|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Never owned or ridden a bike /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1346963644 Message started by JodyBlip on 09/06/12 at 13:34:04 |
|
Title: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by JodyBlip on 09/06/12 at 13:34:04 the savage or s40 is a good starter bike right? |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Serowbot on 09/06/12 at 13:44:59 Pretty darn good... It's a bike you can start on,.. and not need to upgrade,.. unless you want to... A 125ccc or 250cc might be a bit better to start out,.. but, most people will then feel the need for a little bigger bike fairly soon... This bike, has a lot of veteran riders with decades of experience, and a large variety of past bikes... |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/06/12 at 13:48:55 Well,, that depends. Some people whove never ridden a motorcycle on the road have years of bicycle experience & have a feel for 2 wheels. Some have dirt bike experience, &, its been shown that they fall less, because theyve got experience in unsure traction & how a bike feels when it starts to slide & they have learned to reflexively DO what needs done to get it straightened out., How tall are you? What do you weigh? Are you physically fit? Have you ever sat on a bike & leaned it over to see how heavy it feels when its not straight up & down? These make a good starter bike for people who make good candidates for riding w/o them needing to learn some of the very first, almost intangible "Little" things, as long as theyre able to handle the weight. The UPside is, its lowslung. Short legs like mine reach the ground easily. If I had never ridden a bike, I wouldnt get a street bike. Id look for some old , small, Cheap dirt bike & go play in the dirt a while. Learn to shift & clutch & use the gas & not be dodging cars whilke ya learn,. Once you learn to operate a bike w/o having to think about how to shift or when & you learn how to use both brakes, then get on the street. My 2 cents worth,, |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Dave on 09/06/12 at 14:10:56 I certainly would not jump on the Savage for my first riding lesson. I would suggest you start out on something like a moped or scooter that has an automatic clutch and a small engine and is light weight....in the grass or dirt. When you get comfortable with how the throttle and front brake must both be operated by your right hand, and how to use the foot brake.....then go to something small and lightweight that has a clutch. When you screw up on a little bike with a small engine in the yard....you got a fighting chance of not hurting you or the bike. Make a mistake on pavement with a 300 pound motorcycle that has a bunch of low end torque......it is gonna hurt! I had the advantage of having a minibike as a kid, then a 125cc motorcycle.....then they got bigger. I get reminded from time to time when I try to teach someone how to ride.......everyone is going to fall down a few times before they get the coordination thing going. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by JodyBlip on 09/06/12 at 14:26:49 yeah i know a 650 isnt best to learn on but was just trying to skip scooter or 250 because i just dont have the money to go from those to a 650 as quickly as i would like lol i can afford to save for a savage not a savage and others but good point. Im a tad over 5 foot 9 but not all the way 5 10 about 190 pounds i was thinking a savage or a rebel because with either my intentions are hardtailing and bobbing as $$$ permits just scared i would "outgrow" the rebel before my money would allow to upgrade. thanks for advice! |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Blinky on 09/06/12 at 14:29:31 I'll throw in my 2 cents. Yes if you take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) Basic Riders Course. No if your buddy is going to teach you. It will be the best $100 bucks you will ever spend on anything motorcycle related. One of the forum members, matinfilms I think, is a range assistant for a MSF school and can tell you all about it. Good Luck |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ToesNose on 09/06/12 at 14:34:14 7770667F7F130 wrote:
+1 take the course..... you'll learn properly, get your endorsement and have a great time too!! :D |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Charon on 09/06/12 at 14:46:05 Take the motorcycle course. You get to use their equipment, usually some sort of 250. That way you can see if the idea even appeals to you without having to buy a bike or even a helmet. When you pass, you can have the motorcycle endorsement added to your license even if you don't have a bike. That in turn will let you rent scooters and such at vacation spots, and maybe even get test or demo rides at dealerships (if you can find a dealership that allows test rides). Even if you decide motorcycling isn't for you, some of the defensive driving techniques carry over to cars. Oh yes - the motorcycle course usually gets you a discount on your bike insurance. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by MiCTLaN on 09/06/12 at 14:51:20 Here's another vote for taking the course. I don't think the S40 is a bad choice for a first bike, but in general think something smaller is a better idea. You can always trade up later. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by renegade1 on 09/06/12 at 15:14:01 i second that dave |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Wolfman on 09/06/12 at 15:54:37 Never ridden? No its NOT a good starter bike. Its got enough low and mid level torque to hurt you. And it will run fast enough to kill you. Most of these guys are prejudiced about their LITTLE bikes(LOL) and have probably forgot the sheer terror just just starting out on a road bike. ;D Take the MSF course. Buy a good beater 250 rebel or Ninja at the end of the riding season when their cheaper. Ride when you can during the winter and all next season. Decide if its what you like and if so THEN move up to a Savage, Kawa 500, V-Star 650 ect. Ride a couple more seasons then move up again if you feel the need. Take your time, practice practice practice. Get used to haveing your head on a swivel being super aware of your surroundings. Cages don't care, your invisible...at best nothing more then a nuisance on the road THEY own. By then your survival instincts will be better honed and you'll have a better idea if you want sport, cruiser or touring as your long term ride and what size you NEED. Throw down to much torque or ponies too soon and figure on spending that upgrade money on hospital bills or fixing your ride so you can JUST get back on the road. Or a tombstone. Your biggest threat besides idiot cagers is too much bike and lack of experience. Road conditions plays a close third, ice, oil, antifreeze, mud, tar snakes, ect. Keep in mind the 650 thumper is what used to be years ago the BIG road bikes. Just because theres 600 super-sports and 2000cc cruisers out there now don't make a 650 a GOOD starter bike for the inexperienced. Theres a ton of rebels out there for good prices and they make nice lil bobbers pretty CHEAP. And they are funner then SNOT around town. They pretty well hold their resale value as stock bikes to so you basically end up only loseing gas money, insurance(CHEAP) licensing and title fees. Thats money saved for a bigger nicer bike when your ready. ;) |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/06/12 at 16:15:44 7B7C6A73731F0 wrote:
My 110 5'2" wife started on a Yamaha SR 500 higher seat than the S40,Her buddy help her learn,Me,40000 miles never went down,Most miles in a day 500,On a GR 650 Suzuki. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/06/12 at 16:26:25 At 5'9" & 190 pounds, youll be able to handle it fine. Yea, its torquey, but its not gonna wheelie out from under ya or hit a power band in a corner & toss ya in a ditch. Youll be fine. Take the course, get a full coverage helmet & wear stuff for fallin down in, Wouldnt recommend a new one, cuz you can pretty much bet gravity will have its way with you one day.. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by arteacher on 09/06/12 at 16:39:42 Don't let these guys scare you. You can start wherever you want. The VON who takes care of my wife started with a Virago 1100. By all means take the course. Anything you learn there will stand you in good stead with any sized bike. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Charon on 09/06/12 at 16:59:41 I wondered how long it would take Bill to jump in. He has never taken the MSF course, but knows beyond doubt it is worse than useless. Whatever you do, do not let your spouse/parent/relative/buddy try to teach you to drive anything. They know your "hot buttons" just as you know theirs, and that only makes a stressful situation worse. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Foxman276 on 09/06/12 at 17:32:07 I'm a new rider this year. Bought the s40 because I loved the retro vibe and it felt "right" sitting on it in the dealership. That was March, when there were all sorts of incentives to buy. The dealer stored the bike until May, when I took the course. I learned a ton, and it gave me the confidence to get riding. I was nervous, but once I was on the bike it all made sense. I've ridden 3500KM since then - all on weekends - and I plan to have the bike for a long time. If it feels right, go for it! |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Johnny57 on 09/06/12 at 17:51:22 I also recommend dirt bike/dual sport bike first. There are many street legal dual sports that fit a guy your size and the bikes are a lot lighter, more powerful and more maneuverable. There is a lot about motorcycle riding to be learned when riding on trails and off road and I believe the best riders started young and off road. I have a dual sport Kawasaki 250 that has 11.0 to 1 compression that just smokes the Savage and will do over 100 quite easily. If almost all of your riding will be street, I would suggest the MOTARD version of the Kawis,Suzies and Yamaha. If you buy an underpowered street bike you will soon tire of it. If you buy a dual sport that has more recreational range I believe you will be satisfied much longer. The Savage does make a "cool" bobber though and that is the reason I have one. There is nothing wrong with the RIDER COURSE and it short shots the license process in most states but you become a better rider by riding A LOT. The more you ride, the better you will get. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ZAR on 09/06/12 at 18:38:47 As one of the "old timers" Serobot refered to earlier,I have owned and ridden all sorts of bikes,including Harleys. I've found the Savage/S40 to be just bout the best all-around bike for me. I average riding 1000-1500 miles a month from April to December and a fair amount in the winter. My riding includes gravel roads,two-lanes and interstates and the thumper has handled them all just fine. I'll add another vote for the MSF course. I'd ridden many years and miles before I did the course but wish I'd taken it years ago! It would be a bargain at two or three times the cost! |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Paraquat on 09/06/12 at 18:58:59 I took the MSF. The Savage was my first bike and lasted 10 years before I wanted something else. That's a long time during someone's stupid years. --Steve |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by J C Stokes on 09/06/12 at 19:27:46 I'm far away from you, but the best advice is to take a proffessional riding course. You have come to a place where most will be biased towards the S40, I'm one of them. I my country New Zealand the S40 has just been approved as as learner bike as its power weight ratio isn't that high. They are light and good for short legged people like me. I would think you can come to grief as easily on a 250 Ninja as on an S40. I state what I said in another post. You have three friends in motorcycling, your two mirrors and the big gap in front of and around you, most other things, particularly homo sapiens of any gender, are your enemy. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by stewmills on 09/06/12 at 20:16:59 I am 38 years old and this is my first bike. I debated the rebel 250cc, but am glad I went ahead and stepped up to the 650cc. You will be glad you did, especially if you have little hills you will traverse... ...and you have my vote for the rider safety course. It is definitely worth the ~$250 and you learn more than you think. All in all safety is largely in your head and how stupid you want to be and hot dog around like an idiot, however, you still have to look out for the 4 wheelers that act like the road is theirs and pay no attention to you. Practice defensive driving always, and always be prepared as if a car is about to pull our of every intersection and driveway. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ToesNose on 09/07/12 at 03:46:25 WoW StewMills $250 for the MSF begginers course?! :o Do they let you take the bike home to practice? :D It's $149 here in N.C. and I know it's even cheaper in some places. ;) |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by arteacher on 09/07/12 at 03:52:27 It's $400 up here in Da Nort. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/07/12 at 04:15:36 Did you guys take a sex course before you got married. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Foxman276 on 09/07/12 at 04:16:36 Did you wait until you were married to have sex??? |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/07/12 at 04:45:43 Do you buy a pair of shoes without trying them on. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by stewmills on 09/07/12 at 05:09:33 774C46506D4C5046230 wrote:
Yep. You can get it for about $200 if you want to drive farther, but that's the going rate in these parts. I did try to ride home at the end of day 3 as if it were my bike, but they caught me at the gate. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ZAR on 09/07/12 at 05:53:17 7A414B5D60415D4B2E0 wrote:
Here in Kentucky the course runs $150 but there is a grant that gives Ky residents a $50 discount so for $100 it's hard to pass up. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by SaVaGeEaRL on 09/07/12 at 06:41:33 I rode dirt bikes as a kid. last time when I was about 17. got the savage at 36, no course. Been riding it ever since and although thoughts of a bigger bike cross my mind, this bike is just too much fun. perfect beginner bike imo |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Foxman276 on 09/07/12 at 08:05:57 474C49491312250 wrote:
You just contradicted yourself. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Dave on 09/07/12 at 08:22:03 [/quote] My 110 5'2" wife started on a Yamaha SR 500 higher seat than the S40,Her buddy help her learn,Me,40000 miles never went down,Most miles in a day 500,On a GR 650 Suzuki.[/quote] I tried to teach my wife to ride on a Suzuki TY80 last year in my yard. She got confused and while turning applied front brake and squeezed throttle on at the same time. She ended up against a tree, upside down, in a pile of lumber and metal stakes for the outdoor shower I was building. I am afraid that if it had been a 350 pound, 650cc motorcycle I would be a widower now. I will never again start someone out on a bike with a clutch for their first ride. Once they can gracefully drive a scooter or minibike.....then we can move on to a bike with a clutch. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/07/12 at 08:44:22 My wife learn on a straight country road till she had the shifting and take off down pat,Then slight curves,Riding a motorcycle is just like riding a bicycle, |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by 2011suzukis40 on 09/07/12 at 09:28:07 I was in your same shoes back in febuary. I am 30 years old and before febuary I had never ridden any type of motorcycle. I never rode dirt bikes or anything even close. I took the MSF course for beginners. It was the best $175 I ever spent. I went into the class knowing nothing about motrcyles and being a little intimidated by them and came out full of confidence. I shopped around and got a great deal on a new Suzuki S40. I rode it home and have been riding back and forth to work everyday since then. I am 6'2" and 200lbs and the bike is a little on the small side for me but is still lots of fun to ride. I feel like I started out on the right bike. I proboly could have started on something like a 800cc or even a little bigger and still been ok but this bike is very economical. It inexpensive to buy and to maintain. Its very reliable according many reviews that I have seen. I have had the bike about 6 months now and never had a problem with it. Eventually I will proboly move up to a bigger bike for cross country riding but will keep this bike for in town and short commutes. All in all its a great bike to start on. :) |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by JodyBlip on 09/07/12 at 10:53:05 WOW lots of positive feedback i dabble in lots of things and have been in lots of forums i must say this is the most positive welcome i have ever seen to "newb" type questions. thanks a ton for all the input the friendly people and feedback here alone make me wanna get one now just so i can hang with you guys lol. I have a jeep and jeepforum people are ruthlessly sarcastic and mean. thanks again! IF i decide to get one i think ive read 2002 they fixed some leaky plug and 2005 new handlebars that about sums up what i need to know right? lol |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Cavi Mike on 09/07/12 at 11:12:24 373C39396362550 wrote:
No, it's not. Not even close. Especially in America with the front-brake lever on the wrong side. Most people that ride bicycles don't even realize that they have to steer the opposite direction to turn the bicycle because shifting your weight can usually get the job done. On a motorcycle, you weigh 1/3 of it instead of weighing 3x it. Your inputs on the handlebars are far more important because a motorcycle weighs a lot more and the faster-spinning heavier front wheel has much more gyroscopic effect. Riding a bicycle is NOTHING like riding a motorcycle. If there is anything you need to remember about riding a motorcycle it's that if you're going around a turn and it feels like you can't turn enough and are about to run off the road, force the handlebars in the opposite direction. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Charon on 09/07/12 at 11:14:22 Bill doesn't believe in countersteering, either. By his own statement. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Arnold on 09/07/12 at 11:58:00 All there's to do is make sure the front wheels faces where you want the bike to go. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Cavi Mike on 09/07/12 at 13:59:57 584D5655555C4D5C4B390 wrote:
Try turning your wheel to the left for a left turn and tell me which way you go. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Arnold on 09/07/12 at 14:17:53 Well, typically when I steer left it goes left. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by rfw2003 on 09/07/12 at 14:29:53 7F6A7172727B6A7B6C1E0 wrote:
Try it with one hand at speed, and then see which way you go. Reason I say one hand is so you know for sure which way your pushing on the handlebar and not which way you think your pushing because it's second nature on a motorcycle. R.F. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Arnold on 09/07/12 at 14:36:06 Well, at higher speed it's pretty much all leaning, steering is minimal. But with my little slow poke bobber at less than 300lbs I dont think I get enough speed that would require counter steering when drifting. I dont know, maybe it's instinctive since I never wiped out. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by rfw2003 on 09/07/12 at 14:40:09 4752494A4A43524354260 wrote:
what do you think makes you lean, and recover from the lean? it's not all about body position. This is something you have to try conscientiously or you don't really know what your instinct has been doing for you all along |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by arteacher on 09/07/12 at 15:07:06 The trick to counter steering is to look in the direction you want to go. It makes pushing on that side of the handlebar instinctive. Several times I have miss-judged the sharpness of a curve, or it has "sharpened" more after I have gone into it, and looking to the inside and gentle counter-steer has saved me from going into the on coming lane. Also leaning does the same thing as counter-steering. You start a lean by counter-steering, whether you realize it or not. Read "Proficient Motorcycling". It explains it better than I can. Also "drifting" occurs when you break the rear wheel loose and steer with the throttle, as you do in flat track racing. Difficult, but not impossible, to do on dry pavement. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by arteacher on 09/07/12 at 15:26:58 5C79726F547A7F66160 wrote:
I had a Land Cruiser for 15 years. I had a bumper sticker made up that said "I pull Jeeps for free". This was after pulling the fifth Jeep out of the lake, or sand, at Ipperwash Beach. ;D |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by misterbbq on 09/14/12 at 12:03:30 i passed the MSF class last weekend (most fun i've had for $250 in a long time!). will probably be picking up an s40 this weekend. it's a wee bit small for me (6'1" and 270 lbs. currently). so i'll be doing the seat mod 1st, learning to ride this particular bike and then think about forward controls. so i'm HOPING it's a good 1st bike for me lol. just don't fee like i'd enjoy a rebel or what-have-you as much. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/14/12 at 13:01:49 03160D0E0E07160710620 wrote:
+1 |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by gdrseeker on 09/14/12 at 14:05:26 I am 5-10 and 175 lbs. I checked into a few different motorcycles but when I found this one for the price I couldnt resist. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1347300947 I just bought my bike, a 1995. I had to take a friend with me to buy it because I didn't have my license yet and I have never ridden a motorcycle, not even a dirt bike. This bike has been great easy to get used to for me. I decided not to get a 250 after speakign with friends who said I would be just wanting something bigger very soon. After all you can always go easy on the throttle but if you have a situation you need to get out of in a hurry and there is no throttle left, like with a 250, Then what do you do? Take the MSF. I took mine about 3 weeks back now it was alot of fun. The MSF class was excelent it gives a great foundation and teaches you the correct way to do things from the start so you don't start off with bad habbits. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by TROX on 09/14/12 at 15:41:05 So Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition, not a good starter bike ? ;D heh heh |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by kuri77 on 09/14/12 at 16:52:53 Both my daughters took the MSF course at 16. I bought a 250 scooter for the oldest and told her she could have it and after a year I'd let her buy whatever she wanted. I figured if she spent a year riding without the pressure of using clutch and gears and instead concentrated on just the driving in traffic and all the people out to get her then she'd be ready for anything. Turned out true and she never had an accident and went on to buy a Ninja. Second daughter the same though she didn't buy another bike because she just joined the Army as a combat medic. Hopefully I can get her back on a bike when she comes home. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/14/12 at 17:00:30 Thats a pretty good answer right there,,good goin. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by WD on 09/15/12 at 13:28:31 As the forum's resident "outlaw"... I learned on a 1200cc. With a foot clutch and a tank mounted shifter. And no front brake (spool wheel in an extended springer). Rode on the street for 6 or 7 years w/o bothering to get an endorsement. Never took the class, passed the riding test on a borrowed CB350F (1973 Honda). Rode nothing but antique American/Brit for years. Still have a soft spot for them. But would never tell a newb to go get one, good way to wind up dead, many had left brake/right shift prior to 1975 models. The Savage can be a good learner bike. I've got a 250 here that is the same length but weighs more and goes faster (10,500 rpm redline) and handles a lot better than a stock Savage/S40. A Savage CAN pull the front wheel off the ground pretty handily if the drive belt is too tight and you dump the clutch. The brakes are pathetic, you really need to quickly develop a feel for when they are going to lock up. But the bike will ride a rear wheel slide with pretty good results. Usually. Most Savages are decent bikes, some (like mine) are not. Take somebody experienced with you to look over even a brand new, the dealers don't set them up right and many subsequent owners don't know the difference. Or care. Take the course. Don't even go window shopping until you have done so. With a couple hours saddle time it can save you a lot of money/grief. Under no circumstances try to learn from somebody who's been in the saddle for decades, we ALL have bad habits that you will invariably pick up on (humans are natural mimics). I've had way too many motorcycles to list. Have kept my bought new and worked the crap out of it 1998 Savage the longest. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by misterbbq on 09/15/12 at 15:06:24 well, just agreed on a price on an '05 ls650. i'm sure i'll just kill you guys with questions lol. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by jase_mcgee on 09/15/12 at 16:44:11 I just started riding a couple months ago and the Savage is my first bike. Great choice too. I had played with my brothers enduro some and I drive a stick shift car, so that helped, but go take the MSF course. It is a huge help and they'll teach you the practical stuff that will save your @ss. As a side note, I rode a GZ250 in the class and my GF has a Rebel. I found both of those harder to ride than the Savage. It has a little more weight, about 350lbs dry compared to the Rebel's 307lbs, but to me it feels more stable. I also find the power easier to manage with the lower RPMs as compared to the Rebel. Take the course, get good gear and take it slow. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by misterbbq on 09/16/12 at 10:03:59 i'd like to second (or 9 millionth) the msf course. the s40 is 'about' the same size as the bikes they put you on in the class (though there is a big diff between 250 and a 650!). the course is a ton of fun and really teaches you the basics. i'm now qualified to ride around a parking lot! |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/16/12 at 10:08:26 60647E79687F6F6F7C0D0 wrote:
Never fail to acknowledge the danger of riding in a parking lot. Thats a very scary place to me. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Serowbot on 09/16/12 at 10:27:13 The rule is,.. if you ain't countersteering, you're going straight... A bike will not turn, without countersteering... Against the laws of physics... Learning about countersteering isn't about learning a new way to turn,.. it's just about becoming conscious of what you're doing that actually causes the bike to turn... ;)... |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by misterbbq on 09/16/12 at 10:41:33 504F494E53546555655D4F43083A0 wrote:
Never fail to acknowledge the danger of riding in a parking lot. Thats a very scary place to me.[/quote] absolutely true! we didn't have cars in our parking lot and it was still a bit nerve wracking at first with all the other beginners out there. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/16/12 at 11:39:49 293F28352D38352E5A0 wrote:
Look at the Honda web site it tells you the either 4 or 5 ways to steer a motorcycle,counter steer is just one way.I don't counter steer. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ToesNose on 09/16/12 at 15:22:15 Bill wether you realize it or not you countersteer, it is part of the physics of a two wheeled vehicle once it gets over a certain speed (12 Mph I believe). |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Dave on 09/16/12 at 17:45:29 25302B282821302136440 wrote:
Arnold: Leaning is not what you are doing......it is hard to believe....but steering the bars is what makes the bike lay over or stand up coming out of a corner. It has nothing to do with drifting or sliding. This is always a good way to win a beer bet with your riding buddies. Get up a bit of speed, and let go of the bars with your left hand....then push lightly on the bar with your right hand.....and let us know what direction you end up going. ;D |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/16/12 at 17:53:28 I lean to steer a motorcycle,I've never been down.About fifty years of motorcycling. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/16/12 at 20:32:24 you countersteer, we all do. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Cavi Mike on 09/16/12 at 20:44:21 7D76737329281F0 wrote:
I couldn't care less if you rode out of your mother's womb on a motorcycle, time on the saddle doesn't mean anything. If you don't fully understand what you're doing on said saddle, that doesn't mean you're not doing it. It's impossible to ride a two-wheeled vehicle without counter-steering. I still have arguments at the drag-strip with guys who've been racing their whole lives that think only one wheel drives a car unless it has posi. Even though the differential was invented 100 years ago and they've had one in their hands 100 times, they still don't know what it does. Experience means nothing. Understanding is key. Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 00:38:18 436176694D696B65000 wrote:
I couldn't care less if you rode out of your mother's womb on a motorcycle, time on the saddle doesn't mean anything. If you don't fully understand what you're doing on said saddle, that doesn't mean you're not doing it. It's impossible to ride a two-wheeled vehicle without counter-steering. I still have arguments at the drag-strip with guys who've been racing their whole lives that think only one wheel drives a car unless it has posi. Even though the differential was invented 100 years ago and they've had one in their hands 100 times, they still don't know what it does. Experience means nothing. Understanding is key. Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent.[/quote] I see you need a little more experience to understand what your talking about. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/17/12 at 01:38:55 Bill,, I guarantee you that if you want to turn right, the first thing you do is set the front wheel to the left to initiate the lean, |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by misterbbq on 09/17/12 at 04:37:44 is this a bad time to ask what oil i should use? JUST KIDDING :-X |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ToesNose on 09/17/12 at 04:41:13 ROFL!!!!!! (points at MisterBBQ and pisses his pants) ;D |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 08:39:12 7F6066617C7B4A7A4A72606C27150 wrote:
