Ah, the good old engine debate. Ask any motorcycle rider what kind of engine they think is best and you will get some surprisingly heated opinions. Our cruiser riding brethren will of course talk up the virtues of v-twins and their torque, while sportbike riders might be somewhat divided between inline fours and v-twins. Single cylinder engines (“thumpers”) are usually reserved for dirt and off-road bikes, but one of the better beginner sportbikes happens to use one – the sharp looking Honda CBR250R. Engine type should not be taken lightly when choosing a first motorcycle and I’ll try to make some sense of the differences here.

V-Twin

A v-twin is a two cylinder engine with the cylinders arranged in the shape of a V; you’ve no doubt seen this engine configuration when looking at cruisers. Ducati famously uses a 90-degree twin cylinder engine that looks more like an L, though most people still refer to it as a v-twin. There are smaller sportbikes like the excellent Kawasaki Ninja 300R which use a parallel twin, where the cylinders are configured side-by-side. BMW offers an opposed twin sometimes called a “flat” or “boxer” engine in some of its motorcycles, where the cylinders sit flat on their sides and 180 degrees opposite each other (I happen to find it weird and impractical to have the cylinder heads sticking straight out the sides of the engine on a motorcycle, but that’s my opinion).

Inline 4

An inline 4 cylinder engine has all four cylinders sitting next to each other in a nice neat row. Most sport and race bikes use this configuration, though you may see an occasional V-4 such as the one in use by Honda’s VFR 1200 and the ultra-rare Ducati Desmosedici.

Single Cylinder

Sometimes lovingly referred to as a thumper, the typical application for a single cylinder engine is dirt and off-road bikes where light weight is king and top-end speed isn’t as important. I mentioned above that the Honda CBR250R uses a single cylinder motor, as do a few road-going cousins of off-road bikes like dual sports and supermotos.

Which One is Best? 

For a beginner motorcycle rider, one of the most important engine characteristics is torque delivery. More specifically, how much torque an engine makes at the lower RPMs will affect your ability to safely control the bike when taking off from a stop or during sudden acceleration. A rider who hasn’t mastered the clutch and smooth use of the throttle will have problems handling a bike with more low end torque. They may take off too quickly and lose control, or be too timid due to the overwhelming power and stall the bike. Either scenario can lead to very bad things.

Torque is a word that gets thrown around a lot when gear heads start talking about their bikes, but most riders actually have a hard time defining it (they definitely know what it feels like though). I tend to explain torque as pulling power. An engine with more torque can haul added weight with ease, whereas horsepower is more important for all-out speed. If you’re comparing engines of the same approximate size, fewer cylinders = more torque at lower RPMs but less peak horsepower. Where this might come into play for beginner sportbike riders is choosing between something like the Kawasaki Ninja 650R or the Yamaha FZ6R. (Let it be known I think both of these are grey area for a first bike).

The Ninja 650R features a parallel twin 650cc motor vs. the FZ6R’s 600cc inline 4 motor. Suffice it to say that the 650R’s twin is going to have more torque at lower RPMs and will definitely pull harder when taking off from a stop. The FZ6R’s inline four will have a softer feel at lower RPMs because it doesn’t produce as much torque down low, but shows its peak torque and power at much higher RPMs. What I’m basically trying to tell you is that less torque at lower RPMs is good for beginners, especially those that are new to using a clutch. More torque = less forgiving. Not that every beginner is doomed to fail if they start on a Ninja 650R which is certainly not the case; there’s just a lot more room for error with less torque when pulling away from a stop.

Now what about the smaller starter sportbikes like the Honda CBR250R (single) and the Ninja 300R (parallel twin)? Since their displacement is much smaller, 250cc and 300cc respectively, they make less torque than their bigger brothers anyway and are more beginner-manageable for that reason. Besides, nobody is making inline fours at those small displacements so you really don’t have a choice.

Personal Note

I started on an SV650, definitely a grey area beginner bike. It had plenty of low-end torque which made taking off from stops difficult at the beginning and definitely nerve racking when turning right at red lights, knowing I had get up to speed quickly. I once stalled it coming out of my driveway because I was nervous about applying too much throttle while making a sharp turn onto the narrow street. The stall caused me to drop the bike, then I did a spectacular butt-over-back roll as I dropped it again while trying to pick it up. By comparison, other bikes I tried with smaller motors like the Ninja 250, Ninja 500 (both no longer made) and even inline 4 motors on 600cc sport bikes were much more manageable to me at lower RPMs. I eventually grew to love my SV650 but my development as a rider was probably slowed at the beginning due to its generous torque at low RPMs.

Anytime I see someone riding a motorcycle without gloves, I’m about 98% certain they’re a noob. They probably haven’t ridden long enough to experience what happens when road debris hits the hands, or worse, what kind of damage can be done to the hands in a crash. Think about how important your hands are to your everyday life… then get yourself a good pair of gloves to protect them. Sportbike riders should look for full gauntlet-style gloves that have padded palms, extra padding on the outside of the pinky finger and hardened knuckle armor.

