New to motorbikes

IronKobra767 wrote: So update from my side. After reading this thread and doing loads of research and considering my own budget and current riding purposes etc, I'm taking the plunge and getting myself a Ninja 300. 2015 30th anniversary edition. Found a pre-owned one at a really good price. Only 4k on the clock.

I know, I know, everyone is telling me not to waste my time with such a small engine, but it suits my current need. For the first year, I'm going to be using it primarily for commuting, and doing the intermediate / advanced riding courses. I've taken it for a spin and yes, although I can see I'll want more power within the first 6 months, I'm also happy to have some patience and trade in after a year or so when I have a decent number of hours behind me. Then I'll be looking at upgrading to the 600 class. (R6, ninja 650 Daytona 675 or Honda CBR660RR)

I know it's a small engine, but fuck I'm excited. I think it's beautiful, and from my test ride, Hella Fun!

Iron K.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Enjoy it.
Take it to the track and thrash the 1000s. I've seen it done. lol.
Riding on the track also teaches you a lot about your bike and its potential.

Also... Daytona 675... I have one. They are awesome!

Yeah man, I'm really excited to get on the track! Don't know much about the scene in Cape Town, where to go or how one gets involved but I'm keen to learn!

Also, how does one get involved in riding groups? I've looked around online and am having no luck. I don't suppose there's like a Ninja 300 Club or something in the Cape? Haha. I really want to become part of the biking community but not sure how to go about it.

Read some good reviews of the Daytona!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

i gathered you are northern suburbs from some of your posts?
you can try the dessert wolves, i think they are more in the northern suburbs. then there are the freedom riders out in kensington.

those are 2 clubs i know of and have been to some of their events.
other than that go to harley in green point and speak to tyrone. he will point you in the right direction and definitely give you plenty of tips... he is also associated with the freedom riders.

Thanks bud. No, I'm more central, live and work close to the CBD. But will chat to tyrone. Met him before when I was still considering the Iron 883.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

IronKobra767 wrote: Thanks bud. No, I'm more central, live and work close to the CBD. But will chat to tyrone. Met him before when I was still considering the Iron 883.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Damn, we practically neighbours hahaha

apologies, just realised it was someone else who mentioned mustangs in your thread... mustangs led me to the northern suburbs assumption.

congrats on the bike and good luck getting into a club. i am sure Ty will hook you up.
will probably invite you to ride out with them

Nice one IK, ain't nothing wrong with starting small. I rode a 150cc when I was 70kg and it moved me just fine. I'm sure you'll enjoy the Ninja. Be safe mate.

So, I rode a friend's Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro a few weeks ago. It was a sort ride, but jeez it's a beast of a machine. Since then I've been watching videos on YouTube about the new Multistrada 950 and I'm looking for an excuse to visit Ducati once they arrive in the showroom.

The 1200 Enduro is a little pricey and the Multistrada 950 or Africa Twin is more to my liking.

Any opinions?

For power and torque and an exhaust note that makes you smile every time you start it the duke 950 exciting every ride short or long and for the lure factor to bikes is the grin factor. But if you are looking for bullet proof reliability and if price is a big factor then the Honda African Twin is the one to go for.

Do you get v-twin engines smaller than 1000cc? I love the sound og the tl1000 don't know if you still get them in the 600 or 650cc?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Yes you still get a few. The Hyosung GT 650 and the like are old sv650 motors with a tweak or tune there in Kawasaki suspension and running gear. Just do homework but I am honestly not sure if Suzuki still makes the SV. Hyosung also has n nippy 650 vtwin streetfigter I would buy one when I lived and worked in Lephale the old Ellisras in 2011-13 a friend had one and we thrashed it very fun and reliable. His kid brother had the 250 version used that to learn and practice my wheelies and stoppies...

Suzuki now has a DL650 Vstrom adventure bike that is also a SV650 motor with mods looking at getting my fiance one once I can sell my old 1988 XT350 that I restored ground up to teach her. She wants her own bike now but I am delaying as I believe my BMW R1200GS is plenty for us to go riding together guess she is bored with being pillion knowing she can ride

Rooi Bul 86 wrote: Yes you still get a few. The Hyosung GT 650 and the like are old sv650 motors with a tweak or tune there in Kawasaki suspension and running gear. Just do homework but I am honestly not sure if Suzuki still makes the SV. Hyosung also has n nippy 650 vtwin streetfigter I would buy one when I lived and worked in Lephale the old Ellisras in 2011-13 a friend had one and we thrashed it very fun and reliable. His kid brother had the 250 version used that to learn and practice my wheelies and stoppies...

Suzuki now has a DL650 Vstrom adventure bike that is also a SV650 motor with mods looking at getting my fiance one once I can sell my old 1988 XT350 that I restored ground up to teach her. She wants her own bike now but I am delaying as I believe my BMW R1200GS is plenty for us to go riding together guess she is bored with being pillion knowing she can ride

Ducati Monster also a good first buy I would say?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

You talking New Monster 821? If so now man that's no entry level 1st time bike. Going to be intimidating very quickly for a new.

Rooi Bul 86 wrote: You talking New Monster 821? If so now man that's no entry level 1st time bike. Going to be intimidating very quickly for a new.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Test Ride it before you buy. Its a good fun bike for an skilled or experienced rider but for a first bike I would issue a word of caution. This is a torque demon its front wheel is sky happy and the front end becomes light and vague very quickly under acceleration and this thing accelerates like a thoroughbred race horse on steroids...

If you do take it obviously go for a nice long test ride and please go for a rider training day or advanced rider training... Put it down or drop it and it becomes expensive very quickly parts on these Italian exotic bikes are like parts for super bikes. Brembo brakes and ohlins suspension parts are all top notch but also cost a pretty penny

Anybody have a tip or three how to pass your learners licence for the fifth time I was only able to pass it the second time.

Go through a driving school or get the CD test and do it over and over until you ace it. It also has a function that allows you to go back and view your incorrect answers but with the correct one highlighted

Any good driving schools somebody can recommend? First prize is online learning.

Pyroclasm wrote: Any good driving schools somebody can recommend? First prize is online learning.

I used
trafficsigns.co.za

You can take the tests over and over and it tells you what you messed up. It seems to build random tests from a pool of questions... Similar to the book a,b and c approach they have (or had if it has changed).
Just keep taking the online tests until you are getting 100% or as close as you can get.
You will fly through the learners at the traffic department.

Then go get your full license. It's dead easy. It only requires you to do a pre trip inspection of your bike (the officer will probably wander away when you start and he can see you know whats up... when I did it I only got half way and he said it's fine you know what you are doing), then you have to do hill pull away and some yard moves. It's simple stuff...

Thanx dude that website is good. You know I've been driving for a decade in many countries over the world and still it seems I don't know the general rules of the road. :lol:

Beautiful bikes, I'm sure you'll have a blast!! Enjoy!!

Ended up with a hottie that looks like this:

Perhaps slightly darker, with full Öhlins suspension and twin brothers racing pipe.

Congrats Pyro.

Take it to a clued up shop and have the Ohlins set up for you. That us the beauty of aftermarket suspension you personalise your ride to you for your weight...

Adjusting suspension on cycle I guess is gonna be annoying if you start at 85, peak at 105 and stabilise at 95. What do you tell the dudes at the shop? Too much creatine?

Find your middle ground then. What year is your beauty? 07? Or is that 03-04?

That one is 07 but mine is 03/04.

The bike doesn't have ABS. Any strong opinions on that?