How big of a jump was it when you moved up from the 250 to 650? I mean obviously the weight and power, but did it take you long to adjust? And for bikes to queue behind cars, how did you overcome that fear to start filtering between traffic?

Curious though, why ride then 250 when you have the 650? Hahah, wouldn't the whole reason for upgrading is so you can move up?

Alright, I'm going for my Undang lecture and all this Sat. Hopefully it all goes well.

Once that is done, I'm going to start my lessons as soon as possible and also take on a 3rd party riding lesson just to get myself a bit more acquainted riding a bike. And of course, to get myself a starter bike (Dominar) to practice on.

In the initial month, I'm thinking of just riding around my housing area getting used to controls and trying slow speed maneuvers. Need to build that confidence before going on the road coz traffic on Federal highway is no joke and hearing horror stories about the bike lane there isn't confidence inspiring either. I'll make sure to stick the "L" Sticker loud and proud and keep fingers crossed people will be more understanding on the road.

I've also been hearing people saying I should get a half-face helmet instead of a full-face as a newbie just to give me a bit more vision riding the bike. Thoughts on this, kawans?

This post has been edited by JPlaSMaY666: Oct 22 2024, 08:22 AM

Yea, I don't think me being 75+ kg will be able to hold back a falling 180++kg bike from falling..

See quite a lot of motorcyclist filtering at breakneck speeds though which kinda makes me anxious about riding but I suppose that's something that I will overcome with time and experience.

Oh yea, I'm no stranger to clutches as I daily drive a Manual Vehicle. Would take some getting used to on the clutch bike but I'll manage. I still remember my first time driving on the road after getting my license and I was stopped at a traffic light on a slope. FUH, the fear and anxiety was real especially when you have drivers who press the horn the moment light turns green. Lols, reaction time faster than 'F1 drivers'...

Nice! Might just go take a look and get some essentials...mainly the helmet and jacket. Hope they got people there who can help with helmet fittings as I would like to try stuff out.

Yea, I'll just leave the MT07 dream to simmer while I pile on the miles and experience while on the 'starter bike'. I'll just be going with the Dominar 400 for the budget, weight and also maintenance for now. Looking to mod that ugly ass headlights to something more 'garang' as I see quite a few nice 3rd party headlights online.

Hopefully, when it's time for me to move up, the MT07 will be cheaper and comes with ABS too. Hahah

Yea, no euro bikes for me though the ducati monster is sexy as hell (for me at least). Bike price isn't really my concern, it's the maintenance and the 'desmo service' that scares me from what I've been hearing from more experienced riders. Initially thought of the shiver 750 as well but the low prices all around seems to be quite sus. Accessories for it seems to be harder to find as well.

Yea, thanks for sharing that insight and recommending the Dominar. Haven't had the chance to test ride it but I've been eye-ing a few online. Will check them out once I've got my L and gotten a few lessons from the riding school.

Average works for me as I won't be keeping the bike too long (I hope). A year or so but I do intend to ride to work as much as I can to gain that experience. Now I just need to start building that confidence to ride out of my Taman. Hahah

Agreed. I'm sure I'll be able to find my preference once I start riding more. As of now, what I do know is I won't be getting a sports bike for sure.

I used to own a 1996 ZX9R and I learn-to-ride/ rode around without a license more than 15 years back. Around my housing area only, mind you. Thought I could just wing it and learn on the way but dropping the 200+kg bike early on thought me a valuable lesson not to 'mess around and find out' as I could get myself or the people around me killed. Loads of 'fun moments' ensued but I sold off the bike before anything un-towards happened. Fun Fact: As heavy as it is, the bloody bike can give you a nasty shock if you accidentally let go of the clutch.

So this time round, I'm trying a ground up approach and taking steps to learn the right way, hopefully I'll learn to be a rider the right way.

Whoa Shah Alam to Semenyih? That's a lot of awesome open roads to open up that throttle man.. hahah

I'm sure they're more comfy as they are made for touring. The thing with touring bikes are, it'll be quite a waste if I don't plan to take it on road trips and such. Granted I might have to move between traffic during my commute and of course needing to go into the city every once in awhile. And I don't know how easy it is to 'cilok' given that it has fairings vs a naked bike that has none. They look intimidatingly tall too.. hahah

I'm still a newbie.. TRUST ME. I only owned that bike for 6 months before selling it off as most times, I had to compose myself before taking it off the paddock stand and heading out. The power and sheer weight scared the crap out of me as I didn't have anyone guiding me and mind you, I had no license nor experience riding bikes what more big bikes.

I remember one particular incident where I took the bike out for a test ride around my taman. I fell as I was turning because the handlebars just locked up at an angle, I went down like a bag of bricks. Couldn't even get the bike up, and a few helpful souls at the opposite mamak had to come over and help lift the bike. Lucky I had a fullface on, but 'malu gila' time tu... sold the bike real soon after.

