This post came into my head since I've been messing around with a gopro, so here's a ride on a fun road around here:

Very cool

I got a new helmet about a year ago and haven't gotten a new camera mount for it yet, so haven't shot any new material in ages. I also upgraded my bike. Sat on a couple of the mid-range faired Japanese models but didn't like the aggressive seating posture. Test rode the Monster 696 and the Street Triple 675, and this made making a decision trivial:



Have you considered frame sliders? They are supposed to be very useful in low/medium speed drops. Completely saved the frame/tank on mine when I had a drop recently.

I think the process is fairly similar in the US, from when I spoke to one of my cousins who lives there. In Australia, you sign up for a 2 day pre-learner course. You can show up to this without your own bike or any gear. All they ask you to do is wear sturdy pants, a good pair of shoes [i.e. no sandals or flip flops] and to ensure that your arms are not bare. They provide [sweaty, stinky] helmets and gloves. They also provide bikes to learn on. You do a bit of theory and get a chance to practice on the test track. They'll teach you the basics so that you won't fall off and kill yourself.

At the end of the 2 days, you'll either pass and be able to get a learner license, or fail and have to repeat the course. The instructors will fail you if, in their estimation, you are likely to be a danger to yourself or to others on the road.

Provided you pass, you can go ahead and get your bike/gear and start riding. You're then on your own. As soon as 3 months [or up to a year] later, you do a more advanced skills test, after which you move on to various stage of provisional and eventually your full license.

As far as other vehicles go, you basically have to ride as though every car on the road is out to kill you. Blind spots are possibly the biggest danger zone, so long as you stay out of them and generally keep well away [i.e. ahead] of the mass of traffic, you should be fine. Filter through at the lights to avoid getting rear ended [legality varies upon local laws].

Definitely look into it if it's something that interests you. It's one of the best things I've ever done and although I regret not having done it sooner, I'm glad I started when I did.

That's on a short list for a mid range bike for me down the line, but I'm thinking about trying some other types first. Interested to hear why that over the monster, I've had a huge lust for a monster 696 after finding out they're about the size and weight of a ninja 250 but with 80 hp/60 ft lbs

Frame sliders can be hit or miss IMO. I don't know who really tests them....my sister had a bike with them and they were too short. She tipped the bike multiple times and the sliders never touched...sooo.... I've also seen some horror stories (and pictures) of them catching on somethign on the ground and tearing chunks of the frame off. Take a closer look at the frame on my pics above for why this below is a Very Bad Thing:

2011 GSXR-1000.

The test ride is what did it for me. The Triumph grabbed me by the scruff of the neck while the Monster just felt clunky in comparison.

The handlebars on the Monster are comparatively lower and further; and this puts the rider in a sportier, more aggressive posture. I didn't like that. As well, even though the seat height is a good 30mm lower than the Street Triple, it felt a lot more awkward when stopped at lights. I think this had to do with the aggressive seating posture. The tank was also not quite as comfortable to grip with the knees [hence, a lot of testicular crushing]. The gearbox felt rough and I think the characteristic V-twin rattle is worse on the larger engine [compared my old VTR250]. It's not a terrible ride by any means, a fantastic piece of kit really, but it didn't wow me like the Street Triple did.

I was absolutely gobsmacked by the Street Triple. It's taller and heavier than the Monster, but I still felt a hell lot more comfortable on it. Stopped at lights, starting up again from standstill, gripping the tank. The seating posture is almost completely upright, which I really liked. The engine is phenomenal of course, that sweet triple cylinder exhaust whine and the Goldilocks "just right" in-between feel of not too hot or too cold. Gearbox felt a lot smoother than the Monster as well.


Just to be sure, you've got to get the right ones for your bike. Because of the differences in bike shapes and where they are mounted, there's no single type of frame slider that'll work for all bikes. In Australia we've got Oggy Knobs [a brand I guess] and they tailor make them for specific bike models. So when you buy them, you've got to say "I want Oggy Knobs for a VTR250" or whatever.

From what I've read, the theory with frame sliders goes, if you're going fast enough to cause damage to the frame with sliders on it's likely the frame still would have been damaged or warped even if you didn't have frame sliders on. I guess there's a bit of luck involved as well, but all in all, I think the probability of coming off worse is far less than the advantages you might get from low speed drops.

edit: Should mention that they recently tightened laws in Australia whereby anything but the smallest scratch on the frame will render the bike a write-off and these bikes can no longer be repaired and re-registered for road use again. They get sold on auction as track bikes. So from our perspective, any type of frame damage at high speeds is a write-off [sliders or no sliders] whereas they will save you money in a low speed drop.

I want one of these...