Judge the quality of advice - Riders' Resumes

[TalkofDC]

Age: 25

Bikes:
99' Yamaha R6

Year riding: one year and a moonlight period

Courses Complete: MSF

EXPERIENCE: I learned quite a lot in the less than one year of riding on that r6, the SBN board (about 2 years worth of reading), and my MSF class. I have a passion for motorcycles so I want to know EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM...Crusier to Sport to Touring. I love to learn about the philosphy of riding. So I will say I have A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE about motorcycling in general....and low experience with riding but I've been through a lot on the bike I rode for a short time...

Name: talk
Age: 26
Location: Northern Virginia

Bikes owned: 1999 Yamaha R6
2005 Suzuki SV650S, current bike..



Other bike ridden: Suzuki 250 Bike, Yamaha R6, and in the parking lot on a GSXR 1K.

MSF graduate
Type of riding done: Dirt, Street, AGGRESSIVE street. Just waiting on track.

Mishaps:
-Escaped Police on a supersport (shame on me....not proud of that)
-Hit by a car on SV; didn't go down.
-Low sided a corner on we pavement. went down.


Wrench ability: Air Filter inspection/Change, Clean and Lube Chain, replacement of lever, pegs, shifters. Slip-on exhaust. Basic things.

Gear knowledge: LEATHER....or TEXTILE. Crashed in my leather. No rash only impact pains

Longest one way distance ridden 162 miles

Track experience: Planning on taking Cornerspeed School March '09

[smakawhat]

Rider resume:

Name: smakawhat
Age: 35
Location: Washington DC

Bikes owned: 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500r.
2005 Honda CBR F4i, current bike..

Ridden for 3 seasons.

Other bike(s) ridden: Honda 250 Nighthawk as per MSF course specifications and testing.

MSF graduate, Took program in Maryland (DC residents have to take MSF in either Maryland or Virgina).

Type of riding done: Everything except dirt and aggresive track riding. Rode in rain a few times highway and street, and night-time.

Mishaps:
None with my first bike
1 drop in my alley backing into my garage on the f4i. Bike was backed over by a vehicle and parked on the street. Hit and run.

Bought 2 bikes, and also switched insurance companies doing some research.

Wrench ability: Done an oil change, what a friggin mess but no problem. Basic winterizing. Bled brakes... what a mess, I dunno if I really like this self maintenance stuff ;)

Gear knowledge: High. Big on riding with all gear, bought varying types, bad and good. Know what to look for, know good sites, continually looking for deals. Trying not to dent the wallet buying 40 kinds of jackets. ;) Massive gear whore.

Longest amount of miles ridden in one day 200 local twisties, 250 up to the beach and back same day.
Longest one way distance ridden only 121 miles each way

Track experience: none yet! still dreaming and waiting!

[thelazyone]

Rider resume:

Name: Thelazyone Age: 35
Location: OC-NY by way of NYC.

Bikes owned: 2006 Suzuki GSX-R 750 Ridden for 1+ season. 1999 Kawasaki Ninja 650r rode for 4 months before being stolen.


MSF graduate 2002.

Casual to spirited rides. Nothing aggressive. Cagers and farm animals make's riding country roads damn scary sometimes.

Mishaps:
None as of yet.

Wrench ability: Oil change, air filter maintenance, chain adjustment, HID install, lever replacement, brake pad replacement, brake fluid flush and replacement, radiator flush and rear tire removal. Up next; clutch and throttle adjustment.

Gear: EXO700 Helmet, cortex gaunlets, cortex riding jeans with armor knee pads, 1 leather jacket, 1 textile jacket, and oxtar riding boots.

[thomson]

I think new riders should be free to contribute, but I think that their advice needs to be given the appropriate weight against the opinions of other, more experienced people.
=========================================================
james

Delaware Drug Treatment

[Justice06RR]

Mine's short and easy:

Justice06RR
age 25
MSF 2006

Bikes owned: 06 600RR first and only bike

General riding background: Started riding in 06 (no prior riding experience), 7 Trackdays INT group, ridden anything from fiddy dirtbikes up to a Hayabusa. No crashes. 2yrs, 18k miles. Very mature rider, daily commuter, and Track addict.

