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Honda USA 2011 Ruckus – Scooter Sales Brochure
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Most dealerships I have ever been in, have the price tags hanging off the handlebars, or at the very least a price list handout. I’m thinking the problem here is, you are looking for a model that is considered a niche market motorcycle and nobody here knows that problem more than I, when did you ever see any motorcycle dealership inventory Trials bikes
… I go to competition events and buy mine sight unseen off the tailgate of a pickup truck, once I get it, possibly still in a crate, I assemble it, prep it, shelve all the lights and prep it for competition before I can ride it.With no intention to criticize the DR-Z400SM lets look at what makes this model very much a niche model. Suzuki in making this Motard started with a 400cc engine, when every other maker offering this type of motorcycle makes theirs 450cc. That renders it non-competitive in Supermoto and yet it’s fitted with number plate plastics that will never see competition numbers. Raised fenders are great for knobby tires in the gravel, because if your tire picks up mud, stone or sticks it jams between the tire and fender, but on the street they are useless, when the road is wet you are going to be riding into your own road spray. Suzuki has preserved far too much Enduro in this case and simply mounted Roadrace wheels on a relatively non-competitive Enduro bike. DR-Z400SM has a carb instead of fuel injection, brush guards on the front fork stanctions, dirt bike gear ratios and yet it would still make a marginal dirt bike. Sorry for slamming the machine but If I was a dealer I would not inventory this model either, let alone in the 3 or 4 color offerings.
I’m a Suzuki fan from way back, but IMHO you should look at alternative brands for competitive product.
II was also ready to say the sales guy had a cbr600 sitting in the showroom and nothing like a gs500 to sell you
The OP established him/her self as a 17 yo 6’1 140 lb individual having ridden 125 and then 250 motocross since they were 14 yo, …yourself we know even less detail about, although you say sub 125 dirt bike is the biggest bike you have ridden.
So far the OP sounds just slightly more qualified than yourself to ‘ride’ any motorcycle.
Question is; if the three of us went dirt bike riding right now, would you be gimping along and crashing, or would you be blasting through corners, landing jumps, pulling cat-walks and exhibiting impressive rider skill ?
Problem is; you say you are on a budget.
If the answer is; you’re an athletic, skilled dirt rider with youthful coordination and reflexes, then I would even let you take my K100RS for a ride. Would the cbr600 make a good first street bike for either of you, possibly yes, if you have deep pockets and plan to ride it for the next 20 years, ( possibly even track race it !
If your answer is; you’re an average rider possessing average skills and presently looking for a street bike to learn on and ride safely on the street. The GS500 and SV650 are tons of bike.A friend has the GS500 and he stuck small convex mirrors on the outside edge of his stock mirrors, maybe you could try that. I had bar ends on a 350 four cylinder with flat bars once, they get out far enough, but vibrated so much I could barely see anything.
Be careful with riding too conservative, getting rear ended sucks, I know that from experience. I currently have a disconnected speedo and drive with the flow of traffic and by the tach. ….so much less distracting I’m hesitant to fix the damn thing I haven’t seen you ride so it’s difficult to judge, but;
If you find yourself going late and wide in the turns, perhaps it’s as simple as a mind set and you are hesitant to initiate the turn. You need to pitch that thing into those turns with just a little more confidence and commitment, practice should help you learn the limits and to enjoy the feeling of carving turns, instead of fearing them and looking forward to going in straight lines all the time. It’s like downhill skiing, straight runs are just a way to gain speed and have a blast in that next corner.
I know easier said than done, right …or does this sound like something the trainers have suggested ?One; In most occupations zero background experience in a given profession means you don’t qualify to apply for the position, how is it they would hire a motorcycle cop, when the applicant has zero experience riding motorcycles. Or do I have it backwards and having extensive experience riding motorcycles makes you a non-desirable candidate for Police officer.
Second; I realize that full dress Road Kings are what they are expected to ride day in and day out, ( unless they are lucky enough to have BMW’s but to learn techniques like full lock figure eights on such a humongous bike is pure folly ! …someone could break an ankle or something !
… I go to competition events and buy mine sight unseen off the tailgate of a pickup truck, once I get it, possibly still in a crate, I assemble it, prep it, shelve all the lights and prep it for competition before I can ride it.
…or does this sound like something the trainers have suggested ?