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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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rayngefinderParticipant
A lot of larger displacement bikes are fine for beginners, and manufacturers DO make (and design!) larger displacement bikes for the beginner market. You’ve done the research and you came up with a list of three bikes that are considered good beginner bikes. I know I did the same research and found the same bikes. It seems that you like the sport bike styling. I prefer a naked standard, so the bike I got didn’t make your list. I really wanted an SV 650, which from all my research and interviews with owners, is probably one of the best beginner bikes ever made (discontinued now, but see the Gladius). I ended up on a 865 cc, 450 lb Bonneville, and I couldn’t be happier.
I think it’s really important to get a bike that fits you both physically (ergonomically) and psychologically. Do not wedge yourself onto a 250cc bike if it doesn’t fit you—no matter what anyone says. By the same token, if you’re a beginner, don’t strap yourself onto a 130hp 350lb rocket either.
Get the bike that fits both you and the purpose. You don’t want power to get out of trouble, you want power to keep you out of trouble. For example, If you’re planning on commuting on freeways, you need the power. You need the power to merge, you need the power to pass, you need the power to keep up in traffic, and you need power in reserve. If you’re commuting for distance, you need all of the above + comfort and protection. The _very_first_time I decided to take my bike on the freeway in morning commute traffic. I ended up on the on ramp behind a big rig and in the slow lane of the freeway coming right up beside me was another big rig going about 50 MPH. I was boxed in before I could even get on the freeway. I had to slow down, get in behind the big-rig in the slow lane and wait for an opening in the 65 MPH flow to pop into traffic and blast past both trucks. Make no mistake about it, I needed to get out of both those trucks blind spots and wind turbulence asap, and I needed power and speed to do that.
I’m 6′ 200 lbs. Maybe the Ninja 250 (that didn’t fit me) could have handled that situation. I’ll never know, because I’m not going to ride a bike that doesn’t fit me on a California freeway. However, I know the 250 I rode in the MSF couldn’t have gotten out of that.
Also, It seems bad advice to say that because you are going to have lots of bikes in your lifetime, get a 250 now and ride it for the next two years even though you might be commuting on a California freeway for a 60 mile round trip at a constant maxed-out 75 – 80 mph. There’s good advice here, but it’s not blanket advice. I started my bike search here and took the advice to heart, trying to abide by it, but I assessed pretty quickly that a 250 wasn’t going to meet my needs. Evaluate all your needs and yourself, take your time, be smart, and you’ll end up on the right bike.
rayngefinderParticipantClose to my story too, except I wanted a SV 650 and could_not_get_one. There were no new ones at local dealerships and every decent used one was high priced and snapped up before I could get there. These bikes are very popular right now! I ended up on my dream bike, the bike which I had planned would be my second bike after the SV650, a Bonneville.
I had done a bunch of research, including talking with several motorcyclists (I’m lucky that I work with some very competent and restrained/mature motorcyclists). I got the full range of recommendations and got some great information on bike styles, fit, engine types, torque, horse power, etc. As a result of all that research, I knew what I wanted and didn’t want. I discounted a 250 early on for several reasons, but primarily because I wanted a bike that FIT me ergonomically and temperamentally (the highest rated 250, the Ninja, did not!), and I wanted a freeway-capable commuter bike that can *safely and easily* cruise at 65-70 and have the hp and ability to go above that if necessary. The latter put me into the 500 cc and higher category. I wanted a naked standard, a twin, and a seat height that fit my 32~33 in. inseam. As you can see, when you know what you want, the options begin to narrow quickly.
I’ve had the Bonnie for about a month now, and I’m very happy, no regrets. It’s a great beginner bike, really smooth and easy power curve, decent weight (450 lbs), and great ergonomics. Not the bike for everyone, but do your research and assess yourself honestly and you’ll end up on the bike that’s right for you.
rayngefinderParticipantCongrats!! I did my MSF in San Mateo in September; I think it’s the same group that puts it on in Newark. You had 12 in your group? Was that with one or two instructors? We had a 6:1 rider to instructor ratio, with three ranges, and for the morning class 4~5 failed out of 18.
The u-turn/figure-8 was the toughest skill test, but I wouldn’t call the rectangle large at all. It was maybe about 2 parking spaces wide and 2 parking space long.
Get your bike. I got mine about three weeks ago. It’s a blast. Drive safe.
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rayngefinderParticipantI use it at work in the parking lot. I also use it when I come home. I don’t live on a cul-de-sac, but my residence has a gate that requires a “clicker” to enter. I usually come in from the least advantages direction to enter the through the gate, because the traffic flow is better from that direction. Unfortunately, there isn’t a good spot to stop and get the clicker out of my jacket, but there is a good spot if I come from the other direction. So, I go past my residence, u-turn at the intersection, come back to the gate, and stop at the little protected area, where I can stick the bike in neutral and remove the clicker. My bike is 450 lbs—it’s heavier from the little 250 I used in the MSF class, but I’m getting better at the u-turn with every attempt. I’ve found that (unlike the 250) I have to really counter weight the bike. I’ve also found that the friction zone can be your best friend when making a u-turn.
ray
rayngefinderParticipantYup, the u-turn/figure-8 drill was t-o-u-g-h. I ran the front tire over the line on the exit side and didn’t use both brakes prior to entering the turn. Those were my points.
rayngefinderParticipantYou’re not alone. I came to the same conclusion. I’m 6’0 205, and I’ve been researching what my first bike will be. I narrowed it down to the SV 650, too. I’ve been sitting on a lot of bikes, and for me the deciding “comfort” factors have been seat height and position. So far the seat height and the upright position of the SV has felt the best for me.
You might also want to consider the GS 500F, supposedly a good beginner bike. It’s more ‘sportier’ than the SV, but the position isn’t so bad. It has about the same seat height too. I felt pretty comfortable sitting on it. Depending on the year, you can get it with a fairing or naked. The GZ 250 wasn’t too bad either, but it’s lower, felt smaller, and seems more cruiser than standard (despite how Suzuki classifies it on their WS). I like upright-to-slightly forward positioning. I felt big and uncomfortable on the Ninja 250.
I’ve been concentrating mostly on Suzuki, because Suzuki bikes seem to show up regularly on ‘best beginner bike’ lists and recommendations. For example, CycleWorld’s September issue has an article on it, and IIRC, nine bikes are on the list, including both the SV 650 and the GSX 650F.
Good luck to you!
ray
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