Beginning Rider

[skydivvver]

I am 19 years old and I just got my M1 motorcycle license here in California. I am thinking of purchasing a 2001 SV650. I have never ridden a motorcycle on public roads before, but I did complete a beginner's motorcycle safety course. I take my life and the risks that I undertake very seriously. I just dont want to get into trouble with a bike that is not suited to my skill level. Please give me your opinon. Thanks.

-Elliot

[Anonymous]

No.....as long as you are sensible and take things slowly. But most people wont!
You may be asking the wrong people here as we all have to do a lot of training before we can ride over here. But there's some guys here who have done the same route as you and seem fine. Theres also guys here who have done our rigorous training and then crashed. Therefore there's also guys here who say our training isnt rigorous enough.

Probably the real answer is start with a very small bike and work your way up, but I know that thats probably realistically not the thing you guys over there will do. So yes, you will be able to handle it if you are careful, but I would probably try and get some experience on a smaller bike.

You live in a different world to us so be prepared for polarised opinions :wink: :D

[jinx]

I would go with the Doctor's advice.

[Shinsei Jutsu]

I got a 2001 svs as my first bike. I've had it two months and have to say I am so glad I got it as my first bike. I said to myself 'be sensible', but that lasted the ride home from the bike shop.
To be honest what ever bike you get you have to be sensible on. Learn how the bike is before blatting round bends and coming off.
In two months I have only dropped my bike once, and I wasn't to blame. I was stationary and a van came from a side road without looking. Hit my left side.
Nothing major, but no offs other than that.

I'd say listen to the others on here, they have experience far beyond us newer people. Can learn a lot from them :wink:

[keithd]

I am 19 years old and I just got my M1 motorcycle license here in California. I am thinking of purchasing a 2001 SV650. I have never ridden a motorcycle on public roads before, but I did complete a beginner's motorcycle safety course. I take my life and the risks that I undertake very seriously. I just dont want to get into trouble with a bike that is not suited to my skill level. Please give me your opinon. Thanks.

-Elliot

i got my first bike last monday (19th), its a 2000 sv650s, and i'm absolutely delighted with it. i feel its got the right balance of sheep in wolf's (or is it wolves?) clothing about it, it can potter about at 3,000 rpm around town, but has got plenty to offer should you get in trouble. ok my exprerience is barely over a week but from all the mags i read other bikes i've ridden i'd say its an ideal bike.

i dont wish this to sound patronising in any way, but i'm 35 and if i was 19 i'm not sure whether i'd go for something that powerful. apart from not being able to by law (if memory serves me correctly), personally speaking i think i could get myself into trouble by not being mature enough on it. but as you say, you seem a sensible chap by recognizing the risks and taking them seriously, so we sound like different people at 19!!

whatever you chose to do, go careful out there. its a jungle.

mr d

[Iansv]

Nah its fine, just take it easy and be comfortable on the bike before trying anything a bit risky or you'll end up paniking and doing something silly like grabing the front brake... :)

good luck

[jonboy]

Let's put it this way... if I had an SV at nineteen I would definitely have killed myself, no question. Okay I was a loony but aren't most people (no disrespect) at nineteen?

Personally I think you'd be better off with a smaller capacity bike for a year or two while you gain road skills and experience. Remember what they say about fools rushing in... ;)

Take care either way.


.

[simon-temple]

I think as a first bike with little experience on other bikes you are likely to scare yourself silly at some point :shock: :D

But as long as you realise that you don't have the skill to push the bike as hard as other people around you and you ride withing you limits you'll be OK.

Have fun, take it easy. Get out and ride with some experienced easy going riders. :wink:

[Cronos]

I'm with jonboy on this one. At 19 I would probably have done myself some serious damage if I'd been let loose with a SV as a first bike.

Focus on building up your skills and experience on something smaller before moving onto a SV. You're also probably better getting something a bit older and scruffy as the chances are you'll be dropping the thing a few times until you get used to it.

There's no substitute for experience although age and a sense of your own mortality do compensate somewhat!!!

