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New Rider ForumsJust joining the motorcyclist hobbie? Looking to get some information about a first bike? Or have some newbie questions. Are you new to the website?
Posts: 534
Casino Cash: $1310
Sportbike: Soon to be 08 Ninja 250
Well you've already made the decision so theres no changing that I guess..unless someone convinced you enough to return the GSXR, but thats not going to happen. Wear full gear, control yourself, don't give into any pressure from trying to keep up with others, ride in your own limits....etc...etc....
Since you already purchased the bike....all I can suggest is that you don't think that the bike will behave like your dirtbike.
Don't ride with people that don't know you're new to street riding...cause if you try to keep up when they are taking some nice twisties a bit above the speed limit, you're probably going to go down.
go to a parking lot and practice low speed turns and such...a lot of new riders drop their bikes because they never practiced small radius turns.
Buy proper gear. This includes (but is not limited to) helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and pants. http://www.newenough.com
Realize that you are a new rider, regardless of dirtbike experience. Also realize that you are not nearly as good a rider as you assume you are. This will keep you much safer than the typical badass on a motorcycle mentality.
thanks for the tips so far guys, signed up for the MSF today.
keep em coming...
Spend an extra $1500-$2K to get a Ninja 250- or even see if you can find a way to rent one for a while, and spend a fair amount of time on that, first.
I'm not kidding.
Reason # 43 to get some experience in on a Ninja:
You WILL drop the bike. I did it twice in my first 200 miles. If I had shelled out several thousand on Gixxer, I would have wet my pants when it happened. Also, the GSXR weighs about 75 lbs more than the Ninja. This makes a huge difference when trying to pick the bike up.
If you drop the bike, you want to get it back up, quick. You're going to be worried that it might be leaking stuff, but on top of that, it looks totally embarassing to be just standing there along the road next to a downed bike. If you're lucky, some soccer mom will stop by and ask if you need help. More likely, teenage kids will drive by and laugh and point. The difference between a 330 lb Ninja and a 400 lb GSXR is the difference between 30 seconds of having your bike down and having to call a friend for help to pick your bike back up.
See if you can talk a friend who owns a Ninja 250 into trading bikes with you for a few weeks. Have both yourself and him put down deposits to cover the cost of replacing the clutches and the insurance deductable. Also, work out in advance what he thinks the value of his bike is. You WILL drop the thing, and it might be cheaper for you to replace the bike than fix the fairings.
My experience shows that as little as 300 miles on a 250 can be extremely helpful. The experienced racers will probably show up soon and tell you to stay on a sportbike for a few years, but I only feel qualified to say that several hundred miles is really helpful.
1000^ * i just dont understand why people want to start out on big nice bikes, its kinda like learning to drive a car for the first time using a porshe 911 turbo ..... But i guess looking cool , and getting your friends attention is #1
__________________
2007 Yamaha R6
Certified MSF Instructor
California Super Bike Instructor
Posts: 1,287
Casino Cash: $669
Sportbike: 05' SV650 (sold), 02' R6 (sold), 03 FZ1 (sold). Another bike coming soon.'
I say...don't ride it like your dirtbike.
Although the controls are in the same place, a lot is pretty much the opposite. Front brake instead of rear, lean into instead of away, when to brake, when to throttle, etc.
Wear full gear, that includes pants and boots (I don't mean jeans and work boots).
read ALL of the stickies in this forum, pass the MSF course, then ride alone for a long time. riding with others will only pressure to ride to their levels and could be very bad for you.
pull from the resources of this forum or others like it. when asking for advice, take it and don't get into a pissing match with other members.
lastly, welcome....
__________________
" I was thinking of the mortal words of Socrates who said, 'I drank what?'"
Posts: 3,145
Casino Cash: $103587
Sportbike: a few...but 2003 RC51 usually
1. be careful.
2. You're not as good of a rider as you think you are, even with dirt experience.
3. Don't sneer at someone with a smaller bike as they just might outride you.
4. ATGATT (all the gear all the time) "sweat wipes off, road rash doesn't".
5. Good job on the MSF, pay attention and practice
6. Remember street riding does not equal to dirt riding
7. Don't try to show off to anyone, (includes, but not necessarily limit to: hot girls (they will make you wreck), wheelies, endos, any types of stunts, trying to drag knee: this doesn't necessarily make you a good rider, etc.)
8. do NOT come on here after a couple months and trying to tell people that you did "fine" with a 600cc as your first bike.
9. sign up for a couple of track days.
10. congrats on your new bike!
__________________ Women Riders Moderator
Proud Member of the Pussy Posse 06
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasonn
First off you're Hawt, then there's that bad ass pic of you with the gun in your AV. And you've got a Bad ass bike too! So I'm happy to announce that:
BADLEESTA is born!!!
Thanks jasonn
Quote:
Originally Posted by FZ1-KEP
Its hard to make things foolproof, cause idiots are so resourceful.
Im a really patient person so i think ill be fine without testing my limits, this thing is my baby, wouldnt want anything to happen to it.
Thanks for all the advice so far guys. I'm really listening. I am not some arrogant 21yr old that makes dumb decisions about riding behavior, but thanks for the caution. I know i have alot of learning to do.
First Bike: GSX-R600
Squids make my insurance go up ! 
