Yamaha R6 & R1...

[txpeeps]

Don't want to get railed by you guys , but what is the line between ready and not ready. Is there a set time limit, mileage, or anything else that indicates when someone is ready?..
And is it just w/sportbikes.....or would yall be just as deadset against a somewhat new rider getting a really powerful cruiser or something big like that? Those big bikes can jump with the twitch of the throttle too.

I noticed on a Honda motorcycle commercial (dirt bikes) it says in small print....Consider the age, size, maturity...blah blah blah.... These have to go for streetbikes and cruisers too.

So, how long do I have to ride my Rebel before getting a sportbike...year, 3 yrs, forever..... Do I have to go through 12 levels of bike before reaching the "pinnacle" and getting a sportbike?

I know many new riders have crashed on bikes like the R6 and really hurt themselves.....but, I know that very very very experienced riders have done the exact same thing. As most accidents are....accidental.
Lets say me and Miguel Duhammel are riding side by side on the highway and get side swiped by a soccer mom.....we're both dead...ready or not. Or....we're both riding some twisties...he's going fast on his 600rr and I'm crawling along on my Rebel....a little loose gravel convieniently placed in the corner and we both are highly likely to wipe out.

Stock28 said..

You don't have to try to do somethng stupid on a 600 sport bike to get hurt.

I think the same holds true for ANY bike at ANY level with ANY rider. One lapse in concentration can spell disaster at any time. And if you're into arguing percentages of danger between levels of bike.....that's like saying a drunk in a Yugo running over you hurts less than a drunk in a Ferrari.

Personally, I think the nature of riding itself is dangerous and the brunt of responsibility belongs to the rider..not the bike. If you want something really powerful...go ahead. If you want to take it step by step...go ahead. Just recognize WHAT you are riding and DON'T BE STUPID while riding it. Plus, this whole subject is way too tempting to the "I TOLD YOU SO's" out there... so Maverick, you're crazy just to ask the question in the first place.

Anyways....good luck finding a bike that you'll enjoy..regardless of what it is.....there is nothing greater than a nice ride on a nice ride.

[stock28]

Ok, let me try to explain further. Yes, if you hit a brick wall at 60 mph it does not matter if you are on a 600 or a 250. Same result. A smaller bike is just a lot more forgiving of mistakes made by someone learning to ride a bike. A slight mistake in blipping the throttle of a 600 will propel you to 60 mph in a second. On a 250 you may lurch forward but have time to realize what happened and get off the throttle before hitting that brick wall. Same goes for the braking. If you want to ride stupid, you can do that on any bike and get yourself hurt. It's just a lot more likely to happen unintentionaly when you have a rocket under your legs that reacts faster than you can think. What I find amusing is that most (not all) that argue for getting a 600 have never even been on a bike yet and say they will be carefull and can handle it. Maybe they can and maybe they cant. Take the MSF on a 250 and see how you feel then. If you still are determined to get one, go for it. Nobody here or anywhere else can talk you out of it. Just don't try to convince everone why you can handle it. If you are old enough to get a lisence you don't need anyones approval to get the bike of your choice.

[txpeeps]

now that is a response that i think most people will listen to w/out feeling like the anti-Christ for considering a 600....well put.

[High_Side]

Lets say me and Miguel Duhammel are riding side by side on the highway and get side swiped by a soccer mom.....we're both dead...ready or not.

My wife is a "soccer-mom" and might ride better than you.....

[txpeeps]

soccer-mom was used earlier in the thread so that's what I used. Sorry, my bad.....didn't mean to put your wife into the conversation..sue me. How bout we use....field hockey-mom. Does that make you feel better? I didn't mean to talk about Marge in such a vulgar way as to make you feel you had to say that to me.


By the way...how does she get a helmet on that big blue hair of hers?

[High_Side]

soccer-mom was used earlier in the thread so that's what I used. Sorry, my bad.....didn't mean to put your wife into the conversation..sue me. How bout we use....field hockey-mom. Does that make you feel better? I didn't mean to talk about Marge in such a vulgar way as to make you feel you had to say that to me.


