Anyone with a crotch rocket

clrumivier4life

clrumivier4life

Active member
I'm thinking its about time I get one. I've wanted one forever and I'll finally be making some money this summer so yeah. I've never driven one, but I do drive a manual so I know exactly how a clutch/shifting works so I'm not too worried about that. Couple of questions though:

1. What should I be looking for? I don't want anything crazily powerful and actually I wouldn't mind just having a 250cc bike, but I don't think there are a lot of choices as far as those go. So either a 250cc or one step up from that.

2. Parents. I'm 20 and I'd be paying for the whole thing myself, but they could stop me by cutting my college funding :/

3. Safety class? Might help convince my parents/I wouldn't mind a little instruction, but it takes a lot of time and it looks like they're full till june. I don't really wanna get one in the middle of summer, that's a waste.

Any help? Suggestions? Anything?

I'd be taking a loan out and I don't think I wanna spend anymore than 5k so that kinda limits me, but it would be a first bike and one for learning on. Thanks.
 
i thought this would be a topic about dildos... but that might hust be my english skills lacking!

If you know how to shift up and down, you're pretty much set to go. If you're using it on the road, you should know some traffic rules too.. and get a helmet. I've fallen of a mc, and helmets really helps!
 
yeah man, u just gotta be super careful and not drive like a jackass or like uve been riding for years and years, cuz right when u start to think u know all there is, that is when ur gonna wreck real bad, my buddy crashed his driving like a moron and wrecked the bike and himself up real nice. with gas so expensive, they arent such a bad way to go, all everything boils down to though is safety. just gotta be careful.
 
Watch what everyone else is doing on the rode when your riding, most of the time bike crashes are caused by some other ass hole who isn't paying attention
 
i wouldn't go for a 250cc their pretty gutless i tested out my neighbors 250cc and it wasn't all that great nor that fun to drive i would go with a 600 but i'm not sure how much those will run u
 
read around sportbikes.net

#1) don't get a 600 for yor first bike. Ninja 250s get to 60 in 6.5 seconds, and a quarter mile in 14ish seconds. That's faster than most cars. Plus the '08 250's are fucking sick, and they're cheap, with an amazing resale value. (you pretty much get your money back)

#2) It's your own money. Just threaten them like I did. Granted I got a new car instead of a bike, I still got a licence out of it. Say, "it's my money, i'm going to start riding a bike." add some reasons like, it get's 70 MPG and that you'll get a 250 to start off and learn on.

#3) Definitely sign up for a safety class. The basic riders course qualified by the motorcycle safety foundation in the states will teach you everything about motorcycles hands on and at the end of the course, you get your license, no road test outside the training.

that pretty much answers your questions. any more just PM me. also, take time to look around sportbikes.net. a forum with a ton of good info.
 
022108top.jpg


08_ninja250_trc_header.jpg


$3,499

-the old one got to 60 in 5.75 seconds top speed of 105, this one's faster and better geared.

lol, I want this bike myself so I can start riding alot. Sometimes I wish I just dealt with the shittyness of my old car instead of giving in to taking out a loan for a new one.

 
i would buy something with more upright ergos than a "crotch rocket." riding around town and for transportation with clipons is not all that fun. check out something like the Yamaha FZ-6. Also, it will be easier to learn and i think to have fun on a bike like that. 

Definitely take a msf safe riding course, you will get a lot out of it. And I want to re-enforce the importance of riding safe and not riding beyond your ability. I know that after i had about 10,000 miles under my ass with no close calls I started getting a little too confident and riding too damn fast for the roads i was on. luckily I didnt crash or get arrested or something before i caught myself and backed it down a few notches, but this is the point where most newer riders crash. riding a street bike is definitely a physical thing but staying safe is totally psycological. You need to always be thinking and on top of your shit, scanning for cars that are going to pull out in from of you, and such. 

also, one last thing, there is no room for drinking and riding. even having one beer. its just stupid. those are two different activities. its like flying, you need all your physical and mental parts of your body to be 100 percent to stay safe.

nevertheless, go get a bike, learn to ride it and have fun.
 
The ninja 250r looks like a good option mainly because of the price, plus it might be better to start with a 250cc. My friend just got the ninja and it seemed pretty nice for only being 3500 bucks. Gah, I just don't know how to break it to my parents.
 
