Scared Silly

[Mag7C]

I think everyone here who's still riding would agree that nothing really "scares" us, it's just momentary distraction, accompanied by adrenaline rush as needed to deal with the situation. After it's all over, there was no time to be scared, just got real busy for a few seconds.

Very true. If you're instantly terrorized by the cage trying to change lanes into you, you'd probably panic and freeze up (at least I would... happens when I have to give speeches). Instead of fear, it's more like "oh sh*t, brake, check left, push..." and so forth all crammed into a 1/4 second thought. Then afterwards the realization that riding in a car's blind spot really is an unsafe thing to do.

Also gives a cool story to tell!

[swatter555]

To Gummiente: I like the term "lifestyle" better also. To be honest, I went out of my way to try and scare myself out of it- I made really sure this is what I wanted to do. After all, life is a dangerous business at times, adding risk for fun takes some thought.

To Sevulturus: Ya, I sat on a ninja 500 and a gs500f. Im a big guy, but the ninja still felt pretty good, though I could see my knees hurting on long rides(when I sit on the ninja, I literally sit down, the bike is skinny ). Unfortunately, I wasnt impressed with the ninja's looks. After sitting on several gs500's, they felt and looked good. I decided that is the way I wanted to go. That is, until I called my brother for advice.

I wasnt expecting to be talked into getting a bigger bike He thought it was a tad foolish to get a bike for 2 months, he saw the 650 as a good alternative, I had heard that also. Another very experienced rider was saying a tourer with sport looks would be better for beginners(sport looks for my vanity). A friend of his was sitting on a (750 Interceptor?? Its a few years old, the model is interceptor now), pointing out that would be a good bike to get. A bike like that is about twice my price range,though. I was getting the impression that power in itself isnt bad for beginners, you will need it sometimes. The supersports certainly have power, but are far too touchy for a beginner in emergency situations(the impression that I got).

The SV650 does have a more ackward sitting position, but it doesnt look like it will be a problem for me, though. Also, from what I hear, the 650 is a popular race bike. If I get comfortable with the bikes limits,as is, I would still have many mod options that could extend its life.

[AmericanWeiner]

To Gummiente: I like the term "lifestyle" better also. To be honest, I went out of my way to try and scare myself out of it- I made really sure this is what I wanted to do. After all, life is a dangerous business at times, adding risk for fun takes some thought.

I'm in the process of doing that!

I wasnt expecting to be talked into getting a bigger bike He thought it was a tad foolish to get a bike for 2 months, he saw the 650 as a good alternative, I had heard that also.

You can sell it for more than you bought it for if you're a good salesman.

[Sev]

It isn't our job to make you buy a bike. All we can do is offer our best suggestions. However if you think that a ninja 250 or 500 will be to cramped I think you might feel the same way on a sv650. They all sit close to the same.
Perhaps we should set vanity aside for our first bike 4-6months... and get a cruiser or standard. Just to learn on. It'll teach you the required skills, and it'll help you gain confidence. From there you move to pretty much any bike that you want. Who knows you might even fall in love with your first bike and not want to sell it.

[swatter555]

Heh, I guess its ok to let the cat out of the bag. I had already got the SV650 before I made this thread I guess I felt ashamed for acting like a little kid again and jumping in with both feet! I was being encouraged, so Im only human If I drop it, thats what comprehensive is for. Will I kick myself in the butt later? Maybe, but why should I stop being optimistic now!

[Sev]

No sense in giving you a hard time now

Congrats on the new bike, take it easy we want you to post for a long time. I'd suggest that you start a blog on the forums. I love reading those. I hope it's comfy for you, and please tell me you're taking the MSF course?

Keep the rubber side down.

[swatter555]

The next MSF course is in mid-August. If I would be counting on them to teach me the basics, that train will be long gone. Ill call more locations to see about a better date.

Heres my situation: tell me what you would do. My brother will be giving me significant instruction no doubt for a long time to come. He is a 20+ year sportbike/racing vet, with no major spills in that entire time. Hell, he's given me a list of things to read, I havent even picked up my bike yet.
At least in the short-term, he will be there for me alot.

With the course wait times so long, would registering for an advanced course make more sense? Or is the basic course that big of a must?

They want my $200 bucks now, so I must decide soon. Its like squezzing a dry sponge at this point, but if people more knowledgeable than I think its a complete must, then that sponge will just have to get a bit drier.

[iwannadie]

It isn't our job to make you buy a bike. All we can do is offer our best suggestions. However if you think that a ninja 250 or 500 will be to cramped I think you might feel the same way on a sv650. They all sit close to the same.

if people took the time to look at the dimensions of the bikes they are comparing theyd notice just how similar they are. i posted in another thread someone saying the 250 ninja was too small(comforte wise) that he needed a 600cc bike or something just to Fit on it properly. if you compare the seat height, bike length width etc. a 250 probally is almost the same size, i mean an Inch here and there wont make a huge difference in comfort. if someone is looking into a sports bike and expecting to be comfortable they are crazy. those things are not ment to be comfy in the first place. the bigger the engine usually the more cramped riding position. your feet are behind you, the bars are below you etc. i still cant ever figure that aregument out. 'i need a 600cc bike for better comfort'.

[FattyJ]

I've noticed alot of new riders get real stupid also. I started riding in November of last year. A couple months after that there is a new rider riding with us. He'd been riding for about 2 weeks and has laid down his bike about 7 times. Also, for his first bike, it was a SuperHawk 999 (I think). Now that he's been riding a few months, he's dropped it a couple more times, and is also doing stunts. I guess he's trying to do a 'christ' now, while I'm still trying to master normal riding.

[iwannadie]

I've noticed alot of new riders get real stupid also. I started riding in November of last year. A couple months after that there is a new rider riding with us. He'd been riding for about 2 weeks and has laid down his bike about 7 times. Also, for his first bike, it was a SuperHawk 999 (I think). Now that he's been riding a few months, he's dropped it a couple more times, and is also doing stunts. I guess he's trying to do a 'christ' now, while I'm still trying to master normal riding.

i like how new riders think they are some how safer because they have an experienced rider with them... as if that other experienced rider can do anything when you lock the braks up in a turn because you dont know any better... well i guess they can help you pick the bike up afterwards and give you a ride home, or call 911 for you.