Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Im a newbie biker... Ive ridden dirt bikes but just recently started venturing into the road bike arena. Yea at times I thought the advice I was receiving was harsh, but mainly because it contradicted my preconceived notions that everyone here would support my newbie idea. The advice, regardless, was extremely helpful and some people especially teenagers like me need to be kicked in the pants to be sent back to the rational world. The advice I've gotten here does save embarrassment, injury, among other things. My point is although it appears harsh its really just reality in most cases.

Go ahead jjp, ride the way you want and if you screw up thanks for adding more crap to the non riding public's arsenal.

JC Viper wrote:Go ahead jjp, ride the way you want and if you screw up thanks for adding more "crumb" to the non riding public's arsenal.

See, this is what I'm saying. I don't think I deserved this. I took the advise and bought used, I got help from experienced riders, My course is scheduled for Sept. I never ride in traffic yet and I still get bashed for it. As for the Vstar 650 not being fast enough. It's plently fast for me. I know it will serve me well for years to come.

jjp735i wrote:

JC Viper wrote:Go ahead jjp, ride the way you want and if you screw up thanks for adding more "crumb" to the non riding public's arsenal.

See, this is what I'm saying. I don't think I deserved this. I took the advise and bought used, I got help from experienced riders, My course is scheduled for Sept. I never ride in traffic yet and I still get bashed for it. As for the Vstar 650 not being fast enough. It's plently fast for me. I know it will serve me well for years to come.

AHhhh, JC is just grouchy from his run in with The Fuzz


He means no harm, really. Just that many new folks come on the board and completely disregard what experienced folks tell them. Then they proceed to buy the worst bike they can start with, and act rather squidly all the while, and generally be a bad example for all motorcyclist.


You made a good decision on your ride

darsek wrote:It seems alot of newbies write about not wanting to deal with the "hassle" of upgrading in a year, therefore they need a bigger/faster/sexier bike to keep them interested..."not bored". Well I bought a used Ninja 500 to start with which was a perfect beginner bike then a year later I traded it in for a used Kawi Z750S which is a great second bike. No hassle. It was really extremely easy.

lol not all of us have the $$$ to upgrade their bike after a year. Some of us cant afford to upgrade for 5-10+ years. I do that with my vehicles. Dont upgrade till I have had it 5-10 years and closer to the 10 year side of things.

jjp735i wrote:

JC Viper wrote:Go ahead jjp, ride the way you want and if you screw up thanks for adding more "crumb" to the non riding public's arsenal.

See, this is what I'm saying. I don't think I deserved this. I took the advise and bought used, I got help from experienced riders, My course is scheduled for Sept. I never ride in traffic yet and I still get bashed for it. As for the Vstar 650 not being fast enough. It's plently fast for me. I know it will serve me well for years to come.

so your one of those people that automatically assume because 1 person does it everyone does it. I mean come on 3 pages of posts and only 1 person said something you didnt like (which is truthful though a little harsh). I think you need to learn to be a little more understanding and stop taking life so seriously. Your draggin yourself down by doing so.

look at it this way. life on earth is short so quit worrying about those around you that make mean comments and just ignore them. instead move on and pretend they never existed. You will be much happier and hell might even live a longer life because of it.

Look back at my previous post, I was in no way harsh until last night.

It is a pure example that if we don't do something about ourselves someone else will and usually leaving it up to someone else will result in bogus regulations and such. Again self preservation since our vehicles are considered toys in many western nations.

Answering the same question over and over agin will get to you.

Especially when everyone thinks theyare the exception that proves the rule (I just looked at the 600cc Sportsbike thread and shook my head, again)

Mostly though it has a lot to do with knowing how unforgiving the roads can be when your luck runs out and that the only thing in your favour generally is how much preperation you've put into being prepared ie:
correct kit, right bike, enough practise, yadda yadda yadda...

I've learnt a lot from the guys around me over the years and a lot mroe from personal experience. Sometimes that makes me just want to reach into the computer and strangle the person who isn't hearing what I have to say.

Not a helpful attitude I admit and I usually try to back off before then but I earnt my experience in Blood, Sweat and Tears so it kind of bites when I make the time and effort to share the experience and I am disregarded.

So Kal, when do those new, more stringent, licensing rules come into effect in your neck of the woods? I keep hearing it'll be much harder to get a moto license.

I have a feeling that it'll come soon for the US, maybe after the NHTSA finishes their study on motorcycle accidents.

As of this September the Theory test rises from 35 to 50 questions, although the percentage of correct answers needed remains the same so I think that is slightly better. Currently a couple of random maintenance/first aid questions can see you fail your theory.

IIRC October 2008 is when the new offroad section of the test will be added, it looks a bit harsh. Lots of low speed bike control work.

Also I believe it is next year that the minimum age to take the direct access rises from 21 to 25, so there should be a lot more restricted bikes on the road. Not that there is a lot of riders that comply with it currently.