posted May 01, 2008 05:22 PM
What's up guys! New guy to bikes here! What's up everyone! I hope I'm posting this in the right spot LoL My name is aLeXiS, I'm 29 and I'm about to try to get my first bike! I'm from East Los Angeles (Montebello to be exact), and I'm hoping I can meet some good people here and get some great advice at the same time I'm going to be getting the Midnight Saphire Blue ZX14 from Whittier Fun Center. We haven't talked pricing yet, but they know that I'm looking to get it around the $10.3-$10.4K price range. I can't wait to start riding!
posted May 01, 2008 05:28 PM
Welcome .....I lived in Montebello and Whittier 35 years ago ... ____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
posted May 01, 2008 06:45 PM
Thanks guys! Yeah, I know, bikes aren't things to take for granted, especially being a newbie! I've got a wife and a 6 year old daughter, so I don't plan on doing anything stupid on the streets. I would like to take it to the track tho! ....but of course, after I learn how to ride the bike, take the class, and pretty much gain experience!
quote:Welcome .....I lived in Montebello and Whittier 35 years ago ...
Where do you live now?
I live with all the old people now in Sunny FL ...lol...
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
posted May 01, 2008 09:41 PM
Edited By: ninja14 on 1 May 2008 22:47
In Hollywood here............and I know someone that got a 14 w/ very little exp and then asked to ride in my group.
He was WAAAAAAAAAAAAY behind an not ready for it......and no longer owns it....after just a few months and not even broken it.
It really is just a bad idea.........and it will take even longer to be able to handle it if you don't start smaller. If you want to increase your chances of being alive long enough to drag knee on a 14.....get a 500 first.
Respect for a bike that is WAY to much will not protect you - a wise decision for a first bike will. Sorry to be a downer, but...........we(riders) know more than you think.
A new rider just is not capable of dealing with learning to control a monster bike while navagating the streets and dodging LA traffic. The mind and body take time to adjust.
PM me if you want more specific information ...........I just want you to succeed and not be donating bike or body parts.
quote:In Hollywood here............and I know someone that got a 14 w/ very little exp and then asked to ride in my group.
He was WAAAAAAAAAAAAY behind an not ready for it......and no longer owns it....after just a few months and not even broken it.
It really is just a bad idea.........and it will take even longer to be able to handle it if you don't start smaller. If you want to increase your chances of being alive long enough to drag knee on a 14.....get a 500 first.
Respect for a bike that is WAY to much will not protect you - a wise decision for a first bike will. Sorry to be a downer, but...........we(riders) know more than you think.
A new rider just is not capable of dealing with learning to control a monster bike while navagating the streets and dodging LA traffic. The mind and body take time to adjust.
PM me if you want more specific information ...........I just want you to succeed and not be donating bike or body parts.
No prob man! I hear ya! Honestly, I woulda started with a smaller bike, but I don't want to look stupid! I'm 6'3" tall and just shy of 300lbs, I look really funny on anything smaller! I've got a handful of buddies that ride, and actually have one buddy who never rode and his first bike was a 14, and after about 4 months of rideing, he's at the track running 6s on the 1/8 mile! I'm not one for knee dragging, my "roots" are straight line racing. All tips, advice, and most importantly, constructive critisism are welcomed!
posted May 01, 2008 11:13 PM
Edited By: NinjaNick on 2 May 2008 00:14
I'm 6'2 280lbs, I look about 220 though because I'm well proportioned, but I had a blast on my 636 kawi. I shagged the crap out of that thing. I take the 14 and pop it WOT anytime I want now and it doesn't scare me at all. I love it. I throw it hard in corners too. I never would be able to ride it like I can now if I didn't own a smaller bike for atleast 4-5 years before it. I also been on a roadcourse track on the 636 before and that taught me very much too in how to handle a sportbike. I wouldn't let size or how you look on one make your decision. It's not how you look on a bike, it's how you can ride a bike.
quote:No prob man! I hear ya! Honestly, I woulda started with a smaller bike, but I don't want to look stupid! I'm 6'3" tall and just shy of 300lbs, I look really funny on anything smaller! I've got a handful of buddies that ride, and actually have one buddy who never rode and his first bike was a 14, and after about 4 months of rideing, he's at the track running 6s on the 1/8 mile! I'm not one for knee dragging, my "roots" are straight line racing. All tips, advice, and most importantly, constructive critisism are welcomed!
