(05-30-05) Rate Yourself - Page 2 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**inspiron** · 06-01-2005, 04:30 AM

I agree with TMML, I'm an advanced beginner.

Years on 2 wheels (with a motor): 13 (actually about 9, considering that I only ride from mid-March to early-November)

Bike Log:
1992 to 2002 - Vespa PK 50XL (50ccm / 3hp roller) - ~ 18,000km
08/2002 to 06/2004 - Honda XL125V Varadero (125ccm / 15hp) ~ 5,500km
07/2004 to present - Suzuki GSX 1400 (1400ccm / 106hp) ~ 5,000km to date

Total hours in the sattle: About 600 hours

viper94bite · 06-01-2005, 09:23 AM

I think i'm comfy. If I had a sportbike I would probably feel a little better about it as I could probably take the corners sharper.

**Uncle Bob** · 06-01-2005, 03:03 PM

Well I haven't voted and won't. I don't like the options available.

Don't believe you have to make rossi envious of you to be an expert rider.

I'm confortable on my bike and can control it in a variety of situations. I have no desire to drag a knee yet don't feel like a beginner because of that. I can push my bike to it's limits and those limits suit me just fine thank you.

Hayaboosta · 06-01-2005, 03:28 PM

I chose 61-70%, but after every winter I would say I'm in the 31-40% range until I get warmed back up. No sense of pushing it from the get go just wind up in trouble. I have been riding for 4 years first bike was a 1998 Honda Superhawk 996 had that one for 1 1/2, a 2003 Honda Shadow Ace 750 for a little over 2 1/2 years and then onto the 05 Busa. Miles since riding between 35,000-40,000 I would guess, some times I was offered to use others bikes.

bat4255 · 06-01-2005, 04:15 PM

Average here, no need to race, love to tour. 7 bikes and 7 years off and on since 1968 40,000 total

stevie c · 06-07-2005, 02:33 PM

I reckon I am an apex strafer!

tlwisner · 06-07-2005, 03:34 PM

I chose "Comfy" because I am comfortable riding but I know I have a lot to learn. I'm looking forward to the MSF Experienced Rider Course this year. I rode dirt bikes, scooters and mopeds for many thousands of miles when I was a kid and now I am the mid life re-entry rider having gone restarted on a GZ 250, then a Concours ZG1000 and finally settling on a milder C50. I did the MSF BRC course, read good riding books and watch training videos and then go out and practice scraping my floorboards around and making my brakes show me their 100% stopping potential. I'd like to do a beginner track school one of these days. My goal is to be a smooth and proficient motorcyclist.

timSZ · 06-07-2005, 08:33 PM

I also chose 61-70%. I rode on and off - about 38,000 miles worth when I was about 15 years younger. I thought I was pretty good until I just got a new bike and after only about 500 miles had an accident going into a curve scraping the flooboard a bit, having to bring it up a little to avoid some debris and then not having enough lean left to make the curve. This was on a new c50t like I mentioned elsewhere in messages here. I'm still a bit surprised by it all so it looks like I need to take a second look at my riding skills. Looks like I need a little more warming up to once again feel as snug in the saddle as I once did.

My past riding has been mostly out west where I rode just about every kind of road in just about every kind of weather. I remember making a lot of long trips between utah and arizona in the pouring rain with passing semi trucks dumping rivers of water on me and still feeling pretty confident in what I was doing. I never did anything on the track and am probably too old to start now.

While my bike is in the shop I've been doing a lot of reading in the various cycle newsgroups, looking at videos that others have recorded of their road and track riding, and even ordered the "Twist of the wrist" video (money well spent) as an added refresher course about many things I had already known as well as some things I may have implemented in my riding but really hadn't given much though about why they had the effect they did and even learned to refine some of my technique. The internet and video had become a pretty good resource for that sort of thing.

Blackburg · 06-08-2005, 03:28 PM

Before I packed up the big scoot in April, I would have placed m'sef higher. Picked average.

Riding since '69. Probably between 3~400K. About as much dirt/gravel/trials as street.

