02-07-2014, 09:49 AM
I'll admit I didn't read though all four pages, so if it's been covered forgive me.
I'd seriously recommend taking the MSF course. It was the BEST $50 I ever spent. Not only will you have a safe place to get your skills back, but you'll make sure they are correct and be able to change them easily if they are not.
Be sure to upgrade your gear, it has come a very, very long ways. Check out SHARP for helmet reviews (they test brain injuries, DOT or EDC doesn't), look into armored gear that stuff will save your bones, heck they even make jeans that won't explode in a crash (Drayko jeans are the only ones I would recommend, they are actually CE rated and do amazing against abrasions. Still need to outfit armor with them though). Expect a good $1500 or more for a good set of gear. If you have an old helmet, it's no good anymore. They have a shelf life, the materials start to break down inside after 5-7 years. And modern ones are much lighter and much, much safer.
As far as the bike goes. Yes if you're responsible you will be able to control it under normal circumstances, however I would explore the realm of a panic. If you hit a bump and your hand slips and the bike launches forward, how much is too much for you to keep control? If you slam on the brakes by accident, can you honestly let go if it locks up (look into ABS, it will save your butt in that happening), can you hold the bike up, can you hold it up if you slip on gravel and loose your footing? Can you lift the bike up if it falls over? Can you do so without hurting yourself? (be honest on that one)
If you can, you'll be ok. If you're iffy about it, maybe you just need time with it, maybe you need a different bike. That one is going to be up to you to decide. But as far as the gear goes... I'd use google images and look up what happens when you don't have proper gear verse having it. Even a 3/4 helmet is a bad idea in my opinion, least when compared to a full helmet. Heck, they even make airbags in gear now. You can walk away if you have full gear, without it, if you live, you might never be able to ride again. All the gear all the time (ATGATT) keeps you riding and keeps you healthy. And modern gear has many options, you can look fully retro and still be as safe as possible. They've come a long, long, long ways. And if you're still not convinced to get full gear, just remember you loose 1mm of skin in abrasion for every mile you are going over 30mph in a crash. I've seen people literally grind off their butt. Just think about that for a minute. To the bone.
Ok, enough stressing that point.
I will admit the first bike I rode was a XL1200 Sportster. Not a good choice, but I'm a big guy, I was able to keep it from falling as I learned. The torque is what pulls it out from under you, the horsepower is what gets your MPH up too high. That would be a good second bike but not a first, but I managed because it was what was available to me (borrowed it, which in all fairness did cause me to be even more careful when riding it). You might be able to ride a gear or two higher to adjust to the torque if you're not used to it, but I'd want to get used to it very quickly. It will get you in trouble very fast.
I guess to sum up, ATGATT, and if you can handle the bike in a panic situation weather it's hitting the gas too hard, the brake too hard, having it slip and fall out from you, then you're ok with it as a choice. If not, maybe get a smaller one to get back into the groove. And the MSF course is a really, really good idea.
I'd seriously recommend taking the MSF course. It was the BEST $50 I ever spent. Not only will you have a safe place to get your skills back, but you'll make sure they are correct and be able to change them easily if they are not.
Be sure to upgrade your gear, it has come a very, very long ways. Check out SHARP for helmet reviews (they test brain injuries, DOT or EDC doesn't), look into armored gear that stuff will save your bones, heck they even make jeans that won't explode in a crash (Drayko jeans are the only ones I would recommend, they are actually CE rated and do amazing against abrasions. Still need to outfit armor with them though). Expect a good $1500 or more for a good set of gear. If you have an old helmet, it's no good anymore. They have a shelf life, the materials start to break down inside after 5-7 years. And modern ones are much lighter and much, much safer.
As far as the bike goes. Yes if you're responsible you will be able to control it under normal circumstances, however I would explore the realm of a panic. If you hit a bump and your hand slips and the bike launches forward, how much is too much for you to keep control? If you slam on the brakes by accident, can you honestly let go if it locks up (look into ABS, it will save your butt in that happening), can you hold the bike up, can you hold it up if you slip on gravel and loose your footing? Can you lift the bike up if it falls over? Can you do so without hurting yourself? (be honest on that one)
If you can, you'll be ok. If you're iffy about it, maybe you just need time with it, maybe you need a different bike. That one is going to be up to you to decide. But as far as the gear goes... I'd use google images and look up what happens when you don't have proper gear verse having it. Even a 3/4 helmet is a bad idea in my opinion, least when compared to a full helmet. Heck, they even make airbags in gear now. You can walk away if you have full gear, without it, if you live, you might never be able to ride again. All the gear all the time (ATGATT) keeps you riding and keeps you healthy. And modern gear has many options, you can look fully retro and still be as safe as possible. They've come a long, long, long ways. And if you're still not convinced to get full gear, just remember you loose 1mm of skin in abrasion for every mile you are going over 30mph in a crash. I've seen people literally grind off their butt. Just think about that for a minute. To the bone.
Ok, enough stressing that point.
I will admit the first bike I rode was a XL1200 Sportster. Not a good choice, but I'm a big guy, I was able to keep it from falling as I learned. The torque is what pulls it out from under you, the horsepower is what gets your MPH up too high. That would be a good second bike but not a first, but I managed because it was what was available to me (borrowed it, which in all fairness did cause me to be even more careful when riding it). You might be able to ride a gear or two higher to adjust to the torque if you're not used to it, but I'd want to get used to it very quickly. It will get you in trouble very fast.
I guess to sum up, ATGATT, and if you can handle the bike in a panic situation weather it's hitting the gas too hard, the brake too hard, having it slip and fall out from you, then you're ok with it as a choice. If not, maybe get a smaller one to get back into the groove. And the MSF course is a really, really good idea.