WOW, cant believe no one has chimed in on gear, and other things related to more than just the bike...

First, you need good gear. NOT jeans and a hoody. Get a jacket, pants, boots, good helme, and gloves. On a street bike, its not a question of if you fall, its when. My buddy burned through 1/4 inch leather suit when he bit pavement going 150 on a track....

Second, you need a saftey course. I would check your insurance to see how much its going to be, that could be a deciding factor.

Shifting a manual car is nothing like a motorcycle. On paper, yes, but throttle control is not like the peddle of your car. having a street bike as your first motorcycle is a REALLY bad idea in my opinion. They are not stable (unless going 100). You mst always ride as if cars never see you, as they often dont.

Finally, your 20. You will say "i wont go fast", but the fact is you will. I have, everyone else does. Just be prepared for the outcome. Hitting pavement at 160 mph. will fuck you up, even with full gear on.

Not trying to put you down man, just consider something else as your first bike...

My old man has been riding these things for a longgggg time, and he was very against me getting a CBR1000....

 
just make sure you don't try and ride this thing like you've been doing it for years haha. i've ridden one of the ninja 250's in that picture above, and they're sick. my cousin just got a new one this year. idk though i don't think i'd ever buy one simple because i am a fucking dumbass and would probably go way to fast and die. i mean i've hit pavement going like 60 on my dirtbike and it definitely does not feel good...
 
when you do start riding it remember that there are a lot of idiot drivers and jackasses on the road so you gotta be watching what's around you cause you have absoultly no metal around you and you can't be seen as well as you can be in a car.
 
I'm responsible and I'm not a dumbass when it comes to things like this. I drive a car like an old man. I'm sure I'd go fast at some point just to try it, but going 100 is just stupid and doesn't appeal to me at all. I'm not stupid when it comes to my life so I'd be as safe as possible. How much do the jackets cost? I heard they were like 400 :/
 
Yea, minimum gear is jacket, gloves and helmet at all times. Those will run you about 400 new all together, but maybe you'd get a discount from a dealer if you bought the first bike from them.
 
amen. cant believe i neglected to mention that, i guess it is just because wearing proper gear is so engrained in my head that i dont even find it optional. My dad always says: to first figure out how much money you can spend, go buy proper riding gear (good full face helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, pants), then with what you have left over go buy a bike. so many people go out and spend every last dime on the latest bike and then buy a 100 dollar helmet and ride around in sneakers, t-shirt, shorts and no gloves.
 
Dude i know EVERYONE says they wont go fast or drive like a mad man, but you WILL. want to argue? i said the same thing, and what happened? i went fuckin 170 down the freeway. your young, the throttle twists back easy, and it happens. Youll take some cute girl for a ride and sheel want some speed...a 250 will go 100 before you can think about it. Like i said before, its not a matter of if, its a matter of when you will crash.

Ask anyone with a bike, whos had it for a decent amount of time, ask them if they go fast.

A jacket wont save you. Boots, pants, gloves, and heltmet will. be ready to throw down 500 on gear easy.

What do you think happens when you hit pavement going even 60 in jeans? youll be a bloody skid mark my friend. YOU NEED FULL RIDING GEAR.

 
Also, alpinestarrs isnt brutally expesnive, probably somewhere around 200 for jacket and same for pants....i got my alpinestars shit two years ago.....
 
250 ninja is a pretty good choice. you could probably handle a 600 though too if you are a responsible and smart person, just be aware that a 600 crotch rocket is more than enough power to kill yourself with about 5 seconds of poor judgment. DEFINITELY take a safety class, especially if you haven't ridden motorcycles before. You want to get good enough at riding BEFORE you ride on the roads so that you can focus on being safe in traffic instead of worrying about how to ride the bike. have fun!
 
like the other guy said, the new Ninja 250 is the PERFECT beginner bike. not too fast but yet still faster than a car, 3500 brand new, plus it looks better than most 600's.
 
don't push a sport bike on him right away. a gixxer is not a good learners bike. If he's going 600cc he should get something out of the sportbike class (not a R6, CBR, or GSXR) but 250s and 500s are the best for learning on... i like the idea of a 250 because it sounds nicer than a 500, which are meant to be quieter, and it's nearly as fast.
 
and like this guy said, there are 2 types of riders, there are riders who have been down and there are riders who will go down

 
So definitely take the safety course, they usually provide u with the bike and ur it'll be worth it, not only in terms of safety & gear etc, but you will meet chill people who you can ride with later. Besides, don't jup the gun on buying a bike, you still need to get a license and other gear. Under 25 years, insurance will probably be a dirty bitch but ya can use your safety course to down that a bit.

