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8 Great Beginner Motorcycle Riding Habits
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JackTradeParticipant
I’ve been considering the ER-6n for my next bike, but the gauges are somewhat different. How readable are they at speed? How is the digital tach? Any issues?
I may wait until the next model year, to see what colors it comes in then…I like the metallic orange that’s available in Europe right now. Also, the Euro Kawasaki websites show an accessory flyscreen available, so hopefully we’ll get that option here soon too…
JackTradeParticipantI was rounding a uphill sweeper turn in a neighborhood near the woods.
As I began to go through the turn, I got that glint of reflection. Sure enough, a deer on the inside of the turn ahead. Since it’s a pretty mild turn, I straightened up and braked to slow way down. I also remembered what they told us in the BRC, and sure enough, there was another one on the other side of the road, partially hidden by trees. Once again I was amazed (and glad) at the stuff I remembered from that class!
JackTradeParticipantWhen I first got my Buell, I was riding it in my parking garage…got to the end level, and tried to do a slow turnaround.
You know what you’re not supposed to do in that situation? Yep, I did it. Freaked out about the turn, and grabbed the front brake. I was able to get my leg out so was able to hop away from the bike w/o falling, but down she went. Fortunately, nobody saw it…
Busted the front turn signal, which gave me the impetus to replace both of them (they were aftermarket) with OEM ones, which made me happy.
JackTradeParticipantFor a somewhat contrarian bike choice…standards! Adding to WeaponZero’s more concise post…
The Big Pro
The jack-of-all-trades bikes. You can carve corners, cruise around comfortably, or commute or tour. They’re like the Ford Mustangs of motorcycles…not the tops in any one area, but perhaps the best overall balance of abilities in a single package. They offer performance for the real world situations most of us find ourselves in most of the time.Other Pros
Slow feels fast. A usual lack of fairings means speeds feel a lot faster than they really are.Convertibility. Due to the more or less neutral riding position, a rider can adapt his/her position for the riding at hand. I usually sit upright while motoring around town, but can easily tuck in for more aggressive riding. Sitting upright usually more comfortable than crouching on a sportbike, and being able to easily tuck can minimize the wind that nails crusier riders full on.
Aesthetics. Somewhat subjective I know, but there’s something to be said for a minimalist design that lets you see the different parts of the bike, not covered up with plastic or diverted by chrome.
Insurance. Tends to be more reasonable, as there are fewer things to break, and they don’t signal hooligan behavior, statistically speaking.
Cons
Jack of all trades means master of none. You’ll never have the biggest, baddest bike out there.Reputation. In the U.S., most people see standards as beginner bikes…something you start on before moving to a cruiser or sportbike. Ducati and others are changing that perception, but it still dogs standards in this country. It’s a different story in Europe though.
Limted Choices. Given the sportbike/cruiser dichotomy in the U.S., most manufacturers don’t really focus on standards, so there’s not tons of choices if you’re into them…especially in the middle-weight area (i.e. if you want a beginner, learn-to-ride standard or a badass high-powered one, you’ve got a bunch of options, but otherwise…)
JackTradeParticipantI use a bungie net, and when I stop at the store for groceries, I’ll frequently buy things that I didn’t actually stop for, based on size and shape, so that they fill out the net just right (too few items and it won’t be snug, too many, won’t fit).
JackTradeParticipantThe MSF’s “Motorcycling Excellence” book. You can order from MSF directly, or get it on Amazon.
Covers pretty much everything in the BRC, in greater depth (e.g. there’s a whole chapter on countersteer), plus some more advanced riding techniques toward the end. Also cool are the assorted little vingettes on various topics from different motorcycle professionals (former racing champs, motorcycle engineers, instructional school owners, etc.).
It’s a good basic reference tool for new riders, and much nicer than the cheap booklet you get at the BRC.
JackTradeParticipantunless you’re racing and changing sprockets, there’s no need for a chain. All Buells have belts, though they do offer a chain conversion kit.
JackTradeParticipantCongratulations, both on the bike and getting it home your first time out! As for dropping it, exactly what Munch said…once you put that first scratch on it, you stop worrying about it.
Is that a belt final drive I see? I didn’t know anything but Harleys and Buells had them. Love the color, and dig the off-center fuel cap!
JackTradeParticipantOn not buying a used helmet, both for the safety reason mentioned, but also that helmet interiors mold to your head after awhile, so it might not fit perfectly.
Good luck and welcome. The naked SV650 is a beautiful bike…I wish they still made them new.
