Any Sport Motorcycle riders here?

[Sly]

Thinking of obtaining a license soon when I have time to spare.

Any tips/suggestions? experiences?

[Machi]

Take a course, for sure. A bit pricey but worth it imo. I took mine through "Fleet Safety Intl" it was about $500 or somewhere around there. I would've gone through "Too Cool Motorcycle School" or "Calgary Safety Council" first but they were booked solid for months. If you do the test through the school, it's in the parking lot doing obstacles (straight line, braking, uphill start, etc.) but if you test directly through a registry, I believe you do an actual road test. Before all that, go do the 20 question written test at a registry.. you'll need that permit to get tested for your actual class 6.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, send me a PM!

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by Sly

Thinking of obtaining a license soon when I have time to spare.

Any tips/suggestions? experiences?

The biggest thing with Sport bikes is the maturity of the rider. I bought a new Yamaha FZ1 when I got out of college a number of years back, and I hit a frickin' dear after putting a grand total of 1000km or so on it.......

I never took a safety course for it because I grew up riding dirt bikes and so on....but its definately no the same. You can go as fast as you want, as fast as you want on those things. I think a safety course is a good idea, but it wont make you bullet proof.

Also, DO NOT ride around in a t-shirt and shorts/sandals. BUY A JACKET at the very least.............trust me.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Also, DO NOT ride around in a t-shirt and shorts/sandals. BUY A JACKET at the very least.............trust me.

I dont ride a sport bike, but no truer words have ever been spoken regarding riding. I would add make sure you wear at least jeans and boots.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by Machi

Take a course, for sure. A bit pricey but worth it imo. I took mine through "Fleet Safety Intl" it was about $500 or somewhere around there. I would've gone through "Too Cool Motorcycle School" or "Calgary Safety Council" first but they were booked solid for months. If you do the test through the school, it's in the parking lot doing obstacles (straight line, braking, uphill start, etc.) but if you test directly through a registry, I believe you do an actual road test. Before all that, go do the 20 question written test at a registry.. you'll need that permit to get tested for your actual class 6.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, send me a PM!

I am taking the Calgary Safety Council course this week...definately worth the time and $$$ (and it should save you $$$ on your insurance). With CSC, you have the option of a 2 full day course or a 5 evening course - take the week long evening course. It's a lot to take in and you get time to absorb the information they are giving you.

The school does do a test, but it is their own...it has no bearing on getting your class 6. As of January 2009, the government of alberta requires everyone to take a road test to get their license.

If you take the course, the school has bikes that you can use to take your road test, but the test is booked through Beddington Registries.

Hope that helps!

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by Sample00

I dont ride a sport bike, but no truer words have ever been spoken regarding riding. I would add make sure you wear at least jeans and boots.

Yeah a few years back there was some moron who did a wheelie on his rocket and flipped right back................he was wearing NO shirt with shorts and sandals.........I couldn't imagine the road rash.

[an_album_cover]

You'll hear a lot of people say that it's the rider, not the bike, that gets in trouble, however, I'm sure that you can dig up some stats that show that sports bikes + young male rider = bad news. (Assuming that you're young.)

Yes, if you're very careful and have a good head on your shoulders, you can probably avoid getting into serious trouble, however, that does not mean that you know how to ride. Most people can't max out a 600, let alone a liter bike. Why? Because they're very powerful/fast machines, and your skill development can actually be stunted by getting onto something that is above your abilities.

Whether you want to believe it or not, when you have that much power on tap you WILL be tempted. Give into that without knowing what you're doing, and that's when you get into trouble. Anyone can twist the wrist, but how will you do under heavy braking, or into certain corners, etc. The course won't teach you everything.

My advice; buy a used, standard bike. You WILL drop it, so might as well get something that you plan on ditching in a year or so. Get something a bit smaller, like a 500. You'll learn how to really push (i.e.; ride) a bike. Plus, you'll be able to sell it for about the same amount in a year or so. I know a few people who started on 250s and when they moved up to 600s and liter bikes, they're killing everyone.

If you really, really, really want a sport bike, then go for it. But getting one because you think they're cool shouldn't be the #1 reason. Start on a starter bike, and you'll appreciate a sports bike once you make the move.

Oh, and don't buy into just wearing a leather jacket. IF you go down, it will most likely be a lowside, so your legs and feet will take a beating. At 60+ kph, jeans are pretty much skin.

Good luck!

[mikey_the_redneck]

Luc Bourdon was not riding a sport bike.........

It's the rider every time. All bikes are relatively fast compared to cars.

