Topic: Looking For My First Bike

[rrocket]

I'm 6', but only have a 30" inseam, so I actually find the bike reasonable.  Love the chassis.

Same inseam, but I'm 5'8".....Thought it was really, really, cramped.  Moreso the seat-to-peg relationship.

[johngenx]

Same inseam, but I'm 5'8".....Thought it was really, really, cramped.  Moreso the seat-to-peg relationship.

You need to do some yoga...   

[rrocket]

Same inseam, but I'm 5'8".....Thought it was really, really, cramped.  Moreso the seat-to-peg relationship.

You need to do some yoga...   

It was less comfortable than my full race TZ250B.  And those are teeny..

FWIW, I had a VT1000 with luscious sounding Yoshimura high pipes on it...

[PJungnitsch]

This is a neat website to check the 'fit' of various bikes:

http://cycle-ergo.com/

[Thinking Out Loud]

Thanks again for all your feedback - I'm getting more excited!

Is there a big difference FI vs carbuerated, outside of the choke of course!

Is there a website where you can do a side by side comparison?

[PJungnitsch]

I've had carbed and fuel injected bikes and my injected one was way nicer. Just started and and went, no screwing around with chokes, no float bowls to gum up, no jetting to fool with.

The carbed ones still worked though.

Think injection vs carbs on cars. Carbs got the job done, but injection is generally a big jump ahead.

[rrocket]

I've had carbed and fuel injected bikes and my injected one was way nicer. Just started and and went, no screwing around with chokes, no float bowls to gum up, no jetting to fool with.

The carbed ones still worked though.

Think injection vs carbs on cars. Carbs got the job done, but injection is generally a big jump ahead.

+1

[johngenx]

I thought FI bikes would be a pain in the arse.  I always figured I could fix most anything anywhere with some chewing gum, a bit of wire and the contents of the bottom of my pocket.  FI systems looked like a nightmare for a field repair, but they're so reliable, there's no worries.  In fact, I now prefer the FI bikes thanks to their lower servicing (synching carbs anyone?) and dramatically better starting and running.

[ajay]

fuel injection +2

Find a light weight bike , put feet flat on the floor standing straight up then toss it back and forth side to side , if it feels easy to do thats a good start , nimble is very important for you , you got to get yourself out of the way real fast sometimes , heavy bike can't do it as easily , you haven't the experience to back yourself up yet , light twins would be good for you imo .

johngenx take a spin on the 2012 Speed triple when test riding bikes . You might really like the handling difference .

[No H2O]

Is there a big difference FI vs carbuerated, outside of the choke of course!

One you can fix if needed, the other you can't. FI also has a fuel pump in the gas tank.

Where you ride makes all the difference as to what you choose.

[No H2O]

I'd recommend ABS if you can get it, I personally have a number of broken bones to remind me of why it is a good idea.

And if my motorcycle had ABS that day, I would probably not be here to answer.

I chose not to take the option, even if it were thrown in for free.

[rrocket]

I'd recommend ABS if you can get it, I personally have a number of broken bones to remind me of why it is a good idea.

And if my motorcycle had ABS that day, I would probably not be here to answer.

I chose not to take the option, even if it were thrown in for free.

How so??

[johngenx]

I'd recommend ABS if you can get it, I personally have a number of broken bones to remind me of why it is a good idea.

And if my motorcycle had ABS that day, I would probably not be here to answer.

I chose not to take the option, even if it were thrown in for free.

How so??

^^^ do tell!

[No H2O]

How so??

Trust me. You'd have to have been there.

[rrocket]

How so??

Trust me. You'd have to have been there.

Ummmm....Ok. 

Well certainly your story is a unique situation.  I'd guess ABS would save more riders than kill.

And ABS might be especially useful for a newb.

I don't like ABS because it would prevent me from backing the bike in....

[No H2O]

I'd guess ABS would save more riders than kill.

What would save more riders is them learning how to use their brakes. That and having the "feel". Most of them are afraid to use them.

[rrocket]

I'd guess ABS would save more riders than kill.

What would save more riders is them learning how to use their brakes. That and having the "feel". Most of them are afraid to use them.

I read a test of the new Honda ABS system.  In every single test, in EVERY single instance, by professional racers and newbs alike, the ABS stopped a very significant distance shorter (with no locking) than non-abs.  Even the racers, who can modulate brakes like nobodies business, couldn't come close...In the wet, the numbers were truly staggering.  Some 50 feet (IIRC) quicker braking with the ABS.

So it doesn't matter the skill level, the ABS will brake better that you could dream of.

Again..for the type of riding I enjoy, I don't want ABS.  But for the vast majority of people, ABS can do the job better and safer than they could...

[No H2O]

So it doesn't matter the skill level, the ABS will brake better that you could dream of.

And despite ABS, the number of accidents have not decreased in any numbers worth mentioning, be it motorcycles or cars.

Furthermore, on a motorcycle, ABS only works when relatively vertical. Lean right over and try locking up...all I can say is: good luck.

I have to  when I read about riders thinking that ABS is the be all and end all.

Remember the first ABS ads on TV...it showed someone braking while steering their car around the obstacle.  Someone that panics, locks up the brakes, can now calmly steer. Yeah...right. They are frozen on the steering wheel.

[rrocket]

So it doesn't matter the skill level, the ABS will brake better that you could dream of.

And despite ABS, the number of accidents have not decreased in any numbers worth mentioning, be it motorcycles or cars.

Furthermore, on a motorcycle, ABS only works when relatively vertical. Lean right over and try locking up...all I can say is: good luck.

I have to  when I read about riders thinking that ABS is the be all and end all.

Remember the first ABS ads on TV...it showed someone braking while steering their car around the obstacle.  Someone that panics, locks up the brakes, can now calmly steer. Yeah...right. They are frozen on the steering wheel.

The new C-ABS and (IIRC) the ABS on the new BMW have gyroscopes so you CAN use them leaned over.  WAY OVER.  So good is the Honda system, that a couple riders in WSBK (the highest level of "production" motorcycle racing in the world) left them on the bikes.  Impressive indeed.  Read up on it.  You might learn something.

But lean a way over in a corner and lock the front up on a non-abs bike, and good luck there, too.  If you're not washing out the front end, you've drifted the corner into on-coming traffic.

Again...for most people, ABS would be a life saver.  And despite being VERY expert at using brakes from all my racing experience (I can lock the fronts, do rolling stoppies, etc..), ABS on a bike even for me wouldn't harm anything.

[ajay]

ABS is offered for the first time on the Speed Triple -12. This is a bike with its weight shifted more forward this time and needs ABS for the rear brake . They found the bike could be stopped shorter just using the front brake alone than it could using both brakes manually .
 Because of more weight over the front end to improve handling , its made the rear brake harder to use , so in this case ABS would be a big plus for the rear brake .
After reading rrockets info I'm even more convinced of the value of ABS in braking maneuvers and view it as a welcomed safety feature for motorcycles .