Letting the 500 go...

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

The bike you are on or start on has alot to do with how you procieve the riding expierence.

VERY true. Developing your skills as a rider on a smaller, tamer bike allows you to build your experience without the pucker effect. Seriously, there's enough to think about, remember, and learn without adding in a fear-factor. Moving up to a bigger bike too quickly can actually RETARD your development as a good rider (and hurt your confidence). I've seen it happen - and it's resulted in people getting hurt, people getting scared out of riding altogether, or both.

[1hottbikechic]

Originally Posted by NeonspeedRT

First things first. This is a public internet forum. So you will get off topic posts, you will get people answering questions you didn't ask, and you will get people answering the question you asked as well. So don't get offended by people trying to give you advice and help. Even if you didn't ask for it. If you don't want to hear what people say, then don't post on a public message forum.

That being said, you need to step back for a minute. You ARE a new rider. No if's, and's, or but's about it. You said yourself you only put between 500 to 1000 miles on a street bike in a year. Thats nothing. Thats what most people put on their bikes in a month or two of riding back and forth to a local bike night.

It takes easily 6 months or longer of regular riding every day to become a proficient motorcyclist. Just because you may have a good dirt bike background, that doesn't mean you are an experienced street rider. Sure it helps with clutch control and shifting. Thats it. Dirt bikes handle totally different then street bikes.

If you were getting bored on a 500cc in only 1000 miles, then you need to go turn pro in AMA roadracing. If you're that good then you are destined to be the next Ben Spies.

You said it yourself, you aren't looking for speed. Then why did you get rid of the 500cc? You had a paid off bike sitting in your garage that you obviously wern't comfortable on. So now you are going to go spend money on a newer bike and make payments on something that will sit in your garage?

Reading back over your posts, I see what the problem is. You had a boyfriend who taught you how to ride telling you to upgrade. So you have it stuck in your head since your boyfriend told you to upgrade, you are ready. We see that happen quite often actually. Have you ever taken a MSF class? If not, I really encourage you to go do that before you spend your money on a new bike. See if riding is even for you. Learn the correct way to corner, stop quickly, swerve, ect.

Now all of that being said, you can "START" riding on a 600cc. You just have to be wise. People have given you some excellent suggestions in this post. The SV650 is a great bike, the ZX650 is a great bike, an older 600cc like a CBR600F3 or F4 are great starter bikes.

When you get your new bike be safe, wear your gear, and put some miles on the bike. That will get you on your start to becoming a proficient motorcyclist. Good luck.

I appreciate the advice, I was just asking not to be "flamed" enough of that I see on bike forums and I have been in this hobby/industry for quite some time now.

Originally Posted by byron12

I would reccomend you buy what ever bike your friends at the beach are going to be like "wow cool look at jenna she is such a bad ass girl she owns a motorcycle". I don't think we have to worry about her killing herself because she is not ready if she is not even going to ride the damn thing. Hell she is willing to enertain the new 250 just because it looks so hot and its sooo cheap like 3500 dollars is chump change or something. Your not a squid you are a poseur but thats okay motorcycles are soo hot right now....

I'm sorry I'm not a rider that goes for whats cool at the time... If that was the case I certainly wouldn't have started out on a bike that is as dated as the 500... atleast this year they upgraded the 250, maybe the 500 next year. I can tell you alot about riding and racing. You call me a poser but I have alot of experience at the race track, and am working on building my riding skills on the road.

Originally Posted by NONE_too_SOFT

the older you get, the harder it is to find a bike in good condition. i found my 98 (in 06) with 6k miles on it. doesnt get much better than that. more importantly is the previous owner though.

i say she saves her money and buys a house boat, and invites me down for a drink at the marina.

I'd like anything 95+ that's in good condition.

Originally Posted by neebelung

VERY true. Developing your skills as a rider on a smaller, tamer bike allows you to build your experience without the pucker effect. Seriously, there's enough to think about, remember, and learn without adding in a fear-factor. Moving up to a bigger bike too quickly can actually RETARD your development as a good rider (and hurt your confidence). I've seen it happen - and it's resulted in people getting hurt, people getting scared out of riding altogether, or both.

I appreciate your advice too Nee.

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by 1hottbikechic

I appreciate the advice, I was just asking not to be "flamed" enough of that I see on bike forums and I have been in this hobby/industry for quite some time now.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you think the contents of this thread consistute flaming, you need to grow a thicker skin. This is NUTTIN.

And being in the "hobby/industry for quite some time" doesn't equate actual riding experience. Heck, I was involved in the 'local riding scene' and such for a long time before I started riding, but what I learned once I started riding was that I didn't know SHIT!

[ceo012384]

This thread is hilarious. The ridiculous reasons and explanations and excuses are pure comic entertainment. For example... I LOVE this little gem:

Originally Posted by 1hottbikechic

I can tell you alot about riding and racing. You call me a poser but I have alot of experience at the race track, and am working on building my riding skills on the road.

