Diary of a new motorcyle enthusiast...

[moto_envy]

So I was going to use the Motorcycle Diaries as a title, but I didn't want to violate any copyrights...

First off, I have to say I am truly impressed with the mounds of information found on this site and how helpful most of the post are.

I think the exact moment I first glanced at a motorcyle was the exact same moment I fell in love with motorcyles. Now that I'm 24 and have a career that can provide the means to get all the toys I wanted when I was a kid but couldn't afford, I've taken the serious steps into enjoying the road on two-wheeled beauties.

A buddy and I are signed up for a MSF course to be held at the end of this month. Next week, I'm going into the DMV to get my learner's permit, or at least try too. I've done all the research on sportbike gear, and am setting aside around 2 grand. I hear great gear is a good investment.

The only thing that I find completely confounding is on what bike to get. I'm a pretty short guy at 5'5" and weegh only 135lbs. At first I was deadset on getting a Ninja 250, but I've been told I'd outgrow it in less than a month. I've looked at the Ducati Monster 620, but fell more in love with supersports. I've been told to get a ZX-6 from a friend who'd been riding for a long time. At first I was skeptical, but he made the point that I would want something that is nimble, quick, and long lasting. Money isn't much of an issue. Any suggestions?

[Jamers!]

So I was going to use the Motorcycle Diaries as a title, but I didn't want to violate any copyrights...

First off, I have to say I am truly impressed with the mounds of information found on this site and how helpful most of the post are.

I think the exact moment I first glanced at a motorcyle was the exact same moment I fell in love with motorcyles. Now that I'm 24 and have a career that can provide the means to get all the toys I wanted when I was a kid but couldn't afford, I've taken the serious steps into enjoying the road on two-wheeled beauties.

A buddy and I are signed up for a MSF course to be held at the end of this month. Next week, I'm going into the DMV to get my learner's permit, or at least try too. I've done all the research on sportbike gear, and am setting aside around 2 grand. I hear great gear is a good investment.

The only thing that I find completely confounding is on what bike to get. I'm a pretty short guy at 5'5" and weegh only 135lbs. At first I was deadset on getting a Ninja 250, but I've been told I'd outgrow it in less than a month. I've looked at the Ducati Monster 620, but fell more in love with supersports. I've been told to get a ZX-6 from a friend who'd been riding for a long time. At first I was skeptical, but he made the point that I would want something that is nimble, quick, and long lasting. Money isn't much of an issue. Any suggestions?

first off

good good choice takin the MSF and gettin good gear. As for bikes. EX250 (the ninja) is a tad small. Youd fit well on it, but i think youd do just fine on the ninja500 as well and its more practical for highways and is just a tad bit more fun id wager. Monster 620 is a gray area bike, see the sticky post above on all that. As for the ZX-6 . . . NO NO NO. its to big, too fast and not a beginner friendly bike. Hope this helped


JWF

[Scoutmedic]

First of all.....


Second, Have you checked out the Beginner's Guide? There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is now downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk).

Third, Go to a variety of dealers and sit on all kinds of different motorcycles. Even if you don’t think you’d like the ride when you look at it. I was dead set on one riding style when I started and ended up buying a different type. You may surprise yourself as well.

Fourth, Good Luck and Have Fun! I hope you enjoy this site! Be sure to...

[Dragonhawk]

I rode a Ninja 250 for almost 2 years and put 16,000 miles on it.

I still wasn't able to ride that bike to it's maximum potential.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:
80% of the riders you meet will not be able to ride a 250 to the limits of it's performance ... 90% of those riders will honestly believe they can.

[MikeyDude]

here's my .02...

Go out and sit on many bikes and price them at the same time. Don't buy anything til you take the MSF. That'll give you a better feel for what it feels like to ride. Spend a lot of time reading the stickies here and also do a google search on...

Beginner Motorcycle Information

Read everything you can to help you make an educated decision. When you finish the MSF, get someone to go with you and test out as many bikes as you can. When you are certain you've made your choice and you're positive about the bike you want, take your money and go hire a Phsyciatrist and have your head examined. You have to be crazy to wanna get into this sport. Save yourself and run away as fast as you can NOW!!!

Good luck!!!

[moto_envy]

My older brother is actually a psychiatrist, and he's always thought I was crazy. I always thought he was gay... And that's why he's in San Francisco, and I like to mate with the opposite sex. We both turned out being right in our assumptions. So would a ninja 250 be a really good choice? It was part of my orginal plan for a first moto...

I have not read the beginner's guide, but plan too. In terms of doing "homework" on riding a moto, does Tourist Trophy count? Just kidding. (Seriously though, does it count? I mean, have you seen the game? It's like sex on my Projector, Interactive sex...)

I'm going to a Kawasaki and Suzuki dealership this weekend too shop around and find the right ridinig position for myself.

Also, my neighbor is going to let me ride his off-road (off-road is hyphenated right?) bike. I've read it's best to learn from a professional. So should I take whatever my neighbor says with a grain of salt? Should I be tossing salt over my shoulder?

[Dragonhawk]

My older brother is actually a psychiatrist, and he's always thought I was crazy. I always thought he was gay... And that's why he's in San Francisco, and I like to mate with the opposite sex. We both turned out being right in our assumptions. So would a ninja 250 be a really good choice? It was part of my orginal plan for a first moto...

I have not read the beginner's guide, but plan too. In terms of doing "homework" on riding a moto, does Tourist Trophy count? Just kidding. (Seriously though, does it count? I mean, have you seen the game? It's like sex on my Projector, Interactive sex...)

I'm going to a Kawasaki and Suzuki dealership this weekend too shop around and find the right ridinig position for myself.

Also, my neighbor is going to let me ride his off-road (off-road is hyphenated right?) bike. I've read it's best to learn from a professional. So should I take whatever my neighbor says with a grain of salt? Should I be tossing salt over my shoulder?

You are asking a lot of good questions. That's a good sign. Shows that you actually think about opinions instead of hearing one thing and deciding what you heard is correct.

Here, read this:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

Take it all with a grain of salt. Get as many opinions as you can and make up your own mind about what will be best for you and your start to motorcycling.

[jmillheiser]

Check out the ninja 500 and suzuki GS500. Both are great to learn on and dont require wringing the hell out of the engine to ride in normal traffic

[swatter555]

You really do want to take the MSF before you buy a bike, you will be better able to gauge what you want after some exposure to MCs.

For a second step just pick up a small used bike, like a Ninja 250. You really dont want to finance a small bike that is a learning tool. Once your confident in your skills, you can upgrade your bike without worrying about losing money on a trade-in.

Also, something you will run into later on is the seat heights on the 600cc supersports like the ZX-6R. The seat heights are going to be very high for you, even with modifications. Most of the supersport type bikes have a 32.5 inch seat height.

[moto_envy]

I've been reading the beginner's guide and have read the California Bike Nights link Dragonhawk provided. I'd like to thank everyone for all the information provided in such a short amount of time. Just a quick poll, I'm reading about suits...

Who wheres one-piece suits?
Who wheres two-piece suits?
If I'm wearing a business suit, put a one piece over it, ride to work for about 30 minutes, will my business suit be wrinkled?

Regarding the seat heights, yeah, I know, I'm short. I measured my leg inseam and got 30.5 inches. Are Ninja 500s the same seat height as 250s?

Again, Thanks for all the help. I'm very amazed at the encouraging thoughts and suggestions of this community!