Motorcycles

[WinterHaze]

For those of you that know how to use em or already have them....

Okay I really want one but have no experience with them except for being passenger.

so what tips can ya give me on getting started.

Such as when taking lessons what to remember?

What is this the best starting out bike to get?

How much money am I looking at spending for all the gear?

How fast is too fast to go around sharp turns?

Should I be expecting to get messed up pretty bad a lot?

Any other useful info...

[insanekiwi]

dont start learning in winter or summer. too cold or too hot to drive. as beginner i'd prefer autumn, cuz in fall it's all wet and leafs are dangerous on the streets.

a good starter bike would be a 500ccm suzuki bandit for example, it'ssomewhat around $5,000 new. you'll learn al lthe rest in your theory lessons.

i'd also suggest to get some decent security gear

see:

http://www.is-pimp.com/insanekiwi/ducati/vanucci%20002.jpg

i needed about 15 lessons in total to get my license, pround owner of 4 ducatis by now.

funky pics at: http://www.is-pimp.com/insanekiwi/ducati/

also the "sharp turns" speed depends on the bike and the tires.

[Fragmaster]

A Bandit would be a great starter bike but I am not sure how it works in the US.

In the UK if you take your test, you can only ride upto a 125cc I think, if you are over 21 you can take a test called "Direct Access" and it lets you ride a higher CC bike.

Might want to check that out for the Bandit. Though if you are commuting around town and very small distances, I would recommend a Honda CG125. Very reliable and amazing fuel economy.

[badnewz]

http://www.pashnit.com/bikes/hayabusa.htm

One of the most interesting things I ever read about the Hayabusa is instead of pulling wheelies when you grab a fistful of throttle, instead the bike will rocket forward and slowly pull the front tire off the ground. When you sit upon this bike, it has a wondrous feel that occurs when your hands contact the handlebars. It's a tingle that flows through your wrists, arms, shoulders and causes a sensation of warmth to flow across your chest.

Torque is a wonderful thing.

Horsepower,

is a very wonderful thing.

i think this motorcycle at the bonneville salt flats clocked 246 MPH.

[Chillbo]

Start small! I wouldn't go for anything more than 400cc. At least then you can get a feel for the bike and how it should ride, perhaps then look at something a little more powerful (e.g. GSX1300R).

In my opinion, the Duke Monster and the Suzuki Bandit are a little too agressive for a first time rider.

Chillbo

[WinterHaze]

dont start learning in winter or summer. too cold or too hot to drive. as beginner i'd prefer autumn, cuz in fall it's all wet and leafs are dangerous on the streets.

a good starter bike would be a 500ccm suzuki bandit for example, it'ssomewhat around $5,000 new. you'll learn al lthe rest in your theory lessons.

i'd also suggest to get some decent security gear

see:

http://www.is-pimp.com/insanekiwi/ducati/vanucci%20002.jpg

i needed about 15 lessons in total to get my license, pround owner of 4 ducatis by now.

funky pics at: http://www.is-pimp.com/insanekiwi/ducati/

also the "sharp turns" speed depends on the bike and the tires.

585098152[/snapback]

Well I live in cali and planned on taking the lessons in January. Our weather then isn't too bad. Still a bad idea? Since i'll be new at it shouldn't I get it used though.. or when I have the lessons will I not be falling really, so it wouldn't matter?

A Bandit would be a great starter bike but I am not sure how it works in the US.

In the UK if you take your test, you can only ride upto a 125cc I think, if you are over 21 you can take a test called "Direct Access" and it lets you ride a higher CC bike.

Might want to check that out for the Bandit. Though if you are commuting around town and very small distances, I would recommend a Honda CG125. Very reliable and amazing fuel economy.

585098175[/snapback]

How much do those run for?

http://www.pashnit.com/bikes/hayabusa.htm

One of the most interesting things I ever read about the Hayabusa is instead of pulling wheelies when you grab a fistful of throttle, instead the bike will rocket forward and slowly pull the front tire off the ground. When you sit upon this bike, it has a wondrous feel that occurs when your hands contact the handlebars.  It's a tingle that flows through your wrists, arms, shoulders and causes a sensation of warmth to flow across your chest.

Torque is a wonderful thing.

Horsepower,

is a very wonderful thing.

i think this motorcycle at the bonneville salt flats clocked 246 MPH.

585098178[/snapback]

Sounds fast. Is it good to have for a starter bike?

[WinterHaze]

Start small! I wouldn't go for anything more than 400cc. At least then you can get a feel for the bike and how it should ride, perhaps then look at something a little more powerful (e.g. GSX1300R).

In my opinion, the Duke Monster and the Suzuki Bandit are a little too agressive for a first time rider.

Chillbo

585098216[/snapback]

How do u know when you can handle something faster if all your use to is slow ones?

[Chillbo]

Sounds fast.  Is it good to have for a starter bike?

585098220[/snapback]

It is. No (you will hurt yourself!)

[pimpshiznid]

http://www.pashnit.com/bikes/hayabusa.htm

One of the most interesting things I ever read about the Hayabusa is instead of pulling wheelies when you grab a fistful of throttle, instead the bike will rocket forward and slowly pull the front tire off the ground. When you sit upon this bike, it has a wondrous feel that occurs when your hands contact the handlebars.  It's a tingle that flows through your wrists, arms, shoulders and causes a sensation of warmth to flow across your chest.

Torque is a wonderful thing.

Horsepower,

is a very wonderful thing.

i think this motorcycle at the bonneville salt flats clocked 246 MPH.

585098178[/snapback]

The Hayabusa would be too much for her. No one in their right mind should start out with a liter bike. Too much power.

On that note, I'd recommend a Yamaha R6. Runs about $6k new, though a decent 2-3 year old R6 would run around $2-$3k

I started out with a R6, and it was by far the easiest bike to ride amongst all. I did ride a Hayabusa too, one of my first times. Heavy, and too much power for a beginner. The R6 has the perfect amount of balance, while still having an awesome amount of power.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/uniti...aha_yzf-r6.aspx

[WinterHaze]

Did I mention that i'm short and in so would need something very small.

[insanekiwi]

then i'd go for a cruiser/chopper.

[lotus22]

It depends on what your riding. I'm guessing your riding on the street.

I would buy something cheap so if you mess it up then you won't have wasted your money.

[Hypoxiaicon]

Yeh, dont get some get something really powerful or your likly to use too much power and realy hurt yourself.

Get a small CC bike, Get a lot of riding experiance behind you where you KNOW what to do in the bend and such like and how to handle the bike easily.

After you can do all that, then maybe consider getting a bigger CC and more powerfull bike.

[xploit1030]

Do you have any experience riding a motor bike? If none at I would suggest getting a dirt bike first. They are cheaper and you don't need a license for one.

But if you already have a handle on balance, shifting, and braking then go with a used bike under 600cc. You will know when you are ready to move up.

Your biggest problem will be other vehicles (as long as you don't drive like an idiot). That and road hazards (gravel, water, etc.)

Don't skimp out and buy the cheapest gear. You get what you pay for and *when* you do lay down your bike you'll be glad you didn't.

[insanekiwi]

dirtbikes are very easy to handle yet theyre way too light compared to other real motorbikes which are about double weight.

[oldmate15]

Buy a dirt bike to learn on. Buy one out of the paper for a few hundred bucks. Go out to a paddock or something to learn. Or if you want to go straight onto the road, get a trail bike. Easy to ride. I suggest you stick to something small like a 125cc or 250cc.

[WinterHaze]

It depends on what your riding.  I'm guessing your riding on the street. 

I would buy something cheap so if you mess it up then you won't have wasted your money.

585098502[/snapback]

ya that's what I plan on.

Yeh, dont get some get something really powerful or your likly to use too much power and realy hurt yourself.

