Well I'm not dead :)

[DVad3r]

As some of you may know, I got a new bike. But before I pick it up, my plan was to practice on my dad's bike, which is an 84 Sabre V65. My previous experience was on scooters and some ancient low powered dirt bikes, I've had a riding block for about 12 years or so.

Anyways today I rode around a giant parking lot on my dad's bike, and I'm happy to say I didn't kill myself or the bike. There were some rough patches and a bit shaky steering (just with him pushing me going down a hill lol), but after a good while I got the hang of it. It was time to actually start the engine and take off. Now this bike is pretty tricky becuase it's got a lot of power (120 to be exact) and the throttle is touchy, not to mention it takes off right away like a beast. Not the best learning bike at all for a beginner lol.

After stalling it twice I finally took off, and whew I didn't end up hanging on the handle bars like a monkey with the throttle locked and the bike dragging me I rode around for a good 20 minutes, doing some turns etc, it was awesome.

I can't to practice more!

Oh I should also add that after watching a bunch of youtube videos of first timers destroying themselves on high powered bikes, I was pretty scared. I didn't want to end up like them

 

[ponyo]

I did the same when I bought my bike. My cousin rode the bike home for me and left it in the garage. I practiced riding around my street and large parking lot til I felt comfortable riding around town. Ten years later, I'm still here along with the bike. You'll get the hang of it. Take your time and have fun.

 

[Turin39789]

Good work. The important thing is to respect the bike and be realistic about your skill level. Ego will get you killed.

Sounds like you are off to a good start

 

[JulesMaximus]

Next up VRod!!!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Well I'm not dead

How do you know? This could be your hell!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Well I'm not dead

How do you know? This could be your hell!

What? Riding a '84 Sabre or posting here?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Well I'm not dead

How do you know? This could be your hell!

What? Riding a '84 Sabre or posting here?

Posting here, of course!

 

[marincounty]

Just don't drink and ride. Motorcycles and alcohol do not mix well.
Have you taken a MSF course? I recommend even experienced riders take a class.
Oh yeah, and get a Snell approved helmet.

P.S. Good job on surviving the Sabre, those are evil handling bikes.

 

[Q]

Wait for it...

 

[angry hampster]

^ DO take the MSF class. I'd been riding on dirt for about four years before I took the class, and I learned a ton. I came out of it such a better rider. It also gets you cheaper insurance and you meet a lot of good people in it. Also agreeing on the Snell-approved helmet. DOT helmets are all you need to be road legal (if your state requires it) but SNELL2000 expands on the DOT specifications, meaning a safer helmet. Get some good leather while you're at it. Check out newenough.com for the best deals on riding apparel. I got a killer FirstGear jacket on there last year for about $150 off MSRP.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Another good motorcycle vid.

n00b rider? Check
No jacket? Check
No boots? Check
No helmet? Check
Passenger on the back? Check
Start off on the sidewalk? Check

This has all the prerequisites for a disaster before they even get on the bike. :laugh:

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Another good motorcycle vid.

n00b rider? Check
No jacket? Check
No boots? Check
No helmet? Check
Passenger on the back? Check
Start off on the sidewalk? Check

This has all the prerequisites for a disaster before they even get on the bike. :laugh:

lol that's a good one, I've seen a lot of them but missed that one

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Well I'm not dead

How do you know? This could be your hell!

What? Riding a '84 Sabre or posting here?

Dude the 84 Sabre is a good bike, even by todays standards. It's a total beast.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
^ DO take the MSF class. I'd been riding on dirt for about four years before I took the class, and I learned a ton. I came out of it such a better rider. It also gets you cheaper insurance and you meet a lot of good people in it. Also agreeing on the Snell-approved helmet. DOT helmets are all you need to be road legal (if your state requires it) but SNELL2000 expands on the DOT specifications, meaning a safer helmet. Get some good leather while you're at it. Check out newenough.com for the best deals on riding apparel. I got a killer FirstGear jacket on there last year for about $150 off MSRP.

Yea I'm doing the course next week, it's a 2 day program, lowers insurance, and bumps you up in license category upon completion. They use 250 CC yamaha cruisers. I think I will breeze through it, and riding those will be like riding a tri-cycle after the Sabre.

I've got some pretty good gear already, although I am getting a better/safer helmet.

So far my gear is:

Harley Textile/Leather jacket with armor in back/shoulders/elbows

BMW High Air Flow Boots

Jeans? lol, I don't know what a good pair of pants for riding is...

Using thick winter leather gloves for riding for now

and helmet is http://www.carbonfiberhelmets.com/dothelmets.htm# extended half, but I am getting a full face soon...

