Motorcycle

[HashiriyaS14]

Okay, so I have this 2008 Kawi 250R that I'd bought to flip. I flip lots of things, and awhile back I'd gotten a lark to start flipping bikes even though I'd never been on one and had no idea how to ride one (only been on the Ruckus).

I figured I'd have friends move them for me, and learn to ride slowly myself, etc.

Well, I'd been puttering around the neighborhood on the 250R, just in 1st and 2nd, and I guess it had bad gas in it or something because it hesitated really bad. So bad that I couldn't sell it in this condition.

My friend that rides is in Tahoe, so I decided I needed to take it out and blow out the cobwebs. This is my first real ride on a motorcycle, ever.

So I took it on like a 40 mile run, averaged about 75mph. It's about 35 degrees out here when you're standing still, so it was COLD on the bike. I had jeans and a windbreaker, that's it, and a 250R doesn't have much wind protection on it.

BUT HOLY SHXT IS THAT FUN

WOW

How is it that I waited so long to try this? I've never had so much fun on or in a vehicle in my entire life, and I've driven some seriously fast cars. This little 250 was more fun than the Formula Continental race car I drove at Summit Point last year.

I'm still flipping it, but I'm now definitely keeping the older 2003 250 that I've also got. Need to fix it up a bit first.

Anyone else recently have a "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" first time moment on a bike?

[93jdirty']

Everythings funner on two wheels

[Urabus GodofTraction]

..., and learn to ride slowly myself, etc.

Bad Hash, bad! That's the second worst way to learn (worst being having friends teach you).

The right way:1) Buy this book.2) Take the course.

But yes, everything is better on two wheels.

Will you really be able to flip that bike? The new 250Rs are popping up on Craigslist more than ever now.

[Otto.]

For a sec I thought you were talking about flipping it...like as in, in the air. Then I realized you were talking about the "Flip this house" sort of flip. That is what you mean right?

[themadscientist]

You going to keep it now? That would be a fun starter bike.

Take a riding course and get real gear though, the asphalt don't care what you fell off.

[HashiriyaS14]

Bad Hash, bad! That's the second worst way to learn (worst being having friends teach you).

The right way:1) Buy this book.2) Take the course.

But yes, everything is better on two wheels.

Will you really be able to flip that bike? The new 250Rs are popping up on Craigslist more than ever now.

Oh, I will be taking a course. I HAVE to take a course and pass to get my bike license in Montgomery County, AFAIK.

I just took it out today because I needed to see whether or not a good run would fix the hesitation problem.

I will be taking the MSF and getting a license this winter, and fixing up my other older 2003 250 at the same time (and getting real gear).

And yes, I can still flip the 250R. I picked it up for $2900, so even if they get more common, I'll still be "in the black" for a few hundred bucks.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I picked it up for $2900

Damn

[I_Farted]

speeking of flipping a bike i just loopd my 125 yz in the woops...Never had that happen to me before...not even on my 450...I must of hitten the pack to fast or something because it instantly hit a 12 o'clocker on me...

Im decent at riding wheelies, but damn man it shot up so fast that i could't react and control it...I smipped over 4 or 5 looking straight up into the air before i finally fell off of the back of the bike...

Luckily i had my camelbak on and filled with water to take the serious impacts of the crash

O Yeah and check your plugs and your air/fuel screw on the carb, that can cause the bike to boggg down if not properly adjusted

[myS13wantsaVQ35]

i rode a dirt bike (rm125) for the first time last Sunday, it was a blast.

[Dattebayo]

HEY Chris, when you gonna be down my way so I can see that thing?

[lets_GET_it_ON]

im actually in the process of saving up for something to ride around town in. but i want something fast. anyone got any ideas on what to purchase on a tight budget?

[mmm240]

Riding is a blast! I've ridden dirtbikes, but my first ride on the street was on an R6. Yeah I know, not a good choice. Shortly there after I bought my F4i. Insanely fast sport bikes are. Know that you can kill yourself even on that 250.Also try some stabil next time.

[reaper2022]

First time I rode a bike, I almost looped it... coincidentally, it was also the first time I used a clutch and I kept dropping the clutch

And please take the msf course; it should be free (I'm not sure if it's free in all states), and you won't regret it... you can also get your Class-M license through it

*edit: '01-'03 F4i's ftw... go buy one

[HashiriyaS14]

And please take the msf course; it should be free (I'm not sure if it's free in all states), and you won't regret it... you can also get your Class-M license through it

*edit: '01-'03 F4i's ftw... go buy one

MSF not free here, it's like $300, and worth every penny. Bet I will be in the first class when the weather heats up.

I really like those older F4i's, but what I really want is an old carb'd honda....like OLD. Like a 71 CB350 Four, or CB750, or RD400, or something like that.

I like old bikes.

[Mr1der]

I'm glad someone else shares a love for the UJM's.

<---still wants a 16 valve Suzuki GS750

[Rex]

Bet I will be in the first class when the weather heats up.

If it's anything like Ohio, get in line now they fill up FAST.

And if you can get your wife into riding, you'll never stop.

[HashiriyaS14]

I'm glad someone else shares a love for the UJM's.

<---still wants a 16 valve Suzuki GS750

YES!!!

I thought I'd be the only person on here familiar with the "UJM" acronym, at least in my age group.

