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Any motorcyclists?
I'm about to do my full motorbike licence here in the UK (direct access course) and currently looking at my first big bike, thinking about a 600cc Triumph at the moment. Wondered if there are any other riders here on tildes, what do you ride, what's your history with bikes etc.?
Currently I have an '09 Triumph Street Triple.
I started on a 250, then got a 650 V Twin. Plan on wanting a different bike in a year or so.
Buy good gear that you will wear. Don't ride drunk. Be visible. Act predictable. Keep your eyes scanning. Always have an escape plan. Expect the unexpected. Stay smooth. Smooth is fast.
I strongly recommend you read Proficient Motorcycling.
That all sounds like good advice! I'm currently riding a Yamaha 125, which is what I'm limited to on my current licence. I shall be looking forward to getting my full licence, I'm certainly seeing the limitations of a 125. I'll look up that book, anything to make my riding life safer.
Ahhhh, gotcha. I went on a training course with Lee Parks, and he recommended the Street Triple. Best thing I learned from that course. That was ten years ago tho. I hear good things about KTM now.
Got my first one in 2002 (250 Yamaha Virago), have been riding on and off ever since on my own and on whatever I could lay my hands on.
Had my first big accident 2 years ago on a 750 GSX (cement mixer changed lanes on top of me, crashed into him), and I haven't bought another one yet (got a '66 Beetle instead), because I had unrelated shoulder trouble and still recovering.
The only problem with getting your first bike is that no other form of transportation will ever feel as good (haven't flown helicopters, but still don't think it beats a bike). But it's great and, being in the UK, you'll have TONS of great places to ride.
Also, I'd recommend reading A Twist of the Wrist when you get a bit of experience, it will help you with your riding. Oh, and the one and only advice I got when I started riding that I have never questioned was "ride as if everyone is trying to take you down". Never trust anything or anyone while riding, because they are probably not aware you're there.
And please buy a good helmet and always wear protective gear. I hit a cement mixer going about 100 km/h and other than a bit of pain and some bruises, nothing happened. If I wasn't with all my gear, it would have ended very differently.
(sorry for the super late response, just saw this thread in the new ~hobbies.automotive group)
I've been riding since about 2001. I have a Honda Shadow ACE. My commute increased a bit when I moved, so I don't ride as much as I used to. Still like getting out though.
Barely perceptible head nod
I've been riding since 2010. Started on a Ninja 250, traded that for a Street Triple in 2015, and traded that for a BMW R1200RS late last year. I'd love to pick up a cheap Ducati or Street Triple and learn track riding, but I don't really know what I'm doing...
They have track days for specifically for newbies.
I took out my street 250 to the track.
Just throw some new performance tires on, buy some leathers, tape up the headlights, put a trailer on the car and go.
I used to ride quite a bit, but last year I got myself a bicycle and accidentally let my motorcycle fall into disrepair, now it's cheaper to buy a new one than to repair the old one, sadly. (Suzuki SV650S)
That being said, be careful while riding. Always wear gear. British friend of my absolutely wrecked his knee last year and he still has at least one surgery coming up for that.
I went yamaha ybr 125 > kawasaki er6 > triumph Street triple (had 3 of these now). The street triple is enough to have fun, but not insane. Good value, well built and nice and fun to throw around.
Definitely get good kit. Never ride with any skin showing. Goretex if you can afford it.
Be visible, and don't trust any other road user. Ever.
I commute most days on the bike. It's great fun.
Had to look that up
I can assure you that’s not true. I never rode a motorcycle in my life. As a passenger, 150cc feels extremely powerful and fast already.
You should also know that here in Brazil motorcycles with more than 250cc are in the minority and are kind of a luxury, especially in my region (not a rich state).
So my ignorance is genuine, as I stated.
hey mr big, you seemed to have replied to the parent comment instead of clicking reply to @switchy.
Yep.
I've been riding for around a decade. My journey's been Ninja 250 -> Ducati Monster 696, which I've also let fall into disrepair. The main problem with the Ducati has been the fact that that particular bike is notorious for not wanting to start when the weather is ~45-65ºF (~7-18ºC). So I'm looking at the new 2019 Honda CB650R for my new mid-sized needs, and it seems to check all the boxes I'm looking for. Even took one for a test ride this past Thursday and was very happy with the ride and engine. Just gotta pull the trigger...
Pardon my ignorance, but I always wondered why anyone would ever need more than 300cc (unless the motorcycle is VERY big and heavy, I suppose). To me it just seems like a good way to die.
Fun, more comfortable because you're not wringing everything out of a small engine, there's a big correlation between other features (brakes, suspension) and the >300cc engine class. Also, I think labelling bigger engines as a "good way to die" is very disingenuous.
I replied in the wrong place.
There are definitely worse ways to die.
250's are fantastic at low speeds and on the curves. 600's do everything well.
Absolutely. Despite my grumpy reply, I like motorcycles. But I'm also a wuss.
I've been riding my 125cc for a while now and have come to recognise the limitations of a small engine.
Going up hill, the bike doesn't have enough torque to maintain speed.
The maximum speed is lower than than the national speed limit.
Acceleration, while reasonably quick, is not usually enough to get up to your desired speed quickly.
The problem with all these is you can't get away from traffic fast enough and you find yourself among cars fairly quickly and when you're surrounded by cars then it means you're in a dangerous position.
Bigger engined motorobikes means that all of these limitations above are not an issue and simply are safer. You can keep up with and keep away from the traffic either on small roads or motorways.
Riding a 125cc on a motorway is simply asking for trouble. I'd probably be hestitant to ride anything below a 350cc on big motorways because you really can't keep up with traffic easily and quickly.