Signed up for Beginners Motorcycle Safety Course

[sze5003]

Awesome! Just got all my gear too. Well, everything except pants. Can't wait to take out the SV650 for the first time this weekend. And by "take out" I mean go to an empty parking lot for a long time before daring to hit the roads.

You will be going to a parking area for about 4-5 times before you hit traffic. You will soon get used to it. I slowly started on empty roads and then got into heavier traffic. The minute I got into the busier road the more interesting it got. Mainly because people here drive like nuts and I almost got side swiped twice. But take it slow, drive like your new each time and you will quickly learn each time. It's a lot of fun, you will spend hours just driving around. Just know your way back haha that got me a few times.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

You will be going to a parking area for about 4-5 times before you hit traffic. You will soon get used to it. I slowly started on empty roads and then got into heavier traffic. The minute I got into the busier road the more interesting it got. Mainly because people here drive like nuts and I almost got side swiped twice. But take it slow, drive like your new each time and you will quickly learn each time. It's a lot of fun, you will spend hours just driving around. Just know your way back haha that got me a few times.

Sadly I don't have that luxury. San Francisco is a rough place to start out. I highly recommend looking up lessons beyond the MSF if you live in an Urban area, as the skill jump from MSF to the city streets is HUGE.

 

[sze5003]

Sadly I don't have that luxury. San Francisco is a rough place to start out. I highly recommend looking up lessons beyond the MSF if you live in an Urban area, as the skill jump from MSF to the city streets is HUGE.

Yes you are right. Philadelphia is similar, even in what they call the suburbs. Traffic constantly no matter where you go in large volumes. Go with a friend a couple times to get more comfortable.

 

[ino uno soweno]

You will be going to a parking area for about 4-5 times before you hit traffic. You will soon get used to it. I slowly started on empty roads and then got into heavier traffic. The minute I got into the busier road the more interesting it got. Mainly because people here drive like nuts and I almost got side swiped twice. But take it slow, drive like your new each time and you will quickly learn each time. It's a lot of fun, you will spend hours just driving around. Just know your way back haha that got me a few times.

All very good advise, especially the fun bit,

I would suggest practicing your balance and braking, at low speed in quite places, even tight spaces, ,

Bike mounted TOM TOM is great,

Always remember to lift up the stand before or when moving off, and make absolutly sure it is down when you get off the bike, soona or later it might catch you,

Have a good day,

 

[Lithium381]

nice bike! i just got mine in January, ended up with a ninja 500 for my first bike. a month ago i broke my foot on it and haven't ridden it since then. so sad i'm missing all this great weather!

 

[sze5003]

nice bike! i just got mine in January, ended up with a ninja 500 for my first bike. a month ago i broke my foot on it and haven't ridden it since then. so sad i'm missing all this great weather!

Hope you are feeling better, heal up quickly. Were you wearing any boots ?

 

[Lithium381]

Hope you are feeling better, heal up quickly. Were you wearing any boots ?

atgatt

fixated on a irrigation ditch coming around a bend and went into it, put my foot down to catch myself and it went the wrong way. kept the bike up though! She's fine and I hope to ride her within the month. I was fortunate that a set of our two wheeled brothers came by the path not 10 seconds later and assisted me...
ended up with a 30mm screw in my foot..

overlordi you're close to me, in a month after i've healed and you've had some experience, lets meet up!

 

[sze5003]

Ah yeah can't get fixated like we do in cars. The bike goes where you look that is true. Glad you are getting better and will be riding before it gets cold again.

 

[john3850]

My first bike
My friend owed me some money so I bought his bike that was a 650 trump with 750 barrels set of cams with way too much overlap,lightened valves and rockers.That bike got stolen 3 months later.
My 4th bike was Bultaco Pursang that was a bad bike on jumps and hills.
When I needed some basic transportation I bought sportster six months later I broke my leg on that bike because I wasnt sure how good I would walk I sold the Pursang which I should have kept.
I then added a 23 inch springer with a 21x2.75 tire no front brake and a rigid rear and used it for ten more years.
What I learned about having any nice bike is never take your eyes off it.
I avoided driving much during heavy traffic I rode after 700pm as a rule.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

slightly off topic but did you guys hear that lotus is going to start making motorcycles?
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...cle-division-and-announces-new-c-01-superbike

 

[smackababy]

slightly off topic but did you guys hear that lotus is going to start making motorcycles?
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...cle-division-and-announces-new-c-01-superbike

If they are anything like their cars, they are going to be minibikes not motorcycles. Man those Elise's are small.

 

[olds]

Sadly I don't have that luxury. San Francisco is a rough place to start out. I highly recommend looking up lessons beyond the MSF if you live in an Urban area, as the skill jump from MSF to the city streets is HUGE.

Especially with some of the hills there.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

atgatt

fixated on a irrigation ditch coming around a bend and went into it, put my foot down to catch myself and it went the wrong way. kept the bike up though! She's fine and I hope to ride her within the month. I was fortunate that a set of our two wheeled brothers came by the path not 10 seconds later and assisted me...
ended up with a 30mm screw in my foot..

overlordi you're close to me, in a month after i've healed and you've had some experience, lets meet up!

We definitely should. Shoot me a pm when you are all healed up and we can go for a ride.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Especially with some of the hills there.

