My friend wants his first bike--A Monster 1100s

[mrphotoman]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

Quoted only to show you for what you are.

quoted to only show you for what you are

[mrphotoman]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

I am not your research assistant. A claim was made. I countered the claim as a myth. If you would like to prove the claim then have at it... If you believe: a new rider starting out he is all but guaranteed to drop his new motorcycle on it's side, probably more than once.

Then back it up. It is simply NOT true for most people.

Me on the other hand... The last new bike I bought I kicked over on its side before I even rode it just to get it over with.

edited to take the edge off.

Were you dropped on your head when you were 8? It seems your mind stopped growing around that time in your life.

[scrannel]

Originally Posted by Doubleplay

The laws in most European countries will not allow anybody to start riding on a powerful motorcycle at least for a year after they get their license.

Yeah, that's why all my Italian friends admit to paying-off the testers when the time comes to get their car license because the tests are ridiculously tough. Besides, when's the last time you drove in Sicily? I have about eight friends there who ride powerful bikes, but only one has a proper motorcycle endorsement because no one gives a shit. I'm sure it's better in countries where there are more blondes.

Get the bike you want and don't ride like an idiot. If you ride like an idiot a Vespa will kill you.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by mrphotoman

Were you dropped on your head when you were 8? It seems your mind stopped growing around that time in your life.

Apparently you were. Here let me help you out a little.

Go here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/forum...daysprune=&f=9

You will fit right in.

[Doubleplay]

Originally Posted by scrannel

Yeah, that's why all my Italian friends admit to paying-off the testers when the time comes to get their car license because the tests are ridiculously tough. Besides, when's the last time you drove in Sicily? I have about eight friends there who ride powerful bikes, but only one has a proper motorcycle endorsement because no one gives a shit. I'm sure it's better in countries where there are more blondes.

Get the bike you want and don't ride like an idiot. If you ride like an idiot a Vespa will kill you.

Some of your friends might be the exception to the rule but generally Italian riders and drivers are very good and get along very well. There are a few of them on Moto GP, too.

[jesse v]

Well, if anybody is interested in an update... After many weeks of me boasting about how much fun motorcycling is, especially with my recent trip to the Black Hills (see the report in Day Trippin'), my buddy is potentially going to go with an '01 SV650 that his co-worker is selling. Apparently the thrill of motorcycling is finally overtaking the image! hahaha. I'm gonna help him look at it (read: test drive it!) tomorrow. If it's good, I hope he goes with it and signs up for the BRC.

[Cat0020]

You can't beat a pre-gen SV650 for value/performance.. having owned pre-gen, FI and Gladius... carb-ed SVs are the best value.

[KiLeR06]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

Thoughts?

I think your statement "is a guaranteed crash." Speaks volumes about how little you know about riding.

I completely agree with this statement, a knowledgable and intelegent person can have any bike as a first bike and have it be a safe and enjoyable one. It's the person holding the bars that makes that determination, not the bike or the HP or the multitude of other factors.

[ADV8]

Originally Posted by KiLeR06

I completely agree with this statement, a knowledgable and intelegent person can have any bike as a first bike and have it be a safe and enjoyable one. It's the person holding the bars that makes that determination, not the bike or the HP or the multitude of other factors.

Maybe on a KLR,they don't have enough HP to pull the skin off a rice pudding.

[curbjumper]

Choosing a motorcycle is a personal decision; all of our decisions end up a compromise somewhere between passion and practicality.
Like running shoes and golf clubs, there is a bike out there for each of us that fits.
I've lived with a Monster 1100s for 25,000km.
The Ohlins suspension works well, and eliminates the necessity of 'fixing' the front and rear end components (as I am forced to do with the Sportster 48, and the front of the Ducati Sport 1000- there is no choice of settings on these).
Torque is never lacking; acceleration can only be deemed slow when passed by an 848 or 1098 (it's all relative).
Fuel range is great.
Maintenance? Yes, an SV is less, for sure- I rode one for 47,000km.
Character?
In spades.
For a new rider?
Nope.
It would be like holding a sharp, pointy stick- pointy end an inch away from your eyeball- as you are running through the woods in the dark... there are better 'first time rider friendly' bikes available.

[Remmy]

Originally Posted by ferrix

Nevertheless it has been arbitrarily adopted by every developed country in the world with the sole exception of USA. Everywhere else new riders are forced to start on 'small bikes'

"Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty nor safety." -Benjamin Franklin

Originally Posted by Doubleplay

Speaking of crashes and new riders, let me throw my two cents having ridden on both sides of the pond for some time.
The laws in most European countries will not allow anybody to start riding on a powerful motorcycle at least for a year after they get their license.
Coming back to USA you can get a motorcycle permit (not even a license as long as you don't carry a passenger) and walk into a dealer and buy a busa or whatever suits your taste as the most cool looking and bad ass and ride into sunset. Getting a license here in the USA be it car or motorcycle is a joke.

Again, may the words of Benjamin Franklin be allowed to reverberate in the mind:

"Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty nor safety." -Benjamin Franklin

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

The cc's of a motorcycle do not dictate if it is going to crash or not. Please tell us from your vast experience why you feel a right to force an adult to purchase and ride a bike of your choosing and not his own.

DAKEZ, Dittos.

"It is not only his right, but his duty... to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment and conscience..." -John Adams

I beseech all, deprive us not of our freedom!

[kraven]

Originally Posted by jesse v

Well, if anybody is interested in an update... After many weeks of me boasting about how much fun motorcycling is, especially with my recent trip to the Black Hills (see the report in Day Trippin'), my buddy is potentially going to go with an '01 SV650 that his co-worker is selling. Apparently the thrill of motorcycling is finally overtaking the image! hahaha. I'm gonna help him look at it (read: test drive it!) tomorrow. If it's good, I hope he goes with it and signs up for the BRC.

Cool.

But, I agree with Dakez. You're not his mama. It's his decision.

[jesse v]

Originally Posted by kraven

Cool.

But, I agree with Dakez. You're not his mama. It's his decision.

True. And he did get the SV650. We had a little maintenance pow-wow at my place yesterday (it hadn't been ridden in 1.5 years) so that was a good time.

[kraven]

Originally Posted by jesse v

True. And he did get the SV650. We had a little maintenance pow-wow at my place yesterday (it hadn't been ridden in 1.5 years) so that was a good time.

Maintenance help is a solid favor he'll come to appreciate. Most new riders have to learn bikes aren't like their cage appliance, and it's good he has you there to help him out.

No bad habits started with regard to maintenance is a huge benefit for a new rider.

[Josephvman]

A new rider can get killed on 400cc single if he's a idiot. The Monster is far from being a deathtrap, and I don't see anything wrong with the guy buying what he wants if he can afford it. I would strongly suggest taking all the MSF courses, and enjoying the Monster.

It sounds to me like the OP doesn't like the idea of his buddy having a much nicer bike than his


I get this. I'm a mediocre guitar player at best, but I've got some really beautiful instruments, and I know it drives some of my buddies who are much better players crazy!