Why do I want to ride??

niner99

Heya, I have a desire to ride a motorcycle although I have never been brought up around motorcycles or have ever been avid sports fanatic (although I do love the IOM TT when its on I have bought police rider's handbook, have loads of ebooks, twist of the wrist I & II, Jupiters Travels etc I know you need water to be able to swim first but I am going to do my cbt, theory test and test this year (before summer July hopefully) in Derry. I'm 34 and also thinking of the Direct Access course, I probably should have done it before but circumstances are better now. Just wondering how you guys got into motorbikes? Up here in Donegal I rarely see a motorbike at all on the roads!! I just have a real urge!! The bike I'd love would be V strom, just in case you're wondering. I don't have a bike...yet. What do I want to ride? Freedom, different experience, thrilling, peace!? Thanks for reading! :cool:

minidazzler

The why you can only answer yourself....

For me, it's the skill involved, the wind and the twisties that make it awesome. I use it to commute to work at night mostly, but when I get out from time to time properly on my own, there is nothing more fun (though, I have a habit of not obeying speed limits or common sense and almost ditching a few times....)

What you want to ride is also something even you can't tell yet, you may like the look of the V-Strom but if you're a short arse it might be too tall for you, and would be uncomfortable at lights. My advice for that is do your CBT and decide based on the bikes you use there, give a few a try then when you go to buy one. That said, while I've never ridden one, a V-Strom looks like a cracking bike and has some great reviews.



Don't question it though, just do it, learn to ride at very least.... after that you'll know if you actually want a bike.

niner99

minidazzler wrote: »

The why you can only answer yourself....

For me, it's the skill involved, the wind and the twisties that make it awesome. I use it to commute to work at night mostly, but when I get out from time to time properly on my own, there is nothing more fun (though, I have a habit of not obeying speed limits or common sense and almost ditching a few times....)

What you want to ride is also something even you can't tell yet, you may like the look of the V-Strom but if you're a short arse it might be too tall for you, and would be uncomfortable at lights. My advice for that is do your CBT and decide based on the bikes you use there, give a few a try then when you go to buy one. That said, while I've never ridden one, a V-Strom looks like a cracking bike and has some great reviews


Don't question it though, just do it, learn to ride at very least.... after that you'll know if you actually want a bike.

I had two lessons so far, one on a virago 125 and another on a 250, might have been a maurader? same naked styling etc. I don't think I'd push it like you on twisties! If i nearly ditched it once I wouldn't push it to that level again! Maybe you know your maximum limits? I'm no short arse, 6'2", I hate being cramped, I prefer upright position. What do you ride? There's a sv650s at the place where I will be doing my cbt but I think this will have me cramped up!? Was out washing the cage earlier and was thinking was a cracking day to be out on a bike!!!

minidazzler

niner99 wrote: »

I had two lessons so far, one on a virago 125 and another on a 250, might have been a maurader? same naked styling etc. I don't think I'd push it like you on twisties! If i nearly ditched it once I wouldn't push it to that level again! Maybe you know your maximum limits? I'm no short arse, 6'2", I hate being cramped, I prefer upright position. What do you ride? There's a sv650s at the place where I will be doing my cbt but I think this will have me cramped up!? Was out washing the cage earlier and was thinking was a cracking day to be out on a bike!!!

I've a varadero... it can't go THAT fast in twisties :pac: It's only a 125..... at your height (I'm the same) then a V-Strom would probably suit... after you do your lessons then give one a test ride... You'll only know if you want one when you actually ride one.... I got very lucky with the Varadero, had been looking at other cruiser styles that my dad was steering me away from... thank fook for that.

Definitely get a tall bike though, I found my buddies Marauder to feel horrible given my height, I'll likely always be a tall bike guy now, a sports bike would have me bent double :pac:

I don't know my maximum limits... I'm just an idiot :pac:

niner99

minidazzler wrote: »

I've a varadero... it can't go THAT fast in twisties :pac: It's only a 125..... at your height (I'm the same) then a V-Strom would probably suit... after you do your lessons then give one a test ride... You'll only know if you want one when you actually ride one.... I got very lucky with the Varadero, had been looking at other cruiser styles that my dad was steering me away from... thank fook for that.

Definitely get a tall bike though, I found my buddies Marauder to feel horrible given my height, I'll likely always be a tall bike guy now, a sports bike would have me bent double :pac:

I don't know my maximum limits... I'm just an idiot :pac:

Is this powerful enough for you or is it due to insurance cost reasons you have a 125? or perhaps you just love it! Maybe I should start low but if i do the test in a larger bike i don't have to do more tests if i start from a lower cc, with all the new regulations. Maybe i'm interpreting it wrong? I can't stop looking at youtube bike videos! they're better than porn!