 

[angry hampster]

Those helmets look like junk. Get something from HJC, Fulmer, or Shoei.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
Those helmets look like junk. Get something from HJC, Fulmer, or Shoei.

I think it looks alright and it's light, I barely feel it on my head. What models do you recommend?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: marincounty
Oh yeah, and get a Snell approved helmet.

While I personally have a Snell approved helmet (Arai Vector), that has everything to do with the fit and nothing to do with the Snell sticker.

Independent testing has shown that there is no measurable advantage to a Snell-approved helmet as opposed to a simple DOT-approved helmet (note that all helmets must be DOT approved in order to be road legal in states that require helmets).

The bottom line is that any new DOT-approved helmet that fits properly will provide excellent levels of protection. Snell is useful as a motorsports standards organization, but there's no evidence to support the idea that a helmet that meets Snell standards is any safer than a basic DOT helmet.

ZV

 

[jRaskell]

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: angry hampster
Those helmets look like junk. Get something from HJC, Fulmer, or Shoei.

I think it looks alright and it's light, I barely feel it on my head. What models do you recommend?

Those will be fine for protecting your noggin from any serious impact, but they aren't going to protect your face any. I'll post some pics of what my helmet looked like after my last crash when I get home tonight. I'm very glad the helmet took the damage as opposed to my face.

 

[JDub02]

I highly recommend a motorcycle safety course if you haven't taken one already. They let you beat up on their bikes while you learn how to ride.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: angry hampster
Those helmets look like junk. Get something from HJC, Fulmer, or Shoei.

I think it looks alright and it's light, I barely feel it on my head. What models do you recommend?

Something with chin protection? Seriously, full face helmets offer the best protection by far. First thing that hits the pavement after your torso is usually your chin/face. Imagine sliding across pavement at 50mph with your face completely exposed.

They'll tell you about this in the MSF class. Or at least they did when I took it.

 

[Greenman]

Full face helmet really is the way to go.

I think you're going to find the V-Rod easier to ride than the Saber. They have a low center of gravity, and power delivery is very smooth from idle to 9k.

The most important thing is that V-Rods set the standard for cool.

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Good work. The important thing is to respect the bike and be realistic about your skill level. Ego will get you killed.

Don't forget "Assume every other driver is out to kill you" because, well, they are.

I live in a major metro area, and while riding a motorcyle looks like fun, I'd just never do it around here. What with all the idiots texting/yakking/eating/putting on make-up/etc. while driving, I definitely want some metal on all four sides of me when I'm in traffic. It's just scary how much stupid behavior I see out there. Good luck to the OP - may your worst injury be sunburn!

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Good work. The important thing is to respect the bike and be realistic about your skill level. Ego will get you killed.

Don't forget "Assume every other driver is out to kill you" because, well, they are.

I live in a major metro area, and while riding a motorcyle looks like fun, I'd just never do it around here. What with all the idiots texting/yakking/eating/putting on make-up/etc. while driving, I definitely want some metal on all four sides of me when I'm in traffic. It's just scary how much stupid behavior I see out there. Good luck to the OP - may your worst injury be sunburn!

Yea I'm in a big city also, my dad actually didn't buy a bike here for close to 19 years because he was afraid of riding due to people. To be honest I don't plan to do much city riding, 5 minutes ride and I'm on country roads, living on the edge ftw

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: Greenman
Full face helmet really is the way to go.

I think you're going to find the V-Rod easier to ride than the Saber. They have a low center of gravity, and power delivery is very smooth from idle to 9k.

The most important thing is that V-Rods set the standard for cool.

Yup I'm getting a full face def, just haven't decided with what brand to go. There's a bike show coming up April 5th so I might check that out and try some on, then buy one there or online depending on where the better price is.

Dude I'm having a hard time finding a tuner for my bike with the proper map. I don't see any made for 09's and I just got a fat shots exhaust. I'm getting a mixed bag from the guys at 1130cc and only getting confused more!!!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Dude I'm having a hard time finding a tuner for my bike with the proper map. I don't see any made for 09's and I just got a fat shots exhaust. I'm getting a mixed bag from the guys at 1130cc and only getting confused more!!!

I can look that up for you when I get home (Thursday night). I have the SE Pro Tuner and it came with a listing of all available mappings. IIRC there haven't been any changes to the VRSC series in the last year, so if they have a map for just an exhaust, I should see one in the list.

That said, with just an exhaust you probably don't need a tune. Tuning becomes necessary when you start messing with the intake, but an exhaust isn't going to make much difference. If you haven't yet, get hooked up on HDForums.com, they're a good resource for information on any Harley, but they will have a VRSC series forum too.

ZV