Winter Sucks for Motorcycle Maniacs...

[Matt34]

The weather hasn't been that good lately in "sunny" SoCal, so I haven't been doing any riding lately. Next week looks good according the forecast. I'm dying to go riding again. I'll sign up for the Reg Pridmore's Class again in April. I've been going every year since 2003 (I missed it last year though). My current ride is a '03 Yamaha FZ1, but I also have a CBR954RR, which needs a new engine. I'll probably get rid of the Honda and get a new CBR1000RR.

My co-worker had a 07 CBR1000RR until is wife made him sell it. Those things are unbelievable fast, straight line runs he would just murder me but I could hang with him in the turns.

 

[caupina]

That is an excellent program. Advanced class? Do you just do it for fun? Or are you into any regional super-bike races?

Down here I've been on Daytona, Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach, and Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead.

They're very good and informative. I've learned a lot from that program. The main reason for me signing up is to improve my riding which I have, but also it's a lot of fun. Nothing beats being on a racetrack (a difficult one, Streets of Willow which is on a hillside), going as fast as you dare and having some instructor who by the way can ride circles around you, telling what you're doing right and wrong. I ride fast but I'm not a fast rider. Every time I go out riding I'm always looking for ways to improve and fine tune my skills. Angeles Crest and Forest Highway are my usual places to ride.

 

[caupina]

My co-worker had a 07 CBR1000RR until is wife made him sell it. Those things are unbelievable fast, straight line runs he would just murder me but I could hang with him in the turns.

It's all in your right wrist. Those thing could be as tame as you want, or they could scare the living crap out of you. I've been on both side of the road, but I've reached a point where I'm not trying to prove anything to anybody, just ride and learn from my mistakes.

Those sportbikes are very fast, but they are also very good at turning and especially at braking. The 954 has some strong brakes which I have not exploited to the fullest, but when I compare them to the FZ1's they are like a night and day difference.

One thing that has helped me a lot to improve my riding is reading books about it, and a couple that stand out are "Sport Riding Techniques" by Nick Ienatsch, and "Smooth Riding, The Pridmore's Way" by Reg Pridmore. Both are very informative and help you understand the dynamics of riding a bike, the dos and donts, I highly recommend them.

 

[Warpdrv]

Actually that was my very first opportunity to get on a track, and I had a great time learning the track, Road America is a fantastic track, especially on that tank I call my bike... Very heavy, but fast !! I started out the day in novice group, but then after a couple of runs I soon found myself starting last, and finishing first.... an instructor pulled me aside after my runs, told me to get out of novice group and into advanced...

He said, "What are you doing in novice?"
Its my first time ever on a track I stated...
A befuddled look came over his face..
"Well you are far to good to be in that grouping, and you toss that 600lb gorilla around like it was a toy... get into Intermediate"

It put a big smile on my face, but I didn't let it go to my head, I still ran at my pace, but really noticed that I wasn't passing anyone anymore, so he was right and I felt more comfortable....

I had so much fun that day, that it really got me to thinking about getting a track bike for the fun and experience...

 

[jeffsg4mac]

This is the last bike I had and I sold it in 1990. I have not rode a bike since. I Just no longer have the desire to ride. It was a great bike though.

 

[caupina]

This is the last bike I had and I sold it in 1990. I have not rode a bike since. I Just no longer have the desire to ride. It was a great bike though.

[/IMG]

Wow, that's a long time. Nice bike. I've been riding for the last 15 years, but I can definitely say that I've learned and enjoyed it more in the last 5.

Why did you stop riding???. Bad experience??? Too risky??? I've had some close calls, and learned from them so I wouldn't make the same mistakes again. Every time I go out on my bike, I make sure I ride as safe as possible, always within my abilities, which it might look fast for some (or too slow for others), but the there's always the thought in the back of mind that I have a wife (no kids yet) and she expects me to get back home. I don't want her to go through a shocking experience so I make sure I ride back in one piece.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Wow, that's a long time. Nice bike. I've been riding for the last 15 years, but I can definitely say that I've learned and enjoyed it more in the last 5.

Why did you stop riding???. Bad experience??? Too risky??? I've had some close calls, and learned from them so I wouldn't make the same mistakes again. Every time I go out on my bike, I make sure I ride as safe as possible, always within my abilities, which it might look fast for some (or too slow for others), but the there's always the thought in the back of mind that I have a wife (no kids yet) and she expects me to get back home. I don't want her to go through a shocking experience so I make sure I ride back in one piece.

