So, being the impatient one who can't stand to do nothing while the beaches here in RI are covered in tan-seeking tourists thus making it impossible to fly, I've come to the conclusion I need yet another hobby...

Motorcycles.

We've bought our helmets, gloves and boots for the mandatory RI class and signed up and now we wait to pass that and get our permits. Already know I want a Kawasaki Ninja 250r (no need to start on anything bigger)

So I ask, how many other pkF members out there have their motorcycle license and any tips u can pass along for the learning process? (other than ride defensively and have 1000 eyes for all the idiots out there!?)

Also, I figure should I not be able to handle a bike, I can always use the street style boots to fly as they have great ankle protection!

You go where you look . DON'T look at that telephone pole or you will hit it. You want to go around the corner, look around the corner.

Practice skidding to a stop.

Our insurance is setup so 50 - 400cc is a scooter and very cheap insurance. Around here staying small is very economical.

And lets be fair, there's no lack of two wheeled motorized (and non) idiots out there.

Kami is all about throttle twisting, I'm sure he'd have some good advice.

Thanks BR... Definitely lends itself to snowboarding then I guess where the same thing is taught... ie. "dont look at the lift poles or you'll be drawn to them!"

I've got a real strong right wrist you know it baby yeah!
And I'm trading in my Suzuki TL1000R for a KTM Duke 690 this month :D

Tips for riding? If you're on the road ...
"No you're not paranoid - they ARE trying to kill you!"

Learn to ride the bike without thinking so you can concentrate on the traffic around you. Get a copy of Twist of the Wrist by Keith Code and absorb it. Better yet, go to his California Superbike School and get some track time - seriously ... you'll learn so much you won't believe it.

Welcome to fold just don't start modding anything ... and you thought kites were expensive

Thanks Kami - not really the "modding" type - cept I do want a xenon headlamp and a black windsheild (but that is it!)

It's crazy, really... 1/2 the people I tell we are going to learn and get bikes say "Good for you, you are going to LOVE it!"

The other half, well, they are telling me to up my insurance policy.

Love the confidence boost!

Honestly, I think/hope I'll take to it as I absolutely loved going to the islands around here and renting a scooter, slapping on the helmet and then pinning the sucker as fast as it would go (35mph). Only thing I have to mechanically learn is the shifting. Never driven a standard but get the idea and hope it's not too late to learn!

Best bet is to watch for dumb assed cab drivers who think they are Fangio

The Bane of most motorcyclists

:Ange09:

Thankfully... not many cabs in RI at all.
In fact, the thing I look forward to most is being able to ride with my man (he's getting a bike too!) down the coastal roads. So pretty!

It's wicked fun, I've been riding for the last two years.

Just remember that there are two types of riders: those who have crashes, and those who will crash.

Be careful because people are gonna pull out it front of you whole you are driving everyday

YES , this advice applies to many sports and MC is one of them.

My mistake was commuting every day. Even in bad weather.

Rain, a bad driver and not becoming familiar with how far my most recent motorcycle slid eventually got me.

I have promised myself a carton of cigerettes and a motorcycle for my 70th Birthday. But if I want to see 70 these are 2 friends I can't visit for a while . ;-)

Quote:

Originally posted by chudalicious Thanks BR... Definitely lends itself to snowboarding then I guess where the same thing is taught... ie. "dont look at the lift poles or you'll be drawn to them!"

I got my MC license before my car license and used to log about 25,000 km per season (up here our season runs mid-May through mid-October).

I find it's best for me to drive offensively defensive. I keep all cars away from me because I know I have no control over them. Get in front and stay in front. And no, you don't need to speed to get in front of them. I just like having as little four wheeled traffic in front of me as possible 'cuz they are all idiots. Too many distractions for them. Radio, A/C, rearview, sideview, glove box......

A wonderful thing happens when you slide the helmet over your head.....your brain will automatically turn off the outside world and you'll be plunged into this hyper-aware yet blissfully beautiful state. I went 4 seasons without a bike and will NEVER again be without. In fact there's now THREE in the garage. Just this past weekend I picked up a '98 GSX-R 750 with a blown motor which I'll be converting to electric over the next 2 years. My goal is to ride it no later than two years from this past weekend. It's the winter project.....when the wind isn't blowing ; )

My other steeds are my pride and joy, pearl white 1993 Honda VFR 750 - IMO the most beautiful one they ever made - and a super fun 1977 Honda CT70 (hopped up to a 125) which is far more than anyone REALLY needs on public roadways. Hell, I hardly have to leave 1st gear on the VFR....the CT I can hold wide open and I'll never be breaking the law

Oh - one killer crash saver? Don't even THINK about your front brake at low-low speeds (like sub-parking lot speeds) if your handlebars are turned. The weight will dive forward and down and that's where the bike will go. I speak from (embarrassingly) LOTS of experience. My first bike was particularly bad for it because it had a very high and forward centre of gravity.