I'm going to recommend the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. I know 250cc sounds shitty, and you will probably outgrow it pretty quick but, it's definitely appropriate for learning purposes. I started on a friend's Kawasaki Ninja ZX 6R, I rode it for about a year and a half, cornering and countersteering was pretty fucking sketch because of my size as well as my skill level at the time. Even now, when I'm looking to get a bike, I'm hesitant bout hopping on a 600cc bike. So even when you outgrow the 250cc, assuming that you don't drop it (that's the other thing, you don't want to drop a really nice bike while learning) too many times, you can always sell it and buy yourself up.

Oh, good luck with the rents, because I know how much of a fight that can be.
 
this has got most of all the info i would have told you.

i have had a bike since i was 16, ive ridden to Stugis a few times, and i usually put 10,000 miles on my bike just during summer. GEAR IS A MUST. you seriously expect to get on a crotch rocket, with no riding experience, and not crash. im sorry, but a crotch rocket is a bad choice for a first bike. most people that will recommend them have never ridden a bike. Its like they say at the top of terrain parks, its about "Smart Style". know what you are getting yourself into. shifting is totally different than a car, and you need to take a safety class. i took two, and it has saved my ass at least 20 times. dont just get one and hop on it, them things are sooooo fast its amazing, but only if you know how to ride.

cliffnotes: be smart about every aspect of the process
 
seriosuly, these kids recommending 600 have probably sat on one in the dealership and thats it.

And to the creator of the thread, you think falling in the park is humbling, wait to you slide at 70mph on your back across pavement.....i was lucky enough to take the worst spill at a track....

Also, i lovvveeeee black bikes, but that soccer mom in her mini-van can see yellow or red MUCH better....just something to think about....
 
...I'm not sure where everyone is getting this idea that i think that I'm not gonna crash...

I realize its a fact of driving a motorcycle.

Secondly, all the safety courses are full until like mid june... I really don't want to wait that long to start riding. I could take the mid june class and get the bike earlier and just take it around the neighborhood/hoods around my house until then?

Thirdly, any tips on the parents? My dad is against everything. I'm sure the first thing he'll say is "if you have money for a bike then you can pay me more for school" or something like that. Either that or he'll just start yelling about how dangerous it is. Ugh. Its the only thing stopping me. I just don't really know how to say it.

Fourthly, storage. I'm not sure how much room I have in the garage and if my dad is totally against it, I'm sure putting it in the garage is going to be the last thing he'll let me do. Side of the house with a cover? Any other suggestions? Plus, how is theftability with these things?

Thanks for all the good info guys, you're really helping.
 
And if your not prepared it will result in severe injury or death. Girlfriends a paramedic, she has plenty of stories about picking teeth and jawbones out of guard rails....

Being as its your first bike, A saftey course is really a MUSTT!!!. Also, have you checked out your insurance yet?

Its a battle with the parents for any sort of bike, you just need to show them your taking all precautions and being as safe as possible. But i wouldnt lie to them. Tell them you understand the risks invlved and so on....

 
a kid i work with got one last summer, but his whole family rides and he's going to college further south

i'm just picking up a road bike to commute, it's only like 14 miles each way
 
To the thread creator......

After readin over the thread, u seem pretty set on getting a bike. PLEASE do yourself a favor and get that 250. Keep great care of it, and it will have a good resale value. When your ready (couple years) step up a notch.

If u get it before a saftey class, stay off the highway. ride like cars dont see you. wear your gear even when messing around....
 
I've always thought the people who wore jeans and a tshirt were fucking stupid but these past few weeks around denver and boulder I've seen people riding in shorts or in jeans rolled up into capris like on a bicycle, and I found myself praying for darwinism to take effect and to watch them fall and get fucked to shit by the pavement.
 
