I need to learn how to insert gifs on this website/forum lol
Which is safer to ride as a first bike?
- Thread starter SecretlyaFish
- Start date
Help Support Ducati Forum:
I need to learn how to insert gifs on this website/forum lol
- Joined
- May 30, 2013
- Messages
- 64
- Location
- BC, Canada
I've seen too many new riders where I live on new bikes with all the rider-aids bin it and there has been a couple casualties. TC, ABS, and all the fun bells and whistles are to help experienced riders go faster and have greater control of their machines. Too many new riders treat the electronic packages as bail-outs when they screw up and nothing will beat experience. I feel you have to work your way up to the new bikes. My last pre TC ABS bike before my Pani was a 999 and I had a huge amount of respect for the bike. Once on the Panigale it was a total blast to ride and I couldn't believe what I could get away with using the electronics package but you have to work your way up to it.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2018
- Messages
- 41
- Location
- Denver
I told the sales person the V4s was my first bike. He told me it would be no problem with all of the electronic nannies. So long as I was responsible with it.
The service advisor was a bit wiser and suggested something a bit more suitable for a noob.
The service advisor was a bit wiser and suggested something a bit more suitable for a noob.
Totally agree with a previous post, start with dirt bikes, then work your way up to the street. Saves a lot of pain and possible fatality. You can learn a lot getting dirty. Been around a long time, experience is....invaluable...Start slow and with low power and work your way up, otherwise....
Last edited:
LOL what the .....
....... sales people, "just make the sale bro" mentality.
People assume, all the electronic aids make the bike fool proof.
Its two wheels, no amount of rider aids make them ..... proof.
Heed the service advisors words start low & slow preferably on the dirt so you get the feeling what front end wash outs & rear slides are all about. They are fraught with danger to try and replicate on the road where as most times a stack on the dirt wont hurt that much providing you ride within your ability.
Next time you go to that bike shop take a wet salmon fish and ..... slap the sales dude as all he is interested in after you leave the door on a V4S is his commission.
Besides he wont even bat an eye lid if you stack it and pine box yourself.
Next time you go to that bike shop take a wet salmon fish and ..... slap the sales dude as all he is interested in after you leave the door on a V4S is his commission.
Besides he wont even bat an eye lid if you stack it and pine box yourself.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2018
- Messages
- 41
- Location
- Denver
Yeah. I was just seeing what kind of reaction I got. It wasn't really my first bike. Was a bit shocked the salesperson was playing along.
I spent about a decade racing MRA and WERA, behind a white number plate for the latter years. I was never excellent, but I did manage to eek out a small count of podiums in my time.
I tell you what, this V4s is WAAAY faster than my last fully prepped 1000 superbike when I hung up my race suit 8 years ago. Definitely not a bike for a newbie.
I learned to ride on an FZR400, started racing on a CBR600 while I had a yellow plate, and I think it was my third year with a white plate that I finally got into the liter bikes. Sometime between the 600 and 1000 I started riding dirt on 250s and 450s to cross train. Even with a number of race seasons under my belt, the dirt had so much to teach me. It made me a far better rider on both dirt and pavement. It was also easier to get in quick practices due to much closer proximity of dirt tracks than road courses. I'd highly recommend a similar step up approach to any new rider that asked me, but perhaps start in the dirt instead of picking it up later.
Last edited:
These sales people will sell you anything regardless of experience, they're idiots lol.
Reading your riding bio, i'd say you have better experience than most people who ride fpr sure. i've heard that, that riding both types, dirt an road compliment each other... I feel like dirt bike riding teaches you finesse, personally i havent ridden dirt in awhile.
I do put alot of miles on the road though. What was the last superbike you rode?
I feel like ducatis are the hardest to master of all but highly rewarding when you do. I took last years bmw s1000rr for a burn and it makes you look like a hero. Unbelievably easy to get the hang of, mind you i'll be honest i wasnt giving it too much grief. Its like going to a rodeo and taking the donkey out, its not going to do anything really silly. The 1299 to me feels like the bull in the corner no one can get the saddle on lol.
Ok so i got carried away with the analogy.
