new road rider looking for tips

[bates68]

Hey guys.  Been on here most of the day today reading posts.  Looks like a great community you have here.

I am looking at getting a road bike.  I currently ride MX, but a friend is selling his 93 gs 500 and I am hoping to get it.  From all I have read this sounds like a great bike.  Especially for a new rider.  I am 27 so I don't need anything too big that I can be stupid on.  Just looking for a good bike to commute with and have a little fun cruising on.  

I am 6'3 230.  I have seen a couple taller guys posting but hope I can still fit the bike.

I am planning on getting the following riding gear(I know first hand that in the dirt this stuff is priceless):
Helmet - Probably a HJC full face
Boots - I liked the Joe Rocket orbit boots
Gloves - Joe Rocket Reactor
Jacket - Joe Rocket Atomic

Found these on the new enough web site.  Seem like decent prices.

I guess I am looking for the following:
1.  Will this bike fit me ok?
2.   Suggested safety courses?
3.  Anything else I may be missing.

Hope to get the bike and stick around and learn from you guys.

Thanks
Bates

[tdan553527]

Welcome to the site, tons of great info here. I'm smaller, but plenty of people here your size riding them. I love my 04. All the gear you have picked will be fine as long as its comfy for you. I have two HJC helmets, the CS-12 and CL-14. Love em both. Try taking the MSF course, great for beginner street riders.

Oh yea, you have one of the best on this site out your way in Utah, his name is Kerry, one of the mods of the site.

[bates68]

Welcome to the site, tons of great info here. I'm smaller, but plenty of people here your size riding them. I love my 04. All the gear you have picked will be fine as long as its comfy for you. I have two HJC helmets, the CS-12 and CL-14. Love em both. Try taking the MSF course, great for beginner street riders.

Thanks for the welcome!  MSF...that is the name.  I have seen and heard about that course.  Sounds like it is well worth the money.

[Vball24]

Don't forget about the pants.  I've heard a few nasty stories about knees.  I highly recommend taking the MSF course.  Welcome, I'm a newbie myself.

[Jake D]

I'm the same size as you and I feel really comfortable on the GS.  It may not feel comfortable with me. . . But you won't have any complaints.  Remember: the GS is your first street bike.  Ride it and learn and have fun.  

That Jacket you want (the Atomic) is good.  I like mine.  

The MSF course will save your hide!

Anything you need to know. . . you'll find here.  And a lot of stuff you really didn't want to know.

[pantablo]

welcome to the site.

I definitely second the MSF course.

Also suggest reading Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Iensatch and Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code. Both good books for street.

[Kerry]

MSF...that is the name.  I have seen and heard about that course.  Sounds like it is well worth the money.

You can look around the official MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) website at http://www.msf-usa.org

It looks like some of the UT-specific links are dead.  They list

psmain.athornto@state.ut.us[/list:u]as the email contact.  If you don't get any response from them, try emailing Dale directly at UTriderEd@aol.com.  He was heading up the program in SLC and Provo when I took the Basic course back in 2000, and he was still doing it in 2003 when my wife gave it a try.  If he's still involved, he can give you the lowdown on planned dates, locations, prices, what to do, etc.

Probably the most surefire way to go is to call the 800 number.  Hopefully their info is more up-to-date for each state than the website is....

800-446-9227[/list:u]==============================

If you do get the bike, we'll have to get together sometime!  During the riding season I can accompany you on some cool canyon rides on the occasional weekend.  (I'm a tourer, not a racer, so don't worry about me leaving you behind or anything.)  When/if your bike needs care, give me a ring!  Hopefully I can help one way or another - via the message board or email or over the phone or in person.

[roguegeek]

I can't recommend the MSF courses enough. One of the biggest things they teach is understanding risk management and how to apply it. I don't know about other people, but I know I have also been able to apply the same risk management skills to my daily car driving too. MSF courses are an absolute must.

[roguegeek]

Also suggest reading Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Iensatch and Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code. Both good books for street.

Have you read both of these? What will they help do for the reader? I read over the synopsis, but it was a little too general to really get a good understanding of how they help.

[chuey]

Pick up Keith Code's book Total Control.  It's more of an inline 4 kinda book, but its still a great read!!  Also Twist of the Wrist I&II and there is a book co authored by Kenny Roberts that is great too.

[hairball]

MSF course, and riding pants with knee and hip armor:  highly recommended.

The book Total Control is pretty good with some great pics showing "proper" form.  It's by Lee Parks BTW, not Keith Code, but I think Lee learned from Keith or maybe Keith wrote the intro??

Just reading Twist of the Wrist 2 once has probably saved my hide many times over.  Managing survival reactions on corners, and learning how the throttle affects suspension in a turn.  Abrubtly closing the throttle while cornering throws your weight forward, unweights the rear tire reducing traction.  All good stuff to know.

Oh, I'm about 6'1", and after riding the GS for 3-4 months now, I realize I'm a little cramped, but all-day rides aren't a problem either.  And I like being on a bike that is light and doesn't feel too big.

Have fun

[pantablo]

Also suggest reading Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Iensatch and Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code. Both good books for street.

Have you read both of these? What will they help do for the reader?

Yes I have. Several times. There is a great deal of overlap between them but they each explain the concepts differently and have different diagrams so both are useful. They help you understand how the throttle controls the suspension. How to corner well, how to approach riding in a sporting manner, etc. They are the next logical step after MSF/Proficient Motorcycling book (which discuss more basic operation).

I read over the synopsis, but it was a little too general to really get a good understanding of how they help.

If you want to ride well, ride smooth, ride fast then these books will help you understand how to do that, what is preventing you from doing that and exercises to overcome those.

[John Bates]

Hi Bates68,

Welcome ,

I agree with all previous comments, especially the emphasis on the MSF courses.  I took the basic  course last year and am signed up for the advanced this year.  

I have read Twist of the Wrist by Keith Code as well as Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough (pronounced like Huff).  Both are excellent.  TW focuses on race riding while PM is geared more toward sport/cruising.  I especially liked Hough's writing style and his emphasis on safety. Heck read them all.