keeping the front down involves something that 99 percent of street riders dont have.......throttle control. Also you cant slip the clutch under full acceleration or touch the rear brake a little.

all of this aside, unfortunately I see bad things in the future of a liter bike in the hands of the less skilled

9/25/2008 6:51:01 PM

^ i agree

^^ extending a race replica should be a sin and just like any other vehicle... the stage IV driver mod is probably the best thing you can do for the bike.

9/25/2008 7:04:00 PM

^^ First of all, nobody said I don't know how to let off the throttle or control it. If I couldn't control the throttle I'd have dumped myself off the back quite a few times already. The point, if you didn't grasp it, was that it can't be kept down at WOT in 1st or 2nd gear. That's very different from me saying "I don't know how to accelerate without doing a wheelie." If that were the case, I'd probably have crashed a few times over by now. I don't even ride it hard, as I've already stated. A grandma could drive a viper around without crashing it as long as they didn't do some stupid shit. I'm the grandma, the ZX-10R is the viper.

^ I don't know why you pointed that up arrow at me, I never said I was going to extend it. As far as the rider mod, I'm not selling it and I ride it just fine. I'm not trying to become the next ghost rider, nor am I trying to go out and stunt the shit. I just like to cruise around man. How hard is this to understand? Again,

Quote :

"I'm the grandma, the ZX-10R is the viper."

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 7:37 PM. Reason : ]

9/25/2008 7:33:48 PM

sorry that tone was more light hearted than you took it...

9/25/2008 7:41:17 PM

Quote :

"First of all, nobody said I don't know how to let off the throttle or control it"

Im saying you dont, because you do not know the definition of true throttle control. It has nothing to do with letting off the throttle before you flip it, that's called common sense.

It CAN be kept down in 1st through 6th and I would be more than happy to show you

9/25/2008 7:44:28 PM

Uh, you don't even know me, so you definitely have no clue on my grasp of what throttle control is. I can keep the wheel an inch off the ground and set it back down softly. I'm not bringing it up two feet and having it crash back down. I can get the bike to where it's right on the edge of lifting the front wheel, but again, if you go WOT in 2nd at high rpm, the front wheel will lift, period. It doesn't matter how smoothly you do it, it comes up. There's no way to "control" away the effect of WOT in 1st and 2nd gear other than not going there or easing off as it gets light.

You will have to ease off a bit as the front end gets light or just never quite get to WOT, period. Either way, that is not what I was talking about and you know it. I was saying that at WOT, there's no way to not bring it up. You're saying that when you're not at WOT, you can keep it from coming up. Everybody in here grasps that dude.

There's no way you'll be riding my bike. I can keep it down in 1st through 6th myself, I don't need a demonstration on how to crash somebody else's bike by being a dumb fuck.

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 7:55 PM. Reason : ]

9/25/2008 7:50:09 PM

lol, oh you dont know then...

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 8:10 PM. Reason : never mind]

9/25/2008 8:09:43 PM

Quote :

"NO THROTTLE CONTROL"

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 8:13 PM. Reason : Nobody in the three videos I posted on the last page knows either apparently. ]

9/25/2008 8:11:23 PM

Im not here to argue with you I am here to inform you and teach you. You are still not grasping the whole throttle control lesson though.

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 8:21 PM. Reason : hell...ill use my bike and show you]

9/25/2008 8:21:19 PM

Quote :

"NO CONTROL"

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 8:23 PM. Reason : You might as well just say it dude, whatever magic you want to divulge.]

9/25/2008 8:22:24 PM

Quote :

"I just like to cruise around man."

i just don't quite get having a 10R for just cruising around...it's like buying an Ariel Atom to use as a grand tourer.

9/25/2008 10:05:17 PM

Quote :

"It's like buying an Ariel Atom to use as a grand tourer."

The sad thing is, I'd honestly do that. It would need to be the JRSC'd model too. Like I said before, you obviously want to do things differently which is fine. So don't spend your money in the same manner. I don't like cruisers, I like the riding position on sport bikes and I like a lot of hp under my ball sack. My definition of "cruise around" may not be yours either, so there's that issue. Fortunately, I don't live to please you so it's really a non-issue.

