[RobG]

Howdy!

Gee where do I start? I started thinking about getting a motorcycle back in 2006. I've never ridden one except for a friend's TTR125 dirtbike on a fire road, very briefly, about seven years ago. I've ridden ATVs and snowmobiles for years, though... sport quads as well as 4x4s.

So back then, I sat on a bunch of bikes and picked the Ninja 650R. It felt the best. I'm not that tall... 5'8 and a 30" inseam. Most bikes seem too wide, and I'm afraid of dropping it.

Now I'm living in SoCal and want to get a bike for commuting. I actually live fulltime in an RV (a 5th wheel toyhauler) and go where the work is, and the bike will fit in the trailer's garage along with the quads.

So I started researching bikes again. Today I went out and sat on a bunch more. I went to a Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawi dealer in Long Beach. I found the bike I want... an ER-6n. It felt even better than the 650R, though I sure wish it came in a color other than metallic blue. Oh well, it'll be cheap enough to repaint if I decide to.

So... they're running financing numbers for me (I'll know more Mon or Tue), and I just signed up for the MSF course for next weekend. It's probably good that it's supposed to rain most of next week.

But they agreed to price-match OTD Cyclesports in OC. I'll also check with my CU on Tuesday too.

But I wanted to go ahead and get the MSF course done before I ever attempt to ride a motorcycle on the streets. I'll also start shopping for proper gear this week.

I've been reading through the various "help" threads, like 50 ways to stay alive. Very good reading! I like to be thorough and be prepared. I'm 41, so I'm not looking to go out and start whipping around through traffic. I want to learn what I'm doing, and then go find places to get a feel for the bike, and practice, so I can be prepared just in case.

So anyway, there ya have it...

Rob

 

[RobG]

Thanks!

Since posting that, and searching around the 'net, I find myself reconsidering the 650R. I'll have to sit on it again. Why? Better wind protection, and colors. I'd probably get the red or green one in that event. Leaning towards the red.

Decisions, decisions.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Thanks everybody, for the warm welcome!

I'm gonna get the ER-6n. And they think my financing is done too (I'll know for sure tomorrow). I was at another dealer tonight looking at gear. If all goes well, I'll sign the papers Saturday evening after the first day of MSF class, and pick up some gear at the same time (jacket, pants, gloves, helmet, maybe boots if I have any $$ left). Then I'll have them drop the bike off at my house (which is actually an RV) on Monday.

Fortunately I live in a pretty calm neighborhood, so I figured I would just motor around there for a while before attempting any streets with traffic.

Just driving around the last few days I've been trying to "pretend" I'm on a bike and paying even more attention than I normally do (which is a lot, at least compared to most people). I watch the road surface more closely to see where I might want to position myself, I watch other cars more closely, etc.

There's a local Meetup group that does rides (meetup.com) so I've joined that, and they have a "meetup" planned for Feb 21st that I may attend, depending on how my skills and comfort level are by then.

Rob

 

[RobG]

According to the dealer, I'm officially approved! They gave me all the various terms they came up with, and it looks good.

They want me over Thursday morning to do the paperwork, though I may still put it off til after the first day of the MSF class on Saturday. I won't really be able to ride it til Monday morning, due to weather, and the fact that I WON'T ride it til I complete the class.

How long does it take to get the completion certificate? I'm not sure you get it on the spot. I'd be nice to head straight over to DMV on Mon or Tue and get my license done.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Too late!

They dropped it off yesterday morning. It's now sitting under the overhang of my trailer (a 5th wheel RV), locked up and covered, out of all the nasty weather.

But I did have the concern of, "is this the right bike?" so I went back and sat on all the others again. I again picked favorites, and continued comparing and narrowing them down. Once again, the ER6n won. It felt the best. The seat was the most comfortable, the seat position fit, it was easier to hold upright than any others. It was easier to have a foot/feet down when stopped, the bars felt best, etc, etc, etc. And for the $4500 I paid for it (it was used with 3700 miles, but not a mark on it), it was the best value there.

The only brand I didn't evaluate fully was Honda, but I don't see anything on their website that looks like it'd work. There was a used CBR there, but it was too wide and the bars too low.

As for liking riding, I know I will. I've been riding ATVs and snowmobiles for years. I've even ridden ATVs on the street. I spent a year in Montana and up there, you can register ATVs to be street legal. The whole time I was thinking, gee, this is what it's like to have a motorcycle... except I bet it'd be cooler! I've wanted a motorcycle since then (2005).

I've found several extensive writeups from people who have taken the MSF class, including one here on this forum. It's been great reading. I'm very excited about class starting tomorrow.

Rob

 

[RobG]

I compared the 650R quite a bit. Riding position is, of course, identical. Feel was pretty much the same. The 650R took slightly more effort to get it upright (from kickstand position, while sitting on it), and while I appreciated the fairing and windshield, I liked not having them "in the way" on the ER6n. Plus at my age, I felt the Ninja was too racy for me.

