Topic: Motorcycle for New Rider

[Ex-airbalancer]

Passed the MSF course today. Went from nothing to a pass in 2 long days......but I know I still have some practice to do. Was kind of intimidated because in that class of 12, I was 1 of 2 with zero riding experience. Not even on a dirt bike. Some of the controls still require too much thought but that's what self-practice is for.

Now to get to the DMV.....and get a bike of course !

I have the perfect bike for you 
 http://www.kijiji.ca/v-dirt-bikes-motocross/ottawa/2007-honda-crf-70/1151757806

[mlin32]

lol I’d rather stay on the pavement !

[rrocket]

lol I’d rather stay on the pavement !

Dual sports make a great first bike. They are basically bomb proof.

[dirtyjeffer]

lol I’d rather stay on the pavement !

Dual sports make a great first bike. They are basically bomb proof.

my first bike was a Honda 250 scooter (CH250)...it was actually a great first bike...the ease of riding allows you to concentrate on your surroundings rather than be thinking about the mechanics of the bike itself...it's also much cheaper to insure and the fuel consumption is low (as is other maintenance, etc)...i've had numerous bikes since then, but my next bike will likely be the PCX150...scooters are fun and great commuter vehicles...i know they have a bit of a stigma here in North America (where bigger is better), but i don't care...i see the 2015 Honda PCX150s now have $800 off to make room for the 2016...mmm, tempting.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ninja_H2

What? Do you want to live forever?

[Arthur Dent]

Passed the MSF course today. Went from nothing to a pass in 2 long days......but I know I still have some practice to do. Was kind of intimidated because in that class of 12, I was 1 of 2 with zero riding experience. Not even on a dirt bike. Some of the controls still require too much thought but that's what self-practice is for.

Now to get to the DMV.....and get a bike of course !

Congrats! I'm thinking about getting started on bike too. No experience at all thus far.

[dirtyjeffer]

What? Do you want to live forever?

i know you're just kidding around, but you'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many new riders grab a liter bike too early, often with fatal consequences...the Vancouver Canucks lost their 1st round pick (10th overall) a few years ago when he (Luc Bourdon) thought it would be a great idea to get a new GSX-R1000 as a first ride...a talented and promising prospect lost way too early in life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Bourdon#Death

[Sir Osis of Liver]

What? Do you want to live forever?

i know you're just kidding around, but you'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many new riders grab a liter bike too early, often with fatal consequences...the Vancouver Canucks lost their 1st round pick (10th overall) a few years ago when he (Luc Bourdon) thought it would be a great idea to get a new GSX-R1000 as a first ride...a talented and promising prospect lost way too early in life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Bourdon#Death

That was big news in NB when it happened.

Yeah, it was almost a cliche when I was getting into bikes. Lots of young and dumb guys starting out on Ninjas or GSX-Rs. I did dirt bikes first, so learned fairly early that speed and power can bite rather hard.

I've known a few people who bought way over their heads.  Some were mature enough to handle it, some scared the out of themselves and sold soon after, some stories didn't end well.

[Fobroader]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ninja_H2

What? Do you want to live forever?

[rrocket]

've had numerous bikes since then, but my next bike will likely be the PCX150...scooters are fun and great commuter vehicles...i know they have a bit of a stigma here in North America (where bigger is better), but i don't care...i see the 2015 Honda PCX150s now have $800 off to make room for the 2016...mmm, tempting.

I'm really enjoying my PCX150...much more than I thought I ever would. I now totally understand why the PCX is the best selling 2 wheeler in Europe

[dirtyjeffer]

Some were mature enough to handle it, some scared the out of themselves and sold soon after, some stories didn't end well.

i'd like to think i'm mature enough now, but sold my last sportbike for that very reason (about 15 years ago)...experiencing a speed wobble at about 230 km/hr is scary as ...i managed to recover without incident, but considered it a warning...immediately continued on home and put the bike up for sale in the morning.

[dirtyjeffer]

've had numerous bikes since then, but my next bike will likely be the PCX150...scooters are fun and great commuter vehicles...i know they have a bit of a stigma here in North America (where bigger is better), but i don't care...i see the 2015 Honda PCX150s now have $800 off to make room for the 2016...mmm, tempting.

I'm really enjoying my PCX150...much more than I thought I ever would. I now totally understand why the PCX is the best selling 2 wheeler in Europe

yea, pretty much every review is very positive...my speed demon days are long past me, and i really just want a fun and economical way to commute...the PCX150 just seems to hit so many "practical" boxes on the checklist...affordable to buy, good on gas, cheap to insure, storage to carry stuff (lunch bag, etc)...powerful enough to hold its own in the city without getting into trouble (wheelies, stupid crap, etc).

[mlin32]

Interestingly, I'm getting into motorbikes as a weekend toy, not to commute. I'm not awake enough in the morning (not a morning person at all) and traffic is too hectic for me as a complete beginner to risk it.

The 3er is just dull unless I've driving it at full-tilt  . It's great fun when I do, but I'd like to get more enjoyment cornering at 60km/h instead of 90. Plus, I want to try something new while I still have time, and I've wanted to ride for many years now.