There’s something therapeutic about a good motorcycle ride; it’s hard to explain and really needs to be experienced to be understood. Being out and about in the mountains soaking up some nice curves, the sun, and some awesome pine-scented fresh air is really something special. So are the multitudes of bugs that splatter all over you during spring time rides, but hey, it’s a small price to pay. Just remember the goals are to have fun and get home safely, so take it easy out there, take your time and enjoy the ride.

It’s really sad to see something like this accident happen. The passenger was wearing a “novelty helmet” which according to the California Highway Patrol, “…failed in the collision and significantly contributed to her death.” Sometimes called skid lids, novelty helmets are not DOT approved and are technically illegal in California and other states with similar helmet laws. They don’t offer any real impact protection and shouldn’t be worn in lieu of a real helmet.

If you’re new to motorcycling, a good helmet should be your first priority when it comes to safety gear. Make sure to get one that’s DOT and/or Snell M2010 approved because it means the helmet has gone through rigorous standardized testing to ensure the rider has a chance to withstand an impact.

Source article: The Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/hemet/hemet-headlines-index/20120507-san-jacinto-woman-killed-in-hwy-79-crash.ece

At the edge of the Angeles National Forest on Angeles Forest Highway

Angeles Crest Highway has quite the reputation as a dangerous place for motorcyclists and deservedly so. Any canyon road in southern California can be a risky ride simply due to the nature of the roads themselves; they’re narrow, mountain-hugging, twisty, prone to falling debris and full of blind turns. Angeles Crest Highway adds its own unique risks thanks to its popularity; it’s a favorite weekend getaway road for motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists and hikers all looking to enjoy L.A.’s native forest. Put all of those people together on the same snaking asphalt and bad things are going to happen, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be safely enjoyed.

In the years since 2004 when I first started riding Angeles Crest Highway and its connected roads, I’ve noticed it looks tremendously different at 2:00 PM than it does at 10:00 AM. Tremendously different as in much less crowded and much safer. There seem to be three distinct shifts when it comes to visitors to The Crest:

1. The early birds – they start around 7:00 AM and are off the mountain by mid-morning.

2. The hordes – they start around 9:00-10:00 AM and are off the mountain by early afternoon. Unsurprisingly, police activity is also at its peak during this shift.

3. The afternoon strollers – they start around 1:30-2:00 PM and are off the mountain before sundown.

If you’re new to The Crest and want to ride it on a weekend, the safer bet is the third shift. It’s surprisingly empty at that time and you can take your sweet time getting to know the twists and turns. Just make sure you get off the mountain before it gets dark and cold.

Ouchie

I’m a huge proponent of track days. There’s no better way to safely learn what your sportbike was built to do while having a blast. Of course nothing’s ever foolproof when it comes to motorcycles; things happen even when you’ve taken all the precautions. But if you’re a beginner or aspiring sportbike rider, don’t let that scare you.

See that nicely reconstructed collarbone with a plate and all the screws in it? That’s my buddy’s x-ray, courtesy of a “love tap” he got about 10 minutes into a track day at Willow Springs in June. He was rounding a corner when a faster but careless rider hit his rear tire, sending him into the air and his bike tumbling. The offender sped away, amazingly unharmed, and never bothered to come over and apologize or see if my buddy was okay. We didn’t even know who it was as my poor friend was too busy crashing to see anything. Several weeks and a successful surgery later, he finally got back to work (thankfully a desk job) and is looking forward to eventually riding again.

So what’s the point of this post, to scare the crap out everyone and bankrupt track day organizers? Sure, it’s a reality check; things like this happen when you’ve got all that horsepower and testosterone out there. But look what else didn’t happen. After his crash, he didn’t go flying off a cliff. He didn’t get hit by a car. He didn’t go flying into a telephone pole or tree. He didn’t leave half his skin on the pavement, thanks to his leathers. The collarbone was the only thing that broke. My point is, track days are still pretty damn safe compared to trying to race in the canyons or the streets. Even though this stuff happens, I don’t hesitate to get out there when I can.

The article linked below is irony at its worst. Folks, wear a helmet. Seriously.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/ny-motorcyclist-dies-on-ride-protesting-helmet-law-124951174.html

My bike in the foreground, burnt trees in the background

The ghastly Station Fire in August 2009 devastated huge portions of the Angeles National Forest, making much of the famed Angeles Crest Highway look like a wasteland. It will take decades for the forest to recover, but eventually it will. As for the area’s roads that many of us have enjoyed for so long, they remain under constant repair due to complications arising from the fire and subsequent landslides due to the lack of vegetation. They also remain as dangerous as they’ve ever been.