[steve3b3]

Handle:steve3b3

Age: 55

Year bought first street bike: 1974

Type of bikes owned: CB450, ST1300, and an SV650 that's a track bike

Certifications/Classes Etc: Current drivers licenses with unlimited motorcycle endorsement for MA state. ERC in 2005, Penguin race school in 2007.

General Experience: I've been a street rider for around 10 years, with a 20 year layoff. First bike was the CB450 which was sold when the kids started coming. I bought the ST1300 in 2004 and currently have about 54000 miles on it. Started racing last year (2007) and use the SV650 for that.

I've been down a couple of times on the track, but not on the street, except for a couple of drops.

Steve

[Qwknuf]

Handle: Qwknuf

Age: 50

Year started riding: 1983

Bikes owned: '83 Seca 900 (28K + miles), '85 Ninja 900 (23K + Miles), '91 VFR750 (124K miles and counting), '05 CBR1000RR (25K and counting)

MSF BRC Graduate,MSF ERC Graduate, Keith Code Superbike School, CA Class M since 1984, 2 track days - B group

General Experience: I've been riding almost non-stop since completion of MSF in '83. Inclement weather doesn't stop me from riding. Even El Nino didn't stop me. Did take a 1 1/2 year hiatus while going through divorce. Been down 4 times in 25 years and learned from each mishap. Daily commuter, hit the twisties whenever I can on weekends. Longest 1 day ride - 687 miles.

Wrenching ability: Stealership doesn't see me except during the warranty period. CBR is a bitch to work on.

Gear knowledge: Gear whore....need I say more?


Joel

[YAM93]

Handle: YAM93

Age: 37 (end of September)

Year bought first street bike: 1990, riding dirtbikes since 1976

Type of bikes owned: Briggs&Stratton mini bike, Yamaha GT80, Honda XR80, Honda CR125, Yamaha IT175, Honda Hawk GT647, Yamaha FZR600, Honda CBR954RR, Yamaha YZ250F.

Certifications/Classes Etc: do-it-yourself guy, MD motorcycle license.
started racing motocross again in 2007

General Experience: riding, modifications, wrenching, about everything except splitting cases. Ridden street bikes in all conditions, including hurricanes and blizzards. Over 5,000 miles mountain biking.

Leathers, moto-x gear etc. "don't leave home without it"

[Dogtown]

Here goes:

Age...39

Started on dirt at age six on a fifty then moved to motocross at ten on a kx 80...raced 80cc then 125cc and 250cc till 1988. Last dirt bike was a 1999 rm 250. Got my M endorsement the same time as drivers permit. First road bike was a 250cc dp machine from Suzuki. 1986 GSXR 750, 1988 GSXR 1000, 1994 CBR 900RR, 2006 GSXR 750 and 2008 CBR1000RR. I have ridden several tracks, taken schools in several states from some really great instructors like David Bailey and Keith Code. I have learned from my mistakes from the past and have never been hurt on the street (dirt is a different story). I have had the pleasure of calling places like Sugar Tree, Pro Sport and
VIR home at one time or another...the years have gone by too fast, I need a drink.

[wingnutks]

Handle:wingnutks

Age: 26

Year bought first street bike: 2002

Type of bikes owned: 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit 750, 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Certifications/Classes Etc: Current drivers licenses with unlimited motorcycle endorsement for NY state. Took and passed MSF course.

General Experience: I've been a street rider for 6 years, had a bike the entire time. I have ridden approximately 30,000 miles in those 6 year. For 5 of those years the motorcycle was my ONLY means for transportation, and because of that I have ridden in thunderstorms, wind, rain...etc.

[SAHTT]

just to make the mod happy:

23

Started riding at age 17.

Owned 00 yzf600r, 01 suzuki bandit 1200cc, 02 honda 954RR, 06 zx6r 636

I ride my bikes everywhere I go unless I'm on an airplane. Work, gym, interviews, school, dinner, dates. Year round. Hail, snow, rain, I ride. Been doing it since I was 18. I have somewhere between 60-75k street miles. I've taken the MSF several times, first before I started riding, 2nd as motivation to get a friend to do it before buying his first bike-a 900RR, and a couple times since because I just love parking lot maneuvers and not because of speeding tickets.

