The 650 is here!

RenoRider75 · May 06, 2013, 04:59:59 PM

Thanks to all the suggestions everyone has given, the Ninja 650 is here!

I'm planning to practice clutch control, throttle control, and basic braking in parking lots with my instruction permit and the help of a rider from work (he's supposed to watch over me while I'm on the road to/from the parking lot, about a quarter mile from my house).

I've been commuting on my scooter for a few months, so the basic control of the bike is not terribly foreign. My primary concerns are:

- Emergency braking
- Emergency obstacle avoidance
- Freeway riding

My MSF course is coming up in a couple of weeks. After that, I plan to commute on the same route I did with my scooter while practicing on low-traffic roads as much as I can.

My question is how much riding experience does it take to get comfortable on a freeway? I live less than a mile from work, so my only reason for the freeway right now is to join in on some group rides. That leads to a similar question - how much riding experience does it take to join in on a group ride? Say, maybe one of the new "local routes" for newer riders, like one to VC and back. I'd like to do the ride in August through VC, CC, and then around Tahoe, but I don't know if that's realistic for two months of riding experience...

Sorry for all the questions, I feel like a noob (I am).

GreenMachine · May 06, 2013, 10:08:01 PM

Congrats!

Best three tips I can give outside of what you'll learn from your instructor will be rider armor and protection: motto, it's better to sweat than to bleed. Gear up!

Next. Until you have traction control, never never never go WOT when committed in a turn. Always meter your throttle.

And third. Ride as much as you can off-road with a dirt bike or mountain bike and learn everything you can from street riders who also ride dirt bikes. Have fun sliding the bike around and getting a feel for shifting your weight front to back. Chances are you'll eventually have a spill, but you'll learn limits to grip without the dangers of the street.

RenoRider75 · May 07, 2013, 10:28:57 AM

Thanks - I don't have a dirt bike [yet], but I do have a mountain bike and a 50cc scooter I've been commuting on for a few months. Given the weather, now might be the right time to take the mountain bike out and ride the slick stuff. And if mountain biking helps, that's great news; I've been riding the hills around here for 30 years.

I expect the MSF to help a lot. I've been practicing counter-steering with the scooter, trying to look ahead through corners and hold a good line. But its throttle control is basically an on-off switch: "Don't go" and "just barely go." I expect the 650 to be quite different there, so thanks for the tips!

dub · May 07, 2013, 10:34:56 AM

Congrats on the new bike!

As far as how much riding it takes to feel comfortable on the freeway or a group ride; I think only you can answer that.

RenoRider75 · May 07, 2013, 12:44:26 PM

I think you're right. I've got my instruction permit, so a buddy of mine and I will be spending time in parking lots this weekend. I'll be installing frame sliders when they get here on Thursday, thin it's time for the break-in process, both for me and the bike.

RenoRider75 · May 08, 2013, 07:19:58 PM

Here she is!

RocketRider · May 08, 2013, 07:34:47 PM

Purdy! Stay shiny side up!

dub · May 08, 2013, 08:51:53 PM

White. Niiiiccccee.

GreenMachine · May 09, 2013, 09:05:31 AM

Not green???

j/k Hope it's a romance that lasts for many years.

RenoRider75 · May 09, 2013, 01:38:15 PM

Thanks! And nope, Kawasaki doesn't offer the 650 in green this year for some odd reason. I kind of wanted green for better visibility, but I like the contrast of the white bike too.

I just bought a full set of Icon Overlord gear in white, so I'll match when I'm riding her. My wife is already jealous of my new street mistress.

Tahoebrian5 · May 09, 2013, 03:15:47 PM

Nice looking bike you got there! Welcome to the addiction and looking forward to seeing you on a group ride soon. I would be happy to take you on an easy ride and share some of my hard earned to do's and not to do's.

RenoRider75 · May 09, 2013, 04:37:10 PM

Thanks, and an easy ride would be great! My MSF is in 3 weeks, and after that I plan to spend a lot of time on the bike tooling around town. I need to get those first 500 break-in miles done, which should probably take me a day or two.

GreenMachine · May 09, 2013, 11:38:43 PM

Quote from: Tahoebrian5 on May 09, 2013, 03:15:47 PM
Nice looking bike you got there! Welcome to the addiction and looking forward to seeing you on a group ride soon. I would be happy to take you on an easy ride and share some of my hard earned to do's and not to do's.

Your wife is a keeper then.

GreenMachine · May 09, 2013, 11:41:34 PM

Quote from: Tahoebrian5 on May 09, 2013, 03:15:47 PM
Nice looking bike you got there! Welcome to the addiction and looking forward to seeing you on a group ride soon. I would be happy to take you on an easy ride and share some of my hard earned to do's and not to do's.

Watch out for this guy, he cheats. He has traction control.

And if that' doesn't get you, he's a troublemaker. He's almost always finding something to get me into potential trouble. Be leery.

Tahoebrian5 · May 10, 2013, 09:07:31 AM

Pay no attention to GM, he's just jealous of my motogp video pass