|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reflection
Photo Gallery and Motorcycle Reviews
Top 8 Things to DO at VTwin Mama
this list will show you what we've got going on! Monday, December 5 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Scott, International Motorcycle Show Schedule
Monday, November 14 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Toya, Let's start with your height. At 5'10" I can tell you that I've been on motorcycles that have cramped my legs and after a few hundred miles, it hurts. You just want to get off and stretch and you start disliking the fact that you've got to get back on and ride. On a cruiser (most times) you can add a highway bar with pegs for a second leg position, but on a sport bike you don't have that option. At your 6'1" this is a major fit issue. The good news is that you can go to any dealership and sit on bikes and start to get an understanding ... sit on a little Ninja 250 and then the 650 and feel the difference just in leg position. Even better, travel to any one of the International Motorcycle Shows so you can sit on just about every make/model that is available and bring along a notebook to jot down your thoughts. A new rider has to balance the desire for something powerful enough to satisfy for awhile and not too powerful so that it overwhelms and potentially takes away confidence. An exact formula is non-existent. If there was one, I'd be very rich. I am not. It's highly unlikely you'll understand what your dream bike really will be because it takes a lot of road miles to get to that point of understanding. The goal is that the ride is joyful and you become one with your motorcycle. So, if you start out smaller you may or may not graduate to something bigger sooner than later. If you start too big you may need to go back a step for awhile. My advice ... get something that your gut tells you feels right, not only in terms of power, but in fit and budget. Used, cheap, and running is a great way to go ... So, the club says don't consider anything under 750cc. Well, if the group is traveling longer distances at 80mph, this can be good advice. The last thing you want to be doing is sitting in the last gear at high rpms just to keep up. It's just not comfortable running a bike for a lot of miles to within the last drop of power ... the noise is tiresome ... and if you have to pass a car, just what are you going to do?! Now, obviously a lot depends on this riding club. First off, when you do finish your course and get a bike, you should be heading to a big, empty parking lot for practice ... the same practice you did during your course. Then head out on known roads at low traffic times ... it's helpful to have a vehicle following you to keep another vehicle from crowding you. With any luck you'll have a patient mentor to keep polishing your road and then traffic skills. A good riding group will include you on a ride and gear that ride to your skill level. If they just "let you tag along," it's a recipe for frustration on your part and indifference on theirs. Make sure you and the group are talking this out ... there are special skills needed for a good group ride experience, but you have to polish your own skills first. Ok, off you go to get signed up for a course and to go sit on bikes ... meanwhile, keep checking the newspaper or whatever buying venue you are considering to start tracking what bikes are up for sale and what you want to consider. These three steps will immediately give you forward movement towards your dream. I look forward to receiving an email from you one day that says, "Look what I've accomplished!" It's one of my favorite messages to get! – Mama Monday, November 14 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Todd, Yup, it's heavier at 640lbs. The seat height is reported at 30.1". Thanks for sharing! – Mama
Wednesday, November 9 Dear VTwin Mama,
Dear KO, My thinking is that if you felt you did well in the class and have patient (the non-yelling type) mentors to help you work through the practice drills in an empty parking lot with this bike, then go for it. And just what are the practice drills? The same steps that you took during the course ... working through the stop/start drills, the duck walk, the big lazy loop turns, etc. Yes, some riders benefit by choosing a smaller cc motorcycle after taking a course ... something used but running fits the bill. Less worry about scratching up a brand new dream bike. But, as you can imagine, a portion of those people find that they can more quickly move up in size than they anticipated, while some who started bigger go back and get a used smaller bike for more practice. Obviously there is no one formula that predicts the outcome and as it turns out, my crystal ball is still in the repair shop (as it has been for some time). The MSF does offer a "next level" course after the intro one, but you would probably get a lot more out of it with at least 1,000 miles under your belt ... so we go back to the "are you willing to practice in an empty parking lot and do you have folks who you think will make a patient mentor?" These last two points are key to your overall success. – Mama Wednesday, November 9 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Mary, I'm not so excited about the decal idea ... but admit that I have limited knowledge of what might look great. I prefer the leather enhancements ... fringe, if that's inline with your thinking, or a tank bib or new seat cover (check Nanci Roger's Ace High Leathers site for totally cool ideas ... she's a whiz at taking your theme ideas and turning them into reality!). Or, it might be that you want to check into custom paint jobs ... have pinstriping or murals painted right on! I'm going to kick this discussion to the VTwin Mama message board as these ladies have lots of good advice and sources ... you don't have to be a member to read the thread, but you'll have to join (for free) if you wish to keep writing and noodling ideas out. Happy shopping! – Mama
Just In Case You Missed It Section
|
|
|
© 2001-2011 VTwin Mama | Disclaimer |
Todd on his '98 PC800