Newbie qxn: When will the learning curve slow down?

5839 Views 45 Replies 24 Participants Last post by MotoMike, Sep 30, 2012

API-CBR250R

Discussion Starter · Sep 28, 2012

I have had my CBR250r for around 2 months and I feel like I learn something VERY important everytime I read this board and especially every time I go for a ride!

All I heard from the Honda salesman (and friends) was that I would "outgrow the 250" in six weeks. Well, six weeks and 500 miles on 2 lane road and parking lots later...I still feel like I have not even scratched the surface yet.

I am currently learning to ride with proper foot position and keeping my grip loose. (Great Hints from this board!!!)

I can't see moving up to a bigger bike anytime in the next year or two. (If at all)

I enjoy all the redlining and shifting and I even like the sound of the stock exhaust. (Hope that is not offensive)

When I took my motorcycle safety course, they told me I would ride 1-2 times a month. That was so wrong! I ride at least 6 days a week. I had work issues that prevented me from riding for 3 days and my mood got irritable around the house and job. My wife finally told me (at 10pm) - please go for a ride on your bike tomorrow, so you can get back to normal." She even noticed it! My son loves riding it with me as well. He is still elementary school aged, so to him we are riding on a rocket.

All in all, I think this is the perfect bike for me. Not just for 6 months but possibly for years and years. I just wonder if I can expect to keep learning volumes of stuff for the next 6 months or does this curve ever slow down?

Do you guys who have ridden for decades still feel like you are perfecting some subtle detail each time out?

Thanks!

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Daviebread

· #21 · Sep 29, 2012

I rode my 2012 cbr for about 5 months and 10k miles before I added my 2013 ninja 650 to the stable.

I'm pretty comfortable on both bikes now, but I still learn something new no matter which bike I'm riding...and will probably do so for years to come.

The CeeBee is my daily commuter and the 650 is my weekend touring bike.

My wife and I swap between the 2.

Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

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Dukie

· #22 · Sep 29, 2012

i don't think most of us will outgrow the bike. It's just ego. Me for example will most likely buy a cbr 500 when it comes out. but why? my 250r does everything i need in a motorcycle and it does it on the cheap too. I'm a long way from riding near it's limits and im still thinking about another motorbike. It's just that my ego wants a bike with faster acceleration. it's pure ego that i think people don't want to admit too when they say you will outgrow your 250.
My ego outgrows it not my riding needs or ability

MrShadow

· #23 · Sep 29, 2012

Dukie said:
...My ego outgrows it not my riding needs or ability

I have to admit I'm guilty of this. I doubt I'll ever reach the limits of the 250. But the lure of a Ducati is too much to pass up

Now, if Ducati made a 250...

my250cbrgeo

· #24 · Sep 29, 2012

WOW fellow riders,
Well API, I have to agree about out growing the 250. The way things are going, I to will probably stay with 250 for a long time. This bike does everything as good as the bigger bikes. I may take a little longer to get somewhere but I don't care! This bike has proven its worth many times over! I "like" to have a bigger model but the lack of current funds has me staying with mine for a while. It's tough to beat when I'm getting 75 mpg! At 8 bucks a week in gas, that's tough to beat also!

don'tpanic

· #25 · Sep 29, 2012

36 years on motorcycles for me. Most of them 650cc or larger.
I took a 18 month break from riding before being drawn back in (DNA, you know) and the things I like most about the CBR is that I am able to get my leg over the seat with my riding gear on (it's bulky and I refuse to ride without it), my feet touch the ground and it's affordable.

The best advice I can give to a new rider? RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE
I learned that one the hard way.

I was leading a friend through some nice forest roads on the way to a rally, and I was pushing the pace too much, trying to make sure I wasn't going too slow for my friend.
At least I had someone to help me pick up the bike.
With a very sore shoulder, we pressed on. I spent the weekend eating ibuprofin. When I got home I found out I had cracked the tip of my collarbone. No wonder it hurt so bad!

But that didn't stop me from riding. It was a couple of years later on another group ride. I was 2nd in line of 4. The other two were straggling, so they didn't really see what happened.
I was behind the ride leader, almost back to home base, and by my logic we had another block to go before turning right. I allowed my gaze to wander and sure enough, the ride leader slowed for the first right-hand turn instead of the second.

I rear-ended him...
His metal adventure-type saddlebag that my clutch lever impacted almost removed my left pinkie finger.

I've been told that group rides can be dangerous. This is especially true if you are riding with strangers. Keep your distance and keep your mind alert.

I've given up trying to sight-see while in motion on the bike. The bike will naturally head in the direction you are looking without you even realizing it.