Wait a second.... so I can become a better rider by going to the track and being a curb squirrel? Shit, I should just forget about track days and leave my bike in the garage. I'll buy some daisy dukes and head up there tomorrow in my car!

Originally Posted by NeonspeedRT

It takes easily 6 months or longer of regular riding every day to become a proficient motorcyclist.

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Yes, I would say it takes at least 3k to bust off the beginers dust.

I still maintain that time and miles don't mean anything compared to what people think they do. TYPE of miles and a desire to constantly improve technique are what's important. This is three months after the first time I ever sat on a motorcycle which was in my MSF class:

[Mr Lefty]

I'll agree with ya there CEO... I've got more than 3k under my belt... but less than 3 months total actual seat time and that's broken up over 2 years... I'm still a noob by far!

I do think by 10k though... your no longer a noob... you may still be an idiot squid... but not a noob.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Originally Posted by ceo012384

This thread is hilarious. The ridiculous reasons and explanations and excuses are pure comic entertainment. For example... I LOVE this little gem:

Wait a second.... so I can become a better rider by going to the track and being a curb squirrel? Shit, I should just forget about track days and leave my bike in the garage. I'll buy some daisy dukes and head up there tomorrow in my car!








I still maintain that time and miles don't mean anything compared to what people think they do. TYPE of miles and a desire to constantly improve technique are what's important. This is three months after the first time I ever sat on a motorcycle which was in my MSF class:

there are some people whom just have a natural ability on two wheels. but ability can be mistaken for experience, and that leads to bad things occasionally.

[Phenix_Rider]

Originally Posted by Ebbs15

I'll agree with ya there CEO... I've got more than 3k under my belt... but less than 3 months total actual seat time and that's broken up over 2 years... I'm still a noob by far!

I do think by 10k though... your no longer a noob... you may still be an idiot squid... but not a noob.

Hell, I have 10k on my bike and I still feel like a noob sometimes. Like yesterday when the freaking rabbit came blasting onto the road right in front of my wheel. Point is, you can ride 100,000 miles and 30 years and not experience everything. Those miles and years do affect your decision making process though. A new rider (lets say <5k miles) simply doesn't have enough experience to properly evaluate their own skills or situations and react correctly in a very wide range of situations.

1HBC if you're not comfortable on the 500, that's one reason to move to a different bike. A perfectly acceptable one. Find a bike you are comfortable on and ride the hell out of it. If you're "upgrading" because someone told you to, or your current ride doesn't have enough power for your amazing skills, you have a lot more to learn.

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider

Hell, I have 10k on my bike and I still feel like a noob sometimes. Like yesterday when the freaking rabbit came blasting onto the road right in front of my wheel. Point is, you can ride 100,000 miles and 30 years and not experience everything. Those miles and years do affect your decision making process though. A new rider (lets say <5k miles) simply doesn't have enough experience to properly evaluate their own skills or situations and react correctly in a very wide range of situations.

I still consider myself a newb, with .. .hmm.... I guess 13K miles (I haven't ridden in two months, so I can't remember! ) and 2 years of solid, consistent riding.

The day you stop learning is the day you become complacent. The day you become complacent is the day you need to put the kickstand down and take a breather from riding, because you'll become a danger to yourself, as well as to others.

[itgirl]

i started riding street at age 18 on my first street bike (having extensive dirt background). it was a yamaha YSR50, would now be considered a pocket bike. i was probably the laughing stock of my town, rolling a max 55 mph downhill. but back then i was scared that i wouldn't be able to handle a 250! i rode that thing for a year before upgrading to a 250, which i managed to drop the very first day i owned it in front of all my friends in the taco bell parking lot (they had to pick it up for me, mortifying). after a year of riding, i sold that one to go to school. a few years passed and i decided to get back into riding. what did i buy? another 250. i was scared i couldn't handle a 600, even though my friends said i could. i rode that for another year before trading it up for the 636 i have today. i was still scared the day i picked up the 636 that i couldn't handle it. i finally took the MSF course with this bike and realized i shoulda done that way sooner.

moral of the story: i am still alive today, and i contribute that to starting small (very small) and not listening to what others think.

1HBC, do whatcha gotta do. just keep your head in check. make sure it's what is right for you. good luck finding what you are looking for. and go green, kawis are superior bikes in any year.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by neebelung

I still consider myself a newb, with .. .hmm.... I guess 13K miles (I haven't ridden in two months, so I can't remember! ) and 2 years of solid, consistent riding.

The day you stop learning is the day you become complacent. The day you become complacent is the day you need to put the kickstand down and take a breather from riding, because you'll become a danger to yourself, as well as to others.

Damn! Get that bike back and running!