R3 as a first Bike ?

[benelli_4572]

Thats the facts , blokes getting back on modern more powerful bikes after years of not riding. Trying to keep up with those that have been riding all along. Lets face it reaction time and that sixth sense that keeps most of us alive is lost when you stop riding for a lengthy period i reckon.

You bring up a good point!

I have a friend who is young (26) who just got back from his seventh tour in Afghanistan, bought a bigger Harley (flhx). Never rode a bike before. And wound up ass ending a stopped suv making a r.h. turn. He is in critical condition with severe brain trauma since 6/15. I honestly believe part of it was inexperience. But another part was not us accommodating a beginner rider as much as we should have. Maybe starting small is a better route. Maybe if his bike was not a 800 pound bagger. Maybe he could've controlled the situation better.

 

[xhdskip]

Benelli,
Sorry to hear about your friend.
Hope he pulls through.
You're right, a 800 pound bike is more like a weapon than a big toy.
it can hurt ya bad and starting smaller I would think,
is the BEST way to familiarize yourself with riding.
But some choose to start big and that's their choice.
I started out on a honda 100 back about 73.
Wife started out on a harley dyna about 3 or 4 years ago.
She's had 1 close call, I've had hundreds,
so it's hard to say which way is better.
Time, and expierence in the saddle, or luck,
with God's grace and mercy.
I'll say a prayer for your friend.

 

[rayjay]

You bring up a good point!

I have a friend who is young (26) who just got back from his seventh tour in Afghanistan, bought a bigger Harley (flhx). Never rode a bike before. And wound up ass ending a stopped suv making a r.h. turn. He is in critical condition with severe brain trauma since 6/15. I honestly believe part of it was inexperience. But another part was not us accommodating a beginner rider as much as we should have. Maybe starting small is a better route. Maybe if his bike was not a 800 pound bagger. Maybe he could've controlled the situation better.

Sorry to hear this..i wish him a speedy recoverery

Ray

 

[TOMCAT]

Sorry to hear this..i wish him a speedy recoverery

Ray

Same here ... hope your mate recovers quickly. Survives seven tours and then that happens to him... strange old world aint it.

 

[CanberraR3]

A sobering bit of news Benelli. Riding these things is one thing but being able to take evasive action is something that requires skill AND EXPERIENCE. I'm sorry but I simply can't recommend a monster bike to any beginner, no matter how cool it makes me sound. It would be irresponsible.

 

[TOMCAT]

Think we've managed to put the frighteners into the prospective Rocket owner. At least been given food for thought anyway

 

[HansO]

Sorry to hear about your mate that is really sad after seven tours to come unstuck on a bike, I hope He makes a speedy and full recovery.
but the one thing we all forget is that very same accident could have happened on a 600cc bike or even a maxi 500cc scooter, it is not so much the size of the bike as even some of the 250cc bikes out there can get going fairly quickly but It is the awareness and experience, hell it could happen to me or any of you, I can't count the number of times over the years I have had a close call cos some Tincan driver had a brain snap and made a last minute change of mind
It is not the size of the bike it is the size of the attitude I have even cancelled going for a ride due to the fact I that something is playing on my mind.
You need to be one hundred percent focused on the surrounding environment

 

[rocket3jjd]

Take it for a test drive and decide for yourself
A five hundred was a big bike when I started riding
Its not no more
But it is not a small bike
The rocket is a big bike ( well the most cc s anyway ) but it is like no other bike I have ridden !
As others have said it will do what you asks of it but respect it
It can be a docile bike that weighs a lot or it can weigh nothing and be the bike of your dreams
You never said how big you were
But you said you have been riding
Take a test drive
Take the bike for a actual ride
After a nice test ride
Buy it you won't regret it

 

[echoraven]

The OP is not a beginner, but going from non riding to a Rocket, I've got mixed feelings.

Had my Rocket for about 3 weeks now. It replaced a Yamaha VStar 1300 that I had for 2 years and it was ridden regularly. Total, I've been back in the saddle for 4 years and probably around 40k miles.

I've questioned my wisdom in getting the Rocket. With the VStar I had reached the point where riding was 2nd nature so the little things like "look where you want to turn" and "cover the brakes" etc I didn't have to think about. With the Rocket my dominating thought is "this beast is big" and those "automatic" things I need to make myself remember. I know it will only be a matter of time before those things fall into the "automatic" category, but I hate that learning process.

If I'm completely honest though, I don't regret getting the Rocket. Like my Bonneville, it's a motorcycle I don't ever see myself getting rid of.

 

[Big Marty]

Yep i havent had my licence for a huge amount of time but i ride almost everyday in all conditions and even when im having fun i never ride outside my ability I got nothing to prove to anyone if your faster than me goodluck to ya i say treat ya self to a medal cos i got two little kids that need their daddy to come home at the end of the ride.
I have been on rides with people much more experienced than i and seen them come unstuck from being over confident and pushing outside their ability sometimes its best to leave egos at home i think .
Dont get me wrong i rarely do the speed limit unless im on the major highway speed trap areas but im certainly not riding with a death wish either.

So much maturity from a young fella there young Mitch but Never more Honest words spoken. My life has been driving or riding without being a smart ass little toys to my favourite's big toys.

The most important thing young Mitch said, "I got nothing to prove to anyone", "I'm certainly not riding with a death wish either".

I've seen a lot riders & drivers that aren't here any more for no other reason they had to prove they could do it better, bigger, & faster than anyone else.