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API-CBR250R

Discussion Starter · #26 · Sep 29, 2012

Dukie said:
i don't think most of us will outgrow the bike. It's just ego. Me for example will most likely buy a cbr 500 when it comes out. but why? my 250r does everything i need in a motorcycle and it does it on the cheap too. I'm a long way from riding near it's limits and im still thinking about another motorbike. It's just that my ego wants a bike with faster acceleration. it's pure ego that i think people don't want to admit too when they say you will outgrow your 250.
My ego outgrows it not my riding needs or ability

In my case, it would only be ego.

I do not see how I will learn enough to outgrow this bike for years.

I am not talking about straight ahead speed. I am talking about cornering, avoiding obsticles, and emergency braking.

My rear end will be on this little 250 for a LONG time!

API-CBR250R

Discussion Starter · #27 · Sep 29, 2012

don'tpanic said:
36 years on motorcycles for me. Most of them 650cc or larger.
I took a 18 month break from riding before being drawn back in (DNA, you know) and the things I like most about the CBR is that I am able to get my leg over the seat with my riding gear on (it's bulky and I refuse to ride without it), my feet touch the ground and it's affordable.

The best advice I can give to a new rider? RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE
I learned that one the hard way.

I was leading a friend through some nice forest roads on the way to a rally, and I was pushing the pace too much, trying to make sure I wasn't going too slow for my friend.
At least I had someone to help me pick up the bike.
With a very sore shoulder, we pressed on. I spent the weekend eating ibuprofin. When I got home I found out I had cracked the tip of my collarbone. No wonder it hurt so bad!

But that didn't stop me from riding. It was a couple of years later on another group ride. I was 2nd in line of 4. The other two were straggling, so they didn't really see what happened.
I was behind the ride leader, almost back to home base, and by my logic we had another block to go before turning right. I allowed my gaze to wander and sure enough, the ride leader slowed for the first right-hand turn instead of the second.
I rear-ended him...
His metal adventure-type saddlebag that my clutch lever impacted almost removed my left pinkie finger.

I've been told that group rides can be dangerous. This is especially true if you are riding with strangers. Keep your distance and keep your mind alert.

I've given up trying to sight-see while in motion on the bike. The bike will naturally head in the direction you are looking without you even realizing it.

Thanks for the story on your mistakes that led to an accident. It really helps new riders like me "reframe" their thinking when on the bike.

I am at the 500 mile point and I start letting my body and mind relax a little on occasion. Stories like yours help me not do that.

By the way, how tough was it OFF the bike for 18 months?

I am approaching my first service and I am DREADING not being able to ride for a while. And what do you people in cold weather climates do for motorcycle withdrawls? Weather around here will allow me to ride 50'weeks a year.

I dont know how i would be able to put away the bike for an entire winter.....

Steve_47

· #28 · Sep 29, 2012

API-CBR250R said:
I am approaching my first service and I am DREADING not being able to ride for a while.

About the first service, your bikes engine needs to be cool in order to preform the valve check. So if you ride it to your dealer, they will keep it over night in order for the engine to cool. However, if you can haul it to your dealer already cool, you can wait for them to preform the first service, and bring it back home the same day.

Redeye

· #29 · Sep 29, 2012

Steve_47 said:
About the first service, your bikes engine needs to be cool in order to preform the valve check. So if you ride it to your dealer, they will keep it over night in order for the engine to cool. However, if you can haul it to your dealer already cool, you can wait for them to preform the first service, and bring it back home the same day.

For my CBR's first service, the service manager asked me to arrive 45 minutes early for a 9:30 appointment, allowing the bike to cool down. He had the service complete and ready for me to ride before noon. Fortunately, the dealership is in a business and retail area so there was plenty of things to occupy my waiting time. That may not always be the case.

MotoMike

· #30 · Sep 29, 2012 (Edited)

Redeye said:
For my CBR's first service, the service manager asked me to arrive 45 minutes early for a 9:30 appointment, allowing the bike to cool down. He had the service complete and ready for me to ride before noon. Fortunately, the dealership is in a business and retail area so there was plenty of things to occupy my waiting time. That may not always be the case.

45 minutes is not enough time for the engine to cool down and then be able to check valve clearances and get accurate measurements. At the very least, it will require several hours (about 4 hours if it was at full operating temp), for the engine to cool down enough to do a VCI.

EDIT-
Back to original topic: I've been motoring on two wheels for 43 years, and I can tell you that the learning curve does slow over time. But, it never ends, there is always room for improvement when it comes to riding skills. My advise is to stay focused, learn from your mistakes, and your riding skills WILL improve. Buy and read Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough... it is "The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well".

