Alright so ive been staring at all these beautiful bikes, and watching all these amazing street bikes pass me while im in the car. But i'd REALLY like to learn how to ride... I have a connection with my uncle... hes affilated with Honda... and he teaches motorcycle mechanics. I can't think of anyone better to teach me. But is it possible to learn how to ride on a street bike? If I don't push it... im not sure what to do. I HAVE to learn how to ride one of these fabulous machines. Can you blaim me though? These things are insanely cool. I have respect for you guys. I'd really appreciate your suggestions/advise.


Thanks guys!

 

http://www.msf-usa.org

They will teach you how to ride much better then your uncle.

 

Everyones gotta start somewhere. You sound like the type that will start on any bike just to learn. Most new riders wanna start on 1000's because there the fastest thing out there. You best bet would be to see if your uncle could find you a nice starter bike to practice on. The only way to learn is to actually get out their and do it. Get your license, which is very easy..and go out on days when traffic isnt bad and just ride. You could also try the MSF course which is probably the best way to learn. Good luck

 

I don't want to sound like an idiot... but I have my heart set on a CBR1000, so is it actully hard to operate the bike without messing up and hurting yourself?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't want to sound like an idiot... but I have my heart set on a CBR1000, so is it actully hard to operate the bike without messing up and hurting yourself?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Very.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't want to sound like an idiot... but I have my heart set on a CBR1000, so is it actully hard to operate the bike without messing up and hurting yourself?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow bad idea.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't want to sound like an idiot... but I have my heart set on a CBR1000, so is it actully hard to operate the bike without messing up and hurting yourself?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Do yourself a favor and start on something small. I would say a ninja 250 or 500 if you want the sporty feel. But if you absolutely must start on a full blown sport bike, get a 600. I can go faster on my 600 than i'd EVER need or want to go on the streets. A 1000 is just rediculous, and invites the possiblity of something bad happening.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't want to sound like an idiot... but I have my heart set on a CBR1000, so is it actully hard to operate the bike without messing up and hurting yourself?</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol you gotta crawl before you can walk. you riding a litre bike is like you skipping crawling, walking and all that stuff and went straight to sprinting! not a very good idea, but in due time once you become a good rider i say go for that litre!

but for now start on something smaller and definitely look into taking the msf class. read the sticky it should answer a ton of questions you have in mind.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RebornGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.msf-usa.org

They will teach you how to ride much better then your uncle.</TD></TR></TABLE>


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't want to sound like an idiot... but I have my heart set on a CBR1000, so is it actully hard to operate the bike without messing up and hurting yourself?</TD></TR></TABLE>
You shouldn't even consider a 1000 untill you have been riding for a few years

 

I've been riding for 3-4 years now (on bikes with turn signals - 10 yrs of dirtbike before that). With the close calls I've had on my 350 beater, I sure as hell don't really think that I could've brought a 1000 out of some of the situations. You can hurt yourself bad nough at 50, no need to see what happens at 90(or 130).

College buddy of mine did the right thing and had an old Honda 400 streetbike that he started on, but then went stupid after 4 months. He declared himself "ready" and bought a GSXR, which he promptly smeared all over the street because he hit a "gap" in the road. I firmly believe that 85% of that accident was inexperience. He has since sold the bike and says he will never get on another - just because he tried to rush it.

He's fine now but rushing cost him medical bills, still paying off a wrecked bike, and not being able to enjoy it.

 

What about a Honda 600F4I I just need help finding the right bike, I think I got riding lessons taken care of. And im sorry if im offending any of you asking for directions or being a complete newbie to this. But I mean... come on... you can't blaim me

 

sounds like you know nothing about motorcycles...

take the MSF course....they teach you the basics

then get yourself a beater bike

 

So your saying I have to learn how to ride, then get a pile of **** on wheels?

There are no nice bikes that are suitable for a beginner?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What about a Honda 600F4I I just need help finding the right bike, I think I got riding lessons taken care of. And im sorry if im offending any of you asking for directions or being a complete newbie to this. But I mean... come on... you can't blaim me </TD></TR></TABLE>

You can lead him to water....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> And im sorry if im offending any of you asking for directions or being a complete newbie to this. But I mean... come on... you can't blaim me </TD></TR></TABLE>

1) No apologies needed. We get a lot of traffic from the car forums wandering in here asking "How Do I Ride Motorpickle?"

