| Author |
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Ezblast
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 01:16 am: | 
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Mr2shim
- bring it to the Bay area - I'll take your pink.
EZ |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 01:23 am: |
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From the sounds of it here I could own several XB's - you guys really don't get it - you can learn on anything - Busa on down the line - some will get hurt, others will be fine, however, it is the risk factor that is increased and the learning curve that is lengthened due to the extra caution you must use. From 92 to 35 to Alice's - bring it I could use the pinks - just bought a house;0)
EZ
(Message edited by ezblast on June 14, 2008) |
Werewulf
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 02:40 am: |
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Slower does not mean safer.
.
.
slower throttle has nothing to do with speed or where you position yourself in traffic...it is the accelleration that happens so quick at one of those "oh s---" moments, that a noobie loses control and leads to a crash at a moment of confusion...my first starter bike was a harley FLHT. all 800 pounds of it....it was a handfull, but it didnt have a snappy throttle, to add to my list of things to beware of... |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 05:20 am: |
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slower throttle has nothing to do with speed
????
it is the accelleration that happens so quick at one of those "oh s---" moments
Survival instinct dictates that most newbs will grab a handful of brake in that type of moment.
Bottom line is there are techniques that many people deem "safer," but in reality are just the opposite...the idea that a slower motorcycle is a safer motorcycle is not true when you throw in a bunch of cagers that don't see you or don't care about you. Speed in a straight line on a motorycle is so overrated as danger factor (sub 100mph of course.) |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 11:06 am: |
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Slower does not mean safer.
My throttle on either bike is not slow - lol - I've made sure of that. And at over 40,000 miles, I'm still green compared to my friends who have 100,000s, however, the Blast will raise the wheel, if as a newbe you quickly grab a handful - found that out my first 30 seconds on the bike years ago, the less power just means its easier to handle at the throttle, doesn't make the bike slower - even on a stocker - a slight rejetting and shimming of the needle will practically erase that safety factor built in and throttle response becomes much quicker.
Speed in a straight line on a motorcycle is so overrated as danger factor (sub 100mph of course.)
I'd rather crash at 10 mph than 60 - done both - 60 hurts - lol - the 10 just hurt my pride.
EZ |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 02:34 am: |
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Prime example as some douche on a SPortster the other day. Cruising along on the freeway at about 55 mph with cagers swerving into the next lane to avoid smushing him like a bug.
He probably thought he was being a safe rider, but it couldn't be further from the truth.
Slower does not mean safer. |
Werewulf
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 05:47 am: |
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here we go, i guess its started!!! all the experts will start on the faster you go the better and a couple of beers will steady your nerves and of course, loud pipes save lives..you know, all the things a newbie needs for street survival..dont forget the one about its better to lay the bike down in tight situations...i thought i was on the v-rod forum for a minute...anyway, its time for me to get out of this thread and give them room, as i can see the direction its taking...cheers, im gone! |
Badlionsfan
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 09:49 am: |
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There is no perfect starter bike for everyone. Everybody picks things up differently. Some people could take a safety course, breeze through it and ride off on a 'busa and live happily ever after. I've seen people who have been riding for years and still ride like they're on the first ride of their life. Some people shouldn't ride at all. EVERY new or returning rider should take a safety course.
Personally, I've always picked up mechanical things easily. I got on my cousins honda 50 at 10 years old. no one really showed me how to ride, just what controls did what. got a moped at 11, rode it year round, even on snow days off from school. drivers ed, truck driver school and msf course were all easy for me. In all of those circumstances, I saw people struggle more than me and out right fail. no two people are exactly the same, so to try to make a blanket statement like "this is the PERFECT starter bike for EVERYONE" just doesn't work.
I think how and where you ride as a greenhorn is more important the what you ride. stay away from interstates and conjested urban areas. ride in the mornings on weekends before the idiots wake up. as you get more comfortable with the machine, ease your way into the world of congestion and cagers. your methods may vary.
