Advice for rider back after 30 years

[BluStreak]

Thanks again for the advice and the good wishes, I am taking my "re-education" very seriously.  Have Hough's book and will reread and practice.  Also, today signed up for a 2 day MSL course in April.  Weather here is vicious at this point.  Another ice storm on the way for Wednesday!  Last time, we lost power for 5 days.

Bike is very pretty, I'll post photos once I get it here (a couple of weeks).  Yea, it does have a big appetite for gas and a relatively small tank, but for $3,700 with 5,500 miles on it, I think it'll be a real blast for a couple of years and something I will be able to roll at close to what I paid for it.  Nice thing about New England bikes - low mileage!!  Have a son in college and another one starting next year, so the budget for bikes is gonna be kind of thin for a while.  Luggage is a real issue with it as well, as there are no mounting points for hard bags, but the rear pegs, so I think I'm going to have to work something out with either a tail bag or soft side-bags.  Any suggestions?  Also, the bars are kinda low and forward for my taste, so I gotta see how much I can do with heli-bars and/ or risers without getting to the point that I have to cut into the fairing.  

Anyway, at the moment, I'm just excited to get it here and (for the first time in 30 years) want winter to be over!  

[Cricket1]

Congrats on the new-to-you bike! Also good to hear you are reading Hough, and taking the 2 day course. I have learned more about proper riding techniques, etc from his books than anywhere else.

Don't worry too much about the limited range of the Superchicken, it'll take time to build up to riding tank to tank. Plus with all the towns so close together in NE, it's not like you'll have trouble finding a gas station.

Hard bags could be a real challenge, but start off with a good set of soft bags, combined with a tail bag and tank bag, and you should be fine for up to a week trip maybe even longer. Tourmaster makes good stuff that is reasonably priced.

Try the bike for awhile with the bars stock, remember to use your core muscles to support your upper body, before going the Heli/ riser route. How tall are you, how long are your arms? Everything is a compromise, so if you go with risers, it won't steer as quickly as stock. I put them on my Sprint ST, and the slight reduction in handling/ front end feel is worth it for me, but my arms are short. YMMV.

Please remember to respect the throttle. That v twin sounds great, but is wicked fast and will spit your a#$ off   before you can blink if you are not very careful.

Have fun!!

[todao]

Take the course seems to be the common recommendation.

I was out of biking for about 8 years due to back issues.  When I came back, I was amazed at a couple of things:
1. motorcycles had gotten so much better and it was hard to buy a bad bike
2.  gear had improved tremendously and what you had found years ago for racers was not as good as a lot of the common equipment these days
3.  Riding has become a science...  No more mysteries about bike handling.  It's all down to technique, knowledge and understanding, not god given skill.

The latter is the really good news because it means every rider, particularly those coming back, can learn the techniques of truly proficient, skilled riding.   That means you can accelerate your skill learning.  After coming back, I would do some roads I found challenging, over and over, to improve my skills and push it just a little more each time in order to work on specific riding skills.

Better rider = less chance of accident

[squeezer]

Congrats on the new bike!  Those are pretty.

Apparently, there are a lot of us reentry geezers around here.  I'm almost 10 years into my second stint after a 12 year layoff.

I did everything wrong -- hopped on a bike 700 miles from home and rode it back.  I think the advice you've been given here is the way to go and it's cool to hear you're taking the reeducation seriously.  I finally went back and started taking the courses.  Understanding what you're doing makes it all much more fun.

Keep taking it seriously.  One of the things you'll read in Hough's book (my favorite, by the way) is that accidents go back up in the 4th year of riding -- you start to think you're getting good.  Remember -- you may be getting used to higher speeds and more acute lean angles, but the laws of physics don't change.  Being able to use more traction doesn't mean you're going to get more.  Stay cautious.  

As much as bikes changed while you were away, gear changed even more.  I wasn't gone as long as you were, but the tech in this area was a completely new universe to me.  Because I wasn't really aware of it, it actually took me longer to come to grips with what was available there than it did to get comfortable riding again.  I recommend spending on-line time during winter checking out sites like newenough.com.  Their real world descriptions and photos are really helpful for understanding 21st century choices.  You won't believe how much better protected we are now.

[chimera]

For anyone who's cared enough to offer advice, just put a deposit on a 2003 Honda Superhawk!  Very cool, relatively light and narrow, 996v-twin, sounds like a Ducati, with a nice even torque curve.  Got one or two mods in mind, but for short money think I have a very fun and easy to handle bike I can live with for a few years!

That's alot of bike for re-entry.  Be careful out there.  Squeezer's advice about gear is spot on, but judging by your choice of bike I doubt you will listen to that either.

