MyBB Motorcycle Owners Thread (2nd gear)

YeLo said:
How was the GSX-R750 experience?
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Well the first one was a carbed bike, not fuel injection. So different to todays middle weight supersports. It did have cams and jetting done by the previous owner so there's that. It wasn't the best bike ever but it was also old ('94 model).

My 2nd 750 was a gem. I'm still kicking myself for selling that one. I wanted more power and speed from a 1000cc but I miss that K4.


notayoba said:
One tip I can't over emphasize : Go for lessons with someone that knows what they are doing. A quick "Here's the clutch, here's the brake" from your cousin's mate who owns a bike is not ideal. Failing that, try to find the video "Twist of the wrist" by Keith Code.
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Solid advice on both counts.
 
I wold go with nc750, maybe gs650 or gs700.
Something that it bit higher and gives you overview of traffic and is bit more comfortable.

I started riding last year after 30 years pause, decided on gs800.
Still nervous on highway, so far did level one and two off-road course which gave me bit confidence on gravel and also what is bike capable of.
Most likely I will do road course too (as @notayoba suggested)
 
notayoba said:
One tip I can't over emphasize : Go for lessons with someone that knows what they are doing. A quick "Here's the clutch, here's the brake" from your cousin's mate who owns a bike is not ideal. Failing that, try to find the video "Twist of the wrist" by Keith Code.

I started riding as a self taught rider in 2001 and I was always a bit nervous and sometimes corners would bamboozle me. Finally went for lessons somewhere in 2005. The change in my riding once the scales fell off my eyes was amazing. Once you get the concepts of counter steering, proper braking and shifting your body weight it opens a new world.
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Lessons! Yes
I went to the bmw academy at zwartkops for an intro course. Was well worth doing. They also let me get on a 1200GS and an 800R so you can get a feel for bigger, more powerful bikes.
 
YeLo said:
Is the R6 too powerful or difficult to master?
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The thing is what happens when you make mistakes, forget about the speed, if you can't think to yourself when going 250 into traffic then, well you have bigger problems.

You have to think about the throttle, and when you can apply plenty, if you don't you'll lose the rear quick quick, obviously especially around corners or bad surfaces

Brakes as well, if you just grab them you'll go over, the rear locks easier than the last girl in a springs pub, unless you have abs

All of the above is not the case on something smaller or something softer.

There are other things but the main concerns are that

The abs already saved my arse a number if times, especially panic breaking.
 
aleksandar said:
I wold go with nc750, maybe gs650 or gs700.
Something that it bit higher and gives you overview of traffic and is bit more comfortable.

I started riding last year after 30 years pause, decided on gs800.
Still nervous on highway, so far did level one and two off-road course which gave me bit confidence on gravel and also what is bike capable of.
Most likely I will do road course too (as @notayoba suggested)
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Those are good choices.

I've owned an NC700 for many years. I loved it for commuting. For a raw beginner though I see 2 possible issues.

The weight, and the fact that the whole top front half is basically plastic. So if you drop it while parking, you are probably in for a R30k or more fix. The weight is offset by the very low center of gravity, so it doesn't feel too bad.
 
I need to learn counter steering, I've got into the weird way of turning with the GS, I lean the bike most of the time, not with the bike

This however doesn't work at speed

I am very proud of how I've dealt with the few close calls I've had, especially cars slamming on the brakes, but this is due to the 1000's of videos i've watched before having a bike.

Still not interested in superbikes really, I watch the riders cruising, seems as if they have absolutely no rear suspension, they are damn pretty though and sound amazing, will give it a bash as soon as I can.
 
ArmatageShanks said:
The thing is what happens when you make mistakes, forget about the speed, if you can't think to yourself when going 250 into traffic then, well you have bigger problems.

You have to think about the throttle, and when you can apply plenty, if you don't you'll lose the rear quick quick, obviously especially around corners or bad surfaces

Brakes as well, if you just grab them you'll go over, the rear locks easier than the last girl in a springs pub, unless you have abs

All of the above is not the case on something smaller or something softer.

There are other things but the main concerns are that

The abs already saved my arse a number if times, especially panic breaking.
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I just watched a YT review of the R6. That thing is a suicide missile. Definitely not for a beginner, lol.
 
I'd like to thank everyone for the wise advice. Based on your inputs (and my budget) these are the bikes on my radar:
  • Kawasaki 300/400cc (Streetfighter or Sports)
  • KTM 390 Duke
  • Honda CBR500R
  • Suzuki Gixxer 250
I will start my rider lessons with Malcom from Biker Bravado soon.
 
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Ah, Malcolm's awesome. Good call. He gave me a lesson or two before I did my full license.
 
