Your Rider Resume

Wavex · Jun 9, 2008

There is a lot of advise given away on this forum, and I sometimes wonder if someone's advice is valid or not.

If I am not sure about what I am talking about, I will either shut up, or write my post in such a way that it is clear for everone that I am not sure of my advice/answer, and it is just my opinion, or my guess.

I am sure all of you noticed how certain ppl will just give out advice about anything without really knowing what they`re talking about... and they`ll do so without clarifying that they are not 100% sure...

Anyway, in an effort to help everybody determine if someone's advice is trustworthy or not, I thought it would be good to gather everyone's rider resume.

So here I go:

- I have a French and American motorcycle license. Even though the American one is useless, the French one means that I had to go through 20 hours of riding class, followed by I don`t remember how many hours of actual riding (with instructor) on the streets and in parking lots, practicing panic stops, riding in the rain, controlling the bike at low speeds etc...

- I am in no way a great rider in terms of my technique... I am improving though with as many trackdays as I can fit in the schedule, and everytime I go out in the twisties. I did read a bunch of books though, and I believe I know the key things one should know in order to become a good rider.

- I owned 6 bikes in my life: a Honda CB500 for 2 years, followed by a Honda Hornet 599 for 1 year, and FZ6s over 2 years, and my current rides are a Buell 2009 XB12Scg for the streets and a 2005 GSX-R600 for the track.

- The total number of miles I have under my belt is about 50k miles.

- I have no proper mechanic training, and everything I know about motorcycles I learnt by experimenting myself, or from other more experienced riders, or by reading books, magazines, and forums

- I have done 4 track days so far and I am hooked for life!!! If you've ever considered doing a track day, do it! You will not regret it.

- I think I can be a good help to anyone interested in going naked with his FZ6, since I`ve done 2 & 1/2 naked conversions already... so I can basically do it with my eyes closed

DefyInertia · Jun 9, 2008

Nice thread Wavex! Great idea.

I rode my first street bike in 2001. I struggled through a couple years on an ‘87 Shadow 1100, messed around with some random bikes for a short time, including a ’83 V65 Magna 1100 and a Hondamatic 750, before buying my FZ6 in September 2005. I've also owned a KTM 125 SX, a DR650, a KTM 640 Adventure R, a KTM 950 Super Enduro R, Aprilia Tuono 100R, and Yamaha WR250R/X in addition to the FZ6.

I do a lot of sport touring / moto-camping and a fair amount of adventure touring on the dual sports (some of my ride reports can be found on this forum). I usually commute on average one day a week on the bike (I live in the city). I do the occassional sportbike trackday (was doing a lot for a while there but now just do about 1 a year). and the occassional supermotard track day. Go to the OHV park to ride dirt every now and then. I tend to ride pretty fast and pass a lot but I'm no expert at anything.

I do all my own work on my bikes. I generally only do performance mods (suspension, brakes, etc.).

Lastly, I crashed pretty badly when I was a complete n00b. I do a ton of moto reading and am just generally always looking to learn from others.

wrightme43 · Jun 9, 2008

I started riding in 2006 on a ninja 250. I have read alot of books. I have about 28,000 miles riding experince. NO NONE formal training. I used to work as a diesel mechanic, and have no formal motorcycle mech training. I just like to learn and read alot.

Hellgate · Jun 9, 2008

Okay, here we go...

I've been a licensed since about 1981.

No MSF class but I have attend several roadracing schools.

Owned a Yamaha TX500, Yamaha Vision, Yamaha RD400F, Yamaha RZ350, Suzuki GS1100E, Yamaha FZ6, Buell 1125R, and a Yamaha FZ1

I've ridden about 80,000 miles

I was an expert class road racer with the MRA (Mountain Road Racing Association) and whatever club is in Phoenix. I've placed as high as 5th in an expert race and finished 9th over all in 450 Superbike for the season. I have also raced the Streets of Steamboat. That was the last street race in the US. We raced through the condo area below the chairlifts on the mountain, very fun!

Not formally trained as a mechanic but as a poor racer I did all of my own work. I can top end two-stoke motors, tune carbs, read plugs and do any other non-motor or transmission work. I will admit I don't like electrical work. I can also repair ABS body work a do a so-so job of painting. My father is the real painter and he and I have painted three of my bikes.

I've toured most of the Western United States and was dumb enough to ride across Death Valley in mid-July twice!

I've crashed at least 10 times, maybe more, and broken a few body parts along the way. Wear your gear.

