flame on. #12628dcJohnParticipantCongrats on getting your endorsement!
dcJohnParticipantIt sure looks nice in the video. Come spring time, when I have more riding experience under my belt, I plan to start commuting to work on a bike (45 minutes each way on I95). I’ll probably be wanting to move up to a bit more power than my Ninja 250, and I think the choice is going to be between the ER-6N and Yamaha’s revised FZR6.
dcJohnParticipantAt 5’2″, the Ninja 250 is going to be a great fit and a terrific bike to learn on. I’m loving mine.
dcJohnParticipantVery cool. I’ve added my location. Unfortunately, it looks like we’re a pretty spread-out bunch.
dcJohnParticipantCongrats! I’m jealous… I love the Bay area, and it seems like a great place to explore on a bike.
The second gear advice is particularly true for the Buell Blasts (for folks in the Rider’s Edge course). The Blast is torquey and all-to-easy to jerk around in first gear. Even on slower exercises, keeping the revs up and feathering the clutch in second provides a much more controlled and predictable ride than staying in first.
The time aspect must vary by state. In MD, the only exam item that was timed was the turn exercise. (Well, technically they also had a stopwatch in the quick stop, but it was just a way to determine your speed so that they could calculate the allowed stopping distance.)
September 23, 2008 at 2:15 pm in reply to: MSF School: Waste of time, waste of money, both, or none of the above……Flamers flame on. #12557dcJohnParticipantFirst, I’m sure that the quality of the instructor has a huge affect on things. Knowing how to ride and knowing how to teach are two different skills, and I’m sure there are plenty of MSF instructors out there who have great riding credentials but aren’t nearly as skilled at teaching the material. My course’s instructor (and second riding coach when out on the range) was terrific–made the points tangible with plenty of real-world riding stories and obviously had a sincere interest in making sure everyone improved their riding. He’d been teaching MSF courses for several years, and when someone wasn’t “getting it” he often had several other ways of getting across what was needed (he’d clearly seen it all and had figured out different ways to reach different people).
Second, the class is going to be driven by the beginners in the class. That’s understandable, since the course is to get basic riding proficiency down. If I wanted to coast through the class, I could have just settled for the thumbs up I got after running through the exercises. But I figured, “hey, it’s not my bike, and they don’t seem to freak out at drops in practice” so a couple times I pushed things like the box figure 8 a bit more aggressively than I would on my bike to really find the limits of traction and control. I never actually did drop the bike, skid out of control, or even stall, and I learned to trust bikes a lot more than I would have if I was being more cautious on my own ride. Also, the instructor was happy to talk about and coach more advanced stuff during breaks (when it wouldn’t confuse or send mixed messages to the complete beginners). I got a nice introduction to trail breaking that way.
Third, I’m sure it has to vary some by state. Here in Maryland, the riding/skill test was run by a separate state DMV tester who came in at the end of the class to administer and judge the Maryland motorcycle skills exam. The class doesn’t just teach to the exam–for example, we ran through lots of exercises that aren’t included on the MD exam (e.g. offset cones) –but on the second day there was more emphasis and practice on the exams that the state test included. I think there’s a generic set of riding skills units in every MSF course, but there’s designed flexibility on day 2 of riding to focus a bit more on whatever skills your state tests for.
My only really negative thing to say comes from the Rider’s Edge “branding” of the MSF course. There were some extra hours of class time that had nothing to do with riding knowledge or skills and everything to do with pushing the dealership and the Harley brand. If I’m going to have to deal with an extra hour or two of the marketing nonsense, I’d like to see the course cost less, not more, than the MSF equivalent. Plus, the Buell Blasts were a pain at slow speed and clearly were not a great first ride for the absolute beginners. Still, at least here in MD, the MSF courses can’t come close to keeping up with the demand, and I’m glad the RE courses exist as another convenient avenue for getting in a class.
September 23, 2008 at 4:36 am in reply to: MSF School: Waste of time, waste of money, both, or none of the above……Flamers flame on. #12536dcJohnParticipantI just finished an MSF (Rider’s Edge) course, and because of all the reading and practice I did before the class, I didn’t really hear anything from the instructors that I didn’t know before. But I’m still glad to have had the experience. During the classroom time I got to meet some great new riders that I expect I’ll be going on several group rides with in the future. And on the skills course I got a chance to really focus on practicing my skills. I pretty much aced the skills test at the end of the class (-1), and I suspect I also would have aced the skills test if I’d taken it before the class, but I also know I’m a better rider for having spent a good two days really focusing on my riding and slow-speed maneuvering and technique.
And here’s something for you… ** I’m about to take the exact same class again, just a little under a month from now, and I suspect I’ll still come away having improved my riding **
I originally signed up for an MSF class in late October with a good friend who’s also getting into riding–it was the earliest date we were both free and we could find an open class. But I ended up getting my bike early, found myself riding every day, and quickly realized I better get fully licensed sooner rather than later. (I had a learner’s permit, but here in Maryland a learner’s permit still requires you to be supervised during rides.) So I managed to slip into an earlier course. I can’t back out of the original course I signed up and paid for, and even if they let me, I wouldn’t, because I committed to taking it with my buddy and I’m looking forward to helping him out, practicing together, and enjoying the fun. And I’m still sure that the class will be worthwhile again.
September 23, 2008 at 4:34 am in reply to: Any info out there on how to be a good motorcycle passenger? #12538dcJohnParticipantSome big points:
Get on after I do. Mount from the left. Watch the hot parts.
Keep your feet on the pegs, even when I stop at an intersection and put my foot down.
When I turn, look over my shoulder in the direction of the turn/lean (e.g. when we turn right, look over my right shoulder)
If you feel uncomfortable or scared with how I’m riding, let me know. Let’s make sure we’re both having fun.dcJohnParticipantThe short answer is that it depends. What kind of riding are you interested in? Carving quickly through lots of S turns, leisurely cruises down the road, commuting through highways or city traffic? When you imagine enjoying a motorcycle, what kind of ride do you picture yourself on?
You’ll find that the majority opinion here is to start on a less powerful bike to build up your skills. That usually means starting in the 250 to 500cc range.
dcJohnParticipantExactly what I was looking for. I’ll keep learning on and enjoying my 250 for the Fall/Winter, but I think that’s going to be my spring fling.
dcJohnParticipantWell drat, between the bikes I wish it was the Versys that was having the seat lowered. I would love to move up to it next year as my second bike, but at 5’8″ w/30″ inseam I think the seat height is a bit of a problem.
dcJohnParticipantThanks Munch, that’s just what I needed to know.
dcJohnParticipantI went straight to the owner’s manual, and I’ve been looking at the oil level with the bike vertical (not resting on the side stand), but I still was left with questions. When it comes to oil, the manual recommends…
Type:
API SE, SF, or SG;
API SH, SJ or SL with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2
Viscosity:
10W-40It does not mention what oil is originally in the bike. but I know I shouldn’t mix oil with different viscosities, so I know non-synthetic 10W-40. But I wasn’t sure what the API standards mean and what, if any, care I need to take with matching what’s already in the new bike.
Any and all help here appreciated. I’m getting to enjoy the day off tomorrow, just passed my MSF, and am looking forward to getting some riding in.
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