Another newbie here :D - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Duuude · 02-13-2006, 12:49 PM

Hey all! I'm brand spanking new to motorcycles. Everyone in my family has been a rider at some point in their life. I think my "bike loving gene" kicked in when I moved to Orange County, CA from frigid Michigan.

So now I have an 87 Suzuki GS450L! Unfortunately I can't afford the MSF course right now... So I'm trying to learn what I can from the beginner's guides online. If there are any other OC bikers around here who wouldn't mind helping a newb to learn to ride a bike, it would be much appreciated!

I'm a fan of all things Suzuki, and now I've got two (a four wheel drive and a one wheel drive

). Though my Zuki "cage" isn't much bigger than my bike (it's a 96 X-90).

Y'all sound like a great bunch of people from what I've read on here already, so hopefully you'll be accepting of another dumb newb

Duuude · 02-13-2006, 01:05 PM

By the way - a pic of my bike (taken with a camera phone in my tiny garage, sorry about the quality)

I think it should be a good starter bike from what I've read

I wanted something a little faster than a GZ250, but not something that'll go zero to ticket too awful fast.

It's in great shape! I just need to change the oil, plugs and tires. I need new guages, too... Anybody know where I can get some good quality used tires for a low price? I can't really afford a good new set, but I don't want to buy cheap low quality tires...

**Trapper** · 02-13-2006, 01:10 PM

Welcome, Duude.

Get yourself to a library or bookstore and pick up David Hough's books "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling". When you practice, do it in a parking lot and practice the slow speed stuff.

stp1971 · 02-13-2006, 01:18 PM

Get a copy of Motorman Paladino's "Ride like a Pro III" DVD. It has alot of really good slow speed maneuvers and goes over some good points as well. He also has a video "Surviving the Mean Streets" which I hear is pretty good. I highly recommend it.

I have both David Hough's book Trapper recommended and the DVD I was talking about.

WELCOME to the forum Duuude!!!!!!! Great bike to learn on or even to ride everyday. PLENTY of get up and go and also will be fun in the twisties too.

**Louis** · 02-13-2006, 01:18 PM

**Clint** · 02-13-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

Welcome, Duude.

No, it's "Duuude".

Welcome, bud, and that's a fine first bike. Enjoy!

Duuude · 02-13-2006, 02:02 PM

Actually, "Dude" works

But I think that was taken...

I'll be getting that Proficient Motorcycling book ASAP off ebay or something. I'll check out those DVD's, too... But money is tight at the moment, and I need to find a helmet, first!

**Trapper** · 02-13-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duuude

Actually, "Dude" works

But I think that was taken...

I'll be getting that Proficient Motorcycling book ASAP off ebay or something. I'll check out those DVD's, too... But money is tight at the moment, and I need to find a helmet, first!

Now that's using your head.

MagnumForce · 02-13-2006, 02:04 PM

Welcome to the party, D3ude!

jimr · 02-13-2006, 02:26 PM

DUUUDE..... newbie myself. Lots of info here. The books referred too weren't available at our small town library but they borrowed them from another. When $$ is tight, use all available resources. Check with your local library about them.

Duuude · 02-13-2006, 02:30 PM

I have to find the local library, first...

blackie1491 · 02-13-2006, 02:39 PM

Get your gear before you practice.
Helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots.
Take your time and enjoy.

**drgibson** · 02-13-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duuude

Actually, "Dude" works

But I think that was taken...

I'll be getting that Proficient Motorcycling book ASAP off ebay or something. I'll check out those DVD's, too... But money is tight at the moment, and I need to find a helmet, first!

And I thought youuuuuuuuuuuur uuuuuuuuuuuu key was juuuuuut stuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

Duuude · 02-13-2006, 04:15 PM

I've got the jacket already... Need to find a Salvation Army store around here for the gloves and boots... I fully intend to have gear before trying anything on my bike (unless my impatience gets the best of me

) But I'll be able to hold off until I've at least got the maintenance on it up to speed (wouldn't want to damage my new ride from the inside)

Atlas68 · 02-15-2006, 03:30 PM

Welcome Dude from a little higher up the coast. Enjoy MJ and ride safe.

IncubusIncarnate · 02-16-2006, 01:15 PM

I guess im still a newb, and the best thing i can recommend is that MSF course. It was my only source of starter up info. That and alot of practice. My second car has gone to that big scrap heap in the sky so now the bike is my only mode of point a to b -ing.

02-13-2006, 12:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Duuude Where Am I ? Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2000 Suzuki GS500E Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 41	Another newbie here :D Hey all! I'm brand spanking new to motorcycles. Everyone in my family has been a rider at some point in their life. I think my "bike loving gene" kicked in when I moved to Orange County, CA from frigid Michigan. So now I have an 87 Suzuki GS450L! Unfortunately I can't afford the MSF course right now... So I'm trying to learn what I can from the beginner's guides online. If there are any other OC bikers around here who wouldn't mind helping a newb to learn to ride a bike, it would be much appreciated! I'm a fan of all things Suzuki, and now I've got two (a four wheel drive and a one wheel drive ). Though my Zuki "cage" isn't much bigger than my bike (it's a 96 X-90). Y'all sound like a great bunch of people from what I've read on here already, so hopefully you'll be accepting of another dumb newb

02-13-2006, 01:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,190	Welcome, Duude. Get yourself to a library or bookstore and pick up David Hough's books "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling". When you practice, do it in a parking lot and practice the slow speed stuff. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

02-13-2006, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Get a copy of Motorman Paladino's "Ride like a Pro III" DVD. It has alot of really good slow speed maneuvers and goes over some good points as well. He also has a video "Surviving the Mean Streets" which I hear is pretty good. I highly recommend it. I have both David Hough's book Trapper recommended and the DVD I was talking about. WELCOME to the forum Duuude!!!!!!! Great bike to learn on or even to ride everyday. PLENTY of get up and go and also will be fun in the twisties too. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

02-13-2006, 01:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	__________________ Louis

02-13-2006, 02:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	Welcome to the party, D3ude! __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

02-13-2006, 01:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Duuude Where Am I ? Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2000 Suzuki GS500E Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 41	By the way - a pic of my bike (taken with a camera phone in my tiny garage, sorry about the quality) I think it should be a good starter bike from what I've read I wanted something a little faster than a GZ250, but not something that'll go zero to ticket too awful fast. It's in great shape! I just need to change the oil, plugs and tires. I need new guages, too... Anybody know where I can get some good quality used tires for a low price? I can't really afford a good new set, but I don't want to buy cheap low quality tires...

02-13-2006, 02:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Duuude Where Am I ? Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2000 Suzuki GS500E Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 41	Actually, "Dude" works But I think that was taken... I'll be getting that Proficient Motorcycling book ASAP off ebay or something. I'll check out those DVD's, too... But money is tight at the moment, and I need to find a helmet, first!

02-13-2006, 02:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
jimr In Training Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: 06 C50 blue/gray Location: Thomasville GA Posts: 113	DUUUDE..... newbie myself. Lots of info here. The books referred too weren't available at our small town library but they borrowed them from another. When $$ is tight, use all available resources. Check with your local library about them.

02-13-2006, 02:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Duuude Where Am I ? Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2000 Suzuki GS500E Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 41	I have to find the local library, first...

02-13-2006, 02:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,331	Get your gear before you practice. Helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots. Take your time and enjoy.

02-13-2006, 04:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
Duuude Where Am I ? Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 2000 Suzuki GS500E Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 41	I've got the jacket already... Need to find a Salvation Army store around here for the gloves and boots... I fully intend to have gear before trying anything on my bike (unless my impatience gets the best of me ) But I'll be able to hold off until I've at least got the maintenance on it up to speed (wouldn't want to damage my new ride from the inside)

02-15-2006, 03:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
Atlas68 Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 SOLD '05 Anniversary Edition VMax #1878 Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada Posts: 1,728	Welcome Dude from a little higher up the coast. Enjoy MJ and ride safe. __________________ Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength. SuperTrapp Exhaust

02-16-2006, 01:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
IncubusIncarnate Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: 2001 Kawasaki ZR-750 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 84	I guess im still a newb, and the best thing i can recommend is that MSF course. It was my only source of starter up info. That and alot of practice. My second car has gone to that big scrap heap in the sky so now the bike is my only mode of point a to b -ing. __________________ I Never Finish Anyth

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