I think the RD would be my favorite though, something about a high-displacement two-smoker.

[Mr1der]

haha

my uncle had an RD350 way back in the day.

I remember getting rode around on it when I was like 4....

they pop up for sale fairly often on CL down here....I want something a little bigger that won't be so stressed on the interstate though.



I think I might wanna learn to ride first...

I really wouldn't mind a dual purpose bike either though.

[Rex]

Get an OLD KZ and light your hair on fire.

[Mr1der]

I'd love to have a Z1.

or some how come across a Z2 in the states.

[D1SR240]

You've just become addicted to motocycles...welcome to the club. Riding motorcycles is great, just make sure you have all the proper gear.

Bad Hash, bad! That's the second worst way to learn (worst being having friends teach you).

I wouldn't say that this is a bad way to learn. I learned to ride motorcycles on a dirtbike. My dad got me my first dirtbike when I was 12 and I've been on two wheels since then. I took the MSF riding course, but only because I had to (I was 17 when I got my M-license, in IL if you're not 18 you have to had successfully completed the safety course before you can even take the riding portion of the test). The class was a joke to me, I passed it with flying colors. I guess after you jump 15 feet table tops, do wheelies, and ride muddy trails riding around a parking in circles is not a big deal at all. After I passed the class I went to take the riding portion of the test at the DMV on this thing:(not this exact one, but almost identical)

Passed the test on my first try.

Don't get me wrong, the MSF course is great, and I highly recommend it for beginners and those looking to get into motorcycles. But I'm saying that it's not the only way to learn how to ride a bike. You can go out and do it yourself or have friends show you how to do it.

A 250 is a great bike to learn to ride on, but you'll get bored of it quick. My buddy got a 250 ninja to learn on,within two months he moved up to a 600. The difference between a 250 and a 600 is like day and night, and the difference between a 600 and a 1000 is like day and night also. When I got my Gixxer 600 I thought it was the fastest thing in the world, but now my R1 makes my Gixxer look like tricycle.

I also recommend dirtbiking. It's a blast. It's a different kind of fun because you have so much freedom.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I wouldn't say that this is a bad way to learn. I learned to ride motorcycles on a dirtbike. My dad got me my first dirtbike when I was 12 and I've been on two wheels since then.

Teaching yourself and then having loads of experience sort of negates what I'm saying. For those that DIDN'T start at 12, it's statistically shown to be a terrible, terrible idea.

[93coupe]

Get an OLD KZ and light your hair on fire.

I come from a family with three kz900 in it. Such nice bikes, cant beat the whistle.

[HashiriyaS14]

Teaching yourself and then having loads of experience sort of negates what I'm saying. For those that DIDN'T start at 12, it's statistically shown to be a terrible, terrible idea.

And I absolutely agree with you.

I never would've done what I did if I hadn't needed to get the bike running right. I don't advocate that anyone else do it either.

I'll continue to ride around on it until I sell it, just to keep it in good shape, but after that I will not set butt to seat again until I'm in a class (Ruckus notwithstanding, of course).

And I can't ever imagine wanting a sportbike bigger than a 600, I have no desire to go 150mph++ on a bike. Honestly, I'd have no desire to even move up from the 250 if it weren't for the fact that highway riding stresses it out a little too much, I can't cruise at low rpm with such a small displacement bike.

I'll probably end up with an RD for fun and a Goldwing or PC800 as a long-distance bike, eventually.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I really like those older F4i's, but what I really want is an old carb'd honda....like OLD. Like a 71 CB350 Four, or CB750, or RD400, or something like that.

I like old bikes.

I like old bikes too. My dad has a '74 Yamaha 250 Enduro. It's pretty gutless and REALLY peaky but a lot of fun to ride. My only beef with it is it's a little too small for me (I'm a bit tall for it).

One thing you have to keep in mind with those older bikes is that the old twin shock suspension setups (as well as other things) can be hard to find parts for these days. Riding with blown rear shocks...well...blows.

I'd love an old de-fairinged (de-faired?) Goldwing or a CB750. I don't think I'd be happy with a CB350 for long, though. I've gotten too used to my '83 XR500's torque.

[DrifterXRPS13]

Congrats on your first bike ride experience!! you are now one of us!!

I got my M license the same time i got my car license...i took the driving portion of the car test and passed and i bypassed the mclass riding portion with the msf course.

I actually learned how to ride before i learned how to drive.

MSF is good if your new and will teach you the basics and hopefully you can start riding safely after that and later on if you want you can take the experience rider course which i have yet to take but will soon.

Just ride that lil bugger and have fun with, i always had more fun with smaller bikes than large ones, something about a 50cc or 100cc bike that is just tits.

[HashiriyaS14]

Just ride that lil bugger and have fun with, i always had more fun with smaller bikes than large ones, something about a 50cc or 100cc bike that is just tits.

Yeah, probably because it's fun to wring the piss out of something and not have it kill you.

Same reason my Miata is fun, lol.

[HashiriyaS14]

I'm glad someone else shares a love for the UJM's.

<---still wants a 16 valve Suzuki GS750

How about this thing? It's for sale in my area:

http://washingtondc.craigslist....html

[93coupe]

Here you go Hash.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/979930794.html

[Urabus GodofTraction]

PC800 as a long-distance bike...

Ha ha ha! The Tupperware Terror!