[Turboladdade]

Hello, this is my first post I just joined!

I'm a total n00b to bikes, I never owned one, and only ever been on one a few times. Recently I've been looking to buy a second car, but not sure I want to spend that much money since the car I already have is great and I intend to keep it. Then, by luck of a brief conversation with someone about motorcycles, the idea was seeded in my head over the past few weeks and now I'm pretty sure I want one. I'll just keep the car I already have and enjoy, and add a bike! Perfect!

I've enrolled in the MSF beginner's course nearby and will be starting that next week Wednesday, and will conveniently finish on my 26th birthday at which point I intend to buy a bike (unless of course after the MSF course I decide riding isn't for me).

So I was doing some research online about bikes and riding in general. I like the price, style, and general word-of-mouth about Kawasaki bikes. At first I was thinking Ninja 250, with 650R in the back of my head, but then a few days ago I saw my friend's dad's 2004 Ninja 250 in his garage and thought it looked like it might be a little too dainty for me (5' 10", 200 LBS).

Then today I was getting service done to my Saab at the depressingly* understocked and quiet Saab dealer in Downers Grove, IL and while I waited, walked to DGY Motorsports which is conveniently located exactly across the street from said Saab dealer, and they have an brand new orange Ninja 650R there and it looks like exactly what I want/imagined myself having. I'z really likes it a wholeee lot!

So my question is, firstly is a Ninja 650R a good fit for the first bike of someone who's background story matches mine, and secondly, what are your thoughts about buying said bike brand new? I'm so far thinking I'd like to make this sortof a credit-building, responsibility-instilling experience for myself, but would like further input on that.

I'm also interested in learning what sort of routine and not-so-routine maintenance I can be expecting with this bike. What sort of things should I try to habitualize myself to look for on a regular basis? Will the owner's manual be useful teaching me this sortof stuff, or is it all about experience?

Well anyways thanks for reading my long first post I'm excited to be dipping my toe into this!

* And I really do mean it when I say depressing, as I'm as passionate about Saabs as many members of this forum are about their bikes. It deeply saddens me to see a company I've dedicated much of my life to struggling so

 

[galahad05]

The 650 is a good bike. Most veterans (20+ years riding for instance) like to advise prospective riders to go the "get a motocross-style bike first, learn on the dirt" route.
Either that or the 250. Ride the snot out of it, make all your mistakes on that very forgiving bike. Then, when you've had a lot of experience under your belt and you're starting to pine for more power...then go up to a 650 or a supersport (if you want to go the sportbike route).

I personally started out on an SV650.

 

[Turboladdade]

Hey thanks for the reply.

Since I posted that, I bought a 250 for a really good price ($1,000 cash) and have been loving it, riding it daily (weather permitting). I'm glad too, because I think the 2012 Ninja 650 looks better than the 2011s so when I've had my fill of the 250, I can upgrade to one of those.

 

[retmotor]

Hey, congrats on the bike. Enjoy it.

 

[sportyaccordy]

I am 5' 10", 175lbs, started riding on the 650R. It's perfect, just quick enough but not so fast that I ever feel overwhelmed.

 

[Rocks]

My first street bike was a 2005 Kawasaki z750 s and was perfect.. I am 6 ft 1 and 210..

 

[Mramazingpanda]

I'm new to Sport bikes. Thank you all for this great forum. I've found so much great information throughout this site that will definitely help me throughout my riding. I have rode bicycles (raced with them) and rode dirt bikes all my life. I think it's definitely time to move up to the Sport bike class. I'm taking the MSF course this weekend coming up and then the next week I'm heading the the dealership to get a new 2012 650. Thank you all again.

 

[Bobbie]

Hi everyone,
I'm in need of some advice. I am a female 5'3 160lbs and just got a 2002 Meanstreak 1500 with hypercharger. The hypercharger sticks out way too much and I can't reach the break pedal, anyone have any suggestions? Also I am scared of it in turning it, I feel like I will drop it..any advice?

 

[Freak]

not sure with the hypercharger - cant help you with that.
As for turning it, im afraid its about practice. I am guessing that this is with you on the bike?
Start off by going in a large circle, anticlockwise. This way you are able to put one foot down if needed, but still have control of the rear brake.
Then do the same the other rotation. After that, tighten the circle till your on full lock.
You may want to put in some figure of 8s before you tighten the radius too much.

 

[Arizona Streake]

I think that the word "counter steering" for some folks (like me) gets confusing. I get the point of the name, but when the instructor at the MSF described it as when Peter Pan flies he leans his right shoulder to the right to turn right it finally sunk in for me. Sounds silly, but it was easier for me to grasp than trusting the physics of it. Now if someone asks me about counter steering when they are confused as I was I just tell them - push on the bars with the right hand to go right and they get it.

 

[Rasmith]

Hi everyone,
I'm in need of some advice. I am a female 5'3 160lbs and just got a 2002 Meanstreak 1500 with hypercharger. The hypercharger sticks out way too much and I can't reach the break pedal, anyone have any suggestions? Also I am scared of it in turning it, I feel like I will drop it..any advice?