I'm determined to start off on the right foot this time. Proper training, mental preparation, on a bike I can build my confidence on. Hence all these questions. So yea, I'm very much a newbie hoping to learn all I can from all the sifus here

One step at a time la. No panniers for me coz I don't want to be wrecking people's side mirrors for now. Hahaha. But once I've built that confidence, I won't say no to joining long rides but we'll see.. baby steps baby steps.

I'm going to get my L this Sat and starting my lessons too. So as with all great journeys starts with a single step, I'm taking my first step forward.

Sure didn't feel like it to me especially for someone having never ridden a bike before. It was heavy as hell, with limited turning radius on the handlebars. Most of all, it felt big..WAY TOO BIG for me. Or it could just be my nerves.

And I've only ever went up to 2nd gear.

It took me awhile to figure out left leg controls the gearing and right controls the rear brakes. That's how much or a newbie I was. Even switching gears was a mystery for me with the bike dying a few times as I didn't know which gear I was in and if I am be shifting up or down.

In hindsight, I was lucky I didn't kill myself or anyone else jumping into something so dangerous without the proper preparation.

You're going to laugh at this but... after a bad breakup, I decided to buy a superbike off a nice chap from Mudah and my friend rode it home for me while I drove a car.

Young and Stupid of me. I thought I was invincible. Boy, did I learn quick once I felt the weight of the bike for the first time and doubts started creeping in. You know those moments where you're hit with that sudden realization and question your decision like, what have I done.

Hi Kawans, in case anyone's wondering, I'm still alive and well. got all my limbs intact too. Hahah

Just to update, I've gotten my bike for a week and had my first class at the driving school yesterday. Ended up with a Leoncino 250 in pretty good condition from a friend (Was a deal I couldn't resist)

And also I want to thank everyone who talked me out of getting an MT07 as my first bike. My driving school uses the MT07 as their practice + test bikes and whoa, the handling and weight is not something I would have been able to handle without any prior experience. So thanks for stopping me from doing something stupid.

By the way, I could go through the riding test motions at the driving school but one thing I seem to be having issues with is the dreaded titi. Kept going off the titi for some reason even when I'm trying to follow through with all the tips given.

- Don't look down
- Look ahead
- Play with clutch and brake

One thing that caught me is always the 'bump' going up the titi and it takes me half a second to steady myself once I'm fully on it. As time in the driving school is always limited, does anyone have any other tips on how else I can practice the skills needed to pass this 'wall'? Hahah

Thanks Kawans!

Ah crud, that's where I failed as I've been drilled doing my braking via the front brakes only and not touch the back. Guess that's where it's coming back to haunt me now. Need to work on my back brakes. Since getting my bike, I've not touched my back brakes at all so I guess that's my kryptonite..

Need to go back to practicing slow maneuvers with the back brakes..

Another thing to note, the bikes in my school have some of biggest free play on the clutch and on a bike like the MT-07, a little slip means the engine dying, or worst, the bike lurching forward when you least expect it. It's never really the same spot on the clutch friction zone.

The MT-07 was definitely good enough in the brief time I spent with it at the driving school. Just too much 'goodness' for me to handle without the experience. Hahah

I got the Leoncino for RM7k with some aftermarket parts thrown in for good measure. (Exhaust, Crash Bar, Bar End Mirrors). Mileage was pretty low as well. Originally wanted a different bike but when the Leoncino became available, I didn't think too long because of the newer bike, ABS system and styling compared to the other 250cc bike I was considering.

This post has been edited by JPlaSMaY666: Nov 24 2024, 05:15 PM

Yea, have been practicing just balancing the clutch and back brakes. With the occasional throttle, it definitely made things A LOT easier.

Now I just need to find the balance between balance and going as slow as possible in a straight line. Hoping the hours I put into practicing will come in handy going into my future classes.

Yes, next round will try rotating the bikes. There are 3 Big CC bikes at my school. 2 x MT07 and 2 x ER6N. Will try the other MT07 next class as they only use MT07s during the JPJ test.

Still making amateurish small mistakes but spending around 120km riding around my taman and the surrounding area has helped build some level of confidence on the road. Now I'm trying to get used to going at speed because 50 to 60km/h still feels scary for me on the bike. I don't know if I'm supposed to feel like this. I mean, going 50 to 60 in a car feels vastly different on the bike.. Hahah

I'm riding a Leoncino 250. Not really riding also la. Just within 1 or 2 KM around my house. Navigating curves and hills on public road. What I like most is the straights where I get to really push and try get used to the speeds.

Doing it has really helped me with getting used to the speeds and of course, experiencing what it's like when people say ride like everyone is out to get you (no signals, lane switch at the last second, driving close without safe gap)

Oh yes, I made that mistake when I got my bike. Thought there was no possible way 40km/h felt this fast. Adjusted it back to km/h and the speed seems more realistic but still fast for me (inexperienced rider). Hahah

Lols, hitting a bump at nearly 100km/h...that's way crazy man. It's a miracle you didn't launch off the bump.