My "friends" would give me a hard time for the dropsies......ironically it happened to each and every one of them when they tried my bike. Don't buy an '84 Suzuki GS550ES ; )

I've wanted a license and bike since I was a child riding with my father. The drivers in my town are among the worst in the country (confirmed by many people not from here) I've had many people who ride bike swear they fear for their lives when riding here. This has left me not wanting one till I relocate. Either way I've never been much of a fan of the crotch rockets. This is the bike I fell in love with when our local dealer had one and let me sit on it Honda Rune. Its a real big and heavy bike, but looks amazing IMO



I've been thinking about a license a lot in the past couple months, and have had my eye on the BMW F650GS. But I'd more than likely get something from a local dealer.

If you're going to give up using a brake, make it your rear one. Learn to use the front properly if you're dropping it in carparks, your balance needs work, not your braking :D

Forget the Rune - if you want a cruiser that'll actually be fun to ride, get a Triumph Rocket III ... what a hoot!

Nah - the bike was cursed but I've since felt the "dive" in every bike I've put a leg over since....granted not to the same extent and yes - I've since learned a thing or two ; )

I forgot all about the Rune! I got all crazy over the big old Boulevards - especially the Vette yellow one with the pearl white stripe. I'm a sucker for pearl....

Hey Chud,

After meeting you a few times, I'd say you have what it takes. You'll be hooked in no time.
Looks like your approach is right on with gear and instruction.
Always wear a good full face helmet, gloves, and jacket with armour.
The 250R is a great bike. They run forever and handle pretty good.
I've been riding dirt since '76 and have had my street license since '83 @ 17y.o.
I roadraced a Ducati 996 and Yamaha TZ250 though the 90's at Loudon N.H. and Pocono PA. I've come to realize that the smaller bikes are MORE FUN, teach a new rider faster, and instill good habits.
The streets have become a dangerous place these parts just south of NYC, and I gave up street riding a few years ago. Too many close calls no matter how careful you as a rider are. Supporting a family out weighed the risk on the asphalt jungle here.
So I turned to giving back.....teaching kids and adults the art of riding and racecraft with NJMiniGP. NJMiniGP Trackdays are a nice laid back family atmosphere with overnight camping @ the track. On race days we even have a powderpuff (womens) class.

http://www.njminigp.com/

Sign up for beginner group and you will have an instuctor ALL day.
You will learn SOOOO much on the minis in a SAFE environment. We work with each student one on one. This carries over to the street in all aspects.
Things to work on:
Leave plenty of space between you and whats in front, scan your mirrors (exp. when stopped or in traffic), look where you want to go, look far ahead through the turns, smooth on the throttle and brakes, your front brake should do 70-80% of your stopping, the bike will lean ALOT further then you think. Too many riders panic and ride off the road when going into a turn "too hot" or to swerve around an object. Trust the bike and tires, it's what they were made to do...well maybe not a big ol Harley
For now, try to find a nice big empty parking lot and practice smooth shifting, low speed braking, start with large radius turns and get tighter as you progress, and latter on swerve menuevers. Check the bike before every ride (tires presure, chain, oil, leaks, loose parts, etc.)
Most of all Be safe out there.

Saskatchewan is now making all new drivers take a two day course before getting a learners bike license as of two weeks ago. Before you could walk into the issuers pay $10 and answer a 100 question multiple choice test, get 80% and you had a learners. I think it will make a lot of more educated riders on the road. As a complete newb I was thinking about it before it was mandatory. Damn that looks like a sweet bike Kam:Di......

Yeah I remember the GS550 I rode without affection ... wrang its neck good and proper but no matter how hard I pushed it through the rev range, nothing happened my GS450 was better but still a heap of crap - Cheng Shin tyres didn't help and I threw it down the road at 150kph ... in nothing but jeans and a leather jacket and helmet (of course) ...

I think those GS bikes had rubber mounts for the handle bars? They made it hard to get good feedback from the steering but still ...

Rocket III was a total scream - scored a free track demo day at Suzuka Twin Ring a few years back and rode the Tiger, Speed Triple, Daytona and the Rocket. It handled ok for a such a big bus but the torque - holy mother of god!

Have a YouTube search for the "how to make a Rocket III" video - it IS all that

At the end of the day though ... nothing I rode there had the brutal kick in the pants of the TL - I know I'm going to miss that, but I'm not going to miss much else about it

interesting topic.
I have an 04, 1800 goldwing with a trailer. and the wife has a 09, honda 1000rr,(which i took to nabx this year as a put put). i ride all the time, lost track of how many times a 4 wheeler tried to take me out, scared the crap out of a driver once by trying to open his door while driving down the freeway after he took my lane. all he had to do was look, i was right next to him.
Been ridding since i was 11. it was said before, 2 types of bike riders, ones who have crashed and the others will. ride offensively and watch the eyes of the 4 wheelers. ride with a group if possible and take a defensive riding class.
the biggest thing is the crotch rocket is just that a rocket, and what do rockets do? crash.
Nothing like the feel of a 2 wheeler going down the road:wow:

Yes very

Have been a licensed rider since 17. things have changed so much.
They now have a situation where all learner riders are restricted to a certain capacity
plus the number of cylinders the bike has.
This all came about because too many young guys were going out and buying Aprilla 125s
a right little rocket, and other bigger multis and wiping themselves and others out.

