Don't get me wrong...confidence is key....ride within your limits.

However I don't understand the reluctancy to get on the highway because it is thought to be "more dangerous".

When I was first learning to ride, I was on the freeway within the first couple of days.

It just seemed odd to me to hear people talk about the highway with reluctancy.

To each his own....ride where you feel safe....but keep in mind your odds are "better" on the highway.......but it is boring there.

 

^ I guess that's the difference. Out here you are not on the highway unless you need to be. Plenty of local roads and routes to get around on.

That said, I never said I didn't get on the highway sooner b/c it was more dangerous... I didn't do it b/c at first I wasn't confident... then when I was I did not have any confidence in my bike until I got a new one.

But yeah, it was boring. As I start to go on longer rides and riding with groups I'm glad that they are more on the back roads then the highways.

 

For me, it's not as much fear as it is lack of confidence. Which I guess is technically the same thing. I'm not as much worried about the speed as I am being next to cars going the same speed. It's just a completely new experience for me.

The wind is really what worries me the most. I don't want to over correct when I get hit with a big gust or when I pass a semi. I have been gaining confidence daily, so it won't be long till I hop on the expressway.

As JB said, around here there really is no need to go on the expressway unless you are in a hurry. There are plenty of state roads that provide a more scenic view.

 

Although old, the Hurt Study is still considered to the best overall motorcycle accident study. Short synopsis of the findings, worth reading for any street motorcyclist.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...dy-summary.htm

 

^ They are actually conducting a new study using the Hurt Study as the baseline. Should be interesting to see updated figures...

 

I was almost turned into a pizza by a cell phone talking bitch in an SUV. I was in the left lane when she attempted to merge without looking, nearly clipping my rear tire. I saw her coming towards me and thought to myself, "Wait, she's getting nearer. HuH?!? Doesn't she see me? Wait, that bitch is going to run me over!!!""

So I opened the throttle and accelerated ahead, in turn making her take notice. Looking over my shoulder, I saw that she was STILL talking on her phone when she sharply corrected the SUV and went back to her own lane. I flipped her the bird with my left hand, but wish I could of taken her phone and thrown it at her mouth instead.

My fiance was following in a car and saw the whole thing happening from behind. Afterwards, my fiance explained her worst fear was seeing me get hit by the SUV, falling off the bike, only to get run over by her as she was following me

For me, riding on the freeway is boring. But it's the boredom that can potentially be the most dangerous facet of riding, as it can lull people into being less alert or consciously unaware of surroundings and idiot drivers. I'll take the foothills and canyon carving any day.

 

I had a friend in NY who was cutoff by a driver not paying attention to the point where he locked up the rear wheel to avoid hitting her. It was on local roads so he was only doing about 35mph or so... but still. After he collected himself he found himself behind that car at a light not far up from where the car pulled out. Before the light went green he pulled up next to the car and kicked it, cracking the taillight. It made him feel better at the time b/c he was so pissed, but he felt bad about what he did afterward.

 

I can see why he'd be pissed off and can picture myself doing the same. I was really shaken up as well after my own experience. When we're talking about accidents in bike vs. car, the bike is always going to lose. What may be a dent on the car can be serious bodily injury or death to the rider. So when cagers are negligent to the point of threatening my life, yeah, I'd be inclined to kick in a tail light or two as well.

In any case, I make it a point to never stay in a car's blind spot. In addition I try to make myself as visible as possible. Whether it be wearing a bright helmet or riding with my high beams during the day, stealth is not the way to go on a bike.

 

^ Yeah, your incident was definitely worse!

And I am the same way with the visibility. Plus, my bike's exhaust are kind of loud too... so hopefully I can be seen and heard!

 

I started out on a Ninja 250 also and for the first couple of times out...I just stuck to the local back roads until I got comfortable with the bike and just familiarizing myself with the bike on the road along with all the other traffic. The MSF course can't replicate that.

After the initial couple of days, I felt confident enough to start commuting on it and taking it on the highway. The 250 is a bit lacking but it wasn't completely gutless. I took it up to about 100mph...that thing was just screaming and is the definition of going WOT. You had to do that just to get it up to speed quickly enough

There wasn't a fear of going onto the highway for me...it was just getting used to being more situationally aware of my surroundings. That can take a toll...especially after a long, mentally draining day at work, I sometimes find myself not fully concentrating on the task of riding which is a big no-no.

I putted on the 250 for a year before I felt comfortable enough to upgrade to a bigger bike with a less forgiving throttle. With the D675, it's an absolutely different animal. A slight twist of the throttle and if I'm not careful, there's so much torque in it that I can feel the front lift.

As for which one is worse, highways or local streets...the only difference is speed. You'll more likely to survive a crash or a run in with a cager on the local street than one on the highway going while going at 60mph or more.

 

FYI, I have a post in the Black Market for those Icon Riding pants. Figured I'd see if any of our resident riders would like them before I put them on CL or eBay...

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/icon-arc-mesh-riding-pants-731458/

Also, I'm bringing the bike in today to see if they can lower it as well as to make sure the first service was done by the original owner as he said it was.

 

Picked up the bike from the dealer about an hour ago... love it even more!! They were able to lower it about 3/4" to 1" just adjusting the suspension (no links needed). The bike fits me much better now and from what I could see... no difference in handling.

They also did a full service on it (all fluids including oil) and re-mapped the ECU. The throttle is not as touchy now and it is much more "town-able". I am much happier with it now and cannot wait to start putting some miles on her!!

