Old Newbie

[cabhij]

Okay, I'll take it LOL.

I have to admit my superficiality in loving its looks. I love trumps, and the colour of your's is niiice.
[cheek]How much do you want?[/cheek]

[51 New West]

Too much But happy to look at the other bikes with you.

[deniro]

Welcome Steve

From one newbie to another

Happy bike shopping , pointdexter888 we have a streetfighter in the family and with no complaints but def not a good learner bike.

Tracy

[51 New West]

Hi Deniro, I'm not knocking street fighters, what I said was "don't get anything too pricey (because you will more than likely still trade up after 1 or 2 years), and get a sport tourer that you won't hate if you decide that the Street Fighter you liked the looked of is actually an uncomfortable exercise in narcisism". It would be a shame for OldNewbie to love the look and buy a street fighter, only to wish he had bought a sport tourer or cruiser or CT110 instead. It is pretty much his first bike, after all. I love the Streetfighter look, but hate the riding posture, the ergonomics are wrong for me. Substitute cruiser for street fighter in my original post, it boils down to the same thing, that a cheaper allrounder is a good first bike, to give you time to work out what you really want without blowing a wad of cash to find out the hard way.

[cabhij]

Too much But happy to look at the other bikes with you.

Cheers and damn in one breath lol....I'll certainly seek advice as I look about the place!

[cabhij]

Welcome Steve

From one newbie to another

Happy bike shopping , pointdexter888 we have a streetfighter in the family and with no complaints but def not a good learner bike.

Tracy

Cheers Tracy, hope to meet up with all and one when the time comes!

I appreciate and understand all the advice given. Not knowing a great deal about bikes probably helps me absorb it all in an unbiased and objective kind of way and also from a practical PoV (as per 888's help).
It's funny, everybody has their favs....I'm from the bus/truck world (where I certainly have my opinions and favs).... and whew, it's hell over there at times.


I'll briefly digress and share something with you that I briefly found funny today, on my cab rounds of course.

I was taking a lady from The Esplanade Hotel in Freo to the Domestic Airport and mid-journey we hit the good old chestnust of politics (pretty safe when there's no alcohol around).
I told her, as she was from Canberra, how our newly-appointed opposition leader had touted that he would take V8s away from those under 21 and how the premier had retorted with the fact that if they're old enough to go to war they're old enough to drive a V8.
Then she joins in and says "yeah, why don't they concentrate on the important and real statistics like the most vulnerable group on the road, those who die at a far worse rate etc are men in their 40s who decide to ride a motor cycle" etc etc - you get the gist. I turned, smiling, and said to her.. "so I'm gonna die soon then?".
Priceless look on a face!

I told her after that, that I was newly-licensed and obviously ripe for the grim reaper.

[cabhij]

Hi Tracy and previous posters....can you post up a pic of your bikes (the "Ducati monster" and a bit about yourselves?....like how long you've been a newbie/oldie (or an oldNewbie like me) and anything randomly interesting you've experienced bike-wise.

This is a personal question I know and I'm fine with any lack of reply.....how old are you guys/gals and how long have you been riding - what experience and experiences have you had?
Also, do you regularly ride with the organised rides etc?

Just really tired of talking about "me" and would like to get to know something about you, those who have made an effort to respond to this thread and hence make me feel welcome in the process.

So c'mon guys....elucidate - with bike pics of course. (thanks 888 for your awesome beast, that I still want btw lol).

I am not ashamed to say how little I know about bikes......I want to listen and learn...in particular the best place to shop around for bikes and, what do all the numbers mean and identify, for example GSX, GSR etc etc

[51 New West]

I'm 40, married, 2 kids, self employed for the last 5 years after working most of 17 years on drill rigs and underground. My first bike was a Motobecane when I was 16, followed by a GN250. The Norton was my only bike up until 2 years ago; I needed to give it a pull through so I bought the Trident, which is now my usual ride. The GSXR was a must have after riding a friends 1986 model; I promised myself that the next complete machine I saw I would buy. I know 42 year olds who have owned close to 50 bikes in their time, but I'm a keeper

[cabhij]

Awesome....you have a bike history. Do you have pics of your early bikes 888?

[51 New West]

No, I'm afraid I don't. The Norton has a photo in the PSB garage. The Suzuki is a work in progress, should have bodywork back from Motorcycle Panel & Paint shortly, a little more fettling and then I'll post some photos. Been a week of lurking around here, any closer to lashing out on some wheels yourself?

[cabhij]

I'll be going for a squiz down the causeway area on Thursday.
What, in your experience are good bike stores?
I doubt i'd find anything for my 5-7k price range in a shop....just trying to get a feel. My mate knows a fair bit about bikes but see things through different eyes.

[cabhij]

Just curious....what would you sell for?

[cabhij]

I'm 40, married, 2 kids, self employed for the last 5 years after working most of 17 years on drill rigs and underground. My first bike was a Motobecane when I was 16, followed by a GN250. The Norton was my only bike up until 2 years ago; I needed to give it a pull through so I bought the Trident, which is now my usual ride. The GSXR was a must have after riding a friends 1986 model; I promised myself that the next complete machine I saw I would buy. I know 42 year olds who have owned close to 50 bikes in their time, but I'm a keeper

which bike do you ride currently/

[51 New West]

Mostly the Triumph. I bought it to avoid dropping the Norton, and because the Norton works a little hard to keep up with my mates bikes. The Gixxer is a work in progress, so my turn the key and ride bike is the Trident.

[cabhij]

1) To avoid dropping the Norton?

2) That Trumpy is gorgeous, original colours etc

3) I've yet to check those other models you sent - this week will do so.

4) Are the "protective side bars" a common necessity - I'm told they are but haven't seen too many around, although I spotted some on a Triumph on Leach hwy this morning

[cabhij]

Just your final thoughts.....tomorrow (finally) a test ride on the biffer.

The dealer has agreed to a service, new rubber, will "look into" a 2nd key, and will "try" and throw in a 'C' spanner, on top of offering 3 months warranty.
No price has been negotiated from the original $10k.

Is this a seemingly good deal, or, am I simply not forceful enough with my negotiation skills?


Final harassment guys!


Steve

[cabhij]

Hi guys and gals,

Well, I finally bought a bike (whoo-hoo)...I settled on a 2005 Hornet. Paid over 7k but it was in really good condition and had about 1500k on it - I'll obviously see how it goes.
Now I just have to get my big licence - booked in for apr 24. This thing is so much heavier than the 225cc I passed my RE on; any tips appreciated.
I'm hoping to catch up as soon as I'm confident and competent enough.

ps - I rode the CB1000F (back to back with the 900) that I was looking at buying- just didn't feel as comfortable, though I'm sure as a tourer it would be the better choice. My choice was based on the reality, however, that my wife would realistically rarely be on the back and if I tour, it'll be on more wheels - bus or car. This is for commuting pretty much. Oh, and I only stalled it twice on the way home from the dealership!

Regards
Steve


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