New To Street Bikes.. Riding/Racing Dirt for 17yrs..

Hey guys!

New here to the forum. Recently gotten into sportbikes (mostly reading and drooling) and had a bunch of questions.

A little background on me: Been riding dirt bikes since I was 7years old (currently 24). Started out on an XR80, then a 200, 250, 400, YZ426, and an 05' Honda CR450F (LOVE THAT BIKE!!) I'm sure street and dirt are vastly different in many ways, but at least i'd have a jump on the basics.

Basically I was wondering what is different and what is the same regarding street and dirt riding. Obviously i'm not going to be sticking my foot out and looking for berms on a street bike (lol) but what about leaning, steering, and how a street bike "behaves" etc? I've ridden my CR on the street (mainly paved roads to get to certain trails etc) and felt 100% comfortable but i'm sure a sport bike is quite a different animal.

Should I start out small (like a 250/500?) like the guide says? Maybe a used 600? One of the reasons i've gotten so into street bikes recently are GAS PRICES! My daily driver is a 2003 Cobra.. and as much as I try to baby it and not use any boost, I find myself breaking the bank on gas

Anyways, thanks for any input you guys can give me, and i'll be lurking these forums so sorry if i'm asking a ton of questions that have been asked a million times. Link me any useful threads and i'll read up!

Thanks!!  

You will do great on the street, you have the basics, are not afraid to slide, and understand counter steer: Also how to steer with your rear tire.  I would recommend the MSF course, just because it will prepare your for the "Other Driver" and teach you to look out for the issues on the street caused by the "Other Driver".  Also, any of the bikes you listed should be good, I recommend something more like the Ducati Monster and the Suzuki SV 650 even the Hyosung GT650 ($5,499 MSRP for a new bike) as a 1st street bike.  These bikes will "grow" with you and as you get better, you will find the bike can do more with you.  The bars and seating will also resemble your position on the dirt bikes.  They will also be more "forgiving" to the 1st time street rider.  So if you do make a mistake, it will not be as catastrophic as it could be.

Here is a link to a Compairason of the Hyosung and the Suzuki;  http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/hyosung-gt650-vs-suzuki-sv650-14284.html  

I agree with the above post.  I think a bike like the SV650 would be perfect.  Sylish, forgiving and fun to ride.  Not to mention, it's a twin, which will give you better gas mileage than any of the 4-cylinder super sports.  

Thanks for the replies guys!

Any ideas on the different handling characteristics of a dirt and street bike on the street?  

You will be sitting in a more leaned forward position, you will still counter steer at speed and lean into the turn.  The bars will not be as wide or high depending on the bike you get, and will be more sensitive to your input.  

http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0806_riding_styles_body_position/index.html

Coming from off road to dirt tracks to sport bikes on the road and doing most of my riding in the early days on gravel roads.  I find a lot of what I leaned on the dirt bike works on the sport bike.  Go into the corner high, take a "late Apex" keep accelerating trough the corner.  You will use your body weight in a similar fashion, use the power of the rear as you counter steer to turn.  The braking is where I find the most difference, the binders on the street bike are much stronger than on the dirt bike, but I have a 1974 Hodaka. or as you would call it "Vintage Junk".  Again I have to say do the MSF Course and you will feel the differences from one to the other.  42 years on a bike and I still have a lot to learn my-self.  

Good Riders For BMW ROBI............  

It is going to be an adjustment.  You are used to riding standing up and rolling the bike side to side under you.  Street bikes you keep both feet on the pegs and lean into turns and use very light throttle to maintain lean angle.  You willnot panic when the back tire breaks loose, but falling hurts more and you are generally going faster.  The people you share the road with are more numerous and they seem to be less competent and more distracted than your dirt track riding group.  

Hi riders  

Hey,

Get something that you feel comfortable with, cruiser, sportbike, UJM, it doesn't matter. Dirt has given you a chance to understand motorcycle handling and not get hurt (too bad I hope). Do not overlook the used bike market (as long as it hasn't has the piss run outta it) older bikes are kool and it's nice to live in the past sometimes. You might just get something that you don't see every other street corner.

You'll do fine! Just remember that the brain AND the right wrist ARE connected for a reason. Don't let your buddies overload YOUR ass.