BlackWizard

I'm 6ft 3' and find all 600s to be very comfortable. Yamaha 600,Suzuki Bandit and SV650s are all very comfortable. The SV650 will have you learning forward a little. But don't immediately think this is uncomfortable because on a motorway I'd prefer a SV650s to a Bandit.

I had a Varadero 125 and loved it. So comfy but the power isnt there. Great for Dublin city center traffic and pottering around suburbs but thats about it.

I have a Honda Deauville which is the most comfortable 600cc bike I've driven yet. Not a bad engine but I prefer any of the other 600s to it.

I started off on Suzuki 500 and still have it. Very reliable old bike. Got me through two winters so far when other bikes were out of action. I'll be sad to see it going this summer. But needs must.

niner99

BlackWizard wrote: »

I'm 6ft 3' and find all 600s to be very comfortable. Yamaha 600,Suzuki Bandit and SV650s are all very comfortable. The SV650 will have you learning forward a little. But don't immediately think this is uncomfortable because on a motorway I'd prefer a SV650s to a Bandit.

I had a Varadero 125 and loved it. So comfy but the power isnt there. Great for Dublin city center traffic and pottering around suburbs but thats about it.

I have a Honda Deauville which is the most comfortable 600cc bike I've driven yet. Not a bad engine but I prefer any of the other 600s to it.

I started off on Suzuki 500 and still have it. Very reliable old bike. Got me through two winters so far when other bikes were out of action. I'll be sad to see it going this summer. But needs must.

Yeah the 125 would be more suited for commute I'd say. I did a lesson on a 125 and I felt it was underpowered. Honda Deauville seems grand but I kinda like the styling and design of the V strom, I think it looks more rugged and more off road? You seemed to have quite a collection built up! Suzuki 500 seems like a nice little machine.

AgileMyth

niner99 wrote: »

Yeah the 125 would be more suited for commute I'd say. I did a lesson on a 125 and I felt it was underpowered. Honda Deauville seems grand but I kinda like the styling and design of the V strom, I think it looks more rugged and more off road? You seemed to have quite a collection built up! Suzuki 500 seems like a nice little machine.

You should buy my BMW 650 Dakar off me so I can pick up a 1200. All our problems would be solved!

niner99

AgileMyth wrote: »

You should buy my BMW 650 Dakar off me so I can pick up a 1200. All our problems would be solved!

thought your message said it was for €1200 , oh well great bike though! I'll see how I get on with CBT, theory, lessons, test, etc, etc. It will be worth it in the end, won't it!? Would this be yours?

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/4625326

AgileMyth

No thats not mine. I'm not actively selling mine just yet. Mines a '00 and I'd take about three grand less than that ones asking!!

niner99

AgileMyth wrote: »

No thats not mine. I'm not actively selling mine just yet. Mines a '00 and I'd take about three grand less than that ones asking!!

Hope you get it sold, I'm not actively looking for one at the minute. Random question: if a bike goes from under you, does the bike fall on top of your leg, grind it to the tar and tear and twist it to shreds!? Bit random but was just wondering!

minidazzler

niner99 wrote: »

Is this powerful enough for you or is it due to insurance cost reasons you have a 125?

I got a 125 because I'm a fool... Varadero's are GREAT starting bikes, but I'm very bored of the beauty already. Should have gotten a 400 or something. But can't do anything about it just yet

niner99 wrote: »

Random question: if a bike goes from under you, does the bike fall on top of your leg, grind it to the tar and tear and twist it to shreds!? Bit random but was just wondering!

I've had 2 offs, neither trapped my leg, but that's because I anticipated them in the second or two before I went off and dived a little. I won't say it can't, but I think since the bike has more weight and as such has more force in a given direction it'll go faster than you so in a lot of cases it should not trap your leg, it could easily, but mostly I don't think it happens since you won't go down on a straight, you'll go down in a bend and it's keep you moving straight forward while the bike goes a small bit more around the bend..... (this is based on my small but OK understanding of the physics, I could be wrong and if someone says something different defer to them, they are likely more experienced than me...)

arybvtcw0eolkf

Random question: if a bike goes from under you, does the bike fall on top of your leg, grind it to the tar and tear and twist it to shreds!? Bit random but was just wondering!

I've had loads of falls over the years and have never been caught under a bike yet.

In my experience its usually your arms, shoulders, head and back (in that order) which take most of the impact... After those if you're silly enough to ride in jeans then your knees and hips will take some road rash with any fall.

Thankfully I have broken anything other than elbows and wrists.

niner99

Heaven Tasty Microchip wrote: »

I've had loads of falls over the years and have never been caught under a bike yet.

In my experience its usually your arms, shoulders, head and back (in that order) which take most of the impact... After those if you're silly enough to ride in jeans then your knees and hips will take some road rash with any fall.

