| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 23:45 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Sep 2009 |
Posts: 166 Reputation: 15 [?] User Rank: Captain 
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So many people out there say to start out with a small bike, but imo, it all depends on you as the rider. My XB12S was/is my first bike and I have enjoyed the hell out of it. The bike will definetly do more stuff than I ask it to, but that is the entire point. If you ride a fast bike like a scooter, you will be safe... if you ride a scooter like you're Mr. pro-racer, you're gunna get hurt... it doesnt matter the bike you're on, it just matters how you ride it.
Personally, before I got my bike, I saw this video and right then decided how I was going to ride my bike.... like it had 50cc's! (graphic warning) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud1tmTJNsk0&am ... |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 00:38 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Nov 2009 |
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Guys, I didn't forget which forum I was on.
I'm not going to recommend a Buell just because we're on a Buell-specific forum. You guys can give all the bad advice you want. And, boy, is there a lot of it. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 01:11 | [?] |
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Posts: 655 Reputation: 12 [?] User Rank: Brigadier General 
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I agree with afinley.
You control the bike, the bike doesn't control you. If you like the 1125, buy it. You can pretty much steal them now. Secondly, if you want to ride slow, just don't to wrist snaps with your throttle hand. Leanring to ride a bike is going to be a challenge on any bike you pick. The key is to know your limits and take it easy. Just because the bike you want CAN go 150mph doesn't mean you have to. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 01:22 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Apr 2008 |
Posts: 189 Reputation: 5 [?] User Rank: Captain
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one more thing to consider is if you get any BUELL , you will stand out 
and you will have a very unique motorcycle, totally different from all others, and you won't look like EVERY single other Crouch Rocket out there .. 
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 06:56 | [?] |
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Quote:
Guys, I didn't forget which forum I was on. I'm not going to recommend a Buell just because we're on a Buell-specific forum. I actually agree with Kidder, the SV650 is plenty of bike for both learning on and for in-town riding. I have a 1979 Honda CX500 that I love to play around on, mostly because it costs me about $70 a year to keep it insured and they are rock solid engines. But anyway, in my personal opinion the Blast is the only thing I would hand over to a new rider. I rode a CBR600F1 for a while, it had some performance work on it and stuff so it was probably on par with the carburated F4s out now for power, and they are very forgiving in the clutch and revs because they have such a long range. Riding a V-twin and an I-4 are very different experiences. Anyway, bottom line to this post is: the SV650 is an amazing starter bike for the bucks you have to put into it. I wish I had bought one of those instead of going right to my XB12R because I have gotten myself into some trouble that I probably could have avoided if I owned the Suzuki in the middle. There is no shame in admitting that other companies make good motorcycles, even if they are Japanese. AND an SV650 can be picked up in great shape with just 1-3k miles on it for around 3.5k. They have plenty they can teach you, and I'd say it's a better choice than any Buell for your first bike. The rev range just makes it much more forgiving, especially if you're new on it and a little timid to push it hard when you're starting off a line. Just my feelings, having recently (within last 2 years) moved up in the displacement standings. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 19:15 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Mar 2009 |
Posts: 318 Reputation: 1 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel 
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| Buc... you're gonna get the bike you want anyway so just go get it. That being said, you have no business what so ever having it as a first bike. Have you any idea how fast this thing is or how fast it can and will get you in trouble? It makes what? around 150HP, weighs around 400 lbs? Think about that, a 5.0 litre mustang makes what...250 weighs 4000 lbs (just guessing) the 1125 makes half the HP but the car is TEN times the weight! This bike will easily do zero to 60 by the time you get across a 4 lane intersection. Ya, you say you can control yourself, but as a first bike you can't control it. Consider yourself warned, use your head and good luck. Wayne | |
| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 19:34 | [?] |
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Did I miss where he asked for opinions on SV650's?