By the way...how does she get a helmet on that big blue hair of hers?

You are very easily poked sir I was trying to use humor to illustrate the simplicity in picking a target group to blame, which alot of people do.... It's not politically incorrect to chose soccer-mom, Volvo driver etc... so people who need someone to blame have an easy target. The reality is, a mom with a car load of kids (you were a kid once, no?) has alot more to loose than the average person on the road and generally drives more cautiously in my experience. More than just a few ride bikes as well.
Feel free to ask her about the blue hair if you can catch her...... ....but you better be capable of out-running her!

[txpeeps]

Being written...I sometimes can't get the tone of voice something is being said. So, no offense...and none taken

Oh, and about out-running anyone.....not gonna happen on my Rebel.

[High_Side]

Being written...I sometimes can't get the tone of voice something is being said. So, no offense...and none taken

Oh, and about out-running anyone.....not gonna happen on my Rebel.

None here either.... And don't worry about the Rebel.....We sold her bike a few weeks back and the new one isn't here yet so she will have to race you in the mini-van, on the way to soccer practice of course

[Mac]

Alright Mav, here is a no BS response for you to assist you in making this decision. I am Navy and stationed on Elmendorf AFB Anchorage, AK.
Actually you joined the Air Force and the decision has already been made for you.
As follows.
Air Force Rules...
"IAW AFI 91-207 Supp. 1 para 13.2.3.2.3.1. (Added) Inexperienced riders will receive a stamp on their MSF Card stating "RESTRICTED TO LESS THAN 600 CC (4-STROKE) and LESS THAN 200 CC (2-STROKE)”."
(IAW = In Accordance With /AFI = Air Force Instruction)
Less then means just that 599cc or less, and 199cc or less.

Further more...
“IAW AFI 91-207 PACAF Supp. 1 para 13.2.3.2.6. (Added) After one year of riding experience, riders may take the MSF Experienced Rider Course (ERC) with a larger motorcycle to remove the motorcycle size restriction from their licenses.”
and...
“IAW AFI 91-207 PACAF Supp. 1 para 13.2.3.2.4. (Added) Inexperienced riders are prohibited from carrying passengers during their first year of riding.”
Those are taken straight off the Elmendorf Pacific Air Force website, and applies to all Air Force bases.
Regardless if you had the bike before or not these rules will apply to you the day you get to boot camp!
As you will be a junior person you will live in barracks and the Air Force will not allow your bike on base. That is really more hassle then you want to get into. Trust me on that, it is a 4 mile walk from the barracks to the gate to get your bike.
People with a similar train of thought to yours (because I don't believe anyone is going to spend 8 grand to hurt or kill themselves), obviously were enough of a problem that the Air Force found it necessary to make a rule, one that you HAVE to follow, and not leave that up to argument.
And please do not think there is a sneaky way around it, because even if you find one if you get caught you are in for a hurt locker, and will not be happy with the way Military Courts work. There is no innocent till proven guilty, there is rank of which you will have little to none and there for face insurmountable odds of your side of the story ever seeing the light of day.

In addition the Department of Defense, all military, states that you disobeyed a direct order.
If you are to get hurt, or killed in a car crash with out wearing a seat belt, they owe you and your family nothing. No free hospital, no life insurance, nothing and can charge you for what they have to do to make you well again. Will they do that? Probably not, but they can!

Make the smart choice or waste your money (those are your choices),

Feel free to send me any other questions you may have on military life, just use messages if they do not contain motorcycle stuff, and I will help you as much as I can.
It is a very nobel thing you are doing, but in doing such you are going to give up alot of your freedoms, to protect the freedom of others.
I will see you on the front line,

[TechTMW]

I will see you on the front line,

The front line is Elmendorf ALASKA!!??

Just kidding Former Air Force here, and that was an Excellent post, something I'd completely forgotten about. I would imagine in a relatively remote place like Elmendorf, they are extra-special ana about stuff like this too, since they have nothing else to do