On a similar note, I managed to convince a freind on Saturday night that getting a R6 as his first bike wasn't the wisest move in the world! You would have thought the £1900 insurance quote would have put him off!

[Aaron_T]

Never ridden any bike before, and got an SV a couple weeks ago. Didn'ttake any courses or anything.
Other than the minor, bs, incident in the dealer parking lot :lol:, I have had no issues. That incident did about $30 worth of minor damage.
I am 21, so not much older, but then again, you do live in CA :wink:


Oh, btw, I rode an 02' R6 today, and it's fukin crazy. Feels sooooo fast, yet I know stock for stock that aren't "that" far off.
I prefer my SV over that R6 100%. Too damn small, where as the SV feels perfect (I am 6'1" 168lbs). That's like 12 stones for you easterners.
I say go for it, just be careful, as with any bike.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

...On a similar note, I managed to convince a freind on Saturday night that getting a R6 as his first bike wasn't the wisest move in the world! You would have thought the £1900 insurance quote would have put him off!

He's getting an SV now I trust? :D

[Cronos]

...On a similar note, I managed to convince a freind on Saturday night that getting a R6 as his first bike wasn't the wisest move in the world! You would have thought the £1900 insurance quote would have put him off!

He's getting an SV now I trust? :D

I let him get an earful of my fastest colour, de-snorkled, baffles out, oval Scorpioned K3 and he was total gobsmacked!!! :wink: :notworthy:

I'm sure I could have sold it to him there and then!!!

[Warren]

i dunno, personally i would make a point of taking more training than you already have done,
from what i learned, driving a 125cc and gong to a fast 600cc bike, is veery different, they handle different, but it did help being on the 125 for about 6 months
all i gotta say - is listen to the docs advice - take more training - and keep your head screwed on, im 21 - its pretty hard not to get carried away and cane it - honestly

[Aaron_T]

Never haven taken any training/courses, I don't know how they are, but could they just be "overrated"?
I mean I hear a lot of people saying do a course (and not just on here), but I figure like with most things, the actual experience and practice is what will help you learn.
I figure if you have some common sense, and are mature enough, one should be fine. I think it's the people who are over confident who would be more likely to get into wreck.

I rode and practice on the road for a few days, then figured I should practice slow manuevers in a parking lot, and by that time, they were easy. I spent 5-10 minutes, and felt no need to practice anymore.
Within the first week, I had already done my first wheelie, course that could be considered stupidity or showing lack of common sense :lol:

[Last Action Pimp]

i had a scooter when i was 16 and that was dangerously slow
when i was 17 i got my 125 that was fun but still too slow (people see the 'L' plates and over take) (only lasted 8 months)

but since i have sv650 everything has become safer i now have the power to get out of trouble, but you still have to be careful because you can easly fall off, just take it easy and only give it a blast when you are sure you are safe (and have fallen off)

[Flamin_Squirrel]

I can only comment on training required to gain my licence as I've not done any advanced training yet, and I agree with what you say to an extent. Experience becomes more important, but you have to know how the roads work first and have the basic training to keep you alive long enough to get that experience. Get training :!:

[Warren]

training is the way to go,
i got on the road when i got my 125 after my CBT. and to be honest - the training you get on a cbt isnt enough.
when i did my DAS training course - i was suprised the ammount i learned, some of the stuff i was taught has probably saved my life - plus i really enjoyed doing it .
train hard - ride easy

[Ed]

I don't think a SV is too big or too fast as a first bike. But I agree with everyone else on training. Make sure that you get lots, not from a friend but from someone who's qualified to give it.

[454697819]

Im 19 too and the sv was my first big bike!
Although because of the brittish laws it has to be restricted in power by about half! :shock:
However, even if it was full power i would have still got one, i dont think i would have got into trouble on it with police etc as i can do that now with mine restrcited if i wanted to!
As to control, i cant say, the nly peice of advice i can really give is... the throttle works both ways!!!

