Beginner V2

Hi everyone,

I've just put deposite on a 2022 Panigale V2, but I'm slightly concerned in some ways...

So I passed MST and had a month on my Ninja 300 with few thouands kms of ride experience. What I noticed is with my Ninja 300 it doesn't come with morden rider aids, not even ABS, and I got a few pendulum swungs during downhills which is not very enjoyable, and especially now I'm getting too comfortable with the power which why I'm looking into some liter bikes with tons rider aids, I'm choosing between S1000RR and the V2 just for now.

But my concern here is: I'm 5'7, eventhough I'm comfortable with 300cc, I've watched tons of crash videos, I'm always staying hydrated when I'm ridding, and I always do hazzard analysis on road, and even with regard that my coach thinks I'm a fast bike learner, but with Panigale it just comes with way more power and tourque, so I need some advices from experienced riders, is it safe for me to do so? What else I should be prepared for.

I'm financially okay if I totalled the bike, it's just I don't want myself to get "totalled" and buy a bike that I'm probably not ready for. I do have the best protection gears in line but still, am I ready for this now? And if not, when would I know I'm ready?

The most deadly part of ANY motorcycle rider. Is the space between your ears! YOU are in control of your experience. Of course more experienced riders could hop on any bike and perform. I would tell you ride your V2 as if it was your 300. Cautious and learn. Go to empty clean roads and parking lots. Practice your braking particularly the front, counter steering, movement on the bike, etc. All the basic skills.
You can actually find huge pride and fun practicing and enjoying the improvement in your skill on the bike.Enjoy the little things. For me it was learning how brake hard using the front.
I've had way more fun on slower turns then hammering it on the straight highways.
Soak it all in, the skill improvement you will see will bring huge satisfaction! But you gotta slow down to see it. My $.02

It sounds like you already have some concerns that you're not ready for the jump in power, and should therefore probably just listen to your gut for now. The bike only does what you tell it to, but if you're not mentally comfortable with having a larger bike under you yet, then you should probably wait. No need to rush it. There are a lot of great bikes in between that would allow for a progression in power from bike to bike to bike. If you're bored of the 300 already and can use all of its power without even thinking about it, then take the next step and pick up a 600 or 650 (660?) with the tech you're looking for. You'll have a lot more fun riding a slower bike fast than a faster bike slow. Then, when you're bored of that too, make the next step. my .02.

If you can ride your 300 to Starbucks you should be ok on the V2.

You have an awareness of self and an appreciation for consequence. You will be fine on the V2.

Keep taking classes.

Jrsq270 said:

The most deadly part of ANY motorcycle rider. Is the space between your ears! YOU are in control of your experience. Of course more experienced riders could hop on any bike and perform. I would tell you ride your V2 as if it was your 300. Cautious and learn. Go to empty clean roads and parking lots. Practice your braking particularly the front, counter steering, movement on the bike, etc. All the basic skills.
You can actually find huge pride and fun practicing and enjoying the improvement in your skill on the bike.Enjoy the little things. For me it was learning how brake hard using the front.
I've had way more fun on slower turns then hammering it on the straight highways.
Soak it all in, the skill improvement you will see will bring huge satisfaction! But you gotta slow down to see it. My $.02

Click to expand...

Absolutely, appreciate your advice there. I didn't even think about taking V2 to practice basic skills, but now I'm definely going to do so.

Ducatings said:

It sounds like you already have some concerns that you're not ready for the jump in power, and should therefore probably just listen to your gut for now. The bike only does what you tell it to, but if you're not mentally comfortable with having a larger bike under you yet, then you should probably wait. No need to rush it. There are a lot of great bikes in between that would allow for a progression in power from bike to bike to bike. If you're bored of the 300 already and can use all of its power without even thinking about it, then take the next step and pick up a 600 or 650 (660?) with the tech you're looking for. You'll have a lot more fun riding a slower bike fast than a faster bike slow. Then, when you're bored of that too, make the next step. my .02.

Click to expand...

Yes I did think of getting a 600 equivalent bike. But on the market, R7 is bit of high for me (I'm 5'7), SuperSport is great but my experienced friends are seem to be having problem with this bike (I don't really know the reason), RS660 has some protential engine issues, and the rest are just not looking good as these three... I was going for the SuperSport S, I'm confident with everything about this bike but for some reason experienced riders don't like this one.

