Bikers of Facepunch - General

[QUOTE=napalm_bomb;37421517]Yes my bike is now in my drive way! A 1982 enduro Yamaha 250. Clean was $450 but I got it for $300 I love it, it's just the right size for my lanky ass. Needs carb work maybe and a few other things.[/QUOTE] What model is it?

I am totally oblivious to bikes, but I have income, an intact credit. What's a good first motorcycle.

[video=youtube;3I0uVmgR_Bk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I0uVmgR_Bk&feature=related[/video] Xt250. Same bike but the one I've got does not have the rack in the back and looks a bit more used. This wasn't the one I bought.

[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;37424177]I am totally oblivious to bikes, but I have income, an intact credit. What's a good first motorcycle.[/QUOTE] In the case of someone who's never ridden (and assuming in the US): -Kawasaki Ninja 250R -Honda CBR250R -Kawasaki Ninja 500R (aka EX500) -Suzuki GS500 and on the upper limit of what most people would want beginners to start on: -Kawasaki Ninja 650R -Suzuki SV650 These are all sportbikes, so for cruisers you'll have to wait for someone else to come along. Also, the stickies here are helpful: [url]http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/new-riders/[/url]

[QUOTE=Watevaman;37425898]In the case of someone who's never ridden (and assuming in the US): -Kawasaki Ninja 250R -Honda CBR250R -Kawasaki Ninja 500R (aka EX500) -Suzuki GS500 and on the upper limit of what most people would want beginners to start on: -Kawasaki Ninja 650R -Suzuki SV650 These are all sportbikes, so for cruisers you'll have to wait for someone else to come along. Also, the stickies here are helpful: [url]http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/new-riders/[/url][/QUOTE] Remember, the smaller the displacement, the better. If you just want to commute on city roads, and don't care about speeds, buy a scooter. (I'd recommend the Honda Ruckus for general reliability or the Yamaha Zuma from the early 2000s for two stroke fun.) The insurance on sports bikes can often be massive, and in some areas, scooters require minimal licensing and insurance.

A gs500 is still pretty 'slow' as far as i understand, i've been looking into a first bike lately and it's one that has SORT OF caught my eye. I really don't like the front fairing on it (the 04 at least), though, it seems atrocious and too large. I really just want a 2000+ GSX-R 600, but they cost so much.

Holy shit this carburetor man. Some mikuni carburetor is giving us hell didn't help that the dumb ass I got it from left the gas line on for a month.

Just had a bad run today, my shifter tooth was all destroyed and i could not shift anymore, i was stuck at 4th gear, i still could go away if i carefuly play with the clutch, but to leave the clutch and not to stall i had to go at 70kph, thus too fast for thigh trail, i was lost somewhere in the wood, i had to push the bike for 4 hour, untill i pass a "No trespassing, national defence" fence with a large hole to pass tru, i followed the trail and reach a high security area, it was a large and empty area to destroy dated bomb, there was 2 f-18 bomb but nobody around, moved away quickly and ending up to a fence, 2 military cop car intercepted me, for once i was happy to get arrested.

Just got a myself a bike :D Mine on the right, brother's on the left. [img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xwsDuMrKGlE/UDxtgD03AkI/AAAAAAAAAGI/syByD-CZyS8/s800/ktms.jpg[/img] Incredible fun to ride off road.

[QUOTE=Dylan_94;37434066]A gs500 is still pretty 'slow' as far as i understand, i've been looking into a first bike lately and it's one that has SORT OF caught my eye. I really don't like the front fairing on it (the 04 at least), though, it seems atrocious and too large. I really just want a 2000+ GSX-R 600, but they cost so much.[/QUOTE] This isn't just towards you, but how fast do you really [B]need[/B] to go? My GS (when it was running lol) could drop a 0-60 time faster than pretty much any car on the road and would continue up to about 90 no problem. It has plenty of what I'd call passing power. It's just, I always overhear people talking about how they were doing 135 on a road in traffic somewhere and then complaining that they want a bigger bike. It's a supersport for a reason, and I-4s honestly make for bad first bikes. Remember, your first bike isn't your last bike.

[QUOTE=Watevaman;37439175]This isn't just towards you, but how fast do you really [B]need[/B] to go? My GS (when it was running lol) could drop a 0-60 time faster than pretty much any car on the road and would continue up to about 90 no problem. It has plenty of what I'd call passing power. It's just, I always overhear people talking about how they were doing 135 on a road in traffic somewhere and then complaining that they want a bigger bike. It's a supersport for a reason, and I-4s honestly make for bad first bikes. Remember, your first bike isn't your last bike.[/QUOTE] I agree. Personally, I'm getting a bike that can legally do 97 km/h (maximum in Norway is 100), which is good enough, since I'll most likely never ride on a highway where you can do 100 (I live out in the country side, no 100 km/h highways here)

I think an SV650 is a good starter bike. It's pretty fast at first, but not so powerful it's going to 12'o'clock on you or break traction, but fast enough that you aren't going to loathe riding the thing when you get used to throttle control and the bikes power.

[QUOTE=lemon_lover;37439371]I think an SV650 is a good starter bike. It's pretty fast at first, but not so powerful it's going to 12'o'clock on you or break traction, but fast enough that you aren't going to loathe riding the thing when you get used to throttle control and the bikes power.[/QUOTE] but i have broke traction on my 4 speed shadow left a 3-4 foot black mark. i agree too gs500 ~ 50hp 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. sv650 03+ 73hp 0-60 ~4 seconds. cbr250r 23-24hp 0-60 8.5 seconds my 600 shadow 39hp ~7 sec my 81 cm400e 45hp 6 seconds (when new) harley fatboy ~70hp ~5.5 seconds 2011 ninja 650r 68hp 4 seconds 2011 fz6r 80hp 0-60 3.8 seconds zx-14r 210hp 2.5 seconds 2012 honda civic si 200hp ~6.5 seconds 5.3 2012 silverado crew 4x4 315hp 0-60: 7.5 ever did 80mph for an hour on a fairing less windshieldless bike, it will tire you out. your first bike should be used and not be afraid to drop it. you will drop it or come close if you ride enough.

[QUOTE=Watevaman;37439175]This isn't just towards you, but how fast do you really [B]need[/B] to go? My GS (when it was running lol) could drop a 0-60 time faster than pretty much any car on the road and would continue up to about 90 no problem. It has plenty of what I'd call passing power. It's just, I always overhear people talking about how they were doing 135 on a road in traffic somewhere and then complaining that they want a bigger bike. It's a supersport for a reason, and I-4s honestly make for bad first bikes. Remember, your first bike isn't your last bike.[/QUOTE] That's what i meant by putting 'slow' in apostrophes. It's still quick, just slow in comparison to a 600cc i4. I feel like i could handle a 600 as a first bike, just taking it really easy in the beginning. For most people though, i don't think it's a good idea. Plus testing for my license on a 600 seems a bit daunting.

[QUOTE=Dylan_94;37445306]That's what i meant by putting 'slow' in apostrophes. It's still quick, just slow in comparison to a 600cc i4. I feel like i could handle a 600 as a first bike, just taking it really easy in the beginning. For most people though, i don't think it's a good idea. Plus testing for my license on a 600 seems a bit daunting.[/QUOTE] Everyone thinks that. It's not about taking it easy. I could've hopped on a ZX10R the first time and done fine because I knew clutch control and how to ride a bike (I've ridden dirt bikes), but when my niece ran out in front of me and I yanked the front brake, the ZX10R would've flipped onto my back. My friend's bike luckily threw me off long before that happened. Handling the bike is only half of it, dealing with emergencies is the other half. I can't stop you buying what you think you can handle, but I can be mad when you raise my insurance premium by wrecking it.

I don't disagree that it would be much harder, i just PERSONALLY feel like if you have the aptitude and understanding, it doesn't matter. The only time i would fully panic is if it wasn't my bike that i could potentially damage, that's why i refuse to ride my friends and would rather buy my own and learn on it. But like I said(or maybe i didn't), i would rather start on a slower smaller bike, the only reason i would skip it is to save money so i don't have to buy another bike when i'm ready for more performance. Come to think of it, i probably couldn't afford the insurance on a 600 right now anyways.