2) F4i has a smaller engine yes, but still has 120hp and its a worthy racetrack weapon despite its 2nd-tier status to the 600RR. I personally would recommend something a bit more tame, like a suzuki GS500 or a ninja500, or my absolute favorite, the ninja250. These more conservative bikes are actually more fun and safer to ride hard when you get comfortable with them, because you stand a better chance of reaching the bike's limits before you'll reach yours - which is when the bad things happen.

I am happy to see some measured advice being offered in here instead of 6 posts of people saying how they have "this friend" or they themselves learned how to ride on a GSXR1000 or hayabusa and they aren't dead yet so its A-OK to learn on a bike that 1% of the population can actually ride to its full capabilities. So yeah, start small, grasshopper, and you'll be around this sport for a long time.

 

Thats good news, I have connections with Honda... so are there any "sporty" honda bikes that have a tame enough engine I could ride?

 

If you're stuck on honda, the tamest sporty street bike they offer is a 599 which is just a step small down from the F4i. The other manufacturers offer better 1st timer bikes in my opinion.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So your saying I have to learn how to ride, then get a pile of **** on wheels?

There are no nice bikes that are suitable for a beginner?</TD></TR></TABLE>

not a complete pile of ****....those little 500's are fun. they're not easy on the eyes, but you're not going for the look right? lol

IMO get yourself a nice little 500, and sell it for what you got it for...

but if you really, really, really want a "sexy" bike, go ahead and get yourself a litre bike...if u think u can handle it

-rage

 

I mean... is it "possible" to ride the F4I without killing myself? I mean... im gonna learn the ups and downs of the bike. Im going to keep it slow, and not push the bike. I can get a major discount on one as well. My uncle will probably actully "teach" me on a pile anyways... but once I actully learn how to ride what about the F4I? :D


I also failed to mention, im riding this bike to school OCCASIONALLY and a weekend vehicle. Most of the way to school is backroad and completely empty.


Modified by vibe at 8:37 PM 10/6/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I mean... is it "possible" to ride the F4I without killing myself? I mean... im gonna learn the ups and downs of the bike. Im going to keep it slow, and not push the bike. I can get a major discount on one as well. My uncle will probably actully "teach" me on a pile anyways... but once I actully learn how to ride what about the F4I? :D</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, it IS possible...sounds like you're pretty adamant about getting one, so get it...

it's just for a first bike, new motorcyclists usually get pretty overconfident after say, the first week and thats when mistakes happen(happened to me)...its just that i feel those 600's are not very forgiving...and the bike is a very expensive risk.

-rage

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But is it possible to learn how to ride on a street bike? </TD></TR></TABLE>

No, its not possible. You are either doing wheelies out of your moms whom or your not. So sorry.

 

I would say go for the F4I. Do yourself a favor though and take the msf course, get some good gear, and some frame sliders for cheap insurance. Let us know how everything goes

 

when I talk to a lot of experinced riders they always recommend for myself (6'4 220lbs.) a litre bike, in which I say thats a big *** bike. But contrary to my opinion they say as long as I treat the bike with respect I shouldn't have any problems as well as a 600 for someone my size is not powerful enough. After reading this post i'm completly confused

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vibe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I mean... is it "possible" to ride the F4I without killing myself? I mean... im gonna learn the ups and downs of the bike. Im going to keep it slow, and not push the bike. I can get a major discount on one as well. My uncle will probably actully "teach" me on a pile anyways... but once I actully learn how to ride what about the F4I? :D

I also failed to mention, im riding this bike to school OCCASIONALLY and a weekend vehicle. Most of the way to school is backroad and completely empty.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's exactly what we've been telling you. The F4I is fine once you learn how to ride, but it takes quite a while for someone to go from motorcycle "virgin" to being able to reign in a monster like that. You've got to go through all the "oops" on a bike that won't run away from you as quick. I say do yourself a favor and get the smaller bike, the first time you have a close call (we all do!) you'll realize what could have happened with more ponies and weight between your legs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Roboto &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when I talk to a lot of experinced riders they always recommend for myself (6'4 220lbs.) a litre bike, in which I say thats a big *** bike. But contrary to my opinion they say as long as I treat the bike with respect I shouldn't have any problems as well as a 600 for someone my size is not powerful enough. After reading this post i'm completly confused </TD></TR></TABLE>

basically if you want to minimize your chances of personal injury and maximize your potential to actually learn how to master good riding technique, start small. every person I've seen start on a bigger bike never mastered proper riding technique (squid - tiptoe around corners and blast down the straights). that included me until i got a ninja 250, then a sv650. oh yeah and i am 6 ft 3 and 260lbs.