I've been riding for 1 year now. I put 6000 miles on my 2002 GSF600 and recently upgraded to a 2001 F4i. It took all the willpower I had, not to buy a sportbike first. Now I'm in pure bliss.

I can charge down the freeways, split lanes, and have all the basic city/freeway skills. My problem is I don't really know anybody that rides a sportbike, so my experience with the twistys is almost null. I'm looking for people I can ride with, that don't mind a newbie tagging along. I'm looking for people with more experience than me so when I'm riding behind them I can watch them enter and exit turns. But I wouldn't mind somebody that is around my experience level. Beggars can't be choosers.

I just put new tires on my bike and I don't want to develop any chicken strips! I need to step up my game.

Bonus: I have a chatter box, so you can hear my shrieks of terror.

 

lol... shrieks of terror huh?

well too bad you're not in my area because you'd be more than welcome to join us

 

I'm a newbee, so I can't really help you, but I don't think pacing somebody else will help you. Personally I rather take it at my own pace and not feel like I'm spoiling a more experienced rider's pace or feel the need to go faster than I am ready for so I can keep up.

If you're set on a partner, go to Palomar Mountain and network with the riders up there. The minus with going to Palomar is there are lots of fast riders that will pass you (don't know if you mind this - some new riders get startled), accidents and cops.

If you want a nice VERY QUIET place to practice by yourself or someone else, here are two places.

1) Old Julian Highway - go up 67N, while in Ramona (where I live ) make a right onto the turnoff just after Sizzler Steak House that will be on the right and is located on the North edge of town. You will go down this road about a mile and a half, where the entrance to Old Julian Highway will be to your left. This is a nice easy road with two decreasing radius turns. Lots of nice corners and about <10 miles long. Not much traffic at all! This road will merge into the 78 towards San Ysabel and Julian.

2) Mesa Grande - while in San Ysabel, turn on the 79 (left if going to Julian), go about a half mile and make a left on to Mesa Grande. Take this road slow at first or it will kill you! First turn is a decreasing radius. There are lots of really tight turns, it's technical, and there is very little traffic. Towards the end, when you see the lake, you will be going down a steep grade and will be doing tight turns switching back and forth

Good luck and be safe!

 

Thanks mjflagg. I'll try those out in the next couple of weeks.

 

Your story is VERY similar to mine. Crap starter, upgrade to f4i in a year, good in city, no friends, no twisters...

I'm in OC and am always down for a ride. I know some good places to go too. PM me if you are ever up here willing to ride.

 

lifties, here is something to watch when you are not on your bike.
http://ridebehindvideos.com/videos.html (our area)

want to know what your getting into?
http://pashnit.com/motoroads.htm (look for San Diego ride descriptions almost half way down the page)

San Diego county has a gold mine of riding spots! Like Highland Valley Rd. another example and not on Pashnit (enter from Pamerado Rd. off the I-15 and will end on the 67 just a little south of Ramona) <- twisty road!

 

Awesome links^

 

Those were some awesome mpegs. I've never seen anybody ride like that. Thanks!

 

No problem, anything to help.

Found another cool route yesterday & very low traffic.

*** Farmer Rd & Wynola Rd. ***
You take the 78 to Julian, once in Julian (at the stop sign) you make a left onto Farmer Rd. (nice ride, scenic), at the end of Farmer Rd. make a left to go back to Wynola/San Ysabel, this is Wynola Rd. Enjoy the twisties!!!

 

yo, wish i was in san diego, i love that place. my family normally goes out there every summer and rents a condo on mission beach. hopefully i can get out there this year and take my bike. i have not been in like 5 years. if i ever make it out there i will drop you a line.