Any motorcycle riders?

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shinyedges

shinyedges

Unfaltering Love & Undeviating Will
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Hey,

I'm getting a bike in the next few weeks, there must be riders on here... any advice, suggestions, comments, experiences, feel free to post.

I'm looking hard a few bikes.. panigale, zx10r are at the top of my list currently.

The ones I'm looking at have TC and abs... any thoughts on those?

Pics never hurt..
 
Any riding experience? The Panigale and Zx-10 are pretty serious bikes, and require a pretty developed skill set.

I've been riding for 35 years, everything from dirt bikes to race bikes, to cruisers and touring rigs. Current mounts are a '03 Kawi Mean Streak 1500 and a '90 ZX-10.
 
I have a few bikes. Riding gear is critical. Full face helmet, boots, gloves, jacket and pants. Leather or ballistic material and made for riding.

What other bikes have you had?

For me I feel ABS is awesome (maybe not on dirt though). Traction control not so much; its for 10/10ths track riding.



 
jaseman said:
Any riding experience? The Panigale and Zx-10 are pretty serious bikes, and require a pretty developed skill set.

I've been riding for 35 years, everything from dirt bikes to race bikes, to cruisers and touring rigs. Current mounts are a '03 Kawi Mean Streak 1500 and a '90 ZX-10.
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You literally took the words out of my mouth, haha. I was in the middle of typing out the same message.

I would imagine you have experience with two wheels from your choices, but if not I'd recommend starting further down the line.

I started out on dirt bikes, went to street and trails, to a 2006 CBR1000, back to street and trails, haha. Going fast is fun as hell, but I'm more of an adventurer at heart I suppose.

*Old picture of an old(current ride) bike. No TC, no ABS, hell its not even fuel injected, haha. But it's a workhorse if I've ever rode one.

rRZJs1I.jpg
 
jaseman said:
Any riding experience? The Panigale and Zx-10 are pretty serious bikes, and require a pretty developed skill set.

I've been riding for 35 years, everything from dirt bikes to race bikes, to cruisers and touring rigs. Current mounts are a '03 Kawi Mean Streak 1500 and a '90 ZX-10.
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My riding experience is limited to dirt bikes mostly, although I have rode a friends bike a handful of times. I know these bikes are extremely dangerous if care isn't taken. I will take it slow. Trust me. I will also wear protective clothing and gear.
Danke42 said:
I have a few bikes. Riding gear is critical. Full face helmet, boots, gloves, jacket and pants. Leather or ballistic material and made for riding.

What other bikes have you had?

For me I feel ABS is awesome (maybe not on dirt though). Traction control not so much; its for 10/10ths track riding.



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I didn't know you ride, danke! Beautiful bike man! My bike experience is limited on crotch rockets. This will be my first sport bike, but I am very familiar with clutches and dirt bikes, I realize there is significant differences and am willing to take extreme care.

I'm looking into good gear right now, I'll post up the things I'm eye balling.
 
Skip the sport bikes and get a motard. You'll wreck less stuff including yourself adapting to pavement.

Look for used, check out SuperMotoJunkie, and very seriously take a MSF course to help remap yourself for the street.

I was a self taught rider back in the 70s in the sink or swim school of learning and crashed a lot, wrecked a lot of stuff and would not recommend.
 
Danke42 said:
Skip the sport bikes and get a motard. You'll wreck less stuff including yourself adapting to pavement.

Look for used, check out SuperMotoJunkie, and very seriously take a MSF course to help remap yourself for the street.

I was a self taught rider back in the 70s in the sink or swim school of learning and crashed a lot, wrecked a lot of stuff and would not recommend.
Click to expand...
I hate to be stubborn but I have always wanted a sport bike. I am not getting any younger either. My wife would feel better (me too actually) if I wore hard shell stuff something along the lines of this maybe for warmer months:

images upload

Along with a good helmet and pants and boots.

Maybe a good leather jacket with hard shell protection for cooler months.

I've been doing a crap load of reading over the last month or so on TC and abs, some makers have better TC than others apparently. I don't know, I wouldn't say it is a deal breaker if it doesn't have TC. But I can see the value in abs keeping the front wheel from locking up in an emergency. I am very excited, been wanting one a long time now, but I am not rushing into anything, I am still doing a bunch of research on bikes and want to make an informed purchase.

ETA: A safety course is absolutely in my near future. My good friend at work rides a honda 954? I believe it is and has been an advocate for good safety gear and the course. He hit a deer on his bike last year! That is probably my worst nightmare, I live in the country and deer/wildlife is plentiful. I looked at deer whistles but IDK most seem gimmicky.
 
shinyedges said:
I hate to be stubborn but I have always wanted a sport bike. I am not getting any younger either. My wife would feel better (me too actually) if I wore hard shell stuff something along the lines of this maybe for warmer months:

images upload

Along with a good helmet and pants and boots.

