safe to ride home?

[hondajt]

I am purchsing my new 2000 VFR800 thursday, and was wondering if it is safe for me to ride it home. Its about 5miles, all on back country roads with a few turns, but its mostly straight roads.

i have been riding quads since i was little, but balance on a bike is very different. I am normally a fast learner, but what are your opinions? Is it possible for me to learn to ride on the way home?

[Bubba Zanetti]

I highly recommend you don't ride it home.

If you are asking the question, then concern is obvously a major factor.

Have you taken and MSF course yet?

Can you trailer it home? Will the dealer drop it off?

BZ

[GeorgiaRider]

Have you ever been on a bike before???
If you have limited experience, or no experience, the VFR is not one to really learn on.
I would say NO, don't ride it until you get comfortable on 2 wheels!
Find someone with a small dirtbike, or small Rebel, etc. to learn on first.
The VFR will quickly get you into trouble if you twist too hard. Plus, it's a lot of weight to start to learn balance on.
It would be an expensive lesson if you drop it.

[mello dude]

I am purchsing my new 2000 VFR800 thursday, and was wondering if it is safe for me to ride it home. Its about 5miles, all on back country roads with a few turns, but its mostly straight roads.

i have been riding quads since i was little, but balance on a bike is very different. I am normally a fast learner, but what are your opinions? Is it possible for me to learn to ride on the way home?

Dude - dont do it. Too many newbie riders drop it in there first few outings with there new bike. Your in Springboro, Oh? I'm in Centerville in your backyard. PM me! I'll ride the bike home for you.

MD

BTW - have you taken the MSF new rider course?

[FrankoQ]

I hope this is not your first bike.
then again, it must be.

Good luck.

[Nungboy]

Hondajt: Listen to these guys. Let Mello Dude ride it home and have him assess your skills AND TAKE AN MSF Course. Don't hurt yourself and the bike on the first day.
You have the rest of your life to ride it. Start in the right conditions.
You are smart enough to ask...now, follow through with the right actions.

[34468 Randy]

I am purchsing my new 2000 VFR800 thursday, and was wondering if it is safe for me to ride it home. Its about 5miles, all on back country roads with a few turns, but its mostly straight roads.

i have been riding quads since i was little, but balance on a bike is very different. I am normally a fast learner, but what are your opinions? Is it possible for me to learn to ride on the way home?

The Salesman delivered mine to my front door so no shame. I think I just had my learners. And yes it is a big heavy bike that you can loose balance with even stopped. I dropped mine at a stop 4 times in the first few months. Maybe could have held it up but have medical issues so let it go. Fortunately the only damage is scratched paint. And one Crank Case cover form the first one that hit the curb. haven't dropped it since and in two years have 50,000 KM under my belt.

The course was clearly the second best thing I did. Take it for sure. I am thinking I might just do it over again in a couple years to see if I have developed bad habits that need fixing.

[hondajt]

Yeah, I won't drive it home. Iam a fast learner, but with safety at risk, especially safety of others, I will trailer it home or find an experienced rider take it home.

Thank you all for the concern. And yes, this is my first real bike. All my others have been dirt bikes and quads.

[rolling]

A friend of a friend just killed himself riding on a bike he just brought that was way to much for his riding skill. and couldn't turn quick enough for the road. He was on the Busa for 15 second and hit a tree ten yards from the road. He went from a 500r to the Busa that he just brought from a private owner. Don't kid youself about you riding skills.

[34468 Randy]

A friend of a friend just killed himself riding on a bike he just brought that was way to much for his riding skill. and couldn't turn quick enough for the road. He was on the Busa for 15 second and hit a tree ten yards from the road. He went from a 500r to the Busa that he just brought from a private owner. Don't kid youself about you riding skills.

This is tragic to be sure. You can apply that to cars to. Basically we have to restrain ourselves at times, and not to drive beyond our abilities. And usually we are not as good as we think we are.

My 06 was the first bike I ever had. I guess the size and power of this thing really is way beyond what a new rider should subject himself to, going by the good advise given here on this site. However, I was, and am sufficiently afraid of this thing to keep me in line....or sorta anyways.

[Joey_Dude]

Everyone has great points. Don't even think about driving it home. My VFR is my 1st bike ever and I had my friend drive it home for me. I returned the favor by letting him take the loooong way home ;) That, and I let him ride the bike whenever he wants to within reason. He's saving up for a CB919 of his own and sometimes just needs a bike fix every now and then ;)

[FrankoQ]

My first bike was a Ninja 600. not the zx6.
I rode it home on the freeway to get it home. it was a 25 mile ride.
It was my 3rd time riding (first 2 was at the MSF class).
My brother was in a car behind me.
I made it home. Sales guy called my home to make sure I made it.
Stupid thing to do. I do not recommend it.
Better have someone take it home for you.

[waldrm]

DON'T ride it home! Back in the day (1985), a friend of mine bought a 1983 honda CB1100F. About a month after he bought it, I asked him where the bike was and he told me still at the dealership. He did not want to ride it home because (1) He did not have a motorcycle endorsement and (2) had never ridden ANY motorcycle in his life. I unselfishly offered to bring the bike home for him and as I crested the top of the bridge onto our barrier island I hit 130and still had a gear left. Definitely not a beginner bike and I got to periodically blow the dust off of it for him until he sold it 2 years later. That bike, like the VFR, had the ability to make road pizza out of an inexperienced or unsure rider-don't do it!

