Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I wouldn't be so quick to discount the V-Strom 650. The motor is very smooth and predictable. It'll move along nicely but you have to explicitly ask it to do so. I had more trouble with throttle control on the Yamaha XT225 I rode during the MSF course. The only complaint I have is that it's somewhat...

I ride an 05 V-Strom 650. This is my first bike and as such I can't offer any sort of comparison to other bikes. Here's what I can tell you though. It is top heavy, though this may be exacerbated somewhat by my height (5'8"). The top heavy nature has proven to be the most difficult aspect of th...

I'll add my experience here. I purchased a new DL650 last year (very simliar motor to the SV). I also have auto insurance through Progressive. I currently pay approximatley $300 per year for MC insurance through Progressive. I'm relatively young (25) and have one moving violation within the last 18 ...

Most of my problems were with upshifting. I seemed to do alright with rev matching to downshift. When upshifting at first I was letting off the throttle competely which was when the bike seemed to lurch. Towards the end of my ride, I was rolling off the throttle just slightly and that seemed to be m...

I completed the MSF Basic Rider course on 6/5. I bought a bike yesterday but didn't have time to ride it at all last night because I had to make room in the garage. After work today I had about an hour to ride before it got dark and I had an uneventful ride around the neighborhood and the local high...

I'm looking for a little clarification on the mileage matter. A 2000 Ninja 500 has come up for sale locally. The bike has 20K miles on it. Obviously I'll ask the seller about the bikes maintenance record. Anything I should look for that would indicate poor maintenance or abuse? This will be my first...

I'm 5'8" and of average proportions. One of the locally offered MSF courses has a Blast in their fleet so I may get a chance to test it out before I'm at the purchase stage.

Hello all I'm a potential new rider looking at getting a bike sometime this summer. Some background info: I have no prior motorcycle riding experience. I'm planning on taking a MSF class in early summer before purchasing a bike. My main use for the bike will be commuting to work which is currently a...