My first bike was a ltd edition Monster 620. Looked fantastic, but i soon got bored by the power output. Just saying
I agree, I passed last year and being a little bit older and wiser I thought a 600SS would be a sensible choice, it's been a lovely bike, handles well and looks sensational, but very slow and after 10 months I am definitely feeling the need for some more speed, in hindsight I should have bought the 750, just that little more BHP makes all the difference. Anyway I have already decided to look for something else, might keep the 600 for a bit as despite the lack of performance it is a very nice bike for short ride outs.
Just read through the posts. Few months on, I am still loving the bike. I am not as smooth and clean as I should be but that will come. I do get a scare fairly regular, but I know the bike will get me round, I just need to hang on. The bike is still standard and that's enough for me.
In that case you are doing something wrong, Russian Roulette only has one outcome. Road riding is not about bike handling, it is about interacting with other road users. Buy a copy of Roadcraft, read it and implement it.
Sounds like you would benefit from some advanced riding tuition, even a one day course, with someone like Rapid Training. They will help with overall bike control and they teach observation, roadcraft and road positioning which is the foundation all riding is built on whether road or track. In one respect riding a bike is like laying bricks : get the technique right and the speed will come. Trying to do it the other way round will always end in a mess.
I got a business card from a fella in work who do the advanced road course. I think I should take them up on the offer. When I say scare, I don't mean a dangerous scare. It's more, I should and could have done better. I ride a lot of tight country type roads and you know when your in the middle of the corner, its knowing you have to keep committed, otherwise if I try and pull out, its messy. You are right though, I would benefit from some observation and help.
If you have "heart in the mouth" moments, you are riding too fast, slow it all down a bit, especially on country roads, they are the most dangerous, with blind bends and entrances, mud on the road, slow farm vehicles etc. If you fuck it all up its not like being in a car, you often don't get a second chance to put it right.
Honestly, Im not flying, I have a very healthy respect for speed and the risks. I believe racing around is for the track.
Nothing wrong with scaring yourself. Whats the point in doing it otherwise?! But Bikesafe is highly recomended by most, and the better the skills, the more you can choose when to scare yourself
I'm just trying to say its not near death scares. The horses in the paddock scare me. I will go with the advanced rider. I found his business card and will give him a call. Thanks