Hills weren't too bad. I'm used to hill starts and that sort of thing. The part that got me was just nerves, the sheer amount of stuff going on on the streets of Sf is a bit overwhelming. Also no good place to practice.

 

[Lithium381]

We definitely should. Shoot me a pm when you are all healed up and we can go for a ride.

Okay today was my first ride to work on my bike since my mishap.... hows it going on the bike? have you joined any local groups? Most of the groups i was riding with are in the south bay but i did do a SF ride once. I'm ready to get back out there! Lets do this!

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

might want to practice starting out on a hill. Also maybe stopping the bike on a hill. I'm a short dude and i could see myself having problems trying to keep the bike upright if I had to stop on those SF hills that I've seen. (heh bullit).

I did my first motorcycle track day yesterday. Was so much fun. I learned a lot. Definitely recommend once you progress more and get some more seat time.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Okay today was my first ride to work on my bike since my mishap.... hows it going on the bike? have you joined any local groups? Most of the groups i was riding with are in the south bay but i did do a SF ride once. I'm ready to get back out there! Lets do this!

Things are going well on the bike. I have 2000 miles under my belt so far. Nothing too dramatic yet, all the situations I've gotten myself into I have been able to navigate thanks to training and keeping my whits about me. Primary risk is tipping the bike on slow speed maneuvers around the city, most likely resulting in embarrassment, not injury.

Shot you a PM.

Any other Bay area riders around?

 

[OVerLoRDI]

might want to practice starting out on a hill. Also maybe stopping the bike on a hill. I'm a short dude and i could see myself having problems trying to keep the bike upright if I had to stop on those SF hills that I've seen. (heh bullit).

I did my first motorcycle track day yesterday. Was so much fun. I learned a lot. Definitely recommend once you progress more and get some more seat time.

Hills really aren't too bad. Just use the rear brake like you would an e-brake in a stick shift doing a hill start. Same idea, just flipped around controls.

The thing that gets me in SF is the obstacle course that they call a road surface in SF. Seems like every manhole cover has a really nice deep lip on it and they are about every 6 feet. I'd be willing to bet the first time I lay down the bike will be in a turn, losing the back end on a manhole cover I didn't see in time.

I definitely want to get some track time soon.

 

[sze5003]

What do you guys think of this bike ?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/3850847504.html

My other option is a white one with less fairings that has 31k miles and some mods..lowest seller will go is $2400.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What do you guys think of this bike ?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/3850847504.html

My other option is a white one with less fairings that has 31k miles and some mods..lowest seller will go is $2400.

That's a decent deal for that bike, might need a battery and tires (probably a good idea to change the fluids too since it hasn't been ridden much).

As for the second bike, I'm pretty sure that white was not a color Suzuki ever offered on the SV650 so that one has been repainted for sure. Also, 31k miles is quite a lot for a motorcycle.

 

[sze5003]

That's a decent deal for that bike, might need a battery and tires (probably a good idea to change the fluids too since it hasn't been ridden much).

As for the second bike, I'm pretty sure that white was not a color Suzuki ever offered on the SV650 so that one has been repainted for sure. Also, 31k miles is quite a lot for a motorcycle.

Yeah that is what bothers me the mileage. It's also been down I can tell by looking at the oil crank aluminum case. Paint is coming off of it.

The white one is $2400 and the guy won't budge from that. I'm not comfy paying that for a 2003 with 31k miles.

As for the green one with 3400 miles, if the guy will do 3,000 then I would be happy. Otherwise I need to keep looking. Already missing my ninja 250. The tires look new on the green bike.

Edit : here is the white one I was talking about.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/3936586380.html

 

[m0r1san]

Congrats on the bike. My wife and I did the MSF course here in SF a couple months back and really enjoyed it!

Thanks for the details about Moto-Mike's instruction. Seems well-worth it and we'll probably do that before actually buying a bike.

What'd you find is the toughest thing about riding in SF? I've heard the cable car tracks suck.. oh and always remember to leave yourself room when stopping on a downhill since bikes don't have reverse

 

[Greenman]

That's a decent deal for that bike, might need a battery and tires (probably a good idea to change the fluids too since it hasn't been ridden much).

As for the second bike, I'm pretty sure that white was not a color Suzuki ever offered on the SV650 so that one has been repainted for sure. Also, 31k miles is quite a lot for a motorcycle.

Maybe for an inline 4, but it's nothing on a v-twin. I know several people with over 100k on their bikes, and one fellow up the road from me is over 200k on his. He had to replace the pipe and it dynoed 1 horsepower less than brand new. I expect he'll 300k out of it.

 

[olds]

31k miles isn't a lot for bikes now days. I wouldn't buy one with that many miles though. But I am very picky.

 

[sze5003]

Well I took a look at the green/yellow sv. The guy had it hooked up to the jumper cables of his car because the battery does not hold charge. No damage to plastics, has frame sliders. The right signal is loose though.

I tried to test ride it but I put it in first and tried to go and the bike turned off. Not sure if it's the battery or the stand switch is faulty. He had it hooked to the jumper cables for quite some time before I got there.

I got him down to 3k because of some minor things and he needs to sell it. It has 3400 miles and it's a 2005 but I'm not sure what else could be wrong with it. I could ask him to get a battery or I can get a battery but I'm not sure. The last time it was registered was 2011 and I'm pretty sure it hasn't been running for a while maybe the battery or something else.