Nice riding up where you are. Ever go to the races at Haggerstown Speedway? I went to the flattrack Grand Nationals in July, and had a great time.
JackTradeParticipantMoney can buy equipment, but it can’t buy skill.
Like Spool said above, much better to be the guy on the “lesser” bike with amazing abilities, than the guy who can barely handle his supersport. Which is more impressive?
Before getting into bikes, I was into auto racing. Used to spend tons of time autocrossing, as it’s a cheap thrill compared to expensive (potentially very, if you crash) track days. At one autcross event, a guy in a Ferarri showed up. I expected all the veterans to be at the very least intrigued, but I was surprised they weren’t…they seemed politely skeptical. Sure enough, he made a lot of impressive noises (and yeah, they were cool to be sure), but when the tire smoke cleared, his times were way bad. He left in huff a little later.
Lesson to me was that people who know are more impressed by what you can do, rather than what you paid for.
And as far as “fast” bikes go, it’s statistically likely that of those squids you met, at least one of them will be either severely injured or killed in the next year. For them, the “live fast – die young” life may be just the ticket…but the people here on this board seem to have families, jobs, other more important things worth living for. So I agree with you…take your time, learn the skills, and live to become an old motorcyclist with fond memories of many bikes owned. That’s my plan.
JackTradeParticipantBRC is great, esp. if you’ve never ridden before. I had never done more than sit on a motorcycle before I took the BRC, and I’m amazed at how much I learned in the space of a couple of days.
When you finish, you’ll be qualified to ride at low speeds in a parking lot (as the instructors invariably say), but you’ll have learned all the basics, enough to get you out on the road where you’ll start to get experience.
JackTradeParticipantYou’re referring the to AMA national event at Budd’s Creek, right? It’s about an hour away from Washington where I live, so figured it would be fun to catch it. A great day, until it started pouring during the final 250cc moto. Walking a 1/2 mile back to my car in it was a real thrill…
I noticed the head turn thing as well, but I think it’s because on a track, you know where you’re going and you know that the other riders do as well. Also, there can be huge grooves in the track, etc. so you really do need to keep your eyes on what you’re about to get into. But I dunno for sure…
Also interesting to see how as they approach a turn, they’ll kick their inside leg straight out forward, to plant in the turn if needed. Also liked when jumping, they rev the engine when just about to touch down.
Walking around the track during the races, it was interesting to me how for any given turn, there’s often more than one “line” through it, and the riders try different approaches. One turn in particular had a small hill on the very inside, and a regular bank on the outside. Some riders would slow down and snake over the hill, others would go faster and go into the bank at the outside.
I found the racing at times hard to follow, as everyone gets pretty spread out on the track…but watching the technical abilities of the riders was inspiring, and made me wish I had a dual-purpose bike! The track does track days, and even has a motocross school (they had a big tent outside)…I’m definitely tempted, but like Safetyfirst, it’s more gear, and I’m still buying new street stuff as it is…
JackTradeParticipantThat’s a good analogy Munch.
I usually think of Buell as the Arby’s of the sportbike world…similar format to its competitors, but different product. Makes some good stuff that’s refreshing different, but try convincing most people to give it a try. Frequently tries different ways to tout its uniqueness, but to little overall success, with its rivals barely even acknowledging its presence in the market.
And as far as Arby’s “the menu can have any item, as long as it contains roast beef” ethos, up until a few years ago, I would have said the same about Buell and HD engines…
JackTradeParticipantI have a CL-15, a more basic version of that IS-16. I really like it. Snug but comfortable fit, good construction, reasonable amount of venting.
I love NewEnough for gear as well…their reviews and fitment guides are the best out there.
JackTradeParticipantWent on the Buell website the other day, and came across their online “Book of Buell”. Supposedly their statement of values, overview, etc. Gave it a quick read, and it appears one can sum up the Buell’s new target rider with the word “jerk”.
Some highlights:
- Don’t congregate with other bikers. Don’t even wave to them while on the road (yes, it actually says that).
- Don’t take passengers. In fact, remove the passenger pegs from your bike.
- If you bought any other brand of sportbike, you’re just sitting on it and not really riding it.
I dunno about this new ad campaign of theirs…I get the attempt to be edgy, different, etc. but is this really the way? Is Buell heading down the HD path (i.e. buy our bike = instant badass)? HD is successful with this due to decades of heritage and near extreme customer loyalty. But what does Buell have? They keep saying “racing”, but I don’t think Suzuki and Ducati are losing sleep…
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