You start on something small - and you move up!

**DirtMad** · 22nd February 2006, 16:18

Well, today was the first time Ive ever ridden a bike on the road before, quite a weird experience. Fundamentally, its the same as riding my dirt bikes, but it just feels alot more "raw" to me out on the road all "alone".

I had once told myself I would NEVER own a road bike. This was after I got my very first bike years ago (a pocket bike, yeah! - haha) , then still after the next bike, a mini dirt bike. Then when I started riding the KDX, and even when I started getting more serious "Youll never catch me on the road, at least I can only hit a tree.. or two out here". Well, it seems I was full of something... - it`s happened! And partly too, because my mildly tuned road car (about 470 horse) doesnt put the same smile on my face it used to. I felt like rather than keep spending $$$ on more and more parts for it, I needed something else.

So, after already getting my learners about a month ago, I picked up my new learners bike last night. An `04 GSX250, with 3,000kms on the clock. Its definately no powerhouse!, but its a tidy bike and will hopefully serve its purpose to get my full license before years end with minimal drama.

I blame little toy bikes for being a pre-cursor for getting a road bike! I wonder if this is true for alot of others?

Heres some pics of my first road bike

DM.

**ZorsT** · 22nd February 2006, 19:00

Well done. She looks nice

Treat her nice and she'll treat you nice

**inlinefour** · 22nd February 2006, 19:07

Originally Posted by DirtMad

I had once told myself I would NEVER own a.

Regarding never owning another Suzuki. Now I find myself looking for a 2-stroker, either RD/RZ or RG

**Toast** · 22nd February 2006, 19:11

Nice one dude. Looks tidy as.

I've seen one of those hustled along at a decent pace too. I'm sure with your dirt skills, you'll be a demon in the wet

**Motu** · 22nd February 2006, 19:28

I rode on the street before I took up off road,and have spent the rest of my time on bikes swapping between.After all these years I've found I like my bike with a dirt set up - at least with wide bars,sitting upright with my feet under my bum,and inbetween tyres.This gives me a bike I feel comfortable on and able to control in all conditions.Mind you,I've never been a straight line speed freak,I just like to go around corners fast.

**DirtMad** · 22nd February 2006, 19:35

Thanks alot guys, hopefully Ill have some leathers and decent boots in time for weasel`s 2nd newbie run

I bought it off a copper

so obviously the bikes never been raced or ridden over the speed limit

yea right

**kiwifruit** · 23rd February 2006, 07:03

cool, have fun out there. beware of those who will try to kill you

**Wolf** · 23rd February 2006, 09:58

Congrats on the new (and very tidy-looking) bike and welcome to the highways and byways.

You may find later on that a road-trail bike would be more to your taste on the road if you're used to dirtbikes. The seating posture and handling of an XT/XL Honda or a DR Suzuki would be more like what you're used to.

And they have the advantage that you can have a good play off road with them as well - best of both worlds. I used to ride the bike along the road to wherever we were scrambling, get some off-road fun then ride it back again (sometimes in need of minor repair...)

It says a lot for how much I miss my old TS125 when I find that the most comfortable and enjoyable bike I've ridden in the past 10 years was the BMW F650GS Dakar that I took for a test spin. I'd probably never buy another "cruiser" again.

Only issue I had with the TS was that the semi-knobblies were shit on wet tarmac - a set of modern dual-sport tyres (like on the F650) or road tyres would be a definite improvement.

**Sniper** · 23rd February 2006, 10:20

NIce work mate

**DEATH_INC.** · 23rd February 2006, 12:11

Funny eh? I said I'd never have a road bike too......but they're way better on the road than a trailie.....
Congrats on the jump,and on a lot more sensible choice than I made.(my first roadie was My first Turbo

)

**Fishy** · 23rd February 2006, 12:26

Good on ya DM, nice first road bike!. Have fun!

**DirtMad** · 23rd February 2006, 16:31

Thanks for the kind words... I think you might be right there WOLF, sounds like a great idea.. but I think it would be more likely Id ditch the kdx to do that and then maybe still have a sport/tourer... but who knows. Would be pretty cool to be able to ride somewhere, have a trail ride and then ride home without all the hassle of a trailer (those of us that dont have a van or UTErus). And yea - ya do get used to the riding style, sports bike feels weird at the moment