I am interested to hear what P Nis has to say though, I mean if he has a good way to keep the front wheel down whilst at WOT in 1st and 2nd I'm all ears. Right now I just keep keep the front wheel on the edge of lifting or slightly lifted and then once I'm in 3rd it's fine. Again though, I'm not racing people and I'm not trying to be the next ghost rider. I'm not trying to go drag pegs on the street, nor am I trying to be the fastest rider around. Pushing any vehicle to the limit will pretty much always end up in crashing eventually and crashes on the street are extremely dangerous as we all know. I enjoy lots of hp though, that's for damn sure, but I'm just not trying to go nuts on this thing. Cruising around includes spirited cornering, but I'm not going to get to the limits of the bike's capabilities on the street. In terms of acceleration I will, but anybody can do that.

Hell, I'd be riding a 600cc bike just the same. Occasional spirited cornering, but absolutely nowhere near the limit and occasional blasts at WOT. I'm not interested in taking any bike to the limit on the street, because exploring the limits pretty much always involves going past them occasionally.

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 10:52 PM. Reason : ]

9/25/2008 10:25:44 PM

And jesus god before somebody says something about how I can't reach the limits of the bike's acceleration, all I meant was that anybody can open up the throttle. Of course I can't drag race it with any skill. But I can't drag race anything with any skill.

9/25/2008 11:14:42 PM

i'm looking at an '86 rebel with just over 7k miles on it this afternoon

guy says the tank has been chem stripped and resealed

opinions? it's not a big bike, but that's okay, because i'm not looking for something large

assuming nothing wrong with it, what's the value range, in y'all's opinions?

9/29/2008 2:33:36 PM

250 or 450? There's another 87 450 on CL (http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/859118417.html)

I've never ridden one, so I can't talk about performance. I've sat on one, though, and unless you're 5'8" or so, you're going to be pretty uncomfortable.

9/29/2008 2:42:11 PM

250...and i'm 6'0"...are you saying i'll uncomfortable or comfortable?

9/29/2008 3:26:40 PM

Have you seen a Rebel 250 in person before?? If you are 6' your knees WILL be hitting the handlebars with every turn. They are tiny!

Also- did the guy do the tank himself with one of those at home kits? How recently was the carb cleaned? If he re-did the tank, and with its age & that low mileage, it's pretty much guaranteed it has sat for some period of its life & needed to be cleaned out. The carb on my newer one (which if my memory serves me correctly they have changed negligibly if at all) was an unnecessary PITA to get out and back on. Plus, there wasn't an external adjustment so if you don't modify it you have to pull it off for any necessary adjustments. -- and in my experience parts for them aren't cheap or readily available, so if there is something that requires immediate attention don't assume it will probably to be a $10-$20 part. However-- I loved my rebel... and honda engines ftw

9/29/2008 4:20:55 PM

^^quag, 6' is too big for a 250. you'd look like a complete idiot, nevermind the performance would be marginally better than a scoot (well... maybe not)


buy an SV650 and call it a day. you'll thank yourself, and tww will approve

9/29/2008 4:56:36 PM

Quote :

"Have you seen a Rebel 250 in person before?? If you are 6' your knees WILL be hitting the handlebars with every turn. They are tiny!"

Quote :

"quag, 6' is too big for a 250. you'd look like a complete idiot, nevermind the performance would be marginally better than a scoot (well... maybe not)"

i have not seen them in person...this might end up being a waste of time, but since i'm literally going right by the place, it's not a huge deal

Quote :

"in my experience parts for them aren't cheap or readily available, so if there is something that requires immediate attention don't assume it will probably to be a $10-$20 part"

that does concern me a bit...i'm not especially mechanically inclined, so part of this possible purchase is get something i can learn to work on myself, if necessary (though i'd be happy if it wasn't)...though if any of my other threads are any indication, i'm a certified noob without any natural inclination

Quote :

"buy an SV650 and call it a day. you'll thank yourself, and tww will approve"

well, here's the thing...i'm really trying to get by with less than $1k...i'm not looking for anything performance-oriented (even remotely), so 250cc, while pretty anemic (at my height and weight, i'm betting 65-70mph top speed), does what i want it to - gets me from point A to B, lets me get back into riding (it's been 10 years, and even then i didn't ride that much), and gets 70+ mpg with what will hopefully be a reliable bike

BUT...y'all certainly know more about than i do, so unless i'm seriously impressed, i imagine i'll pass tonight...thanks for the advice!

9/29/2008 5:19:30 PM

In reference to the parts-- you can always order from a honda dealer or online for most things... but since the rebel mkt is still relatively small in comparison the price of parts hasn't come down even though they've been around for a while. Also- I was really meaning they don't stock the parts anywhere... so expect a good 2-3 week wait. But if you're just getting back into it... it may not be that big of a deal for you.

Are you including insurance and gear into that $1k? or just the price of the bike itself?

9/29/2008 6:24:43 PM

saabturbo, if i were you i'd drop that sorry ass attitude that's typical of the common squid. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. you should listen twice as much as you speak. now shut the fuck up and listen to what P Nis has to say. he's only trying to help you. that nigger is a pro racer. i assure you he knows more than you and you are really making yourself look like a fucking idiot by arguing with him.

9/29/2008 8:11:34 PM

Quote :

"tww will approve"

this is most important!

9/29/2008 8:47:03 PM

p nis


i would like to learn...

9/29/2008 11:39:06 PM

Quote :

"In reference to the parts-- you can always order from a honda dealer or online for most things... but since the rebel mkt is still relatively small in comparison the price of parts hasn't come down even though they've been around for a while. Also- I was really meaning they don't stock the parts anywhere... so expect a good 2-3 week wait. But if you're just getting back into it... it may not be that big of a deal for you."

yeah, the guy had the tank professionally stripped and he ordered a new honda (not aftermarket) petcock online and said it took a week and a half from order date to delivery

Quote :

"Are you including insurance and gear into that $1k? or just the price of the bike itself?"

just the bike itself...dude's insurance is $50/6 months for liability and while i'm not sure what i'll go with, that's not too bad...as for gear, i really do need to get some as all i've got right now is a full helmet

also, i don't know what y'all were thinking, but that bike is plenty large for me...i'm 225lbs and 6'0" and it felt perfectly comfortable (in that it wasn't cramped feeling or anything)...it was definitely weaker than any bike i've ever ridden before, but i don't have a lot of experience, so it felt okay...i took it out for a spin and got it up to 60 and it felt solid enough...i'd not feel comfortable taking it out on the interstate unless it was just to go down an exit or two, but overall i think it'd make an okay daily rider, maybe for heading across town now and then

chain could stand to be tightened, but that was all that my limited knowledge brought to my attention

all-in-all, i rather liked it and the price is right...i may get snickers and jeers from a few of you guys if you see me on the road, but it's not THAT bad

9/29/2008 11:51:52 PM

Yeah my goal is a little kick of excitement to an otherwise boring life.... so it wouldn't work for me... i'm already bored with a gs500

9/30/2008 12:05:36 AM

Quote :

"saabturbo, if i were you i'd drop that sorry ass attitude that's typical of the common squid. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. you should listen twice as much as you speak. now shut the fuck up and listen to what P Nis has to say. he's only trying to help you. that nigger is a pro racer. i assure you he knows more than you and you are really making yourself look like a fucking idiot by arguing with him."

GOD YOU KNOW HOW TO COME INTO SOMETHING WAY TOO LATE DON'T YOU? WE ALREADY COMMUNICATED VIA PM DAYS AGO.

One other thing, yes it's nit picking. But what was mentioned turned out to be CLUTCH and BRAKE control, not THROTTLE CONTROL specifically. No wonder I had no clue what he was talking about, it was a terminology issue. I'd hardly call myself a SQUID either. I'M NOT UNDER DRESSED SON. HAH.

[Edited on September 30, 2008 at 12:48 AM. Reason : SQID SON, SQID.]

9/30/2008 12:45:30 AM

250 will save you gas and give you the feeling of a motorcycle. you could probably drive it quicker than some of the harley guys around here.

9/30/2008 7:37:39 AM

Yeah, I mean if you aren't worried about acceleration at all the 250 is a reasonable option. I'd think a 500-650cc parallel twin or v-twin is better for all around use though. My SV-650S got great gas mileage (A bit over 50mpg), ran on 87 and was very quick. Realistically, it's all the power you'll ever need on the street unless you're a SQID like me y0.

You can find Honda Nighthawk 650's at pretty low prices ($2000 or less from what I've seen) and those seem like very good all around bikes. They have good power, good gas mileage, a more upright riding position (But you're not putting your feet out in front of you as much as you would on a Harley). I'm sure it would be a comfortable commuter and it would have enough power to keep you entertained. I believe they get over 50mpg and run on 87 octane. I can't imagine having a 250, simply because it seems like it would get old within a few days, but if you REALLY don't care about power then I guess it would be OK. It also seems like it would be straining on the highway for long time periods but I'm probably wrong there.

Whatever you do, don't get a god damned Buell Blast. I hate those fucking things. They have the sloppiest controls of any bike I've ever been on. The riding position is terrible, at least for me, and everything on it is of extremely low quality. The vibration is also quite ridiculous.

[Edited on September 30, 2008 at 7:48 AM. Reason : ]

9/30/2008 7:40:41 AM

Quote :

"You can find Honda Nighthawk 650's at pretty low prices ($2000 or less from what I've seen) and those seem like very good all around bikes. They have good power, good gas mileage, a more upright riding position (But you're not putting your feet out in front of you as much as you would on a Harley). I'm sure it would be a comfortable commuter and it would have enough power to keep you entertained. I believe they get over 50mpg and run on 87 octane."

yeah...about that...when i was first learning to ride a decade ago, i learned on a nighthawk 650 (i forget the year)...anyway, i had a good friend move out of town and he had an '82 nighthawk 650 which wouldn't turn over...he gave it to me, and told me to keep it or sell it, he didn't care

i was about to go to school here, and didn't care enough at the time, and sold it for $250 on craigslist...stupid, i know...turns out it was a $50 part and a tune up and it worked fine

Quote :

"I can't imagine having a 250, simply because it seems like it would get old within a few days, but if you REALLY don't care about power then I guess it would be OK. It also seems like it would be straining on the highway for long time periods but I'm probably wrong there."

well, i'm not looking for the time of my life at the moment, just something to get me around that's more powerful than my scooter and something i could take on the highway IF I HAD TO or had something of a death wish (i imagine a 250 would be rocked about something scary)

i called the guy back and low-balled him a bit...i'm not so desperate for a bike that i'm willing to go with anything less than a good deal...he said he'd think about it

9/30/2008 3:37:04 PM

so my bike is back together, but 2 things. what do you put in the clutch reservoir, just plain old car brake fluid? the other thing is the brackets I made for my headlights aren't particularly sturdy and my headlights shake. anyone know a place I can have some fiberglass (or comparable) work done to keep them in place?

9/30/2008 5:17:28 PM

yeah, brake fluid is fine. MaximaDrvr does fiberglass work.

9/30/2008 5:23:45 PM

i'm going to go in for my permit in the next few days or week...curious about what sort of the questions they ask on the test

and before you say "get the study guide," i have it...so much of it seems like common sense that i'm wondering if they focus on something in particular...suggestions?

10/1/2008 9:15:52 PM

Honestly, the test is just like the book. I just took it less than a year ago.

They really do focus on "push right, go right, push left, go left" and leaning and shit.

10/1/2008 10:02:33 PM

unless it's changed, they just give you a permit... no test. i think they're good for 30-60 days or something? tests come when you get the actual endorsement/license.

10/2/2008 1:38:27 AM

No, there is a written test for the permit.

To get your license, you have to do a skills test.


*UNLESS* you take the Motorcycle safety course. Upon completion of this course, you are issued a card that you give to the DMV that basically says you have already passed the "skills" test.

If you already have your permit, you just walk in to the DMV, hand them the card and say "I want a motorcycle endorsement" and they print you a new license.

If you DONT have your permit already, but have passed the Motorcycle safety course, you only have to take the written part and the card they issue you upon completion of the class allows you to forego the DMV "skills" test.

[Edited on October 2, 2008 at 1:46 AM. Reason : .]

10/2/2008 1:44:13 AM

ah, then no worries on the test

is the motorcycle safety course offered by the state, or is it one of those private deals? depending on the price, it might be worth it to do that instead, just so i don't have to wait in line or go on a certain day to take the skills test at the DMV

10/2/2008 12:44:55 PM

MSF course is offered at most community colleges about once a month for about $125

10/3/2008 3:52:33 PM

Yeah, it's a FULL weekend commitment too.

All MSF classes have the same curriculum.

My class was like Friday 6pm-9pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday 8am-4pm or something like that.

You get LOTS of time on the bike and it's actually a lot of fun doing all the drills.

10/3/2008 4:46:16 PM

i just finished up the msf course a couple of weeks ago. i highly recommend taking it for the riding part. but honestly, i thought the classroom part was a little weak. basically the classroom sessions amount to "here's a book, there's a bunch of questions in the back, find the answers to the questions and we'll read them off one by one". its an effective way to get you to read over the material i guess, but for $250 (its not subsidized in georgia) i was expecting a little more.

the riding sessions are really fun. especially the emergency swerve and slaloms.

10/3/2008 11:20:02 PM

Meh, I didn't find any part of the class that fun, but it's better than sitting around all day or some shit.

I will say that you're probably going to be worn out after each day of riding, especially if it's hot out and you've never been on a bike before. Another issue is that the MSF course book and DMV course books seemed to actually conflict about some things. So if you take the MSF course and you don't already have a permit, be sure to look over the DMV booklet before taking the written test at the DMV.

10/4/2008 7:05:39 AM

i got my permit yesterday that test is retardedly easy.... answered the first 20 right and was on my way.

10/4/2008 9:00:59 AM

yeah, a good 25% of the dmv answers are completely wrong and unsafe. the first time I took them based on the MSF material and common sense and failed.

10/4/2008 9:47:54 AM

yea, me too actually ^

second time you could see where somebody before me had circled the answers and the DMV had erased them

..they were all right apparently

10/4/2008 9:54:23 AM

i just read the sample questions in the dmv handbook...

10/4/2008 10:27:16 AM

i know they're pretty weak sauce, but i'm finding some good deals on these rebel 250s and for what i want it for (for now), i think they're looking good

anyone who's familiar with them, though: $950 for an '87 with 7k miles or $850 for a '99 with 11k miles? honestly, the '87 looked to be in better condition and has fewer plastic parts than the '99, but there's a certain appeal to getting a bike that's 12 years newer (though i realize that with bikes, very little changes in the mechanical operation)

is there any major difference between these two, especially anything affecting overall performance and/or reliability?

thanks!

10/5/2008 9:45:56 PM

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/833108026.html

10/5/2008 9:55:07 PM

^ i would MUCH rather have that, but:

1.) it's twice as much as the two i'm looking at
2.) it's in charlotte (and it's not like i can legally ride it back myself)

i have no doubt that i will want a better and bigger bike after a year or so...but until then, if i can get something for a good deal that i can later on sell for the same price i paid (roughly) and re-learn (and learn more) on it AND get ~75mpg, it'll do for now

unless someone on here wants to practically give me a nicer bike

10/5/2008 9:59:41 PM

its on charlotte cl but it says south raleigh...

but yeah i know its not quite dirt cheap... but really close..

10/5/2008 10:03:55 PM

^ oh, duh...i didn't pay attention to that, since i saw it was the charlotte cl

still...i'm looking for a DEAL...under $1k for a bike in good running order, even a 250, seems pretty good

10/6/2008 9:42:52 AM

Damn dude, you really don't want to spend money on this bike.

I wonder how hard it would be to convert a dirtbike. I'm sure you could find a dirtbike for under $1000.

[Edited on October 6, 2008 at 12:32 PM. Reason : ]

10/6/2008 12:32:25 PM