Congrats on the new ride and taking the MSF. I went through that last year at 55 having riden dirt bikes some as a teenager. I found the MSF harder than expected but was good experience. I would second the caution of large group rides. Went on one with 20 bikes fairly soon after starting to ride and the congestion at stops, small back roads, intersections, and group proceedures needed to keep everyone safe was a real pain. Would have been better to start with a small group of friends on a highway without as many stops. Good practice areas around here are local side streets that do not have much traffic, large church parking lots during the week or school parking lots on weekends. I put a 1000 miles on a light 250 before outgrowing it and getting a heavier bike. Found a neighbor that had a used 250 that has been passed around for people to learn on. Fun bike to learn on but not much of a major highway or traffic bike. Almost dropped it a couple of times at intersections and parking lots but very comforting to know its a used light bike and just put a foot down and catch yourself.
Hello from a 100% Total Noob
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Welcome to the forum. Nice looking bike you've chosen.
I agree, you should at least get one day of class in before you sign for the bike. After a day of class, or after the entire class, you may change your mind about this bike in particular, or riding in general. It happens. Don't commit to the financing until you've gotten through the class. Just my opinion.
I agree, you should at least get one day of class in before you sign for the bike. After a day of class, or after the entire class, you may change your mind about this bike in particular, or riding in general. It happens. Don't commit to the financing until you've gotten through the class. Just my opinion.
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
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
Interesting that you chose the ER6n over the 650R, since they're the same bike. The difference is that one is naked. Congrats on the bike, and of course, pics are REQUIRED!!!! All new purchases are assumed mythical (like Unicorns) until pictures are provided as evidence...
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
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
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
It won't happen right away... I'll give it a couple months in case I drop it.
Rob
Nice ride! I happen to love the color! I'm not much of a naked bike kinda person myself, but it looks good. I dont' think a Ninja at any age is too racy. I'm 41 and bought my first Ninja just last year. Never too old. But then again mine is older and I don't 'lay on the tank' like the supersports do.
Can't wait to hear how it rides and see more pics of it.
Can't wait to hear how it rides and see more pics of it.
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20,826 Posts
Thats a nice looking bike.
Pretty colour of blue to.
Congrats !
Pretty colour of blue to.
Congrats !
You scored an incredible deal; I can't believe that you found a used one (wasn't '09 the first year for the bike here?)--let alone one that's such a good bargain.
You're smart to wait on painting the bike. You're going to learn a lot of things being a new rider; one of them is that it doesn't matter what color the bike is because if you're riding properly (paying attention to the road, traffic, etc.), you won't even know what your bike looks like. I know, I started on a 500R which is an ugly bike (alright, maybe not ugly but definitely dated) and I never thought about "looks" while I was riding. Hell, I ride a bike now that I love to look at and guess what...I never think about what it looks like when it matters most: when I'm riding. And that color is fricken' sweet anyway.
Do the "quick and cheap" mods: grips, SilverStar headlight and tank pad.
You're smart to wait on painting the bike. You're going to learn a lot of things being a new rider; one of them is that it doesn't matter what color the bike is because if you're riding properly (paying attention to the road, traffic, etc.), you won't even know what your bike looks like. I know, I started on a 500R which is an ugly bike (alright, maybe not ugly but definitely dated) and I never thought about "looks" while I was riding. Hell, I ride a bike now that I love to look at and guess what...I never think about what it looks like when it matters most: when I'm riding. And that color is fricken' sweet anyway.
Do the "quick and cheap" mods: grips, SilverStar headlight and tank pad.
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
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
The SilverStar is just the name of the Sylvania bulb; it's a really bright replacement (doesn't require an aftermarket ballast). You can get it at any car parts store. A tank pad is just an adhesive plastic pad that you stick on to the tank where your jacket would rub to prevent scuffing. Definitely make your own fender eliminator. I bought some flat rod from Home Depot for $7 and welded one. I suck at welding so it took me two hours to make it when it would probably take someone else thirty minutes to do.
I thought that I saw where you're staying but couldn't find it, if you're looking for parts Hahm in the north OC is really big (near D-land) and on Beach near the 22 there's a place called Cycle Parts West (their selection isn't that big but they do have some decent stuff), then there's Cycle Gear on Lemon off of the 91.
I've seen heated grips and hand guards put on the Z1000, don't see why it couldn't be done on the ER-6n. Check out this forum, there's a 650R specific section; since the 650R and ER-6n are the same mechanically, you might be able to use some of the mod's done there: RiderForums.com Community - Powered by vBulletin
If this crappy weather ever stops and Angeles Crest is clean, consider taking a ride with me and my friend sometime. We lost our "leader" last summer when he moved to CO so we'd love to run 3 deep again through the twisties (it's kind of a tradition to ride as a trio). No pressure, I was a newbie not too long ago and I remember all of the apprehensions that come with taking on the sport so if you don't want join up for a while, it's all good.
Have fun tomorrow at the MSF, the rain should be gone but tomorrow is just the classroom stuff, right? If you took the Sat-Sun-Sat schedule you should be fine rain-wise. Are you taking the course at Cerritos College? That's where I took it, good instructors there.
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
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
Great! I'll hit you up in a few weeks.
My class was like 8:00 to 13:00 for the classroom and then I had two 5-hour riding sessions...looks like you get to ride tomorrow, fricken' cool. You'll get your certificate for the DMV and a card showing that you passed the class after your whole class passes the drills on the Sunday. You can go to the DMV on Monday.
My class was like 8:00 to 13:00 for the classroom and then I had two 5-hour riding sessions...looks like you get to ride tomorrow, fricken' cool. You'll get your certificate for the DMV and a card showing that you passed the class after your whole class passes the drills on the Sunday. You can go to the DMV on Monday.
Welcome, caution on the 6r it is not really a beginners bike. The 650 is and there is a world of difference between the two. You size you can easily handle the Vulcan 900 if we can talk you into a cruiser. Actually look for a used 500 Ninja for a first bike is not a bad idea. You will find it pretty inexpensive and you can learn on it.
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
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
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
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
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