Off Topic"If you don't like your job, you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way."
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I posted this over at a bike forum I found as my first post, and hopefully I'll get some good responses from both them and you guys. I am no longer a civic owner, but I will of course stay here
I am a new rider, as of Tuesday that is. I had previously never ridden anything except a little 50cc scooter, and that was only for about 2 miles. I have been pondering over getting a bike for awhile, and don't really have a need for a car right now, as I've got a wonderful girlfriend with a car, and I live at home, and my ex-car was all paid for.
I called up a buddy of mine who has an '01 R6. He has only been riding for about a month, and is already attempting wheelies and other fun stuff. While I don't really care to be tought about that right now, if ever, I figured that would be a good place to go to learn how to ride a bike. I hopped on and was immediately taken back by the kick from the throttle. I don't know if all R6's are like this but it was either no throttle or too much.. for me anyway. Well after about 20 minutes, it started to rain, but I felt comfortable on it.
Next day my car is sold and me and my girl drove 2 hours away to pick up my new bike. Talk about being ecstatic. I test rode it, and it felt nice, was OBNOXIOUSLY loud, but nevertheless it ran fine. I handed her my 25 100 dollar bills, put on the piece of crap helmet she gave me, and rode off with my girl closely behind me in her car(since I'm new, I figured this would be a good idea). Right before we left I told her we would stop at the first gas station we saw so I could fill up and take a piss. Well, as luck would have it, the first gas station was just to damned far. Sputter sputter, no power, and dead. I immediately pop open the gas tank and see the nice shiny metal inside glistening with the shiny leftover residue of gasoline.
So I get my girl to go to the gas station, to get me a little gas can and some gas. She comes back and as I'm filling it up I remembered reading somewhere that sport bikes usually require high octane, so I ask her if she by ANY chance got 93. Of course not. At this point I've put a gallon of 87 into my tank. Oh well, I'll go to the gas station, fill it up with 93 and that would at least be decent for it, a mixture of around 90 octane. HA the bike won't start, no lights, no nothing. I begin to think this bike is going to be more trouble than it's worth. She's mad because now she has to go to the gas station and find jumper cables, and I'm mad cuz I just paid 2500 bucks to look cool while I sit on the side of the road. She brings back some guy in a big van who "knows alot about motors" since apparantly it takes one of these to hook up jumper cables. Well, for some STUPID reason my girl decides she is strong enough to move my bike, while standing on the side of it, I'm about 50 yards away, much to far to do anything once I see the bike start to tip, she lays both hands on the left handlebar trying to hold it up. WHAM, it nails her car. She gets a black smudge from the rubber grip, and I get a good laugh cuz it missed the ground. Anyway, we get it running, and I scoot to the gas station, fill up, and DEAD. I begin to cuss at everything.
After about 15 minutes we find someone else with jumper cables and get it started again; NO MORE TURNING THE BIKE OFF. Well I start to cruise on down the road, but after about 5 minutes it begins to run like absolute crap. I contribute this to the low octane fuel thats in it, but it is very annoying none the less. It will not do over 45mph, takes approx 6 years to get to 45mph and will only do it third gear, because 4th 5th and 6th don't have the power to pull it along. Well, I get to deal with the sputtering, the idleing at 5,000rpm and headlights and dash lights flickering, all the while driving through the 5:00 Destin traffic. Keep in mind this is my first time ever riding a bike on the highway.
Well about 1.5 hours into the trip home, the bike FINALLY uses up all the crappy gas and starts to run normal. My only complaints are it's nighttime, and it's like 40 degrees outside, and I'm in less than appropriate clothing for 65mph winds. I finally get the bike home. I'm frozen to the bone, but alive, and the first thing out of my mouth is HOLY SHIT! THAT WAS FUN! I'm hooked forever. I think.
I have since fixed all the problems on the bike myself by tinkering. That little knob I was playing with while waiting for the gas to come back was the idle control, heh, OOPS. It wouldn't start cuz the battery terminals were corroded to hell and back, and the reserve was already ON, which means I was completely out of gas.
Anyways, I'm sorry this is so long, but I'm happy as I could be, and have enjoyed the first 200 miles I've put on her.
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Guess I should have mentioned what it is... heh. It's a 1994 Honda CBR 600 F2. Not the flashiest or the fastest, but it's only got 2 wheels and it's wayyyyyy fast enough for me.
