Never mind....
I think I'll stop reading here.So I got the bike almost a whole month ago (used with about 500 miles on it) and I have road it many times (more recently than initially). I still don't have a license or insurance...
try to enjoy your bike rides by yourself....slow down...and take the riders course as soon as you cangood...
So I got the bike almost a whole month ago (used with about 500 miles on it)
[sucks that you bought the bike 100 miles away from the 1st service which costs around $250-$300]S
I also realized one night while riding that at least on the bike, that MPG ratings for motor vehicles are determined using a poor method. They base it on distance of highways and streets, when its really about how long the gas lasts at lowest appropriate RPMs. . It really has NOTHING to do with distance, just how much work your making your engine do. So I have no idea why they base MPGs on distance.
[I am the confused one here...would you prefer they configure mpg's by someone shifting at high rpms at in lower gears for a whole tank? It would have what? maybe a rating of 20mpg then...and my jeep which gets 13mpg would now only have 5mpg]
I also learned quickly that I didn't need to hold the clutch slightly in at all after I got the bike going, lol. I did that at first because I thought the bike would stall if I didn't have it slightly pulled in while riding. My left hand was killing me for holding it so long. lol
[This one really confuses me...what reason on this gods green earth made you ever think you had to RIDE the clutch ...you will be lucky if you didn't glaze the clutch (which is very bad)]
My least favorite part about riding is engine braking and I honestly DO NOT like it. The lower the rpm, the slower and gently the bike will slow down, whereas the higher the rpm, the more quickly the bike will slow down resulting in stronger negative force, which to me gives the feeling that the bike is trying to throw me forward, which is a scary feeling if not prepared for it.
[Engine braking is as much a part of motorcycle riding as is accelerating]
I also think that for those who don't know how to properly engine brake, it would be a dangerous affair as the other night I was coming to a stop at a light, I was engine braking, and as I shifted into first gear I didn't think about my speed, so as I released the clutch I was doing close to 20 MPH and the bike forcefully slowed down, pushing me forward and I swear my rear tire locked up and skidded for about half a second until I pulled in the clutch again to brake on my own.
[have you read your manual under your seat, it clearly states that first gear is good to i think it says 12mph... that goes both ways, including engine braking...your inexperience is clearly showing here]
As for performance, its more than I need.
[I would agree]
My max speed on a short but steady leveled road was 91MPH and there was definitely room for more speed to be had, but my max overall is 95 MPH on a short decline, which could have easily reach 100 at redline.
[I would think that the last thing you need to be doing at this point is going anywhere top end...its dangerous enough when you are an experienced motorcycle rider]
I've managed to clean and lube the chain on my own and that was a real pain because I didn't have the tools to make the process easier
[What exactly is so hard about a rag and a spray can of chain lube?]
So at the moment my experience has been a learning process, but after just getting the bike, I'm really not all that excited about it at all.
[It is what you make of it i guess, lets just hope you dont learn the hard way while your out pushing the bike at 90+ mph..or at the very least you dont take someone else out during your learning process ]
o. I think my lack of enjoyment has much to do with the fact that I don't know any other riders, the fact that I feel more of a loner with the bike than I did without it
[I enjoy going out for long rides alone immensely...once again, i guess it it what ever choose you choose to make of it...you feel alone and abandoned simply because you would rather have an experienced group of guys leading the way around for you to follow?, or maybe your just one of those people who would always prefer to be around other people...I would prefer myself to ride where i want at the speed i want and not have someone else leading the way or having to woryy about matching there speed or direction or them mine.]
and the fact that I DO NOT like the black version of this bike. Its just horribly bland to me. I wanted the red and silver,
[I agree...it was always red/silver for me....black was never an option....they got in 3 blacks ones at my dealer over the 2 months I was waiting for my red]
S I will do my darndest to put my hard earned $4000 plus machine to good use!
[Maybe you should have just ordered a new red one..mine was $4500 TOTAL OUT THE DOOR PRICE...I would expect to have payed much less than $500 off for a used bike]
Thank you very much LTR for your feedback and advice. I really appreciate it.Sounds like your riding experience thus far appears to be leaning towards the negative side. I'll try to be encouraging. First off, good on you for the tentenacity in teaching yourself. You seemed to have picked up some good tips from this forum i.e. engine braking. This forum also has advocated the MSF course which is where you will be taught the proper skills in a safe and static enviornment. Self teaching oneself in a street setting is neither safe nor confidence inspiring. In addition, you are looking over your shoulder with the fear of getting caught as an unlicenced rider. Worse yet would be the scenrio of an accident in which for sure it would be discovered you are unlicenced and uninsured. These factors would indeed take away the joy of riding.
