New Subsection for New Riders - Welcome aboard

[Nate]

^ From I've read it is a good machine. Welcome to the world of motorcycling and you're doing yourself many favors by learning much before you actually hit the road. You are also doing a wise thing by not jumping right onto a factory hot rod. Those bikes will still be out there when your skills are ready for them.

Good luck!

[Numba1 B Series]

Originally Posted by Nate

^ From I've read it is a good machine. Welcome to the world of motorcycling and you're doing yourself many favors by learning much before you actually hit the road. You are also doing a wise thing by not jumping right onto a factory hot rod. Those bikes will still be out there when your skills are ready for them.

Good luck!

Thanks!

I am the type of person who has to be 110% assured before jumping into doing something big.

After watching several youtube videos in regards with motorcycle stunts...I am not planning on getting hurt of some sort...in particular the "How to dump your girlfriend motorcycle" on youtube.

Falling off the bike with no gear is very unforgiving. I have some small scars on me...and those things bother the living crap out of me...=P

[Inquisitive]

Originally Posted by Numba1 B Series

So far I am gathering as much information as I can before I begin my MSF course in September.

I regret not signing up earlier since summer is coming around the corner.

A lot of friends are pressuring me to get the 600cc and above..but I have my eyes set on a Kawasaki ninja 250r 2008...I figured for $3500...a brand new bike that looks good..is not a bad deal for a beginner's bike.

From what I've read on it...it's an excellent bike.

Numba1 B Series, usually a person has a hard time going wrong following / listening to their heart... What are the reasons your friends suggest a 600cc+ bike? First bike, many people would suggest buy used. Once you have more experience, then buy based on your experience. Best of luck to you.

[Slo'Poke]

Most excellent creating this section, Mods. I bow to your brilliance!!!

[Slo'Poke]

Originally Posted by Numba1 B Series

A lot of friends are pressuring me to get the 600cc and above..but I have my eyes set on a Kawasaki ninja 250r 2008...I figured for $3500...a brand new bike that looks good..is not a bad deal for a beginner's bike.

From what I've read on it...it's an excellent bike.

Welcome Numba1 B. Love your whole concept of starting off with a smaller (but still great from what I read) bike, then moving up.

[Alf]

What a great idea.....

[kawi550]

looks like I will be asking the first question lol. I am planning on buying a helmet today. what should i look for in a motorcycle helmet? any particular brands or features or just a plain ol brain bucket? I was thinking of just the top type but with weather and country riding maybe i should get a face shield type(i dont want to know what insects taste like lol)

[kawi550]

okay okay yea i just relized this is'nt the thread for questions oops sorry, typical newbie right lol? i'll search the other threads in this forum and if i don't see my answers ill post a new thread with my question again sory and thanks.

[cricketbiker]

Originally Posted by Numba1 B Series

So far I am gathering as much information as I can before I begin my MSF course in September.

I regret not signing up earlier since summer is coming around the corner.

A lot of friends are pressuring me to get the 600cc and above..but I have my eyes set on a Kawasaki ninja 250r 2008...I figured for $3500...a brand new bike that looks good..is not a bad deal for a beginner's bike.

From what I've read on it...it's an excellent bike.

I will take the Team Oregon class in July, and I, too am looking at the Ninja 250. I haven't read anything bad about it yet! Any info/experience with this bike? I've ridden a dirt bike that last year, and as the passenger on a Yamaha FJR (too big for me, I'm female, 5'6, 120#). Can the Ninja do the open roads, or is it mainly an in-town bike? When I tell my fellow riders I'm considering it, they all gasp and say "a 250?...you have to be kidding!". But my gut says to go with it. Thanks for any response!

[Inquisitive]

cricketbiker, if you do not have to absolutely have a new to you at least 250 Ninja, wait. Take the MSF course on a "provided" bike, and after you get your license go to a prospective dealer and take a test ride. If the dealer will not allow you a test ride, such may be an indication of after the sale support from the dealer as well... You are tall enough to ride a bigger bike, and you may very well be strong enough to ride a heavier bike. A 250 is not much of a highway cruising bike...

[Inquisitive]

kawi550, I suggest a full faced helmet, after that less issues are important. Many people have other opinions, however no one who works in health care would suggest anything less, very likely even suggesting you might be crazy to consider taking up riding in the first place.

[cricketbiker]

Originally Posted by Inquisitive

cricketbiker, if you do not have to absolutely have a new to you at least 250 Ninja, wait. Take the MSF course on a "provided" bike, and after you get your license go to a prospective dealer and take a test ride. If the dealer will not allow you a test ride, such may be an indication of after the sale support from the dealer as well... You are tall enough to ride a bigger bike, and you may very well be strong enough to ride a heavier bike. A 250 is not much of a highway cruising bike...

Thanks for the response! That sounds like a reasonable thing to do...wait and test drive. i also just found out we don't have a Kawasaki dealership in town anymore, and it was Strongly suggested to not buy a bike without a dealership. So that leaves me with...Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Suzuki. Any suggestions?

[Inquisitive]

cricketbiker, if I lived more than several hundred miles away from a Kawasaki Dealer, and I was a great fan of "Factory Dealers", and I was not overly mechanically inclined, or interested to perform my own work. Then not having a "Dealer" in nearby would probably have influence I what brand bike I purchased? None of those being in my particular case. I do not worry / nor care about such concerns for that of myself. My suggestion is for a person to buy a bike they really like / can afford. I happen to lean toward Kawasaki's, however I know they are not the very best at everything, though someone may debate otherwise. All motorcycle parts can be shipped. Other brand Dealers can and will work on other brand motorcycles. Independent motorcycle shops often have more experienced "techs" than Dealerships. However another suggestion I always suggest to people is to proceed how in such a manner they are most comfortable with. You have some decisions to make.

[lou257]

Hi all, just bought a 2003 drifter 1500 and I love it. Hope to post some pics later. I have a question. I want to leave the seat solo but I need to install saddle bags. Anyone know where I can get the brackets and bags all at the same place?

[chevyNinjaRider]

Originally Posted by cricketbiker

I will take the Team Oregon class in July, and I, too am looking at the Ninja 250. I haven't read anything bad about it yet! Any info/experience with this bike? I've ridden a dirt bike that last year, and as the passenger on a Yamaha FJR (too big for me, I'm female, 5'6, 120#). Can the Ninja do the open roads, or is it mainly an in-town bike? When I tell my fellow riders I'm considering it, they all gasp and say "a 250?...you have to be kidding!". But my gut says to go with it. Thanks for any response!

Hey, Cricketbiker,

I just bought my first bike, which is a 07 Ninja 250 -- from my sis,, 300 miles on it, she bought it in the crate.
I have only riden it a little bit, as it is not home yet, but it was plenty fast for my non-experience.
I am very excited to pick it up next weekend.

Good luck to all,,,

Also,,

Could anyone post some links to some videos demonstrating riding and leaning / turning techinques?

Thanks in advance!

[jojob101]

Just purchased my first street bike recently (05 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic) and thought I would come here to join the club!

I am a new rider .... took my MSF class and now about to go take my written (CA). I grew up riding dirtbikes and not it's time to "take it to the streets."

Just wanted to say hi...

jojo

[40 the new 30]

what's up guys just bought my first bike- 08 kawai vulcan 900 custom and I love it!! taking my msf class on wed with course riding on the weekend! thanks for the forum!

[vhusom]

I'm a new rider to 2 wheels! I used to ride 'back in the day' in my early 20's. But lots has happened since then, but I'm back! I've rode ATV's and snowmobiles in the past also. My husband rides an '81 KZ1000 LTD, and I'm re-learning on a recently purchased '83 KZ650, after looking at probably 20 bikes in the past 2 months! I'm taking a MSF course with the ABATE for Wisconsin in Black River Falls over Labor Day weekend. I'll be driving our car over there (about 2 hrs) unfortunately, so I can pull our popup and bring our two doggies, and my husband will be riding his bike over. I'm on facebook if anyone is interested. I've read that photos are mandatory on this site, so I hope to get some photos of our bikes and post them somewhere very soon.

I took my bike out for the first time last night! With my husband riding along side! Way over to the side or way behind!! hee hee!! I made him promise not to yell at me and make me nervous! He did good! He's so much more patient than 20 yrs ago when we were teaching the kids to drive cars, dirtbikes, & ATV's! I'm proud of him! We live in the country, and our road is horseshoe shaped and is about 2 miles around. I went around the circle about 6 times, and stopped and started about 100 times! LOL, seriously about 15 times! We had to park our bikes because the bikes were getting way overheated! Obviously not from speed! From going waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tooooo slooooooooooowwww! LOL

I'm off to the DMV this morning to take care of business, and I plan to polish and clean my ride this afternoon, and I'll be ready for lesson #2 when hubby comes home! My husband has a friend that will paint my tank, since it has someone's idea of art portrayed on it now and it's totally ugly! They also removed every badge and emblem, so I'll be looking for replacements soon. My hubby made me promise, (he knows me too well) not to ride alone for a few days, but seriously, that's OK with me..... for now! I like knowing he's nearby if I need help!! Whazzup?

[wingnut70]

Well, I'm not to sure what to say here. I purchased my first bike (2008 900 Vulcan Classic LT) in May, passed my MSF course in June and have been really enjoying my rides! I still have some questions that I will ask from time to time, so thanks in advance for a great forum!

[Strider7]

Hello to all and thanks for the newb section.

I just purchased a (used) new '07 Ninja 250 and found the forums while doing a Google search for manuals for the bike. This looks like a great forum. I'm at work now, so I'll have to browse more later.

Oh and pictures ... Yeah I guess I'll have to find the 'introduce yourself' thread and post some, well either that or post my own.