[an_album_cover]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

...All bikes are relatively fast compared to cars.

Very true, however, sport bikes are better tools for certain things. Ex: A teenager who just receives their Class 5 is the same driver whether they're in a Porsche or a Ford Taurus, but tell me that you're not at all concerned with them driving a faster, more demanding machine.

Sport bikes (600cc+) are NOT beginner bikes.

[Jayems]

Find a hot girl in a thong and take her for a spin. Everyone else will thank you.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Find a hot girl in a thong and take her for a spin. Everyone else will thank you.

I actually saw this a couple of years ago. I don't recommend that, unless you don't care about her.

Take the course. As a long-time rider, if you intend to buy a sports bike and don't take a course, you're an idiot. I'm sure you're not.

Buy an undersized bike for the first one. You will drop it - guaranteed. Ride that bike for a year or two and then trade up once your comfy.

When you take the course, pay attention like your depends on it, because it does. Whenever they say something that speaks to you ("Oh, that sound important. It could save my life."), write it down and put asterisks and highlight it. Review those notes every spring.

Be very watchful of everything around you when riding. Always assume that everyone else is an idiot and will cut you off or do what idiots do. They're not all idiots, but some of them are, or they just like to piss us riders off. Last season I had three people do this to me in a two-week period. I was prepared and had my escape route in mind, otherwise I would have ended up as a hood ornament on a Buick.

Do not speed and do not do tricks. Do not alter your pipes to make them louder. It pisses people off and gives the rest of a bad name. Ride like your mother is on the back seat.

Consider something other than a sports bike. In the wrong hands, they're a recipe for trouble. If you do buy a sports bike, don't be one of those who drives stupidly. Sorry, but if you do wheelies to impress me as you zoom by my Gold Wing, in the spring when there is gravel on the roads, you're an idiot and you can expect bad things to happen. Again, I'm sure you're not an idiot. You're asking for advice, which is a good thing.

If you get the sports bike, well, I guess the best advice is as I said, to ride as if your nervous Mom is on the back. Then you'll probably live to be my age.

Wave to me when we pass. But don't do any wheelies in gravel, or any other time.

[mikey_the_redneck]

The biggest thing I learned from being in a motorcycle accident was to be super-aware and look WAY down the road.
Oh, and do not ride in other drivers' blind spot.

[burnin_vernon]

I am wanting to take my class 6 and a course as well. I've been told that a Suzuki SV650 is a bike good for beginners, and will keep a veteran rider happy as well. I am by no means a speed guy (I ride a 100km/h scooter now and its almost good enough for me) and was wondering if even a new Ninja 250 would suffice for me.

[soulchoice]

Bikes are a great thing to have, as long as your responsible. I have been riding for years and for extra fun, race on the track as well. So it can be a very fun and economical way to get around.

However, be smart. Dont be a squid.
As opposed to a noob, a squid is someone who thinks they're something they're not. Like a stunt rider. Or a racer. Or a good rider.

You can usually pick them out. They ride in shorts and a t-shirt/hoodie with sneakers. They like to hit their rev-limiter A LOT. They have their helmet sitting on top of their head.

And they look bad in an open-casket.
Always wear proper gear, even for short trips. It could be sweltering heat(although it doesnt get that hot here in calgary), but always wear a jacket, jeans and proper riding boots. Nothing makes me shake my head more than a guy riding in sandals, runners, shorts, and a tshirt. Even worse is when those riders have someon on the back in a hoodie and shorts.

I have known the odd idiot that thinks he can ride, albeit riding with no or little gear at all. Next thing, he gets into a minor accident and has burns and rash all over his body. Lesson learned.

Stick with a lower cc bike to start and work your way up, if at all. Although keep in mind, I have both a 600cc and a 1000cc bike and due to the city traffic, I have more fun riding the 600 than the litre bike, due rarely going out of 2nd gear on the litre bike.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

I am wanting to take my class 6 and a course as well. I've been told that a Suzuki SV650 is a bike good for beginners, and will keep a veteran rider happy as well. I am by no means a speed guy (I ride a 100km/h scooter now and its almost good enough for me) and was wondering if even a new Ninja 250 would suffice for me.

That is a good beginner bike as it is really light and has a v-twin, but it really lacks engine power. I doubt a veteran rider would be happy with it.

[an_album_cover]

^ A buddy of mine just picked up an SV650 as his first bike.

It's a twin, so you'll have predictable power throughout the range (unlike sports bikes which tend to have a Jekyll & Hyde personality up or below certain RPMs). Throttle control will be off when you're new, and the SV won't scare the crap out of you if you happen to accidentally grab a fist full.

