Newbie Here

Hi all, newbie here. Name is Jeff, age 41, live in Raleigh, NC area. Just bought a 1981 Maxim 650, my first street bike! Excited and scared to death all at same time. Got learner's permit and insurance to start riding, tags to come next week.

I have NO experience with bikes at all, with the exception of a small Suzuki dirt bike some 28 years ago (I was 13)! As my newly acquired ride came with no owners manual, I'm hoping to search and research enough info here to get me started, and keep me going - and maybe someday actually be able to help another newbie.

Like many (I assume), this is an attempt to save on some gas expense to/from work. My newly finished (are they ever really finished?) 1992 Camaro with it's 350 4bbl carb, dometop pistons, headers, posi-trac 3.42 rear daily driver is killing me on gas mileage (15mpg at best).

So, here I am, another dumb virgin on the block LOL. Treat me gentle!

Jeff

 

Welcome!

That "scared to death" feeling will soon be replaced by feelings of joy and elation...trust me

I got my 750maxim a few months back and I still feel like a total newb. I've learned a lot but as my XJ is my only transportation, I haven't had much chance to work on her aside from some mods.

I bought my bike for the same reason. I needed a new vehicle and wanted cheap gas, she accomplishes that nicely.

 

hessenr00ts:

LOL - I feel like your lil pic - stressed! The wife followed me home, and said I looked stiff - I said Hell Yeah, stiff is a mild description! I've been a total of 30 miles (just getting the thing home without killing me or anyone else). I'll get it - takes practice I know.

What I need to do first is learn about the thing, like oil changes, etc. Looks like I'll find what I need here. Thanks for the welcome aboard!

 

Thanks

My first ride home was a still one too, and I only went 6 miles on road that didn't go over 30 and had tons of stoplights...the first two weeks were pretty intimidating.

You'll be able to find nearly anything you need to know here. I'd highly recommend picking up a service manual (I got the Haynes, I like it) as well.

 

OK - the Haynes - where to get? I know Haynes books at Advance Auto for cars ... local Yamaha shop has Haynes for bikes? Or I need to order online somewhere? (I feel really dumb now asking such a question!)

 

MaxN, You should loosen up fairly quickly but remember that common sense is still the rule here!
If you really feel scared you might look in the phone book to see if there is a rider school or clinic nearby.
You'll find that like with your car, confidence will come with experience.
Never allow yourself to become overconfident or to lose respect for the bike (and the potential for injury)
You'll be OK
Now GO HAVE FUN
Mike

 

Hvn's definately right, if you can get into an MSF course this late in the year definately do so.

I ordered my Haynes manual off www.jcwhitney.com

A few local shops had it but it was cheaper off the web, even after shipping.


JC Whitney Item number: ZX167377X

 

Hey Jeff,
Welcome to the group.
Check your PM

 

Hi Jeff,

Carl here, 45, near Detroit MI.

Similar story, bought my 1st street bike (82 XJ 650 Maxim) week before last. Before that I sold my little dirt bike almost 30 years ago.

I haven't taken delivery of my bike yet. Long story, but PO has it in the shop getting the carbs done.

The crew here talked me into signing up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class. Apparently there is a lot of demand, mine starts Sept. 11.

You should be able to find courses in your area through thie link:

http://www.msf-usa.org

Carl

 

Carl, your right about the demand for those classes, especially here in the north central part of the US. There's only a few good months to do them and they fill up quick!

 

Well congrats MiCarl! And thank you! Now I know that no matter what else, there's another middle-aged fool out in the world that's gotten himself into the same trouble I have!

Well, I've been riding this weekend - and it's getting better each trip. I rode to work on Sat and Sun, which means I was forced to ride home each night in the dark. Sat night was great - very few cars on my route from work, and I got to relax my deathgrip and start to enjoy the feel of the ride. I knew the wife was alseep, and it was so nice, I went right past the house, and just rode around town. I was able to comfortably practice tighter turns at some speed greater than walking, signalling while turning and signal cancelling while still turning, all while getting gear shifts relatively under control, and finding all the switches in the dark.

I did also find a deer! I haven't seen a deer in 2 years on that road - it's in the city! Figures he'd pick my first nightride to appear! I immediately halted, lit him with the headlight, beeped, and let him pass along.

MSF course - definitely! I'll find out ASAP and get enrolled if I can. I think I was told it's about $100 here, but if you pass in the end, you get waived from the local driving part of the license endorsement. I think some instruction over a period of time and tested is much easier than just walking in to a blind test.

And I must say - although I haven't requested any technical info from anyone yet, this site is great! Having some gentle words of wisdom and positive vibes from fellow riders is really nice! I just hope that someday I can contribute something as well.

Thanks to all!

 

Hiya MaximNewbie , yep take it easy But not too easy as they come up from behind also!

 

Hey MaximNewbie - I'm a born again bike virgin (14 years off) and I can suggest a few things:

1) Take a Sunday and plan on doing nothing but riding - go to a park or nearby empty parking lot and practice your starts, emergency stops, figure eights and slow turns with signals. Bring a cell phone and be prepared that you may drop your bike if you practice on gravel.

2) Search Ebay for a new Haynes manual and actually read the thing. Some parts are really dull, but then a gem will pop out (ever adjust your suspension?)

3) While everyone IS trying to kill you when you ride you can become more comfortable by repeating your safe riding until it becomes second nature. Then you can relax AND stay alert (I'm still a little tense).

