bike basics

[potfiend]

I'm thinking of getting into sport bikes and the extent of my knowledge about bikes is stocking parts at a harley davidson shop for a while. I've never ridden or driven on a bike, at least not that I can really remember. I don't even know what I need to know about bikes.

If any of you are into or had any experience with bikes can you give me the basics. I know weight distribution has a big impact at ease of handling at low speeds but in all reality, that's about it. I don't even know whether to shift into a higher gear by tapping the selector up or down.

anyway, if anyone can help me please do.

[Andrew]

BIG Tip: Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. They can tell you much more than I ever could over this forum about riding... and don't take tips from the guys you meet at the Harley dealerships... especially now that everybody and their mother has one for the bling factor.
I don't mean to sound like I'm knocking Harley, I learned to ride on a '74 Sportster... but $30,000 for a motorcycle that won't out-perform an Integra in any manner is pretty fucking lame. Really, most guys that ride Harleys these days couldn't ride well to save their lives. Then again, the fresh out of high school, first bike is a GSX-R 750 kinds aren't exactly the epitome of intelligence, either.
So, take the MSF course and start out on something small and "underpowered."

[uncle_el]

i don't know much, if anything, about bikes. the shop i take my car to has quite a few guys that ride sportbikes regularly. their advice to me was to get a 600cc or 750cc bike to start out with. most sportbikes/streetbikes, are pretty fast compared to cars, but a 1000cc bike is too much for a novice.

only streetbike forum i know of is www.gixxer.com i'm sure you could get a lot more help there than from me, lol.

[kings_blend]

i have a 21 speed....:D

and i also have a 1969 honda z50 and a 1971 honda z50, they have 50cc engines go about 4 kmph:lol:
im restoring both of them right now