(Message edited by badlionsfan on June 15, 2008) |
Mr2shim
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 10:07 am: |
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Mr2shim
- bring it to the Bay area - I'll take your pink.
EZ
uhhhhh, I'm like 3k miles away?
What does "I'll take your pink" mean anyways. |
Badlionsfan
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 10:46 am: |
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What does "I'll take your pink" mean anyways
usually means to put up your vehicle/ title in a race. loser loses his ride. |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 12:21 pm: |
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LOL - and what I was trying to point out, is that I've ridden with a lot of folks that learned on bigger bikes and all but one was overly cautious in their riding - and that after over 3000 miles on the bikes - I know the XB cool factor is nice to have, but how much fun can you have if your always worried about your input f**ing you up. I say have fun learning to ride, take it easy and then step. Some guys get Sport bikes only to find that they like cruisers more, and visa versa - all or nothing should not be the way to learn.
EZ |
Ducxl
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 12:49 pm: |
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My wife began briefly on the BMWr90 and quickly moved to the X1 then onto HER XB12r.
She's adamant that if she falls back she'll catch up at HER pace.HER pace is continuously catching up to ours...safely. |
Ustorque
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 03:18 pm: |
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She's adamant that if she falls back she'll catch up at HER pace.HER pace is continuously catching up to ours...safely.
this is what we call intelligence....something many newb's don't have! |
Guell
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 03:37 pm: |
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Hey, i tried to tell mr2shim to buy a blast but he wouldnt listen. I say learn to ride on a bike that your comfortable on. Everyone is different.
On that note, i want to race him for pinks haha, Suches Georgia man, we can do the loop!
(Message edited by guell on June 15, 2008) |
Winslow
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 05:47 pm: |
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I too have been looking for my first street bike...but I really dislike the Blast, but I want a Buell. So I dunno what the best thing to get would be. Some buddies who ride say the Nijna 650 is a nice bike, not too hard on the wrists...and the VFR800 is a comfortable bike too.
I'll probably hold out until I'm finished with grad school and get a XB9.
Unless Buell has a XB6 or XB7 coming out...I think they would sell a ton of smaller XB bikes if they built them. |
Mr2shim
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 07:06 pm: |
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Single cyl XB FTW |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 08:32 pm: |
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Winslow
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 08:39 pm: |
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Has to be 2 cylinder.
Small v twin XB FTW! |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 11:54 pm: |
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That could be done pretty easily with the 883 jugs - 720cc twin would be cool!
EZ |
Roadkingtrax
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 12:32 am: |
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I don't know if this has been brought up...are we (myself too) butt hurt to have our Buell's reduced to a starter bike...the same class as a 250cc or a scooter(like here in Phoenix)? |
Retrittion
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 03:32 am: |
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Lol, so the thread is still going strong, huh? Its a good thing in my opinion -- this is the stuff that riders need to talk about so more of us don't check out early.
So on the subject I had an interesting experience this weekend that has a bearing on the topic.
A buddy of mine went down on Sat. -- I actually called him as he was pulling his SV1000S out of the ditch by the rear grab handle -- and I went directly down to his place with some first aid kits (yes, plural, he's 6'6", 340lbs, construction worker big)to help patch him up. He has about 2500 miles on him so far, has taken the riders course, and was in town on his way home when he hit something slick and it kicked his rear tire out in the middle of a turn -- most likely nothing he (or I as a more experienced rider) could have done.
He said something pretty profound when I got him patched up, "I'm glad I wasn't going faster". He's right, he got off pretty light, especially since his dumb arse wasn't wearing his riding jacket and gloves. So he's got some rash and bruises but he's alive and I'm happy since he's supposed to stand next to me at my wedding in two months. His bike took it well too -- I have to say SV's are really good bikes -- just some scrapes and a nice "custom" rear brake lever. His uncle rolled into town tonight as well and as I was heading out he reminded us of the old saying, "there are two types of motorcycle riders -- those who have gone down and those that are GOING to go down". Having gone down once I don't plan on doing it again -- but I also know I very likely will.
