06-26-2017, 01:51 AM
At 20 years of age I started on a Yamaha 100cc Twin Jet. Not much of jet really, but it was capable of 60 MPH downhill. I was 6'2" tall and weighed 163 pounds at the time. There were no motorcycle courses available, helmets were not mandatory or worn, and there was no motorcycle testing required for a licence.
I learned by myself how to use a clutch to change gears, a throttle enough to launch without stalling, and all the other things required to ride a motorcycle without getting killed. This bike was almost light enough to pick up.
Traded it in for a Yamaha 305cc twin three months later. Dropped it on a gravel road the first week I had it. Broken headlight, torn elbows on my shirt and knees on my jeans. I was scratched up, but that all healed.
Over the years I rode a BSA 650cc Lightning and dropped it a field horsing around with some biking buddies. Yes alcohol was involved. No damage done. Bought a Kawasaki 750cc triple 2-stroke, AKA the widow maker. Learned about high speed wobble racing a muscle car. Almost filled my pants, but survived without damage Downsized to a Yamaha 350cc R5 twin. Light and great handling motorcycle. Dropped it at low speed in a corner by grounding the foot pegs. No damage done except my pride as all my riding buddies were there to see it. Dropped my Aspencade (Goldwing) and my wife leaving a parking space when my foot slipped on some sand. After 26 years of riding experience dropped my brand new CB1100 EX when my foot slipped in the sand of a soft shoulder.
So when I see people telling this guy to buy an CB1100 as a first bike, it infuriates me.
He should take the motorcycle courses on the small bikes provided. Then buy one to practice the basics and learn the hazards of riding without injuring himself. To encourage him to start on a 84 horsepower, 560 pound top heavy porker is ludicrous and dangerous.
I know, as I have been told before, "Don't hold back Nortie, tell us how you really feel."
I learned by myself how to use a clutch to change gears, a throttle enough to launch without stalling, and all the other things required to ride a motorcycle without getting killed. This bike was almost light enough to pick up.
Traded it in for a Yamaha 305cc twin three months later. Dropped it on a gravel road the first week I had it. Broken headlight, torn elbows on my shirt and knees on my jeans. I was scratched up, but that all healed.
Over the years I rode a BSA 650cc Lightning and dropped it a field horsing around with some biking buddies. Yes alcohol was involved. No damage done. Bought a Kawasaki 750cc triple 2-stroke, AKA the widow maker. Learned about high speed wobble racing a muscle car. Almost filled my pants, but survived without damage Downsized to a Yamaha 350cc R5 twin. Light and great handling motorcycle. Dropped it at low speed in a corner by grounding the foot pegs. No damage done except my pride as all my riding buddies were there to see it. Dropped my Aspencade (Goldwing) and my wife leaving a parking space when my foot slipped on some sand. After 26 years of riding experience dropped my brand new CB1100 EX when my foot slipped in the sand of a soft shoulder.
So when I see people telling this guy to buy an CB1100 as a first bike, it infuriates me.
He should take the motorcycle courses on the small bikes provided. Then buy one to practice the basics and learn the hazards of riding without injuring himself. To encourage him to start on a 84 horsepower, 560 pound top heavy porker is ludicrous and dangerous.
I know, as I have been told before, "Don't hold back Nortie, tell us how you really feel."