New rider from Louisville, KY

12notes · 04-12-2022, 04:07 PM

I've been reading this board for a couple of weeks. I just took the MSF Basic Rider's Course last weekend, before that, the only other time I've ever been on a bike was when I had to ride on the back of one at night, down twisty roads, in India, which was pretty much as terrifying as you probably think it was. I have an appointment to get my permit next week, license 30 days later (already passed the riding test), and am looking to get my first motorcycle. I've got it narrowed down to a few.

A bit of background - physically I'm 5'10", 175lbs, with a 30" inseam.
Mechanically I'm a design engineer, currently building a single seat airplane from scratch in the garage, was a welder for 5 years, have worked on my own cars for 25 years, and have designed circuit boards. I'm definitely not afraid of maintenance, electronics, or modifications.

I have a few requirements for a motorcycle. I have raced cars, I like to go fast, but I made a deal with myself when I chose to start riding to never even sit on a sport bike, for the exact same reason I will not try heroin - I'm sure I would like it, but it will kill me fairly quickly. I know my limits, it would be like playing Russian roulette with 5 bullets. I'm not interested in Harley type cruisers, and the bike I learned on, a Honda Rebel 300, had a really uncomfortable seating position for me. I'd like to be upright and not have to splay my hips.

The main reason I want to ride is for when I visit Costa Rica (I may be moving there in a few years) or similar countries, it's just a better way to get around than the bus or in a car. The roads are mostly paved, with potholes and some sections where the road has washed away or never was paved. No point in spending double the money renting a KTM over a Hawk 250 (yes, they rent them) when you can't really go much above 50mph anyway.

I'm looking to purchase a bike towards the end of May, mainly to practice on side streets and parking lots. Originally I thought I wanted a Hawk 250 DLX, but there are no trails to ride anywhere around me and it might be a little tall. I will not be going on any main roads even for a long time, let alone a highway, so I can't really get to a trail. I think the Lifan X-pect 200 would be good match for my needs, but I really like the styling of the Lifan KPM200. I'm not sure of the seating position of the KPM200, I know it is "Cafe bike styled", but the pictures I've seen show a fairly upright rider rather than a laid down racer. If anyone has any insight on the riding position, or better yet has one near me I could sit on, I'd appreciate it.

I've had a carburetor on a truck, and the flying club I'm in has them on their planes. I am familiar with them, I trust them, but I have zero desire to deal with another one. EFI only for me. Maybe there's another upright EFI bike around $2K I'm missing, please recommend if you do know, but please don't recommend a carb bike and start argument #50,001 on carb vs. EFI, you won't change my mind on this.

There's also the fact that it would take me longer to put together the money for the KPM200. I might be able to order a X-pect in late May, KPM would be mid June at the earliest.

Huck369 · 04-13-2022, 07:17 AM

Welcome aboard from a fellow Kentuckian, I'm down in Somerset, I hope you find one that suits you, and always remember to ride as if you are invisible, assume no one sees you, and you'll do fine

**JerryHawk250** · 04-13-2022, 08:43 AM

Welcome aboard!

Falkon45 · 04-13-2022, 09:15 AM

Welcome!!!

As a KPM200 owner, I can tell you that you're fairly upright. If the MSF course had you on a Suzuki TU250 or Honda Shadow 250, that's pretty close to the seating position. I changed my bars to allow me to lean forward a bit more, but it's pretty comfortable. The seat might be a little hard for your liking, though.

Another bike to look it, albeit similar, is the KP200. Basically, the naked version of the KPM/KPR. Honestly, they all have the same seating position, but the tank should be a little taller on the KP200, allowing you to more easily grip the tank for if you get spirited, once you get more comfortable riding.

jban123 · 04-13-2022, 08:44 PM

Welcome!
Also a new rider and bike mechanic.
This forum has been so useful with so many great members.

Ride Smart!

12notes · 04-18-2022, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the welcome.
Thanks for the info Falkon45, I'm now pretty sure I'm going to get the KPM200 in June, unless I get my tax return I filed 3 months ago before then. I just like the way the KPM looks a lot more than the KP or KPR, but if I find someone with one, I'll see if they'll let me sit on it to try it out.