[BobW]

 
The guys not a twelve year old and the bike is a very nice mid-size V twin. It's not like it's a super charged Busa. He doesn't need to listen to anyone, but sounds like he did and made a pretty good final choice.

Cheers

[STeve3b3]

Gileski,
Good for you on the bike choice, books, and MSF.  Is the course in West Boyleston?
I bought an ST1300 as my return bike after being away for ~20yrs, and couldn't be happier!
I did the MSF, books, and took it easy until I got the hang of things again.

Don't forget gear, as well.  Motomarket is on Rt.2A in Acton, 3-4 miles North of the Rotary, and they have a pretty good selection of gear.  Also, look at http://www.newenough.com for online gear.

Steve

[BluStreak]

Steve;

Thanks for the tips on the shop and the gear address.  Just got an unreal deal on a helmet at another website, but will definitely check out your Motomarket and www.newenough.com recommendations.  Love the ST1300, maybe someday!  Have a buddy I went skiing with this weekend who has a new Kawa Concours 1400, hope to do some touring with him this summer.  Yes, the course is in W. Boylston.  Where in MA do you live?

Yo Bob, as the girl sez "you don't know me!"  

Scott

[STeve3b3]

Scott,

I'm down in Oxford.

The ST wasn't bad at the ERC.  I take the Pike into work, and used the stop-and-go traffic as a game to see how slow I could go without putting my feet down.  Manhole covers were and are obstacales, as well.  When I got to the ERC, I'd already been practicing those particular drills, so I knew how the bike performed in that regime.

Depending on when your course is, you'll probably have a chance to shake out some of the rust, and get a bit familiar with the bike before the course.

And welcome back!

Steve

[BluStreak]

Steve;

Gear question..........in looking for a protective jacket, your suggestions about looking at the perforated vs. non-perforated jackets for use here in New England.  I'm pretty good with cold weather gear as a hard core skiier, but wonder about if the perforated variety is warm enough for spring and fall vs. non-perforated being too hot in the summer......

Thanks,
Scott

[squeezer]

I actually like convertibles like the Tourmaster Intake.  It's a mesh jacket that has two zip in liners -- one water and windproof (basically, a thin nylon windbreaker type liner) and one insulated.  From June to September here in PA, I really just need the mesh shell and the nylon liner for evenings.  I have a warmer jacket for early spring and late fall.

Don't wear the ski stuff riding, though the riding stuff is serviceable for skiing.

[bikerfish1100]

Steve;

Gear question..........  I'm pretty good with cold weather gear as a hard core skiier, but wonder about if the perforated variety is warm enough for spring and fall vs. non-perforated being too hot in the summer......

Thanks,
Scott

no. you do not use ski gear for riding a motorcycle. goose down will not protect a goose if it hits something hard, and it won't protect you either. plus, you'll look really freaking stoopid.

no single garment can really do it all, unless you only ride May-September. if it doesn't feel good temp wise you won't wear it in the summer, and nothing is good for nothing. so, get a mesh jacket for summer, and a 3 season vented jacket/pants with removable liners for the rest of the year. the best one is the one that fits you properly, that you like the look and feel of. biggest difference between brands models is the features. find the features you like, in a jacket that fits well, and go with it.

[BluStreak]

Guys, sorry I made the comment.  Please.............I'm not a total dick, I meant that I know how to stay warm.

[STeve3b3]

Scott,

I've got three jackets and 2 sets of overpants.  My summer jackets vary from a First Gear textile/leather jacket to a Joe Rocket mesh.  I bought the First-Gear as a closeout at Newenough.com, and it's done a pretty good job of keeping me cooled unless I'm stopped.   Plenty of vents.  My son had a VFR and crashed in the exact same jacket, and it protected him well.  The JR was inherited from my son, and is going to be replaced this year with something more up to date.  A lot of the ST-Owners are switching to an Olympia jacket which is Hi-viz, and I might take a look at that as well.  
My Fall/early spring jacket is a Rev-It 3/4 length that I purchased from Motomarket.  I used this from October till December this year.  I thought it was a bit "drafty", but with a sweat shirt underneath, I was warm enough.  My hands are the major problem below about 30 deg, even with heated grips.

FWIW, my son has Danaisi (sp?) pants, and jackets, and he's happy with them.  He has a perf jacket for when it's hot out in CA.

Since I use the ST to ride to work and back, I'm wearing First-Gear HT overpants.  I can zip out the liner and be comfortable up to the high 80's.  FWIW, I rode to a DR's appointment in jeans one summer day, and was hotter than if I'd worn the overpants.  I got some First-Gear HT-air overpants before an ST-owners.com ride to PA this past summer, and use them when it's HOT, after upgrading to CE armor.