I've never been hit by a car, come close, and I've never hit a car. I have run over a black lab, and a rabbit.

Currently I commute about 3 to 4 times a week on the FZ and I'm estimating I'll ride about 5,000 to 7,500 miles a year. EDIT: 6100 in '08, 2,800 for '09.

I'd like to do track days again and I simply need to carve out the time to do it. EDIT: Two track days in '08, two track days on '09, including Big Willow.

Spudpunx · Jun 9, 2008

I bought my first bike about 3 weeks ago...
is that good enough for you???:thumbup:

Nelly · Jun 9, 2008

Nice one David,

I have ridden bikes for 16 years and have a full UK license I have also had some advanced training with the UK Police. The longest period without riding is three years. The longest period that I rode major miles was 1 year as a motorcycle courier in London. I used to ride between 3000+ miles a week. Now I do about 80 - 120 miles a week as I have a short commute to work.
I have had 6 major offs (all my own fault and speed related) and tested loads of gear.
I have broken 6 long bones, scapula, perforated an ear drum and suffered bells palsy as a result of my brushes with tarmac.
I have also never attended a track day but plan on doing one for my birthday.
I have maintained all of my previous bikes with the aid of a Haynes manual.
Most of my mechanical knowledge was passed on to me by my father (mechanic) reading and this forum and I am useless at electrics.
I am not a quick rider in terms of talent but enjoy pushing myself.

I have had a few bikes:

50 cc trials bikes
100cc YB100 and XS100
RD 200 stage 3 tune & polished.
CBR 400 (baby blade)
ER 500
FZ6

If I dont know the answer I don't bullsh1t, if I am wrong I am more than happy to be corrected. If I have offended you likewise let me know.

Nelly

lonesoldier84 · Jun 9, 2008

Listen to me at your own risk.

Did one day of track school, and a couple lengthy trips through the western half of North America. On average 7 months out of year I use bike to commute and joy ride a fair bit round town and the province near town. Summer 2011 will finally be the year I put my dedicated track bike to use on regular track day sessions.

(11,000km as of April 23, 2009)

(30,000km as of November 23, 2009)

(lost count as of December 2010, due to a bad odometer)

VEGASRIDER · Jun 9, 2008

I got my motorcycle endorsement when I was 18. I'm now 40 something.

I'm a Certified Motorcycle Safety Instructor for the State of Nevada.

I've have taken the MSF BasicRider Course, and RiderCoach Preparation Course which allows me to be an instructor.

My FZ6 has and continues to be my only ride.

It's my 4th bike, but technically my first streetbike. I've come from dirt.

Most miles ridden in one day: 938 miles

Have participated in group rides.

I have never been down but I always know that the possiblity to go down can be anyday. That is why I wear ...........................
All The Gear All The Time

I have read several books about motorcycling and have kept up with this forum by reading other posts on what and not to do. Just my everyday riding has pretty much helped me to determine what street stategies works best to stay safe, such as lane and lane positions.

Rain or shine, my bike is my only ride so it helps me maintain my skill level. I now live in Idaho where the winter is not very forgiving. Zero degree lows and snow and ice covered roads. I still have managed to ride every day thanks to getting my bike equipped with studded tires.

jsteinb95 · Jun 9, 2008

well....um....newbie with a permit

. I never reply to technical threads because I don't talk out my a$$. I'm just here to keep the forum alive and the members entertained!

Nothin wrong with that, right?

rsw81 · Jun 9, 2008

The FZ is my first bike and I've owned it for about two years and logged about 12k miles on it. I did the MSF course before getting the bike and have not taken a course or track day since.
I do have a lot of experience working on car motors, which translates over to motorcycles pretty easily. I also have done a ton of electrical work, though mostly in Alternating Current (AC), not Direct Current (DC).
While I work in the medical field currently, I was a physics teacher before going to medical school. Thus my advice tends to revolve around the physics of motorcycles more so than the actual technique (which actually really weirds people out when they find out that a motorcycle actually steers from the back tire not the front at speed - PM me if you don't know this and I'll explain).

In summary, please only give advice when you are qualified to give advice. No body here needs to be given poor advice just because another member feels the need to run his mouth about something he/she doesn't know anything about. If you are passing information that you heard from someone else, make sure you state that. If you are speculating, state it for G-d's sake. If you are a former Moto-GP racer, please chime in.