JOG were will your bike go if you just lean right? |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/17/12 at 08:44:54 How do you lean in the first place? YOu want me to believe you just lay your body over until the bike leans? YOu may think thats what you do, but I promise you, youre pushing a little on the right handlebar when you lean right, driving the front tire left of the line you want, then you bring the bike back under yourself & run thru the corner. Go read some on it, then go ride, I got in a bind once, right on the edge of the road, left an inch, gravel, at 70 MPH, I needed to turn right, desperately, I had my right leg out, I was leaning out as much as I could, making sure I did NOT let the front tire move left off the road. It took almost 1/4 MILE before I had enough room between the tires & edge of the road to Countersteer & get moved to the right, Get on wet cement, ride across & make a turn,you can usually see tire tracks on wet cement, |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 08:50:30 I tried counter steer years ago.I still try it sometimes,Very scary I see why people go down on motorcycle when they steer that way.Its not a natural movement. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/17/12 at 08:54:59 73787D7D2726110 wrote:
You realize when we are riding "straight" its actually a long series of weaves. Remember learning to ride a bicycle? All that handlebar swinging back & forth? When we learn to ride, what we've done is, we've learned to keep running it back up under ourselves before it gets too far out, thats a straight line, & countersteering is SO natural, you dont even know youre doing it, |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Gyrobob on 09/17/12 at 08:56:15 617E787F62655464546C7E72390B0 wrote:
True. It's funny how people get their panties all in a wad by thinking about something they never knew they were doing all along. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 08:58:23 Can you ride a bicycle around a corner with out touching the handle bar. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 09:04:13 Did you know you can go around a right hand curve my pressing down on the right foot peg.Thats with your foot of course. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/17/12 at 09:10:32 Regardless of what initiates it, before we turn right, we first turn just a Liiiitle bit left. Believe it or dont. Im done |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Gyrobob on 09/17/12 at 09:13:34 You can not not countersteer, so there is no point in thinking about it. Let's talk about something else more useful to a newbie. How about which lane to ride in? |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 09:15:01 754B405D505D50320 wrote:
True. It's funny how people get their panties all in a wad by thinking about something they never knew they were doing all along. [/quote] Gyro I'm auctioning off my used panties,but I will give you first chance at them. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/17/12 at 09:21:36 556B607D707D70120 wrote:
Yep,, I pulled out in front of a guy on a bike in Odessa. Boy, was he mad at me,, I followed him home so we could talk,.,because it was his choice of lane position that created the situation. He was next to the sidewalk, on a road lined with hedges, hiding from people at the stopsign! He told me he had been almost run down several times Right There,,& I explained to him, as a rider, how he was contributing to the problem,, He was suddenly no longer mad at me, So, place yourself where youre visible, & take control of the lane youre in. Riding right next to the curb invites a pass by someone who is still in your lane, which could be very bad if theres another lane of traffic moving with you & Its Got someone in it, |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Gyrobob on 09/17/12 at 09:39:26 26393F3825221323132B39357E4C0 wrote:
Yep,, I pulled out in front of a guy on a bike in Odessa. Boy, was he mad at me,, I followed him home so we could talk,.,because it was his choice of lane position that created the situation. He was next to the sidewalk, on a road lined with hedges, hiding from people at the stopsign! He told me he had been almost run down several times Right There,,& I explained to him, as a rider, how he was contributing to the problem,, He was suddenly no longer mad at me, So, place yourself where youre visible, & take control of the lane youre in. Riding right next to the curb invites a pass by someone who is still in your lane, which could be very bad if theres another lane of traffic moving with you & Its Got someone in it, [/quote] Agree with all that. It is a dynamic situation, though. One thing I used to teach is how each "lane" has five "sublanes" that are important for motoryclists. They are each about 2' to 3' wide. From left to right: Sublane 1 -- far left, not used much, except for changing lanes. Coarse pavement. Dirt, dust, rocks, nails, dead animals, etc. Sublane 2 -- the sublane used by the left tires on cages. worn smooth. minimal rocks, nails, dirt, etc. Sublane 3 -- the very center. coarse pavement, rocks, nails, dirt, dust, OIL, dead animals, dangerous Sublane 4 -- the sublane used by the right tires on cages. same as sublane 2 pretty much Sublane 5 -- far right, pretty much like sublane 1. No matter what "lane" we are in, we should be in sublanes 2 or 4. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Bock on 09/17/12 at 10:38:16 I'm a new rider this year and I use "Sublane" 2 or 4. I'm almost always in 2, unless there are 2 lanes of traffic and I'm in the left lane. I don't want cars stealing my lane/pushing me in the ditch. I also bought a "Blaze" orange full face helmet. I want to stick out so people can see me as much as possible. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by bill67 on 09/17/12 at 13:25:16 What out for dead animals in sub lane ::) 3 |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by ColoS40Girl on 09/17/12 at 17:05:50 0C373A2D3C302B2D363E332C5F0 wrote:
I respectively disagree. Do NOT go with a scooter. I have been there done that. It is a totally different ride and having an automatic will only confuse you later when you need to learn to use a clutch. I had both a scooter and MC and was constantly confused if I was on the Vespa or the MC. Learn on a MC. PERIOD! Find a 250cc bike and just practice, practice, practice. Take the MSF course which is a must. Good Luck! |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Gyrobob on 09/17/12 at 17:24:37 725F535B300 wrote:
Good thinking. Speaking of blaze orange, I always wear that color when flying around in an open frame gyro,... I am nearly invisible to the stuck-wing aircraft otherwise. http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh253/Gyrobob_theOriginal/Misc/gryoj4674.jpg |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Paraquat on 09/17/12 at 18:26:24 Looks like fun. I like the middle lane because I feel it gives me the most options: left, right, speed up, slow down. Sometimes it's the worst choice though because you can get boxed in. You should probably serpentine through all the lanes. --Steve |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/18/12 at 00:31:26 The middle? Thats kinda where the oil drips off the cars, innitt? |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Gyrobob on 09/18/12 at 04:36:37 47585E5944437242724A58541F2D0 wrote:
I think he meant middle lane when you have three lanes. I don't think he meant middle sublane, where all the oil, dead animals, rocks, nails, etc.,. exists. At least I hope that is what he meant. I was careful in reply #78 to emphasize I was talking about where to ride in "a lane" by dividing that lane up into 5 sub-lanes. As to where to ride on a street, then, you have two decisions to make. 1. Which lane? If you are on, say, a six-lane street (three each way) you have to decide which of your three lanes to use. 2. Once you decide which lane to use, you then pick out which of the five sub-lanes to use in that lane. Sub-lane three (the one in the middle of the lane), is the most dangerous because of the oil, and other crap. I recommend staying in sub-lanes 2 or 4, because the cagers have cleared out all the nails, rocks, guts, etc., and have worn them smooth, and gotten rid of most of the oil. If all this is too complicated for bill and his kind, forget about the sub-lanes. Just don't ride in the center of the lane,... ride in the cager tracks. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Paraquat on 09/18/12 at 06:11:00 That's why I said "middle lane" and not "sub lane #3". If I were referring to "sub lane #3" my following comment about being boxed in wouldn't make sense. That's all highway travel though. As for riding on the street I just ride on the side walks. --Steve |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Fry on 09/19/12 at 06:57:32 I picked up an S40 as my first bike with absolutely no riding experience. If you can drive a manual transmission car then most of the same rules apply, just everything is in a different location. The safety course would be good, but I ended up not taking mine as I had some people who were wiling to teach me to ride. I put a good 100 miles on the bike before I ever got off a side street and got over 25mph. I'm a big guy (6ft 310lbs) and the S40 has plenty of power without feeling dangerous to me. At the end of the day any bike/moped/bicycle can get you killed if you act like an idiot. Know your comfort zone and be careful and you'll be fine. |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by Trippah on 09/19/12 at 07:13:05 Well .....a 650 single is a good first bike. However, if you are a]hardtailing or changiing the steering geometry all bets are off. I would suggest riding for a year; and start collecting the parts you need for the makeover. If you are still interested in modifying the beast - then have go at it. Riding a stock bike safely is a skill you have to develope. Modding the ride usually makes it more difficult to steer so I rather see some skill development first..survival makes riding more enjoyable. ;) |
|
Title: Re: Never owned or ridden a bike Post by MeLikeBike on 09/19/12 at 18:49:05 Just to add to the fray, I took the MSF course (free in PA, and you get your M license if you pass to boot!), where I learned on a GZ250. After I passed, and all I wanted was to get a bike, so I bought my Savage off Craigslist, and have no regrets. I'm 5'11" and about 185, and I think it's a good size. I'll probably upgrade to a slightly bigger bike so I can get a little less vibration on the highway (at about 60mph it's a bit much, especially on PA roads) but I'm not in a big hurry (and staying off the freeway is probably a good thing). The step from the GZ250 in the local community college parking lot to the 650 on my neighborhood streets wasn't very big a step. Most of the time I spent trying not to stall the engine so the more powerful motor probably helped a little. |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |