- Hi, I'm Tyronne and I live in Westminster, CA.
About 6'1" and 125lbs..

I was looking into motorcycles since my car was stolen recently.

I know nothing! nothing at all about bikes. Taking it one step at a time. MSF course in a month. Buying cheap helmet and maybe other stuff for the MSF course (eww.. used/old/sweaty MSF gear) haha.. Then save money and get a new 09 or maybe 2010 Ninja 250R in a couple months..

Well, i know everyone is different but for those that haven't driven a manual car before. How does driving a bike feel? Easy? Hard to get used to?

I still dont understand some things..
- Like if you were to come to an emergency stop.. Do you still have to clutch and down shift all the way down? or can you just stop and then lower the gears.. sorry if this is a stupid question..
- How do you make sure you downshirt at the right time and dont downshift it and "over rev" it and the bike goes crazy and what not..

I saw a video of the MSF course and its crazy.. Doing zig zag and u-turns and what not.. Do you really learn all that that quitely?
And what is the so called "test" at the end...
I saw a youtube comment that 4 out of the 6 people in someones class failed the course..

Just so many questions.. What security to use on a bike?
I looked into locks and i think Xena looks quite good..
Any good pager ones?

Is buying the black on black a bad idea for night riding? (I dont drive at night much but do come home late from friends house from time to time. Well lighted roads but still not good enough with so many asians around here.) haha

.. Anything else you'd like to add..

 

Hey Tyronne, first of all welcome to the forums. Most of your questions will be answered in the class next month, but just a couple of things. Making emergency stops was something I practiced quite a bit when I was on a road all by myself. I don't know what the class teaches, I should ask my wife, but she hasn't ridden for so long she probably forgot everything already....

Anyway, what I do and there might be some that disagree, but my first reaction is to pull the clutch a micro second before I grab the brakes. Remember that the front brake is 70% of your bike's stopping power, don't be afraid to use it. Even on gravel roads I grab a hand full all the time......are we still talking about bikes?

Also one of the things that the class teaches is to cover your brake and clutch all the time, that translates into like in a car if you could you would have your foot on the brake and clutch but just ready..... just waiting for the need to use them real fast.

Also they will teach you to do the roll-off (not sure if that's the right nomenclature) but that means that as you are riding you don't have too much throttle in the wrong position. Your elbow needs to be level with the bike, not pointing to the ground....In other words can you roll your thumb and fingers forward to give the bike zero throttle at any time. That will be taught in the class as well.

That's one thing I try to teach anyone that is fairly new to riding, don't be afraid to really use the front. Be careful shifting and using the rear brake at the same time. The back tire can do a slight skid if you downshift and hit the back brake in too low of a gear. It really takes practice to be able to all in one instant apply both brakes in a split manner while stopping fast in a situation. But start slow, and practice a lot when nobody is around.

But above all, you might want to see how the MSF class teaches it, otherwise you might have to be re-programmed when you get there because you listened to an old dude on the Internet that does it a little differently. And really above all we want you to be safe and enjoy a lifetime of great riding. Have fun and let us know how its going.

As far as the color of the bike, that's just a personal preference, but if you do get a black bike, think of two things, reflective tape somewhere on the bike that makes you visible while not making the bike look funny, and always wear a jacket that has the reflective material built in. High beam all the time unless at night against traffic.

I can't think of anything else right now, but the class will teach you all of that.

 

Do the MSF course. It's not as difficult as it looks and isn't bewildering, but can seem that way. Invest in that course and you'll find that many of your questions have been answered.

When you've done it, come back with the questions you'll have after the course. You'll then be in a much better position to ask the right questions and understand the answers.

Braking is a good example. Ay speed, the front brake does most of the work but needs to be balanced by the rear brake. At very slow speeds there's a risk of the front wheel locking, so as you stop you should ease the front brake and let the rear brake take the load. Some MSF instructors teach this, some don't, and trying to explain to a non rider will confuse you. Learn as you're taught and then the forum can help with the detail.

Again, on stopping, I apply the brakes first to use engine braking initially, but once I need to start shifting down I pull in the clutch and hold it until I've stopped, downshifting as the speed drops so the right gear is always selected for the speed, but not engaged through the clutch. That way, if you don't need to stop, or need to accelerate, you're in the right gear. That's the UK police method and it's probably the best. In an emergency you don't bother about the gears. Just apply the brakes, pull the clutch in, and you can sort the gears out after you've stopped and the emergency's over.

If I get high beams in my mirror I brake. I've been rear ended once by a bike as a result. His fault. His insurer paid my costs without question. Our NHS paid his hospital bills. Some US states recommend it. I don't. Low beam and proper positioning is safer.

Again, don't worry about it until the course.

After the course you'll also have a better idea of what kind of bike best suits you. At the moment something like a 250 like the Ninja sounds ideal.

Rob

 

yea.. i just went to a local dealer to actually look at the bike because the other location didn't have on.. it seems smaller and nicer and slightly lower. its good.

just need to see after the course..

i also got a quote for full coverage insurance.. 12months at 600-700.. not bad i presume?
yes she knows i dont even have a license
that i have a car
the bike im getting
and that i drive about 0-1mile to work.. haha

- waiting for class on sept. 9th, 12th, and 13th.

 

this is a little weird but can someone that does own the '09 250R .. measure the width of the bike.. like.. if you are standing infront of the bike facing the headlights.. measure from left to right with the mirrors folded in (if they fold). the largest section of the bike.. (where ever that might be) ..

i need to know because i need to know if it fits into my room from the back door. i live in a house but i wont be leaving it outside. can never be too safe.

i was going to do it at the dealer but i was too busy looking at the bike and forgot..

the guy told me that the bike would be 4700 out the door.. (they dont haggle.. they just give you an out the door price)

there is another dealer around here but they haven't gotten their 250s in yet.. they said Monday..

 

It will fit through your front door tyronne. My zx7 does. Take the course man, you are in need of some one on one lessons and you will enjoy the experience. Good luck and welcome to KF.

 

Haha. I'm good just a little nervous to actually learn. I'm up for the course cause I know that's the best way to go. I'm already confirmed for it.
I'm going to start reading the DMV manual soon.

I'm sure that after the class I'm going to be okay. It's just that initial thing. I really want it and why not do something no one else around here really does. And talk about 60-65 mpg. Haha.

 

Don't use the bike to ride to work. It does motors no good at all being cold started for very short trips. Walk, cycle or roller skate.

Enjoy the class.

Rob