Post: #26

(03-18-2014 08:40 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  I found the hardest part of learnign to ride was wrapping my head around shifting. It's frustrating because you ask people and everyone says...you'll know when to shift. Of course you've never ridden a bike before so its like no I don't know hwat to feel for I've never ridden lol. Once you learn you understand why people say that but its tough at first.

I think a good lesson for beginners is 0-20 mph first gear, 20-30 2nd gear, 30-40 3rd gear and so on. It's not necessarily the proper way to ride but its a good guide to usee and once you start riding you'll start to feel when the engine is working harder and when you need to shift.

that's a good standard of approach.
an even simpler way to remember- watch your rpm's

no one knows to do this because it's not as necessary in a car, but it's the reason why all bikes come with tachometers.

listen and feel for a noticeable change in engine pitch. when the high pitched "vroom" sound changes tone and becomes more strained sounding, that's the first cue.

when you pass a certain rpm, you'll notice your bike doesn't tolerate a certain level of rpm's at a constant. it'll begin to vibrate more and with stronger vibrations. this is more noticeable at lower speeds and in general acceleration/throttling. that's the second cue while watching where your rpm's are.

man, I fell so many times, nearly every time at speeds below 45mph because I never was taught how to shift a car or bike before then.

also worth noting; if you've been caught by surprise or need to brake immediately, don't get caught up in down-shifting lunacy. pull the clutch in to disengage the engine and apply the brake uniformly, letting off if the back tire starts to come out from behind you.

Post: #27

(03-18-2014 08:40 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  I found the hardest part of learnign to ride was wrapping my head around shifting. It's frustrating because you ask people and everyone says...you'll know when to shift. Of course you've never ridden a bike before so its like no I don't know hwat to feel for I've never ridden lol. Once you learn you understand why people say that but its tough at first.

I think a good lesson for beginners is 0-20 mph first gear, 20-30 2nd gear, 30-40 3rd gear and so on. It's not necessarily the proper way to ride but its a good guide to usee and once you start riding you'll start to feel when the engine is working harder and when you need to shift.

that's a good standard of approach.
an even simpler way to remember- watch your rpm's

no one knows to do this because it's not as necessary in a car, but it's the reason why all bikes come with tachometers.

listen and feel for a noticeable change in engine pitch. when the high pitched "vroom" sound changes tone and becomes more strained sounding, that's the first cue.

when you pass a certain rpm, you'll notice your bike doesn't tolerate a certain level of rpm's at a constant. it'll begin to vibrate more and with stronger vibrations. this is more noticeable at lower speeds and in general acceleration/throttling. that's the second cue while watching where your rpm's are.

man, I fell so many times, nearly every time at speeds below 45mph because I never was taught how to shift a car or bike before then.

also worth noting; if you've been caught by surprise or need to brake immediately, don't get caught up in down-shifting lunacy. pull the clutch in to disengage the engine and apply the brake uniformly, letting off if the back tire starts to come out from behind you.

Post: #28

This is a great learner bike check it out 1k miles!
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hdo/mcy/4344550159.html

Post: #29

(03-20-2014 11:37 AM)TonySandos Wrote:  

(03-18-2014 08:40 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  I found the hardest part of learnign to ride was wrapping my head around shifting. It's frustrating because you ask people and everyone says...you'll know when to shift. Of course you've never ridden a bike before so its like no I don't know hwat to feel for I've never ridden lol. Once you learn you understand why people say that but its tough at first.

I think a good lesson for beginners is 0-20 mph first gear, 20-30 2nd gear, 30-40 3rd gear and so on. It's not necessarily the proper way to ride but its a good guide to usee and once you start riding you'll start to feel when the engine is working harder and when you need to shift.

that's a good standard of approach.
an even simpler way to remember- watch your rpm's

no one knows to do this because it's not as necessary in a car, but it's the reason why all bikes come with tachometers.

listen and feel for a noticeable change in engine pitch. when the high pitched "vroom" sound changes tone and becomes more strained sounding, that's the first cue.

when you pass a certain rpm, you'll notice your bike doesn't tolerate a certain level of rpm's at a constant. it'll begin to vibrate more and with stronger vibrations. this is more noticeable at lower speeds and in general acceleration/throttling. that's the second cue while watching where your rpm's are.

man, I fell so many times, nearly every time at speeds below 45mph because I never was taught how to shift a car or bike before then.

also worth noting; if you've been caught by surprise or need to brake immediately, don't get caught up in down-shifting lunacy. pull the clutch in to disengage the engine and apply the brake uniformly, letting off if the back tire starts to come out from behind you.

Yeah, RPM is a great way for beginners, my problem was my 1994 Suzuki Intruder is a really stripped down kinda classic cruiser type look so only speedometer no rpm gage. This bike in the pic isn't mine personally but basically exact same bike I have.

Post: #30

I've raced motocross, dirt track, supermoto, as well as other types of racing my whole life. I can handle a bike quite well.

The most valuable learning experience I had when I was learning to ride (not necessarily ride, but to go fast) when I was a teenager was called "American SuperCamp". It was a weekend riding camp, they put you on 100cc dirt bikes with throttle limiters, riding on the slickest mud known to man. They teach you how to control the bike in a slide. If you can do this on a little dirt bike you can eventually learn to do it on any bike at any speed. It will keep you safe and you'll be able to outride anyone you know.

It was taught by the top U.S. dirt tracker at the time, Chris Carr. Worth every penny. I went from a middle-of-the-pack semi-pro motocrosser to top three every race. It would benefit a beginner even more. Over half of the class that I was in consisted of non-racers.

http://www.americansupercamp.com/

For this reason, I would recommend the DR350, XR250R or WR250, or most lightweight dual sport KTMs so you can get a little loose in some mud without being scared of tipping over a heavy-ass bike on top of yourself.

Post: #31

(03-19-2014 09:13 PM)Laner Wrote:  

(03-19-2014 08:39 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  No on those big thumpers! They're an acquired taste.

Yeah, if you are going to be doing any commuting or long distances on interstates they will vibrate you right off.

They are awesome on the dirt and gravel though. Lots of torque and snap.

What about the twin version. 2007 and up

seems like they have a bit more push power than the older models.

I've weighed out cost.. I think i can afford to raise my budget. I dont mind spending up to 8k on a bike.I could damn near get a new bike instead of a old model for a couple thousand more.


Im terms of commuting. Im talking 30 miles average/50 miles maximum a day.
Offroad..Would be trail/forest riding. Nothing to the point where I would absolutely have to have a dirt bike.
I just don't want something to shit out on me

Probably even less since I prefer good logistics when it comes to being near work and fun.
Is something like a F650GS really that jumpy when it comes to a ride like that. Realistically..I probably will never ride more than 150 miles from home. ( Its that even considered a "tour")
Anywhere further than that..I would just be putting the bike on/in a trailer


Vroom:
Mentioned the 690 Duke Standard
I've seen a couple lightly used and new ones around. Its like a decent dualsport bike.
Ive also seen a couple nice Aprilia SL750s But none with a skid plate

Post: #32

Sourcecode, the beginner bikes like rebels and savage 650s are easy one day sales when you're done with them. Those bikes are going to pain you to sell when and if you figure out you do not like them.