4) IN ORDER: Always a helmet - always gloves - always a riding jacket - never wear shorts - always wear boots. As you become more comfortable on a bike you may let one or two slide now and then, but you are risking your life a little bit more with each exception.

5) Never drink and ride - that second beer may kill you in a car. That second beer on a bike will throw your reaction time and balance off enough that you might as well be eating a gun. Drink when you get back. This one gets a repeat - Never drink and ride.

6) Don't take chances. That gap in a left hand turn that you would stomp the Camaro through will kill you if you shift into neutral. You are faster and more agile than anything but another bike - proving it can get you into trouble.

7) Road rage works for cagers. If you are angry at another driver for being an @sshole remember that you bumping him may sratch his paint: his bumping you will kill you (and he's too mad to care). Road rage is a bad habit you have to leave behind as a biker.

8) After all the above - have fun! You are officially a biker now. Stomp into the office in your leathers and put your helmet on your desk. Go for baby diapers looking like the biker in Raising Arizona. Be cool but kind - you're now an ambassador for everyone else on two wheels.

Welcome to the forum - these folks have been kind to me as a newbie so don't be afraid to post. Searching the forum has answered quesetions that I didn't even have to ask!

Keep the shiny side up. ;' )

Jim

 

Wow, another central NC member (I'm in Durham)!!! Welcome aboard, and we'll have to get a ride going before long.

 

Joel07,
He bought the bike I was telling you about.

 

I took the MSF course last year and it was wonderful for teaching basic skills. The downside is that the bikes we used in my course were much smaller and lighter, we never went over about 20 mph, and never went out into traffic. The whole time was spent in a large parking lot.

I highly recommend the course, but the whole fear thing takes on a new level as you start working in traffic or get up to 60+ mph.

I'd echo what JPXJ said, even though I'm guilty of breaking a couple of those rules most of the time (unless its a long trip, i tend to not wear my jacket, gloves or boots. Helmet is on 99% of the time).

Paying attention to what is going on around you takes on a whole new meaning. Just this summer, I've been driven off the road twice by people who weren't paying attention. In both cases, I saw them coming, but didn't appreciate the fact that they were going to whip their cars out from where they were like NASCAR drivers. Fortunately, I'd slowed down enough that a short ride on the shoulder didn't dump me. I don't think either of them ever saw me until I was in their rear view mirrors.

 

Awesome!! Now if I can talk John D. into buying yours, and get John A.'s 750 running right (he's still having problems, thinking it's the TCI box), we'll have a whole bunch of Maxim's to go cruising with!

 

Gabrar, didn't they give you the option of using your own bike? All the courses here in Minnesota use little Honda 250s' but I was allowed to use my 750maxim.

Seems that if they want you to be a safe rider, they should allow you to use the bike you'll mainly be riding :roll:

 

Well, I didn't ask. I didn't actually own my bike at the time. I'd arranged to buy it but needed the motorcycle rating on my license to move it and used the MSF course to do that. I was very surprised at the the difference the added size made.

Also, i've been told that a big part of the reason to get your license through the MSF course is that it is all but impossible to pass some of the manuevering tests with the DMZ in a larger bike.

 

jdrich48 - were you telling Joel07 good or bad things?
LOL Doesn't matter, it's too late, it's mine.

Joel07 - I was lurking around a bit this weekend, and noticed you were in Durham. I used to live in Durham, on Lynn Road between 70 and 98. I also used to work at the Citgo on corner of Miami Blvd and Angier Ave. Howdy neighbor!

Haynes manual I got, thanks to jdrich48!
Helmet I got - it ain't fancy, but it's DOT and SNELL.
Drinking not a problem, as I don't.
Chances I'll save for the Lotto.
Road Rage - I'm too busy just staying alive right now!

I got caught by the rain this afternoon. The dark cloud was behind me, the rain fell from the sunny sky ahead of me - go figure! But, as any other experience that doesn't kill us, it's a good thing. I pulled off the road, bike got wet but found shelter for me anyway, and waited it out. When it stopped, I went on, staying out of the center where the oil slick is, and being very cautious on my turns - and I made it home alive, just before the next cloud rolled in. This taught me that:
* the wet road is slick as hell when trying to hold up 500 pounds at a stop.
* if you find a nice lady behind you that recognizes that you only have 2 wheels, keep her there as long as possible!
* there is twice as much traffic when it rains (or so it seems)
* the towel I have tucked away isn't nearly big enough
* I really have to go out tonight (in the car) and get that BRIGHT YELLOW FLOURESCENT BATTERY-OPERATED FLASHING NEON rain suit

Regardless, the wife will have to wait for another day to cash in on the life insurance policy!

 

As a long time biking friend of mine told me - the smaller bikes are better for passing the course - they weigh much less, are very easily handled, and would be a breeze to deal with after some riding of your larger bike - thus allowing you to relax a bit and concentrate on the moves, rather than sweating over the embarassment of dumping one of their loaner bikes.

 

Sounds like your off to a good start MaximNewbie! I'm glad you are exercising the best tool you can have, intelligence. Keep it up and it'll be a cold day in Hades before the missus gets to use that policy. Staying alive is the single most important thing to have on your mind when you throw a leg over the machine.

 

Haha, my wife's grandmother lives in Whispering Pines trailer park right off of Lynn Rd, so I know exactly where that is!!!

By the way, he was telling me good things about the bike, actually he tried to get me to buy it, but unfortunately I couldn't scrape up the cash.

 

I also found this link to be reassuring that I was going all I could to get back in the saddle safely:

http://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/bornagain.html

 

Splendid write-up! Hope everyone who needs it will find it.