You won't look so cool on Interstate 15 laid out either.
Riding a drag strip is easy ....not easy to do it WELL, but easy to navigate.
I would still recommend a used starter bike. There are some more cruiser-like (less sporty) that would work.
The 14 has a lot of power/tq compared to many bikes so something with less power to get you into trouble quickly would be safer. I think something like the Kawi Vulcan 500 would work for you. You will thank everyone that told you to take it easy after the first year of riding .I was the same and I did take the advice. I started on a crap 600 ('86) and got a brand new Vmax right away. I also got an EX250 and learned to ride....which made the big max a lot easier to move up to. I could afford to have 3 bikes, but if you gotta have 1....make it a proper "learner" bike.
After you get some pracitice you will want to "sample" a sportier bike and you MAY find that your neck, wrists or something just don't like it for more than 15mins..... Then you would be really happy you didn't get a 14 to try to learn on only to find it uncomfortable as well as dangerous
You may end up on the "Connie".......pretty good place to be.........just please don't rush the learning stage.
posted May 02, 2008 04:00 AM
there are exceptions to every rule, starts with your ego, common sense and the joy of breathing. If any one of those key elements are askew.... you're toast. My first bike was an '03 zx12, busa dealership pissed me off and I fell head over heals for the Lime Green. 2nd bike is a red '06 14---which is a straight line beast too. 6'1" 270 here, so the smaller bikes were never an intrest to me. I do support the idea of starting on a smaller bike, but it just wasn't for me.
I invested in gear, classes, books, and track days, so far about 50,000 miles under my belt...and still learning.
I agree with lietoome, that there are exceptions to the rule. My brothers first bike was a 06 Hayabusa and a co-worker of mine's first bike is an 07 LE zx-14. Both are very level headed and not big risk takers. They are both over 30. I taught both of them to ride in their neighborhoods first using some of the same techniques as the MSF course. They both took the MSF course after riding for a few months.
With that said, I would recommend starting out small like NInja 14 says. I understand your size problem, I'm 6'6" and run about 220. My first bike was an 03 CBR 954RR. Be careful, and ride that clutch early on.
____________
black zx14 - Brock's Gen3 Carbon, PCIII, no secondaries, Carrozzeria wheels, Sato rearsets, Pazzo levers, GPR V4 steering damper, Puig windscreen, Tiger Racing chain guard
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
posted May 02, 2008 04:56 AM
ZX14 as your 1st bike...don't do it.
LXS:
For the record, my younger brother (he is 31) goes 6'3 and 225 lbs and is the "proud" owner of a '08 Ninja 250. Not his 1st bike, but perfect for his ride venue, in town NYC. Your a big guy, but the 14 is not for a newbie. The 06/07 models were fairly docile at lower RPM in "STOCK" form, but it is a motorcycle that requires "command" of the fundamental skills of riding and alot of experience with the mental side of "processing" alot of visual information....at speed. The volume of traffic you have out there in SOCAL is just not the venue to "learn" on a bike capable of 185+ MPH!
Listen to the input of the others before me suggesting a smaller 500/600 /750 cc motorcycle to "learn" the basics. You have to much to lose to , your wife and child will benefit and thank you when you walk through the door.
LEARN TO RIDE, INVEST IN QUALITY "GEAR"...Ride Safe.......
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
posted May 02, 2008 05:14 AM
I always love how people that don't even know someone says not to start on this or that bike. Theres guys that would be perfectly fine starting on a turbo bike and guys that after 3 yrs should not be on a bike at all. Get the gear and the bike you want (14) and be respectful of the power. Just remember a cager can take you out no mater what bike your on.
posted May 02, 2008 10:12 AM
The exceptions to the rule fall under decision making NOT actual riding. While some people are naturally better suited to riding even they must LEARN it - and learning will be largly affected by the bike chosen.