Thanks for the tips. I called up our insurance agent (luckily AAA tells you who your agent is without your parents being there) and adding it onto our current plan would come out to like 280 a year between full coverage during summer and storage during winter. I'm pretty set on the Ninja 250r. I don't need anything faster than that, nor do I really trust myself with anything bigger starting out. I guess I'll start looking for safety gear, see about signing up for a safety class mid june and talk to the parents in 2 weekends when finals are over and I'm home for summer. Ugh, I'm so scared of the rents... Wish me luck :/
 
seems like a few of us on here know our shit. the kids that actually can  ride and respect bikes are usually the ones who have been brought up with it. safe riding conversations have been dinner time conversation for as long as i can remember in my house. i rode dirt bikes as a kid, had my endorcement at 15, and started riding on the road at 16. after a shit ton of miles on the road i have remained safe, so i dont respect the idiotic comment about how there are those who have crashed and those who will crash. thats just ignorance. as for gear i wear a Aerostitch suit, pretty spendy, but it has spine, shoulder, knee and elbow protection. also a white helmet makes you much more visible than a matching dark helmet to the mini van moron driver.

so to you all on here who are riders, what do you all ride? me personally, i like to ride long distance, quickly, so my bike is a 1998 bmw r1100rs. its a sport touring bike with a opposed twin cyliner (boxer) engine. it weighs a lot but is very comfortable loaded for a week trip with camping gear and shit. unfortunatly that bike sits in my garage in michigan and i live in montana now, so i only get to ride it on occasion. soon i will bring it out to my new house though. i also ride a street legaled 2007 ktm 450 around town here in montana. it is perfect transportation, to and from school and to work. plus after work i can rally up a canyon and hit some single track, on my way home.
 
^ i have an '07 yamaha r6 and i love it its beautiful and fun as hell. im 17 so haven't been riding that long on street but i started with a kawasaki ninja 500 and been riding dirt bikes for a while. and my dad has 2 harley's so i know about bikes.

haha i feel bad saying this but i'm one of those 'dumb idiots' you all are talking about. i just wear a jacket, its an Icon Accelerant (ICON is one of the best motorcycle companies, but expensive) and some gloves and a helmet. For helmet dog Scorpion makes good cheap cool helmets, but if you want the best it's hard to beat Shoei.

one thing man- if your gonna get the 250 get a newer one. not sure if they fixed this but on the old 250's they revved really high for the speed so you'd be going like 20mph in first and it'd be 12k. just made the ride more difficult and i know for the older ninja's the 500 was a much better made bike than the 250. but the new 250's look sickkkkkkkkk.
 
fact- my dad's 56 years old and been riding since he was 16 and never once crashed his bike. he's had many and knows his shit
 
^that aint too bad man. you are way better off than the people i was referring to that ride around with a t-shirt, shorts and no helmet. i ride my ktm on the road with a jacket, heavy jeans, gloves, helmet and shit kicker work boots. however i wouldnt ride fast down the interstate in that apparel. i wish i could buy an R6 but 2 bikes is already pushin it for this college student. i will get a sport bike in a few years tho. Ya my dad's been riding since he was 17 and he is 47 now without any crashes. you gotta have the right mindset, you either do or you dont. and saying, well its the other drivers is bs. If you are aware of your surroundings, basically hyper sensitive to other drivers you will be ok. this means you approach a intersection, even if you dont have to stop, slowly, and ready to grab the brakes, because when (and not if) the dumb bitch in the mini van pulls out right in front of you, you are going a speed that you can stop and avoid a collision. thats one example but thats what you gotta think like.
 
*Did not read whole thread*

I've been riding for a total of 11 years (dirt+street).

First of all, don't get a sport bike in the 600cc class to start with, while 600 isn't a huge displacement, the way those engines are tuned is not friendly for beginning riders. They have a fairly linear powerband until you crest about 9K RPMs, then they turn into a complete banshee, and will throw you off the back if you're not ready for it.

250 Ninja is a good option for a beginner, but in all seriousness I think you'll outgrow it way too fast (depending on your previous riding experience)...the Ninja 500 or Suzuki GS500 are better options in my opinion. They are both twins (parallel I believe on both), so they don't have the wicked powerband that the 4 cylinder sport bikes have, instead they are very smooth and predictable all the way through the rev range. Look at those. Also might consider the Suzuki SV650 and Ninja 650...even though 650 is bigger than 600, don't be scared...they are much tamer than the 600 super sport class bikes because they are v-twins.

As far as gear goes...the most important thing you can remember is this saying:

Don't dress for the ride, dress for the crash.