Get a small CC bike, Get a lot of riding experiance behind you where you KNOW what to do in the bend and such like and how to handle the bike easily.

After you can do all that, then maybe consider getting a bigger CC and more powerfull bike.

585098531[/snapback]

I hope I can Handle that after the lesons. Do you think lessons will be enough to learn from it?

Do you have any experience riding a motor bike? If none at I would suggest getting a dirt bike first. They are cheaper and you don't need a license for one.

But if you already have a handle on balance, shifting, and braking then go with a used bike under 600cc. You will know when you are ready to move up.

Your biggest problem will be other vehicles (as long as you don't drive like an idiot). That and road hazards (gravel, water, etc.)

I've never drove any bike but i 've heard u don't need a license here, as long as u don't drive after 9pm.

Don't skimp out and buy the cheapest gear. You get what you pay for and *when* you do lay down your bike you'll be glad you didn't.

585098547[/snapback]

what should i get?

dirtbikes are very easy to handle yet theyre way too light compared to other real motorbikes which are about double weight.

585098574[/snapback]

What should I get than?

Buy a dirt bike to learn on. Buy one out of the paper for a few hundred bucks. Go out to a paddock or something to learn. Or if you want to go straight onto the road, get a trail bike. Easy to ride. I suggest you stick to something small like a 125cc or 250cc.

585098644[/snapback]

What gear should I use for that?

[xploit1030]

dirtbikes are very easy to handle yet theyre way too light compared to other real motorbikes which are about double weight.

585098574[/snapback]

But going from not riding to a street bike is like going from crawling to a sprint. I think a dirt bike will at least teach you how to walk.

[insanekiwi]

well a dirtbike is good for getting started. to get used to the shifting, the horsepowers and the acceleration and the handling. i just wouldn't stay very long with those small poketbikes. a suzuki bandit is the ideal mixture of naked streetbike, easy handling and enough horsepowers.

[oldmate15]

What gear should I use for that?

585098698[/snapback]

What do you mean, as in safety gear? Well when riding, you should always wear a helmet! Other items that will keep you alive are:

Footwear: MX boots or something

Gloves: Leather is the best but any will do

Leather jacket and pants

If you dont get a full face helmet, make sure you get goggles!

[insanekiwi]

leather or goretex clothes. and protectors.

[Hypoxiaicon]

Yeh, Lessons will give you the basics.

Its all about experiance really and knowing what to do in given situation without having to panic or think.

[Inertia]

a good starter bike would be a 500ccm suzuki bandit for example, it'ssomewhat around $5,000 new. you'll learn al lthe rest in your theory lessons.

A personal opinion, I think a small 125cc road bike like a honda NSR or yamaha TZR is better to start with if you have never ridden before, more than enough power for a beginner, then as you get more confident upgrade the bike to a more powerfull one.

[Nelsinho]

Buy a dirt bike to learn on. Buy one out of the paper for a few hundred bucks. Go out to a paddock or something to learn. Or if you want to go straight onto the road, get a trail bike. Easy to ride. I suggest you stick to something small like a 125cc or 250cc.

585098644[/snapback]

yep, I agree :yes: principally if you don't have a good experiencie with it, one small 125cc is ideal IMO, and keep caution a lot I know because I have head broken two times near to die serious, my left leg is minor than right leg in 2cm, I have cicatrice in all body, however I love bikes for ever anyway I think that bikes mean freedom, one state of mind where I make one microcosmos and enjoy with it, but very caution, bike's don't forgive any error or mistake; I don't want discourage you only alert your risks, go bike's is amazing (Y) :yes:

[Rockwell]

I started off riding quads (Raptor and Banshees) then I moved into a stock Ninja. Seeing as your in LA and I've riden there and and around Cali quite a bit, I would say a Bandit or Ninja would suit you well. A key thing to remember while riding in traffic is that most car/truck drivers will ignore that you exist on the road. Always look out for the SUV's and large trucks due to their bigger blind spots.