MotorCycle Virgin with All Sorts of Questions...

[Kuhnaydeein]

The only Hands-on experience I've ever had with a MotorCycle was on my dad's '72 Honda CBR500. And that was some 20 years ago when I was 5. I am very, very seriously considering getting a motorcycle not only for the fuel economy, but because of this game!

I have all sorts of questions as to what I can expect when trying to ride a bike, and I would like these answered before I go in to the DMV. I want to at least Appear as though I know what I'm doing/talking about.

So the questions go as follows.

Does the Clutch work like that of a car, where you have to disengage the current gear before engaging the next?

Is the Rear Brake operated with your right foot?

Do any motorcycles have a reverse gear?

What happens if you're in first gear, and you try to shift down? (Trying to slow down or whatnot and forgetting what gear you're in, 'cause I sometimes do this in-game.)

The same question for Top Gear.

Is there a Kick-Start in case the battery is dead? Can you Push Start a bike like you can a Car?

💡

 

[Syntax error]

Good on you. More people should ride bikes... plenty of benefits to it, plus it's fun as hell. Now to answer some of your questions....

Does the Clutch work like that of a car, where you have to disengage the current gear before engaging the next?

yes

Is the Rear Brake operated with your right foot?

Yes

Do any motorcycles have a reverse gear?

Not that I've ever heard of...

What happens if you're in first gear, and you try to shift down? (Trying to slow down or whatnot and forgetting what gear you're in, 'cause I sometimes do this in-game.)

Nothing, you'll stay in first...

The same question for Top Gear.

Same

Is there a Kick-Start in case the battery is dead? Can you Push Start a bike like you can a Car?

Haven’t experienced this problem yet so I don't want to give you the wrong information, but I'm fairly certain you'd be able to push start the bike however.

 

[dking]

before you go to the dmv, check out a class because they teach safety...and you won't have to deal with the dmv that way.

 

[Kuhnaydeein]

Thanks!

I will be sure to go through the class first! I remember that being mentioned to me at some point in the recent past... I don't know if I should get my dad in on the decision, or just surprise him one day by pulling up to his place on the Oregon Coast... Like I said, he had an old Honda CBR500 at one point, and now owns a GoldWing 1100 (year and exact name = Unknown).

Any suggestions on that?!?

Thanks for the quick responses! 👍 👍 👍

 

[kaede]

1. Yes, you have to disengage the current gear before engage the next.

2. Yes, right foot for rear brake and right hand for front brake.

3. Only those really big bikes have them, like Honda Gold Wing.

4. You will still be on the first gear.

5. I never experienced it but have heard of push starting of a bike. Not sure if its applicable to all bikes.

 

[martialstax]

The only Hands-on experience I've ever had with a MotorCycle was on my dad's '72 Honda CBR500.

Since everyone else answered you questions, I'll just point out that it's CB500, not CBR. The old CB500 from the early 70s was a great bike. SOHC four and very nice to ride. I don't suppose he still has it?

 

[Spectre600]

The only Hands-on experience I've ever had with a MotorCycle was on my dad's '72 Honda CBR500. And that was some 20 years ago when I was 5. I am very, very seriously considering getting a motorcycle not only for the fuel economy, but because of this game!

I have all sorts of questions as to what I can expect when trying to ride a bike, and I would like these answered before I go in to the DMV. I want to at least Appear as though I know what I'm doing/talking about.

So the questions go as follows.

Does the Clutch work like that of a car, where you have to disengage the current gear before engaging the next?

Is the Rear Brake operated with your right foot?

Do any motorcycles have a reverse gear?

What happens if you're in first gear, and you try to shift down? (Trying to slow down or whatnot and forgetting what gear you're in, 'cause I sometimes do this in-game.)

The same question for Top Gear.

Is there a Kick-Start in case the battery is dead? Can you Push Start a bike like you can a Car?

💡

#1

Go Take the MSF course... its cheap, and you get to ride a bike around for a weekend.

The clutch:
Yes it works the same as in a car. But, gear shifting is even better. On most motorcycles its actually *better* for the transmission to 'powershift' when you need a full power upshift. You 'preload' the shift lever by pushing on it slightly with your toe. Then you quickly snap the thottle closed and open again, and the gear will snick up to the next gear! Without the clutch! You can shift MUCH faster than in a car this way. You cannot power downshift however... i mean.. you can, but its not good for the transmission.

Rear brake = Right foot

Reverse gear = YES! The honda goldwing has reverse. Probably because its so friggin heavy.

First gear... well, you will KNOW you are in first gear.. trust me. But if you try and push the lever down, it will not move. In top gear, and you shift down, unless your going too fast for 5th gear, youll be ok. Otherwise youll overrev the engine.

Most bikes do not have kick-start. And yes, you can 'bump' start a bike, ive done it many times.

Take the MSF course, like i said, all these questions will be answered, plus you get to ride around for a weekend.

EDIT: Whatever you do, do not start with a high-power sportbike (yes 600cc is high power... most are over 100 hp). Start with a 40-70 hp bike MAX. They are pleeeenty fast. An SV-650 is the best begginer bike you can buy. Its very fast, very friendly. And its a VERY popular club racer (im amazed its not in TT, it would compete just below the 600cc class). Its like a mini-ducati without the cost or maintanace hassle. Its a suzuki.

