Any Riders on the board?
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Davis, CA/ San Jose, CA
Originally Posted by tranman85
i like cycle gear on parkmoor, people there are really friendly. and i always get good discounts ever since i shopped there.
Originally Posted by averagelunatic
Congrats on taking the MSF course!
Two Bay Area forums that you may want to check for gear (if you haven't already):
www.bayarearidersforum.com (aka BARF)
www.southbayriders.com (aka SBR)
Be sure that you do not skimp on riding boots. Reason being is that ankles and feet are very difficult to repair when they get mangled. In the unlikely event that you do have an incident you want to be 100% protected, boots especially. Also consider getting a 2-piece suit that zips together at the waist. Alpine Stars has some nice options for reasonable prices. While you should always try to ride in full gear, a 2-piece suit will be more convenient. Sometimes wearing leather pants is just not an option.
As you also mentioned, some people believe that starting on a small bike, such as a Ninja 250, is a wise choice for total beginners. The issue of which is better for learning, big or small, is often heavily debated on motorcycle forums and there never seems to be a final answer. However, one universal truth that seems to go undisputed is that you can wind up injured or dead on a small or large motorcycle. At the end of the day, the single most important factor in safe riding is the rider's tempermemt.
If you have not already considered other bikes that are a little less expensive and slightly less powerful than the Gixx 600, take a look at some of the following:
Twin Class
SV 650
SV 650s
Bandit 600
Ducati Monster 620
Ninja 500
Inline 4 Class
ZZR 600
FZ 600
The twin class bikes offer a very different power delivery than the inline 4 class. Twins have a lot of low end torque and smooth delivery throughout the RPMs. The inline 4s rev much higher than the twins and make their power very high in the RPMs.
You can find used SVs for reasonable prices and they are fairly reliable machines. Ducati Monsters are not too hard to come by in the used market either but do tend to require a bit more maintenance than almost any other bike. In any event...this is not meant to tell you that you should not go with the Gixx 600. Just trying to point out that many other bikes out there are equally as fun, giving you room to grow, but slightly less lethal than a new Gixx 600.
Also something to consider is track riding/education. You may not have any intention of ever becoming a motorcyucle racer, however, going to the track and getting educated on high(er) speed riding will be immensely helpful in your learning how to control a bike. Especially a bike like the Gixx 600, which is very responsive to rider inputs.
Kegwins at The Track ia a track event organizer that offers 2 day novice schools. The schools are very well organized and very safe. If you do end up starting out on a Gixx 600, and you get to the point where you feel confident on public roads, sign up for a novice school and take your bike to the track. You will be instantly humbled. Keith Code also offers a high performance riding school which may be of interest to you. I believe that Keith Code schools provide bikes as well.
Anyway...I know this is way more info/feedback than you asked for. Good luck and take your time learning. Sounds like you are off to a good start with MSF and buying proper gear. If you need someone to help you get started with learning local twisty roads, let me know. I'm not too far from you in San Jose and I'd be happy to show you around or answer any questions.
Two Bay Area forums that you may want to check for gear (if you haven't already):
www.bayarearidersforum.com (aka BARF)
www.southbayriders.com (aka SBR)
Be sure that you do not skimp on riding boots. Reason being is that ankles and feet are very difficult to repair when they get mangled. In the unlikely event that you do have an incident you want to be 100% protected, boots especially. Also consider getting a 2-piece suit that zips together at the waist. Alpine Stars has some nice options for reasonable prices. While you should always try to ride in full gear, a 2-piece suit will be more convenient. Sometimes wearing leather pants is just not an option.
As you also mentioned, some people believe that starting on a small bike, such as a Ninja 250, is a wise choice for total beginners. The issue of which is better for learning, big or small, is often heavily debated on motorcycle forums and there never seems to be a final answer. However, one universal truth that seems to go undisputed is that you can wind up injured or dead on a small or large motorcycle. At the end of the day, the single most important factor in safe riding is the rider's tempermemt.
If you have not already considered other bikes that are a little less expensive and slightly less powerful than the Gixx 600, take a look at some of the following:
Twin Class
SV 650
SV 650s
Bandit 600
Ducati Monster 620
Ninja 500
Inline 4 Class
ZZR 600
FZ 600
The twin class bikes offer a very different power delivery than the inline 4 class. Twins have a lot of low end torque and smooth delivery throughout the RPMs. The inline 4s rev much higher than the twins and make their power very high in the RPMs.
You can find used SVs for reasonable prices and they are fairly reliable machines. Ducati Monsters are not too hard to come by in the used market either but do tend to require a bit more maintenance than almost any other bike. In any event...this is not meant to tell you that you should not go with the Gixx 600. Just trying to point out that many other bikes out there are equally as fun, giving you room to grow, but slightly less lethal than a new Gixx 600.
Also something to consider is track riding/education. You may not have any intention of ever becoming a motorcyucle racer, however, going to the track and getting educated on high(er) speed riding will be immensely helpful in your learning how to control a bike. Especially a bike like the Gixx 600, which is very responsive to rider inputs.
Kegwins at The Track ia a track event organizer that offers 2 day novice schools. The schools are very well organized and very safe. If you do end up starting out on a Gixx 600, and you get to the point where you feel confident on public roads, sign up for a novice school and take your bike to the track. You will be instantly humbled. Keith Code also offers a high performance riding school which may be of interest to you. I believe that Keith Code schools provide bikes as well.
Anyway...I know this is way more info/feedback than you asked for. Good luck and take your time learning. Sounds like you are off to a good start with MSF and buying proper gear. If you need someone to help you get started with learning local twisty roads, let me know. I'm not too far from you in San Jose and I'd be happy to show you around or answer any questions.
the response is almost instant...took me a day or so to get used to...combined with the slipper clutch. It's nice, but I'm still used to a little rev-match. Sounds cooler too lol...
WOOO HOOOOO!!!!
Finally finished up my MSF class. Got delayed a week because of the rain! Then we had to finish up the last class on one of the hottest days.
Well you guys have some SWEET bikes. So if anyone wants to let one go for a good deal hit me up first! I am in the market for a 01-05 600....
Finally finished up my MSF class. Got delayed a week because of the rain! Then we had to finish up the last class on one of the hottest days.
Well you guys have some SWEET bikes. So if anyone wants to let one go for a good deal hit me up first! I am in the market for a 01-05 600....
Originally Posted by LOU
If by weather, you mean how HOT it is outside, we can have an evening meet/drive.
Originally Posted by nitrouz
cool I got an 06 R6 Raven.
yo is it true that on the 06s I read that they really rev only up to 15.5 as far as power you can use despite the redline being at 175.? I read it on sport rider. havent seen too many 06's around here except the ones that look like a bumble bee..if I were to nab another one it'd bethe raven like yours
Originally Posted by nitrouz
haha not me bro. I'd sweat all day long if I can stay in my leathers on my bike.
