Went to look at bikes today, everyone is oh so correct...

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IcyHound · #1 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 10:49 am

I'd been eyeballing the 600's espcally the Kawasaki ZX600.

After today I'm much more aware of my complete ignorance and the b/f and I have settled on a pair of Kawasaki 500's to learn on come spring.

The first bike shop we went to had 4 street bikes and 200 cruisers. It was also next to a harley dealership and frankly, they seemed rather unintersted in us. So we left.

The next shop had a ton of everything. We asked if we could sit on them and they are like 'sure, ask any questions you have enjoy!' and we did. I had an eye for us to stay in the street bikes and away from the supersport. This store has the street bikes out front and the super sport tucked into the store, very good for catching attention.

No one tried to convince us to buy a 1000cc machine. We also spoke with the owner at lenght about what they get in for matinence in the area. He was very supportive of the 250's and 500's and that he liked clients to work their way up so that they could build a relationship and buy more bikes later.

We sat and sat and resat on bikes and realized that getting anything over a 500 would be dumb. He has some experince, I don't. Feeling the bikes standing still, in a shop, on a freaking center stand I could tell that the big bikes would be to much for me to learn on and he agreed.

I understand the agressive seating position now and how hard it can make a bike to control. Frankly, it was amazing. I understood the logic of the arguments but getting on the machines and just feeling the size diffrences said a lot to me.

We will be getting a pair of 500's after we take our MSF class in the spring. Sadly the fall is already filled, so we will have to make due with buying our gear and breaking it in.

They also had plenty of gear so we got to try stuff on and get an idea of what we want to get for our gear. Really a great experince and night and day as far as the two shops where to each other. The second shop of course was excited that we plan to buy two.

VermilionX · Sat Aug 12, 2006 10:53 am

good luck!

if you don't have a bike yet or if it's winter freezing there... you can break-in your leathers like this guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJEh5EhOy5I

and regarding your comment about the aggressive riding position... you actually get more leverage on the controls. but of course, it's more tiring.

i would find it harder to control a cruiser... but then again, im talking about a more "spirited" riding pace.

ofblong · #3 Unread post by **ofblong** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 11:36 am

VermilionX wrote:good luck!

if you don't have a bike yet or if it's winter freezing there... you can break-in your leathers like this guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJEh5EhOy5I

and regarding your comment about the aggressive riding position... you actually get more leverage on the controls. but of course, it's more tiring.

i would find it harder to control a cruiser... but then again, im talking about a more "spirited" riding pace.

actually a friend of my fathers said he learned on a crusier before he went to a "sportbike". He said the same thing you did. a cruiser is harder to control than a sportbike. If you can learn a cruiser you can learn a sportbike. thats just how he put it and he has been riding for like 30 years so I believe him lol.

Mintbread · #4 Unread post by **Mintbread** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:00 pm

VermilionX wrote: and regarding your comment about the aggressive riding position... you actually get more leverage on the controls.

How do you get more leverage from shorter bars?

VermilionX · Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:24 pm

Mintbread wrote:
VermilionX wrote: and regarding your comment about the aggressive riding position... you actually get more leverage on the controls.
How do you get more leverage from shorter bars?

shorter bars but since it's closer to your shoulders and your elbows are bent... you get more leverage.

Mintbread · #6 Unread post by **Mintbread** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:26 pm

So shorter bars and less room give you more leverage?

VermilionX · Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:29 pm

Mintbread wrote:So shorter bars and less room give you more leverage?

less room but once you push... you produce more force.

Mintbread · #8 Unread post by **Mintbread** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:31 pm

So less room pushing on shorter bars gives you more leverage?

VermilionX · Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:39 pm

Mintbread wrote:So less room pushing on shorter bars gives you more leverage?

nope, you get more room and more force in pushing since your elbows are bent.

Mintbread · Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:42 pm

But you already said that you get less room. Which is it?