In essence, the point of the sport bike is to get something that's more fun than a car that's "too" capable. The 3er is faster (240 top end), probably corners faster, and stops better. But it's less exciting.

[dirtyjeffer]

In essence, the point of the sport bike is to get something that's more fun than a car that's "too" capable.

most sportbikes in excess of 600cc will likely achieve a top end higher than your BMW...pretty much any sportbike (300cc and up) will likely beat it to 100 km/hr as well...in fact, pretty much any sportbike 600cc or more will give you a sub 3 second 0-100 km/hr and be about a 10 second bike in the 1/4 mile...not bad performance for $10k...sportbikes are fast on a whole new level from your bmw.

[mlin32]

In essence, the point of the sport bike is to get something that's more fun than a car that's "too" capable.

most sportbikes in excess of 600cc will likely achieve a top end higher than your BMW...pretty much any sportbike (300cc and up) will likely beat it to 100 km/hr as well...in fact, pretty much any sportbike 600cc or more will give you a sub 3 second 0-100 km/hr and be about a 10 second bike in the 1/4 mile...not bad performance for $10k...sportbikes are fast on a whole new level from your bmw.

Oh, I know that about the larger sport bikes. But I'm not there yet.  Give me a year or so.

[rrocket]

've had numerous bikes since then, but my next bike will likely be the PCX150...scooters are fun and great commuter vehicles...i know they have a bit of a stigma here in North America (where bigger is better), but i don't care...i see the 2015 Honda PCX150s now have $800 off to make room for the 2016...mmm, tempting.

I'm really enjoying my PCX150...much more than I thought I ever would. I now totally understand why the PCX is the best selling 2 wheeler in Europe

yea, pretty much every review is very positive...my speed demon days are long past me, and i really just want a fun and economical way to commute...the PCX150 just seems to hit so many "practical" boxes on the checklist...affordable to buy, good on gas, cheap to insure, storage to carry stuff (lunch bag, etc)...powerful enough to hold its own in the city without getting into trouble (wheelies, stupid crap, etc).

The rumor mill says Honda will be releasing a electric hybrid EV PCX in the next year or so...

In Euroland, they get the PCX with start-stop technology.

[dirtyjeffer]

The rumor mill says Honda will be releasing a electric hybrid EV PCX in the next year or so...

In Euroland, they get the PCX with start-stop technology.

if you watch youtube videos (i usually do every few days to see what's new), it looks like the newest model has "smartkey", but i think that might only be in certain markets (i think this was a video for the model in Thailand or somewhere over there)...i will be honest, i kind of wish they made the PCX150 with a 250, but kept everything else about the same size...i think i wouldn't mind a bit more pep, but don't want the bulk of the larger scooters...my old CH250 was 298 pounds, or about 20 pounds heavier than the PCX150...it seems that many of the larger scooters are in the 400 pounds (or more) range...my old CH250 has 19 hp, which is about 5 hp more than the PCX150 (likely only noticeable on the top end).

[Thinking Out Loud]

In essence, the point of the sport bike is to get something that's more fun than a car that's "too" capable.

most sportbikes in excess of 600cc will likely achieve a top end higher than your BMW...pretty much any sportbike (300cc and up) will likely beat it to 100 km/hr as well...in fact, pretty much any sportbike 600cc or more will give you a sub 3 second 0-100 km/hr and be about a 10 second bike in the 1/4 mile...not bad performance for $10k...sportbikes are fast on a whole new level from your bmw.

Oh, I know that about the larger sport bikes. But I'm not there yet.  Give me a year or so.

Congrats!!  My first bike is a 2003 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S .... still have it today with 23,000 kms, bought it used about 5 years ago when I got my licence.   

Looking now for a street like-bike such as a Suzuki C50 BOSS.

The Bandit's 600 cc's more than enough, 100% positive I've only ridden it to 50% of it's potential (if that  ).   

[HeliDriver]

Interestingly, I'm getting into motorbikes as a weekend toy, not to commute. I'm not awake enough in the morning (not a morning person at all) and traffic is too hectic for me as a complete beginner to risk it.

The 3er is just dull unless I've driving it at full-tilt  . It's great fun when I do, but I'd like to get more enjoyment cornering at 60km/h instead of 90. Plus, I want to try something new while I still have time, and I've wanted to ride for many years now.

In essence, the point of the sport bike is to get something that's more fun than a car that's "too" capable. The 3er is faster (240 top end), probably corners faster, and stops better. But it's less exciting.

I'm curious to hear how the bike works out for you. I just had a 650 dual-sport, but still found street riding to be just as dull as driving unless I was really pushing it. I'd say that speeds where things got "fun" were pretty much the same on the bike as in the GTI.

Still, not to dissuade you. Buy the bike and I'm sure you'll have a blast!

[rrocket]

I'm curious to hear how the bike works out for you. I just had a 650 dual-sport, but still found street riding to be just as dull as driving unless I was really pushing it.

That's why I found a supermoto to be the best fun for a street bike.  You could hoon it up without losing your license and you'd have an ear to ear smile.