Too many close calls riding around in FL with all the old people. I just don't want to take the risks anymore with having a family now.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

My bike went bye-bye right about the time I got my year end bonus of a lay-off

TQUOTE]

 

[bandphan]

nice thumper there gg how much torque from that baby?

 

[Warpdrv]

My buddy has the same bike Iron Horse - Slammer
Nice looking....

120hp or someting like that... I drove it a number of times, and its fun, but hard on the kidneys.. He always has to take a leak like every 20 - 30 mins if were out...

Sorry to hear that you had to give up your sweet baby.... that totally sucks....

 

[EJ1]

Sorry to revive an old thread but...

I've always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle and own one. I'm looking at taking the MSF course local near me and I'm curious if you guys have any pointers or suggestions for a starter bike? The bike will be mostly for school commute and random weekend rides. I was looking at the new Ninja 250R's. Would that be sufficient? Thanks in advance.

 

[jonnythan]

The Ninja 250 is a great, great starter bike. The Suzuki GS500[F] is another good one, and the Ninja 500 is good too.

Head over to Totalmotorcycle.com and start reading

 

[EJ1]

Hopefully, I can score an 08 near me. Thanks for the link.

 

[itschris]

Sorry to revive an old thread but...

I've always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle and own one. I'm looking at taking the MSF course local near me and I'm curious if you guys have any pointers or suggestions for a starter bike? The bike will be mostly for school commute and random weekend rides. I was looking at the new Ninja 250R's. Would that be sufficient? Thanks in advance.

That's a great bike and one you could keep for long while. It's good to see you not getting all wrapped up in what you think you ought to have because that's one of the biggest and most dangerous mistakes new riders make. I have a GSX1000R. I can't imagine buying a bike like that if I was inexperienced... yet I see people doing it all the time. It's just crazy.

That 250 will more than get out of it's own way. It's a good looking, comfortable bike that will serve you well.

 

[Matt34]

The Ninja 250 is a great, great starter bike. The Suzuki GS500[F] is another good one, and the Ninja 500 is good too.

Head over to Totalmotorcycle.com and start reading

The 08 look a lot better than the previous years too.

http://www.kawasaki.com/PRODUCTS/Detail.aspx?id=263

 

[jonnythan]

The 08 look a lot better than the previous years too.

Yeah, no kidding. The pre-08 bikes are ugly enough for me never to consider even getting on one. But I'd buy an '08, even though I'm a cruiser guy.

 

[EJ1]

That's a great bike and one you could keep for long while. It's good to see you not getting all wrapped up in what you think you ought to have because that's one of the biggest and most dangerous mistakes new riders make. I have a GSX1000R. I can't imagine buying a bike like that if I was inexperienced... yet I see people doing it all the time. It's just crazy.

That 250 will more than get out of it's own way. It's a good looking, comfortable bike that will serve you well.

Yeah, there's no way I'm starting on a 600, haha. The 250 is all I really need for a long time.

The 08 look a lot better than the previous years too.

That's what really drew me to the 250R was the new styling. I can picture ricers putting ZX-6R logos on it, haha.

 

[Djizasse]

Winter here (Lisbon, Portugal) is mild, only rain, no freezing temps, so I ride my bike all year It's a Piaggio MP3 250. I found it to be the most practical bike to go to work with my girlfriend.

From times to times I also ride my father's Honda GoldWing. Nice easy bike to handle, but too big for the city.

 

[yettitheman]

Sorry to revive an old thread but...

I've always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle and own one. I'm looking at taking the MSF course local near me and I'm curious if you guys have any pointers or suggestions for a starter bike? The bike will be mostly for school commute and random weekend rides. I was looking at the new Ninja 250R's. Would that be sufficient? Thanks in advance.

Looked into a Buell Blast yet? I got one; commutes well, and gets 75 MPG

 

[yettitheman]

Winter here (Lisbon, Portugal) is mild, only rain, no freezing temps, so I ride my bike all year It's a Piaggio MP3 250. I found it to be the most practical bike to go to work with my girlfriend.

I saw one of those the other day. REALLY interesting bike. The locking lean feature should be real useful as well.