juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^

clarky0169

07 gsxr 600
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14690427@N04/3542355823/" title="397434855_1376080286_0 by BearskiMcbearbear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/3542355823_51f0e3525d_o.jpg" width="584" height="439" alt="397434855_1376080286_0" /></a>

taitando

This takes ape hangers to a whole new level.

I've also seen cruisers with these wide ass highway pegs.



The rider's legs are splayed out like they're waiting to be seen by a gynecologist. Is this supposed to be tough looking or something?

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^ Saw those pegs on a bike and looked dangerous to me. If they misjudge their girth not taking the pegs into consideration... bye-bye feet.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

You taking it with Apex or NOVA?

Have fun and good luck!

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

Highway pegs are great. My pops has them on his Harley and they are excellent when on a long cruise. You really don't have to worry about hitting the ground on turns with them. They can't be too high like that db with the ape hangers.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

decided not to wait until the end of summer and signed up for the MSF course. Taking it the first week of August, I can't wait!

Blazin_TL

iTrader: (1)

my 08 GSXR 600

Chulodee

Or just buy the bike and learn as you go along...... without permits LOL

https://acurazine.com/forums/album.p...ictureid=17852

Black Tire

nope. I just posted a photo because I think this is the best looking bike.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Took it through APEX. Nova was full within 30 minutes of them opening registration. It was ridiculous.

Good luck!

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

So I passed! Scored a perfect on the written and did well enough on the skills evaluation.

Definitely need a lot more practice though, but with a wedding to pay for and having just sunk a ton of money into the purchase of a place in DC, I have promised the fiancee that I would not purchase the bike until after the wedding.

However, that doesn't preclude me from practicing, per se. There is a company in the DC area that rents motorcycles on a daily rate basis and I might just take advantage of that once a month until I buy my own bike (or I might just sneak a purchase in under the radar and keep it at the office ).

Any advice on what to do as a newb? I definitely am going to go out to the practice range when the MSF classes stop to try to sneak in some practice on certain skills there, but before then, should I just look for a parking lot to practice in?

And how willing are motorcycle dealerships to offer test-rides in their lots?

All advice welcome.

spdy0001

It all depends on the dealer and the bike. Most of the dealers around here won't let you test ride a sport bike with out serious interest and usually a deposit. Most will let you ride a cruiser with no questions if you pull up on a bike. If you show up in a car they are probably going to go over your license a little harder.

taitando

Congrats on passing the exam and getting your license. Kinda hard to practice without a bike right? But I know how it goes, since I've got a wedding coming up and probably need to sell one of my two bikes. So if you need a bike...

As for practice, if you want to go back to the empty lot and do the drills that's fine. Or if you get a hold of a bike, you can fart around your neighborhood if it's not too busy.

Check out This Guide for some helpful ideas. Aside from the guide, I'd add the following:

1. Get a feel for how your brakes work, using front and rear together and the front just by itself. Draw a line or use a reference point, then from 25 yards or so away, ride up at to the point at about 15 to 20mph (or slower if you want) and brake hard. This is intended to mimic a panic stop so you can get a feel for the brakes, what your bike will do, and your body positioning. Different bikes have different thresholds on when the wheel will lock. You want to know what YOUR bike will do.

2. Practice turning from a stop. Imagine you're stopped at a red light and need to turn right at an intersection. Once you get the feel for that, then practice doing left turns. And after that, practice U-turns from a roll and then from a stop. Work that rear brake to help with the u-turn.

3. Once you're a bit more comfortable, I'd also recommend starting and stopping on a hill or incline. This will get you familiar real quickly with the throttle and braking. Try to be smooth on the throttle and brake without letting the bike slide down the hill. Try it both ways, facing uphill and down hill.

hmm...i can't think of anything else at the moment, but i'll list more if i do.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

Passed my MSF course! Now looking for a good start bike.

What are some good insurance companies? Progressive has the lowest rates, but I heard they jack up your rates. Any suggestions? Thanks!

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Good stuff. I don't particularly endorse any insurance company, but I use Foremost for my bike. They are a subsidiary of Farmers.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

I have Nationwide for my bike, which is also what I have for our cars and home.... so we get nice discounts.

Just a tip. Start off with a nice, inexpensive, pre-owned Ninja 250... then insure it for liability only. Put all of the money you just saved on the bike and insurance into really good gear... and full gear.

taitando

I had State Farm for my insurer but switched to Geico about 2 years ago. I found them to be cheaper with the same coverage and more convenient since you can do everything online (i.e. bill pay, print proof of coverage, etc.). Which reminds me, it's probably time I shop rates again though.

jim165

My recent purchase...07 Honda CBR1000RR..totally and completely stock....


My wife's bike:

Moog-Type-S

props to you for taking MSF.

Look around at many companies.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^^ Nice bikes Jim!!

taitando

One of these days I would like to try riding one of these 1000cc liquid cooled crotch rockets. I don't know, I find I already have more power then I know what do do with when it comes to my bikes and I can't imagine what it would be like sitting on 150-200hp bikes that weigh 400-450lbs

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^ I don't know that I would want to try that.

