Judge the quality of advice - OLD

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..

Handle:Woodrow
Age: 35

Years riding: 20
Dirtbikes 1990, Streetbikes 1995
First street bike: 1994 Ninja 250

Type of bikes owned: 96 ZX6R, 08 ZZR600

Certifications/Classes Etc: Licensed and MSF

General Experience: I have been riding motorcycles since the 1990. I have had various dirtbikes ranging from a CR80, CR125 CR250 and a few other 4 wheelers, '87 Honda fourtrax 250 and '93 Kawasaki Bayou 220(I sill own this).

In 1995 I decided to get onto sport bikes and took a MSF course. After riding a friends Ninja 250 for 6-7 months, I decided to buy a ZX6R mainly because I wanted a b***** jump after riding the 250 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 in Northern/Western Va. I decided to stay with a 600 and now enjoying my ZZR600. I have wrenched on all my bikes except dyno tuning my Ninja. I left that to a pro.

Street Gear:
My gear
Scorpion EXO 400
Joe Rocket UFO Solid & Ballistic mesh jackets, Fieldsheer riding jacket Fieldsheer riding pants
Alpinestars SMX-6 gloves, Fieldsheer riding gloves

Wife's gear
HJC Paradox
Alpine Stars SMX-6 Gloves
Joe Rocket Lotus 2.0 jacket

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.

EDIT:
So far have added 4 track days this year, but probably no more due to a brutal wreck.

EDIT 10/06/10:
I bought a ZX14 in August(2010) during rally week. So far I have put 1700 miles on it. And i also passed 3000 miles on the 250 Monday evening on my way home from work. The ZX6R is working, just wish there were a track closer to me to go ride it. o well i guess i will have to wait till next april or may 2011 to get on it again.

This summer I realized a huge difference to how different driving my car or truck is to riding motorcycles. the amount of attention used on the motorcycle is astonishing, and again tomorrow night when I drive my truck home from work I will be reminded of how safe I feel operating it as opposed to operating one of the bikes.

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.

Handle:bc1200rs

Age: 47

Year bought first street bike: 1974

Type of bikes owned: '71 Honda CB175, '75 Honda CT75, '78 Kawasaki KZ400, '78 Honda CB750A, '86 Yamaha Radian, '93 H-D XLH883, '96 H-D FLSTC, ‘97 H-D XLH 883, ’98 Honda ST1100, ’98 Suzuki GSF600S Bandit, ’00 BMW R1100RT, ’03 Suzuki SV650, ’04 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, ’04 BMW K1200RS, ’05 Yamaha FZ6, ’06 Yamaha FJR1300, '06 Kawasaki Ninja 650R, ’07 Triumph Tiger 1050(current), ’07 Yamaha FZ6(cuurent)

Certifications/Classes Etc: MSF BRC/ERC Certified Rider Coach for 8 years. Motorcycle examiner for the state of Indiana for 4 years. No track days or race schools.

General Experience: I've been a street rider for 34 years. Various dirt bike experience prior to street riding. I perform nearly all of the maintenance on my motorcycles.

I'll stick this up and update as relevant-

Handle: dbK

Age: Look to the left, as of this writing 23.

Year bought first street bike: 2008

Type of bikes owned: '88 EX-500

Certifications/Classes Etc: MSF BRC, NJ Motorcycle endorsement

General Experience: Local riding, no racing, nothing absurd. I guess I could be considered a pleasure rider, but I'm generally lacking interest in going on multiple hundred mile rides. I ride around town, occasionally to the office, and on small errands. Went down once - in a parking lot, no less. Situation: Had been raining all day, cleared up early-mid afternoon and the roads were dry when I got out on the bike early evening. Was leaving my location because it had started to rain, failed to account for a recently seal coated parking lot. Rear wheel came out to the right side, low speed. Broken thumb, bruised ego. Without gear, though, I expect my injuries to have included potentially a concussion and a sprained or broken ankle, of course with some more bruising and maybe some rash.

Future plans (I know it's not part of the normal resume, but it will help show my plans and accordingly, my point of view): Take MSF Advanced Rider Course sometime next year (2010), upgrade to a newer/slightly b***** standard (currently loving the looks of the '09 ER-6n, also considering an SV-650). In the future, on a different bike (than my EX-500), maybe a track day or two. No plans to get involved in racing.

