Lurker decided to sign up...

[madjak30]

I've been using this site for bike reference info for the last two years...I didn't realize there were forums...although I wasn't looking for a forum here...

Anyway, I took my BRC in May 2010 and got my license the next day...

my first bike was a 2003 Suzuki GS500, what a great bike to start out on...I put over 10,000kms on that bike last year along with a new rear tire and a couple of oil changes/maintenance chain tensioning, etc...that was a very fun bike to ride and had enough power to keep you happy without scaring you as a newbie...but I have a 33" inseam that didn't like the leg room on the bike...

so I bought a bike that would fit, and if you are changing bikes why not more power...so double the power and more than triple the torque, I bought a Yamaha MT-01...it weighs about 150lbs more than the GS, but WOW!! hold on to the bars, cause the torque tries to pull them out of your grip...(yes, I scared the crud out of myself a couple of times )

It makes a great sound as well...here's a pic of my old GS and my new MT-01...the GS is now sold to another happy owner...



and another of just the MT-01...ME LIKEY!!



Later.

[dr_bar]

Welcome to TMW...

Wow! Quite the upgrade, hope you take it easy and really learn how to ride that steed. Remember, the day you think you know all there is to know about riding a bike, that's the day to hang up your keys... Enjoy, and be safe, keep the rubber side down...

[madjak30]

Thanks for the welcome...and yeah, it was a pretty significant step up...but it looks higher performance than it really is...

The MT-01 is really a cruiser that can stop and turn decently...I've got 5500kms on it so far this year (and counting), but I do want to get to a parking lot and do some more slow speed practice and emergency manouvres...can't be too safe!!

The extra weight of the bike is the biggest learning curve...the torque is pretty linear, no spikes or dips in power that I have noticed...so that isn't the hard part...getting used to the weight and the much stronger brakes on this bike is where I need the practice...

Once I feel that my slow stuff is more where I was on the small bike, the wifey wants to go for a ride...then maybe the daughter, but that may wait until next year...Baby Steps...

Later.

[sunshine229]

Hey, welcome to TMW!
Mike (Mr. TMW) was wondering how he could better advertise the forums on the main site... any suggestions?

Those are both great bikes! The GS500 is a perfect starter bike for a taller rider. Good on you for putting so many km's on before trading up, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders about riding.

As you alluded, slow manouvers are mega important, so definitely go out and practice those before you get too many km's on.

Have fun out there!

PS: Awesome avatar

[madjak30]

Hey, welcome to TMW!
Mike (Mr. TMW) was wondering how he could better advertise the forums on the main site... any suggestions?

Only because you asked...

The box that you have in the top left of the main pages...

>>Forums >>Gallery
>>Models >>Guides
>>CoolWall >>Games

Make a banner across the top with a button link to each instead of clicking on what looks like just text...but the real issue for me was that I wasn't looking for a forum on here, I was researching for my first bike...which your site is awesome for...

Those are both great bikes! The GS500 is a perfect starter bike for a taller rider. Good on you for putting so many km's on before trading up, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders about riding.

As you alluded, slow manouvers are mega important, so definitely go out and practice those before you get too many km's on.

I had three bikes picked out (Buell Blast, Ninja 500 & GS500)...the GS was just the first one to come up on Kijiji for the price I was looking to pay...I think any of those bikes would be a pretty good starter, although the Buell is more for the under 6ft crowd...

Have fun out there!

PS: Awesome avatar

How can you not on a bike...that's how I ended up with so many kms last year, I just didn't want to get off the bike...

As for the Avatar, I really like our flag...and I am a proud Canadian!!

I saw a great tag line on someones signature...

"It doesn't matter what marque you ride, the wind is all the same!!"

Later.

[blues2cruise]

Welcome to TMW all the way from British Columbia.

I hope you enjoy the forums now that you have found them.