New rider from Houston, TX

4517 Views 31 Replies 15 Participants Last post by chrmoody, Dec 12, 2012

Brooks

Discussion Starter · Nov 28, 2012

Hi guys. Just picked up my bike this afternoon. I managed to find a used one w/ 700 miles for $3k. It's a steal if you ask me. This is my first bike. Im terrified already. I almost died twice on the way home. Once when a guy turned left in front of me and I was in the straight lane and once when I got just mosied on into the lane I was in. I knew you were supposed to ride like you were invisible, but dang.

First questions:

How do I know if it has ABS? I think it does as the owner's manual that came with it said "CBR250R/A" and I think the last letter means ABS but how do I know for sure?

The insurance people said if I join a club, it decreases my insurance rates. You think this decrease equates to the cost to join? Any other suggestions for decreasing insurance rates besides MSF (already done)?

Suggestions for first modifications? Seems like it's almost perfect the way it is...

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21 - 32 of 32 Posts

Brooks

Discussion Starter · #21 · Dec 3, 2012

WTF does my number of posts have to do with calling someone else a troll? Does it equate to some sort of "street cred" or should I say..."E-cred"?

I'm new here, but I'm not new to forums and I'm not new to trolls. Despite explicitly explaining my reasons for wanting more power, Michael decided to call me out on trying to act like some sort of badass "wanting to run before being able to walk" and telling me I need to modify my attitude.

Anyway, Im back with another question: I ordered the speed and strength twist of fate pants in a size 36, which I was under the impression was the waist size? And I actually ordered a size larger just to be safe. I read on the website that they're supposed to fit "definitely tight" so they dont flap around in the wind, but are they supposed to fit so that you can barely get them on and barely walk around in them? I feel like they're just TOO tight, but want to be sure before I send them back...

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Lowcard

· #22 · Dec 3, 2012

Didnt mean it as an insult. Just that the number of posts suggests you havent been around this forum long enough to see his contributions.

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Brooks

Discussion Starter · #23 · Dec 3, 2012

1. I know you didn't mean it as an insult

2. My post count has exactly ZERO reflection of how long I've been here, how much I've read, or where I read it.

3. It only takes one post to know when someone is being a troll

4. If I really wanted to, I could easily go through his entire post history to decide whether or not he is, in fact, a troll. And I could do all of this without contributing a single post.

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Lowcard

· #24 · Dec 3, 2012

Lol alright bro.

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Brooks

Discussion Starter · #25 · Dec 3, 2012

So...anybody wanna answer my question?

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ecustu7

· #26 · Dec 3, 2012

Brooks said:
1. I know you didn't mean it as an insult

2. My post count has exactly ZERO reflection of how long I've been here, how much I've read, or where I read it.

3. It only takes one post to know when someone is being a troll

4. If I really wanted to, I could easily go through his entire post history to decide whether or not he is, in fact, a troll. And I could do all of this without contributing a single post.

I disagree. If you have a very low count then you haven't been here long enough to start throwing stones.

And what questions are you wanting answered? Your first questions was already answered.

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Brooks

Discussion Starter · #27 · Dec 4, 2012

Brooks said:
Anyway, Im back with another question: I ordered the speed and strength twist of fate pants in a size 36, which I was under the impression was the waist size? And I actually ordered a size larger just to be safe. I read on the website that they're supposed to fit "definitely tight" so they dont flap around in the wind, but are they supposed to fit so that you can barely get them on and barely walk around in them? I feel like they're just TOO tight, but want to be sure before I send them back...

Can we just get back on topic, please?

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ecustu7

· #28 · Dec 4, 2012

No idea....not familiar with those.

I wear Olympia over pants

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mattcbr250

· #29 · Dec 4, 2012

Welcome, Brooks. Another Houstonian here. It would be awesome to get a group ride together soon. We've had up to 5 riders once here in Houston. It was a lot of fun.

As far as the 250 goes here in Houston, there's a learning curve with our NASCAR like traffic, cellphone users not paying attention, and people rushing to get out of grid iron traffic. I've clocked 10,500 miles on my 250R CBR since Feb of 2012. I ride mine daily to work. Rain, cold, heat, I've been in the worst of it. What I've learned is:

1) Always pay attention to what's going on around you. Drivers her will run you over on a daily basis.
2) Always stay out of their blind spots, and avoid riding next to drivers. I can't tell you how many times someone has merged into my lane even when I was next to them I could see the buttons on the front of their shirt.
3) Don't race the traffic. They'll win every time.
4) Learn to tuck if you want to ride in the faster lanes. Riding upright, especially into wind, isn't going to get you the 80-85 mph speeds easily. Put your face into the tach. Keep your eyes on your mirrors.
5) When coming to a stop, stopped, or even when you're about to take off, keep an eye on who's behind you. They WILL run you over while talking on their cellphones in a rush to get home.
6) ALWAYS, wait at least 3 seconds before driving through an intersection and look both ways. I can't tell you how many times people have blown through red lights. If I hadn't waited and sped out into the intersection, I'd be a deadman.

Personally, I'm in the HOV quite a lot, but do travel in the fast lanes too. That's normally during rush hour, so we're not always traveling at posted speeds.

Just keep an eye out and you'll be fine. Stay safe and keep in touch.

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Brooks

Discussion Starter · #30 · Dec 5, 2012

Hi Matt (I assume that's your name). I'd be happy to go on a ride with you or in a group, but I work odd hours and things never seem to come together.

I know exactly what you mean about driving in Houston. I've been driving here for about 5 years. Read my first post about how I almost died on the way home from buying the ******************** thing...

Is it unusual to not be able to see almost anything out of the mirrors besides my hands? I feel like there should be some sort of length adjustment to get past my hands, but there's not that I can tell.

Also, Im stll waiting on the pants question...

Thanks for popping in!

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mattcbr250

· #31 · Dec 7, 2012

Brooks said:
Hi Matt (I assume that's your name). I'd be happy to go on a ride with you or in a group, but I work odd hours and things never seem to come together.

I know exactly what you mean about driving in Houston. I've been driving here for about 5 years. Read my first post about how I almost died on the way home from buying the ******************** thing...

Is it unusual to not be able to see almost anything out of the mirrors besides my hands? I feel like there should be some sort of length adjustment to get past my hands, but there's not that I can tell.

Also, Im stll waiting on the pants question...

Thanks for popping in!

You're right, it's Matt.

I know what you mean. I just about ran into someone yesterday. Really close call. The closest one yet.

I'm not sure about the pants. I wear jeans, but if they're too tight and uncomfortable, send them back. You need to be able to worry about what's going on around and not how tight your pants are hugging your nuts. LOL

Sounds like you need to move your mirrors up more if you're looking at your hands. Move them out and up some.

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chrmoody

· #32 · Dec 12, 2012

Hey bud, hello from NW Houston! I just got my first bike and it's a black CBR250. My first mods for me are definitely going to be frame sliders, no doubt. Also I went with a GMAX helmet that has a LED light on the back of it, and it's awesome for night or early morning driving. You know how Houston can be, as far as drivers, stay safe out there

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