Re: First Bike?

[Dan Wolf <d.wolf@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 11:09 AM 11/30/99 -0500, you wrote:
>I'm going to supply an ambiguous non-answer below.
>
>Previously, you (Matt Knowles) wrote:
> > Do you really want a Sprint ST as your first bike? NO, NO, NO! It has too
> > much power and weight for a beginner and you will most likely be in over
> > your head. Start with a used bike in the 400-600cc range and ride that for
> > a year. Then you'll have a better idea of what you want for your next bike,
> > and you won't cry nearly as much if you drop a bike you spent $2K on versus
> > $11K.
>
>Although the ST is powerful it is marvelously well-controlled.  The
>trottle isn't just a binary device with two settings (on/off) but can be
>easily held to tamer settings.
......

My first bike, fresh out of an MSF course in '91 (with no prior riding 
experience), was a Yamaha FJ1200.  I rode it for a few years here in 
seasonal Colorado, and the only time it went rubber-side up was when it was 
knocked over a couple times in my apartment parking lot (some of the reason 
I eventually sold it).  That's what insurance is for (replaced every dinged 
and scraped part each time).  I nearly dumped it a few times by grabbing 
too much front brake during a barely-moving-tight parking lot turn, and 
once or twice doing something stupid on the road (saving those stories for 
another day), but learned some good lessons from those mistakes.

The point I'm trying to make, as Bill said, is it's a matter of control and 
attitude.  I knew I when I bought the FJ that I was jumping right into the 
fire of motorcycle riding, and (for the most part) respected the power and 
weight of the motorcycle, kept those things in mind whenever I rode it, and 
never dropped it.  I attribute that attitude and success with that first 
big bike to the things I learned in the MSF course.

With that out, let me say that I've been lurking on this list for a few 
weeks since I'm now hunting for a new motorcycle (been confined to a car 
for the past 4-5 years after selling the FJ).  I recently completed a 
refresher MSF course, and I'll soon have extra garage space (much more 
bike-friendly than an apartment parking lot), so I'm heading to the Triumph 
dealer (among others) today to take a look.  From other messages I've seen 
here lately, this may be a bad thing, financially-speaking (might just have 
to buy one).  My wife may occasionally ride with me, so she wants to give 
her input on the motorcycle I choose; mainly the passenger comfort and bike 
color (she says the '00 Sapphire Blue is nice - good 'nuf).

Dan
Possible future owner of a Sprint ST.


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