Have fun and keep safe
Alex

[alex_kern]

As a fellow Californian, I will gladly offer my 2 cents.
I think that you will get far more enjoyment if you start with a smaller bike. There is a certain fear factor that slows down your learning curve when you start with to much bike. I started riding on a Ninja 500 and that was a little more bike than I needed. :oops: Unfortunately in the US there is a dearth of good small bikes and that is why must people start out on 600cc + bikes and that is why our insurance is so high :D

Alex

[skydivvver]

Wow I am really suprised at the number of responses to my question. You all seem like very nice people. Thank you so much.

After reading all the replies, I have to say that I am rethinking getting a 650 as my first bike. Today I test rode a sv650 and rolled onto the throttle in second gear. I was really suprised at the power this thing dished out and I dont even think I used more than 50% throttle. I think I will get addicted to that acceleration rush and not have the skill to save my neck. With all that power between my legs I am bound to use it sooner or later. My mother hates the idea that I will be getting a bike soon, and I really dont want to make her attend my funeral or my hospital bed. I will look into the Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 500 and other smaller displacement bikes.

The only training I recieved was about 6 hours in the classroom and about 8 hours on a 125cc honda. What kind of training do you brits recieve?

[Dirty Baz]

I took my CBT (compulsary basic training) and then a DAS course (direct acsess). All in it was 4 days, 9 till 5 with an hour break so about 28 hours.

The SV was my first bike and I'm not intimidated by it one bit. It's such an easy bike to ride and really makes you confident. Remember, the SV is quick, but it's not a revy 600 rocket or a litre monster that's going to kick you off at every twist of the throtle!! Rather than the SV having too much power for a newbie, it has an amazing speard of torque which will help you out of corners when you're in the wrong gear or help you evade the stupid car driver who pulls out on you suddenly. You would have to go totally nuts to get the SV to highside or flip on the public roads. Remember the throtle works both ways and treat it with respect and the SV will reward the newbie rider for many years!!

Getting a 250 Kawa or 500 twin won't make much difference to your chances of surviving you first few years of biking, it's all about respect for the machine and having a good road sense.

Plus this has to be the number one forum if you're looking for help, riding tips, problems with the bike etc, it's like one big SV family on here!!!

ps. you can probably tell but I think you should get an SV! :D

[MitchC]

Hey skydivvver,

Now let me put some things into perspective and let you look at the other side of it.

So far, I'd say most people are telling you to get a smaller bike. Well, until I joined this site, I never knew there was anything smaller than a 600cc. What... Suzuki 550? Other than that, the dealers in North America don't carry anything smaller. Perhaps it is because the limits (age, size, insurance, etc) here are not nearly as strict as Europe.

I got my drivers license at the end of January. I was 16. Guess when I got my bike? August 1st of that year. Yeah, 16, had a 2003 SV650s.

My training? HAHA, well, I wrote 4 exams. One, signs test. Two, common rules of the road. (Keep in mind, I wrote these exams about a year ago to earn my learners license for a vehicle, so they were fresh in my memory.) Thrid, was the motorcylce test. I had a 60 page booklet that I read and then I wrote the motorcycle test. And the test was retarded, it had so many errors and idiot questions that would not be of value to a rider. (Which is why I wrote it twice... :oops: ) The final test was an eye exam. So, by... March of 2003, I had my learners for a motorcycle. There was snow on the ground, I was legal. My restrictions? No passangers, no riding after dark or before dawn, (No night riding) and only 80 km speed zones. Wow... I could own a Hayabusa, but couldn't have it over 80 km/h...

So, as I said, had my bike in August. Trailered it home... looked at it. I was scared ****LESS of the thing! Mainly because I had trouble touching the ground. Oh yeah, I was 5' 8" and 115 pounds. So for the first few weeks, I went out on roads with no traffic. And the first 20 minutes of riding, I dropped it... let's not get into that, there was no damage... well dropped it twice, but the second time was later. The drops were at standstills and because I couldn't reach the ground. Anyways, I then went into the traffic and haven't looked back. About 2-3 weeks ago, I got my motorcycle license and I am now free to go where I wish, when I wish, etc.