Maybe a good leather jacket with hard shell protection for cooler months.

I've been doing a crap load of reading over the last month or so on TC and abs, some makers have better TC than others apparently. I don't know, I wouldn't say it is a deal breaker if it doesn't have TC. But I can see the value in abs keeping the front wheel from locking up in an emergency. I am very excited, been wanting one a long time now, but I am not rushing into anything, I am still doing a bunch of research on bikes and want to make an informed purchase.
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What about a step down in cubic centimeters? A Ninja 600 would be a solid way to get into the streets. I could lift the front wheel of my CBR in 4th without any trouble. That's kind of scary, haha.

The difference between cracking the throttle on a 600 and a 1000 is pretty significant(not to say less horsepower equals less danger).
 
McFeeli said:
What about a step down in cubic inches? A Ninja 600 would be a solid way to get into the streets. I could lift the front wheel of my CBR in 4th without any trouble. That's kind of scary, haha.

The difference between cracking the throttle on a 600 and a 1000 is pretty significant(not to say less horsepower equals less danger).
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I have considered a 600, my buddy encouraged me to go for a larger bike that I can grow into basically. He rides dirt bikes too and the 954 was his first bike. What I like about the newer zx10r is you can change power settings effectively making the bike a 600/750/1000 depending on setting. I figure I'd start on 600 power level until my experience on the street is where I would like it to be.
 
I would recommend you look into a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class in your area.

Take the basic skills class, it'll do you good.

Once you get your bike, you can take the "advanced" class with your own bike.

I have taken both classes several times with friends and I usually learn something new, even though I am older (55) and have ridden since I was 9. You are never to old to learn.

Wear all the gear, all the time (ATGATT), because accidents are never scheduled on your calendar.

The big liter+ bikes can be a little bit of a "let down" if you have been riding some potent dirt bikes, the difference is when you are at higher speeds, the big bikes just keep pulling and pulling.

Be aware and careful, and keep your bike in top condition.

Since you asked for pictures.....

IMG_20171008_081022502_HDR.jpg

IMG_20170324_062857758_HDR.jpg

DSC_0567.JPG

yz490_2.jpg



best

mqqn
 
Appreciate everyones concern! Really, I do. I have tremendous respect for the power of the bike and will use the utmost care and responsibility I can.
 
mqqn said:
I would recommend you look into a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class in your area.

Take the basic skills class, it'll do you good.

Once you get your bike, you can take the "advanced" class with your own bike.

I have taken both classes several times with friends and I usually learn something new, even though I am older (55) and have ridden since I was 9. You are never to old to learn.

Wear all the gear, all the time (ATGATT), because accidents are never scheduled on your calendar.

The big liter+ bikes can be a little bit of a "let down" if you have been riding some potent dirt bikes, the difference is when you are at higher speeds, the big bikes just keep pulling and pulling.

Be aware and careful, and keep your bike in top condition.

Since you asked for pictures.....

IMG_20171008_081022502_HDR.jpg

IMG_20170324_062857758_HDR.jpg

DSC_0567.JPG

yz490_2.jpg



best

mqqn
Click to expand...
You in michigan?

Safety course is an absolute for me. Nice bikes, I don't think I'll ride a sport bike forever. I may move to an enduro style later down the road, I just have had a long time love of sport bikes I have to scratch.
 
I don't live there, but I have been around Lake Superior 11 times on the bike, love that route. I also used to take the dirt bikes up to the Weber Lake / Indian River area to ride the trails.

Michigan is very dirt-bike-tourist friendly, unlike Illinois, where I live .... for now.....

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
I don't live there, but I have been around Lake Superior 11 times on the bike, love that route. I also used to take the dirt bikes up to the Weber Lake / Indian River area to ride the trails.

Michigan is very dirt-bike-tourist friendly, unlike Illinois, where I live .... for now.....

best

mqqn
Click to expand...
Have you ever ridden through the tunnel of trees? Beautiful ride.
 

Here is a review of one of the bikes I am most interested in, apparently has adjustable TC as well.
 
I have not but it looks very nice!! Added to list!

I really like 41 out of Copper Harbor - talk about a tunnel of trees!! Beautiful road, nice and twisty with smooth pavement. Just beautiful. Well worth the time to get there.

best

mqqn
 
I live up by mackinaw bridge, I spend lots of time in the U.P. Beautiful area, I love Munising. I have not been to copper harbor but it is on my list.
 
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