Just purchased my first bike last night

I am a 26 year old male, just purchased my first motorcycle ever. I have been wanting one since I was 9. I pickd up a 2006 CBR F4I, 3400 miles, minor cosmetic damage to one side from a parked tip over. I got a deal for it, 2800 bucks. Mechanically I have yet to find anything wrong. It runs through the gears, idle's great, starts right up. I am signed up for the MSC operated by Patriot Harley here in Fairfax VA. I am so freakin excited. I went through half a tank of gas just revving it up in my garage last night, ha, just kidding.

Any advice, questions, concerns, just want to talk about my new bike???  

Ha I just read Trevett's "New Riders Please Read" thread. I am now expecting a ration of crap.  

Buy leather or high quality textile riding suit, a good helmet, gloves and boots, and wear them every time you ride - regardless of the weather.
Ride your own ride, which means if you are riding with other people, don’t ride at their pace, ride at your own pace.
Take as many riding classes as you can and get some track riding instruction, even if you never intend on riding on a track. A closed circuit course allows you to learn more in a less distracting manner.
Understand that the most common error a rider makes that ends in a crash, is failure to negotiate a turn properly. Study how to properly approach, enter and exit a turn.
Understand that drivers in cars can not see you - always assume this.
Ride with your high-beam on during the day. Don’t assume that because you have a turn signal on other drivers can see you, they usually can’t.
Make sure your tires are in good shape before you ride, keep the correct pressure in your tires.
Understand target fixation and develop skills to counter this.
You have a very powerful motorcycle, respect it and don’t be foolish.
Lastly, buy and watch Keith Code's "Twist of the Wrist 2 DVD". Then watch it again.  

Thank you very much. All points will be taken very seriously. I do understand it is a very powerful bike, especially for my experience.

Riding suit huh? Are you suggesting that because of the type of bike, my experience level, combination?

I definitely hear you on riding my ride. I wont even attempt to ride with a group until I feel comfertable.  

"Riding suit huh? Are you suggesting that because of the type of bike, my experience level, combination?"


It does not matter on your skill level, type of bike, or experience.
You must always wear full protective gear no matter what.
That includes short trips or long trips, riding fast or riding slow.

The best thing that you can now do is learn as much as you can on how to ride safely.
Practice, practice, and more practice of safe riding techniques.

Get to know your bike like it is the back of your hand.
Make sure it is properly set-up for you - position of controls - clutch and brake levers, mirrors, rear brake lever, and gear shift(if it is adjustable).
Learn how to adjust cables, check tire pressure, change spark plugs, change the oil,
etc - the more you know how to do basic maintenance the more in tune and confident you will be with your bike.

Do not be intimidated by other riders or other bikes. Like one of the other responses to your post - ride your own ride.
Ride the bike the way that you want to ride and within your capabilities. As you improve and your confidence grows there will be no desire or need to compare yourself to other riders.  
Ride Proud, Ride Safe, Have Fun.

Thanks Duc I really apprecaite the words. I am familiar with mechanics and have started the process of going over it with a fine tooth comb. I have no problem with getting gear, appropriate jacket and pants, my opinion of a suite is more something like a 2 piece or 1 piece get-up that someone would ride when racing.

First question about aftermarket parts. Can anyone tell me the best option for a rear tail light bracket/tag relocator? The thing on my bike is hideous. Its like a 6X10inch piece of hard flat black plastic.  

Any comments are appreciated. I am curious as to if what I paid is as good a deal as I think, or do these things go cheap often. Any constructive advice is appreciated as well.  

I have no problem with getting gear, appropriate jacket and pants, my opinion of a suite is more something like a 2 piece or 1 piece get-up that someone would ride when racing.

I wear a 2 leather piece suit(Joe Rocket), there are others brands that are just as good or better. The pants zip onto the jacket. I find this handy because on hot days I can still take the jacket off when I take a break. The one piece suits can be a pain when you are not riding.
I wear mine for both the street and track.  
Ride Proud, Ride Safe, Have Fun.

It doesn't have to be a one-peice suit, but if it's a 2-peice, make sure you can zipper them together. Save your money and buy good quality gear. I can not stress enough the point about learning to turn properly. The last position you want to find yourself in on a motorcycle, is half way into a turn, between a 18 wheel semi and a concrete wall and your running out of road. This, or something very similar will happen to you. If you do not understand how to turn, you will panic and the results could be terrible. If you learn to turn properly, you will have the skills to get through a situation like that, confident and safe. Good Luck.  

Thanks guys. I think off the bat I am going to buy a jacket and maybe some kevlar jeans. Are the riding jeans made today pretty solid? Kevlar is good shtuff.

Beeyouel, I am nervous enough, healthily nervous. I agree that I need to learn at my pace and I definitely dont plan on putting myself somewhere where I do not feel comfertable. I live outside of Washington DC, basically the first area considered "country" in VA. The town I live in is going to be great for experience.  

The riding jeans are better than regular jeans, but not by much. Kevlar is not some magical fabric that will keep you from harm. Its actual resistance to abrasion really isn't that much better than the cotton fabric the jeans themselves are made of.  

Thanks Kento! I guess I'm not suprised about the lack of abrasion resistance of Kevlar, even though it stops bullets.

Thanks for posting! I feel special. I have been reading the mag for five years. I dig the new layout.