Handle:Foo_909

Age: 22

Years riding: 3 to 4

First street bike: 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 250

Type of bikes owned: '00 Kawasaki Ninja 250, ' 05 Suzuki GSX-R600, '08 Yamaha R6

Certifications/Classes Etc: Kentucky endorsement, MSF ERC graduate.

General Experience: My first time on a bike was going down a friends drive way on a ZZR600, I've been hooked ever since. Rode on my permit for three years until I finally decided to go take my MSF experienced riders course and get my state endorsement as well. Mechanic by trade and absolutely accident free so far. No "stunting"...

Street Gear: HJC AC-12 CF Elbowz Helmet, Aplinestars GP Plus jacket, Alipinestars SP-1 Gloves, Wolverine or Timberland Workboots. :twofinger

Handle:ts250girl

Age: 30

Year bought first street bike: 1994

Type of bikes owned: too many to list, around 18 currently. Most of them are vintage dual purpose bikes (like Suzuki TS250), also a couple of 69 Husqvarna motocrossers, 2005 MZ 125SM and a few of scooters (2000 Italjet Dragster 180, 2 Yamaha Zuma 50s).

Certifications/Classes Etc: Current drivers license with unlimited motorcycle endorsement for WA state. Took the motorcycle safety course in 1996, and again in 2002 because the first one was so much fun I just had to do it again. The first class I took in December, in heavy rain which was a great way to practice skidding and other fun stuff.

General Experience: I've ridden on the street since 1996 (had a bike since 94 but I was a minor and my folks did not let me get my endorsement). I don't get to ride anywhere near as much as I'd like, so my actual riding experience is far from huge. Never crashed a bike (or car) on the street, only had a couple of minor falls in the dirt (once when landing from a jump with front wheel not pointing straight, oops)

Tripped1

Years riding: 22
Years on the street: 16
Age 30

Bikes. Various 2 smoke dirtbikes from 5occ to 500cc; Cruisers 1968 Bonneville, 1974 Ironhead Sportster 1976 Shovel; Street bikes 2004 SV650, 2009 Daytona 675, 1086 GPz 900, 2000 Speed Triple, 1996 ZX-9, 1999 GSXR750, 2001 GSXR 1000, 2002 GSXR1000

Certs/licences: MSF (1995) MSF Instructor (2002) AMA Super Sport (1997) CCS (LWT) (2002). I've also done California Superbike School as well as NESBA, AMHRA and one or two other alphabet soup riding club courses.

I was once a wannabe racer. Now I know I don't have the skills or the balls to peel my eyeballs out of the back of my visor at every brake marker. I ride pretty much year around, if I take my bike(s) down for the winter its because I'm doing some pretty heavy modding. I ride from 40*F period, if its not pouring....and sometimes then.

Handle: fzr1rider

Age: 26

Year bought first street bike: 2000

Type of bikes owned: 1996 Yamaha FZR600, 1983 Yamaha Virago 500, 1981 Yamaha Virago 750, 2002 Suzuki Savage 650, 2008 Suzuki GSX-R 750, and there were several fast turnover projects- not really ridden much.

Certifications/Classes Etc: Current VA drivers licence with M class, Levels I-IV California Superbike School @ VIR / Willow Springs. Trust me cuz I passed Batman (Christian Bale) 3-28-2010!

General Experience: Riding street since 16.5; licensed 9 months later at 17. I have ATLEAST 100k miles under my belt on 2 wheels. Raced CSS and a few track days. I've ridden long distance (850 miles in a single day), I've ridden to school (5 miles), my usual (near daily) ride is about 150 miles roundtrip for pleasure. I've ridden in dry weather, rain, and light snow! I like the sound of rain tapping on my helmet.

Mechanically: I always worked on my own cars; got screwed by female "mechanic/ ex-racer" that took my $ to buy crack (literally)... didn't trust anyone, so I bought MC specific tools and learned how to work on everything myself! I also do work for co-workers on the side, and at the end of the day, my bikes have held up on track days, so I must be ok!

Handle:thisisben

Age: 18

Year bought first street bike: 2008

Type of bikes owned: 2008 Ninja ZX10R (inherited from my dad, only had it a week), 1993 EX500, 2001 Yamaha R6
Certifications/Classes Etc: No driver's license, Motorcycle license KY, MSF Basic and Advanced rider courses
General Experience: Learned to ride from my dad in 2007, inherited his bike when he passed away, it was too much for me financially and power-wise. Sold it and bought a Ninja 500, got mad at the reliability, bought an R6, put 10k miles on it and been happy ever since.

Mechanically: I do 90% of my own work, I take it in to the mechanic every once in a while to make sure he doesn't notice anything. Dave of Dave's Cycle Werks in Lexington, KY : very knowledgeable mechanic and good guy.

Riverszzr

Age 46
Been riding since 12, since 15 on the street (31 years) raced from 82-92 (10 years)

been working on motorcycles since I bought my first one, and have been doing it for a living since I was 17 (bought an existing business)

Previous bikes;
70 somethin xr80 atvs too 250R, 250X, 350X
late 70 somethinyz60
1980ish xl125
1980ish xr250
I'll go by brands, not by order- unless I decide to come back and edit, and most likely I will forget a few.
Honda;
CB350 1973?(4cyl)
CB450 1974? (high pipe model)
CB750 1975
cb650c 1979 ( first brand new bike purchase, had vetter fairing, bags and trunk--poor mans touring bike?)
CB700SC (nighthawk s) 1985
cb750c 1982
cb900c 1983
cx650turbo 1983?
gl650 silverwing
VF750 Sabre
VF750 Interceptor 1985?
CBR600 hurricane (race/street bike) 1987
CBR600 F-2 ( about a dozen of these, all were race bikes) 1991-1993
CBR900RR (1993 race bike)

Kawasaki;
GPZ550 (atleast 2 of them, race/streetbikes) 1982, 1983
GPZ750 turbo ( only had this bike for one summer- another sherriff sale bike )
Ninja 600 (about 5 or 6 of them, one was a street bike (1988)and I put over 250,000 miles on it before selling it in 2007- the others race only or race/street bikes. All were 85-88 models)
Ninja 250 (3 of them, 2 for racing) 1987-1989
Ex500 ( 4 of them, all for racing) 1988-1990
ZX-7 1993
ZX-9
ZX-10 1989
ZX-11 1993, 95
ZX-6r 1997
ZZR600 2007

Suzuki;
Katana 750 ( forced ownership through sherriff sale) 1992
Gsxr 600 1998
Gsxr750 ( 88- race bike)
The old silver katana 1100, pre the gsxr's 198x

Yamaha;
rz350 1985?
RD400 (owned for less than a month)
Seca 550/750/920
FZR400
FZ600 (race bike) 1987
FZR600 ( 2 of them for racing) 1989, 1990
FZR1000 ( forced ownership through sheriff sale) 1989
R1 ( another sheriff sale bike) 2003
?? I am sure I forget a few of the "meant nothing to me" bikes

Riding miles;
Pretty close to a million miles of street riding ( 3 bikes had over 150,000 miles on them when I sold them- and I have bought them newsince about 84 ! one of them was 256,xxx +, atleast 4 more were over 75,000)
My zx-11 has over 56,000 miles now
My 07 zzr600 is just over 29,500
my 250 ninja has 21,000+
The other bike is wifees - 97 zx-6R 8000+

Then I would guess that in the years that I actually raced every race I could get to, I was doing atleast 8000 miles a season racing/ on track practice

Schooling- have been through 3 "race schools" ( 1 in the 80's, 2 in the early 90's)but havent raced since 1992, other than select endurance races until 2002-and havent been on a racetrack since 2006 ( customer bike set-up etc, during practice time, Elkhart Lake)
I am an advocate of riding "the pace" on the street,and have group/customer rides almost every weekend- May through November. ( These are usually about 4-500 mile days) 2009 miles to year end ride 12/04/09, 18,179 on my ZZR, 1,296 on the 250 ninja, and approximately 2,000 on customers bike for "test rides"

Accomplishments as a "tuner"- sent numerous riders all over the country, won the GTU national endurance series, and about 4 or 5 regional championships, #1 plate at BIR with 2 different riders, 1 of them 3 years in row- beat out facotry bikes at Daytona with F-2's--and in all those years, have only ever had one engine failure ( customers budget, and lack of maintainance- 6 weekends at Elkhart and Blackhawk farms, without any service. Finally #2 rod bearing spun--one of my class champions.) Have plenty of "average" riders circling around BIR, Elkhart, Grattan, Blackhawk today with fast reliable bikes because of my service.

But I really cater to the street bike guys and performing the very best service for a "resonable" price.

I have what many will see as controversial ideas/knowledge on tuning, break-in and riding in general. But, they are all tried and proven- and I give no advice that I don't use myself. You can view these "controversial" opinionated beliefs of mine at my webpage. ( It is still a work in progress) Riverszzr.webs.com

Now can someone change my little heading under my screen!!! THANK YOU !!