Just got my G1, Any advice for a new-to-be rider?

[JCHC91]

Hi all!

I just got my M1 and I'm ecstatic about the thought of getting my bike and riding for no tomorrow..

Just wondering though:

What rider course should I go for? I've heard that Learning Curves is the best one for its value and learnability.

What can I do to increase my riding experience?

I have a pit bike that I bought last November so that I may potentially get more riding experience but I was hoping for more to prepare me for on road experience..

One of my friends is being very critical in my choice to get a Ninja 300 or CBR250R as my first bike - Saying that I'd get leered at, not respected and laughed at...

I was wondering what a motorcycle forum has to say about those lines..

Is the CBR250R and Ninja 300 actually a good choice for beginners?

What kind of gear should I go for first? What gear can I avoid for the first bit of riding?

Thanks!

 

[wandering_bandit]

those are both great bikes. get all the gear. increase riding experience - take the course at least. Not respected and laughed at???? are you kidding me??? I think your friend is not giving you the best advice.

If you give into vanity - you will hurt yourself.

 

[conundrum]

CBR250R or Ninja 300R (or 250R) are fine lower cc bikes. I have a CBR250R and although it's not the fastest thing, it's still quicker off the line than most 4 cylinder cars and can do 140 down the 401 (but that's about its limit). I should also add that I typically ride with bikes that are 600-1000CC and I'm still able to keep up until they go supersonic (which means multiples of the posted speed limit).

There's a thread here titled 'why sportsbikes do not make good beginners bikes' -- your friend probably thinks you need a 600 or 1000 to learn on which is pure BS. Arguably that's like saying you can't learn to drive in a civic, altima, accord, etc, and that you need to get a porsche, corvette, or ferrari as your first car (which obviously wouldn't be the best idea in 99% of cases with near 0 experience behind the wheel). The coles notes/general train of thought here (and it's a good one) is to start small for the first year or two, and as you learn and increase in skill you then can start looking at getting a bigger bike.

EDIT: Here's a link to the thread to read/skim: http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?42129-Sportbikes-are-Not-beginner-Bikes

For gear, definitely get a helmet, jacket, gloves. I'd also say boots and pants, but you could probably forgo those if you have decent boots (which go above the ankle) and heavy jeans for the course, but I'd recommend getting real boots and riding pants before hitting the roads/twisties for real.

 

[jeffjones]

first things first, Get out the vaseline and get insurance quotes.
Hopefully you are prepared to pay in excess of $3,000/year for insurance.

 

[Roomie]

first things first, Get out the vaseline and get insurance quotes.
Hopefully you are prepared to pay in excess of $3,000/year for insurance.

Beginner or not one wouldn't think you'd pay that much on a 250

Op as for the so called 'respect' crap. Who cares who thinks what? Ride what you're comfortable with if it makes you happy. Better to do that then go hop on a supersport because of what your friends think and end up dead or messed up because it's the 'cool' bike. Tell said friend to eff off. That's being as nice as I can be on a public forum.

As for gear, go check out some shops or places like royal distributing. Try any and everything on that you're interested in and make sure the fit is good. Compare before buying anything. Don't avoid gear if possible. Helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots are necessity. Many many options out there.

 

[nearace]

learn on a smaller bike to help with your confidence,I did and dont regret it at all,then you can move up slowly and get the right bike that suits you,friends dont mess with friends minds get what you want but I say start small then upgrade,clothes are up to you but dont go too cheap.

 

[jeffjones]

Beginner or not one wouldn't think you'd pay that much on a 250

You wouldn't think that but that is a decent quote for most young newb riders that don't qualify for SF.

 

[Matthew.Tremayne]

first things first, Get out the vaseline and get insurance quotes.
Hopefully you are prepared to pay in excess of $3,000/year for insurance.

Jeff is right, except you might want to go with KY Jelly lol. Buy gear, do a course at a local college, then start looking at bikes. A 125 to a 300 sport bike is perfect to start. Buy used I'd you see yourself upgrading by next year. My personal exp with no tickets and a M1 is 4 G's insurance. Used will save you money as will getting your M2. My insurance company wouldn't touch me without the M2 so I had to call others to find a suitor. I'm lucky to have a house, cottage and 4 cars with them so if you have policies with a company you will save big time. Mine is about 3 G after the savings from switching over to the company I have policies with.

 

[ROQET]

Welcome!!

 

[JCHC91]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I figured as much with the whole "respect" thing. I actually did read the sport bike thread about starter bikes so I just wanted to clarify if my friend was just being stupid or something ahah..

How did you guys start off learning more and getting acquainted with motorcycles with the M1? I find because of the whole m1 - no insurance thing it'll be a bit of a hassle to get myself on the road..

And as for the bikes in the 125-300cc range, is it safe to get ABS or not? I heard that ABS is good, but might hinder the understanding of threshold braking in the future since I might learn to rely on ABS rather than skill.

Thanks again!

 

[conundrum]

How did you guys start off learning more and getting acquainted with motorcycles with the M1? I find because of the whole m1 - no insurance thing it'll be a bit of a hassle to get myself on the road..

TD MM insured me at M2 rates so long as I got my M2 and passed the course within 60 days. Wasn't an issue as I was taking the course in 40 days time (and would be at the 90 days on my M1).

And as for the bikes in the 125-300cc range, is it safe to get ABS or not? I heard that ABS is good, but might hinder the understanding of threshold braking in the future since I might learn to rely on ABS rather than skill.

You can still threshold brake with ABS -- the only difference is if you have ABS and go beyond the threshold ABS kicks in. Without ABS, past the threshold your wheels would lock up. Also engine size has nothing to do with needing/benefiting from ABS or not, as 100km/h on a 125 is the same speed as 100km/h on a 1000 (with the exception that it's easier to lock up on a bigger bike with SS/more powerful brakes).

 

[Paul1000RR]

Welcome and you picked a good bike to start on. Im a big fan of the sv650 for a starter bike but a 250 id just as good.
And respect? Lol Do what you want and dont worry about what others will think, otherwise you are doing it for all the wrong reasons.