Just got my first bike

Hi everyone. I posted a few times a while back about wanting to get a bike. Since I'm saving for school I was looking for a cheap bike to start on. I finally got one today from a co-worker who wanted to buy a new bike. The bike I got is a 1981 XJ550. I was told it was laided down once and has some parts off different bikes, but for the most part its in ok shape. It isn't pretty by any means, but it also only cost me $160. :biggrin: I'm going to get my permit within a week and start practicing at the local church parking lots.

Buy a jacket and a helmet...register for a MSF course (wating list can take months...). Have a blast & Keep the shiny side up!

kudos dude! man I wish I was lucky as you, all the pre-owned 500 cc and below bikes here are overpriced.

Buy a jacket and a helmet...register for a MSF course (wating list can take months...). Have a blast & Keep the shiny side up!

At the top of my list ;)

Perfect way to start out on a bike, congradulations on taking the right steps towards safe riding, and have a blast with it.

Well I forgot my grandpa gave me his old leather riding jacket. Now I just need gloves and a full face helmet. Also I now this body guy who has some extra orange paint. I was thinking maybe I could have the gas tank painted orange with some flat black stripes since it's banged up and the orange would help make the bike a little more visable.

Also I got the bike registered and insured today. The fork seals are gone, the speedo cable is busted, and the new front tire is losing pressure. I'm assuming the tire is the wrong size or the rim needs replacement.

Good luck. Sounds like the tire issue made its way to the top of the list. A good affordable helmet is an HJC.

Well I went down on the bike today. I was doing a sharp 90 degree downhill turn and I didn't make it. I didn't turn the bike hard enough and tried to brake more. Pretty much I did a lot of stuff wrong in taking the turn. Go inexperience! :banghead: I wasn't going fast either. I hit the gravel shoulder and I went down. I didn't have gloves yet so I got some good gash on my left hand and the bike fell on my left leg. It's pretty banged up, but I was happy I was able to lift the bike off my leg. My grandpa's old leather riding jacket saved my shoulder and upper arm. I was off the road so I was lucky there. I broke both the left turn signals, but I have replacements. My leg took most of the fall. Well I knew it would happen. I was just hoping it would've been later on.

sorry to hear of the stack. as long as your ok. you have done the right thing in the way you wanted to get into bikes with a second hand cheapy. just imagine the pain in the back pocket if it was in R1 or other non-prefered newbie bike.
hope you get back on soon and get some gloves!!!!!

hehe yeah I'm working on getting the gloves. It's going to be a little while before I fix everything and get the gloves. I'm guessing about two weeks. The 550 has plenty of power. I can't imagine a R-1 as a first bike. The throttle seems sensitive enough as it is now.

Lean Don't Turn! And Stay Away From Gravel! Good Luck,be Careful People Don't Respect Us On The Roads

Uh I beg to differ, leaning is not for streets and highways, certainly not knee dragging, at least that's what I been suggested. Otherwise, while making the corner, the bike automaticly leans/tips a bit.

Most of the 600 sport bikes today are built to automatically lean/tip a bit, the handbars drop a little into the turn, expecially at lower speeds. The yamaha R6 would demonstrate a good example of that while riding in town. Any new riders or ones switching from dirt/cruiser bikes to sport will definitly notice it the most, it just takes a little getting used to.

most new riders r assuming to turn the handlebar to take curves like bikes or other vehicles,i know they turn a little bit, he needs to learn to hold on to the bike with his knees helping him keep balance in the turns ,sharp or long ,i did not mean for him to try to drag a knee.

You WILL go where you look. If you want to make a turn, look ALL THE WAY THROUGH! Don't look at cars or at gravel or at guardrails b/c you WILL start to go towards them. It's a given.

not looking forward to that, im an ex dirt bike rider, never lent in my riding life, expect to put a foot down, this is going to be one hell of a learning curve when i get my bike

Yeah I decided I would practice more even though the speedo doesn't work at the local high school parking lot. I practiced turning and quick stops for a good bit. Also I've decided I want the AC-11 HJC helmet. I believe the medium should fit being that every medium helmet I've tried so far has fit well, but maybe I'll try to find one at a dealer to test fit. I think it would just be ok to pick up a medium though. Any websites for the best price you know of? I'll probably run a search tomorrow.

Try newenough.com for the AC11. My friend got a much better price there than I did in a store... then again, I bought mine when it was a brand new model. Try to find at least another HJC helmet on to see if the Medium in their sizes is right for you. I know that I need an XS, but I'm a girl. ;)