My new toy

[Erick]

Is it a 2-stroke? Forgive my dumbness, but i don't know much about bikes.

Yes it is a four stroke. This is an old Kawasaki design. The exact same bike has been sold since '88... which makes it great to find parts (if needed). I purchased a front tire today for $55... OEM replacement. Great deal if you ask me.

240zse30, thanks for all the advice.

[SpasticDwarf]

Yes it is a four stroke. This is an old Kawasaki design. The exact same bike has been sold since '88... which makes it great to find parts (if needed). I purchased a front tire today for $55... OEM replacement. Great deal if you ask me.

240zse30, thanks for all the advice.

Its good to see that youre listening to peoples advice instead of being cocky. I can really respect that.
I know I have said it already but its important enough to say again-
Always wear the proper gear. It will save your life. Ive seen my step-brother go down twice, both accidents nearly cost him his life. He gave up after the second one. But his helmet saved his life both times. Without it, he wouldnt be around to love the 2 sons he has today.
And although he now has titanium bones in his arm and leg, I would say thats better than getting deaded.
wear your helmet!!!!!

[JasonC]

just dont panic and grap the front brake.

QFT, i seen a guy die at a drag strip that way. :(

[SpasticDwarf]

QFT, i seen a guy die at a drag strip that way. :(

wow thats a bummer. :(

[JasonC]

wow thats a bummer. :(

Yep, it scared the crap out of the other bikers that was there.

[Erick]

Yes, riding the bike around the parking garage today already gave me a small idea of how sensitive the front brakes are. My father says that I have to practice as best as I can braking with a 70% front and 30% rear bias.... he also says it wont be easy and it'll take me a while to be able to properly do that. But we'll see.

I'm going to try to ride the bike at night as much as I can to take advantage of the empty streets.

Hopefully I'm not wrong to assume that proper training on your sorroundings can eliminate almost all chances of getting into an accident.... seeing my father with 30+ years of experience without a single accident kinda supports that theory.

At the same time, I can kinda see why so many worry with motorcycles with all teenagers (or newcomers in general) suddenly starting to ride with 600/1000cc race bikes, with little to no previous training on how to properly ride.

[SpasticDwarf]

Yes, riding the bike around the parking garage today already gave me a small idea of how sensitive the front brakes are. My father says that I have to practice as best as I can braking with a 70% front and 30% rear bias.... he also says it wont be easy and it'll take me a while to be able to properly do that. But we'll see.

I'm going to try to ride the bike at night as much as I can to take advantage of the empty streets.

Hopefully I'm not wrong to assume that proper training on your sorroundings can eliminate almost all chances of getting into an accident.... seeing my father with 30+ years of experience without a single accident kinda supports that theory.

At the same time, I can kinda see why so many worry with motorcycles with all teenagers (or newcomers in general) suddenly starting to ride with 600/1000cc race bikes, with little to no previous training on how to properly ride.

sounds like we have alot in common. My dad raced for 30+ years, and tought me what he knows. You are right. knowing your surroundings and SCANNING and ANALYzing them will keep you clear of an accident. The second you stop paying attention, youre a moving organ donor!

[Ben Carufel]

Read this. Carefully. I read it twice, cover to cover, before I even signed up for an MSF course.

http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1889540536/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9567521-5222516?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173150010&sr=8-1

[Erick]

sounds like we have alot in common. My dad raced for 30+ years, and tought me what he knows. You are right. knowing your surroundings and SCANNING and ANALYzing them will keep you clear of an accident. The second you stop paying attention, youre a moving organ donor!

Fathers riding bikes for 30+ years and we end up drifting..... we must have a lot in common.

Edit: Ben, thanks for the link... I'll stop by Barnes and Noble to see if they have a copy.

[JasonC]

If you ever do a burnout on it, don't hit a mail box like i did. It hurts.

[Erick]

Nah, dont worry, this bike is for commuting/learning. No mods or abuse of any sort. That's for my other toy... seen in my sig. :)

[SpasticDwarf]

Fathers riding bikes for 30+ years and we end up drifting..... we must have a lot in common.

i couldnt tell if that was assholic sarcasm or a statement of truth, but Ill pick the latter, becuase you dont seem like an asshole.

and like Ben Careful said, read that, and make sure to take a MSF course.

[Erick]

Statement of truth. :)

As for the MSF... It's a requirement for me anyways since I'm under 21 still... but even if I wasnt I would still be taking it. I want to earn my endorsement.

I've already had many friends trying to tell me to buy my endorsement through hookups and just go with 600s, but I'm beyond high school peer pressure.

[SpasticDwarf]

Statement of truth. :)

As for the MSF... It's a requirement for me anyways since I'm under 21 still... but even if I wasnt I would still be taking it. I want to earn my endorsement.

I've already had many friends trying to tell me to buy my endorsement through hookups and just go with 600s, but I'm beyond high school peer pressure.

How old are you?
If you have no riding experience at all, a 600cc bike is a big bike.

[Erick]

I am a few months shy of 21. And I fully agree with your second statement.