[RobM]

Being a native Houstonian transplanted to San Diego, I can say that you are one brave guy. I’ve driven the 610 many times in my day and it’s always been spooky and that was in a car. The Loop 8 would probably be fun, in my mind because of the lighter traffic, but that could be my old memory. Crusing 59, that’s got to be exciting. I’m glad you made it back home in one piece.

[RobM]

Congrat’s…My buddy rode one of those for about two years and he loved it. Tried hard to talk me into it, but I couldn’t get over the height and engine size. It’s on my list for my second bike. Just picked up my 2006 Ninja 250 yesterday. I haven’t really had time to ride it yet, just 10 minutes while picking it up in Fallbrook. Can’t wait to get on to practice.

[RobM]

Cool….

[RobM]

fotobits and mike_s

Thanks for the feedback on CLASS. In my internet searching, I stumbled upon the CLASS website and it all sounded good, but since I’d never heard of Reg Pridmore before, I wasn’t sure if the info was hype or not. Sometimes the internet can be a little miss leading. As my skills improve and I get comfortable at highway speeds, then I will look into attending a CLASS session. It might be interesting to go see a track day first. Fotobits, since you’ve gone as a photographer, is it possible for the general public to come out and watch for a day to see what it’s like?

[RobM]

Thanks for the replies. I will keep my eyes and ears open to what is available around the Southern California area. I agree that having the input from an instructor would be very good and would be one of the main reasons that I would do something like a track day.

[RobM]

Have some fun…

[RobM]

Are the bars on the Ninja 250 short clip-on style or more upright? One of the things about the Ninja 250 that I worry about is steering leverage with the shorter bars. Having ridden more standard type bikes in the long ago past and the dualsport in the MSF class, getting across the idea of shorter bars is proving hard for me. Again I need to go out and sit on a few and maybe ride one or two, if possible.

[RobM]

Ian…Thanks for the input. I’ll give the dealers in El Cajon a try so that I can sit on few bikes. I’ve been looking hard at Craigslist and have even contacted a few about looking at bikes. Unfortunately, most of the time, the bike is gone by the time I get in contact with them. I’m a little hesitant about going to see a used bike just to sit on it and see if the geometry and style is what I am looking for.

I’m really glad that the Rebel 250 is working out well for you. Sounds like you are having some real fun with it. I have thought about the ride to Idlywild on the back roads and was considering it as a goal to work towards. Did you go up through Santa Ysabel?

[RobM]

Just small boned……..sorry…We small people have our hangups too…How will I get that big bike of me when I fall in the bushes like Ben?

[RobM]

Elwood1960 and others, thanks for the input. I agree that I need to think about how I will be using the bike and what I expect out of it. Getting out there and sitting on a few both new and used will help a lot with my decision process. The problem is that I’m just impatient and want to get it now….The waiting is killing me. The cost is an issue so it’s just not a matter of going out and buying new (I promised my wife that I wouldn’t spend too much money on this endeavor). I will be getting something used. On the reach, I’m an average 5’6″ middle age fellow that’s barely 140 lbs sopping wet, so reach may be a problem. I am also worried about comfort after riding for an hour or so in a forward leaning position.

[RobM]

Finding these bikes in a showroom in San Diego has been pretty difficult. I tried last weekend at one of the Suzuki dealers and they didn’t have anything I was looking for (GS or SV), or hardly any lower cc bikes. I guess I will have to keep trying. On the Buell, I ruled it out because of the low rpm vibrations I’ve read about. Maybe I should consider it again. Any feedback on the low rpm vibes?

[RobM]

I’m glad to hear your story. It’s making me think twice about the size of bike that I am considering. I am taking the MSF in Chula Vista this weekend and will begin shopping for a bike soon.

[RobM]

Thanks for the welcome and support. I’m hoping that the riding portion of the class will give me some confidence and comfort back on the bike. If you haven’t already done so you might consider getting David Hough’s book “Proficient Motorcycling”. I’ve found it to be insightful with instructions on who to control a street bike and roading riding situtaions.

[Author]

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