Gear up!

bigyack · 06-12-2005, 07:49 PM

I picked getting better. This is my 2nd street bike. My first bike was a 750 Katan and I put about 5,000 miles on it. I only have about 800 miles on my new gsxr 600. I rode in the dirt for about 10 years, but don't count that as street experience. I know that I have a lot to learn about ridding on the street, and that bike is a rocket. Always have room for improvement.

supacuz · 06-13-2005, 02:39 AM

been ridin streetbike fashion 4 bout 15,000 miles on tha hot roads in tha Phoenix area. luv hittin tha twisties on tha way 2 tha lake tho! i rate myself an average ridah. peace

**Trapper** · 06-13-2005, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supacuz

been ridin streetbike fashion 4 bout 15,000 miles on tha hot roads in tha Phoenix area. luv hittin tha twisties on tha way 2 tha lake tho! i rate myself an average ridah. peace

Are we supposed to read that? I lost my secret decoder ring, sorry?

cobra marauder · 06-13-2005, 07:27 AM

I have been rideing for about 16 years now. Have had 4 bikes a 350 Zuki dual Sprt, 650 Ninja, 1300 Zuki Bandit and now 800 Marauder. Ninja got road the hardest. Have actually been rideing since I was 4 though (so I gues that way it would be about 28 years). I have had lots of dirt bikes. All fun though.

mr_resistible · 06-16-2005, 04:04 PM

I am fairly comfortable but need more time on twisty roads and parking. Been riding since September. 2000 miles so far. My '05 C50 is my first bike.

nevanerviss · 06-16-2005, 04:33 PM

I started riding when I was 15, got into an accident when I was 19 (some jack@ss ran me over at a red light while I was making a left turn), stopped riding for 10 years, started back when I was 30... Now I'm 34 and this is my 4th bike... I couldn't even venture a guess as to how many total miles I've ridden, so I won't... Total riding years, I would say about 10...

Just5cents · 06-17-2005, 12:51 PM

I choose 31-40%, it seemed to suit me cause im getting very coffortable with my Kat, i have only been riding on the street for like...3 to 4 months but have been on a dirt bike for 2 to 3 years! i have already put about 500+ miles (maybe more im not sure ill have to look!) on my 98 Kat 750, most miles have been put on curvey back roads, there has been the occasional hwy straightaways! This is my first streetbike but my second bike overall (Sorry i wasnt sure if you were counting off-road experiece!)

Dwayne Hicks · 06-17-2005, 03:54 PM

First bike ever owned. Voted 30-40%. I have 14,000 kilometres accumulated over the last 2 years. And I am still learning.

leansipper · 06-18-2005, 02:50 AM

my first streetbike is an 02 KAT 750. i been ridin that for almost 3 years now, and about 15,000 miles. i say im about average but there is so much i learn everyday.

Taz Man · 06-20-2005, 11:01 PM

Got my C50T at the end of March of 05.
3200 mile to date
2nd bike in 40 years
1st bike was an enduro about 28 yrs ago, that doesn't count.
Still learning and having a great time.

mark · 07-27-2005, 08:07 AM

Still Green... my 03' GSXR-600 is my second bike in about three years..but since my first bike (78' XS 750 Special-yamaha) spent more time trying to get fixed up then it did on the road, It didn't do much for my skill level aside from some familiarity with getting out on the road. In fact, it would have been lucky to have had 600 miles put on it by me. Anyway, the new bike see's a ton more action, and now that I have all my paperwork, it well get many more miles. I will be green all year..just no substitute for experience...

View Poll Results: Rate yourself in term of achieved potential
0-10% (very new)	31	10.99%
11-20% (still green)	20	7.09%
21-30% (getting better)	37	13.12%
31-40% (comfy)	31	10.99%
41-50% (average rider)	70	24.82%
51-60% (beginner corner carver)	36	12.77%
61-70% (apex strafer)	32	11.35%
71-80% (knee dragger)	19	6.74%
81-90% (draws fear at the track)	3	1.06%
91-100% (Rossi curses my name)	3	1.06%
Voters: 282. You may not vote on this poll

06-01-2005, 04:30 AM	#21 (permalink)
inspiron Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 13,033	I agree with TMML, I'm an advanced beginner. Years on 2 wheels (with a motor): 13 (actually about 9, considering that I only ride from mid-March to early-November) Bike Log: 1992 to 2002 - Vespa PK 50XL (50ccm / 3hp roller) - ~ 18,000km 08/2002 to 06/2004 - Honda XL125V Varadero (125ccm / 15hp) ~ 5,500km 07/2004 to present - Suzuki GSX 1400 (1400ccm / 106hp) ~ 5,000km to date Total hours in the sattle: About 600 hours __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

06-01-2005, 09:23 AM	#22 (permalink)
viper94bite Sit speling cheker Join Date: Jan 2005 Bike: 2008 Yamaha FZ6 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 1,792	I think i'm comfy. If I had a sportbike I would probably feel a little better about it as I could probably take the corners sharper. __________________ *yippee*

06-01-2005, 03:03 PM	#23 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Join Date: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 5,000,001	Well I haven't voted and won't. I don't like the options available. Don't believe you have to make rossi envious of you to be an expert rider. I'm confortable on my bike and can control it in a variety of situations. I have no desire to drag a knee yet don't feel like a beginner because of that. I can push my bike to it's limits and those limits suit me just fine thank you. __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

06-01-2005, 04:15 PM	#25 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Join Date: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 29,100 miles as of 10-20-08 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 666	Average here, no need to race, love to tour. 7 bikes and 7 years off and on since 1968 40,000 total Last edited by bat4255; 06-01-2005 at 04:18 PM.

