StangMahn

I've recently started getting into motorcycles. I've ridden a few in the past, and am looking forward to buying one, when I can afford it. I want a Triumph Daytona 675. Anyone got any tips for a new rider? As for starting on a smaller bike, it's not exactly a good option, Im 6'5, 315 or so, if I get on a Ninja 250, my knees hit the bars.

garyb900

First thing to do if you've never riden (or even if you have some experience) is sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation riders course.
http://www.msf-usa.org/

They will give you the basics and teach you how to ride.
Make sure you get some good safety gear, leather jacket, gloves, boots & full face helmet.

I've been riding dirt & street bikes for 30 years. My last bike was a Triumph and I loved it. Make sure you have a good local dealer because if not parts & good service can be hard to find. I had two local dealers and then they both dropped Triumph! Now I have a Honda.

When my brother was looking for his first bike I told him to get the biggest displacement (cc) he could handle safely because if he got a small bike (he was looking at a Ninja 500) he would outgrow it too quickly and want more performance than it could deliver. My very first street bike was a 1982 Honda Nighthawk 750. It served me well until I moved up to a 900.

Good luck and watch out for those blind car drivers, they "never see the motorcycle"!

ScottyBoy302

Like Gary said, watch out for blind drivers, on a bike you cant expect ANYTHING from other drivers.

Nice choice on the Triumph too, thats an amazing bike.

Also, not sure if its an option, but doing some dirt riding really helps you get the feel of riding. Helps a lot for avoiding obstacles (or riding over them when you have to) too.

Knight

a guy your size is not going to look right on a ninja 250.

StangMahn

thats what I figured, lol

future9er24

I wanted to start riding toon, but since my insurance, both vehicluar and medical, is all connected and tied to my parents, I can't just yet, since they wont condone it

I am however, taking the MSF course and getting my licesne over winter break. Because I can

And I like the Triumph love here, I was looking at a newer Bonneville.. man those are gorgeous bikes


Origially, i wanted a thruxton, because it looked so good with the rear seat cowl cover thing, and the short bars, but after sitting on it, my legs locked up from the pedals beign so far rear. I figure I'll just buy the seat setup for that bike and put it on my Bonne whenever I do get one

garyb900

I used to have this;


But thanks to an idiot driver it turned into this;


And now I have this;


(click to enlarge)

Cheese302

i'd keep the honda personaly. but yeah if you have already been riding go get yourself into an advanced msf course. the daytona 675 is a hottie though. personally aiming for an f800s or a road star warrior, although the monster 696 it tickling my fancy at the moment

CircuitBreaker

You would fit on this one ok...

Lennyb44

Maybe in a Shriner's parade?

dmhines

I ride one of these ...

n8rfastback

i ride a 1980 suzuki gs750 tscc that i bought this spring and rebuilt. needed pretty much everything.

i am selling it if anyone is interested.....

i have a 78 gs1000 that i want to build up to ride next spring, and hopefully trade or sell so i can get a bandit 1200

even though i love my 750 i want a bigger bike.

Moosetang

Excellent choice, Buell builds a world-class bike.

ScottyBoy302

Im just rockin this right now, 03 RM250. Anybody else ride dirt?

Cheese302

real nice, thats on the short list of my new possibles.

Glenn

Best tip I can give you is. Ride like every one is out to kill you.

spike

+1

+1 Also check out dragginjeans.com. They look like regular jeans but have kevlar in them. Jean don't hold up against road rash. These will. Also getting a jacket with armor in it is a good idea too.

Might be worth explaining what gary means by "blind car drivers". Have you ever been driving and 30 minutes later you're like "how did I get here?" because you were on auto pilot? Well you're so used to driving that it becomes natural and your subconscious can take over... except your subconscious doesn't recognize a motorcycle as another vehicle... it just doesn't even see it. The brain notices cars, but motorcycles are just invisible to drivers in this state. I've seen people look right at me then pull out in front of me. It's not on purpose, they just don't connect.

Here's my ride.
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/attach...6&d=1178842498
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/attach...1&d=1187909143 (I'm on the left, my pops on the right)

touring

If you think they dont see you,they really dont

touring

this is a world class bike

http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my200...=DesmosediciRR