YeLo said:
I'd like to thank everyone for the wise advice. Based on your inputs (and my budget) these are the bikes on my radar:
  • Kawasaki 300/400cc (Streetfighter or Sports)
  • KTM 390 Duke
  • Honda CBR500R
  • Kawasaki Gixxer 250
I will start my rider lessons with Malcom from Biker Bravado soon.
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With the Duke 390, just make sure it's one of the later ones (I think 2020 onwards, but not sure of the year). The earlier ones had an issue with the engine grenading itself but it was fixed.

Another option is a Husqvarna Swatpilen 401/Vitpilen 401.

There is no Kawasaki Gixxer 250. There is a Suzuki GSX-R 250 but that's possibly the worst motorcycle ever made so skip it.
 
UrBaN963 said:
With the Duke 390, just make sure it's one of the later ones (I think 2020 onwards, but not sure of the year). The earlier ones had an issue with the engine grenading itself but it was fixed.

Another option is a Husqvarna Swatpilen 401/Vitpilen 401.

There is no Kawasaki Gixxer 250. There is a Suzuki GSX-R 250 but that's possibly the worst motorcycle ever made so skip it.
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I meant the Suzuki Gixxer 250, haha. Thanks!
 
UrBaN963 said:
With the Duke 390, just make sure it's one of the later ones (I think 2020 onwards, but not sure of the year). The earlier ones had an issue with the engine grenading itself but it was fixed.

Another option is a Husqvarna Swatpilen 401/Vitpilen 401.

There is no Kawasaki Gixxer 250. There is a Suzuki GSX-R 250 but that's possibly the worst motorcycle ever made so skip it.
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Why do you say the Gixxer 250 is bad?
 
YeLo said:
Why do you say the Gixxer 250 is bad?
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Just various reviews I've seen, haven't ridden one personally.

I wouldn't get a 250 though, too slow and underpowered if you plan on hitting the highway or anything like that.
 
YeLo said:
I just watched a YT review of the R6. That thing is a suicide missile. Definitely not for a beginner, lol.
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I started on a CBR600 - not brand new rider though, suppose that helped. But the 600 sport bikes are not that bad. when you start out just keep it under 5-6k revs and it'll have enough voetjies to run around your neighborhood. They only start getting scary from 9k+ (at 14+k it peels back your eyelids). But keep in mind - it's not a very comfortable ride (you get used to it though) and slow speed turns take a bit more practice to get right due to the fairing and the limited movement of the handlebars.

Just do not be windgat...

YeLo said:
I'd like to thank everyone for the wise advice. Based on your inputs (and my budget) these are the bikes on my radar:
  • Kawasaki 300/400cc (Streetfighter or Sports)
  • KTM 390 Duke
  • Honda CBR500R
  • Suzuki Gixxer 250
I will start my rider lessons with Malcom from Biker Bravado soon.
Click to expand...

Kawa 300/400 I would say is a good start. CBR500 is more tame than the 600's
KTM also good option


Whatever you go for - start slow, keep head on a swivel, do not be windgat.
 
ArmatageShanks said:
I need to learn counter steering, I've got into the weird way of turning with the GS, I lean the bike most of the time, not with the bike

This however doesn't work at speed

I am very proud of how I've dealt with the few close calls I've had, especially cars slamming on the brakes, but this is due to the 1000's of videos i've watched before having a bike.

Still not interested in superbikes really, I watch the riders cruising, seems as if they have absolutely no rear suspension, they are damn pretty though and sound amazing, will give it a bash as soon as I can.
Click to expand...
I think if you are leaning at all then you are actually counter-steering albeit subconsciously.

It's kind of cheesy by today's standards but Twist of the wrist covers this pretty well IMO.
 
ArmatageShanks said:
...

Still not interested in superbikes really, I watch the riders cruising, seems as if they have absolutely no rear suspension, they are damn pretty though and sound amazing, ....
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Talk about sound mazing...

I ordered this, been a long wait but hopefully in the next week or so...

Screenshot 2022-10-06 115251.png

Screenshot 2022-10-06 115019.png
 
SlinkyMike said:
I think if you are leaning at all then you are actually counter-steering albeit subconsciously.

It's kind of cheesy by today's standards but Twist of the wrist covers this pretty well IMO.
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Will have a look at it, speaking of, I have a tendency to cruise with only one hand and just 3 fingers resting on the throttle, got the worlds dirties look from a passenger the other day gesturing at me to hold on:ROFL:
 
ArmatageShanks said:
Will have a look at it, speaking of, I have a tendency to cruise with only one hand and just 3 fingers resting on the throttle, got the worlds dirties look from a passenger the other day gesturing at me to hold on:ROFL:
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LOL they are right!

Do you not cover the brake lever with a finger or two? It was drilled into me by my dad and my brother that one must always do this.
 
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