Your Rider Resume

[Nedlob]

I started riding in 2005. Went through the MSF and purchased a Honda shadow 750 as a first bike and rode to work daily. kept it til next riding season and decide on a honda 599. Rode the 599 about 45 day and sold it and went with the Honda ST1300 which I still have but due to the size of the bike I don't like it as a commuter. So I've just closed a deal on a 2006 FZ6 and I pick it up tommarow morning. I'm hoping that it has enough power and doesn't feel like riding on a push lawnmower motor. Wish me Luck... Any comments on the Power of the FZ1? Is it enough for you experienced riders out there?

[DaFiz]

30 years licensed rider - 10 bikes from 1978 Honda XL250 Motorsport...
Yam IT175, KawaKDX200, Honda XL500R, Honda XL500L, Honda CB400Twin(Hawk), Yamaha FZX750, Yamaha XS11Special, Honda VF1000R and my current Fazer600. A number of years of offroad riding and recently half a dozen Advanced Rider's Courses (Killarney Racetrack - what a pleasure on a Fz6)
Still... I'm no mechanic and have to pay for the services of a qualified mackie for something as simple as sparkplugs...

[agmom98]

I'm a "young" 60 years old, started riding when I was 54. Took the MSF class back then, was awarded the "Most Improved." (let's just say that my first day out on the range on a Buell Blast was ugly). It took me a month to find a bike I felt I could ride without scaring myself to death (an itty bitty Yamaha). 600 miles later I moved up to a larger displacement Yamaha. 3,600 miles and 8 months later, I moved up to a still larger displacement Yamaha. So I'd been riding for only 8 months and had already bought 3 motorcycles! Do ya think the dealer loved seeing me??

I took my first trip (to Colorado Rockies that summer, after riding for only 10 months) and got hooked on long distance riding. The following summer, my third year of riding, I rode to NH from TX to see the races in Loudon during Laconia Bike Week.

On that trip to NH I realized that the "cruiser" riding position just wasn't me, and sold my Yammie and bought a BMW sport-touring bike. Ahhhh!!! Much better riding position, and I discovered I had the mental and physical stamina (from running marathons) to do really, really long days in the saddle. My total miles to-date is right at 150,000 miles in 6 years. None of that is commuting miles, it's all from taking long cross-country trips. I also participate in Iron Butt Association endurance rides, and have accumulated a few IBA certificates in the last couple of years.

I bought my FZ6 about 18 months ago, to have a small, lightweight, fun bike as an alternate "ride" and for short trips. She's proven to be a more than capable traveler.

As far as technical abilities go, I can be dangerous with a tool in my hand, so I try to stay with the simple stuff, like adding accessories to the BMW and FZ6. A friend does all my BMW maintenance so I usually hang over his shoulder and help or get in the way. Modifications to my FZ are more for long distance comfort than for performance. These include: Powerlet (for heated gear); GPS mount; tall windshield; Yamaha comfort gel seat; Givi V35 side cases and Givi V46 top case.

[oldfast007]

WOW, you obviously take on something with much vigor! You must let us( those of us in NH) know if you decide to come up our way again, we would be glad to show you around a bit, enjoy and keep racking up the miles!!

[fz6joker]

I got a Ninja 250 for x-mas 08 and six months later I went in and picked up my 08 FZ6. I have about 3000 miles under my belt and I pretty much rely on youtube videos for simple technical questions (i.e. videos demonstrating how to change your oil ect.) Ill help if I know what I'm talking about and shut the heck up if I don't.

[dark_isz]

My first experience on a motorcycle was my dad riding me around the front yard on the tank of his Kawasaki Street/Trail bike. I was <2 years old, so I don't remember it. He sold the bike to help defray the costs of 2 kids.

When I turned 16, I got a Kawasaki KDX80 dirt bike to ride around our lake house. Tons of fun, and I learned a bit about bikes, but it was fleeting and the bike soon got sold.

20 years later (Summer 2006) I really wanted to get back on a bike. I bought a couple of good books (Proficient & More Proficient Motorcycling), I started scouring the want ads for my first street bike. I ended up with an '83 Honda Nighthawk 650SC. Great bike, reliable I4, Shaft drive, hydraulic valve lifters. Basically, just gas and go and change the oil every 3k. I took the MSF on it, and put about 7k on it between July '06 and August '07.

I got my FZ-6 in August '07. It has 11k on it now, and it's still running flawlessly. I've taken it to the North Georgia mountains and up to Deal's Gap. I plan on heading up to WV later this summer, too.

I've had 2 get-offs, and they happened within a month of each other.

First wreck was me coming in hot on a decreasing radius uphill turn. I lost confidence, stopped looking through the turn, and tried to stand the bike up and stop. I ran off the road and the bike fell over. No damage to me, Scratched fairing & bent stay on the bike.