Silver05 · Jun 9, 2008

I think its great that people chime in with their opinion, but agree that its nice to know how much that opinion is worth.

For what its worth, I've been licensed since 1992, give or take a year. I've owned 3 dirt bikes, and my FZ6 is my 6th street bike. And since I've enjoyed reading what others have ridden in their lives, I'll post my list for a stroll down memory lane...

78 DT175
86 Radian (great first bike!)
85 FJ1100
83 GS1100E (hold on!)
05 Super Glide Custom
86 Fazer (the old 700 fazer)
07 TTR50 (kid's bike)
06 TTR250
05 FZ6

<50 miles on the FZ6 so far (just picked it up today) and wow - what a neat bike. Still getting used to the feel of it, obviously, but I'm looking forward to logging some miles on it this summer. I don't commute, so its strictly recreational for me.

Cheers

craig007 · Jun 9, 2008

I started riding last year. I took the MSF beginners course. This was the first time I drove a motorcycle (I did ride on the back of my uncle's HD in the early 70's). I bought my FZ6 a week after the MSF course. I have about 10,500 miles so far. I use it to commute to work and ride on the weekend. I learned soooo much from this forum and asked a lot of stupid questions last year. I don't tend to answer technique questions (because I'm still learning) and I don't know much about maintenance (rather ride than fix).

There are no "right" answers to a lot of the discussions: what are the best tires? best jacket? etc. Therefore, if I feel I can add something then I do.

FZ1inNH · Jun 9, 2008

I started riding when I was 11 years old. I am now 43, however, there was a 14 year gap in there to raise three kids. I sold my last ride when the oldest was six and had no toys for the next 14 years. The kids came first. Now that they are responsible for themselves, we are back into toys again!

At 11, my parents bought me a Honda CT70 trail bike. It was a little 70cc 3-speed automatic (no clutch). Shift and twist! After bombing trails for a few years with this, Honda introduced the ATC90 and I got to try a friends. After some pleading and pitching in my money saved from odd jobs, I got one of the first ATC110 3-wheelers. FUN! That lasted a couple more years and I got a Yamaha DT175 bike. I tore down this dual-purpose and make it a strictly dirt machine. I took apart the engine, had it bored and stroked, send the head out for porting and polishing, and changed out the sprockets for more low end dirt riding/hill climbing. During this time, I aquired a Honda XL 185 which I used for some off road but mostly onroad. I drove this for two seasons on the street without a license or permit. (This was central Maine... You know.... "Hey! Nice TOOTH!" ) :rof:

My first true street bike was a 1977 Suzuki 450. That one had some issues and didn't last long. I then got a 1981 Honda CB750F Supersport. This bike was the ride of it's day. I bought it used almost two years old. I had it for about 4 months and totaled it when I was stunting. Doing a wheelie at about 55 mph and lost it over backwards. Geared up, I hit the road and slid watching the bike do several endo's, front, tail, front, tail, etc.... There was no saving it, crumpled mess! Paid cash, no insurance, total loss out of pocket. Lesson learned!

After getting out of the Army, I bought a used Honda ATC 350X three wheeler. This was only put out for 20 months by Honda and then pulled because it was too fast and dangerous. I kept mine until my oldest turned 6 and sold it. It wasn't until May 2006 that I picked up the '05 FZ6 holdover.

I never had formal training for working on these but learned on my own with Chilton or Haynes manuals along the way. I still work on most of my stuff by myself and prefer it that way. Especially with the bikes because I have a trust issue with someone else working on my ride and me feeling 100% safe afterward. I've also performed a lot of work on bikes for others. The rest of the kids in the neighborhood always came to me to help them fix and repair their machines.

As for street miles, I am guessing at about 40k miles. Off-road on bikes and 3-wheelers, probably 60k because I was ALWAYS on something with less than 4 wheels for 12 years out of my life.

I've done the MSF twice and think everyone should take it every few years as a refresher. It reminds you of bad habits you need to break! I also scored a perfect 100% both times!

I've crashed many times with all but one(See "stunting" above) in dirt. I've always worn gear and even after all these crashes, I've never broken anything. Most crashes were from pushing the ride to the extreme. I was one to always try something new. I'm glad that it's out of my system now that I am on the FZ6!

I commute every possible day with the FZ6. Even if rain is called for, so long as it isn't raining for the ride in, I take the bike and a rain suit. We're not doing a lot of joy riding these days for two reasons, too many items on the Honey-Do list and the price of gasoline. I'm looking at about 6k per season on the bike at this rate.