Thankfully I have broken anything other than elbows and wrists.

I guess that you would be landing hardest on the shoulders and the head (given the extra weight with the helmet) would whip on the road giving the neck injuries. With the tumbling I assume that the arms would be flung around hitting the road, unless you can keep them tucked into your body? Perhaps you can't when the natural reaction in a fall is to put your arms out? I've broken both wrist, one was bicycle accident and the other one...I jumped off a tree when a young'un!

niner99

minidazzler wrote: »

I got a 125 because I'm a fool... Varadero's are GREAT starting bikes, but I'm very bored of the beauty already. Should have gotten a 400 or something. But can't do anything about it just yet



I've had 2 offs, neither trapped my leg, but that's because I anticipated them in the second or two before I went off and dived a little. I won't say it can't, but I think since the bike has more weight and as such has more force in a given direction it'll go faster than you so in a lot of cases it should not trap your leg, it could easily, but mostly I don't think it happens since you won't go down on a straight, you'll go down in a bend and it's keep you moving straight forward while the bike goes a small bit more around the bend..... (this is based on my small but OK understanding of the physics, I could be wrong and if someone says something different defer to them, they are likely more experienced than me...)

Did you not try before you buy minidazzler? Was it an impulse buy when you saw her an fell in love with the varadero? lust at first sight!? good on you for anticipating the accident! i'd say there are loads of variable factors to take into account in a fall, speed, weight of bike, weight of you, angle of fall, road surface, etc etc.

minidazzler

niner99 wrote: »

Did you not try before you buy minidazzler? Was it an impulse buy when you saw her an fell in love with the varadero? lust at first sight!? good on you for anticipating the accident! i'd say there are loads of variable factors to take into account in a fall, speed, weight of bike, weight of you, angle of fall, road surface, etc etc.

Nope, had no idea how to ride when I bought it, got a loan and got the bike just so I then HAD to learn! I took my dad with me, he couldn't take a test ride either, but the mechanic is Tyners was known to us, so I was dead happy with him saying she'd be grand.

I will stress mine were minor offs, very very minor, not everyone will be as lucky, and that's mostly what it was. I just saw it about the happen so protected myself as best I could.

twistyj

Is there advantages to doing the test across the border? Well wear on your new bike when you get it

lostboy75

have a 125 Varadero as well. love the bike, the low power does not bother me in the least. i ride it for the fun, and that does not necessarly mean speed, but you can get decent speed out of it. will more than likely be selling mine at some stage this year as well. on a LP, no point me doing test etc on it. could just use school bike i suspose and keep my little one.

CBRLizzie

I didn't know anyone with a bike when I got one first, I just loved them and figured I didn't want to die wishing I'd done it, so bit the bullet - that was 14 years ago and it still brings a smile to my face every day. I had a CBR600 and yes, my leg got trapped under that one day - or more correctly, my New Rocks boots (necessary to reach the ground, I'm a foot shorter than you) got caught, so leg wasn't hurt, just couldn't pull the boot out from underneath - ended up pulling me foot out of the boot - but that was a stupid stationary fall - don't even ask how! I've had loads of falls, a lot due to not being able to reach the ground - road camber, pothole under me foot - all easily done when you're a short arse.

Go for it, get your bike, get out there - you won't regret it

I have an SV650S now, LOVE it - and it's lighter than the CBR which helps

niner99

twistyj wrote: »

Is there advantages to doing the test across the border? Well wear on your new bike when you get it

no idea, as far as i know the new regulations regarding testing came into effect on jan 19th this year across all EU countries, afaik. For me, doing it in the north is handier as im closer to an instructor, work in the north and get paid in sterling, also got an ni licence too for this purpose. getting it in south means travelling an hour an 10 mins to instructor, paying 50 euro a lesson compared to 30min drive to the north from where im living.

niner99

CBRLizzie wrote: »

I didn't know anyone with a bike when I got one first, I just loved them and figured I didn't want to die wishing I'd done it, so bit the bullet - that was 14 years ago and it still brings a smile to my face every day. I had a CBR600 and yes, my leg got trapped under that one day - or more correctly, my New Rocks boots (necessary to reach the ground, I'm a foot shorter than you) got caught, so leg wasn't hurt, just couldn't pull the boot out from underneath - ended up pulling me foot out of the boot - but that was a stupid stationary fall - don't even ask how! I've had loads of falls, a lot due to not being able to reach the ground - road camber, pothole under me foot - all easily done when you're a short arse.

Go for it, get your bike, get out there - you won't regret it

I have an SV650S now, LOVE it - and it's lighter than the CBR which helps

Never thought of the bike falling whilst stationary! It happened to me as well, although it was a road racing bike, my feet were clipped into the pedals with the cleats and i got one out but not the other and fell over onto the road like a sack of spuds!!