[Bubba Zanetti]

A friend of a friend just killed himself riding on a bike he just brought that was way to much for his riding skill. and couldn't turn quick enough for the road. He was on the Busa for 15 second and hit a tree ten yards from the road. He went from a 500r to the Busa that he just brought from a private owner. Don't kid youself about you riding skills.

Damn rolling, not a good ending

[soundmaster31]

Have a friend who's licensed ride it home for you or have it trailered or in the back of a pickup.

Take an MSF Basic Rider Course BEFORE you even ride the bike. The VFR has plenty of power to be abused, misused, and not to mention to get yourself into too much trouble whether it be the law or an accident.


My 98VFR was my first bike, but I took a MSF BRC course first, got about 300 miles of practice in on an 88 CBR600F, and I still loaded the bike into my pickup truck when I bought it. Though it was a 3 hour drive from where I bought it .

One other justification for this size bike being my first is that i'm a big dude (6'4 300+lbs) so I know the size wouldn't be a problem nor the power. Yet, they both still demand plenty of respect.

[hondajt]

I'm 6' and 250lbs, and wrestled for 10 years. The weight is not my issue.

And I am signed up for a course, but its not till the last week in july I believe.

[34468 Randy]

One other justification for this size bike being my first is that i'm a big dude (6'4 300+lbs)

So.... If and when I meet you, how would you lile to be addressed. Sir? Your Royal Highness? Lord?

[soundmaster31]

So.... If and when I meet you, how would you lile to be addressed. Sir? Your Royal Highness? Lord?

Steve will work just fine...but "your royal highness" does have a nice ring to it...

[VFR02rider]

I also live close and will be willing to help you get it home. I live in Dayton, have an 06 VFR and will ride it from dealer to your garage. Either way, learn to ride it before you get on it. Let me know if I can help.

[Fizz]

The dealer I used to work for would deliver bikes free. If you're shelling out the green for a VFR from a dealer, they should have no problem delivering it free or for a negligible amount (I used to do deliveries every so often, I was a lot attendant).

[PAR518]

DON'T DO IT...

No shame in having a friend ride it home for you or transporting it home in a truck. Better safe than sorry. You will have plenty of time to enjoy your new bike. If you have an accident, you'll never forgive yourself. Like everyone else has said, take a MSF course and take your time - you'll be fine! Oh ya, congratulations!!!

[Taz]

Yeah, I won't drive it home. Iam a fast learner, but with safety at risk, especially safety of others, I will trailer it home or find an experienced rider take it home.

Thank you all for the concern. And yes, this is my first real bike. All my others have been dirt bikes and quads.

Excellent,

Although the dirt bike experiance will help you later down the road/future (I believe the best road riders in the world all came from some sort of dirt riding experiance) , as agreed by others, Take the MSF course 1st

I know it will be tempting to take it out, but DON'T !

Good luck, be safe & ALWAY'S have full gear on when riding

[hondajt]

yeah, I am going to have someone drive it home for me. Just need to figure out who. I will be purchasing the bike on thursday, tommorrow.

[SCraig]

I had bikes as a kid but got off them for many years. When I got back in a couple of years ago I bought a bike and parked it in my basement. I absolutely refused to get it out the door until I had taken the BRC. 30,000 miles later I still think that was without question the smartest thing I could possibly have done. I learned a lot, and perhaps enough to keep my bike upright long. Take the BRC. Leave the bike at home until you have done so. You will not regret doing that but you may regret NOT doing it.

[CARMINE]

There are two "entities" to which one can tell a lie : your woman and your motorcycle; the difference is this : your woman will certainly forgive you (at least the first time) ; your motorcycle will not forgive you if you try to act as a good driver..and you are not a good driver. Try to have experience before to drive this dream bike on open roads and highways.
Lamps to you and to all vfr owners.

[Scubalong]

Hondajt: Listen to these guys. Let Mello Dude ride it home and have him assess your skills AND TAKE AN MSF Course. Don't hurt yourself and the bike on the first day.
You have the rest of your life to ride it. Start in the right conditions.
You are smart enough to ask...now, follow through with the right actions.

I agree with Nungboy and the rest of the group. Let do it the right way so you can enjoy the bike many years to come. Just my 2c

[Nungboy]

I do agree that a big bike is often not the best choice for a first bike but always remember too: ANYTHING that has two-wheels can kill you. It is very easy to go too fast on a 125cc, a 250cc or a 500cc. You don't need 800 or 1300cc to kill yourself. Even a bicycle can easily be taken too fast. It is the brain and the right wrist that keeps you safe or kills you, not the bike.

[Alaskan]

hondajt, you have already demonstrated fantastic judgment by (1) choosing a VFR and (2) not riding your new bike home. Take the MSF course. And get full gear! You already know how bad a crash can hurt in the dirt. A crash on the road without gear is much more painful! Or worse. I am an AGATT rider. I highly recommend that approach, esp for new street riders.

As Carmine would say, lamps to you!

[hondajt]

thank you all very much.

[34468 Randy]

thank you all very much.

Now just jump on that puppy and crank her open and see what she will really do.. These guys are all sissies. Got for it.


Obviously just kidding. Personally I think the salesman who made the bucks should drive it home for you. Although it appears there are some out there that would enjoy the opportunity to do this for you as would I. But I kinda think I live too far away.

Ride and be safe.