I have never done a track day but fully intend to next year. I need to pick up some good gear for the track first. I'd really like to buy another bike to run on the track. Maybe I'll get lucky and score an older FZ6 to convert to track-only! Pull all the plastics, lights, etc... Truly naked! :rockon:

I try to always post based on facts but have been wrong and admit when I am. I'm always welcome to constructive criticism. If I do not know, I either do not comment or try and point you in the right direction for an answer, be it another forum member or a web link. I really like to be helpful. If I offend someone, I would hope they let me know. I'd feel really bad about it as it's not my style.

Regarding advice, there are a lot of gray areas when we meet to discuss things online as we've seen with the oil, gas, tire, etc... threads. Most people who tell me they're an expert at something, well? I tend to find it unbelievable. I know a little about a lot of subjects but I cannot ever say I'm an expert at anything. As the wife says, I'm a "Jack of all trades, Master of none." I can do it all until it comes to plumbing but I think I might be able to do that now that PEX is out there!

I do value to the advice of a great deal of members here but everyone needs to quantify that advice with some responsible research of their own. You owe it to yourself to make sure the words of wisdom are sound!!

Last, great thread David! :thumbup:

Botch · Jun 9, 2008

I'm going on 49, and my FZ is my first and only bike, bought it last July. I've learned so much from these forums on riding. I guess my semi-worthwhile contributions would come from extensive mechanical experience and two engineering degrees (my third degree is in explosives, haven't found a good correlation on that one yet).

And I have no idea why we have an octopus. :squid:

OH! heh heh, it's a "squid"!

FZ1inNH · Jun 9, 2008

Botch said:
(my third degree is in explosives, haven't found a good correlation on that one yet).

Apply at Mythbusters! THAT is the job of the decade!

Explosives......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............is there ANYTHING they can't do! :drool:

tom5796 · Jun 9, 2008

Wicked pissa post, David! Hopefully a lot of people fess up. I'm one year to about the day. :cheer::rockon: MSF and then 7000 miles. Note you never/rarely see me posting on riding skill-related stuff - I'm much more inclined to see what defy and FZ6inNH say... plus a lot of reading and practicing. However, regarding the tinker-factor I tend to dive right in.

BranNwebster · Jun 9, 2008

BranNwebster
Houston Texas USA

Objective:

To have a lifelong love affair with motorcycling and become proficient to thoroughly enjoy all aspects in a safe manner.

Experience:

April 30 2008 to Present – I have owned and operated a 2007 Yamaha FZ6, I have gain some fundamental skills in the area of motorcycling. After a little riding in my neighborhood I have graduated to commuter status and currently enjoy the luxury of a 38 mile round trip to and from work. I also am currently working on throttle control through turns and slowly moving towards acceleration post apex. I have put 1000 miles on this motorcycle so far.

Education:

May 30 2008 to June 1 2008 – Basic Riders Course, Awesome Cycles, Houston Texas.

Achievements:

June 3 2008 – Passed exam to earn my motorcycle endorsement, Houston Texas.

Hobbies:

To ride my motorcycle
Post on FZ6 Forum

CHEMIKER · Jun 9, 2008

I got my first bike in '94. It was an old Kawasaki 250 enduro that had been taken apart by someone intending to make it into a dirtbike and was laying in pieces in a friend's backyard in the dirt. I paid him $20 for it, got it running, and rode it home. If I remember correctly, I only bought a spark plug and a tank of gas (and 2-stroke oil) to get it running, so it couldn't have been that bad. Most of the work to get it running was cleaning the varnish out of the carburetor and putting the electrical components back on. I had that for maybe 6 months before it was stolen from right out in front of my house.

In '96 I got a Seca 750. The bike could have run better but since I didn't know how to work with multiple carbs I didn't touch the engine. I owned that bike for almost a year. It was impounded for improper registration (really improper, I'm lucky that I didn't get impounded with it). Needless to say I didn't try to get it back.

I got my FZ6 in early March this year and since I spent so much time away I consider myself a new rider. I never had a license or insurance for my first two bikes. I did have a permit for a time but let that lapse. This time around I took the MSF course, got my license, am fully insured, the whole bit.