Kbrookstech

· #31 · Sep 29, 2012 (Edited)

I keep hearing these comments about Ego having something to do with buying a different or bigger bike. I seriously don't understand that way of thinking. Why would your ego cause you to get or not get a different bike?

And for a lot of people getting a new bike has nothing to do with "out growing" their current bike.

I own the CBR and a ninja 650. They are 2 completely different bikes. And just like 2 different types of cars, they both give a different type of ride, both on the straights and in the twisties. Just as my old Yamaha gave a little bit different ride than these 2 bikes.

Plus the fact that I learn different things on each bike due to different weight, HP, acceleration, braking differences, etc.

For me it had nothing to do with ego and everything to do with getting as much experience and fun out of motorcycling in general.

You can say that you'll never get a new bike, and you can justify that by saying it would just be your ego if you did...and I can totally understand and agree with it from certain people and perspectives.

But it also means that you will only ever experience one type of bike...get it? They are all different and each one offers new adventures, new riding styles, new or different learning curves, etc.

Some people obviously don't care about those things, but for the ones that do...don't make the mistake of thinking that every motorcycle is alike. The CBR is a great bike and gives a great ride...but other bikes offer equally different good rides, and to some, even better.

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way because I'm not trying to come off in any way as being an a-hole.

But if you are new to riding and new to the CBR, then you are speaking mostly from a point of inexperience and a few years from now you actually might be wanting a new bike.

Not for your ego, but because you will be ready for a bit of diversity. And to learn even more than you know at that time.

IMHO

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Daviebread

· #32 · Sep 29, 2012

Kbrookstech said:
I keep hearing these comments about Ego having something to do with buying a different or bigger bike. I seriously don't understand that way of thinking. Why would your ego cause you to get or not get a different bike?

I own the CBR and a ninja 650. They are 2 completely different bikes. And just like 2 different types of cars, they both give a different type of ride, both on the straights and in the twisties. Just as my old Yamaha gave a little bit different ride than these 2 bikes.

Plus the fact that I learn different things on each bike due to different weight, HP, acceleration, braking differences, etc.

For me it had nothing to do with ego and everything to do with getting as much experience and fun out of motorcycling in general.

You can say that you'll never get a new bike, and you can justify that by saying it would just be your ego if you did...and I can totally understand and agree with it from certain people and perspectives.

But it also means that you will only ever experience one type of bike...get it? They are all different and each one offers new adventures, new riding styles, new or different learning curves, etc.

Some people obviously don't care about those things, but for the ones that do...don't make the mistake of thinking that every motorcycle is alike. The CBR is a great bike and gives a great ride...but other bikes offer equally different good rides, and to some, even better.

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way because I'm not trying to come off in any way as being an a-hole.

But if you are new to riding and new to the CBR, then you are speaking mostly from a point of inexperience and a few years from now you actually might be wanting a new bike.

Not for your ego, but because you will be ready for a bit of diversity. And to learn even more than you know at that time.

IMHO

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Well said. I'll admit I was guilty of that. I told myself i'd never outgrow the CBR and I really couldn't find an area where it was lacking.

Then I rode my bro's 650 and I realized it was truly a different ride. The acceleration was way different, and it handled the corners differently. I had to learn how to cope with those changes and it made me a bit more well rounded.

My wife and I now swap between the CBR and the new 650, and I love swapping between them. Some days I just want the pure joy of acceleration from the 650...and other days I want to be able to flick my bike over on a dime with the CBR...

They are 2 completely different bikes, and had I never ridden anything but my CBR I probably would have just kept the one bike for years to come.

I was lucky enough to need to purchase a second bike for my wife.

I would just say, if at some point you have the CBR for 2-3 years, go test ride something different....not for any other reason than to see how much fun another bike can also be.

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MotoMike

· #33 · Sep 29, 2012

I think the whole "I need/want a bigger, faster bike" coming from those who have owned and ridden the CBR250R for a grand total of 2 or 3 months, is largely ego driven... unless they just plain had their head all the way up their ass when they clearly bought the wrong bike in the first place, thinking it was something it's not.

But for those new riders, who think that there is nothing else that a bike like the CBR250R can offer them, or nothing more that can be learned from continuing on with a 250, after a few months of riding it... that is, without a doubt, just so much ego driven bull sh!t. No one is that good, at least not us mere mortals. And if you were that good, you would be dicing it out with Stoner, Rossi, Pedrosa, and the rest every other weekend, not screwing around with some 600rr on bike night, or making "Driveway" videos. Hell, most of those guys have contracts which prohibit them from engaging in dangerous activities outside of their jobs as MOTOGP pilots, like riding motorcycles on the street.

