Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Thanks for the advice, I don't know about shaving the seat down, I will have to see if it is possible. I have been thinking about lowering the bike, what would I have to replace the two forks in front and two springs/ suspension on the rear? I took the msf course and learned on the 250 and it was shorter, a bike between that and my current would be perfect size. Any ideas? I am riding an early 80's Honda Nighthawk not sure if it is a 550 or 650 but it is in decent condition runs real well as far as I know. Compared to the 250 the only big difference is the height at least that is the biggest problem I have right now. I also need to replace the turn signals and mirrors they broke from the numerous drops, and when I say dropped I literally mean drop I have done it four times and crashed only once and that was a freak accident a rabbit ran out in front of me and I tried to save it and killed it and went down with it. The advice about knowing your road is good I usually drive the roads in my car and then if I think they'll be alright to ride on, and usually there is very little traffic. I never even heard about this cross wind but I can imagine what it feels like and am not looking forward to it. Going down hill couldn't I just get to a good coasting speed like 35 mph and then just pull in the clutch and go down the hill because I wouldn't lose that much speed and then just continue accelerating in the gear I was in or does that not make sense?

Four times and 1 crash? Yikes! You need to take a motorcycle course, or if you cant do that, at least have someone experienced help you learn!! This is just a disaster waiting to happen.

I hope you are at least wearing good gear...

indianshaft wrote:I am a new rider I have dropped the bike a couple of times doing stupid things but nothing serious and am fairly comfortable on the bike. Really I only have three problems one I don't like high ways I like to stick to back roads I don't know if thats normal or not, I have a problem down shifting on hills when I do the bike jerks a lot not sure why again, and the last thing is the bike is a little to tall this is the thing I am most uncomfortable about because I learned on a shorter bike and there is a big difference when sitting on the bike I can only touch the ground with my tip toes. Anyways thanks for what help that can be provided.

indianshaft wrote:Thanks for the advice, I don't know about shaving the seat down, I will have to see if it is possible. I have been thinking about lowering the bike, what would I have to replace the two forks in front and two springs/ suspension on the rear? I took the msf course and learned on the 250 and it was shorter, a bike between that and my current would be perfect size. Any ideas? I am riding an early 80's Honda Nighthawk not sure if it is a 550 or 650 but it is in decent condition runs real well as far as I know. Compared to the 250 the only big difference is the height at least that is the biggest problem I have right now. I also need to replace the turn signals and mirrors they broke from the numerous drops, and when I say dropped I literally mean drop I have done it four times and crashed only once and that was a freak accident a rabbit ran out in front of me and I tried to save it and killed it and went down with it. The advice about knowing your road is good I usually drive the roads in my car and then if I think they'll be alright to ride on, and usually there is very little traffic. I never even heard about this cross wind but I can imagine what it feels like and am not looking forward to it. Going down hill couldn't I just get to a good coasting speed like 35 mph and then just pull in the clutch and go down the hill because I wouldn't lose that much speed and then just continue accelerating in the gear I was in or does that not make sense?

Regardless of motorcycling, at least your punctuation is improving!

He said he took MSF (you did pass, right?). And I've dropped my bike like 84 times

indianshaft, you might want to consider trading or looking for another bike that will be a bit easier for you to handle than the Nighthawk. Clearly, it's a bit if a handful for you at this stage of your riding experience. Maybe do some riding on an easier bike to work all the bugs out. Then go back to it when you're ready.

Shorts wrote:And I've dropped my bike like 84 times

Shorts wrote:He said he took MSF (you did pass, right?). And I've dropped my bike like 84 times

indianshaft, you might want to consider trading or looking for another bike that will be a bit easier for you to handle than the Nighthawk. Clearly, it's a bit if a handful for you at this stage of your riding experience. Maybe do some riding on an easier bike to work all the bugs out. Then go back to it when you're ready.

Ah your right, I got him mixed up with someone else. So many people on here! If they had pics for thumbnails, I would remember

NightNurse wrote:

Shorts wrote:He said he took MSF (you did pass, right?). And I've dropped my bike like 84 times

indianshaft, you might want to consider trading or looking for another bike that will be a bit easier for you to handle than the Nighthawk. Clearly, it's a bit if a handful for you at this stage of your riding experience. Maybe do some riding on an easier bike to work all the bugs out. Then go back to it when you're ready.

Ah your right, I got him mixed up with someone else. So many people on here! If they had pics for thumbnails, I would remember