Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Here's my story:
I had a buddy years ago into GSX-R 750s, bought a full leather suit in Europe for cheap. He's the one that got me interested in bikes. At the time I liked the Yamaha FZR-600 or the Kawasaki ZZR-600. That was 1994.

Now I've got a neighbor buddy who rides a KTX dirt bike, his eyes light up when I mention anything about motorcycles. He's been riding since he was a kid, building and taking apart and fixing them up. I've been doing a lot of research (thus, how I came upon this site) and read the Hurt Report, one of their statistics said that street riders who learned first on a dirt bike were "under represented" among motorcycle riders involved in accidents. Since he's been offering to teach me and that learning on a dirt bike would be advisable according to Hurt, I asked him yesterday if he would, and he's as excited as I am.

Anyways, I plan on taking a local MSF course here in Salt Lake City, $180 I think. Mike (TMW site admin?) suggested taking the MSF course before I get on a dirt bike, so I don't learn bad habits I'd have to try to break later. Good advice I think. Eventually I'll start working on convincing my wife to let me get a street bike. I've been eyeing a Kawasaki Ninja 650, a 2006 or 2007, I think this might be my year. =) The hard part is, she sees "Bullet Bike" and gets really concerned. That's why I'm trying to put so much effort into the preparation. I wanna still be riding when I'm old and gray. We'll see...

Hi Schweiz

Welcome to the site. Glad you found us. You'll get plenty of good, friendly advice here (sometimes more than you might need ). Let us know how you get on with the MSF.

I envy you having a mate who will take you dirt riding. I've never ridden a proper dirt bike but I want to. I'm sure it's true what you say about guys who learn off road. I've had just a couple of days off-roading and loved it. One day! - when I can get my mind round all the other things I want/need to do.

Take care. And may you get your wish to be still riding when you are old and grey.

I feel welcome already, getting a response within one hour of my first post.

I see you listing SV650. What's your take on the SV650 vs Ninja 650?

I've also had someone tell me to check out GS500E or F, I'm afraid that as a beginner, I will bore of it quickly.

Someone else said Ninja 650 not good for a beginner, too much HP with low weight (<400lbs). Also, he said that "since everyone lays down their first bike", the 650 not good as 1st bike, expensive to repair with fairings and all. I don't dispute the naked bikes would be cheaper to fix, but does everyone REALLY lay down their first bike, and does it always cause all kinds of damage?

Interested in your opinions..

Hi schweiz9394,
It's nice to see other Utah riders on the forums. My situation is similar to yours. It's been years since I've ridden and just got the bike bug a couple of months ago. I'm in the process of looking for a mid size cruiser as my return to riding choice. I too am having to work on the wife to get her used to the idea of me riding a motorcycle. I will be looking into one of the local riding courses before I get my bike. This is a great community here, Enjoy it!

There are no absolutes. Not everyone is going to lay down their first bike but, the odds aren't in your favor. You won't lay it down in a wreck neccessarily but, forget to put the kickstand down, leave it on the stand in soft ground or pavement when it's hot, backing it into a parking spot and lose your footing, etc, etc, etc. The ways of damaging a bike are very numerous. I went against the grain and bought a new bike for my first and haven't regretted it.

This site pushes safety and common sense. Spend your money on training and gear. Don't spend a lot on something that you may "outgrow" or "lay down" in the first year.

Anyway, enough with the ...

Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There!

Hey, why don'tyou encourage your wife to attend the MSF with you? She might get bitten by the bug too. Also, look into the Nija 500, you will be able to ride it for a good year or two without becoming "bored", and it's not as much of a crotch rocket so she might not be as worried. You can show her how all of the sensible people on this site recommend it as a good first bike.

Scoutmedic wrote:

There are no absolutes. Not everyone is going to lay down their first bike but, the odds aren't in your favor. You won't lay it down in a wreck neccessarily but, forget to put the kickstand down, leave it on the stand in soft ground or pavement when it's hot, backing it into a parking spot and lose your footing, etc, etc, etc. The ways of damaging a bike are very numerous. I went against the grain and bought a new bike for my first and haven't regretted it.

This site pushes safety and common sense. Spend your money on training and gear. Don't spend a lot on something that you may "outgrow" or "lay down" in the first year.

Anyway, enough with the ...

Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There!

+1 100%. The ways of dropping your bike are many and various, especially when you are off it! And especially when you are not experienced at pushing it round. That may sound daft but it's true.

The SV650 is a wonder bike. Just made for the road. I can't think of a single thing to say against it. But I can't compare it with the Ninja because I've never ridden one.

Schweiz, I would really recommend going for something smaller and lower-powered at first. This has nothing to do with whether you would be capable of riding a larger bike straight off - you might well be able to, and many people can. But something like a GS500E is a brilliant bike to learn on. It builds your confidence and your skills far more quickly, and you can then transfer those skills to a bigger bike when you feel ready to move up.

If you start on a larger bike it is likely to take you far longer to build up the confidence and skills that will evenutally put a smile on your face. And it is quite possible that you will never learn them deep down in your guts which is where they are needed. That's been my experience and it's the experience of every long-term rider I've ever spoken to.