 

[alech]

I'll answer only this one :

Is there a Kick-Start in case the battery is dead? Can you Push Start a bike like you can a Car?

💡

Most off-road bikes have the kick-start , as they do not even have the battery , 2-strokes engines in particular .
However , some have both .

 

[wfooshee]

And just to clarify the Reverse question, the Gold Wing's 'reverse' is not a gear, but engages the starter to back the bike. Seeing as how the bike is almost 1000 pounds, parking on even a slight downhill grade against an obstacle would make it unrecoverable to many of the folks who ride them.

 

[gtPlanter]

I am not a rider but I am glad that you asked all these questions...you learn something new everyday.

 

[Kuhnaydeein]

Since everyone else answered you questions, I'll just point out that it's CB500, not CBR. The old CB500 from the early 70s was a great bike. SOHC four and very nice to ride. I don't suppose he still has it?

Thanks for the correction! I was kinda tired when I wrote it...
As far as I know, no, he doesn't have it. I could be wrong, it could be at his dad's place with his dad's old bike (no idea of the make/model).

Thanks again for the attention to detail!

 

[mrslick151]

Spectre has given the best advice in this thread - take the MSF! Look up motorcycle training in your local yellow pages or online. After you finish the class you get your license!

As for his advice about the SV650 as a good starter bike... RIGHT ON! Thats what I started on and still ride 2 years later. It's been on the street, long-range, and the racetrack! A truly versatile starter.

Surprise your dad - he'll love it!

 

[HockeyCoach]

Any of you considering getting into motorcycling should check out the forums at this site:

http://www.beginnerbikers.org/

They have forums with great information for those looking to get started. That said, I'm in the same boat. I've been itching to get into riding for about a year now. The following are on my list of potential starter bikes:

Kawasaki Ninja 250 (306 lbs dry weight and can be had for less than 3K used)

Kawasaki Ninja 500R (decent starter but the $5K price tag is a little steep for my wallet at this time)

Suzuki GS500F (nice looking bike, almost looks like a Gixxer, around $5K)

There are others if you're into the cruiser style (I hate cruisers) or standard style. Honda Rebel 250, Suzuki GZ250, Honda Nighthawk 250 (very anemic looking thing).

Like a couple of the others said, don't start off with a 600cc sportbike. Way too much power, twitchy throttles and very powerful brakes could take a beginner by surprise. Our brothers in Europe and Asia have more choices than us yanks due to their graduated licensing. Here in the US, beginners have a very small assortment of 250's (mentioned above) and a couple of 500s as choices. After that, the market is dominated by 600+cc sport and standard bikes and boatloads of Harley and Harley clone cruisers.

A couple of the guys mentioned the SV650. I've heard good things about this bike, but there are some that feel it's a little bit much for a beginner. I think it will also run you in the neighborhood of $5K

 

[Spectre600]

A Ninja 250 is a neat little bike... Its perfect for starting on. Unfortiunatly, you will grow bored of it quite fast. Its cheap, and its fun to cane around some twisties. 3000 bux brand spankin new. Used ones are dirt cheap.

Ninja 500 is a very nice bike (I started on one), its fast, cruises nicely on the highway, and its a blast to just wring out through some twisties. Its a fairly underrated bike, and is actually pretty quick and nimble. With the right hands you could embarrass a much more 'modern' bike. Its a semi-popular club racer too, for the lightwieght classes. It has a powerband that mimics 4 cyl sportbikes, and got a reputation as a good stepping stone to them. 5000 Brand new, used ones will run 1000-2500, depending on year. After 94, they got an upgrade int he form of better brakes, and heavier forks.

The GS500 is the sister version, and its 'neutered' in comparison, it has air-cooled engine, which is easier to maintain, but cant match the liquid cooled ninja.The power and handling (and wieght) all suffer compared to the ninja as well. Its a great bike, but not if you have sportbike on the brain.

An SV650 is at the top of the power scale.. its more expensive, but much better build than the kwakers. Its as fast as you will ever be, and a good rider can *definatly* embarrass an ok rider on a 600. Its got lots of easily accessable power (like a ducati), its durable, fun, comfortable, looks nice and you wont outgrow it for a LONG time. If you can afford it, its the perfect begginner/intermediate bike. Although you need a bit more self control, because its capable of higher speeds. New ones i beleave cost around 7500-8000. Used will run 3-6k depending on condition and year. Again, if you can afford one, buy it. You will not regret it.

The 600s are racebikes, while there are cases of people learning on a 600+, they never got he fundimentals down as well as those of us who started on a smaller displacement bike. Alot of people who have sporting intentions and buy a 600 right off the bat get hurt.

MSF

 

[jmillheiser]

I just started riding a few months ago. I have an old honda CX500 (500cc v-twin standard from the early 80s). its pretty comparable to a ninja 500 in the power dept but the ninja handles better. I still took it out on a canyon run on saturday and had a blast.

I noticed at least one motorcycle site mentioned I will mention a couple more

www.totalmotorcycle.com (has a very well written beginners guide)

www.sportbikes.ws (good sportbike site without the squid factor)