Sooo, I just got done with my second day and man, I'm ****ing stoked! I can't wait to pick up a bike!!!! Tomorrow is the third day and the test. Both instructors keep telling me I'm the best one out there and are like "You sure you've never ridden before?"

I'm loving it guys!

 

It is a great course....but beware- the advance course will knock you down a couple pegs, it's tough! (Well worth it though)

 

This course is a cake walk! Just need to get a bike now, w00t w00t!

 

The first course was a walk for me too... using THEIR bikes. The advance course, you bring your bike. Laid mine down twice in the slow speed box, looking over my shoulder. Amazing how your confidence comes down when you are on your own motor.

 

I took and got my motorcycle license in England. it was a hard test but i passed first time. It was 3 parts, written, maneuvering test around cones and stuff and a main test on road followed by an instructor who gave command through an ear piece.

what kind of stuff are you doing?

 

Thas cool LGJ... I just got the books and all the info on getting my license also....Do you still have to take the driving test after the class to get your license? I just have to take the three day course, pass the test and they hand me mine. I cant wait to do it, but due to work and some other things, I may have to wait until spring.


BREW

 

I've been meaning to take the one in McKinney, TX...

I'd love to ride... If I ever get around to it, I'd eventually pick-up the 1100 Ninja I always wanted...

I'd start with a 750 though, then graduate up to the 1100... I'm a little too big for a 600.

 

Joe, Joe, Joe.... they say a picture is worth a thousand words!

Easy to stay upright on 4 wheels, much harder to stay upright on 2 wheels, see reminder of 4 wheel skill level below




Take care!

 

That's great!!

Good luck with your course, your test and your bike Joe!

 

My sentiments exactly. The kid can't handle a Focus for God's sake. This doesn't look like a good thing.

 

You just repeated one of the biggest myths in all of motorcycling... I'm too big for a 600. The size difference between a 600 and 1000 is next to nothing. Looking at the 2005 Kawasaki cataloge shows that the seat heigth for a ZX-10R is 32.5", the ZX-6R is 32.3" dry weight for the ZX-10 is 375lb, the ZX-6 is 362lb, the wheelbase for the ZX-10 is 54.5" the ZX-6 is 54.7". The bikes are the same size. The only noticable difference will be the power, the ZX-10 has something like 160 at the wheel the ZX-6R has like 115 at the wheel. The current 600's are way more capable than the 750's were. They are so good that the only 750 made is the Suzuki GSX-R750, all other brands dropped production several years ago. More importantly NONE OF THESE BIKES SHOULD BE RODE BY A NOVICE, the extreme power and race track steering and brakes make these bikes hyper-sensitive to the rider's inputs. Put a noob on one and watch him splatter himself.

Joe

 

I would have to dissagree with you on that one. We practiced on Buel Blasts! and they were a blast, a decroded piece of crap, but a blast. I've ridden on several bikes before(passenger). I know their power, while it's great, it's controllable. That's the key word, controll. As long as you don't over exceed your skill level any bike can be controlled.

That said, I was they only person in the class to get a perfect score on my test, out of 8 students. They had me lead a good majority of the exercises today. I was shooting the **** with the instructors between runs around the circuit. I tell you, it was great.

Brewdude, all I have to do is go get a new license that indicates that I'm a cyclest.

Serotta, touche.

 

Comparing the Buell Blast(34hp) to a 600(~120hp) or 1000(~170hp) cc supersport is not even close. The Buell weighs 360lb, and has a 27" seat height, along with this, it has a much more relaxed riding position. This is much more a beginner’s bike. It has adequate power but is just not as wicked fast, plus the brakes and steering are not as hypersensitive. You would be much better off starting on a smaller bike and working up from there. I promise you that you will become a much better rider if you do. With a smaller bike, you will be able to learn how to work the bike and extract all of the potential from a bike. You mentioned that you would just stay inside o your skill level. This is SOO much easier said than done. On a modern supersport even, a skilled rider can get in over their head in just a few seconds. The only thing bad about starting out on a smaller bike is you don't look as cool posing at the local hangouts. Of course, nothing is better than smoking a much faster bike because that rider sucks. Starting on a supersport is like learning to juggle with chainsaws. Sure, you can be careful, but one false move and you get whacked.

Joe

 

One of the guys at work bought a Buell (I don't know if it's a blast or not). He has had it three months, and he's ready to get a bigger bike. He said it was great in the beginning- now that's he's getting some confidence- he's ready to upgrade...

He said his bike will only do 80 MPH. Which is faster than I'd normally ride- and definitely fast enough to get kilt...

As for the 600- you're right, and I admit- I don
t know jack about bikes... I was just going by what the other guys suggested.

 

Tell him to shift into the next gear.

Here is a link to a motorcycle forum that will answer all of your questions about starting small. Sportbikes.net

As for upgrading after only 3 months, your friend is in the most dangerous position a rider can be. He is great in his own mind, but in all reality he is still not very experienced. I'll bet dollars to dog biscuits that he will get c0ckey, do something stupid, and one of three things will happen. He could either get scared and wisen up and progress into a good rider, get scared and never ride again or get hurt. This is something that happens to almost everybody, lets hope that he falls into the first catagory.

Joe