[JackTrade]

Most of the popular beginner’s bikes can often be later resold for what (or very close to) you paid for them (assuming you buy used). There’s always demand for them. Ninjas in particular sell like hotcakes.

So you’re not really wasting any money if you buy a small displacement first bike like the Ninja 250…you’ll likely get most if not all of it back when you sell in a year or whatever when you move up.

Just think of your first used bike as a rental.

And agree with Bouncingradical…check out your local community college to see if they offer the MSF courses. Where I live, they are significantly cheaper than doing the Riders Edge. Also, at Riders Edge, they only have Buell Blasts, but at community colleges, there’s usually a plethora on bikes, from cruisers to dual sports to even one or two Ninjas.

[JackTrade]

Funny how it’s the opposite of the MSF on-road courses…they yell like crazy during the BRC, but are more mellow during the ERC. Of course, the cost of screwing up offroad is usually a lot less than on the tarmac.

Thanks for the differentiation between the two. I’ll definitely be starting out with the basic course!

[JackTrade]

Thanks for the great review Eon…ever since I went to the AMA motocross grand nations this summer, I’ve been thinking about buying a small dual-sport in a year or so, and definitely would like some formal instruction before doing the other part of “dual”. Cheers!

[JackTrade]

Yes, it can be done. Since the GS500 is an old bike, it’s been around for years without any significant changes…so parts are easy to come by. I think the fairing went on in 2004 or so, and the naked version is still sold in Canada and elsewhere.

What you’ll need to convert from faired to non-faired is basically:

– The headlight housing, headlight and the headlight housing bracket.
– Mirrors
– Mirror brackets

Otherwise, the fairings just unscrew.

Here’s some info on how to do everything, step by step, with pics:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21212.0

I know this as I’m currently looking at picking up a GS500 myself, and I’ve been researching the parts needed so I can convert mine!

[JackTrade]

Also check out the MSF’s “Motorcycling Excellence”.

It’s a decent all-around intro to motorcycles and motorcycling. It covers pretty much everything she’ll get in the BRC course, but with much more detail (the course can get rushed). It’s great for someone who’s never ridden before, as it starts from the absolute beginning, but does eventually get into some moderately advanced stuff.

The chapter on countersteer is really good, and explains it nicely. Also, the book is full of little vingnettes written by racers, engineers, etc. on various topics…from frame geometry (courtesy of Erik Buell) to an intro to trail braking (I kid you not!).

It’s not for advanced riders of course, but for its intended audience, it’s a good bet. I’ve been very happy with mine.

[JackTrade]

Seems very similar to the Buell P3 Blast…more or less the exact same power to weight ratio (Blast has a little more power, but weighs a little more), same sizing/styling, riding position, etc. That video looks almost exactly what I look like riding my Blast.

Even more interesting is that the whole Johnny Pag thing seems to be a small cruiser version of the Erik Buell experience: a small company fronted by a really passionate guy that makes decent bikes (given the constraints) and is on the way up. At the beginning, the business model is a little shaky, but the right intentions seem there.

Could very much see Pag’s bikes being sold by a bigger company with a bigger dealership network in a few years. Of course, hopefully said bigger company won’t pull the plug on Pag, just as his stuff was getting really good.

As for the bike, if you like the idea of the FX-3 but worry about the parts/service issue, look into a Buell Blast (sorry, just plain “Blast” now….sigh).

It’s very similar, it’s easy to fix/parts are everywhere, and all the early issues have long since been sorted out…it’s pretty bulletproof these days, if a little basic. I love mine, it’s been a great way to get into motorcycles, and it’s definitely a unique bike.

[JackTrade]

Ever since HD pulled the plug last month, the Buell forums have been going nuts (as you might imagine). Even I’ve gotten a little sick of it, and I love these bikes.

Badweatherbikers is probably the most comprehensive, and one of its regulars is a close friend of Erik Buell’s. Anyway, as soon as things went down, there were nearly immediate requests for info on how people could financially support a new Buell. Sure, sure, I figured, everyone’s a big talker/spender on the internet, and emotions are running high.

But checked again recently, and they now have a list of investment firms that if you have accounts with them, you can participate in *something* they’re cooking up. Incredible.

[JackTrade]

In case anyone else out there is interested, Buell is back!

No street bikes for now, but if he really is serious about this (as I suspect he is) he’ll have to homologate with road models eventually.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ERIK BUELL ESTABLISHES ERIK BUELL RACING
New Venture Will Build Buell 1125R-based Racing Motorcycles and Supply Parts

Milwaukee, Wis. — (Friday, November 20, 2009) Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) announced today that following the company’s recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop.

Erik Buell Racing will specialize in the supply of race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and the building and sale of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, as well as providing technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.

“I’m looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying,” said Erik Buell. “We’ve got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.”

“I’m pleased that Harley-Davidson is assisting Erik in establishing this business to continue supporting the racing efforts he has had so much passion for over the years,” said Buell President and COO Jon Flickinger. “Harley-Davidson and the Buell Motorcycle Company will always be proud of their affiliation with Erik, and we wish him well in this new endeavor to support Buell racers.”

Erik Buell Racing will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin and will be staffed by Erik Buell and a veteran team of personnel. For more information, after December 1, 2009, contact:

Erik Buell Racing, LLC
2799 Buell Drive, Unit C
East Troy, WI 53120
http://www.erikbuellracing.com
[email protected]

[JackTrade]

If you bought the HJC one, install is as easy as plugging it in to those 2 round vent holes in the chinbar.

Works pretty much as advertised, though I don’t use it that often. Comes right up to your face…you’ll look like a fighter pilot with it on.

[JackTrade]

Those codes are making an order more irresistable now…

[JackTrade]

If I got those boots, I’d look like I was heading to the outback with the Toecutter to square off against the Main Force Patrol.

http://www.scifimoviepage.com/images/janpick1.jpg

[JackTrade]

Thanks Dagger…the Executioner is exactly the jacket I’ve been looking at…love the classic look with the sport touches (though the name is pretty cheesy).

Glad to hear it (mostly) holds up well and appreciate the info on the sizing…that’s the hardest part about buying gear online.

[JackTrade]

Appreciate the commentary…the fact that you own all that stuff from them is a testament in itself.

I especially like how most of the stuff doesn’t have logos on it…hard to find quality motorcycle gear like that these days.

[JackTrade]

Re kickstarters, I sometimes think the same thing. If you’re gonna have carbs, why not go full-on retro? That said, electronic starting makes for one less thing to worry about when my bike dies on me at a busy intersection…

In flat track racing, the bikes (often HD XR750s) often have kickstarters.

It’s quite a scene when a rider goes down, but (frequently) is able to contiue quickly: a couple of guys from his pit crew race out to help him get the bike up and they all start pushing it as fast as possible. Rider then jumps on the bike, simultaneously hitting the starter on his way down onto the saddle.

When it works, it’s pretty cool how fast they’re able to get underway again; when it doesn’t, it’s funny to watch the frantic pumping of the starter as the bike gradually slows to a stop and falls over again.

[JackTrade]

…until you experience another classic, the distracted driver on the cell phone who doesn’t see you there as he/she decides to changes lanes. It’s more of a slow-moving horror (“Hey, what are you doing? Don’t you see me?! Hey! Hey! – there’s a vehicle here!!”) than the gut punch of the sudden left-turner.

[Author]

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