Motorcycles: I want one UPDATE I GOT ONE!!!

[jagec]

The whole world was watching at that busy intersection. I was too ashamed to look at anyone . With one leg trapped under the bike, the superman strength of embarrassment empowered me to lift the bike up and gtfo of there. LOL

Anyway, it happened because I couldn't flat foot the bike. When I was coming to a stop at the light, I put my left leg down and the sand or oil in that area caught me off guard and down I went.

:\

Haha, that happened to me once. I had just gotten a new bike, which was much taller than I was used to. I play a pickup soccer game and then jump on the bike to go home. I stop at an intersection and put my foot down...and it touches nothing; I'd managed to stop next to a pothole. The motorcycle starts to fall over and my foot touches the ground a couple of inches later, but my tired-out leg couldn't take the weight and the bike slumps over as I struggle in vain to keep it upright.

Then some woman in the car across the way jumps out and RUNS over, asking if I'm OK and helping to lift the bike off me as I mumble excuses. I thank her and ride off, cloaked in shame.

 

[olds]

The whole world was watching at that busy intersection. I was too ashamed to look at anyone . With one leg trapped under the bike, the superman strength of embarrassment empowered me to lift the bike up and gtfo of there. LOL

Anyway, it happened because I couldn't flat foot the bike. When I was coming to a stop at the light, I put my left leg down and the sand or oil in that area caught me off guard and down I went.

:\

It happens.
When I was learning to ride, I never paid attention to what was in the lane at stoplights. I pulled up and stopped at a red light to make a left hand turn. With my right foot still on the peg, I put my left foot down and there was a small pool of oil right there. Foot slipped out but I held it up towards the handlebars as we went down. I was back up in a nano-second as embarrassment can make you move faster.

As long as I am embarrassing myself, I'll tell another.
I was parked facing away from the street at the top of a friends semi-steep, short driveway. When I went to leave I didn't start the bike, I just coasted in neutral backwards down the driveway while feathering the front brake. My plan was to coast out into the road, start up and ride away.
When I got to the street it went up as crowned roads do.
Unfortunately I didn't have enough momentum to get all the way into the road and I kind of rolled back and forth between the pitch of the driveway and the road. Because of the "U" shape of the sidewalk and gutter for water run-off, my feet were a good 8" from touching the ground. No way to hold the bike up or give it gas and move forward. I went down.

Two lessons I learned:
1. Look before you put your feet down
2. If sitting on bike and moving it, have power available in case you need it.

Obligatory paint pic for second incident.

 

[sze5003]

Yeah the weirdest stuff happens. It was couple months after I bought my bike. Just put the carbs back and it had been weeks since the msf. I geared up and went to go for a ride around the block. I was too nervous ! My buddy was watching with a neighbor. He says out loud ..bet you 10 bucks he falls.

I again was more nervous as I took off, I did what you should never do ..grab the front break because I confused the shifting sequence I dunno why. Wasn't going fast but not slow enough to put my dominant foot down and stop the bike from falling down. I fell off as the bike toppled to the side when I slammed the brake.

No injuries at all. Bike was fine except a few scratches and scuffs on the right side. Every time I take the cover off I look at those and remind myself to stay calm. I was so embarrassed.

 

[T2urtle]

Yeah the weirdest stuff happens. It was couple months after I bought my bike. Just put the carbs back and it had been weeks since the msf. I geared up and went to go for a ride around the block. I was too nervous ! My buddy was watching with a neighbor. He says out loud ..bet you 10 bucks he falls.

I again was more nervous as I took off, I did what you should never do ..grab the front break because I confused the shifting sequence I dunno why. Wasn't going fast but not slow enough to put my dominant foot down and stop the bike from falling down. I fell off as the bike toppled to the side when I slammed the brake.

No injuries at all. Bike was fine except a few scratches and scuffs on the right side. Every time I take the cover off I look at those and remind myself to stay calm. I was so embarrassed.

That battle scar on the bike will make you a better rider.

 

[roguerower]

True, and I love the Bonnie and the Thruxton, but I started out with a mini-UJM and as cool as the Triumphs are I still find myself gravitating to the UJM-style bikes. Of course, I'd just about kill to be in a position to own a Rocket III so I'm not completely hooked on UJMs.

As far as the standard market being ignored, I guess I just don't consider a "naked" bike to be the same as a "standard" To me, a "standard" is a bike that looks like either an old CB750 or a classic British air-cooled twin. I just can't bring myself to call a Street Triple, a Monster, or a Buell a "standard." Those are all "naked" bikes, to my eye they're worlds apart from a "standard."

Until Honda brought the CB1100 to the US, the only bikes available in the US that I would truly call "standards" were the Bonneville and the Thruxton.

ZV

I see where you're coming from. I guess the term "street bike" would be good for the Striples, Monsters, & Buells. When I think "sportbike" I usually call to mind a supersport.

