khartung

I just bought a 2012 Ninja 650. I am a dirt biker, but decided to cross over. Any tips anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated, including riding meetups, road trips, etc. I haven't even road this thing yet, except for around the block. I go the DMV in the morning to take the test and get my permit, then sign up for the first riding test, which I'm not worried about.

First thing I noticed about this bike is how easy it is to go fast in a very little amount of time. In a matter of seconds, I was going 50 in a 35 mile zone, so I'm going to have to watch myself. I'm used to riding in the desert on my 450 where I don't have to worry about this stuff!

I have nice, apparently top of the line, Shoei helmet, gloves, and I just ordered a high viz vest and some Alpinestars over the ankle riding shoes. I discovered that I roast my ass off wearing jeans.

tom

nice, you will be amazed how street bikes are better than dirk bikes in the street.

khartung

LOL! Well, I may not go that far. My CRF450R will get really jealous, so I need to keep equal time.

scooterholic

Congrats!!! Welcome to the streets

JamesD

Snnniiiiiffffffff... Love that new bike smell. Congrats!!!

Welcome to the streets. Where you are now the prey of cagers. Get intimate with your front brake and really understand counter-steering. There is more of course, but those will save your life.

ConradM

Congrats! Here are my tips for riding a street bike... Understand that everyone on the road is trying to kill you so ride with that knowledge. Leave yourself an escape route and never be relaxed in traffic.

2nd, don't steer the bike under you like a dirt bike. That's a great way to get rid of you're chicken strips but not the best way to corner. You're torso needs to stay with the center line of the bike or to the inside of it.

3rd, and this is my opinion, stay off your rear brake in emergencies.

Sorry if this is all redundant to you... Hit me up anytime for a ride around Boise.

Vegasrider

Congrats on your new purchase and crossing over from dirt to street. I too made the crossover from dirt to street many moons ago. Biggest adjustment for me was the traffic by far.

How about taking the Stars course? Even though I have no doubt in your physical skills, riding in traffic requires more mental skills than physical. You have to ride with a strategy, even coming to an ordinary stop behind a vehicle at a red light, there is a certain position that's more beneficial than the other. I could go on, but that's my advice besides wearing the proper safety gear when you get on that bike.

PoltArt

Congrats man! The 650 was always a nice looking bike. I wanted one for a while myself but couldn't find one for a good price. Hope to see you out there!

JamesD

This seems like a good deal, if it is legit. (I know, you said "was")
http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/3232510580.html

khartung

Cool. Thanks. Counter-steering...didn't know what it was, but when I watched it on YouTube, I knew exactly what it was. I think I do this in my Audi out of habit.

khartung

LOL. Yes, I gathered that the street is going to be a war zone in defense of cars. It will take some adjustment to get used to this bike and not handle it like my dirt bike. But I am a fast learner. I'd love to take a short road trip some weekend and get some tips.

khartung

What sort of gear to you recommend besides my helmet, gloves, jacket and high viz fest, and over the angle riding boots? First thing I noticed was that I roasted my ass off wearing jeans. That machine is hot.

ConradM

Riding pants with built in knee pads.

Ming

you sir have never ridden a supermoto.

khartung

Good thing I never sold my Alpinestars under armor compression suit.

Vegasrider

Jeans will not provide sufficient protection, even kevlar jeans where they only insert the material in the sweet spots. As Conrad has mentioned, you also need armour, just like your jacket.

I don't know why, but seems most riders choose to sacrifice their legs by not wearing the appropriate riding pants. They often wear their helmet, jackets and gloves and proper footwear, but my knees or my legs are just as important as my elbow and arms. But it's your body so you can decide for yourself. I've seen and heard way too many leg injuries where it could have either been prevented or significantly reduced.

I don't expect anyone to be wearing a full piece suit on a daily basis but there are plenty of options out there where you simply can put on and off your riding pants in less than five seconds. I don't expect you to get the Air Mesh Kevlar like I did, but this is where I usually recommend riders if they want the best of the best riding pants, and gloves. Pricey but it will last you a lifetime. Their Air Mesh Kevlar Glove has lasted me for five years, using them everyday. Most gloves will not even last six months. Motoports tear and abrasian strength graph is pretty interesting too. I think it's under the Save Your Hide tab.

http://www.motoport.com/

Remember, riding from dirt and trails to asphault, it's not as forgiving, actually not forgiving at all.

