I've never ridden anything bigger than 125cc. I have used a dirt bike and a 100cc pocket bike. I am comfortable at high speeds. I have no idea how to work a full on bike.

I've reserved a 09 250R, but I'm hoping for an 08 250R (cheaper price...hopefully). I know this bike uses a carburetor, so I wanna know if you have to choke it to turn it on. Do you have to do anything other than stick the key in the ignition, hit that red switch, and press the ignition button?

I drive a sport car with a short shifter and close gear ratios and always know which gear i'm in. how would i be able to tell which gear i'm in on a bike?

Do i have to ease off the clutch instead of just letting it pop back into place after i shift...to keep the bike from feeling like its hopping, like a car?

I'm a complete newb to bikes and don't have any friends with bikes. i'm going to be the first one to own one and will be riding it off the lot to my house after a few laps around the dealer.

I need as much information on keeping myself going, any tips and tricks to keep the bike on and away from stalling.

I'm not afraid of learning. I have a basic feel of riding a bike and have excellent balance. I was doing wheelies and drifting after 40 minutes on a dirt bike. i hit 30mph on a pocket bike on my first try (without a helmet which was stupid).

 

well if you have road a dirt bike you should have the basics down to be able to ride a street bike. As for knowing what gear your in while riding you kind of have to rember that or you can buy a gear indicator on most web sites . i would ease of the clutch if not it will pop up and maybe throw you off which would suck. Just take it easy and you'll be good

 

Thanks, bro!

so i should ease off the clutch as i accelerate? like i do in a car, so that it won't lurch.

i had another question: when i'm rolling up to a light, should i just shift into neutral, then after i stop shift into first, just until i get used to down shifting while stopping.

thats how i learned in my first manual car...just wondering if the effect would be the same.

 

Yes, you will have to ease off the clutch as you accelerate. That is very important for beginners. Most people want to let go of the throttle after the passed the friction zone of the clutch and are rolling a bit. You will only stall which could lead to you just looking silly or popping it which will end up you dropping the new bike.

Important note, on new sport bikes you cannot pop it into neutral when rolling. They are designed not to so do not try to attempt this when coming to stops. If you are not comfortable downshifting then just hold the clutch in and brake. Downshift later and into neutral when your at a complete stop.

This has not been mentioned but in my opinion the most important thing a new rider needs to know. Learn the rear brake and use it!

Always remember if you are turning that front wheel and put on your front brakes be prepared to eat pavement!

That resulted in me laying my bike down twice in parking lots. I wouldn't have my foot in position for the rear brake when in parking lots but people are nuts. Many people in cars drive way too fast in parking lots to begin with and they are not trained to see or look for bikers. So my story ends with coming to turns and having A-Holes flying through taking the whole road up and I would turn quick to get out of the way but mash the front brakes at the time so I laid it down twice. Not too big of a deal. The pegs and pedals are cheap to replace just have to live with cosmetic damage to the cowlings. I think it brings character to mine!

 

Thanks for the tips!
I seriously didn't know that newer sport bikes did that and that thing about the front brakes is going to save me a heap of trouble.

I'm going to get some serious practice in. I wish i new someone with a bike, so that i could practice because i'm driving mine fresh off the lot. scary as hell and just as fun.

i've already decided i'm putting a yoshimura slip-on my soon-to-be 250R.

i can't wait!!!

thanks for all the help!

I'll take any advice you guys and gals can give me!

 

MSF course!

 

yeah, if you have no idea about street bikes i would go take the msf course. that way you can learn how to ride a street bike. ( you could possibly even ride an 07 ninja 250) that way you can ride your bike home. i've never ridden dirt bikes but i think it would be somewhat similar to a street bike..minus the signals and head lights and all that stuff

 

Wear full gear too!

 

yea to add to my firset post wear your gear and take the course it will help you out a lot and will teach you some good tips and evasive actions incase some thing were to come up. And don't pop that clutch and when you go to stop just down shift as your coming to a stop. And i keep mine bike in first just incase i have to move quickly.

 

Thanks for all the info! I needed that, just to make sure I'd be comfortable enough. I was thinking of going up to a ZX6R since the 250r is damn near impossible to get a hold of and i need a bike like yesterday. Would getting that bike be overkill?