Buy old by used. My liability insurance is 7 bucks a month.

[QUOTE=lemon_lover;37439371]I think an SV650 is a good starter bike. It's pretty fast at first, but not so powerful it's going to 12'o'clock on you or break traction, but fast enough that you aren't going to loathe riding the thing when you get used to throttle control and the bikes power.[/QUOTE] Recently bought a SV650 as my 2nd bike (had a 92 ZZR-250 beforehand) and I have to say I'm having a lot of fun with it. I won't lie I was a little nervous at first but it's actually great to ride after you get used to it. Dunno about as a first bike, it seems to be a pretty forgiving bike though. I guess it depends on your level of confidence, experience prior to getting your license, and experience on the road(first time I was unleashed on the road was on a bike, still have yet to drive a car).

My dad went and picked up my motorcycle from his buddy's place yesterday/today, and he sent pictures! The bike on the trailer [thumb]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7644905/IMAG0061.jpg[/thumb] The bike and my dad's car on Valdresflya (a big mountain) [thumb]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SIj7-gqu5Bc/UD5ibr9LwpI/AAAAAAAABk4/dHB1hqsg6GI/s1277/IMAG0062.jpg[/thumb] And finally, the bike got to the garage for the building my dad lives in, where it'll be sitting for some time, then a Yamaha dealer will get it and do a full service (also fix the throttle and the rear tire), then it'll sit for a couple of weeks I guess, then my dad will take it here! [thumb]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7644905/IMAG0063.jpg[/thumb]

I am missing my BMW while I am here. The last I saw of her I had just poured Sta-Bil in the tank and closed the storage unit door. For an old heap I sure love it a lot.

Hey guys. OP back from Italy, it was a fucking amazing week. We rode straight over the alps and over the Italian border in one day and slept in a corn field. Only in the morning could we see the amazing scenery. Great weather and everything. [img_thumb]http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3207/foto0225m.jpg[/img_thumb] Then we had a trip to Venice. Beautiful trip, exhausting eventually. But a biker always gets his rest [img_thumb]http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/9871/foto0228m.jpg[/img_thumb] Needless to day, th alps by day are breathtaking [img_thumb]http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7333/foto0227ch.jpg[/img_thumb] Stayed on the camping grounds for a couple of days. My mate discovered the 'king of cleanliness' lavatory. Taking a shit and showering? Very efficient [sp]it's actually a bidet not a shower head. you know, to rinse your arse instead of whiping[/sp] [img_thumb]http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8906/foto0229b.jpg[/img_thumb] went to venice on the first day of camping. Nice city [img_thumb]http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/7942/foto0230bb.jpg[/img_thumb] [img_thumb]http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7782/foto0231u.jpg[/img_thumb] Unfortunately a sudden storm appeared and it rained quite violently for about an hour. Tourists took shelter behind buildings, while rain, dust and debris were blown through the narrow streets with insane force. Good time to curse the gods. [img_thumb]http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2290/foto0235rq.jpg[/img_thumb] Next day was spent at the beach. I bought really gay flip flops to match my homo hawaii swimming shorts [img_thumb]http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/2730/foto0239g.jpg[/img_thumb] Then, after a day of drinking we went on to largo di garda, wild camping again. My buddy insisted on going to a 'musement park. I wish we had bought the pictures from the rides. His faces were hysterical while I succeeded in keeping a straight face on every ride. At least I got to do slightly inappropriate poses at the children's attractions [img_thumb]http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2854/foto0244m.jpg[/img_thumb] And in the end, the trip even was kind of a milestone for my bike [img_thumb]http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7914/foto0245t.jpg[/img_thumb] I even learned a badass new trick. If you know the SR, you might give me some credit. By kick indicator is broken, btw, so I can't rely on that. [video=youtube;lQQqmWc67MM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQqmWc67MM[/video] So yeah. It was not the UK, but fun anyways.