My 1000 weighs in around 405 (dry) and comes stock with about 136hp (although I'm likely closer to 145 with the exhaust and new ECU map) and I am not sure I would want more power then that.

Any closer to 200hp and I may crap my pants. Plus, those crotch rockets are geared differently then my bike. Not sure I'd trust myself on one of those. Sometimes I think what I have may even be too much...

Legend2TL

Nice, one of my regrets of winter 2008 was not buying the same bike (2007 black CBR1000RR) from Heyser in Maryland. New RR's for ~$8K, I really don't like the styling of the new generation RR's.

jim165

Legend2TL,
I actually like the styling of the new CBRs but 3 factors kept me from trying to get one (a leftover 08' Black Limited Edition, no less):

1. I'm a big guy (6'2" ~280lbs), so I'd definitely look like a monkey humping a football on the new CBRs

2. Concerned about the oil-burning issues, even if it could possibly be just "internet exaggeration"

3. This 2007 was cheap!

Legend2TL

1. I'm 6'4" ~220lb and ride a 85 500 Interceptor so I can relate and understand

2. Haven't heard about that?

3. In MD there were alot of new 07's available end of 07, I shoulda coulda, woulda

Always loved that gen RR, the reviews for them were really decent not the best bike for the track but typically the best all-around Japanese sport-bike for the street.

jim165

You haven't heard about all of the hoopla concerning the '08s (and some '09s it seems) burning oil? Some are reporting consumption as severe as a quart every 500mi! Check ANY CBR1K site and there should be a huge thread at each site. Judging from all of the posts I've read, it has something to do with the new process of using spray-on Nikasil liners for the cylinders. Don't know if it's a manufacturing process issue, or if it was just a bad engineering decision
I personally think it has to do with folks converting to synthetic oil too soon (I think the new pistons/liners need more time to get "run in").

Any yeah, this generation of CBR fits me way better than the current model....that is until I lose some weight. It's very comfortable for what it is and very docile for puttering around town, yet has enough power if I want to haul bootay at any given time.
Now, I just need to buy a spare stator and rectifier/regulator for this bike and I'm set...

SiGGy

Ya, highway pegs rock... They're not dangerous... and cruise control also rocks on long trips.

IMO dangerous is inexperienced (most) crotch rocket riders on the streets. And be honest guys unless you drive illegally they are boring as hell on the road; you have to basically idle the bike to drive it legally. Anything in the engines power-band and your WAY outside of the speed limit.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

Went to check out a 2002 Suzuki SV650S with my buddy (who's an experience rider) tonight, worked out a great deal with the owner and will be picking it up tomorrow!

I can't wait! I'll post pics once I bring her home. Now gotta buy gear, get my permanent license, register the bike, and get insurance!

jim165

That's the perfect bike for a new rider...not too slow that it'll be boring within the first 3 months of ownership, but not intimidating either. Conveniently torquey.Congrats

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Great bike! I was looking at the SV's before I decided on the Aprilia. Check the SVrider forum as well. Great forum for the bike.

Even though you're going to be super excited to have it.... Make sure you have full gear before you start riding!!

Oh and post pics after you pick it up!!

Legend2TL

Wow, wasn't aware of that. Guess I've been under a rock, sounds almost as bad as the camshaft wear problems on the early V4 Interceptors (that's a long story).

Didn't realize Honda was doing spray on Nikasil liners for the latest RR. When I rebuilt my VF500F motor at 45K I could still see the cross-hatching on the pressed in iron sleeves.

Are there problems with the Rectifier/Regulator on the odler RR's, wow Honda can't seem to ever solve that problem completely. Early V4 Sabre's have the same problem.

SHYUperman

iTrader: (1)

Thanks! Already a member on SVrider. I'm going to order gear right after I pick the bike up tonight. Also looking into some cosmetic mods (ZG double bubble windscreen, fender elminator, tank pad) but most importantly frame and spool sliders.



Yeah, that's the reason why I was specifically looking at the SVs, my wifey wants kids soon, so I wanted to get something that I can keep/grow into and enjoy for a long time. I got the blue 2002 SV650S with the lower fairings... I'm debating on sell the fairings (and it'll be easier to put motosliders on there too)

1killercls

Soon as I get back from Ireland in late September I am getting a Victory Vegas 8Ball LOW.

So stoked!

stright-(paint)balling

air cooled+ belt drive =the suck

the engine temp. runs about 20-30 degrees hotter with out liquid cooled.
I could have got a Victory Vision when i got my GL. I refused to even demo it due to no liquid cooling system.
other thing is belt drive is so 1940s. go shaft drive. you don't have the "shift shock" other reason why all the nicer touring bikes are shaft drive.
most BMWs,nicer Hondas, nicer Kaws and Yamahas.
chains are the worse.

sipark

I just registered. Classes begin in September.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Did you register with APEX?

Moog-Type-S

<--- Always loved the 8Ball. I like the "strip" down look of it.

Test rode one at a Victory event a few years back.....a great bike

Moog-Type-S

So much ingnorance and wrong information in this post.....I don't know where to begin.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

^ Just ignore him.... kind of like the really drunk girl at a party... and he'll disappear.