 

[Pinepig]

My wife said that she wanted to ride so I got her a KLX250sf. Perfect first bike, she's dropped it three times already and honestly except for a scrape on the handguards I put on it there is no damage. The seat height can be a challenge for a shorter person but a set of lowering dogbones will take care of that ( put the 2" kubalink on the wifes bike she can now flatfoot it ). I figure she won't need an upgrade for a few years.

Honestly it's fun as hell to ride even though it's a little underpowered for my taste ( I have a Husky 610sm ).

Another good option is a Suzuki DRZ400sm as a first for you and a good hand me down for the wife later.

Supermoto's are great urban bikes, fun as hell in the twisties ( I see you are in the Bay Area, TONS of good fun twisty roads ). They are light, handle well and take minor drops ( like beginners do ) with minimal to no damage ( they are dirt bikes after all ), pick it up and ride on. They absolutely suck for long runs on the freeway but that is about the only downside they have.

Pics of the wife working on her slow speed skills in the court across from us.

 

[*kjm]

I was not on a bike for the last 12 years and like Pinepig I got a supermoto to get back into riding and was going to get a bigger bike down the road.

Well after this year I'm not getting a street bike but will be moving up to the KTM 500EXE in supermoto shoes The Yamaha was a great bike to use to get back into it, service on them is non existent, and you look great in full gear. Heck I'm keeping the Yamaha when I get the KTM because it's that fun of a bike and again the service schedule is out of this world on it.... 20,000+ for the first valve check

 

[Lithium381]

Got one! A 2005 ninja 500r... pictures pending

 

[sze5003]

Congrats. I was looking for one last year but I got a 250 instead. They were hard to find in my area. How heavy is it compared to the 250?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Congrats! You will find that this forum is not motorcycle friendly though... more like motorcycle hostile. I'd really recommend joining a forum for your particular bike.

 

[sze5003]

Yeah ninjette.org or sportbikes.net are good ones for info and help.

 

[saratoga172]

Congrats on the bike purchase. I've been wanting to get another since I sold my ninja 636 in nov 2011. Sold it when I moved to Dallas. Maybe soon though.

Nice purchase. Great first bike! I started with a 2009 250 because I got a great deal. The 500 should last you a bit, there is a huge aftermarket and they are extremely reliable and tons of parts if you ever need to do a repair. Plus insurance is great on them. Post up some pics! And join a ninja forum for better info than here.

 

[manimal]

Congrats! You will find that this forum is not motorcycle friendly though... more like motorcycle hostile. I'd really recommend joining a forum for your particular bike.

Thats why were here jules. To get the haters to pound sand.


Great bike OP! and KJM! I WUB motards!

 

[halik]

Got one! A 2005 ninja 500r... pictures pending

Great price!

 

[sze5003]

Wow that is a nice price. I paid 2k for my 09 250r se. If I can sell it it would be hard getting a 500 around here for that price.

 

[Baked]

Can I have your stuff?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Congrats! Please, please, please resist the impulse to grab a handful of throttle before you have some experience (like in a year from now). That bike can put you vertical in any gear.

 

[imagoon]

Welcome to the club.

2012 HD Fatboy and a 1995 750 Suzuki Katana here.

Pfft Hostile...

 

[sze5003]

Can I have your stuff?

My gear ? No ill be keeping it that's an investment I can still use weather I get another bike or not.

 

[repoman0]

Awesome! I'm looking at a first bike right now too. Good time to buy here up north. I'm between smaller 250/500cc bikes and a couple nice looking SV650s I've found..

 

[Pinepig]

That bike can put you vertical in any gear.

Ummm, no, makes about the same power as my Husky 610 ( which is 90 pounds lighter ) and yes you can clutch up wheelies in third but twisting the throttle in 3rd,4th,5th and 6th sure as hell aint gonna bring the front up unless you weigh under 100lbs.

Congrats on the bike OP

 

[consolibyte]

Good choice!

Have fun and ride safe!

That bike can put you vertical in any gear.

No, it can't. You can probably clutch it up in 3rd. Good luck in anything beyond that.

 

[twinrider1]

Got one! A 2005 ninja 500r... pictures pending

Ha, I win!

Great bike. Earlier years had a 16" wheels and a drum brake in the back. You've got 17" wheels so rubber is easier to find. And while the back brake isn't exactly critical, it's just nice knowing you'll never have to futz with a drum.
Check out pics of the bike without the lower fairing. I think it's a good look.

Do you have a garage?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

kawiforums.com is another good forum.

congrats on the bike. I recommend replacing the back armor if you buy a jacket. Most of the stock armor is just a piece of foam from my experience.

 

[ViviTheMage]

not a horrible price! Definitely makes me feel good I paid 3k for my 2008 sv650s 1 owner, and 3400~ miles on it!