The MSF course would also give you the opportunity to ride different bikes which aids the new rider in a future choice of a bike. In time, one learns what type of bike they'd like as well as discover what style of rider they are. Some people decide the cruiser is the style they want. They're quite content poking along and enjoying the scenery while others latch onto the sport bike, taking the twisities at mach 10 while dragging their knee and comment "what scenery?". Again the MSF course gives the new rider an introduction to these bikes. This forum has also suggested buying a previously owned bike to learn on as new riders are more able to relax without the fear of dropping their new bike.
As far as maintenance is concerned, it's a part of the sport. However I have not felt it a chore. Most of us find it a part of the hobby. Safety is a prime concern therefore no biggie.
Sorry the black color is not working out for you. Perhaps you should of waited for the red. On a positive note, since you are going to hang on to this investment you can add some mods to personalize it to your taste.
When you take your MSF course you will meet other new riders. Following the conclusion of the course maybe you guys can hook up for future rides. All will have the same skill level so no one will feel pressured to ride beyond their skill/comfort level. Give yourself time to hone your skills. Whenever learning something new in life there are peaks and valleys. Naturally this applies to riding. Something I have learned while riding is "One has to WANT to learn to ride....not the idea of riding".
Hang in. Take the MSF. Get a different bike is needed. Be patient.
Cheers
A couple of things -
No experience, license, or insurance and you've hit 95! Wake-up! Park the CBR until you have completed a MSF course and have your license and insurance.
I understand and completely agree with you and intend on doing that as soon as I can.
You are too impatient. Why buy a black one if you don't like it? You are not ready to ride anyway, so just wait. Do you have gear? You need more than just a helmet. Jacket, gloves, boots, and pants are a real good idea.
I bought the black because the only Red/Silver ones available were none at any dealership because the used black one. Getting a Red/Silver would have taken time and would cost the bike and a half (which I didn't want to risk put myself in that kind of financial situation with little experience on buying a vehicle. I also only have a official Helmet, but no riding gloves, jacket, or boots because its all too expensive at the moment, so right now I'm using temporary substitutes.
A cycle is not an "investment" - the value is constantly dropping from day 1. It's much closer to a toy for most of us.
By investment, I mean what I will be using it for in the future and it has proven useful to my everyday needs. I bought the bike with convenience, style, and confidence in quality, so that I wouldn't regret buying a crappy chinese scooter that can't be taken on the highway and would just me feel like I'm riding something ugly. I don't dislike having and using the bike.
Slow yourself down and get some training immediately. If you aren't sure you're having fun, it may not be for you. The test is when things go bad - that's when you decide if riding is your thing or not.
I agree. I think I will surely enjoy it, but its just worrying and frustrating because of how I rushed into getting the bike when I was not prepared to properly and safely learn and get legal. The bike itself I do like, just not how much I worry about what I need to do ASAP.
The consequences for impatience and mistakes are higher than you think they are.
Understood and there is no excuse for me to be riding it without proper training and the legal stuff.
Jay
Thank you, Brian. I appreciate it.Honda CBR 250 rider, good job. I know I would have a hard time waiting for every thing to be done so I could ride. Judging from your post, it sounds like you use your brain, that is good. On a motorcyle to me the most important insurane is uninsured motorist. Motorcycles usually come out of an accident with the short stick. Where I live we have plenty of illegal aliens (from everywhere) that obviously dont care about the laws, or they would not be here illegaly. So I upped my uninsure motorist, becausewhen they run you over, they are not too worried about auto insurance either.
I am interested in what you think of the riding class. Will it be MSF? Keep us posted.
And congratulations on you new bike, be safe.
[I am the confused one here...would you prefer they configure mpg's by someone shifting at high rpms at in lower gears for a whole tank? It would have what? maybe a rating of 20mpg then...and my jeep which gets 13mpg would now only have 5mpg]try to enjoy your bike rides by yourself....slow down...and take the riders course as soon as you can
Quote of the year.I want to reassure that I am not a wreckless rider.
It seems like that would be the case, but besides the fact that I spelled it wrong (because of common error), it actually means to be careless.Quote of the year.
(With the double negative, I think that means he wrecks.)