Motorcycles who rides?

gobonas99

My first bike was a 2000 model. It did me a lot of good. But you will ultimately reach a point on that bike where you will have to either a) invest money into upgrading the suspension (assuming it's stock), or b) upgrading to a bike that comes with better suspension. The stock suspension is known to be the weak link in the bike and assuming you like to hustle around corners you will reach a point before you're even past the "beginner" level where the suspension is what's holding you back. After 5 years I sold it and upgraded to my current bike, a 2006 Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja, and it was a bit of a gamble for me because I wasn't sure I was ready. I never really reached a point on the SV650 where I felt comfortable or safe riding it like it was anything other than a commuter. In turns it didn't feel planted. It felt like if I so much as breathed wrong, the bike would lose it mid-corner. I wasn't sure if it was me, or the bike. When I got the ZX6R, I realized it was the poor grade suspension holding me back. getting the front forks resprung and having heavier weight oil added, as well as completely replacing the rear shock, are MUSTS for the bike unless you plan on using it for anything other than a commuter in basic traffic. Beyond that, it is a GREAT bike.

I *believe* (though I totally admit that I'm not sure) that the suspension issues were corrected with the "2nd gen" SV in 03 (when they went to fuel injection). Either way, my fiance has been riding for almost 25 years, and he's ridden my SV and says he loves how it handles - especially in corners. He said it was more fun than his B-King

I'm not sure what you mean by using it other than a commuter? I have no plans to race the thing. LOL! I will only be riding it with my fiance or with our little "motorcycle gang" (a group of friends who ride together occasionally). At this point, I don't even have plans to ride it on my own to work, although that may change in the future.

ETA - I'm glad that you like your new Kawa ZX6R. I'm not a fan of the full fairing "R" bikes though. I don't like how they look (nor do I like the fact that the "R" adds about $500 a year to the insurance LOL).

shaypearl

I ride a 2002 Suzuki 600 GRX (black and chrome)

You mean GSX-R600?

Yes, thank you, I made that correct. Let's you know how often I ride it. Its my first. Its been sitting for a while now, I plan on getting back to practicing before I hit the highway.

contingencyplan

I ride a 2002 Suzuki 600 GRX (black and chrome)

You mean GSX-R600?

Yes, thank you, I made that correct. Let's you know how often I ride it. Its my first. Its been sitting for a while now, I plan on getting back to practicing before I hit the highway.

Good call. That's really not a good bike for beginners. You have a very tough learning experience ahead of you. And a lot of practice needed.

contingencyplan

My first bike was a 2000 model. It did me a lot of good. But you will ultimately reach a point on that bike where you will have to either a) invest money into upgrading the suspension (assuming it's stock), or b) upgrading to a bike that comes with better suspension. The stock suspension is known to be the weak link in the bike and assuming you like to hustle around corners you will reach a point before you're even past the "beginner" level where the suspension is what's holding you back. After 5 years I sold it and upgraded to my current bike, a 2006 Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja, and it was a bit of a gamble for me because I wasn't sure I was ready. I never really reached a point on the SV650 where I felt comfortable or safe riding it like it was anything other than a commuter. In turns it didn't feel planted. It felt like if I so much as breathed wrong, the bike would lose it mid-corner. I wasn't sure if it was me, or the bike. When I got the ZX6R, I realized it was the poor grade suspension holding me back. getting the front forks resprung and having heavier weight oil added, as well as completely replacing the rear shock, are MUSTS for the bike unless you plan on using it for anything other than a commuter in basic traffic. Beyond that, it is a GREAT bike.

I *believe* (though I totally admit that I'm not sure) that the suspension issues were corrected with the "2nd gen" SV in 03 (when they went to fuel injection). Either way, my fiance has been riding for almost 25 years, and he's ridden my SV and says he loves how it handles - especially in corners. He said it was more fun than his B-King

I'm not sure what you mean by using it other than a commuter? I have no plans to race the thing. LOL! I will only be riding it with my fiance or with our little "motorcycle gang" (a group of friends who ride together occasionally). At this point, I don't even have plans to ride it on my own to work, although that may change in the future.

ETA - I'm glad that you like your new Kawa ZX6R. I'm not a fan of the full fairing "R" bikes though. I don't like how they look (nor do I like the fact that the "R" adds about $500 a year to the insurance LOL).

From what I understand the 2nd gen model used the same suspension as the first gen.

My insurance is only $312 a year, full coverage

NikoM5

I'm a little over one week out from a 4 day ride down to Nor Cal on my FZ6 with a couple buddies. We'll be taking the pacific coast highway. Very excited

danimalkeys

That sounds like a great ride Niko. My bucket list ride is a ride around the US, I have it mapped out, it'll take 19 days of 8 hours a day riding, but we'll take a month doing it. It starts out going south and then heading west, towards Grand Canyon, then a good stretch up the PCH up into Oregon, then head back east, hit Yosemite and through the northern states. I think I figured it to be around 8000 miles. But, that's a story for another day, as I'm no where near able to take that much time off of work.

Thursday my wife and I are leaving for a long weekend to the Poconos. It's our 30th anniversary. It's about a 200 mile ride up there. We have a place at a bed and breakfast. We're going to do day rides Fri/Sat/Sun and then ride home Monday. Not a monster trip mile wise, probably under 1000 total, but we'll explore some nice mountain twisties and catch some beautiful scenery.

ractrev

The 'around the US' ride is on my list as well. Being from Minnesota, I think I will break it into two trips to make it easier to get it accomplished. Do east one year, and west the next.

Happy2Shop21

I ride a 200cc dirt bike, does that count? I love riding dirt, but terrified to ever ride street.

geebusuk

My favourite engine of any bike I've had was my KTM 200EXC - I suspect mine might have actually been setup like an SX, as it was a bit all or nothing, but was brilliant when you focused and making it work.

shaypearl

I ride a 2002 Suzuki 600 GRX (black and chrome)

You mean GSX-R600?

Yes, thank you, I made that correct. Let's you know how often I ride it. Its my first. Its been sitting for a while now, I plan on getting back to practicing before I hit the highway.

Good call. That's really not a good bike for beginners. You have a very tough learning experience ahead of you. And a lot of practice needed.

So far, I've been doing ok. I still have to get used to using that back break when I'm at a stop sign or on a hill. Hills still scare the crap out of me, that why I have not been on it on it a while. I stalled on a hill and it took me 3 tries to recover while holding up a long line of cars. I did go to driving school to get my motorcycle license but they did not have us practicing on hills.

Just_Ceci

The 'around the US' ride is on my list as well. Being from Minnesota, I think I will break it into two trips to make it easier to get it accomplished. Do east one year, and west the next.

We were about 1000 miles short of completing our around the US tour in 2008 when my bike broke down and had to be trailored home.

ctoons124.blogspot.com

Our next big trip will be Key West to Alaska!?

ractrev

The 'around the US' ride is on my list as well. Being from Minnesota, I think I will break it into two trips to make it easier to get it accomplished. Do east one year, and west the next.

We were about 1000 miles short of completing our around the US tour in 2008 when my bike broke down and had to be trailored home.

ctoons124.blogspot.com



Our next big trip will be Key West to Alaska!?

I read a small part of your blog - wow, what an experience!

Just_Ceci

The 'around the US' ride is on my list as well. Being from Minnesota, I think I will break it into two trips to make it easier to get it accomplished. Do east one year, and west the next.

We were about 1000 miles short of completing our around the US tour in 2008 when my bike broke down and had to be trailored home.

ctoons124.blogspot.com



Our next big trip will be Key West to Alaska!?

I read a small part of your blog - wow, what an experience!

The trip of a lifetime!

jriehl08

So glad to see this thread continuing on. I have had some crappy riding weather here in Michigan but will be rolling 4000 miles this week. Still have a chance of 6000 before the first of July.

kms1320

Bikes scare the hell out of me.. but my car (well, one of them) is faster than most bikes, so I can go hop in it and get the same rush but be safer.

CoderGal

Beautiful day out yesterday but the wind nearly blew me over

BikerGirlElaine

Great pic CoderGal!

Windy days are a drag for riding.

CoderGal

Great pic CoderGal!

Windy days are a drag for riding.

The only way I'm beating things on the 250 is bracket racing. I managed to win everyone I race that way. The liter bikes always end up so confused :bigsmile:

edit: ahahaha I read that "windy days are for drag racing" ahahaha....It's sunny out and I'm in studying...my mind is playing tricks on me

amberecochran

Currently learning. I have been riding on the back of bikes all of my life, but this is my first time learning to ride myself. I have a 2009 HD 1200 Custom and a 1999 HD 880.

styledsky

I do. I have a '99 Yamaha Road Star XV1600A.

BikerGirlElaine

Great pic CoderGal!

Windy days are a drag for riding.

The only way I'm beating things on the 250 is bracket racing. I managed to win everyone I race that way. The liter bikes always end up so confused :bigsmile:

edit: ahahaha I read that "windy days are for drag racing" ahahaha....It's sunny out and I'm in studying...my mind is playing tricks on me

You made me laugh this morning!! It's all good!

drefaw

Great pic CoderGal!

Windy days are a drag for riding.

The only way I'm beating things on the 250 is bracket racing. I managed to win everyone I race that way. The liter bikes always end up so confused :bigsmile:

Yea, that is because they do not know how to launch one consistently .....

Those little bikes are a PITA when you have to bracket race against them .......

AND, they are a blast on the twisties !!!

CoderGal

Great pic CoderGal!

Windy days are a drag for riding.

The only way I'm beating things on the 250 is bracket racing. I managed to win everyone I race that way. The liter bikes always end up so confused :bigsmile:

Yea, that is because they do not know how to launch one consistently .....

Those little bikes are a PITA when you have to bracket race against them .......

AND, they are a blast on the twisties !!!

I've let a few laughers hop on my bike and do a couple twisties and then suddenly there's nothing but compliments out of them

It's hilarious racing against a 250 on a larger bike...you're kinda just watching them at the end of the finish line before you start lol. And you still catch up and then you hear they win and you're like what? *deflate*

I was in an accident a few years back and on the road first the first time in a few. I just noticed my tires squaring...I'm obviously doing to many work runs and not enough twisties. A little more nervous about it I guess. Sad times...was wondering why my turns were beginning to feel odd.

CutsandCurves

Wow anybody still riding? I'm a Dyna glide rider