- This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 8 months ago by owlie.
New MD Rider Here
-
AuthorPosts
-
August 26, 2009 at 2:52 am #3347JeepinJoshParticipant
Hey everyone,
I’m 24 and I’m going to start riding a lot this spring. Taking the BRC in the middle of September here in north-central MD. Fooled around a little bit on some 75cc and 150cc dirt bikes when I was younger, but I’ve never ridden on-road, or ridden for a few years at that.
For right now I’m looking for an SV650-N to fix up and start practicing this fall and spring next year. I would be starting on a smaller displacement bike, but it’s a V-twin and I’m a pretty big guy at 6’3″, ~250 lbs. I just love that naked look with the large tank. I might get into sport bikes when I’m a more mature rider, but not for a while.
Just gathering up safety equipment now, mostly searching through forums and auction/yard sale sites like eBay and Craigslist (SearchTempest.com is great) for gloves, a jacket, and a full helmet for right now.
Nice to be around! Been lurking for a while but never got around to signing up.
August 26, 2009 at 5:05 am #21931owlieParticipantWelcome to the group, Josh.
For helmets, you would be better off buying a new one. It only takes a couple of drops from waist height to compromise the integrity of a helmet, and on alot of surfaces, there wouldn’t necessarily be any sign of damage.
Happy hunting!
August 26, 2009 at 2:51 pm #21936JackTradeParticipantOn not buying a used helmet, both for the safety reason mentioned, but also that helmet interiors mold to your head after awhile, so it might not fit perfectly.
Good luck and welcome. The naked SV650 is a beautiful bike…I wish they still made them new.
Nice riding up where you are. Ever go to the races at Haggerstown Speedway? I went to the flattrack Grand Nationals in July, and had a great time.
August 26, 2009 at 8:38 pm #21954JeepinJoshParticipantThanks for the advice on the helmets, guys. Money wasn’t really the issue: I don’t care how expensive it is … if protects a part of my body from harm, it’s priority #1. But if the integrity of the helmet is compromised so easily, I will definitely just borrow a helmet from a friend for the BRC and buy a new one when I decide on which SV I end up getting.
And JackTrade, I’ve heard good things about the new Gladius (SFV-650 I believe is what they’re calling it) — the SV-650 replacement from Suzuki. They look very similar, but the stock exhaust on the new rendition is horrendous looking to me … not that they stay stock for very long anyways.
I’m just excited looking through Craigslist … there are so many SV’s around my area! And some are very tastefully modded (clean tails, Gixxer front ends/rear shock) … I’m really looking for a completely stock one to learn with and mod when I see fit.
I just got my BRC booklet/guide in the mail yesterday from my local community college where I’m taking the class through … I’ve read it three times already! I really hope everything works out and I decide riding is for me!
One thing I did want to ask: went by the local book store to see if they had any good books on riding and they didn’t have any … does anyone have any good suggestions/recommendations for a good riding read for a guy just getting into it?
Ha, I keep editing this darn thing. I’ve heard mixed reviews of the SV650-N being a good starter bike. This is all based on reading and lurking on forums. Being a bigger guy as I said in my initial post above, I can’t think of any reason why it wouldn’t be a good bike for me? No fairings to mess up if (when) I drop it, displacement is in range for a V-twin … other than the throttle — which some say is way too sensitive/twitchy — I can’t see why it would’t fit me great.
August 27, 2009 at 11:05 am #21962Zig308ParticipantAt 6’3 250lbs, I’d suggest sitting on a few bikes before you set your mind on one for sure. Some of them just may not fit you well. I think I sat on most of the bikes at the dealer before deciding for sure.
A couple other good “beginner 600’s” would be a Ninja650r or Yamaha FZ6R, but again would suggest sitting on them first. The Kawi Versys is a “tall” bike also that may be of interest to you.
I’m still a newb and haven’t dropped my FZ6R and don’t really plan on it. I don’t think it’s as inevitable as some may lead you to believe.
August 27, 2009 at 1:43 pm #21963dcJohnParticipantI just want to echo the suggestion to try a Versys. Wonderful bike.
You’re in a great place to ride; there’s all sorts of terrific winding roads in North/Central MD. I’m in MD on the outskirts of DC, but I sometimes head north to ride with the Central MD motorcycle meetup group (http://www.meetup.com/motorcycle-4/) because of the great roads.
August 28, 2009 at 12:45 am #21969twowheelsParticipantIt’s best not to buy a used helmet. Helmets are disposable, that is after they have been crashed, the shock absorbing foam compresses and they cannot be reused. They typically have a life expectancy of less than 5 years.
The best source of helmet info on the net is http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm
August 28, 2009 at 12:53 am #21970twowheelsParticipantProficient Motorcycling is an excellent book to start with:
August 28, 2009 at 4:30 am #21981owlieParticipantAlso, if you are completely new (if you’ve read the BRC book three times, the answer is yes), you might check out the MSF’s Motorcycling Excellence. It is a little more basic than Proficient Motorcycling, but has more information and detail than the BRC book. I read it first by chance (ordered both at the same time) and am glad that I did.
Proficient Motorcycling is a great book, but if you are really new, the MSF book will give you a stronger foundation because it doesn’t implicitly assume you know the first thing about motorcycles.
August 28, 2009 at 2:51 pm #21971twowheelsParticipantGiven your height I think you would like the versys or vstrom.
But if this is a first bike you might be better off buying used and cheap instead of new and expensive. A bike will depreciate ~20% just driving it off the lot. It’s usually better to start on a used bike because your going to drop it a few times. Also after riding it for a year or so you will have a better idea what you really want. Consider a Kawasaki Ninja 500R with less than 30K miles. They are comfortable to sit on even if your tall like me and deliver the most performance for the buck – they’ll still take you from a standing start to 60mph in less than 4 seconds and are a blast to ride, but a good reliable used one won’t cost you very much. One of the best motorcycling values.
Also consider installing frame sliders or engine bars, these will allow the bike to rest on its side without damaging the bike. This small investment will save you $$ in repair bills when you tip over/drop your bike. All new riders and even experienced ones knock over and drop their bikes. Fairings can be expensive to repair.
Check out http://www.ex-500.com for more info.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.