[JackTrade]

are how they determine whether it protects you properly in the worst case. Without them, that’s a lot of trial and (catastrophic) error.

One of the big and very controversial findings of the Hurt Report is that the older Snell standards were not necessarily better than the DOT for *most* crashes.

Snell-rated helmets were harder, but they’d actually transmit more energy than a “softer” DOT-rated helmet. At the limit (like a crash at triple-digit speeds), Snell was better as it would still offer some protection whereas the DOT helmet had more or less totally crapped out, but in lower speed crashes (statistically way more common), the DOT helmet’s softer construction transmitted less energy to the rider’s head. One of the best rated helmets was a cheap model sold at Pep Boys if I recall…

The EU ECE standard was somewhere in the middle in terms of hardness (and therefore energy transmission), and was starting to be seen as a good compromise (the most protection for the most cases). Of course, Snell furiously disagreed, and among riders, this was a very hot topic that generated endless debate.

Fortunately, it looks like there’s starting to be some convergence in standards…I believe the Snell 2010 standard meets the EU ECE certification.

Thanks for the article Jeff…a nice followup to the one of a few years back on the subject.

[JackTrade]

Truck barrels into 9 motorcyclists stopped at a light.

http://jalopnik.com/5502266/dump-truck-driver-in-massive-motorcycle-crash-fishing-for-papers-before-accident

[JackTrade]

That’s a hell of a story, and quite sobering for the rest of us.

A really good reminder of the importance of risk management when riding; you did everything you could to stay safe, and because of that, though you didn’t come out unscathed, you lived to tell the tale.

Also glad to see how fast Chile is recovering from the quakes…an amazing country.

Re the Versys, I’m like Jeff, inseam-wise, and yeah, I found it to be a tall bike. Also fairly top-heavy as well. But gets outstanding marks as a great all-in-one ride. Looks cool too.

[JackTrade]

You’ll find plenty of support for the Ninja 250 choice here.

Just a note on ergonomics…the Ninja actually has a fairly neutral riding position; you’re not hunched over the bike, but more upright. The Ninja 500 and the Suzuki GS500 have a similar position.

It’s the fairings and plastic cladding that make them all look like the more back-breaking racer replica bikes, but they actually ride more like a traditional standard (you know, the “classic” image of a motorcycle you see on road signs warning you to be careful of open joints)

[JackTrade]

Forgeting to turn on the fuel valve, only to wonder a few hundred yards later why the bike is sputtering and dying, then wondering if anyone around you is laughing at you, knowing why you’re reaching down on the side of bike while riding.

And the worst part is I absolutely remember FINE-C.

[JackTrade]

They’re basically the same bike, functionally speaking, so it’s mostly about which appeals to you and how it feels when you’re on it. Either is fast enough for any sort of reasonable riding.

Ninja 500: Styling is 1980s vintage, though gauges are sharp-looking. Is thought to be faster than the GS500. Maybe be harder to find, as they’ve stopped making them (if you’re going to buy new, that is).

GS500: More modern styling, though gauges are the old-school dual analog type (yay!). Is thought to brake a hair better than the Ninja.

[JackTrade]

That’s a great exercise…I recently realized that it’s been awhile since I’d been to my favorite local parking lot to practice (I usually get to ride after work, and during the winter it’s too dark by the time I get home), so I’m going to add this to my workout.

I remember doing a basic version of this in my BRC in the beginning, as we got used to how a bike works. Funny how it’s such a basic, foundational skill, but you rarely see people remembering to practice it. I sure didn’t.

[JackTrade]

Most people buy a used first bike, so that if they do drop it, it’s less of a big deal than dropping your spanking new pride and joy; pretty much a psychological reason.

Also, the practical side is that most novices upgrade to a more powerful machine fairly soon after getting some basic experience with their beginner bike, so why not let some else (the original buyer) take the depreciation hit?