Wow - lots of great stuff here.

I have to say the thought of donning the helmet and getting into my own (albeit very aware) world sounds very appealing. Granted they are very different, but I can't help comparing it to snowboarding... not only due to the "look where you want to go, not where you DON'T want to go" but because when I board, it's like all my attention goes into not catching the wrong edge or falling out of the trail and I forget about work, bosses, and bills... it truly is a whole differt type of meditation.

Why a crotch rocket? Well, since I was like 5 years old, I have wanted one. I used to just stare at them when I was a kid thinking "ah, someday!" Hell, I used to BEG for the Toys R Us plastic bike that had a top speed of 10mph till I was like 10! Plus, I am not the black leather kind of biker chick... more the sporty type.

Jaymz - that instructional class sounds amazing and thanks for the vote of confidence. However, I have to say that all my enthusiasm has gone a bit astray due to many folks (not just the PKF members) who used to ride selling their bike and gear stating they choose "life instead" - yes, you could say that worries me :puzzled:

Already got my full face scorpion helmet, leather gloves, icon textile jacket with CE approved pads and a pair of Kevlar jeans for some piece of mind but the more I think about it, the more the "you are gonna crash" comments swirl around. Yeah, not in it to die - just want to enjoy life and have no regrets. With a plan to only ride in nice weather (got a car for the crap days and the winter) and the learning period to include the 16 hour mandatory RI class (with lecture, test and field bikes to learn on) plus many a day in a parking lot getting used to the bike once i get one, PLUS not going out in rush hour traffic, I hope my fear subsides to the point where I can enjoy the thought once more.

Oh and Kami? My fiance is drooling over that bike (no crotch rocket for him)

Don't kid yourself - it's a crotch rocket ... think Saturn V rather than Sidewinder though

You GOTTA ride defensively and treat everyone like they ARE going to change lanes/pull out/suddenly stop right in front of you. No they haven't seen you. No they don't care if they have seen you, they're going anyway. No there's not enough space but they'll try anyway ...
And THEN there are the pedestrians

Make sure you cover yourself in insurance, every which way. Get your bike skills up to par ... it'll be all good. Yes you will crash, we've all done it - some of us several times.

Seriously, read Twist of the Wrist - all this is covered

Crap... Kami. Guess I'm out...

Guess knitting and stamp collecting ain't so bad, right?

:megan:

Here is my latest bike O' and my beautiful wife hehe. I have had a bike most of my life and all that has been said in the upper posts are very true. the one piece of advice i can give you is for your test! if you have to do the circle test(where you have to drive around the circle 2-3 times without putting your foot down) the trick is stand on your back break and rev the engine up and work the clutch to keep you upright through out the circle. your bike is a leaner so it turns as you lean! this does not make a circle a friendly test. Now i took my test at 15 on a CBR1000 and I was 140lbs soaking wet! I was the only crotch rocket that passed that day and I had the biggest bike.. take it out and practice and I know it will come in handy for other things as well. (it also works on the timed travel test)
Best of luck!

O' by the way MOD the H#!! out of it. LOL

its only money and you cant take it with you!

Ducati. Production, 1999-2002 ... Top speed, 259 km/h (161 mph). Power, 122 hp (82.3 kW) @ 8500 rpm ... $22,000
the one you see ... Top speed 192 mph, 180 hp @8500rpm (no NOS) $29,500 BTW this was tested on the computer not on the street. Crazy like a fox but not Stupid!

wondering if we should get a beater dirt bike and register it and drop that instead of ruining the farings or more on a new ninja?!?!? Just hate to blow $800-$1000 just to practice on something i dont care about.


Trainer kite much?!

i have a honda vtx1300r... its fatty and low

i dont ride it often enough tho.... not enough kite storage lol

A Yamaha TTR-125 or Honda CRF150F are both great dirt learners to throw around in the dirt. Why not take up trail riding as well? The sliding you do on the dirt, help your street skils as well.

Two other riding tips,
Watch the front tires of a driver waiting to make a turn in front of you. Are they turned yet?, or still straight. A car driver should never turn their wheels until they start moving. If they get rear ended with the wheels turned they will be pushed into oncoming traffic (you the M/C rider).
And keep your front brake covered with your hand in any sketchy situation like the one above. That second it takes to reach for the lever can mean stopping 10-100 feet sooner depending on your speed.
Don't let all this discourage you. Get out there and start having fun.

what do you guys think of this to play around in the dirt on?
http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/2473405803.html

learn shifting... balance and stuff?? Play in the dirt before the class and have a jump on the shifting?

Or not worth the trouble?

Don't wanna spend more than 350ish

...not worth the trouble and too small. You will be working on it more then riding it. Freinds have had these Chinese knockoffs and almost every time out something breaks. And they ride as well as those Chinese knockoff kites fly. Wheels whobble, chains break, bolts strip, etc.
Try to find something made by the Big 4, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki.
If you can find a Honda XR100 cheap that would work great. Anything under $500 may need a little tlc.