Steve

[BluStreak]

So, to get something to get started with, sounds like a vented jacket, w/ a removeable liner, and a similar pair of pants.  I like the idea of overpants as it offers me options in terms of taking the bike to work.  I have a somewhat dressy job.  Already snapped a great deal on a full helmet and plan to pick up a set of leather gauntlet gloves.  Since I'm likely going to start riding in April on the few decent days we have, I'm thinkin I'm still going to need to be dressed for pretty chilly weather.  Sound sensible to you?

[bikerfish1100]

much better than goose down!  

best brand is the one that combo of features you like, and that fits correctly.
only brand i've really seen big negatives on is Icon. a fellow coach had a jacket from them. very poor quality manufacturing. perfect for the squid set that wants to look the part but not much else.

[squeezer]

So, to get something to get started with, sounds like a vented jacket, w/ a removeable liner, and a similar pair of pants.  I like the idea of overpants as it offers me options in terms of taking the bike to work.  I have a somewhat dressy job.  Already snapped a great deal on a full helmet and plan to pick up a set of leather gauntlet gloves.  Since I'm likely going to start riding in April on the few decent days we have, I'm thinkin I'm still going to need to be dressed for pretty chilly weather.  Sound sensible to you?

Yes, that makes perfect sense.  Ride in those until you find the type of weather where you're uncomfortable and then add more gear to deal with that.  We're a serious gear whore sport now.  

[STeve3b3]

Yes, that makes perfect sense.  Ride in those until you find the type of weather where you're uncomfortable and then add more gear to deal with that.  We're a serious gear whore sport now.  

 

What squeezer said.  
You won't believe the amount of gloves, jackets, boots, etc you'll acquire over time.  Buy decent gear that you're comfortable in, and you can't go wrong.

Steve

[brianm767]

Well you have lots of advise, most of it right on the money,  I'm 45, I've been riding all my life, I recently switched to a  Honda ST1300 from two super sport bikes, a Hayabusa and a CBR1100XX Black bird,   I can tell you I absolutely love my ST, I chose the ST over the FJR because the FJR's buzz in the handle bars made my hands go numb, but to some the engine heat is too much to handle on the ST, I live where it's over 100 degrees almost every day in the summer, and it's not a problem for me, I guess it's all about what or if your sensitive to these? and I  have no, well almost no desire to ride sport bikes any more, but that being said, it is a heavy bike at parking lot speeds,  once you get it rolling, it's very light on it's feet, just as the FJR1300 is,  but it might  be a bit to handle if your not used to riding, and it's still capable of 140+MPH, for a tank of a bike, once you get it rolling, it's like a big sport bike.

But here's my advise, buy a used Suzuki V Strom, or maybe a Yamaha FZ6 to start off on, yah you probably don't want to have to buy a starter bike, but they are very capable bikes, hundreds of pounds lighter than a sport touring bike, an upright  riding position and  you can get them cheap and with all the aftermarket accessories all ready installed, and they make great little touring bikes, I couldn't believe how comfortable the V Strom was when I fist sat on it. if you go this route, and you pick up a used VStrom or FZ, you could probably ride it for a year or ? then sell it and get almost all of your money back to go plunk down on that ST or FJR, and if your worried about dropping the bigger bike, you might want to search that on the ST and FJR forums, one + on the ST is if you drop it, normally you only damage the bottom side of the plastic crash bar cover, and it's about $15 bucks to replace, normally no cowling, saddle bag or mirror damage, if you drop a FJR, it could be well over a thousand dollars to repair, but they both have their + and -'s, I love them both.

I'd take a serious look at steveindenmark's FZ and Zerosum's V Strom, those are some great little bikes, and very capable for touring for the beginner or the advanced riders

  My Baby!

[BluStreak]

Brian;

Love your bike.  If I had more recent experience and not about to have 2 kids in college, I'd likely be looking for your bike.  Would love to ride one some day.  I guess you didn't catch this, but I put a deposit on a 2003 Honda VTR1000 Superhawk (5,500 mis).  .Loved the way it looks, feels and sounds.  It is a stronger motor than a 650, but has a very flat torque curve and the bike only weighs 420 lbs. dry (my Honda 500-4 was 405).  Ergos need a little work to make it more sport-touring and less sport bike, but I'm already working on that and can do it for short money.  Like the bikes you mentioned, I could turn it for little or no loss in a year or two, but it has a ton of character, so maybe I'll hold it for a while, we'll see.  Just signed up for my 2 day course in April and am working on putting together protective clothing and boots.

Thanks for the tip on the superhawk forum Dan.  Been there researching for a while before I put a deposit on the bike.

Can't wait to be sharing rides and other less theoretical junk with you folks!

Scott