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Wynne G Oldman

· #34 · Sep 29, 2012

My CBR 250R is fine for me, but it wouldn't be any good for two up touring. I don't do any of that, so it is of no consequence. We are all different, and we all have different tastes, wants and needs. I've had quite a few bikes in the past, and I think that I've found the bike that best suits my needs, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Enjoy the bike that best suits you, and respect other's choices.

Kbrookstech

· #35 · Sep 29, 2012

Wynne G Oldman said:
My CBR 250R is fine for me, but it wouldn't be any good for two up touring. I don't do any of that, so it is of no consequence. We are all different, and we all have different tastes, wants and needs. I've had quite a few bikes in the past, and I think that I've found the bike that best suits my needs, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Enjoy the bike that best suits you, and respect other's choices.

+1...great post Wynne. Millions of riders out there. Each with different tastes, and varying reasons for buying the bikes they do. We can't make blanket statements about why people make the choices they make.

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API-CBR250R

Discussion Starter · #36 · Sep 29, 2012

I agree with the ego comments.

I am not speaking of anyone else. I am just speaking of the massive learning curve I have in front of me. Ego would be the only reason I would move up in the near future.

Other guys have a different skill level and master the bike quicker. Great for them.

I figure if i keep the 250 for 4 years, i can let my son start riding it!

jscott1

· #37 · Sep 29, 2012

Kbrookstech said:
I keep hearing these comments about Ego having something to do with buying a different or bigger bike. I seriously don't understand that way of thinking. Why would your ego cause you to get or not get a different bike?
...

IMHO

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This is not limited to motorcycling...this is human nature. If we only bought what we absolutely needed we would all be living in 1500 square foot houses, wear clothes made out of sewn together rags and survive on bread and water.

Life is about adventure and riding a bigger faster motorcycle is just a part of that adventure.

I'm still a brand spanking newbie of 250 miles and I'm happy to hear that a light bulb goes on around 1,000 miles that makes riding seem a little less stressful. Every ride for me is a huge deal and I need a lot of mental preparation to get out there with the cars and I feel like my life is going to end each and every time. I'm looking forward to the day I can just hop on (in full gear of course) but ride anywhere that I need to ride.

olhogrider

· #38 · Sep 29, 2012

Size matters? Sometimes. Take a look at any scooter board. 50cc is considered small, 125-170 is mid-size and a 250 is considered big. In many parts of the world a 125 is a standard motorcycle.
Back in the Stone Age when I was a kid a BSA 500 was a BIG BAD BIKE! Only real men could handle a Bonneville or Sportster. A Harley 74 was the biggest, fattest "Hog" on the planet at 1200cc. These days a 1300cc cruiser is considered mid-sized and a Sportster is a girl's or beginners bike. Triumph even sells a 2300cc bike!
Riding solo at sane speeds the CBR is the perfect bike. For other times and conditions there are other bikes. 2 up coast to coast a big touring or cruiser is better suited. For technical wizardry and impressing the guys at the local sport bike hangout the Panigale can't be beat (this week).
Just as a screwdriver can be substituted for a chisel, you can make do which the wrong tool but it is not always the best solution.
One more thing to think about, those magazines that keep telling you how great the latest superbike is are mainly there to sell magazines and advertising. While they are generally more knowledgeable than your local bike salesman, their goal is the same. Get as much of your money as they can. That's why they plant that seed "you'll outgrow that tiny bike soon".

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MotoMike

· #39 · Sep 29, 2012

Kbrookstech said:
... Each with different tastes, and varying reasons for buying the bikes they do. We can't make blanket statements about why people make the choices they make.

True.

I'll add that my viewpoint is somewhat colored by the fact that more than a few people have come on to these forums talking smack about the CBR250R, which they have owned and ridden* just a very, very short time, with very few miles on the clock... telling tales of how the bike can't get out of it's own way, won't go up hills over 45 MPH, blah, blah, blah. And it is, more often than not, their very FIRST motorcycle! Sorry, but I'm not buying the Brooklyn Bridge either. I have nothing against anyone getting whatever sized bike they want... what I'm not down with is the BS they try to shovel onto those of us who know better. As the saying goes..."This is not my first time to the rodeo, son."

* I'm not going to even comment on those who don't own a CBR250R. I've better things to do with my time.

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olhogrider

· #40 · Sep 29, 2012

Well said MotoMike. Now it is time for me to ride! I will admit that i get a perverse pleasure hearing people say "You can't do that". I play in the dirt with a nostalgic 900cc twin, I have embarrassed sportbike riders on a 900 pound Harley and had a 250 Enduro rider show me what real talent can do

The uninformed opinion soon shows itself.

One last thing. Motorcycle Consumer News has the most balanced info. Didn't mean to tar all magazines with the same brush. Lots of safety and real world stuff and no advertisers to kiss up to.

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