I respected the power! Boy did I ever... I rode slow, never broke the speed limit, and was somewhat afraid of the highway. Oh yes, I live in a small town of 2000 people and the speed limit is 40 km's so slow riding, but good for a beginner.

So... I guess, what my rabling is trying to tell you is that I did it. I was cautious. My advice... go slow. Avoid the traffic till your comfortable to tackle it... and respect the power. I did, it's possible. (Until now... :twisted: :D ) You sound like me, I was very scared of getting hurt, but just be sensible. I think your fine! Good luck!

Mitch

[timwilky]

What kind of training do you brits recieve?

Not much real training. In order to ride on UK roads you must first complete a CBT. This is compulsory basic training and consists of a safety lecture, introduction to the controls, basic manoeuvres etc. These all take place off the road, followed by a supervised road ride. You cannot fail it is training not a test. The instructor can advise you to undergo more training if in their opinion you are not good enough to ride a <125 cc bike. This is valid for 2 years and enables you to ride as a learner a bike < 125cc < 14.6 BHP.

You are now able to sit a theory test of multiple choice questions (Extremely easy) and also a video based hazard perception test.

On completion of the above you can then undergo a practical test. For riders under 21 years of age they must take this on their learner legal bike and on passing they can the ride any bike with a power of less than 33 BHP for 2 years before they can play with the real toys.

For those over 21 they can undergo DAS training (Direct Access) this involves training with an instructor on a bike > 46BHP and passing exactly the same practical test. But because you have had some training on the biker bikes you can play with the toys from day 1.

There is no stipulation as to the amount of training you undertake on the DAS route. It is sufficient to pass the test. For some experience riders probably 2 days, for myself I underwent 4 days. That’s it is then up to yourself to stay 1 step ahead of the gagers and cops. One real nasty thing for new licence holders is that if you pick up 6 penalty points (2 speeding) you loose your full license and have to revert back to a learner, having to pass the theory and practical tests again. (I already held a full car license for too many years to be impacted by that rule, but it does effect the younger boy racers).

Hopefully having stayed alive for a couple of weeks and having had to replace several sets of underwear, you then opt for advanced training, this training is offered by a number of organisations who aim to improve the riding ability of UK bikers such as IAM and ROSPA. Personally I am still trying to get myself up to the basic level of novice rider in order to enrol on an advanced course.

[Rob S (Yella)]

Have not read all the posts so sorry if I repeat things here but I reakon an SV is a fine bike to start on because it's the riders attitude, common sence, Stupidenss or lack of stupidness that will kill you. Anything 400cc and above is fast enough to get you in trouble real quick it all depends on how much throttle you give it and more importantly where and when you give it that throttle(or Gas if your from over the pond).

If you reakon your a bit of a speed freak and love the rush of speed then for your own sake get a 250 or something. If you like life and having arms and legs that point in the direction that evolution (or God)intended then get an SV 650 or an R1 or whatever you want but respect it.

Just my 2 cents worth, good luck.

[alex_kern]

[quote="MitchC"]Hey skydivvver,

Now let me put some things into perspective and let you look at the other side of it.

So far, I'd say most people are telling you to get a smaller bike. Well, until I joined this site, I never knew there was anything smaller than a 600cc. What... Suzuki 550? Other than that, the dealers in North America don't carry anything smaller. Perhaps it is because the limits (age, size, insurance, etc) here are not nearly as strict as Europe.

It isn't that there aren't bikes available there is the suzuki gsf500 the 2 small ninjas 250 and 500 and there are plenty of honda interceptors 250 and 500 for those who want to go crazy trying to find tires :twisted:
However when you walk into a bike store and ask for any of the above the salesman make it about the size of your piece. :shock: Which unfortunately is why I have 2 dead friends who bought to much bike.

Personally I think we should have all the NSRs and 400 Fazers that you all have acrosss the pond :)

Alex