Why would you need to know how to kickstart by hand? And is it really that difficult?

[QUOTE=LarsHelo;37493919]Why[/QUOTE] Because cool

[QUOTE=H4ngman;37493935]Because cool[/QUOTE] Yeah, it's kinda cool, but there's no practical use of it (unless you lack a right foot). But you know what would be really cool? Doing it with your mouth! :v:

Still haven't gotten that regulator. Visited 4 different motorcycle part stores. Had to order one from Netherlands. This is killing me.

Guess what bad boy i got to ride to work today? [img]http://dayerses.com/data_images/posts/piaggio-vespa-gtv-250/piaggio-vespa-gtv-250-02.jpg[/img] OH YEAH! I tried waving to every cruiser i saw, none waved back. Also, everyone should see this - [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzWf-6UzQUA&feature=player_embedded#![/media]

[URL]http://capecod.craigslist.org/mcy/3238902970.html[/URL] This page makes me wish I had a license and driving experience, it looks pretty good. But now I have to wait until October, and that's just to take Driver's Ed, and I'll have to get driving experience and learn rules of the road. It sucks having to live further away from the school, and having three other siblings that are always having my parents drive them around. But a Ninja 250R would be a good choice for a beginner I've been hearing, I saw a list of bikes that would suit beginners, and a Harley Davidson Iron 883 came up but overall they're more expensive, and it looks like a lot of bike for someone who hasn't ridden any motorcycle before. I've nagged my parents for a dirtbike so long after riding an ATV around my friends house when I was like 10, but where I live there really aren't any trails left, my dad had a dirtbike when he was 18/19 but the trails he rode around here are long gone. So because of that, a sports bike would probably be best for me to start, as it also has a bigger tank and better MPG. I'm around 185lbs, and last time I checked about a quarter of a year ago I measured 6ft, so hopefully I won't be tiptoeing. After I get driving experience in I'd love to get a motorcycle, especially to save money on gas in the good weather for commuting. Hopefully there's a spare car in my family I can use, I know my uncle bought two of the same Superduty's (one for himself, one for the business, and my dad bought one for himself also) and only drives one really, and there's my passed grandma's early 2000s Freelander. [editline].[/editline] This one looks good and is priced well, what do you guys think of this one for a beginner? [URL]http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/589/0/home.aspx[/URL] Also it looks like I don't need a driver's license to get a motorcycle permit in Massachusetts. I do need to meet the JOL requirements for the license though. It's just a matter of money and what my parent's say. For me to get a permit, all I need to do is get a permit application online, consent of my parents, and show up to the RMV office with $30 and ID, then take a walk-in exam on motorcycle safety which I need to get 18 out of 25 questions to pass, as well as an eye exam. I have eyeglasses so of course I'll be using them on the road at all times like on my bike.

Thought I'd give a little update on my driver's license, because unlike the people living in the USA (or at least a good bit of the states it seems), I have to take a pratical test, which involves driving (of course), and there's a lot of people wanting to get a motorcycle license, at least compared to the amount of schools/teachers. But it seems I'm in luck: I talked to my driving instructor yesterday, and he said that he'll get the required course for driving with a school (it's extra strict because I'm paying for it) on Wednesday, and after that we'll drive for a couple hours. I also called Statens Vegvesen (the Norwegian DMW, as well as some other stuff), and got ordered a test on the 8th of October (4 days after my birthday) The only problem with this is that I'm supposed to be at my grandparents that week, working at a factory, but now I'll have to go take the test, then I'll travel to them right afterwards somehow. I just hope that I pass now, or else I'll have to wait untill spring again to be able to take a new test. (4 week quarantene, they stop motorcycle testing in the middle of October)

I'm so mad at myself. Found an '06 SV650 with a ton of extras on CL for somewhat of a good price for the area. Didn't think much of it until later when I found out he dropped the price. By the time I emailed him, he had essentially sold it. I guess I'll wait for winter and hope something similar comes along.

Speaking of winter, holy hell it's getting chilly outside. I need to get a pair of warmer gloves