Second wreck I was back on the 'hawk. Cruising 60-65 in a 55 zone. Stoplight ahead changed to red, I grabbed the front brake, but the bike doesn't slow down much (bad MC piston). Thinking I'm going to end up in the intersection, I panicked and stomped the rear brake, which locks the wheel and sends me sideways. Again in a panic, I let off the rear brake and....highside. Ouch! I dislocated a finger and had a nasty concussion. The bike had some bent levers and handlebars, tweaked forks, and broken headlight/signals. Still runs great, though.

Although I don't have tons of actual riding experience, I tend to throw myself heavily into my hobbies. I try to learn as much as possible about as many aspects of bikes as I can. I read books over and over, and I spend way too much time on various motorcycling forums. My thirst for motocycling knowledge will never be quenched, and I am more than happy to share.

[D-Mac]

I'm 35 years old and I've been riding for three years. I did the basic MSF course back when I got my license, but nothing advanced yet.

I always wear full gear, but respect the rights of others to make their own choices.

I've never pulled a wheelie and I have no interest in doing so. Nothing against them - just not my style of riding.

I've never done a track day. Someday I'd like to though. My skills in the twisties are limited.

My first bike was a 2002 Honda Shadow ACE 750. I was interested in cruisers at the time, but came to dislike their poor handling and braking. While I owned the Honda I rode about 15,000 miles and took several longer trips on it (including some camping and several group rides). I did ALL of my own maintenance on that bike (including valve checks, modifying the ignition timing, carb work, clutch work, and a bit of electrical work). I'm no mechanic though, and I tend to over-think most situations, but I'm determined to learn as much about my bike as possible.

After an exhaustive search, I decided to get an FZ6 this past spring. I found a new red 2007 and bought it in July 2008. Since then I've continued to do my own maintenance and started to prepare the bike for longer trips (Calsci sheild, tank bag, risers/barbacks, vista cruise done; dual headlight mod will come next; I'd love to get some Givi bags).

I've done one Iron Butt ride on the FZ6 (1000K in under 24h). I'd like to do another. I'd also like to ride to Alaska and take some trips to the East coast and the rockies.

I've never been down at speed, although I did have two stationary near-drops (one with my Honda at a scenic overlook and the other with my FZ6 when taking the bike off the centerstand for the first time).

I'm interested in the history/culture of motorcycles and motorcycling and read/watch just about every motorcycle-related book/movie I can get my hands on.

[agmom98]

Originally Posted by dark_isz

... I tend to throw myself heavily into my hobbies. I try to learn as much as possible about as many aspects of bikes as I can. I read books over and over, and I spend way too much time on various motorcycling forums. My thirst for motocycling knowledge will never be quenched, and I am more than happy to share.

wow! you sound like me! I subscribe to stacks of magazines and have purchased a number of books over the last few years. Have you read Total Control (by Lee Parks)? It was one of the most useful books I'd read. BMW's are ridiculously clunky to shift (pre-1200cc boxer's) and no one told me how to smooth that out, until I read Parks's book.

Hope you and bike are recovered from the "get off."

[chemicalsmile]

I'm 25, always messed around on minibikes and dirt bikes as far back as I can remember and got my first actual street bike in May 2005 after taking the MSF course - an '03 BMW F650CSA and put around 13k miles on it before picking up my 08 Raven FZ6 about a week ago.

I've only been down once on the road- about 2 months after getting the BMW I was going hot into a turn on a back road and a deer jumped out of a ditch...I swerved, hit some gravel at the edge of the road and flew into the ditch @ around 40mph and took out a mailbox. In hindsight I think I panicked and the deer most likely would have been across by the time my line got to it.

I'm not a professional mechanic by any means but I have worked pretty extensively on all the cars I've had and spent insane amounts of time on the BMW first fixing the damage from the crash and then continously modding it trying to get it to look/act like a sportbike. Eventually I got tired of the modding and constant maintenance (valve check/adjustment every 6k miles....it was easy, but still ) and when they released the Raven colored FZ6 I couldn't stand it anymore so I sold the BMW to a nice beginner for a decent price and picked up the bike I'd been drooling over for what seemed like forever.

[tum226]

I am 25 years old now and started riding when I was 18. My first bike was a 1981 Yamaha xs 400 special and special it was. It was mint condition until I decided to crash it in a turn full of gravel. Lesson learned.

My next bike was a 2004 Suzuki SV 650 naked. Loved the bike and had it for 2 years and put over 10,000 miles on without a problem. Before I got this bike I took the MSF class at a local tech college. 100% of that 10,000 miles was weekend trips as I worked about 1 mile from my house so I have spent a lot of time in the twisties. During this time I bought a couple books on riding to help out with technique one book was Sport Riding Techniques. I would recommend this to anyone. Lots of helpful information.

I sold the SV to get married and buy a house and was without a bike for about 1 year. I bought my 2005 Yamaha FZ6 a couple months ago and have put on about 2,500 miles most of which has been commuting.

I have formal training from Wyotech on automotive technology and chassis fabrication. I have done mostly fabrication since I graduated college and have worked for a professional race team in the American Le Mans Series for 1 year.

Anyone has a question just ask. If know the answer I will tell you and if not I will help you find the right answer.