Beginning Rider

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?

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!

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... ) 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... ) You sound like me, I was very scared of getting hurt, but just be sensible. I think your fine! Good luck!

Mitch

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by skydivvver

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.

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.

[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
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. 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