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The F800ST. Don't get me wrong--I adore mine (and it isn't limited). But with hindsight I think that it was too big and powerful for a learner. I sort of got away with it by being VERY disciplined and cautious. And lucky. Had a couple of stall drops the first week, and then a minor wreck during the ERC.

I went with it in part out of pure ego--I didn't want to be seen on a "beginner" bike--and in part because of a flawed analogy: I figured it wouldn't be any harder to learn to drive in a 3 series BMW than in a Civic, and applied the same logic to motorcycles.

Once I got on a little Kawasaki Eliminator in the BRC, I realized that I should have spent a year on a beginner bike.

RockBottom wrote:The F800ST. Don't get me wrong--I adore mine (and it isn't limited). But with hindsight I think that it was too big and powerful for a learner. I sort of got away with it by being VERY disciplined and cautious. And lucky. Had a couple of stall drops the first week, and then a minor wreck during the ERC.

I went with it in part out of pure ego--I didn't want to be seen on a "beginner" bike--and in part because of a flawed analogy: I figured it wouldn't be any harder to learn to drive in a 3 series BMW than in a Civic, and applied the same logic to motorcycles.

Once I got on a little Kawasaki Eliminator in the BRC, I realized that I should have spent a year on a beginner bike.

Sweet bike. I hear you on the size/power of the bike, too. I suspect that might end up being my second bike if I can afford it.

RhadamYgg

RockBottom,
BTW, I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time of it starting out. So far, with the Ninja 250 - I haven't had any issues with dropping the bike or being overpowered by the bike. (Almost dropped it once at an EZ Pass toll with an arm that wouldn't go up).
I do wonder, though, how I'll feel when I get on another bike with more power. I think that potentially there are still issues with a significantly different bike when used to such a low-powered bike like the Ninja 250.
I guess I'll find out - someday...

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg wrote:RockBottom,
BTW, I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time of it starting out. So far, with the Ninja 250 - I haven't had any issues with dropping the bike or being overpowered by the bike. (Almost dropped it once at an EZ Pass toll with an arm that wouldn't go up).
I do wonder, though, how I'll feel when I get on another bike with more power. I think that potentially there are still issues with a significantly different bike when used to such a low-powered bike like the Ninja 250.
I guess I'll find out - someday...

RhadamYgg

The only way to know is go for a test drive!

RockBottom,

Thanks for the clarification. I just was not sure what you meant.

RhadamYgg wrote:RockBottom,
BTW, I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time of it starting out. So far, with the Ninja 250 - I haven't had any issues with dropping the bike or being overpowered by the bike. (Almost dropped it once at an EZ Pass toll with an arm that wouldn't go up).
I do wonder, though, how I'll feel when I get on another bike with more power. I think that potentially there are still issues with a significantly different bike when used to such a low-powered bike like the Ninja 250.
I guess I'll find out - someday...

RhadamYgg

I wouldn't say that I had a tough time, just say that I made the whole experience more challenging than it had to be. I dropped it twice the first week I had it (once when I wasn't even on it, but just pushing it). Then I went down taking the ERC. Sum total of the damage was a turn signal lens ($11), three scuffs on the faring ($20 for touch up paint and clear coat), and a bent boot.

But I plan on keeping this bike for at least 4 or 5 years until I'm fully geezerized and ready to get a touring bike.

And I just got back from the perfect after work ride: temperatures in the low 70s, piercing blue sky, 50 miles through beautiful Pennsylvania farm country, dodging the occasional Amish buggy.

Brackstone wrote:

RhadamYgg wrote:RockBottom,
BTW, I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time of it starting out. So far, with the Ninja 250 - I haven't had any issues with dropping the bike or being overpowered by the bike. (Almost dropped it once at an EZ Pass toll with an arm that wouldn't go up).
I do wonder, though, how I'll feel when I get on another bike with more power. I think that potentially there are still issues with a significantly different bike when used to such a low-powered bike like the Ninja 250.
I guess I'll find out - someday...

RhadamYgg

The only way to know is go for a test drive!

Its kind of errr dumb, but I'm a little afraid to get on any other bike than mine. I'll get over once I get really hot and bothered about whatever bike I want next.

But taking a test ride on a bike is a lot different than test driving a car. I mean, you drop it you bought it, right?

RhadamYgg

RockBottom wrote:

RhadamYgg wrote:RockBottom,
BTW, I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time of it starting out. So far, with the Ninja 250 - I haven't had any issues with dropping the bike or being overpowered by the bike. (Almost dropped it once at an EZ Pass toll with an arm that wouldn't go up).
I do wonder, though, how I'll feel when I get on another bike with more power. I think that potentially there are still issues with a significantly different bike when used to such a low-powered bike like the Ninja 250.
I guess I'll find out - someday...

RhadamYgg

I wouldn't say that I had a tough time, just say that I made the whole experience more challenging than it had to be. I dropped it twice the first week I had it (once when I wasn't even on it, but just pushing it). Then I went down taking the ERC. Sum total of the damage was a turn signal lens ($11), three scuffs on the faring ($20 for touch up paint and clear coat), and a bent boot.

But I plan on keeping this bike for at least 4 or 5 years until I'm fully geezerized and ready to get a touring bike.

And I just got back from the perfect after work ride: temperatures in the low 70s, piercing blue sky, 50 miles through beautiful Pennsylvania farm country, dodging the occasional Amish buggy.

Ah, that doesn't sound that bad at all. A little annoying and confidence shaking (at least it would be for me).

Missed the past two days riding - my bike was getting its 6200 mile check up. If the weather holds I'll be riding to Tarrytown and back - a total of 120 mile commute.

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg wrote:

RockBottom wrote:

RhadamYgg wrote:RockBottom,
BTW, I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time of it starting out. So far, with the Ninja 250 - I haven't had any issues with dropping the bike or being overpowered by the bike. (Almost dropped it once at an EZ Pass toll with an arm that wouldn't go up).
I do wonder, though, how I'll feel when I get on another bike with more power. I think that potentially there are still issues with a significantly different bike when used to such a low-powered bike like the Ninja 250.
I guess I'll find out - someday...

RhadamYgg

I wouldn't say that I had a tough time, just say that I made the whole experience more challenging than it had to be. I dropped it twice the first week I had it (once when I wasn't even on it, but just pushing it). Then I went down taking the ERC. Sum total of the damage was a turn signal lens ($11), three scuffs on the faring ($20 for touch up paint and clear coat), and a bent boot.

But I plan on keeping this bike for at least 4 or 5 years until I'm fully geezerized and ready to get a touring bike.

And I just got back from the perfect after work ride: temperatures in the low 70s, piercing blue sky, 50 miles through beautiful Pennsylvania farm country, dodging the occasional Amish buggy.

Ah, that doesn't sound that bad at all. A little annoying and confidence shaking (at least it would be for me).

Missed the past two days riding - my bike was getting its 6200 mile check up. If the weather holds I'll be riding to Tarrytown and back - a total of 120 mile commute.

RhadamYgg

It's gonna be raining pretty badly on Thursday. And if you plan to come to NYC then avoid streets 59 - 34 and 1, 2, 3 and Lexington Ave. Damn UN summit.

JC Viper wrote:
It's gonna be raining pretty badly on Thursday. And if you plan to come to NYC then avoid streets 59 - 34 and 1, 2, 3 and Lexington Ave. Damn UN summit.

Thanks, man.

Looks like I rode in today and that's going to be it riding in once this week. At least it was a decent number of miles.

RhadamYgg