I personally like ICON stuff, super high quality rider gear with a more casual look. So check that out.

I always wear a full face helmet, riding jacket, and gloves at the very least...sometimes I also wear SIDI riding boots and more protection...also there is a vest ICON makes that is MIL SPEC and either florescent or orange, which is awesome to help people see you.

Take the rider course, you will learn invaluable lessons and technique regarding street riding.

And always ride as if everyone else on the road is trying to kill you. They are, because a lot of times they won't see you.

Also try'n get into a group of riders in your area who will teach you what they know about riding...you can learn a ton from the guys who've stayed safe for years.

 
*Did not read whole thread*

I've been riding for a total of 11 years (dirt+street).

First of all, don't get a sport bike in the 600cc class to start with, while 600 isn't a huge displacement, the way those engines are tuned is not friendly for beginning riders. They have a fairly linear powerband until you crest about 8K RPMs, then they turn into a complete banshee, and will throw you off the back if you're not ready for it, they are made to be kept in the upper portion of their rev range to maximize power.

250 Ninja is a good option for a beginner, but in all seriousness I think you'll outgrow it way too fast (depending on your previous riding experience)...the Ninja 500 or Suzuki GS500 are better options in my opinion. They are both twins (parallel I believe on both), so they don't have the wicked powerband that the 4 cylinder sport bikes have, instead they are very smooth and predictable all the way through the rev range. Look at those. Also might consider the Suzuki SV650 and Ninja 650...even though 650 is bigger than 600, don't be scared...they are much tamer than the 600 super sport class bikes because they are v-twins.

Just for some fun, because I love bike porn...

Ninja 500:

Ninja_500R_1.jpg


Suzuki GS500F:

2007-Suzuki-GS500Fb.jpg


Suzuki SV650S:

bike_sv650s_main1.jpg


And the more stripped down version, the SV650:

bike_sv650blk_main1.jpg


And lastly, the Ninja 650:

2006-kawasaki-ninja-650r.jpg


As far as gear goes...the most important thing you can remember is this saying:

Don't dress for the ride, dress for the crash.

I personally like ICON stuff, super high quality rider gear with a more casual look. So check that out.

I always wear a full face helmet, riding jacket, and gloves at the very least...sometimes I also wear SIDI riding boots and more protection...also there is a vest ICON makes that is MIL SPEC and either florescent or orange, which is awesome to help people see you.

Take the rider course, you will learn invaluable lessons and technique regarding street riding.

And always ride as if everyone else on the road is trying to kill you. They are, because a lot of times they won't see you.

Also try'n get into a group of riders in your area who will teach you what they know about riding...you can learn a ton from the guys who've stayed safe for years.

 
Don't listen to that 250cc bullshit. Besides a bicycle, Honda CBR 600RR was my first bike. Its fast as fuck but will serve you right if you treat it right. All bikes are powerful, but if you show the bike respect, and you will get respect back! Riding is not like skiing. If you go down, there is a huge possibliity you will not get back up. Trust me, I've been down, but was very fortunate. Still with that said, no feeling like dropping some knees around some mountain roads. Mt. St. Helens is killer in the summer. :)

Safety class is great. You get your license and a drop in insurance rates if you state requires that. Plus, motorcycle license test is hella hard compared to the class. As for your parents, your 20, grow some balls. No disrespect intended. If your a freestyler, hitting 40ft tables and cliffs, is pretty dangerous. Its all a calculated risk. You have to progress abilities, without being reckless. Cause traveling at 60mph, you will skid at 88ft per second. And 60mph starts to feel real slow after a while.
 
"Growing balls" isn't the problem. The problem is that my parents are helping me get through college and are paying for a lot of my car. Its going to be "If you can afford a bike, you can give me more money for college and your car." I'm gonna start laying out prices/gear and make a little presentation. I think the 250r would be my only shot just because it is less powerful and its only $3500 which helps my case. I could always move up next year to something bigger. What are some of the other costs associated with getting a bike? I think the dealership near my house charges like "assembly fees" and a "delivery fee".

I think I'm going to say "I'm letting you that I'm getting a bike, I know you're not ok with it, but I am going to take all the necessary safety precautions. I'd prefer that you come at least look at some with me and be there when I buy it so I'm not getting ripped off and you can learn a little bit about what I'm getting into."

 
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