I don't think I'll be riding on even main roads for at least the first couple of months. The drivers here seem incapable of seeing anything smaller than an Explorer - I used to almost get run over regularly in my old Miata, and that had the advantage of being much larger than a motorcycle and bright red.

12notes · 05-01-2022, 07:32 PM

Well, I'm still planning on getting a KPM200, but today I bought a beat up '02 Kawsaki Eliminator 125 to practice on. I figured it would be better to get 2-3 months of practice in now rather than wait until I had the money and for the order to arrive while a good chunk of the riding season slipped away before I started riding. Plus, I won't get mad if I drop this one, it's already been dropped plenty, being a former MSF school bike. It's mechanically sound, though, and starts right up even if you just tap the starter button.
Brighter LED brake lights and rear turn signals are on the way, 10 more days before my DMV appointment to get my permit. They're going to be a looooong 10 days.

NorthGARider · 05-02-2022, 08:10 PM

Hello and welcome! I'm a new rider. I rode a DR125 amost 30 years ago, but no adult experience on bikes (and none on roads). I got a Hawk DLX back in March, and I love it! I do have to say, it does ride tall. I'm 6'5'' and feel it's the right height for me. It's a bit slow on the street, part of that is my skills/weight and part is the bike. But I mainly ride off-road, so it works for me. I was with you on the price. I couldn't justify paying 5-6k for a used Japanese bike that I knew I would bang up. I've only laid the Hawk down once so far (while loading into my truck). Overall I feel it's a great bike to learn how to ride and how to wrench. I'm also mechanically inclined, so I enjoy the maintenance that comes a long with the Hawk.

willardnigma · 05-03-2022, 10:58 PM

Such a small world.

I used to live in Kentucky until 2020.

Lived in somerset for a while (went to the school right by the mall on highway 27

Lived in louisville for a short stent (southern high right by Rally's)
Lived on good ol Norene Lane right by Dino's gas station (god I miss thier wings)

04-12-2022, 04:07 PM	#1
12notes Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 4	New rider from Louisville, KY I've been reading this board for a couple of weeks. I just took the MSF Basic Rider's Course last weekend, before that, the only other time I've ever been on a bike was when I had to ride on the back of one at night, down twisty roads, in India, which was pretty much as terrifying as you probably think it was. I have an appointment to get my permit next week, license 30 days later (already passed the riding test), and am looking to get my first motorcycle. I've got it narrowed down to a few. A bit of background - physically I'm 5'10", 175lbs, with a 30" inseam. Mechanically I'm a design engineer, currently building a single seat airplane from scratch in the garage, was a welder for 5 years, have worked on my own cars for 25 years, and have designed circuit boards. I'm definitely not afraid of maintenance, electronics, or modifications. I have a few requirements for a motorcycle. I have raced cars, I like to go fast, but I made a deal with myself when I chose to start riding to never even sit on a sport bike, for the exact same reason I will not try heroin - I'm sure I would like it, but it will kill me fairly quickly. I know my limits, it would be like playing Russian roulette with 5 bullets. I'm not interested in Harley type cruisers, and the bike I learned on, a Honda Rebel 300, had a really uncomfortable seating position for me. I'd like to be upright and not have to splay my hips. The main reason I want to ride is for when I visit Costa Rica (I may be moving there in a few years) or similar countries, it's just a better way to get around than the bus or in a car. The roads are mostly paved, with potholes and some sections where the road has washed away or never was paved. No point in spending double the money renting a KTM over a Hawk 250 (yes, they rent them) when you can't really go much above 50mph anyway. I'm looking to purchase a bike towards the end of May, mainly to practice on side streets and parking lots. Originally I thought I wanted a Hawk 250 DLX, but there are no trails to ride anywhere around me and it might be a little tall. I will not be going on any main roads even for a long time, let alone a highway, so I can't really get to a trail. I think the Lifan X-pect 200 would be good match for my needs, but I really like the styling of the Lifan KPM200. I'm not sure of the seating position of the KPM200, I know it is "Cafe bike styled", but the pictures I've seen show a fairly upright rider rather than a laid down racer. If anyone has any insight on the riding position, or better yet has one near me I could sit on, I'd appreciate it. I've had a carburetor on a truck, and the flying club I'm in has them on their planes. I am familiar with them, I trust them, but I have zero desire to deal with another one. EFI only for me. Maybe there's another upright EFI bike around $2K I'm missing, please recommend if you do know, but please don't recommend a carb bike and start argument #50,001 on carb vs. EFI, you won't change my mind on this. There's also the fact that it would take me longer to put together the money for the KPM200. I might be able to order a X-pect in late May, KPM would be mid June at the earliest.
	3