His Uncle makes a good point, and here is mine -- we can argue the issue of what a good starter bike is but that ISN'T the issue, is it? The issue IS, "what can I do to increase my odds of getting home safe and sound?"
So here is my list (take it for what it's worth):
1. Take the riders course available in your area -- new rider or veteran, you will benefit. Then take the advanced classes too.
2. Wear your gear -- we all like doctors but we don't need to meet them while they're on the job (kinda like cops).
3. Start slow -- choose a bike that will let you learn and will not "learn you". As far as our XBs I think they tend to push around a new rider and dictate how they want to do things (take corners, accelerate, etc) and though not horrible this is still a hurdle that does add risk, and new riders don't need added risk.
4. New riders need to accept that they have never ridden and thus DO NOT KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF THE RISKS THE ARE TAKING.
Like my friend said tonight -- he used to like to go fast but now he's not so interested because if coming off at 25 MPH hurts that bad he doesn't want to try it at 140, and he is damn well going to wear his gear from now on (I tried to explain this to him but the road explains it better apparently). Dead serious, I told him that at 140 he most likely wouldn't feel a thing -- and we left it there. I am glad my friend will be at my wedding and I am glad that he got off pretty light as far as spills are concerned and gained some perspective. Everything aside, riding is a risk, some of us choose to take that risk because we love being on a bike -- there isn't a reason to pile on even more risk by being stubborn, pigheaded, arrogant, and impatient.
I know -- we all are anyways but we can at least TRY not to be -- and do our best to get new riders to not follow in our footsteps. Otherwise, why do we say "ride safe"?
Ride Safe,
Ret |
Bombardier
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 08:55 am: |
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+1 to Ret.
It is not the amount of power the bike has.
It is the way it is delivered that matters.
Bikes that produce power in a rush or in narrow bands are not suited for learners.
I cannot understand why our authorities limit our young riders to 250cc so the kids/learners go out and buy 250cc two stroke road rockets!!!
All or nothing slightly detuned race bikes are okay apparently as long as they are only 250cc.
Madness. |
Azxb9r
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 04:39 pm: |
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It is not the amount of power the bike has.
It is the way it is delivered that matters.
Bikes that produce power in a rush or in narrow bands are not suited for learners.
Very good point. A smooth, linear power band is much more user friendly. |
Brazenbuck
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 08:52 pm: |
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Aren't the XB12/XB9 powerband's considered linear? The torque "curve" is pretty flat. |
Azxb9r
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 05:00 pm: |
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I think so |
Retrittion
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 06:05 pm: |
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Yep, the delivery on a Buell is steady but this is sort of counteracted by the amount of torques you are pulling. I think it is fair to say that the basic power deliver of a XB is a good one, just in too large a dose for the newbie -- hence the Blast.
There are some flat spots and peaks and valleys on my XB though -- I think there is still some twitch from the factory. Ironing that out might make the bike more user friendly. Hopefully ECMspy will see more development with Megalog so we can do some fast and simple remapping without the dyno.
(Message edited by retrittion on June 17, 2008) |
Mr2shim
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 08:22 pm: |
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My biggest thing is wear your gear.
I see soooooo many people with either,
gloves,helmet, t-shirt. Or
jacket, gloves, no helmet. So retarded.
Wear gear. x infinite.
Retrittion, very very good posts you got going here. |
Brazenbuck
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 03:08 pm: |
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Mr2shim,
You're so right. I thought about this thread yesterday. In my car behind a GSXR. 2-up riders in wife beaters, shorts and flips-flops. |
Azxb9r
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 04:19 pm: |
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shorts and flips-flops.
That always kills me. Aside from the obvious lack of protection, it would have to be uncomfortable. Burned legs, and what does the shifter do to your big toe... ouch. |
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