Lol gold. Reminded me of this
https://youtu.be/Q9zNUPDmnz4
Ahh yes, the ultimate squid video.
I think any cycle with Cornering ABS, TC, and Wheelie control are safer than those that do not have those rider aids, but they are probably better suited for medium skill riders. Noobs often creep up to the limits then target fixate, are afraid to lean the bike, or react to slowly.
Get what you want but know a lighter bike that transitions well, with at a min ABS is best for new riders. And practice testing the limits of the ABS system. Far too new riders don't do this.
I watched a kid who just bought an R6 on Friday slam on his brakes at highway speed and go over the top. He broke is collar bone but it could have been worse.
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2018
- Messages
- 41
- Location
- Denver
Maybe finnese is a way to describe it. I dunno. For me, it's learning to feel under control when grip is not ideal and you are sliding. Front end slide into a corner, rear end out of a corner. That's what dirt bike taught me. Watch a fast guy at a track day and then watch dovi on TV. Both know good lines, both have good braking markers, etc. But watch how dovi looks like he's sliding on ice for the last 50ft of a braking segment while tipping into a corner. Watch how he has perfectly controlled chaos with his grip and everything else into and out of corners.
That's what you learn on dirt (albeit to a lesser degree than dovi can do), as you push it, in an environment that forces you to learn that, and is more forgiving of mistakes (Easier recovery) and even more forgiving when you don't recover and put yourself into the ground (soft dirt vs pavement, and speeds way lower).
You cannot be truly fast until you learn to operate right at that edge of the envelope, when you are controlling what many riders would consider out of control chaos.
You can learn this on the dirt so much better. You don't destroy your body or your bike while you find that edge and learn to dance on it. You also have more gradual slides, to learn to ride the slide without huge risk of it turning to a high side as soon as you aren't 100% on your game.
That's my take on it. It's worth what you paid for it
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2018
- Messages
- 899
- Location
- Danville, Vermont
I can say this - Track events if being taught by a good school or rider will tell you these track days make you a better rider - A SAFER RIDER. A better rider and a safer rider go hand and hand.
I agree with you mostly, other than the fact not all rider aids behave the same or are of the same quality. My previous bike, an ebr 1190rx has the worst traction control system ive ever used other than the one in my ford lol.
It was pointless, too obtrusive no matter how much you changed it up or down, was practically a gimmick. Never had it on after that.
Lol glad you liked the vid.
I love gsxr's, no other fact other than their bulletproof. Not the prettiest bike but hard to kill. Good bikes.
Maybe finnese is a way to describe it. I dunno. For me, it's learning to feel under control when grip is not ideal and you are sliding. Front end slide into a corner, rear end out of a corner. That's what dirt bike taught me. Watch a fast guy at a track day and then watch dovi on TV. Both know good lines, both have good braking markers, etc. But watch how dovi looks like he's sliding on ice for the last 50ft of a braking segment while tipping into a corner. Watch how he has perfectly controlled chaos with his grip and everything else into and out of corners.
That's what you learn on dirt (albeit to a lesser degree than dovi can do), as you push it, in an environment that forces you to learn that, and is more forgiving of mistakes (Easier recovery) and even more forgiving when you don't recover and put yourself into the ground (soft dirt vs pavement, and speeds way lower).
You cannot be truly fast until you learn to operate right at that edge of the envelope, when you are controlling what many riders would consider out of control chaos.
You can learn this on the dirt so much better. You don't destroy your body or your bike while you find that edge and learn to dance on it. You also have more gradual slides, to learn to ride the slide without huge risk of it turning to a high side as soon as you aren't 100% on your game.
That's my take on it. It's worth what you paid for it
I totally agree, much safer to learn in the dirt than on a road track with a road bike, not going as fast etc therefore in theory you shouldnt be as vulnerable to serious injury. Although that also depends where you're riding too. If you're out in the bush, well you're rolling the dice. As my friend did who came off and his knee hit a rock when he landed and it needed a full reconstruction afterwards.
Nice example there with dovi. I might have to get back on the dirt...
Similar threads
Register CTA
Register on Ducati Forum! This sidebar will go away, and you will see fewer ads.
Sign Up