If someone is VERY careful and also studies up (Profecient Motorcycling by David Hough for example) they may live, but they will still take LONGER to be a decent rider.
____________
2006 Turbo ZX-14.
2005 V-max 20th Anniv.
Needs a job
Didn't read the owners manual
Posts: 2207
posted May 02, 2008 10:22 AM
quote:there are exceptions to every rule, starts with your ego, common sense and the joy of breathing. If any one of those key elements are askew.... you're toast. My first bike was an '03 zx12, busa dealership pissed me off and I fell head over heals for the Lime Green. 2nd bike is a red '06 14---which is a straight line beast too. 6'1" 270 here, so the smaller bikes were never an intrest to me. I do support the idea of starting on a smaller bike, but it just wasn't for me.
I invested in gear, classes, books, and track days, so far about 50,000 miles under my belt...and still learning.
Enjoy your ride and stay alive.
nice, my first bike was 03 zx12, then 06 zx14. maybe picking up another kawi for 09. i too am a man of large carriage.
as of yesterday ive had my 12 for exactly 5 years! and i still smile every time i walk out to the garage and see her ____________
Scott
Long Island, New York
2006 ZX-14, 2003 ZX-12R
posted May 02, 2008 10:23 AM
LXS please listen to the advises given, but if you go for a ZX14 no matter what, please be careful!!! As mentioned before, invest in good riding gear, invest in riding classes, listen to the guys who really know their chit. DON'T listen to the big mouth kahunas, learn to discern between the guys who really want to teach how to ride and survive, than the guys who think about stunts and stuff like that, all day. You will gat to do stunts and funny stuff but take your time, otherwise you will end up being another cold statistic. Always remember, you have a Family (I'm a Father too), so take it easy discover your actual limitations and ride SAFE!
____________
Feel the need for SPEED2007 ZX-14 Black with Red Flames (Helibars, Sliders, Yoshimura TRC Ti 4-2 Slip Ons, Fender Eliminator, Zero Gravity SR Windscreen, Custom Heel Guards , Speedohealer V4, Pazzo Levers -soon to come: Flies out / PCV w/A/T kit and later 16T sprocket)1990 Honda Steed (Japan model same as Shadow)1993 Kawasaki Vulcan EN 500 (gone as I trade it in for the ZX-14)Santiago, Chile, South America
posted May 02, 2008 05:52 PM
LXS-
Lot of good points have been made here, take em or leave em if you will. One thing you might consider is a used Cbr1100xx. I am of the thought that the ZX is NOT the bike to start out on with that being said you are smart enough to make your own mind up. As a suggested alternative that is comparable but not quite as much bawls is the blackbird. I traded my 97 in to pick up the 08 14 I have. Just a thought?
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
posted May 02, 2008 06:41 PM
I have an Idea buy an 08 Busa and be a good boy and leave it in c mode for 1 yr, then B mode for another yr, then let it rip in A mode! Just JK get the bike you think you can be responsable on. you can get hurt on anything.
quote:I have an Idea buy an 08 Busa and be a good boy and leave it in c mode for 1 yr, then B mode for another yr, then let it rip in A mode! Just JK get the bike you think you can be responsable on. you can get hurt on anything.
I actually like your suggestion. When he drops it, I'll feel better that he's dropping a hayabugly instead of a 14. :-D
And you know he'll drop it. If there's anyone on here that has never dropped a bike, raise your hand.
posted May 02, 2008 08:38 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I hear everyone on every point that has been made. I know you guys are just "meeting" me, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you who has shown an interest in my safety!
I did think about getting an '08 Busa, which I do like, but I didn't care for the hard and uncomfortable seat, the extra weight, and the heavier price tag LoL I'm not much into stunts (nor do I want to even try to attempt), althought I think it's great to watch!
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posted May 01, 2008 05:22 PM
I'm going to be getting the Midnight Saphire Blue ZX14 from Whittier Fun Center. We haven't talked pricing yet, but they know that I'm looking to get it around the $10.3-$10.4K price range. I can't wait to start riding! 
Edited By: 
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