I'm gong to give you a little advice. I owned a CBR myself. A 2002 F4i to be exact. Well believe it or not, your bike takes and will run better on 89 octane. I was told this by multiple techs at the honda cycle dealership. It is also in the owners manual. The only time you will need higher octane is if you get the bike pipped and chipped. I'm talking FULL pipe and not just a slip on muffler. Just a little FYI for ya. It will also save you money. Enjoy the bike. Riding is a feeling like no other.
I wonder if perhaps since it was on reserve the whole time somehow after adding new gas it cleaned all the crud on the inside and that seeped out thru the bottom and it went through all of that? I don't have the manual, nor can I find anything online to see what kind of gas to put in it. I had just remembered reading somewhere that higher octane was all it could take cuz of the higher compression ratio.
In bike manuals it does say to use lower octane fuel. NOBODY listens to it. Ive had 3 bikes and all I ever put in was 93 and thats all I ever put in. Be careful as much as you say now wheelies and speed are not your thing it most likely will be after you get a little more experience. Im not here to try and lecture you because it all depends on the way you ride and the retards that drive around you. I will give you 2 pieces of advice.
1. Always pay attention to the cars around you (around meaning front, back,left,right,) In all traffic lanes constantly.
2. NEVER RIDE PAST YOUR OWN ABILITY. If your with friends or trying to show off to a cute girl you just put on the back. If you are only comfortable doin 40 only do 40 dont pay attention to anyone telling you to speed up. I had a friend who tried to catch one of the fastest riders I hang with and now he's in a nice little urn on his familys mantle.
On a brighter note. Congrats riding is a whole new experience.
all i have to say is you won't regret it. I love every minute on my bike, even in 37 degree weather.
i've run out of gas twice, once on the highway, once on a side road. On the highway i was able to coast in, i had to push on the side road till somebody saw me and filled me up with a gas can.
One of the best things i've ever read was on a motorcycle forum, just keep reminding yourself while riding that your INVISABLE. No one in cars can seem to see people on bikes and its really annoying. So take nuthing for granted when you see a car, expect the worst (Murphys Law)
And always remember: "When life throws you a curve, lean hard and head for the apex"
Insurance = Free. Thats part of the reason I got one, cuz I am trying to save up to move out. I got a nice 220 dollar refund from Progressive after cancelling my insurance too.
I found this one for 2900 in the thrifty nickel, and since I figured it can't hurt to try to talk people down, I tried, and succeeded
Everyone and their gramma is telling me about watching for other cars, and don't worry, cuz I'm listeneing. I've had to go to a few classes for my wreckless driving from when I was a teenager, and I have had my license suspended for a year. I have learned my lesson, and in a car or on a bike, I'm much more thoughtful of my actions. I think that year of no driving did me good
And yes, even going across the 3 mile bridge, in 40 degree weather, doing 45mph, freezing my ass off, I'm still having fun. The helmet keeps my head warm, the engine keeps my body warm, and my gloves suck ass. So thats the only part of me that's really cold.
My poor bike. It won't start. I need a new stator for it. Every time it starts up it dies out on me. Or it'll just crank and crank and crank and no start. Dammit. FYI stator is like an alternator in a car.
I'm looking at getting a bike soon. Seeing as how I've never riden before I figure I'll start out with a little Ninja 250. I should be able to find one pretty cheap and it's about the right size to learn on, I doubt I'll get into to much trouble with it.
Get a 650 for your first bike thats what i have 2003 Suzuki SV650. I never rode before i got this bike, well i took the MSF course on those Suzuki GN125's.
The SV is a great first bike, its light, handles like a mother, and has enough power so you won't get board of it in a week (which you will with the 250). Also you can keep up with your friends on their GSXR750's in the turns (trust me )
The SV was rated as one of the best beginner/all around sport bikes I think.
Whoever wanted a 250 DONT BUY IT. Youll get bored and people will laugh at you.
I forgot who said it but thinking your invisable is a good way to look at riding. People in cars either cant see you or just dont give a shit. Keep an eye on everything around you constantly.
ive had 4 bikes started with a 99- katana 750, then got a 98- fzr600
to a 00- gsxr 750 then to a 01-gsxr750 which was stolen so i hope to get another one this coming summer prbl. get a honda this time around
NO engine mods... SWAP or TURBO .....nothing less!!!!! 