04-13-2022, 07:17 AM	#2
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 684	Welcome aboard from a fellow Kentuckian, I'm down in Somerset, I hope you find one that suits you, and always remember to ride as if you are invisible, assume no one sees you, and you'll do fine __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
	1

04-13-2022, 08:43 AM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,552	Welcome aboard! __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	0

04-13-2022, 09:15 AM	#4
Falkon45 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 759	Welcome!!! As a KPM200 owner, I can tell you that you're fairly upright. If the MSF course had you on a Suzuki TU250 or Honda Shadow 250, that's pretty close to the seating position. I changed my bars to allow me to lean forward a bit more, but it's pretty comfortable. The seat might be a little hard for your liking, though. Another bike to look it, albeit similar, is the KP200. Basically, the naked version of the KPM/KPR. Honestly, they all have the same seating position, but the tank should be a little taller on the KP200, allowing you to more easily grip the tank for if you get spirited, once you get more comfortable riding.
	1

04-13-2022, 08:44 PM	#5
jban123 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 17	Welcome! Also a new rider and bike mechanic. This forum has been so useful with so many great members. Ride Smart!
	1

04-18-2022, 05:09 PM	#6
12notes Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 4	Thanks for the welcome. Thanks for the info Falkon45, I'm now pretty sure I'm going to get the KPM200 in June, unless I get my tax return I filed 3 months ago before then. I just like the way the KPM looks a lot more than the KP or KPR, but if I find someone with one, I'll see if they'll let me sit on it to try it out. I don't think I'll be riding on even main roads for at least the first couple of months. The drivers here seem incapable of seeing anything smaller than an Explorer - I used to almost get run over regularly in my old Miata, and that had the advantage of being much larger than a motorcycle and bright red.
	3

05-01-2022, 07:32 PM	#7
12notes Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 4	Well, I'm still planning on getting a KPM200, but today I bought a beat up '02 Kawsaki Eliminator 125 to practice on. I figured it would be better to get 2-3 months of practice in now rather than wait until I had the money and for the order to arrive while a good chunk of the riding season slipped away before I started riding. Plus, I won't get mad if I drop this one, it's already been dropped plenty, being a former MSF school bike. It's mechanically sound, though, and starts right up even if you just tap the starter button. Brighter LED brake lights and rear turn signals are on the way, 10 more days before my DMV appointment to get my permit. They're going to be a looooong 10 days.
	2

05-02-2022, 08:10 PM	#8
NorthGARider Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: North Georgia Posts: 8	Hello and welcome! I'm a new rider. I rode a DR125 amost 30 years ago, but no adult experience on bikes (and none on roads). I got a Hawk DLX back in March, and I love it! I do have to say, it does ride tall. I'm 6'5'' and feel it's the right height for me. It's a bit slow on the street, part of that is my skills/weight and part is the bike. But I mainly ride off-road, so it works for me. I was with you on the price. I couldn't justify paying 5-6k for a used Japanese bike that I knew I would bang up. I've only laid the Hawk down once so far (while loading into my truck). Overall I feel it's a great bike to learn how to ride and how to wrench. I'm also mechanically inclined, so I enjoy the maintenance that comes a long with the Hawk.
	1

05-03-2022, 10:58 PM	#9
willardnigma Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Ohio Posts: 52	Such a small world. I used to live in Kentucky until 2020. Lived in somerset for a while (went to the school right by the mall on highway 27 Lived in louisville for a short stent (southern high right by Rally's) Lived on good ol Norene Lane right by Dino's gas station (god I miss thier wings)
	1