06-01-2005, 03:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
Hayaboosta Clunked into first gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Bike: 2005 GSX1300R Hayabusa Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 203	I chose 61-70%, but after every winter I would say I'm in the 31-40% range until I get warmed back up. No sense of pushing it from the get go just wind up in trouble. I have been riding for 4 years first bike was a 1998 Honda Superhawk 996 had that one for 1 1/2, a 2003 Honda Shadow Ace 750 for a little over 2 1/2 years and then onto the 05 Busa. Miles since riding between 35,000-40,000 I would guess, some times I was offered to use others bikes.

06-07-2005, 02:33 PM	#26 (permalink)
stevie c Sit speling cheker Join Date: Mar 2004 Bike: GSX-R 600 K1 Location: Northants,UK Posts: 1,631	I reckon I am an apex strafer! __________________ Stevie C '02 Gixer 600 K1,Yellow and Black (fastest colour!), always beats red ones!! Why put off until tomorrow what you can get someone else to do for you today.

06-07-2005, 03:34 PM	#27 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Join Date: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	I chose "Comfy" because I am comfortable riding but I know I have a lot to learn. I'm looking forward to the MSF Experienced Rider Course this year. I rode dirt bikes, scooters and mopeds for many thousands of miles when I was a kid and now I am the mid life re-entry rider having gone restarted on a GZ 250, then a Concours ZG1000 and finally settling on a milder C50. I did the MSF BRC course, read good riding books and watch training videos and then go out and practice scraping my floorboards around and making my brakes show me their 100% stopping potential. I'd like to do a beginner track school one of these days. My goal is to be a smooth and proficient motorcyclist. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

06-07-2005, 08:33 PM	#28 (permalink)
timSZ Seat Tester Join Date: May 2005 Bike: c50T Location: pennsylvania Posts: 53	I also chose 61-70%. I rode on and off - about 38,000 miles worth when I was about 15 years younger. I thought I was pretty good until I just got a new bike and after only about 500 miles had an accident going into a curve scraping the flooboard a bit, having to bring it up a little to avoid some debris and then not having enough lean left to make the curve. This was on a new c50t like I mentioned elsewhere in messages here. I'm still a bit surprised by it all so it looks like I need to take a second look at my riding skills. Looks like I need a little more warming up to once again feel as snug in the saddle as I once did. My past riding has been mostly out west where I rode just about every kind of road in just about every kind of weather. I remember making a lot of long trips between utah and arizona in the pouring rain with passing semi trucks dumping rivers of water on me and still feeling pretty confident in what I was doing. I never did anything on the track and am probably too old to start now. While my bike is in the shop I've been doing a lot of reading in the various cycle newsgroups, looking at videos that others have recorded of their road and track riding, and even ordered the "Twist of the wrist" video (money well spent) as an added refresher course about many things I had already known as well as some things I may have implemented in my riding but really hadn't given much though about why they had the effect they did and even learned to refine some of my technique. The internet and video had become a pretty good resource for that sort of thing. Last edited by timSZ; 06-07-2005 at 08:39 PM.

06-08-2005, 03:28 PM	#29 (permalink)
Blackburg Where Am I ? Join Date: Oct 2004 Bike: 2006 Triumph Tiger, 1999 DR350SE Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 35	Before I packed up the big scoot in April, I would have placed m'sef higher. Picked average. Riding since '69. Probably between 3~400K. About as much dirt/gravel/trials as street. Gear up! __________________ Steve '06 Triumph Tiger 13K '99 DR350SE. 8K miles

06-12-2005, 07:49 PM	#30 (permalink)
bigyack Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: 05 GSXR 600 Location: Delaware Posts: 13	I picked getting better. This is my 2nd street bike. My first bike was a 750 Katan and I put about 5,000 miles on it. I only have about 800 miles on my new gsxr 600. I rode in the dirt for about 10 years, but don't count that as street experience. I know that I have a lot to learn about ridding on the street, and that bike is a rocket. Always have room for improvement. __________________ •To be loved, you have to be nice to others EVERYDAY!. To be hated, you don't have to do squat. •If they think I'm going to stop at that stop sign, they're sadly mistaken •Shut up, Brain, or I'll stab you with a Q-tip •Trying is the first step towards failure. •You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. HOMER J. SIMPSON

06-13-2005, 02:39 AM	#31 (permalink)
supacuz Banned Join Date: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 KAT 750 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 5	been ridin streetbike fashion 4 bout 15,000 miles on tha hot roads in tha Phoenix area. luv hittin tha twisties on tha way 2 tha lake tho! i rate myself an average ridah. peace

06-13-2005, 07:27 AM	#33 (permalink)
cobra marauder Ditch Magnet Join Date: Oct 2004 Bike: 98 Marauder Location: Central, Pennsylvania Posts: 161	I have been rideing for about 16 years now. Have had 4 bikes a 350 Zuki dual Sprt, 650 Ninja, 1300 Zuki Bandit and now 800 Marauder. Ninja got road the hardest. Have actually been rideing since I was 4 though (so I gues that way it would be about 28 years). I have had lots of dirt bikes. All fun though. __________________ Hey, just be cool & DONT let your meat loaf!!!!

06-16-2005, 04:04 PM	#34 (permalink)
mr_resistible Wants Better Weather Join Date: Dec 2004 Bike: 05' C50 Location: Gering Ne Posts: 665	I am fairly comfortable but need more time on twisty roads and parking. Been riding since September. 2000 miles so far. My '05 C50 is my first bike. __________________ ]

06-16-2005, 04:33 PM	#35 (permalink)
nevanerviss Kickstand Operator Join Date: May 2005 Bike: '03 Marauder & '95 Katana Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 266	I started riding when I was 15, got into an accident when I was 19 (some jack@ss ran me over at a red light while I was making a left turn), stopped riding for 10 years, started back when I was 30... Now I'm 34 and this is my 4th bike... I couldn't even venture a guess as to how many total miles I've ridden, so I won't... Total riding years, I would say about 10... __________________ Only a biker knows why dogs hang their heads out of car windows... R.I.P. Spoonee... Ride it like you stole it!!!

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06-17-2005, 12:51 PM	#36 (permalink)
Just5cents Where Am I ? Join Date: Jun 2004 Bike: 97 Katana 750 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 26	I choose 31-40%, it seemed to suit me cause im getting very coffortable with my Kat, i have only been riding on the street for like...3 to 4 months but have been on a dirt bike for 2 to 3 years! i have already put about 500+ miles (maybe more im not sure ill have to look!) on my 98 Kat 750, most miles have been put on curvey back roads, there has been the occasional hwy straightaways! This is my first streetbike but my second bike overall (Sorry i wasnt sure if you were counting off-road experiece!)

06-17-2005, 03:54 PM	#37 (permalink)
Dwayne Hicks Sprocket Pilot Join Date: Sep 2003 Bike: 2003 Honda CGL 125 Location: South Africa Posts: 857	First bike ever owned. Voted 30-40%. I have 14,000 kilometres accumulated over the last 2 years. And I am still learning. __________________ I live in my own little world. But it's OK. They know me here. Its 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hey, psycho, we're not getting back together. Now get out of my Van Halen t-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.

06-18-2005, 02:50 AM	#38 (permalink)
leansipper Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: 02' KAT 750 Location: PHX Posts: 23	my first streetbike is an 02 KAT 750. i been ridin that for almost 3 years now, and about 15,000 miles. i say im about average but there is so much i learn everyday. __________________ i luv traffic...makes u feel like u ridin' that much faster

06-20-2005, 11:01 PM	#39 (permalink)
Taz Man Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Bike: 05 C50T Location: TX Posts: 10	Got my C50T at the end of March of 05. 3200 mile to date 2nd bike in 40 years 1st bike was an enduro about 28 yrs ago, that doesn't count. Still learning and having a great time.

07-27-2005, 08:07 AM	#40 (permalink)
mark In Training Join Date: Jul 2005 Bike: 2003 GSXR-600 Location: PA Posts: 113	Still Green... my 03' GSXR-600 is my second bike in about three years..but since my first bike (78' XS 750 Special-yamaha) spent more time trying to get fixed up then it did on the road, It didn't do much for my skill level aside from some familiarity with getting out on the road. In fact, it would have been lucky to have had 600 miles put on it by me. Anyway, the new bike see's a ton more action, and now that I have all my paperwork, it well get many more miles. I will be green all year..just no substitute for experience...