[dwkfym]

Handle: dwkfym

Age: 23

Year bought first street bike: 2008 EX250

Type of bikes owned: 07 EX250F, 95 GS500E

Certifications/Classes Etc: MSF certificate, FL Driver's license with Motorcycle endorsement, SCCA Regional solo racing school (automotive), ex-kart racer, 3 seasons of autocross racing (automotive), Formula SAE University race engineering team project manager / suspension specialist

General Experience: Started riding summer of 2008.
Gville-Orlando-Tampa-Ft.Meyers-Miami-Melbourne-Titusville-Orlando tour on Christmas season 2008

Lowsided once turning into very fine sand, lowsided again going over unexpected dried leaves going high speed

Almost got wiped out making a U-turn and forgetting to check mirrors at the end of 1000 mile tour *never let your guard down*

First track day May of 2009. More to come. Slowly turning into a track only bike

Gear: Firstgear mesh jacket, pants.. gloves boots and helmet.
Teknic Chicane leather jacket / leather pants
ATGATT
PS: When I say "automotive" I mean four wheels. I only mention it to demonstrate that I have a good understanding of the physics and engineering involved on anything wheels and engine. As far as motorcycle-specific safety, etc, I might not be the best guy to talk to..

[woodrow]

Handle:Woodrow
Age: 34

Years riding: 11
First street bike: 1996 ZX6R

Type of bikes owned: 96 ZX6R, 08 ZZR600

Certifications/Classes Etc: Licensed and MSF

General Experience: I have been riding motorcycles since the late 80's. I have had various dirtbikes ranging from a CR 80/125/250 and a few other 4 wheelers. In 1995 I decided to get onto sport bikes and took a MSF course. After riding a friends donated 250 for 6-7 months, I decided to buy my own. I got a ZX6R mainly because I wanted a bigger jump after riding the 205 for a season. I loved the bike and put about 28,000 miles on it before I got rid of it. I have done dragstrip runs and riding the twisties of the blue ridge mountains and other areas in Northern/Western Va. I decided to upgrade and now enjoying my ZZR600. I have wrenched on all my bikes except dynotuning my Ninja.I left that to a pro.

Street Gear: Scorpion EXO 400, HJC Paradox, Joe Rocket UFO Solid & Ballistic mesh and Fieldsheer riding jackets, Fieldsheer riding pants, Alpinestars and Fieldsheer riding gloves. Looking at some boots to replace my worn out ones and a suit.

[binx_19]

binx_19
Started: March 2005
First Bike: ZX6R, not recommended unless you can prove the same if not more self control then I have. so in other words start small. unlike all you newbies here, i never seeked any advice on buying a bike, i just bought it the day i saw it. when i rode it the first time, i was WTF did i just do.

Also i lead by example, which means i am naughty for starting on a 636, but unless you follow everything i teach you then start on a 250, cuz i know i cant teach self control. Also, I spent many hours in parking lots and it took me close to 8000 miles to actually feel comfortable taking corners in the powerband, i am not going to get into details, but i am very comfortable now taking corners at 12k RPMs.

What i know about bikes: I LOVE TO RIDE IT!!! and i am eager to learn and go to a track, but cant afford it Made a deal with my GF when she is done with school i get to go to a Keith Code School, hopefully a year from now or sooner.

EDIT:
I have unlimited Street Motorcycle Endorsements
I rode over 8000 miles in 2007, putting me at over 15000, i did alot of cornering, only had one incident where i scared myself.


If you think you are going to save money from buying a bike, do a little more research. Unless you you can ride 12 months a year and sell your car the day you buy the bike, you are NOT saving money. The initial purchase of the bike is already $$$ spent as opposed to not buying the bike and still having a car/truck. There will be no immediate savings, you will not even notice any savings for up to 10 years.


EDIT 7/22/2008:
Well I managed to purchase a 2008 Ninja 250R for my girlfriend. I took it out for 120 miles last Friday, and damn did i have a great time. I believe i was hitting my favorite road faster thru the corners then on my bike, I put pegs and toes on the ground going around corners. That was an amazing ride and would recommend anyone to take a 250R on the twisties.

EDIT 8/23/2008
On July 31 2008 I recieved a major ass kicking from a deer. It has almost been a month now and my bike is still in the shop, looks like i wont be getting very many miles this year. Hopefully my bike is ready for Sept. 6 2008.

