mc insurance,...huh?

[David Giuliani]

Take the MSF (Motorcycle Foundation Safety) course! Don't let a friend "show you how". (I did that and broke a couple ribs.) Learn to ride and handle a bike properly without someone else's bad habits influencing you. They'll start you off slow and easy on a low slung light weight bike. After three days you'll have built up confidence and with your certificate, get a discount on your insurance for that new KLR. Happy Riding, Dave

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ajpender18" wrote: > > I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? >

[Greg May]

Take a rider training course, find some buddies to ride with that are going to respect the fact that you have limited or no experience that are going to show you a few pointers to get you moving in the right and safe direction as opposed to trying to impress you with their perceived abilities. If you are starting on a KLR remember that it isn't in my opinion at least a great street bike, or a great dirt bike it is a bike that will do most of what you ask of it as long as you respect it's limitations.Practise riding very slow without the need of putting you feet down, this will improve your balance and your confidence and be the basis of everything else you learn, I've seen a more then a few people ride for years that still can't ride slow without hanging their feet to the ground. I could go on and on but I'm sure others will add to what I said but make sure you buy good and comfortable gear, know and never ride over your limit and perhaps most importantly have fun and enjoy the learning experience as much as the riding experience....have a great day....Greg

--- On Mon, 6/29/09, ajpender18 wrote: From: ajpender18 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Received: Monday, June 29, 2009, 9:47 PM I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? __________________________________________________________________ Connect with friends from any web browser - no download required. Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger for the Web BETA at http://ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Darren Clark]

ajpender18 wrote:

> I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? > >

Take a motorcycle safety class right away. Practice riding your bike in a big empty parking lot. Practice starts and stops. Do not ride on the road until you've taken a motorcycle safety class. Get good safety gear and wear it every time you ride. Any questions about gear, just look at my flickr account. -- Darren Clark http://www.flickr.com/photos/84373829@N00/ 2004 KLR-650 Fowlerville, MI [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ajpender18" wrote:

> > I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? >

The KLR is a great bike- If you can only 'afford' one motorcycle--this is it. and then you will want another motorcycle-- and you will think: If you can only 'afford' two motorcycles--this is it. That's my story. One of our friends has two 650's: 'Mike' has a PA bike and a left coast bike. The left coast bike likes fruit and nuts; the PA bike runs on coal. At least that is what I've heard. Others on the list have two or more. It is that good. Seriously, though--the KLR might be a handful to learn on due to its weight distribution. THE Basic MSF course, as already suggested, would be a very good place to start--even before you buy. Then, after the course-- Borrow/buy/rent-a smaller bike. A (sic)Honda 100 would do unless you are are in excess of 200# then a larger bike would be better. IE ~250. Get a few hours on that before you tackle the larger heavier bike. Now all that said-- If you buy that 650, and if you are about to drop it, don't let it fall on you. revmaaatin.

[transalp 1]

Is that your two dollars worth, Mark? eddie

> [Original Message] > From: Tengai Mark Van Horn > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 6/29/2009 9:19:56 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR > > At 12:47 AM +0000 6/30/09, ajpender18 wrote: > >....i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? >

" If something gets in your way, TURN. "

>

[dooden]

Get into a MSF course, they (at least around here) supply bikes for the training. If you have places to ride off the motorways learn there... Watched " Semper Ride" on the Pentagon Channel the other night and from Road Racers to Stunt riders they all said a Dirt Bike / Dual Sport is the best way to learn how to handle a bike. In fact almost all skills learned riding on the dirt will help you on the pavement. The KLR is a very forgiving bike, heavy, but easy to ride and not too much power. I started riding when I was like 5 or 6 (80cc 2 stroke) but before I even had a learners permit to drive I had already completed the MSF course. Not to mention taking the course will almost always lower your insurance. Do not ride with a bunch of Hot Dogs until you have figured out what your limit is when riding the 2 wheeled monster. Oh ya and you are suppose to keep the rubber side down. Dooden A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ajpender18" wrote: > > I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? >

[Rick McCauley]

As others have said. Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course ASAP. DO NOT listen to your buddies. They may be great riders, but that doesn't mean they are great teachers. Take the MSF course, and you may be the one teaching them. Rick A17

--- On Mon, 6/29/09, ajpender18 wrote: From: ajpender18 Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 7:47 PM I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[transalp 1]

Amen. No friends teaching friends! They'll leave out what a professional instructor would include that could mean the difference between living and dying. Also, Get a decent, DOT/Snell approved helmet, some sturdy boots, a jacket & gloves. Like parachutes and brain surgeons. Afterward is NOT the time to find out you had crappy stuff. =) eddie

> [Original Message] > From: Rick McCauley > To: dsn_klr650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 6/30/2009 9:11:35 AM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR > > As others have said. Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course

ASAP.

> DO NOT listen to your buddies. They may be great riders, but that doesn't

mean they are great teachers. Take the MSF course, and you may be the one teaching them.

> > Rick > A17 >

[Tumu Rock]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "ajpender18" wrote:

> > I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? >

Do like I did and buy it in mid-town Manhattan, then ride it home to Brooklyn. If you make it home, the bike likes you. da Vermonster (bring someone to follow you in a cage so they can block any idiots from smacking you from behind)

[Ross Lindberg]

As usual, all the guys have given you excellent advice; the very best being to take the MSF Safety Course. You'll learn things there that will stick with you the rest of your life. One thing I would like to add is to consider gearing down a bit, perhaps to a 14 tooth front sprocket. The stock gearing is a little tall for my taste, escpecially when trying to ride slow. I put 12,000 miles on with the stock gearing and geared down to a 14 tooth about 2000 miles ago. I can still easily exceed the speed limit, but it makes slow speed riding soooo much easier, plus starting from a dead stop is easier as well. Since you are starting out, I think I would also recommend a pair of bark buster lever protectors, as you'll probably drop it a time or two. It happens to the best of us so don't feel embarrased when it happens. Like my instructor told me many years ago when I was learning how to downhill ski, "if you don't fall down, you aren't trying hard enough." Hopefully you'll only fall down at a dead stop, or at low speed. I tried falling off a highway speed once. Trust me, you won't like it. Most of all, just be careful and have a lot of fun. Wishing you the best, Ross Lindberg Fertile, MN

> --- On Mon, 6/29/09, ajpender18 wrote: > > > From: ajpender18 > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 7:47 PM > > > > > > > > > I am getting ready to buy a new Klr650, but i've never ridden a bike before. Any tips to get me started? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >