Hello from central PA

1255 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Yamaha-R3, Feb 12, 2016

Jason C.

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2016

You bought a bike in Feb and you live in PA!? I know...thanks global warming.

Hey Forum my name is Jason, I just picked up a raven black R3 today and went for my inaugural ride. I haven't been on two wheels in over 10 years since I sold my dirt bike for my first truck. First impressions: I'm glad this is the bike I started with. I was honestly a little intimidated at first and a few stalls starting out didn't help. Finally getting a hang of the clutch I found the balance to be much easier than I expected. 30 min of stop starts and slow turns on my dead end street and I crossed the scary highway and hit easy 25 mph road and developments for another hour. Building up some courage I cruised on the B roads (as the brits say) until finally hitting the main 55 mph road for a few miles. Snows a comin' so probably wont be riding much until spring when I take the MSF class.

Some questions. A few times I was apparently in between gears, the shift indicator had dashes and it felt like it was putting down like half the power. This happened 3-4 when I think I didn't get a good up click. Clutch and try again and it worked, but my question is this just operator error, should it be doing this?

If any one in PA has taken the MSF (maybe they are the same everywhere?) should I skip the beginners class and just go to the intermediate?

Do all sport bike mirrors suck this bad? I can't see anything behind me no matter how I try to adjust them.

Anyway, I am excited to start riding again. Anyone in central PA feel free to hit me up.

-Jason

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Werder

· #2 · Feb 9, 2016

Take the beginners MSF.

Sounds like operator error on the shifting. It's not the smoothest but for the price of bike you get what you pay for and its not really that bad.

I also don't feel the mirrors are bad either. There is a whole thread about them in this forum. You can buy a spacer that pushes the mirror slightly out further. It helps to see more without having to more your elbows so much.

Good luck!

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Bird

· #3 · Feb 9, 2016 (Edited)

The mirror spacers improve but do not solve the problem. There will still be some minor chicken winging to see but its 50% better than stock where you almost have to move your arm.

Some people claim its a total fix. I fail to see how they completely solve the issue. I am 5'6" and it certainly did not solve the issue. Only improved it.

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Jason C.

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 9, 2016

Thanks for the responses, I will check out the spacers. I like the chicken wing analogy, pretty accurate with what I was doing lol.

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Kojiiro

· #5 · Feb 9, 2016 (Edited)

Jason C. said:
You bought a bike in Feb and you live in PA!? I know...thanks global warming.

Hey Forum my name is Jason, I just picked up a raven black R3 today and went for my inaugural ride. I haven't been on two wheels in over 10 years since I sold my dirt bike for my first truck. First impressions: I'm glad this is the bike I started with. I was honestly a little intimidated at first and a few stalls starting out didn't help. Finally getting a hang of the clutch I found the balance to be much easier than I expected. 30 min of stop starts and slow turns on my dead end street and I crossed the scary highway and hit easy 25 mph road and developments for another hour. Building up some courage I cruised on the B roads (as the brits say) until finally hitting the main 55 mph road for a few miles. Snows a comin' so probably wont be riding much until spring when I take the MSF class.

Some questions. A few times I was apparently in between gears, the shift indicator had dashes and it felt like it was putting down like half the power. This happened 3-4 when I think I didn't get a good up click. Clutch and try again and it worked, but my question is this just operator error, should it be doing this?

If any one in PA has taken the MSF (maybe they are the same everywhere?) should I skip the beginners class and just go to the intermediate?

Do all sport bike mirrors suck this bad? I can't see anything behind me no matter how I try to adjust them.

Anyway, I am excited to start riding again. Anyone in central PA feel free to hit me up.

-Jason

Welcome to the forum!
-I think you arent using enough force when shifting, so dont be shy.
- If you have previous experience, I honestly think the MSF BRC can be passed up for the ERC/ARC, especially if you have dirt experience. The problem is though, I think the BRC is a pre-req course. It was for me at the time.

-If you already have your endorsement or arent using the MSF course to have the road test waived, then maybe a good compromise is to ride around the neighborhood or quiet parking lot to brush up and schedule yourself for an advanced rider course if they dont need the basic one as a pre-req. I know road and offroad are a bit different, but I am sure alot of the skills translate over to road.

EDIT: Just saw your bike pic. Dont forget the sliders!

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Jason C.

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 11, 2016

Kojiiro said:
Welcome to the forum!
-I think you arent using enough force when shifting, so dont be shy.
- If you have previous experience, I honestly think the MSF BRC can be passed up for the ERC/ARC, especially if you have dirt experience. The problem is though, I think the BRC is a pre-req course. It was for me at the time.

-If you already have your endorsement or arent using the MSF course to have the road test waived, then maybe a good compromise is to ride around the neighborhood or quiet parking lot to brush up and schedule yourself for an advanced rider course if they dont need the basic one as a pre-req. I know road and offroad are a bit different, but I am sure alot of the skills translate over to road.

EDIT: Just saw your bike pic. Dont forget the sliders!

I can take the skills test from the DMV and get the license without the MSF course then I would assume the would let me take the intermediate. I got 2.5 hours in before the weather turned and I did fine, starting in the development and ending on 40 mph roads with only a few hiccups. As for the sliders, I am certainly going to and am leaning toward the T-rex combo which comes with sliders, case cover, and front/rear axle sliders.

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Jason C.

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 11, 2016

Jason C. said:
I can take the skills test from the DMV and get the license without the MSF course then I would assume the would let me take the intermediate. I got 2.5 hours in before the weather turned and I did fine, starting in the development and ending on 40 mph roads with only a few hiccups. As for the sliders, I am certainly going to and am leaning toward the T-rex combo which comes with sliders, case cover, and front/rear axle sliders.

I am so ashamed of my grammar in that previous post.....

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Ride4Ever

· #8 · Feb 11, 2016

Don't feel bad I bought mine January 10, 2016, and I live in Southeast PA.

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Kojiiro

· #9 · Feb 11, 2016

Jason C. said:
I can take the skills test from the DMV and get the license without the MSF course then I would assume the would let me take the intermediate. I got 2.5 hours in before the weather turned and I did fine, starting in the development and ending on 40 mph roads with only a few hiccups. As for the sliders, I am certainly going to and am leaning toward the T-rex combo which comes with sliders, case cover, and front/rear axle sliders.

The T rex case savers are good. I had them on my bike. I saw that kit you mentioned so that should be a pretty good deal

I honestly dont know if they will let you do the advanced course without the basic one first, but if you can, go for it! When I did mine, I was told I needed my basic course card, which I had in my wallet. I am just not sure if they wanted to see my basic course card first, since for military, you need basic then advanced within 60 days.

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Yamaha-R3

· #10 · Feb 12, 2016

Ride4Ever said:
Don't feel bad I bought mine January 10, 2016, and I live in Southeast PA.

Vmax 1200cc to R3? Wow.

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