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Hey guys
If you read my last blog entry about my overseas trip, you may know that I am now a big motorbike fan :D
So, I think I've convinced my parents motorbikes aren't death machines. What would be a decent beginner motorbike? Not looking to go over 250cc, the hyosung 250 looks great. Or should i go for a naked bike on my first go?
If there are any bikers here, tell me about your beginner days! I'd love to get advice and what not!
Posted it on another forum, but those are aussie bikers only. Would love to hear biking tales from around the world 
SELF PROMOTION!
So
ATARNotes is holding a study guide cover design competition, $300 + 5 books. I am currently in the lead (by a tiny amount) and voting ends midnight (~2.5 hours)
(If you are an aussie HS student, use that site! It helps!)
Basically, if anyone could 'Share' and 'Like' the design on Facebook, it'd help heaps!!! A share is 3 points, a like is 1. Yes, FB voting is dodgy (this is in conjunction with a poll on AN) It just turns out into a popularity contest 
So cloooooose to victory!
If you want to help me further on AN, just PM me! (if you have time)
Appreciate any help! 
DisaFear
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Yay motorcycles!
I don't really know much about what motorcycles are available over there... However, I do think starting small is the way to go! I had too many friends in the states that wanted big bikes right away. They thought 600cc sportbikes were for beginners and wanted 750s or liter bikes. Fortunately none of them died, but many had a scary experience because they were unable to handle the power and subsequently gave up riding. So again, start small (250cc is pretty good imo).
I don't think it matters much what style of bike you want. Just find something cheap that you can ride for a few years and really learn how to deal with traffic and not to panic when something comes up. Getting comfortable handling corners and stops will help you out a lot getting started.
I started out with an older honda 450cc (probably had the power of newer 250s). Rode that for about 6 months. I took some time off from riding b/c I needed a car for work and couldn't afford to keep both. A few years after I purchased a suzuki sv 650. That bike had plenty of torque and pretty much convinced me that I'll never need more than 600-750cc. I rode that for the last 7 years before moving oversees (that was the hardest part of moving from sunny CA to Freezing Finland).
I highly recommend you take any safety courses available. (I know in USA it's required if you're under 18 or 21 and insurance companies provide a discount if customers who complete it.)
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I'm not looking for a powerful bike. Main attraction to bikes is their awesome handling and looks haha. 250cc it is then
Yea, I'll be doing a safety course, definitely
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Then you're on the right track! I also suggest getting a used bike (does depend on price and your ability to get mechanical work done cheap). Thinking back... You might actually want a naked bike at first just because when (not if) you end up dropping it there's less plastic to break (and that's usually the most expensive stuff to replace/fix).
I'm sorry I can't really think of tips for you, but if you have questions feel free to PM me :D
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Hahah, 250cc will be a great started. You'll probably live with a 250cc for a month or two and then upsize, but you don't wanna start out too big!
I inherited my dad's old bike...has like 600 miles on it, hasn't been started since 1990. 1984 BMW R80 G/S. I'd ride that thing if it didn't have a flippin 800cc engine on it.
Pretty sick bike though
![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/BMW_R_80_GS-crop.jpg)
Good luck! Looking forward to seeing what you end up getting :D
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Hi! Bikes are awesome as long as you treat them with respect :D.
Personally I started on a Kawasaki 500 and then moved up to a Ninja 636 a year later.
500/650's are good in the middle ground for people who are going for their first bike also. 250's are also a really good choice. Make sure you sit on the bike you are looking at!
Safety courses are really really highly recommended also. No matter how long you have been riding, you can learn something!
Good luck
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Bikes aren't "death machines", vehicles driven by people who don't recognize them in trafic are.
I don't know anything about the 250cc-segment but I can really recommend the Kawasaki ER-6. It's - relatively - cheap, have good quality and perfect handling. glhf and take care.
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I started off on an aprilia RS 50, 2 stroke :D
Extremely light, very little power. I had to hold the throttle wide open literally all the time just to keep up with traffic lol.
After a while I started riding my dad's Honda F3, got a 600 gsxr of my own, sold it, and now I'm the happy owner of a drz 400sm.
Have done some supermoto track days on the DRZ, lots of fun. I feel a lot more comfortable on my bike since you can really push it on the track and crash with mostly just some scratches to your plastics/leathers (sexy). If you can't get to a track, find an empty parking lot and practice hard breaking from whatever speed you'll normally be going. Remember to be smooth, you don't want to do a front wheelie! (Or do you? lol)
Oh and in general, be nice and smooth on everything. Smooth on the throttle, clutch, and brake.
Anywho, don't forget to get a good helmet, jacket, and gloves. And boots. There are a lot of idiot drivers, so ride like everyone is out to get you or can't see you. That guy trying to turn left in front of you? Yeah, he's waiting for the perfect moment to ram you! That guy changing lanes? He never even looked, so GTFO before he takes you out!!! :DDD GLHF!!
**edit: spelling... break.. brake.. lol
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On February 16 2012 00:58 takkatakka wrote:
I started off on an aprilia RS 50, 2 stroke :D
Extremely light, very little power. I had to hold the throttle wide open literally all the time just to keep up with traffic lol.
After a while I started riding my dad's Honda F3, got a 600 gsxr of my own, sold it, and now I'm the happy owner of a drz 400sm.
Have done some supermoto track days on the DRZ, lots of fun. I feel a lot more comfortable on my bike since you can really push it on the track and crash with mostly just some scratches to your plastics/leathers (sexy). If you can't get to a track, find an empty parking lot and practice hard breaking from whatever speed you'll normally be going. Remember to be smooth, you don't want to do a front wheelie! (Or do you? lol)
Oh and in general, be nice and smooth on everything. Smooth on the throttle, clutch, and brake.
Anywho, don't forget to get a good helmet, jacket, and gloves. And boots. There are a lot of idiot drivers, so ride like everyone is out to get you or can't see you. That guy trying to turn left in front of you? Yeah, he's waiting for the perfect moment to ram you! That guy changing lanes? He never even looked, so GTFO before he takes you out!!! :DDD GLHF!!
**edit: spelling... break.. brake.. lol
Yeah, couldn't agree more on the safety gear. I rode in Central California and I NEVER rode without a jacket. (fortunately for me my bro worked at a shop and got me a deal on a summer riding jacket - I was actually cooler wearing the jacket than just a t-shirt riding in 40*c weather). I'd also say always wear gloves, shoes that cover your ankles and pants (no shorts, sandals or shoes that will come off easy).
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Here's a pic of my 1st bike, got it 2 weeks ago.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/JUfKW.jpg)
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EPT