Quote:
So that is the question. I recently decided to learn to ride and took the local MSF course. In addition to that I have some experience on my friends 07 CBR600RR. I was busy shopping CL for a bike and stumbled across an 08 Buell 1125R. The bike is basically new (less than 100 miles). I really like the looks, but I am wondering if a liter bike is a good choice for someone as novice as I am. I have no urge to track the bike what so ever. I am a decent sized guy 6'0 185lbs and I want something that will fit me well. The CBR is ok, but honestly not as comfortable as it could be. I think Buells are gorgeous bikes, I just am not sure if the big Buell is a good choice for me at my current riding level. I am 30 so there’s no doing 150 on the freeway and splitting traffic in my future. I want something reliable and with good handling for driving around town. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 20:01 | [?] |
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Posts: 189 Reputation: 5 [?] User Rank: Captain
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+1 racepro716
it's like having your very first car a supercar or even a high HP sports car, it can be too dangerous for someone who does not have the right amount and type of experience .thats why traffic crashes are the leading cause of death(37%) for teenagers in America. Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers that from NHTSA. Inexperience is the #1 reason why . and motorcycle is something you need lots of experience on, to be able to do it right and well, & perfect and SAFE. and starter or first bike and a fast high HP (superbike type or close too) they all are TOTALLY Different BEASTS .and they deserve the right type of rider and a rider of different levels of Experience. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 22:10 | [?] |
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Posts: 436 Reputation: 2 [?] User Rank: Colonel 
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| Yes, the 09 firebolts. No bugs, and no 2nd o2 sensor. | |
| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 22:30 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Dec 2009 |
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buc
i would agree with some of the post here. my first bike was cbr600 tons of fun and now i have a xb12r lot more torque but still fun to drive. there are some days i wish i still had my cbr but i am happy with my decision to get my xb12r. it's ultimately up to you on what you want to ride so make the right decision and not something you will regret later. take a bike for a test ride before you decide if you can. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 22:41 | [?] |
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in the end you're going to get what you want, so i wont try to preach about absolutely not doing this or absolutely doing that, but i will try to offer some insight from my standpoint.
The primary thing you want in a first bike is something that you won't be afraid to ride. Now, some people are not afraid of things they should be and that's (IMO) what leads to a lot of beginner mistakes. If you start on something like a ninja 250 you won't be afraid to push your limits on it like you would be if you've got 140hp between your legs (you know what i mean!). you make a small mistake on a 250, no big deal deal. Make the same mistake on an 1125r and you may just total your new bike and land in the hospital in a coma. Not to scare you, i'm just trying to put it in perspective... That being said. I started on a Buell XB9R two years ago and haven't regretted it in the least. THAT being said, an xb9r isn't going to power wheelie coming out of a corner or unleash hellish amounts of power when you least expect it; it's a pushrod v-twin, so it's pretty predictable. Like i said, i bought it two years ago when i was right out of the MSF course. I commute on it every single day, it's been down a few pretty crazy roads, i've ridden it through mountains, i've ridden it 300 miles in a day and it's been virtually problem free for the entire 20k miles i've put on it. IMO for a level headed, mature person it's a great bike to start on and ride forever. |
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| Posted: 09 Feb 2010 22:56 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Nov 2009 |
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| I agree with who ever said the SV 650 thats a great bike for beginers. Its light, handles well, and is cheap so that WHEN a novice rider drops it their not out much. Ideally your first bike would be a dirt bike, but it sounds like your interested in going straight to a street bike. The 1125 just seems like a lot to start off with. | |
| Posted: 15 Feb 2010 15:54 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: May 2009 |
Posts: 24 Reputation: 1 [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
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I learned how to ride a street bike on a Honda 929. It's all pretty basic, if you roll hard on the throttle you go fast if you don't then you wont. There probably is "bad, good, the best" bike to learn on, but in my experience you either belong on a bike or you don't and only you can determine that. I would say buy that 1125, find an area to get a little comfortable with it and then build on that experience. 
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| Posted: 15 Feb 2010 19:22 | [?] |
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the only problem I see with the whole deal is that all the good intentions in the world mean nothing when the bike gets out of shape. panic changes a lot and a big bike with lots of power can make a bad situation worse in a heartbeat.
its one thing to know what you should do and what you really do when everything goes south. when a car nearly hits you the clutch slips a bit and the front tire comes up 140 hp vs 80hp make a big difference in how long you have to react and get the bike back under control. the weight makes a difference too. the torque of these engines make it even more dramatic compared to the smaller inline 4s. I always recommend small parallel twins to my friends who start to ride. I hear that the ninja 650 is a nice bike to start on. but with all that said its your body and your money spend it where you like. whatever you do BE CAREFUL WEAR ALL YOUR GEAR AND LOOK OUT FOR CARS and welcome. 
ps in an ideal world you could get the 1125 or any other buell and an el cheapo Craigslist bike for a grand or so and ride the cheep bike till the wheels fall off or 5,000 miles whatever happens first and get rid of it with the buell waiting for you. (and maybe sneak off on it once or twice while you learn the ropes.) it doesn't hurt as much to drop a cheep ugly bike you don't care about but when your baby goes down it leaves a scar. |
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| Posted: 15 Feb 2010 19:35 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Dec 2009 |
Posts: 39 Reputation: Unranked [?] User Rank: Second Lieutenant
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| One thing that I haven't seen mentioned and the reason I got a Buell for my first bike. If I could have waited 1-2 years from now to upgrade from a smaller bike to a Buell I would have. But with Harley stopping production of Buell I didn't have that option any more. So I got the bike I wanted before I couldn't get one. Yes I know I might drop my new bike and break it as a beginner, I know its more bike then I can handle. But I love it and I can grow into it, every time I get on her I reminded my self to take it easy and ride at my level. | |
| Posted: 15 Feb 2010 20:32 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Dec 2009 |
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that is a very valid point Jeshua.
that is why ideally a learner bike could be found for a grand or so (with all the savings on Buells right now I don't see why; if you were in the market for a full priced bike, a cheep one couldn't be picked up to learn on and drop.) learn on it and keep the Buell in the stable until you are ready. if you cant afford a cheep learner bike (I saw a 400 Kawasaki for $600 that ran just fine) on the side repairs when you drop your buell will be just as hard. |
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| Posted: 16 Feb 2010 06:06 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Nov 2009 |
Posts: 101 Reputation: 3 [?] User Rank: Captain
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Quoting 03Firebolt9R
Did I miss where he asked for opinions on SV650's? Yes, you did. If you read the last few sentences of his post (which you quoted) he said: "The CBR is ok, but honestly not as comfortable as it could be. I think Buells are gorgeous bikes, I just am not sure if the big Buell is a good choice for me at my current riding level. I am 30 so there’s no doing 150 on the freeway and splitting traffic in my future. I want something reliable and with good handling for driving around town." The SV650 fits all of those requirements. It's a very versatile bike that can be used for commuting, canyon carving, club racing, etc. |
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| Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:05 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jul 2008 |
Posts: 714 Reputation: 36 [?] User Rank: Major General 
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Honestly, my first bike was going to be an SV650. The only reason I didn't buy it was a money issue. I was in college, they had really just come out and I couldn't afford the price tag. I just wanted one because of the looks, and it seemed like a nice bike.
I ended up buying a 5 year old YZF600. It was a lot cheaper to buy, and I only had to carry liability insurance on it. It was the first street bike I had ever been on, and the first time I had ever been over 40mph on a bike. There is no difference between crashing going 100mph on an 1125, crashing going 100mph on a SV650, or crashing doing 100mph on a rocket. The bottom line is buy something that fits you, and respect the damn thing. And I apologize if my comment about being on the wrong forum offended you. It was meant as a joke. |
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| Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:15 Last Edited By: triple7 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Dec 2009 |
Posts: 190 Reputation: 2 [?] User Rank: Captain
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That video was insane. I cant get that pic of that guy out of my head.
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| Posted: 21 Feb 2010 23:32 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Nov 2009 |
Posts: 109 Reputation: 1 [?] User Rank: Captain
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| Here's my two cents: I started riding about the same age as you, never rode a motorcycle before. I raced cars in SCCA and vintage racing so I had some knowledge of performance handling although different it applies. I took the safety class with 30 others. We all passed but the instructor said that only me and another guy should be on the freeway right away. The other guy had been riding without a license for over 20 years. My first bike was 916 cc. I've only crashed once on a public road and it was when a guy came out of parking lot and didn't see me and hit me. I drive fast now and then but not crazy, I respect traffic and assume everyone is blind and will not see me so I pay attention. It's been 14 years now and I'm glad about my decision but it boils down to your maturity level and confidence. | |
| Posted: 22 Feb 2010 00:58 | [?] |
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| there's enough info for bucbrew to figure it out-but while were all disagreeing ,did he run out &buy a rice burner? | |
| Posted: 22 Feb 2010 16:08 | [?] |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2010 |
Posts: 309 Reputation: 7 [?] User Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
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I Have only owned 4 street bikes in my life though I have been riding on the dirt far longer. My first street bike was a xb9r I loved that bike to death(wish I still had it and that is why I bought another one) my second was a ninja zx9r, third a m2 cyclone, fourth is my new(to me) xb9r. I have to say that starting out with a dirt bike before owning any one of those 4 bikes was a great thing. I would never recomend to anyone to go out and buy a big cc bike to start out with ever.
I would recomend like others have said get the buell you want and stick in your garage and buy a little cheap beater bike to start out with and ride the heck out of it then when you feel really comfortable on the beater bike and feel like you are ready for the buell then start riding it. you dont want to mess up your good bike learning to ride and making a big mistake. also just putting this out the but if you ask MOST stunt riders what they use to practice with and learn how to do stuff with they will tell you a dirt bike not a big street bike that they use in the shows. |
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