Can do photos... only have two at the moment, taken when they gave me the walk-through on the bike at the dealer, before delivering it. I took them with my Blackberry.

(edited out of post due to size issues)

I'll try to get more this weekend when it's less rainy.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Let's try that again...

 

[RobG]

While the blue is pretty, it's not my thing. I'm going to find a shop to paint it if the price isn't too bad. I'm leaning towards either the pearl white they offer in Europe, or a red of some sort.

It won't happen right away... I'll give it a couple months in case I drop it.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Gauges
Pose 1
Pose 2
Rear

Here are four more photos. I got home from work when it was still light out, so I pulled the cover off and got some photos. I live fulltime in an RV, and the spot they have me in here in this piece of crap mobile home park is all dirt, so it becomes a shallow pond when it rains. I'm going to get a bigger piece of plywood to park the bike on, probably tomorrow after class.

What is the SilverStar headlight mod and tank pad? I do want to do a fender eliminator, but I can't see spending $100+ on one when I can do it myself for probably $25.

What I'd like to do with the grips is put heaters in 'em, like I have on my ATVs and snowmobile. But I don't quite see how to do that on a twist-throttle setup. I would also like hand guards (for wind protection), but so far I haven't found any that I like. PowerMadd is okay, but by the time you buy all the parts, they're still over $100.

Rob

 

[RobG]

eidian:

Hey thanks for the invite! I would love to go ride that road!

My understanding for the class is it's just two days... but it's 8 AM to 5 PM both days. 8-11 are classroom, then lunch, and 12-5 PM on the riding range. This one is being held in Long Beach on 7th and Bellflower.

BTW do you know if you get the certificate on the last day, or does it come in the mail? I want to hit DMV as soon as possible afterward.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Thanks!!

MSF Day One was today. It was great! I got started on a Suzuki DR200 dual-sport; everybody else was on a Suzuki GS250. Then about 1/3 of the way through the afternoon, my bike broke down and they replaced it with a year-old Ninja 250!!!! It was weird at first, getting used to it, but once I did, it was awesome.

I came home after class and unlocked my ER6n and went for a short ride around the mobile home park where I live. Just up and down the streets in 1st and 2nd at 10-12 mph. It felt just like that Ninja, except the bars are a bit higher, it feels a tad heavier, and has about 10x as much torque. So it feels perfect!

Now I'm eagerly awaiting tomorrow. They said we'll be on the same bikes as today, so that'll be very cool getting to ride a bike almost exactly like mine.

Rob

 

[RobG]

All done! Everybody passed.

I got a 100% on the written test. I did good on the skills test except for the tight u-turn portion. The throttle on that Ninja 250 is just too twitchy. The cable was too long, so there was a lot of slop, and they wouldn't let me adjust it. In hindsight, I shouldn't have asked. I should have just done it.

So now it's off to DMV tomorrow. Yay!

Rob

 

[RobG]

Back from DMV! Two hours from arrival to departure... aced both the MC permit test and the driving test they had me re-take (which you have to take if you haven' taken it in the previous 12 mos). So permit is in hand, now just waiting for the certificate to arrive. They said when it does, just bring it to the testing counter, no appt or waiting in line needed. Cool.

Now it's supposed to rain tonight, tomorrow, and into Wednesday. Figures.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Gatton:

I too have a 29" inseam. The ER-6n fits me perfectly! Well, nearly perfectly. I'm a half inch away from being able to flat-foot both feet when sitting on it. I'm 5'8 and 165 lbs (probably 175-180 with my gear on), so if you're that or heavier, you should be fine.

I've finally been able to go for a few short rides. I rode around the neighborhood on Wednesday for an hour, just kinda getting used to the bike. Then today, I rode it down to the dealer to pick up some pants I had ordered (which ended up being a size too small). That was a fun trip. I almost dropped it pulling into the Office Depot parking lot, but managed to save it. Thank God. My sliders don't arrive til Monday.

Tomorrow, I'm heading up the coast from here (Torrance) to Santa Monica. I'll hit the twisties in Rancho Palos Verdes along the way, and depending on my mood when I'm up there, I may take a mountain road or two, or jump on Sunset and take it in towards Hollywood. I'm new to the area, so it'll be fun to explore on nimble transportation.

Rob

 

[RobG]

Thanks BB!!

Yep I'm absolutely loving it! I've ridden to work two days in a row now. I have to head out in about an hour to run to DMV (I have an appt) so I can turn in my certificate and get my actual license. Then it's back to work. Tonight will be my first ride in the dark. Not a big deal; I have a yellow reflective safety vest, a helmet with a red flashing LED light, and a bicycle light (red LED) for my backpack. Plus it'll be surface streets and late, after traffic.

But yep... this is great!

Rob

 

[RobG]

T Minus 45 minutes and I'm outta here. So it'll be fun to see how the night ride goes! I'll report back.

In other news, I did finally get my "M" today. I have CA's "paper" license which acts as my real one until my real laminated one with photo arrives in the mail in about two weeks. So no more trips to DMV.

Rob