Mick1976 said:

If you can ride your 300 to Starbucks you should be ok on the V2.

Click to expand...

I commute on my 300 whenever its sunny outside so I guess I gonna be fine?

bp_SFV4 said:

You have an awareness of self and an appreciation for consequence. You will be fine on the V2.

Keep taking classes.

Click to expand...

That actually gives me lots of confidence

If I can give you any advice, stop watching crash videos. You get into this self licking ice cream cone of PTSD where you think everyone on the road is out to kill you, the roads are made of ice and your tires have no grip.

Watch more skill building videos. Motojitsu on YouTube is good and Yamaha Champ School, even better, has an online class option and free stuff on YouTube. Practice and take classes.

Get the V2, do some track days and leverage a coach to learn how to really ride and get confident on the bike. The street riding squids who think they are fast on the street and are typically the ones in crash videos, in reality are slow, and mostly have zero riding skills. Don’t be them. Ride within your comfort zone, use your head, and always be scanning for hazards if you’re on the street.

Throw it into wet mode for the first few rides to get used to it? V2 is a great usable motorcycle as opposed to an over-powered V4 or I4 1000. I use my 959 to commute into work and then take it to the track on weekends

THIS ASAP.
You will leap forward in skill confidence and muscle reaction. Oh ya, that's a thing. Just like riding a bicycle. You're going to grow into it. Just try to do the growing SLOWLY.
At some point you will start to have way too much fun and slam open the throttle. That's where you're going to be introduced to your slowly growing muscle memory & practiced reactions & or your limits. "Limits," as in don't get passed them.
At the track, there are no cars, intersections, pot holes, dogs, deer, and everyone is going the same direction. It becomes about you and the bike.
The street is about you and 3million idiots texting. It's really hard to learn there, but you got to learn that bit too.

brad8266 said:

Get the V2, do some track days and leverage a coach to learn how to really ride and get confident on the bike. The street riding squids who think they are fast on the street and are typically the ones in crash videos, in reality are slow, and mostly have zero riding skills. Don’t be them. Ride within your comfort zone, use your head, and always be scanning for hazards if you’re on the street.

Click to expand...

lolz...know your limits and drive at 60% tops.


this is funny...

Every month some guy who just discovered two wheels asks the internet for the same advice, should I get a V2/V4/H2R for my first or second bike.

Internet says .... Yeah Do it!

Send it!

V4R

I am almost on the same boat as you minus the experience (and still looking for a good deal on a v2). Been riding for 9 years on and off on different bikes. Had my 300 for the past 6 years and was riding it daily up a 2-3 years ago. IMO, rider assists are helpful, but at the end it all boils down to you, your experience/comfort, and if you are able to control the bike properly. I'd recommend to keep riding your 300 a bit longer and possibly try tracking your 300 before hopping on a V2 as there are still a lot to learn. Doesn't matter if you are riding a 300cc or a 1000cc, if you can't control the bike at lower cc's, you won't be able to control the bike at higher cc's even with rider assists. I would also probably try to figure out what could have potentially caused the pendulum swings downhill.

Also, what did you mean when you said R7 is too high for you? V2 has a higher seat height compared to the R7 (33.2" vs 32.9").

I'm 53 and started riding at age 10. My skill level is average and I haven't been to a track in 30 years. But my perspective on this is that I have also been in the position of wanting a bike that was/ is above my skill level and still being able to enjoy it. I don't ride overly aggressive or fast on the road but I can certainly tell the difference between the hundred plus bikes that I have ridden in my time. Any bike can get you into trouble in a heart beat if you are not careful or ride above your personal skill level but they can all be used at enjoyable slower speeds. When I started riding none of my bikes had any rider assistance of any kind for better or worse. these days, the bikes are certainly faster but have a lot of features to keep you out of trouble. My current V2 is capable of performing far above what I will ever try but that does not mean that I don't appreciate and enjoy a docile commute or subdued but spirited weekend ride. It's an amazing machine to ride. The biking experience extends to joys of how you feel just looking at your bike, cleaning it, being on it... I say go ahead and get one, just be smart when you ride. Of course go thru some riding classes and let yourself acclimate and learn but don't be too worried.

Well put.