I gotta admit I'm guilty of giving advice for what I think is right when more experienced riders know the real deal. Case in point, Chemiker used to sell tires and is used to telling people to get a new one when experienced folks know punctures don't always lead to catastrophe. I love this forum and am learning tons and in the interest of keeping its integrity promise to distinguish between opinion and fact. :thumbup:

Edit (because this is a resume and not a life history):
- I have taken an MSF course but nothing advanced yet
- I have about 5k miles on other bikes and currently 2.8k on the FZ6
- No accidents (knock on wood). I have only dropped a bike at very low speed (0mph) and even then only once
- I commute every day 40 miles total, combination highway and city streets
- I have never been to a track day so you won't hear me go on about how to get a knee down

- I am horribly inadequate in the twisties. I want to make this my main focus this summer

boogiecram · Jun 9, 2008

Well I've been riding street for about 9 years now. I started by getting my endorsement in WA and then moved to Phoenix. My first bike was a 1983 Honda Nighthawk cb550. It was a great beginner bike that I got for $500 from a friend. It was reliable and a great gas saver. I passed that bike onto another beginner rider for $500 also, hopefully it went to good use.

My second bike was a 1991 Kawasaki Ninja 550, I got it from a friend as he was moving because it didn't run and had been sitting in his back yard for about 3 years. I got that running and rode it for about 3 months in which I found that I hate true sportbikes, mainly because I am 6'2" and 320lbs, my hands and feet went numb in about an hour on that thing. I sold it to a guy that I thought was going to steal it from me, he seemed quite shady.

After that I went for about 3 months without a bike and then broke down and got a brand new suzuki vstrom 650. I loved that bike, it was tall and comfy. But alas, when you leave your key in the ignition in phoenix, your bike tends to disappear. Lesson learned.

My current bike is a 2004 fz6. I love this bike too. It is comfy, but it also moves when you twist the throttle. I've done a few mods to the bike, but nothing really major. This is the first bike that I also laid down, where your gear it helps!

I am not really a mechanic, so you probably won't see me posting anything about fixing a bike. I love to tinker though, so I love doing mods. I made my own fender eliminator that cost around $5 and mounted my own top case that cost around $50. I give advice where I think I am knowledgeable and I like to research before posting.

Fred · Jun 9, 2008

I've been riding for about nine years now.

I've owned in order, an 85 Suzuki GS700E, a 92 BMW K-75, a 90 BMW K-75RT (this became the turbo bike), an Kawasaki EX500 and an 83 BMW R100RS.

I've taken the K-75 and turbocharged it. Now I've torn it apart and am redoing it to make it even better.

I've rebuilt the R100 engine and one of my two K-75 engines. I taught myself to wrench on bikes with a couple of books and a lot of advice from mailing lists and forums. I also have a certificate in motorcycle repair from Austin Community College. The course was taught by a guy who has more drag racing trophies than I have wrenches, so it was quite informative.

I've wrecked twice, once my fault, once the fault of a brain dead cager (BDC).

If I'm not 100% certain of what I'm posting, I will use phrases like,"I suspect that," "It's possible," or "Maybe." If I am certain, I'll state facts with no beating around the bush.

I am vehemently opposed to halfassing repairs or modifications to a vehicle that can go 150mph. I think that if you don't know what you are doing, you shouldn't work on your motorcycle until you do. Get a secondhand lawnmower engine and practice on that. I mean that. It's a great way to learn.

I hate crimp connectors on wires and think you should learn to solder and use heat shrink. It's easy to do, there's no excuse for anything less.

Pliers are not a tool to be used for unscrewing a nut or bolt. A #2 Phillips screwdriver should not be used on #1 or #3 screws. Inch sockets should never be used on metric fasteners. Measure twice, cut it too large and then grind it down until it fits.

I'm an average rider. Don't look to me for advice on how to go around a corner. My FZ6 has fairly large chicken strips on the tires. If my front wheel leaves the ground, I have to stop and change my underwear.

I believe that you should wear all the gear, all the time. I also believe in evolution, so I am against laws forcing you to wear safety gear.

I'm kind of a douchebag and fairly arrogant. I can't help it, it's a side effect of being this awesome.

Frederic

Your Rider Resume

Lazy Mod :D

Former '04 FZ6 Rider

wrightme43

Moto Demi-God

Junior Member

International Liaison

SuperFlanker Moderator

100K Mile Member

jsteinb95

Keep it Kosher

Junior Member

Senior Member

********* w/ Twisted Fate

I.Y.A.A.Y.A.S!!

********* w/ Twisted Fate

Fizshizzle

The UNO Master

Running Moderator

Junior Member

M em b er e d

Similar threads