 

good stuff! now quit postin' and start rippin' some twisties Your next mod should be a Power Commander if you are really interested in remapping your ECU.

 

^ Yeah, I thought about it... but seems the Aprilia's are pretty touchy when it comes to ECU modifications, so not many people have done ECU mods outside of the Aprilia maps...

 

^^ If you like what you got, stay stock with the ECU....less headaches.

 

^ Yeah, it's fine for now. With the exhaust and the re-map I'm around 145hp which is more then enough for me. Especially when the bike weighs around 405 pounds

Coming from a Ninja 250... I should have plenty of time on the Aprilia before I get bored

 

I now have a Motorcycle License!

Passed the moto written test today, took 2 tries.

Also, what surprised me is that they had me take the Class C Renewal test in addition to the Moto Test! What's funnier is that I studied for the moto test, not the Class C test, got 100% on the class C test the first time and missed 8 on the Moto test, go figure! Only missed 1 the 2nd time on the Moto Test (studied a little bit more before taking it the 2nd time).

Now the real question is when will I be able to afford a bike and insurance.

 

^^^
nice!
Good luck with the bike hunt...hopefully you'll be able to score a decent deal on a bike.

Don't forget to set aside some coins for good gear too

 

@ two tries to pass.

j/k
Congrats!!!!! and welcome to the M1 club!

 

I'm kicking myself enough in the ass for not passing the first time. I read the book, and I hate to read so most of it didn't stick the first time around. The 2nd time I was pissed so I remembered a lot more.

 

THanks dude,

I probably won't be getting a bike anytime soon simply because I do want to get a decent bike the first time around to learn on, regardless if it's used or not, and get some good gear. Good helmet, jacket and a few other things like gloves and possibly pants will be on the list and will increase my starting amount to get into the hobby.

Look for a new motorcycle thread from me sometime in 2030 if I can afford it by then Unless of course if we all die by 2012 anyway. Perhaps that's the argument I should use with the wifey to just get a bike now regardless of anything else.

 

^^ Time to get a Duc!!!!

 

Oh man, I'd love to own this bike...



And it's in my favorite color.

 

Nice back...although the monster had me at "hello"

Nekeddd trellis frame

 

yeah...that duc 848 is freakin suite!
here's another excuse to get a new bike this year...Obama just signed a bill to give buyers a tax writeoff on a purchase of a new motorcycle (get to write off the tax you paid on the bike).
http://www.wingstuff.com/blog_detail...New_Motorcycle

 

^^^ gonna have to show that to the wifey.

 

Streetfighter FTW!

 

If you're going for the Duc might as well go all the way to a 1198S

 

Boing!

 

last year about picked up a Kawasaki zx6E that the body was in some rough shape but nothing a repaint can't solve. well during the winter and early spring months i tackled the challenge. it took longer then i hoped but i was busy with other matters.

the whole bike was repainted in Mercedes Mars Red and the rims were repainted also. the front fairing was the most work since it was down in the past. it is now almost perfect but I'm very satisfied how it came out. all of the other panels are pretty much perfect. i polished out the orange peal yesterday since its been a few weeks and the clear has had time to harden. i know i need a new blinker i broke it by accident since it was on the garage floor...pissed about that one.

for the price i paid for the bike and the work i put into it i'm extremely satisfied. the motor is solid and the tranny shifts like butter. for a first bike i think i have made out very well.

i just wish this rain would stop, the only day it is nice is during the week when i work all day. riding it has been fun and i'm looking forward to the weather clearing up and getting some more seat time. remember always gear up!

 

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/67/Mot...ati-1198s.aspx

Boing x16!, the rest of the gallery.

 

^^ Nice bike!! Looks like the work you put into it paid off.

Oh and at the 848. That's actually the direction I was going to go before I decided to stay with a naked bike b/c of the riding position (and the fact I wouldn't take an 848 on the track)...

 

Nice work

 

Congrats on passing!!

As for the gear... do you know anyone who rides? I bought my 250 off of CL... but all of my gear was borrowed except for the helmet. I borrowed my friends jacket and gloves. At this point I now have purchased my own gloves, pants (went with overpants), and riding boots... but I got my license in Jan. of 2008... so I bought all of these things over time.

That may help you to get on a bike sooner

 

I posted my jacket up for sale in the classified section if anyone's interested.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...7#post11032727

 

I logged my first ride on the interstate this weekend and I gotta say, it was fun. It was a great day to test my courage because it was really windy. There wasn't a lot of traffic, but enough to pass a few cars and get passed by a few. My confidence is growing with every ride.

On a side note, I was at the shop the other day ordering my Icon Arc pants, and they sold me a near new Yoshimura pipe for $100. I also ordered an Ivan's performance stage 1 carb kit. I can't wait to have them installed and tuned!

Does anybody have any experience with Corbin seats? I am thinking about getting one because I have serious taint pain after an hour of riding.

AS- Nice work on the ZX6E. It looks great!

 

^ No personal experience with Corbin seats, but from doing research, you can't go wrong.


Size chart is not loading. I may be interested... just let me do some research on the sizing. I'm sure I can find a size chart for that jacket online. I'm about 5'6", 140lbs. Not sure how big you are, but a medium may be too big for me.

 

Ya, that's what I came up with as well. Just needed further justification before dropping more coin.

 

I'm 5'3", 135lbs and the jacket is a good fit for me so it should be able to fit your description.

 

^ Hmm. OK... guess it will fit fine! I'll PM you or respond to your sale topic in the BM if I decide to buy.