And on the reality side, SV650 (naked) version isn’t available new in the states anymore (damnit!), but the Gladius is it’s replacement. SV650S (faired) is still available new.

But the SV650S/Gladius is a bike that has plenty to offer experienced riders, so buying it new is perhaps more of a reasonable option, as you’ll likely hold onto it for awhile.

I personally say buy used for your first bike, esp. if the Ninja, but there is a good case to be made for a new SV650.

[JackTrade]

The difference between 500 and 600 ccs in terms of suitability for novices is all about engine architecture.

500cc bikes are twin cylinder (or in my case, single) engines…power delivery is linear, and the torque is spread more or less evenly throughout the powerband. Jump on the throttle by accident, and it’s fairly manageable.

600cc bikes are 4 cylinder engines…they rev very high, and the power is sorta peaky (they’re designed for racing, where the bike is mostly operating at sustained high RPMs). Think a turbo-charged 4cyl in a car, and you get the idea. They tend to be less forgiving on the throttle than a 500….you jump on it (say you hit a pothole) and for a beginner, things can get out of hand very quickly.

[JackTrade]

If you get a used, older one, they have a naked, classic look. And if you buy the newer “f” version, it’s just the older version with a fairing, which you can remove and replace with a single headlight. Looks very cafe racer (that’s why I like ’em).

Like you, I’m a big fan of the sport-standard style bike. I ride a Buell Blast, which I’d recommend but you’d probably find it a bit primitive…great torque though.

[JackTrade]

This is a great help when looking at a used bike…read the whole thing before you go.

I did and even printed out the checklist and took it with me with I looked at bikes…helped keep me focused and ensured in the heat of the moment I didn’t forget anything important.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

[JackTrade]

about 6 months to take my BRC b/c of the same thing…the community college courses fill up very quickly. It’s a tough wait, but better to get on the list now. And even if you do get a learner’s permit, DO NOT ride until you take the class, even if your best friend’s sister’s ex-boyfriend’s former cellmate claims he can teach you everything you need to know in an afternoon with just his Gixxer and some flipflops.

Seriously though, going into the class w/o any prior knowledge makes it that much easier to learn, as you’ll be more likely to listen to everything you’re told to do, and not try to second-guess it.

Additionally to the other recommendations for good-but-inexpensive gear, check out motorcyclecloseouts.com…if you can stand wearing [shudder!] last year’s fashions and they have your size, you can save a bundle on quality, name-brand stuff.

[JackTrade]

I’m amazed at the amount of people on other motorcycle forums (seemingly most often guys who ride cool high-end stuff) who *refuse* to believe that countersteering is how you turn a bike a speed. I mean they are adamant that it’s not true, and the discussion threads become long and abusive as others try to explain. It’s like their religious beliefs are being challenged, it gets that heated.

[JackTrade]

I love taking the courses. I figure it’s cheap insurance, and I like ’em as reminders that I’ve only begun to learn to ride and I shouldn’t overestimate my (meager) abilities.

About a year after I took the BRC, I took the ERC skills practice course….while most of it was the same exercises as the BRC, it was great to have a chance to practice them again under supervision. Plus, they throw in some new stuff like one-handed riding.

The course was really about improving confidence I think. The weekend after I took it, I stopped at a busy gas station (the kind that would have freaked me out when I first started riding), and was amazed at how my low-speed skills had improved b/c of the course…I easily threaded my way though all the cars smoothly and calmly. And also now my tight U turns go w/o a hitch…it’s fun to watch other riders do a big lap in a parking lot while I just turn around where I am.

[JackTrade]

In my BRC, we had a guy who had been riding 20 years, and while overall he did well, he had some trouble with some stuff…I remember he overshot the emergency stop portion of the test.

We also had a guy recently arrived from Europe (apparently, we don’t recognize foreign motorcycle licenses), and he was absolutely flawless in just about every part…it was awe inspiring to watch him. Nice guy too with a good attitude…he was pretty good-natured at having to take a class he clearly didn’t really need.

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