As far as the Hypercharger is concerned..I'm sure your knee is up against it and the angle your leg takes to get your foot on the brake in uncomfortable..I have the Chuckster intake on mine and its great. Does not protrude at all.
Slow turning takes practice but if your tires are worn and/or the steering stem bearing is worn it will be more difficult. If when taking low speed turns, 10-15mph, the steering feels "choppy" you may have an issue with one or both. For slower speed turning, you want to use what's called Counterweight Steering. This is where you actually turn the handlebars in the direction you want to turn and shift your bottom to the same side of the seat you're turning to..Left turn, turn front wheel to left and shift weight to left. Look into and beyond your turn and feather your clutch..
The technique is well documented. You should look on Youtube for it..

Here's the link for the intake..
ProductDetail

Here's mine

 

[Steammaker]

Hi everyone,
I'm in need of some advice. I am a female 5'3 160lbs and just got a 2002 Meanstreak 1500 with hypercharger. The hypercharger sticks out way too much and I can't reach the break pedal, anyone have any suggestions? Also I am scared of it in turning it, I feel like I will drop it..any advice?

Hi Bobbie & :welcome: to the forums. Theres another mounting/back plate for your Hypercharger that makes it NOT stick out so far.
Someone will chime in with the name soon I'm sure, I cant remember it right now. If you dont think that'll give enough room for you to reach the brake pedal comfortably
Then you'll most likely hafta remove the Hypercharger. Do you have the backplate from the OEM filter bowl on that side?
If you do there's an inexpensive route you can go with called a "Caddman" . Look it up on Gadget's Fix it page(google it). If not there's a few other options that dont
stick out so far. Good Luck with your choice & ride safe. :glassesti

 

[Arizona Streake]

Hi everyone,
I'm in need of some advice. I am a female 5'3 160lbs and just got a 2002 Meanstreak 1500 with hypercharger. The hypercharger sticks out way too much and I can't reach the break pedal, anyone have any suggestions? Also I am scared of it in turning it, I feel like I will drop it..any advice?

Just remember that your hypercharger is allowing the bike to take in more air, and if it runs good right now then there is probably a Power Commander 3 or other system that is telling your bike to put out a certain amount of fuel through the injectors. If you remove the hypercharger (sounds like you need to remove it or replace it with a different shape as someone said) then when you put on the stock intake I'm pretty positive your bike will be running rich as it will have less air coming in. You will likely need to get the Power Commander re-mapped when you change intakes (others can give you better advice on how to do this).
If you do have a Power Commander made by Dynajet then after you change your intake you can e-mail them (just google it) and they will send you the closest map code they have for the specific engine, exhaust, and intake on your bike - for FREE - they are nice!

 

[BUGrad]

JonF - Thank you helping out on the form. Any advice for a new rider who just brought a 2000 ZR-7?

 

[Dan_S]

New member, and first post here for me.

I bought a Honda Rebel a few years ago, and sold it later that same summer. Got some more street time on another bike this past year, as well as taking most of a MSF-certified course.

I'm currently in the market for a good bike (adventure-sport type) at a reasonable price (since I do actually have a pretty tight budget,) and since it is the middle of winter for me here, I figured I might be able to get a good price now, rather than later.

Once the snow melts off, I'm hoping to hit the road on a cross country (possibly even more - Mexico, here I come?) trip. Currently looking at a ZR7, as it is within my price range, and from all research I have done and advice I have gotten, seems to indicate that the ZR7 would be a pretty good bike for my stated goals.

Any advice is welcome,

Dan_S

 

[Obo]

New member, and first post here for me.

I bought a Honda Rebel a few years ago, and sold it later that same summer. Got some more street time on another bike this past year, as well as taking most of a MSF-certified course.

I'm currently in the market for a good bike (adventure-sport type) at a reasonable price (since I do actually have a pretty tight budget,) and since it is the middle of winter for me here, I figured I might be able to get a good price now, rather than later.

Once the snow melts off, I'm hoping to hit the road on a cross country (possibly even more - Mexico, here I come?) trip. Currently looking at a ZR7, as it is within my price range, and from all research I have done and advice I have gotten, seems to indicate that the ZR7 would be a pretty good bike for my stated goals.

Any advice is welcome,

Dan_S

Hi Dan, Jump into the zr7 (and zr7s) forum for the best input from riders of that bike.

 

[custer]

My advice for new riders is to take a break if you need it. I would advise using a motorcycle safety course.
I like to go to the training area and take a few turns around the course even after 2 years and 10k miles on my bike.:dance: it keeps me nimble and ready.

 

[java]

Brand Spankin' New && First Post!

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd do my first post here since I'm a No0B, kind of a "Hello World"
Just finished the MSF BRC course and got my bike.
In a couple weeks of riding I'll be signing up for the BRC2/MSRC.

Looking forward to a great community!

-Java

 

[ryguy]

Interesting thread we got going on here, haha.

To the main question.
So i will be getting my drivers permit soon becuase ive never driven, im 15 and 5 months, so in Jan i will get it. Do you think that i should drive first for a few years, maybe get a bike to test to see if i want to ride one of them. If i do decide to ride a bike while i own a car, what kind of bike should i get to start out with?
Thanks,
Ryguy

 

[custer]

Interesting thread we got going on here, haha.

To the main question.
So i will be getting my drivers permit soon becuase ive never driven, im 15 and 5 months, so in Jan i will get it. Do you think that i should drive first for a few years, maybe get a bike to test to see if i want to ride one of them. If i do decide to ride a bike while i own a car, what kind of bike should i get to start out with?
Thanks,
Ryguy

yes, give it a few years with a car then get a bike. there is no need to rush into a bike.