If you’re a beginning sportbike rider aspiring to take a run on one of southern California’s most famous roads, keep in mind that it’s not a competition out there. I had a great ride up there by myself last weekend, but that same day a fellow rider didn’t make it home. If you’re ever up there, take it as easy as you need to. If faster riders are behind you, let them pass. If the group you ride with starts going “super squid” on you, stay back and ride your pace. The goal is to enjoy the road and make it home safe.

Nicky Hayden, MotoGP Laguna Seca 2010

If you’re new to sportbikes, becoming a MotoGP fan is a great way to learn about bleeding edge motorcycle technology and give yourself something to talk about amongst fellow sportbike enthusiasts. MotoGP is the motorcycle equivalent of Formula 1: the bikes are 100% custom prototypes costing millions of dollars, there are factory (manufacturer-operated) and satellite (manufacturer-supported) teams, the races are held all over the world and the season runs from March through November. The top racers can’t walk down a street in Europe without being mobbed, and the sport’s most visible star, Valentino Rossi, is one of the world’s highest paid athletes.

So how do you become a MotoGP fan? Here’s the startriding.com 3 step plan:

• Watch the documentary Faster, which makes anyone who watches it an instant MotoGP fan. The 2-disc set covers the 2001-2004 seasons and is an amazing piece of work. It’s on Amazon here: http://goo.gl/II3pr
• Watch the races on Speed (check listings here: http://goo.gl/iGWpq)
• Look for news, bios, pictures and other goodies online:
  • www.motogp.com
  • www.superbikeplanet.com/newind.htm
  • www.roadracingworld.com

If you missed Sunday’s season opener, Australian rider and 2007 champion Casey Stoner (Honda) won the race while last year’s champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) took second. The top American racer is Ben Spies (Yamaha), who got a bad start and finished 6th.

Have fun!

The all new Honda CBR250R

2011 is going to be a great year for beginner motorcycle riders looking at sportbikes. That’s because Honda came out of nowhere and introduced the brand new CBR250R, an entry-level stunner aimed directly at the Kawasaki Ninja 250R and its dominance as the best beginner sportbike available in the U.S. It’s terrific to see some variety at the entry level.

Let’s just get one thing out of the way before moving on to the list though, and that’s my recommendation that anyone looking to buy their first motorcycle get a used one. I know, I know… it’s so tempting to just run out and buy that shiny brand new bike when you’re starting out, but there are a few really good reasons to get a used one first:

• Chances are you’re going to drop it – most of us did. It’s so much better to get those noob mistakes out of the way on a used bike than a brand new shiny one. You will definitely shed fewer tears when it happens.
• Used bikes are cheaper. A lot cheaper. What’s really funny is that you can typically sell a high-demand used bike for just slightly less than you paid for it. My first bike cost $3800 and I sold it 9 months later for $3500.  $300 for 9 months of learning was a pretty good deal.

If you’re still reading at this point, you’re either just curious or not going to listen to my awesome advice. Hopefully you’ve at least read my choosing your first bike page and understand that newbie-friendly power and ergonomics are the most important things I tell people to look for. All right… let’s find out what’s out there this year for those of you set on buying new.

Honda

• CBR250R – amazingly competent looks; that Honda fit and finish; great beginner ergos; friendly power and even available ABS version make this a toss-up with the Ninja 250R for best starter bike around; the seat’s a little higher than expected though so shorter riders should definitely give it a good sit before deciding

Here are walkaround clips I took of the Ninja 250R at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, December 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCn2Qi881PU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPqcfwTcxis

Kawasaki

• Ninja 250R – killer looks; fun to ride; friendly ergos and power; nice after-market stuff; maybe still the best starter bike around because its seat is slightly lower than the new Honda CBR250R

Here are walkaround clips I took of the Ninja 250R at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, December 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUKOIAMJuqg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McyXiVbdjeY

• Ninja 650R – attractive bike but gets into the gray area of starter-friendliness due to its weight, power and size
• ER-6n – naked version of the Ninja 650R with less plastic; it’s the in the same gray area due to its power but its lower seat is better for new riders than the 650R

Suzuki

• GS500F – fully-faired wannabe GSX-R styling is a little polarizing but really good engine and ergos for a starter bike; if you can find one they’re cheap (Suzuki has stopped importing them for now)
• SV650F – aging bike that Suzuki stopped importing but you can still find them at some dealerships; gray area for starters due to its power
• Gladius – naked successor to the SV650; polarizing looks; very competent bike with good ergos but the torquey engine makes it a gray area bike for beginners; hard to find

Yamaha

• FZ6R – sharp looking fully-faired bike, “de-tuned” inline 4 engine, very competent but definitely a gray area starter bike

Ducati

• Monster 696 – the more expensive Italian alternative but definitely a gray area starter bike due to its power; you will curl into a ball and weep for hours if you drop this beauty in the parking lot