For city riding, it has very usable torque, and you'll at least get to cycle through the gears whenever riding. That said, it's perfectly fine on the highway as well.

SVs can come with ABS too, which might not be a bad idea. (Personally, I'm not a fan, however, my friend said that it was nice to have when starting out.)

The bonus is that insurance on a SV650 won't kill your bank account. That, and you can find plenty of used units from people who are moving onto super sports bikes.

I have rode a SV650 (my buddy's), and while it's not an all out speedster out of the box, there is tons of aftermarket support for this bike. I have seen many track riders use SVs dressed up with fairings and some other upgraded components (mainly suspension) because the engine is in fact very good. Something to keep in mind if you plan on keeping it for awhile. And it's still faster than most cars out there, so if you're not into speed to begin with, I doubt you'll find much to fault about it.

For a beginner, it's manageable and forgiving enough to make up for your lack of experience, and offers room to grow.

[dionfan]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Consider something other than a sports bike. In the wrong hands, they're a recipe for trouble. If you do buy a sports bike, don't be one of those who drives stupidly. Sorry, but if you do wheelies to impress me as you zoom by my Gold Wing, in the spring when there is gravel on the roads, you're an idiot and you can expect bad things to happen. Again, I'm sure you're not an idiot. You're asking for advice, which is a good thing.

This reminds me of an incident that happened a couple months ago. I was heading home with my bro after watching a late show at the movie theater. At this one intersection I was waiting to turn left because this guy on a crotch rocket was coming the other way. Then I saw his signal light go on and it was obvious he was going way too fast for his own good. I turned to my bro and said "watch this". And just as I thought would happen, he wiped out hard from the pea gravel and him and his bike skidded all the way across the intersection. This all literally happened right in front of us. Lucky the guy was wearing full riding clothes so he was alright.

I drove by the same intersection the next day and I saw a massive bike fluid trail go all the way down the street starting from where his bike ended up after the crash.

[Vulcan]

Lots of good advice here and another thing to consider is insurance. Some insurance companies have different bikes classified as sportsbikes and sportsbikes cost more to insure in Alberta. Here in BC it goes by engine size and my 783cc VFR is just over a 750cc limit, so size is also a factor. Try an online insurance company for quotes on various bikes, so you aren't surprised.

Another thing, sportsbikes aren't the most comfortable so if want to make any long trips or don't enjoy being bent over while stuck in traffic, maybe a sportsbike isn't for you. Try sitting on various bikes at dealers so you have an idea of what's comfortable for you. My bike is somewhat bent over so it's uncomfortable in traffic but at speed on the highway, the wind takes the pressure off my shoulders and forearms.
Have fun and stay safe.

[Sly]

So, is it only me but every time I see a biker they atleast go 30-40 kilos more than they suppose to..(maximum speed) or is that legal?

[ryangb]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I actually saw this a couple of years ago. I don't recommend that, unless you don't care about her.

Take the course. As a long-time rider, if you intend to buy a sports bike and don't take a course, you're an idiot. I'm sure you're not.

Buy an undersized bike for the first one. You will drop it - guaranteed. Ride that bike for a year or two and then trade up once your comfy.

When you take the course, pay attention like your depends on it, because it does. Whenever they say something that speaks to you ("Oh, that sound important. It could save my life."), write it down and put asterisks and highlight it. Review those notes every spring.

Be very watchful of everything around you when riding. Always assume that everyone else is an idiot and will cut you off or do what idiots do. They're not all idiots, but some of them are, or they just like to piss us riders off. Last season I had three people do this to me in a two-week period. I was prepared and had my escape route in mind, otherwise I would have ended up as a hood ornament on a Buick.

Do not speed and do not do tricks. Do not alter your pipes to make them louder. It pisses people off and gives the rest of a bad name. Ride like your mother is on the back seat.

Consider something other than a sports bike. In the wrong hands, they're a recipe for trouble. If you do buy a sports bike, don't be one of those who drives stupidly. Sorry, but if you do wheelies to impress me as you zoom by my Gold Wing, in the spring when there is gravel on the roads, you're an idiot and you can expect bad things to happen. Again, I'm sure you're not an idiot. You're asking for advice, which is a good thing.

If you get the sports bike, well, I guess the best advice is as I said, to ride as if your nervous Mom is on the back. Then you'll probably live to be my age.

Wave to me when we pass. But don't do any wheelies in gravel, or any other time.

Thats about the dumbest thing I've heard. Loud pipes save lives. Other drivers can hear you, when you are coming up behind them.