EDIT 9/11/2008
Made it to track orientation school on September 6, 2008, had a magnificent time now i have not desire to ride street, just want to hit up tracks and push my limits legally.

12/20/2008
it is freaking cold.

EDIT
08/10/2009
A little update here, have attended 6 track days this summer, 4 have had rain. Rain riding is something you should not avoid, ride in it you can learn so much more it is unbelievable, brake and throttle control come so much easier when you enter dry conditions.

Currently i reside in the "B" group, entry level track riders. My current goal it to get into some racing within the next couple of years, that means every penny i spend on the track I have to make good use of it and try to learn as much from that day as I can.

Track Days:
MAM Round 1: I learned how to ride in the rain, learned the lines in the rain, there was no expectation to push my limits and i enjoyed it a great learning experience, I agree with Jason Pridmore in learning in the rain.

MPH Round 1: Humbling experience I had 2 crashes going into turn 1. Both were from me not being comfortable with other riders around me, and I lost focus of where i was on the track, I have learned the most from those two experiences. When I exceed my limits mentally I target fixate instead of looking through the corner, both crashes were completely avoidable if i would have just looked through the corner.

MAM Round 2: I have now brought to my mind the conscious effort of enjoying the experience of track riding. Both days I went out to enjoy the ride, not wanting to have a repeat of Hastings. I took things slow and before I knew it allowing people in my personal space is no longer an issue.

MPH Round 2: September 18-19, now I am going in with the conscious effort of developing the skills needed to get the "Bump". Some may disagree and not "try" for the bump, but I am going in with the tools needed to see if I am ready for "I".

September 26, 2009
Riding season is pretty much over for me, I have no more money to spend on track days. Last weekend I attended my last track day of the year in Hastings Nebraska and it was a wonderful event, those from that area if you have not rode the bus yet you are completely missing out, the go-karts add-on were wonderful. But back to riding, i brought both bikes with me this weekend.

Ninja 250R, that was really fun to ride this bike on the track, somethings i need to change are the suspension, add clip-ons and rear sets. the straightaway power was very pathetic, but going through corners in 5th gear pinned was a fun task, most of the way around the track i never touched the brakes, but to keep the training going, when it was time to brake i would tap the brake lever with my pointer and middle fingers. the only thing i did was chop the throttle quick to get the front to dip and then roll back on to try to keep the momentum.

ZX-6R after riding the 250, this bike was amazing on the straights, i took things easy to start, knowing that i had just gotten off a bike that required twisting of the throttle to go through corners, now i am on a 636 with a 60 degree throttle(quick turn). i spent 3 sessions toying around and relearning the throttle control, while maintain the high corner speeds I got comfortable with on the 250, my 4th session on the 636 was my "bump" eval, i did not know at the time. the control riders played with me by passing me on practically every turn on the track to see how i would react to traffic. getting comfortable with traffic has been my biggest concern all year, i still hold back occasionally when others are around, but now that i have moved from beginner to intermediate, the "competition" will be at a higher level, therefore i no longer have to let off the throttle when I am behind someone.

[novcadetshotz]

Handle:NovCadetShotz

Age: 22

Year started riding: 1997, I think (dirt)
Year bought first street bike: 2001

Type of bikes owned: Countless dirtbikes, 2002 Yamaha YZ426 (current), 1990 Ninja 250, 1996 Suzuki GS500E, 2007 Yamaha Fz6 (Current).

Certifications/Classes Etc: Valid M class license in VA, Twice graduated MSF BRC (once when I started street, and once last summer). Sportbike ridercourse @ Charleston AFB. MSF ERC last summer.

General Experience: Started on dirtbikes around 11ish; trail riding and low-level competitions, local stuff mostly. Bought my Ninja at 16 and have been primarily street riding ever since. Two accidents, both judged "not at fault;" 1) soccer mom couldn't see me with the sun to my back in the twilight in July, 2002; 2) Hit and run October, 2008. A few trackdays under my belt, but my emphasis nowadays is more on touring; several trips up and down the East coast, a few out to see relatives in Montana / Utah. I guess I've passed / am nearing 50k miles total at this point. I'm finally caving in and buying a truck; I've been bike-only for about a year and a half.