Need some advice

[mike051987]

Ok, I am a new rider with no past experience riding dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, or anything of the sort.

So far, I have just ridden my FZ6 in my yard and driveway since I live on a gravel road and do not feel comfortable taking it out there yet. Hopefully this weekend I will get my dad to ride it out to this place where there is a big empty parking lot and I will get to practice there. I will also be taking the MSF Basic Rider Course the weekend after next.

Anyways, I want to take extra steps to protect my bike since I've already laid it down twice (just in my yard). I've gotten lucky so far and nothing has been damaged, but I know sooner or later my luck is going to run out.

One thing that I have been told to do is buy frame sliders for it. So I was just wondering what brand to buy and it there are any other mods I can buy to help protect my investment. Thanks in advance!

 

[Motogiro]

:welcome:To a great forum! Lots of really cool people here. Post us some pics of your bike!

There are many companies that make sliders. So many I don't know where to start but a search here or Google will certainly pull up some results.

#1 is you! Do you have sliders? LOL! Make sure you have proper gear first. Brain bucket, jacket w/armor, pants w/armor, boots and gloves.

ATGATT All The Gear All The Time

No question is to stupid to ask here. It's very important as part of our community that you become a safe and happy rider. A lot of it is just plain ole experience because some stuff one can't really tell you.

Respect the FZ6 it is not a beginner bike. It can bite so make friends with it! Get to know your steed.

Most of all, Have Fun!

 

[CHEMIKER]

:welcome: To the forum Mike, and congratulations on the new bike!

Different folks swear by different brands of sliders for different reasons. From my experience, I have Motovation and would recommend them for a variety of reasons, but the biggest reason is that I have crash tested them and they worked great (well, at least the one on the right side where I laid it down).

I would say that aside from frame sliders, taking the MSF course before you ride it much is the best insurance you can get against dropping your bike again. You practice on much lighter bikes that you don't care if you drop, which builds loads of confidence and skill in just a couple of days. I know it might be hard to watch your new baby sit alone in the garage waiting for you to take the MSF, but it's what I did and I'm glad I did.

Good luck!

 

[dean owens]

t-rex sliders are good for the money - so i hear.


here's the advice i'm going to give you. if you're already signed up for the msf brc i would park the bike and wait until you've taken the class. it is possible that you could do more damage to your bike. it's also entirely possible that you will have to unlearn things you're teaching yourself now. it'd be better to start as a somewhat clean slate... learn what they teach you... drop their bikes and then get on yours. that's my advice.


btw, i too had my bike before i was able to take the course. i road it in my back yard and dropped it a few times too. then i decided to put it up and wait the week or two i had before the class. took the class, came home and didn't drop the bike in the backyard anymore. so my advice comes from a bit of experience in the same sorta situation.

good luck and stay safe. and good job being smart on getting sliders and not taking the bike to someplace you don't feel ready for.

 

[MG-242]

Yep, :welcome: to the forum!!! Small world, my name is Mike also, I live in Ohio, and I ride an FZ6 also . And, I'm doing a BRC the weekend after next also. I'll be the rider coach (or instructor). PM me if you have any questions my friend and good luck!

As far as sliders, I haven't heard too much bad about any one manufacturer. Lockhart-Phillips has their own brand which a lot of shops carry and they seem to work well and are very cost competitive. I have tested them at about 60mph, gentle low side, and they worked well. Most sliders will do a fairly good job of protecting the frame, you're still prone to cosmetic and damage to the plastic parts (fairing and tail or side covers).

 

[mike051987]

Thank you everyone for your replies, they have all been very helpful. :rockon:

MG-242, if you don't mind me asking, where in Ohio are you from? I am from Steubenville, which is pretty much right on the OH/WV Northern Panhandle border.

 

[ADVdrming]

I will also be taking the MSF Basic Rider Course the weekend after next.

Congrats on the new bike, and on choosing to take the BRC, it is a good place to start with, and hopefully it will inspire you to always think safety first.

Sliders are a very good first mod on your bike, and there's a wide choice out there. I personally have the Shoguns, and luckily have not had to test them.

Good luck, and welcome to the board! :welcome:

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Yep, :welcome: to the forum!!! Small world, my name is Mike also, I live in Ohio, and I ride an FZ6 also . And, I'm doing a BRC the weekend after next also. I'll be the rider coach (or instructor). PM me if you have any questions my friend and good luck!
.

LOL... A global international forum and then this.

Advice, be patient and wait until the class. You don't want to start developing bad habits on the basic fundamentals.

 

[discgolfdude]

yeah you should listen to vegas, he is a MSF instructor. I dropped my bike twice before taking the course, unlike you, I got some scratches on my faring on both sides:spank:.....wait till you take your class!!!!

 

[FrankieOC82]

Welcome!

I agree with all these guys. Let me tell you what happened to me:

I bought my first bike 7 years ago and got my permit, learning slowly. Signed up for the MSF class and continued to try to ride and practice when I could. Well, even though I wasn't ever riding like a squid, inexperience can often lead to the same outcome as stupidity. I freaked out at roadkill in my path, went down and lo and behold I then spent the weekend I was supposed to be at MSF class in the hospital instead. How's that for irony!

So to make a long story longer...... I agree with them, but not only because something could happen to your bike, but something could happen to YOU. Wait for the course. It was a GREAT class when I signed up for it (again...).

Good luck and Welcome again!!

 

[Kazza]

:welcome: to the forum

+1 on a MSF course, ATGATT and respect for the bike

FZ6 is definitely not a learners bike, so don't try to outride her - you will end up losing. She will win every time

Good luck and riding with an instructor is the BEST thing you can do.

Oh yeah, SLIDERS are a must. Mine are Yamaha ones - GYTR - I dropped my bike while I was at a stop sign (I've been riding for 18 months now) and there was NO DAMAGE. They are a must.

 

[ozzieboy]

:welcomeepending on how far you want to go. Frame sliders, axle sliders. A Bagster tank bra will help not to scratch or dent it with parts of your body on the way down. After all. You could drop it on the course. (I used their bikes....they were much better for the slow speed stuff than an FZ6 will be. I don't know if you guys have a choice).

As others say. Relax. Take it slow. Listen and pay attention. These folk teaching the courses usually have a wealth of experience to draw on, so if you're having trouble with something.....ask them. And you don't need to prove anything, to anyone but yourself, and your instructors. You need to prove to yourself that you can do it, and you need to prove to your instructors, that you have paid attention and that you can do it. And who knows....you might actually enjoy it.......I did.:thumbup: