Let's say you had about 5K or so to spend on your first motorcycle...

[agirls]

If I were closer, I'd ride it for ya to make sure everything was normal. Check the brakes, brake lines, and brake fluid. In fact, make sure that front brake lever is not bent. See that blue SV in my avator? I borrowed that bike and the owner put a cheap knock off brake lever on it the day before I borrowed it. Turns out it was not quite correct because once the brake fluid got warm and expanded, it locked up the front wheel. In the middle of LA. Oh yeah, people were pissed. He had to come out with other brake lever and swap it back.

[specialk]

Originally Posted by erics75218

And as for the Brutale' and the F4 being beautiful, they are...and interestingly enough...it's because they were designed by NONE OTHER THAN MASSIMO TAMBURINI..the same genius who brought us the 916 and Monster. :-D

tamburini did not design the monster, Miguel Galluzzi did.

while i love ducatis, i couldn't disagree more about them being unique when compared to japanese or german bikes. around here at least, there are monsters on every block. i never bought into the whole "ferrari of motorcycles" rhetoric. always sounded like a poseur line.

to the OP, ride something affordable and sensible for your first bike, imo. you'll learn what you like and don't like, which is more important when you're starting out than how you look on it or what name is on the tank.

i'd say to look for bikes like the sv650, kwak 650r, triumph street triple or any of the smaller monsters (695, 750, 800, etc). i don't remember if we get the hornet 600 in the US, but that would be a great starter bike too.

and contrary to what you've been told, the cost of ducati ownership most definitely can be more expensive than other bikes. i say "can", because unless you plan on doing your own scheduled maintenances, which include checking valves and adjusting as necessary, some dealers can rip you a new one on them. like i said i love ducs and i'm not slamming them for this. just letting you know that it can be a consideration when looking at buying one.

edit: just saw that you already pulled the trigger. grats and great choice, ride safe

[LotusLacer]

sweet looking bike, grats. ride safe

[RichS]

Just picked up a new helmet (kind of cool looking Shark helmet, supposedly their 'top of the line' model), a jacket and gloves. I really hate to admit it, but it is all color coordinated with the bike. Kind of dorky, but I figured that would be better than a bunch of random stuff. Of course now when I get another bike it will have to be blue...

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by RichS

Just picked up a new helmet (kind of cool looking Shark helmet, supposedly their 'top of the line' model), a jacket and gloves. I really hate to admit it, but it is all color coordinated with the bike. Kind of dorky, but I figured that would be better than a bunch of random stuff. Of course now when I get another bike it will have to be blue...

Helmets are really about the fit. And Shark makes a nice helmet too.

Color coordinated! That's why you're supposed to get black gear! LOL

What kind of gloves and boots did you get?

[RichS]

Jacket and gloves are Tourmaster, boots are Sidi.

It's all black with blue and white accents... but still kind of dorky.

I did ride back from the purchase with a black leather jacket. All black in Texas gets pretty warm.

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by RichS

Jacket and gloves are Tourmaster, boots are Sidi.

It's all black with blue and white accents... but still kind of dorky.

I did ride back from the purchase with a black leather jacket. All black in Texas gets pretty warm.

When it comes to motorcycle apparel, dorky is relative.

There this:



and there's this:

[Allan Gibbs]

Personally, I'm waiting for the Superman suit to go with my red Ducati (which I'll have to put the "S" symbol on. (yes, I'm joking)

[PhlypSide]

Originally Posted by RichS

Well, I picked up that bike.

Guy wouldn't give me anything off. It's got a minor scratch on one side and the end broken off the brake handle on the other side, supposedly from falling over when parked. With only 4200 miles on it it seems almost new other than the scratch and the brake handle.

I was kind of surprised at the amount of engine braking. It took the 40 mile ride home to get used to keeping a bit of throttle on while shifting so that the engine braking didn't upset the balance of the bike.

I wore a 'regular' leather jacket, my racing gloves, and my car helmet to drive it back here, but I'm thinking that I'm going to get some real motorcycle gear later today or tomorrow.

^^^^^^^^^ Congrats!!!!!!

[chotto]

For anyone that is interested, they are selling 2008 CBR1000RR's ridiculously cheap, $6,685! I just bought one today. Honda : CBR:eBay Motors (item 230374729686 end time Sep-09-09 15:08:53 PDT)

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by RichS

It's all black with blue and white accents... but still kind of dorky.

It's every young boy's dream. You get to leave the house wearing your Power Ranger costume any time you like.

Congrats!

[Noble]

So now that you have had some seat time with the bike, how do you like it?

[a7an]

Hey Rich-

Hoping you are a lotus owner or are familiar with driving them.
Delicacy is a huge deal with bikes...

That said, your first bike will not be your last!!!
I waited until I was sure my testosterone poisioning would not kill me the first year on the bike.

All but one of my friends have ridden bikes for many many years...
This year has been my first full year on a bike.
Invigorating, fun and terrifying (we're really vulnerable) in equal measure.

A single cylinder is plenty for your first ride. Seriously!
Anyone telling you to buy a 600CC Crotch rocket (or more) isn't very bright.

#1 Buy a bike that fits!
If you are a bicyclist you'll know within 15 seconds of sitting on a bike if its right for you.

#2 Buy a light bike!
Lots of great thumper options out there from;
Suzi DRZ 400 SM, Kawi KLR 650, Husky 650, KTM 690 SM to KTM 690 Duke.

If you're a Lotus guy KTM strikes all the right chords.
I found an amazing deal on a year old KTM 690 SM.
Fits me, upright so I can see in more directions than on a crotch rocket, fun light and handles like a pit bull in a room full of kittens.
Modified...305 pounds and more than enough power for both trouble and fun.

Almost bought a DRZ 400 SM. Perfect first bike.
Would have without regret if I did not find the used 690.

So... laugh, but stay alive.
Buy the uncool neon yellow vest from Olympia etc.
My buddies riding in all black (head to toe) on insane Hyper bikes are all in them now. After watching me glow under the trees deep in the shadows on twisty two lane roads...easy decision...no preaching required.

Every time you ride...Imagine your are invisible!
When you are sure a car can see you, pause for a second and really make sure.

Bikes are a blast! Have fun.

A7an

P.S. Loud pipes save lives.
Easy to get spousal approval!
My bike sounds like satan in tunnels. Yeeh Haah

[RichS]

Originally Posted by Noble

So now that you have had some seat time with the bike, how do you like it?

The bike is good. I didn't ride today or yesterday (weather), but I'm hoping to get back out there again this week.

It does have amazing acceleration (I can't image what a liter bike is like). As I mentioned before the engine braking is taking a bit to get used to.

I did take it down to the track and did two laps. Two laps was enough to convince me that I need more experience on the bike before I track it.

I'm looking to gradually build up my skills.

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by RichS

It does have amazing acceleration (I can't image what a liter bike it like).

Your bike: nice acceleration
Liter bike: insane acceleration!

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by RichS

The bike is good. I didn't ride today or yesterday (weather), but I'm hoping to get back out there again this week.

It does have amazing acceleration (I can't image what a liter bike is like). As I mentioned before the engine braking is taking a bit to get used to.

I did take it down to the track and did two laps. Two laps was enough to convince me that I need more experience on the bike before I track it.

I'm looking to gradually build up my skills.

Let me be the first to call you a FAIR WEATHER RIDER!

Liter bike acceleration is off the friggin hook. It's the most insane feeling ever.

I would encourage you to continue trying to ride on the track... a few reminders for you on the street or the track...

1. when preparing to make a turn, always look to the spot where you want to end up and physically turn your head to it so your eyes are dead fixed on that spot. Be sure to use peripheral vision for incoming objects.

Ask me how I know...

2. make sure you downshift before making your turn on your bike in particular, never during your turn. Engine back pressure on your bike is significant enough to cause you to slip.

3. PRACTICE YOUR "SLOW RIDING" SKILLS! What is "slow riding"? Go to the parking lot or whatever place that has the least amount of objects/gravel and ride as slow as you can while doing figure 8's, circles, and even straight lines. Even setup cones if you can for an imaginary, slow mini course! When you come to a light, ride as SLOW as you can until you absolutely have to put a foot down. Slow riding will sharpen your balance... and your riding skills in general!

Ask me how I know...

4. Ride SLOW in general when you are going around the track... find your braking markers, apexes, etc... after a while, you'll FEEL your skills sharpen and your confidence growing

5. ABOVE ALL, wear all your gear all the time.

I hope this helps you!

[Lotus Fury]

Do a track day! I did my first yesterday and it was awesome. It's amazing how well my bike was sticking in the corners! I wasn't pushing it too hard and I could tell there was way more my bike could do I that I wasn't quite ready to do yet... Good news - after scraping my footpegs all day I ended up getting knee down a couple times. I learned a ton and found some weaknesses in my skills that I want to work on. Body position through the corners was the worst part for me, I just wasn't sure how to position my body. I was watching the other riders for clues but without someone specifically watching me it's hard to tell what I need to do differently.

oh - and no more chicken strips!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RichS]

Originally Posted by Lotus Fury

Do a track day!

I'll need full leathers to do a track day.

Ideas on cost?

Weight has also been an issue as I'm sort of trying to lose weight. How do full leathers respond to weight loss (and/or gain)?

[Lotus Fury]

Cyclegear.com has good cheap stuff, New Enough too. $150 -$200 or so for armored leather pants. I have the Frank Thomas XTi stuff. FT is as cheap as it gets and still is good. Always try gear on before you buy it. Motorcycle stuff is meant to fit tighter than normal stuff. Sizes vary widely even in the same manufacturer. And remember - you'll be on your bike when using it so when you're standing the fit might feel weird but on the bike it could be prefect.

As long as you loss weight you'll be ok, gain weight and there might be more issues.

[agirls]

I bought my first suit off of ebay. It was well used, older, and was not very pretty, but it was cheap, thicker leather than the current "cheap" suits, and did it's job.