Flying green patty cakes a-roof over the landow deck?! GOP is at it again, dang that rascally Obama!

So I've been wondering about motorcycles as of late...

Specifically, I'm a bit of a 'squid' (although I am planning on wearing safety gear) considering I only took my BRC about three weeks ago. Anyway, I have a couple of questions for the more knowledgeable of you - sorry old guys who think they know everything, you don't qualify...

Here goes:
1) Where's a decent place to shop for safety gear? I want to get a crotch rocket, so no heavy chains and leather type stuff. I'm thinking more synthetic jackets and such.

2) What - mechanically - should I look for when buying a motorcycle?

3) What kind of stuff should I be doing to maintain a bike? Namely, I've heard of 'jetting' the carburetor, and I still don't know what that means.

4) Age old debate, 250/500/600? Starting out, I'm thinking about a 500cc Kawasaki Ninja. I don't want to get something underpowered, but I also don't want to get something overpowered and expensive that when or if - scratch that - when I *DO* lay down the bike, will be super expensive to fix. Did any of you start out on a 600cc?

So, here's the rare chance when you get to tell me something I don't know! [Tooth]

Thanks in advance!

Gimme a call at the shop tomorrow

TFOG Wheelsports
303-216-2400

I'm Jim, the HMFIC.....[Beer]

Yeah you could go to TFOG.. I don't think i've ever been to their shop so no idea on selection.

Performance Cycle on Broadway.. just north of Evans. Great place to go finger stuff and then find it cheaper online.

I started on street w/ a 250... waaaayyyy back in the day in AL.. I was 14. Started on motorized death machines when I was 7 though.. dirt untill I got old enough to ride on the street.. legally.

*IF* you have experience on two wheels, I see nothing wrong w/ starting off w/ an older 600 (pre FI). I've always encouraged people to start small, fuck what anyone thinks you look like.. I'd rather get time under my belt than end up like a LOT of idiots I know.. Two whores that I have dated started on 500s.. It was great honestly... they actually learned to ride, not to crash. I've been on a ton of bikes.. as I'm sure Jim has. From a 250cc to a 'Busa drag bike.. I'm fine w/ my 600, honestly as big as I've ever wanted to go was a 750.. I'm not on a race track.

Jetting a carb is not something you should try doing on your own.. ever..

As far as gear goes... I've gone down once, it wasn't my fault, but I still have the helmet I was wearing.. I wouldn't have a face, scalp, or the back of my head if I wasn't wearing gear. The 'mesh' jacket that I had on was worn through quickly, and getting dirt and rock scraped out w/ a steel brush sucks. Gear is a must.. While I won't wear textile, or a mesh jacket (anymore, Hey I was young and dumb)..it's dead cow or nothing, I put it all on even if i'm just going to the gas station. I've always been big on gear.

I have a bike that's been sitting in the garage for about 3 years.. it gets started and maintained, even got new rubber and a chain this past summer.. just never have the time to ride it.. as I'm still sitting at work. It's kind of like my guns.. just no time to have fun w/ them.

So I've been riding on the street for... 19 years nearly? Wow. I feel old now. I say starting w/ a 500 is fine. Depending on your size you might think it's slow as shit, but... getting the experience, and seeing how the idiot cagers are.. will certainly give you an advantage when you upgrade.. Or hell if you want to completely ignore the advice from us 'old' fuckers.. I have a 600 r6 I'll sell you.. it's -1/+2.

Oh.. jetting a carb is not something you should ever attempt on your own.. EVER.

the first bike i ever rode was a 250, but it was a friends. I personally just bought a bike in November it was a Aprilia Falco 1000 V-Twin, so that was the first bike I personally owned. I dont think its to much of a bike for me, but im not doing crazy stuff.

There is Gran Prix on Santa Fe & 470, SunSports up north, Coyote is kinda small off 25 and 56th or something, Erico downtown is where i get my bike serviced, Fay Myers has good gear. I wouldnt buy from Fay Myers they dont come down on there prices at all from when I dealt with them, but them and Coyote will let you test drive bikes.

Most newer bike dont have Carbs, Jap bikes you have to rev way up to get the power, I got an Italian v-twin bike with lots of torque and you dont have to keep it at 13K to have any power

Like Monky said


Start small.
It's perception really ... unless your over 250-300lbs ........

There is not a car on the average road you can't spank the pant's off on a 250cc bike. ( sure some vettes, some super tricked out honda's and anything made in italy that costs more then i make in 2 years will but how often do you see those ? )


if you are over 250-300 .. get a decent 500. same thing applies

I always say get your fist bike as a 250 without any bodywork. Why? you ARE going to drop it. hopefully not while going down the road... but you WILL drop it in the parking lot, driveway, or while just sitting there. much better to have to replace just a lever or a mirror ... rather then 1000 bucks of plastic . ( and the lever and the mirror)

Buy it used. your gunna sell it next year anyways.

Also no need to worry about jetting the carbs ( jetting the carbs is changing the fuel metering jets to fit the altitude we are at in colorado ) all this does is tweak the carbs for an extra 2-3% of power that you wont need as a first time rider anyways.


google " new enough motorcycle gear" great prices on close out gear.

when trying on helmets try on all the brands you can find. they are NOT all shaped the same on the inside. I can "only" wear Shoei helmets cuz of the shape of my head. Arai and AGV just don't fit without giving me a headache. so try them all on and see what feels best.. remember you might be wearing it for hours at a time .... a good comfortable fit matters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clublights

Like Monky said


Start small.
It's perception really ... unless your over 250-300lbs ........

There is not a car on the average road you can't spank the pant's off on a 250cc bike. ( sure some vettes, some super tricked out honda's and anything made in italy that costs more then i make in 2 years will but how often do you see those ? )


if you are over 250-300 .. get a decent 500. same thing applies

I always say get your fist bike as a 250 without any bodywork. Why? you ARE going to drop it. hopefully not while going down the road... but you WILL drop it in the parking lot, driveway, or while just sitting there. much better to have to replace just a lever or a mirror ... rather then 1000 bucks of plastic . ( and the lever and the mirror)

Buy it used. your gunna sell it next year anyways.

Also no need to worry about jetting the carbs ( jetting the carbs is changing the fuel metering jets to fit the altitude we are at in colorado ) all this does is tweak the carbs for an extra 2-3% of power that you wont need as a first time rider anyways.


google " new enough motorcycle gear" great prices on close out gear.

when trying on helmets try on all the brands you can find. they are NOT all shaped the same on the inside. I can "only" wear Shoei helmets cuz of the shape of my head. Arai and AGV just don't fit without giving me a headache. so try them all on and see what feels best.. remember you might be wearing it for hours at a time .... a good comfortable fit matters.

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Kade is that you?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Monky

Kade is that you?

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hahaha yes yes it is LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clublights

hahaha yes yes it is LOL

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You're stalking me... on FB and here! [Beer]

When are we going to get wings again?