Riding Experience

VermontNewbie · Jan 19, 2005

Well for the past riding season and a half I've had an 85 Yamaha Maxim that I've brought back to life. I love this bike. A bunch of my friends have R1s and CBR1000RRs and talk about how awesome they are, and for the most part I can keep up with these guys in the turns. I was thinking about buying an older 600 supersport bike that preferably isnt pretty to practice around on a parking lot. (practice doing stupid things like endos) What I don't want to do is kick my own ***. For all of you older riding gurus, do you think I should get more experience on my 86 hp yamaha before I step up? I take these opinions very seriously so don't hesitate to express your views =]

I had to edit this: I take well thought out articulate views seriously. if u pst luks liekt his ... It wont weigh so heavily on me =]

Nexus242 · Jan 19, 2005

no one can say if your ready by reading your post, only you can know for sure. How many miles have you ridden?? Road in rain??? How many times have you been down??? Have you ridden your friends bikes before?? If so did you feel comfortable on the bike??

So like I said it's up to you and your level of comfort but the super sport bikes of a few years back aren't nearly the SS bikes of today. Well that's my take on your situation.

Cheers eh!!

Gixxerdale · Jan 19, 2005

Nexus242 said:
So like I said it's up to you and your level of comfort but the super sport bikes of a few years back aren't nearly the SS bikes of today.
Cheers eh!!

Nexus makes a very good point. It's up to your comfort zone and maturity to deal with more horsepower and torgue. I've seen riders with lots of miles in one style of riding, fall apart trying to keep up in another style of riding. It boils down to "Ride your own ride". Only you know when you are ready to step up to a new challenge.

Better yet, borrow LayinLo's stunt bike and try it out! Then decide! :mrgreen:

LayinLo · Jan 19, 2005

Agreed. You can have my old stunt bike. Just watch out for sudden wheelies.

I think that since you are asking about moving up, it's obviously crossed your mind (maybe subconsciously). I would suggest riding a friends bike for a short trip and see how you like the extra hp. See which bike makes you feel more comfortable. I think that if you have put on a lot of miles in your season and a half, then you could possibly be ready. If you haven't gotten in very many miles, I would still give the test rides a thought, but I would wait a bit longer on finding an upgrade.

themeatmanlandry · Jan 19, 2005

How old are you?

How long have you been riding?

Personally, if you think you're up to the task, I'd go for it.

tlwisner · Jan 19, 2005

Your plan sounds better than the standard guy who is 19, has no riding experience, and wants a new Gixxer for street racing and stunting.

Uncle Bob · Jan 19, 2005

Many factors to consider but compared to the usual newbie question that goes like this " I've never been on a bike in all my life so would an actual race bike be ok to start, it's only 600cc's?"

Your inquiry does suppose a certain levelheadedness and the fact that you do have some experience on bikes makes me want to believe that you could in fact be ready for a SS although I wonder why the need for a liter bike?

87gsxrnut · Jan 19, 2005

and for the most part I can keep up with these guys in the turns.

Heh heh, I'd just practice more on the mike you have. Work on possibly setting up the suspension a bit better (there isn't much room to work on one of those) and talk smack to your buds. Ask them why they can't out corner you on a modern supersport bike.

I do that a lot.

- Nut

pitbull76 · Jan 19, 2005

Bob, he stated that he wanted a 600 for now. Sound like a reasonable idea to me assuming that he actually has ridden at least a few thousand miles.

Clint · Jan 19, 2005

If your "season and a half" includes at least 3000 miles on varied roadways, I'd give the thumbs up. If it means 4196 trips past the line in front of the Dairy Queen, forget it.

VermontNewbie · Jan 19, 2005

I've been down on dirtbikes over the years, but never on the street. Yeah over the time I've put around 5,000 miles on the clock ;-) I might look into a bike thats been down already, that is in good mechanical condition, but is scratched up. They seem to be in excess, and cheap :smile:

Nexus242 · Jan 20, 2005

RowdyRed94 said:
If it means 4196 trips past the line in front of the Dairy Queen, forget it.

Crusin for real!!!

Nexus242 · Jan 20, 2005

VermontNewbie said:
I've been down on dirtbikes over the years, but never on the street. Yeah over the time I've put around 5,000 miles on the clock ;-) I might look into a bike thats been down already, that is in good mechanical condition, but is scratched up. They seem to be in excess, and cheap :smile:

So how long did you ride dirt bikes for since you barely mentioned that relevant riding experience.

VermontNewbie · Jan 20, 2005

Probably since I was eight. I'm 19 now. Significant breaks in between though. Probably five years total.

themeatmanlandry · Jan 20, 2005

87gsxrnut said:
Heh heh, I'd just practice more on the mike you have.
- Nut

. . . and which "Mike" would you choose to practice on Ross? Hmmm?

Nexus242 · Jan 20, 2005

VermontNewbie said:
Probably since I was eight. I'm 19 now. Significant breaks in between though. Probably five years total.

if you've been on and off 2 wheels for all the time you've stated I'd say you should'd have problems on a sport 600. Just respect the throttle.

bat4255 · Jan 20, 2005

About 9 years here, 6 different bikes in 7 years (at age 15-22) took a 25+ year break. 2 bikes in 2 years now.
I have owned (a while back):
Bridgstone 90
Suzuki 200
Honda 305
BSA 500 Single
BSA 750 Twin
Suzuki GT750

"Break Time for Family"

Recently Owned:

Burgman 400
Burgman 650

I have personally enjoyed being the underdog, There's less stress, no one expects you to out perform them. But there are times you do, and that's Really sweet.

I would say, if you like what you have, keep it.

If you are ready for something different, try it. I like the fact you are willing to start with something used 1st.
If you dump it (oh well).
If you don't care for it (narrow powerband, or riding position, etc.) sell it, less money invested.

As you can tell I have ridden (Owned and Borrowed) a varitey of bikes, dirt bikes to touring types, and try to keep an open mind. Each machine is different for a reason, and has an advantage in some way over another. Your job is to find out what you really prefer. You may find out you want 2-4 different machines, for the mood you may be in.

If you want a new bike to impress, your not ready.
If you want a new bike because someone else said you have a P.O.S., and need a new bike to keep up, Tell them to go to hell.

87gsxrnut · Jan 20, 2005

. . . and which "Mike" would you choose to practice on Ross? Hmmm?

The biggest one.

:mrgreen:

- Nut

Uncle Bob · Jan 21, 2005

pitbull76 said:
Bob, he stated that he wanted a 600 for now. Sound like a reasonable idea to me assuming that he actually has ridden at least a few thousand miles.

My bad, his friends ride liter bikes right !

VermontNewbie · Jan 21, 2005

What I wanted to do was get some forged pistons, and swap nice cams into the yamaha, but I can't get any info on what sport bike cams swap into mine. :neutral:

Riding Experience

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