<p>For us experienced riders, Icarus, you are totally right. I guess I'm just overreacting. :) Luckily, lane-splitting is legal, and my hometown is known for its wide streets and safety (hence, the name Irvine).</p>
<p>Is your Duc your first bike?</p>
<p>620 Dark? Yes, it is. What happened to your Ninja?</p>
<p>It's sitting in my mom's garage in Los Angeles, rotting away. So sad.</p>
<p>I could ride it around for ya, Ari. You know - to, uh, keep the oil flowing and.... such ;)</p>
<p>What kind of bike do you have, Icarus? Where do you ride to at UCLA? I imagined riding to the beach from UCLA, but I remembered I'm not even at UCLA yet.</p>
<p>
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I guess I'm just overreacting.
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<p>well not completely. Just need to add the caveat that motorcycling being safe is contingent on doing all those things I noted. I hear way too many stories of people walking in and buying a new R6 or gixxer1k for their first bike with no experience or training whatsoever. They have a much higher chance of getting themselves seriously hurt than people who do it right.</p>
<p>Self-restraint and control, it comes down to. It feels good to talk to fellow motorcyclists, I don't know any around here.</p>
<p>I've got a Ninja 500r that I love. Its been a great first bike. However that new Triumph Daytona 675 is making me seriously consider the upgrade ::drool:: :)</p>
<p>Icarus,</p>
<p>It's well past its prime, the poor baby. Plus, I think the carbs (yep, not fuel injection) are already in need of work again.</p>
<p>After grad school, I really want a new bike. Either that, or a BMW 3 Series. So hard to decide.</p>
<p>I ride as much as I can. A lot of it is just for fun with friends who ride, but also to go visit friends at LMU or SUC, and just wherever else I need to go. I just got back from a ride down Wilshire ---> PCH ---> Sunset back to UCLA. Its a nice ride that takes about 45 minutes. Get to ride by the ocean, have some twisties... great way to clear the mind when there is school work to do haha.</p>
<p>BTW, my next bike? CBR1000RR. A 600CC is fun and all, but I feel the need for something bigger.</p>
<p>^ Excellent choice!! A friend of mine just got one in black - it's beautiful, and he says amazingly powerful.</p>
<p>Oh man, the Wilshire to PCH ride is nice. I used to do Sunset to the beach with a buddy, and we'd stop at this little cafe and get breakfast.</p>
<p>Well, whatever I buy, I think I'm goin' Honda. I've ridden most of the Japanese companies at least once, and the Hondas just feel more solid.</p>
<p>I only rode one Ducati, and man it was nice, but for some reason that Honda feel makes me happy. You know what's sad though? Japanese don't buy a lot of sport bikes. They buy lots of crappy small puttputt types since the laws are so strict. Lame.</p>
<p>right on - Hondas are bulletproof. I don't like the Yamahas - way too small and uncomfortable for me. I've never ridden a CBR, but the zx-6r that I tried was really nice.
I don't know though - I keep coming back to the 675. Even though I hear its a small bike, I need to go sit on it to see for myself.</p>
<p>What do you think you're going to do with your ninja?</p>
<p>Well, right now it's registered non-op. I may just repair it and keep it anyway, though. It's a neat old bike, and has low mileage. Maybe I'll give it to my girlfriend if she ever decides to ride.</p>
<p>Yamahas are also too light in the front, if you ask me. I like Kawasakis of course, but I like variety better. :)</p>
<p>I'm lucky I live close to PCH, it makes a nice ride even nicer :). The Triumph is monstrous - get it! </p>
<p>I think one reason why people enjoy Japanese bikes more is because they have a higher pitched sound (sounds more like sportbikes). My Ducati has a low pitched growl... it scares me in the morning when I just wake up. Other than that, the clutch and throttle are super sensitive on this thing.. if you don't have smooth hands, the torque in this bike will throw you off (I've never downed my bike, though). I think you should get a Ducati or Aprilia, just because I'm a fan of Italian motorcycles.</p>
<p>These posts are missing the main issue. If you are a rider you know your bike can get stolen anywhere…please do not underestimate the actual risk. Riding is extremely dangerous in LA. If you have just been accepted to LA you do not have the experience to ride here. Please listen, I am a born and raised Harley Davidson rider…the very real kind, the kind that friend’s fight against helmet laws because they are insane. Listen it is not safe to drive an M1 in LA and especially in Westwood. Every year at least one student is seriously injured…I mean lost limb, half of their face taken off…it is not due to your abilities, though at our age…and I know you think you are special, we all do…you are not equipped to handle what you will be experiencing in Westwood alone…most of these people shouldn’t even be driving cars…you will not have the speed, maneuvering capability or accuracy (due to your bike alone…not even skill) that is need to avoid the drivers that will left turn in front of you unaware you are there, the ones that will side swipe you and toss you from your bike…please don’t be stupid, I love motorcycles but right place right time, it isn’t worth your life. I speak from real experience…most of you won’t listen, but if just one does.</p>