Rob

Yes, all great advise, protect yourself, watch out for other traffic. But have fun! (within state and county laws) get some great friends, guys/gals and ride with, most are patient and willing to give pointers, but don't forget to loosen up get to know your bike, and enjoy!

BuellCru

This may sound weird to most but I always ride aggressively defensive. Let me explain: I try to get myself into a space bubble and when people get in my f***ing bubble I get myself back into it as quickly as possible.

BuellCru

Oh and welcome to the streeeeets.

khartung

Anyone have experience with these?

http://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/cata...pid=13087878-2

khartung

Makes sense to me.

cms1172

Welcome to the Streets,

have these myself, they work nicely.

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Leather-C...nts/54742.html

BuellCru

I wouldn't trust them. If you go skipping down the street it may stop a broken knee or fractured hip but looks like it would tear wide open and burn right to the skin.

Vegasrider

In the event of a crash, hopefully it will come in form of a lowside, so you have to keep in mind with the tear and abrasian strength. That's why leather is so popular, it has a very strong tear abrasian point and does not melt due to friction, so the objective is to survive a slide. Becareful with textile, even though I have one myself, it is subjective to friction and is subject to melting. Kevlar is another great material, as mentioned from my other post.

Please remember when riding out on the streets, even though the rules of the road and laws are the same for motorcycles and cars, you can't ride a motorcycle with the same mentality as a driver, or you won't last very long on a bike.

Captain Crash has posted up some great educational videos covering a lot of street riding strategies, you should take the time a take a look at them so you have an idea what we are all trying to explain.

Once you get your license, if you want to hook up and ride around in traffic, even though it's tough to find real challenging traffic here in Boise, I can provide you with the do's and dont's.

cms1172

Hopefully if you decide to go sliding, it is in full leather.

ConradM

Take this man up on his offer, he's a rider coach.

alanj490

That's a matter of opinion my dirt bike makes my street bike feel slow in acceleration and turn in

khartung

Good point. I gather we are talking about different animals here. Yeah, I can do things on my CRF450R that are far more technical, mainly because I am on dirt and can man handle the shit out of the bike. And of course riding in the desert at 80 mpg over whoops, with rocks and shit everywhere isn't exactly low risk. LOL

khartung

So many options. I don't want to take chances, so I guess I just bight the bullet and get some decent leather pants with good knee protection. Or couldn't I just get some Over the pant Alpinestars pants and where decent knee and hip protectors underneath? Would my motocross knee guards work?

ConradM

Personally, I don't wear gear all the time. Like in town maybe just a helmet, boots and gloves. Sometimes my textile jacket.

On canyon runs I throw on my 1 piece because I know I'm at risk of low siding.

So it's really up to you on how much gear you want to wear and when.

BuellCru

Those will definitely be words choked upon when you low side around town from debris that is not readily visible. I would suggest that jacket and all of the above all the time. ATGATT

A - ll
T - he
G - ear
A - ll
T - he
T - ime

http://www.rockthegear.org/index.php?/testimonials/

ConradM

Yeah, as much as I've lost traction from sand and gravel through the season I'm not really worried about it in town. I don't really speed and the only time I'm turning is through an intersection where the bike is almost upright.

Even at lean hitting sand or gravel doesn't mean you're going down once you get used to how it feels.

To each their own, but I'm not about to squeeze into my 1 piece to run down to the gas station for a pack of smokes.

khartung

Will these fit the bill?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...eet-Pants.aspx

ConradM

Those are drag racing pants. Which isn't a big deal unless you ever get full length street riding boots.

Full length boots are design to have the leathers inside them so those wouldn't work for that.

khartung

I am fine with over the boot. I am just wearing some Alpinestars Fastlane riding shoes.

Most of my riding will be down town and on short 1-3 hour road trips.

ConradM

Yeah, I'm sure they would work great then. I'd also check ebay as well. Some great deals to be had if you buy something slightly used.

ConradM

Hey so, where are the pics of your new bike btw?

khartung

Here is one, with my 7 year old daughter sitting on it...she is a poster girl in training.

Attached Images

IMAG0188.jpg (94.4 KB, 25 views)

ConradM

Bike looks good man. All black, nice.

Pimpit

I don't see why they would be an issue, mine aren't drag racing pants, but I still prefer them outside my boots. I just leave the bottom of my legs unzipped