Newbie needs help

To the point of how far one may or may not ride a "bobbed" bike, since my 650 Maxim has been on the road in my ownership it has never been in stock form. It has been strutted, solo seat with springs made and installed. I kept the factory airbox as I didn't want to mess with a tuning nightmare. It's not perfect the way it is but I have put on somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-4 thousand miles on it since May. Yes there have been a few times where it has gotten to me but I am also a new rider. Once my 750 is done (who knows when that will be) I'll be able to see what riding an xj in stock form is all about. I agree and disagree about long distance rides on modified bikes. It's all in how or what you modify and your fortitude to ride it, in my opinion of course.

 

Every single friend I've had that has come to me for advice on starting riding has been given the advice. Go buy a $1000 beater that you don't care about dropping - don't care about the faring or the paint and hopefully something with crash bars etc. After the control of the bike becomes mostly subconscious which will take about six months then go get your band new CBR from the dealer if you want. During this time you will have dropped your beater at least once and probably hit something once also.

How many of these friends took my advice - zero - how many dropped their brand new <insert-bike> within six months - all of them!

I don't give advice anymore.

 

^^^^+1 If you had not started to ride as a kid, this could happen very easy. One of my buddies drove is new 600 out of the dealers drive and dumped it right away. I agree with finding a bike that is okay and safe to ride that might be hard on the eyes and even burn some oil. Ride the hell out of it and get used to it and not worry if it get a scratch or ding, that what a first bike if for. Then once you have taking the MSF class and gotten used to riding, get a better bike that looks good and enjoy.

 

Or get a used Rebel. Cheap, light reliable, not enough power to get into much trouble, and you wouldn't believe the compliments I get on it's looks. Mostly from non riders. At first my ego had problems with the size, but it's perfect for what it is designed for, easy riding. Plus there will always be a buyer when it's time to upgrade.

 

Uh huh.......

 

yeah good first bike for sure - but get one with the pillion seat cos part of riding is getting ridden after.

 

I don't think the 250 could handle a passenger. Load capacity is 350 lbs, and my fat arse uses up most of that... WOTAT! (Wide open throttle all the time)

 

Nothing under 500 is a motorbike IMHO - unless it’s an off-road scrambler. I have zero basis for this opinion it’s just how I feel!

 

my biggest nemisis for the last bike on the road for the season is an guy in his 70's who rides a black scooter his is first on the road in the spring last on the road in the winter and sneaks out when the roads are clear in the winter. Gets a nod and wave from me every time I see him, true rider its in his blood.

all the Harley bikers disappered form the streets a few weeks ago (local chapter of some biker club) only colors flying now are the leaves as they blow around

 

Sounds like a real biker but he's not riding a bike is he!!

 

2 wheels and a motor = motorcycle

a guy I know HD rider used to mock my 550. he and his HD got run over by a 4 wheeler
now I just ask him how his bike is running when I see him

 

Agreed. My neighbor has an Ultra Classic. Beautiful! He'll tell you that he's been riding since he was a teenager. Tats, pony tail... you know the drill...

I love the guy. Honestly, I do... I've even cracked a few beers this past summer with him.

But...

My XJ has been out 3 times this week... 1x to work... 2x for me... I can see the dust on his Harley from my house.

 

Two wheels and a motor?

So this is a motorcycle huh!?

 

I'm not getting started with definitions again...

 

no silly thats a segway

 

Hey, I know I'm late to the party, but...

So yeah, my bobber. I modded the frame just fine, but the seat is awful now. It's about as comfortable as a wooden chair with one of those pillow pads tied to the backrest. I can go about an hour before my ass is numb. Then I need another hour to un-numb it. So that, and becoming program director for my area's autocross club, and dropping the bike while moving after hitting Jrod one fine summer day, and having a baby... I haven't been riding for some time now. I'll get back to it, but there'll need to be some major changes to the bike, not just life.

 

That must also make your seat quite uncomfortable!

 

Ok ok, "becoming a father." Better?

 

A little bit... It doesn't remove the image of Baldwonder squeezing out a bald wonder though. Hehehe.

 

Hey! Baldy's back!!!! Good to see you, man!