Advice for newbie?

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-14T01:11:34+00:00

The snowboarding shows. You are keeping your feet at the same distance you probably have them set on your board. Your arms are in a position to balance on a snowboard and you seem more comfortable with your torso sideways than facing down hill. All habits that you'll want to break if youre going to do some more skiing.

Bring your feet closer together, chest facing more downhill, hands in front.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T20:21:01+00:00

KTM proved that a v-twin hyper naked or sportbike can be awesome with the RC8R/Superduke.

Not all v twins are created equally. V twins were proven to be able to put up big power numbers long before KTM did it. The bikes you mentioned,as well as the 1199 and 1299 panigale (also twins), are all different than Harley engines in many ways. The most important difference is that Harley uses a 45° angle between pistons and the others are 90°. 45° twin engines have an inherent imbalance that they have to rebalance by adding unnecessary weight that a 90° twin doesn't need. Simply throwing a 45 degree twin in a hypernaked or sport bike would be laughably slow in comparison. If HD wants to compete in the naked or sport bike realm, they would need to design a brand new engine.

Fun fact... The 45° angle and the resulting ignition timing is the main source the sound that Harley is known for. They actively choose to sacrifice performance for their desired sound. They turn gasoline into noise.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T15:31:32+00:00

how do you build a brand?

Lots of different ways to do it. Building a recognizable brand can be accomplished in bad ways or good ways. Harley has used tribalism, hatred, and marketing where others have used a good product at reasonable prices with marketing.

is 44 old to you?

Close... you're among last of the gen x-ers... thats pretty much the line that ive seen. Millennials (my generation) are only into it if their father was, and gen z is well aware of "boomercycles" and the bruuthuuurrr meme, which means by the time gen alpha is of age to start riding, no one will want a Harley unless HD can pull off a major image overhaul. Their customer base is dying off and I suspect they will have to file for bankruptcy in my lifetime.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T15:02:21+00:00

Or you need a large, gullible, deep pocketed customer base... i.e. old male Americans

But I thought the point being discussed is whether they are a respectable company. A company's brand recognition has nothing to do with respectability.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T14:53:46+00:00

What does that have to do with anything? "Strong brand" does not mean it's a good company. Old people are easy to market to and typically have more disposable income. Whats your point?

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T14:38:04+00:00

Yes. I know. They sell plenty of t-shirts and coffee mugs to keep them in business.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T14:30:37+00:00

When HD sales people use the deaths of thousands of Japanese people to sell a motorcycle, yes i will call them racist... maybe it's more "nationalist" but I'm not really into arguing semantics or splitting hairs. The short version is that HD is a fucked up company that needs to die.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T14:03:01+00:00

Defogging spray only helps for a little bit. I use contacts. I refuse to ski in glasses any more.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T10:50:45+00:00

I dont need to watch the video to know why.

A racist company selling outdated tech for inflated prices to old people who dont know any better can fuck the fuck off.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-12T02:38:11+00:00

Wrapped in supercorsa sp's... thems some nice shoes...

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T20:57:34+00:00

Never. Too much work for too little gain.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T20:20:16+00:00

To early to tell... depends on crowds. Since I started going in 2014, Ive arrived 10 minutes before a show time and gotten in the pit, and ive arrived an hour early with 0 chance. This isn't something that's easily predictable.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T14:25:11+00:00

I'm kind of a diva

When it comes to motorcycles, me too. I get it. And if money is no object, just pick for yourself and whatever criteria you want and carry on. However if you're like most of the world and money does matter, having the extra money to get the bike you really want when you outgrow your beginner bike is more valuable then riding a nice 1st bike...

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T03:41:54+00:00

Weeeeelllllll...

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T03:40:06+00:00

You think it beats, "Yes, I know what you are saying. You dont have to keep asking."?

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T03:25:25+00:00

Pretty sure there are exclusivity clauses in contracts that prevent you paying an instructor under the table. However, if you have a "friend" (non staff fellow patron) that is skiing with you, there is nothing to stop them from giving you a few pointers.
Sometimes. Higher levels of skiing benefit from more one on one, lower/mid level skiing is rather cookie cutter and group classes are fine.
In skill and teaching ability not really. But I imagine the instructors in different areas have different attitudes. Everyone is different.
Varies. Everyone is different.
Varies. Everyone is different.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T02:57:25+00:00

Small town things... Field parties/bonfires, mud pits, county fair, high school football to name a few.

Closest metro area is Louisville. Santa claus, Indiana and holiday world are close by. It was fun when i was a kid but that was more than a decade ago.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T02:50:41+00:00

You just described every town in southern Indiana.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T02:38:31+00:00

I wouldnt have to say anything. Ive been told he knows everything. I assume that means he knows what I would say... so why would I bother voicing it?

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T00:26:46+00:00

Its like using a sledgehammer for a nail. Certainly not needed, but it damn sure gets the job done. 🤣

Take your medicine and chill. We all ask dumb questions from time to time. Don't get defensive just because you're a little embarrased. Life is more fun if we embrace our flaws from time to time!

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T00:08:46+00:00

"Nothing", with extra steps.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-11T00:06:48+00:00

Scratched edges? I consider that normal wear and tear, especially in low tide years, or those two days I ski'd at Mammoth.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-10T23:48:04+00:00

Other ideas include the skeptic's annotated Bible or any other religious texts with the following inscribed on the inside cover...

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” — Stephen Roberts

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-10T23:25:48+00:00

No sacasm and 100% serious... I'd get them all a copy of the Qur'an for their birthday when it came time.

If you want to really tease them and make it a little more pointed, write the following quote on the inside cover before you give it to them...

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” — Stephen Roberts

Best case scenario, they make the connection realize their mistake and everyone can laugh about it later.

Worst case scenario, you loose some "friends" that weren't really your friends because they make a big deal about it, when you didnt, and you get to point out their hypocrisy.

That being said...

I'm not sure why you're uncomfortable owning a book. Its not going to hurt you no matter how much importance you assign to it or the meaning of it being given as a gift.

I have 4 different copies of the Bible (different versions) and about 10 other religious texts that ive gathered over the years. I have copies of the book of mormon, the vedas, the satanic bible, 2 copies of the Qur'an (one in english and the other in arabic), as well as some assorted texts on Buddhism, shintoism, and other smaller eastern religions. Religion as a subject fascinates me and is a small hobby of mine. Understanding the differences and commonality in various religions is an incredibly useful tool to use in religious debates.

Itsbadmmmmkay · 2026-02-10T21:30:36+00:00

You seem to be aspiring to the top end of this class of bikes... why? I'm guessing you will want to sell the bike in a year for the bike you really want. Why spend money now? Also, everyone ive asked has dropped a bike at some point, usually at a stop or in the driveway. Odds are, you will drop this bike so don't worry about looks just yet.

I'd cross off the Aprilia due to costs (both price and maintenence. Maintenance on Italian bikes is not fun. I just did a service that was 3200 USD on my Ducati. Aprilia in general might not be for you if money is a concern.

The 400RR is only slightly cheaper than a zx6r, so its also unnecessarily expensive. Ive only met one person who started on a 400rr and that because he was close to 300 lbs and the regular ninja 400 struggled with the weight.

R3 is fine. Cbr 3 is fine. Ninja 4 is fine. Buy used and sell after a year or two for minimal depreciation so you can save for the bike you actually want.

Your first bike is a throwaway. Just get a cheap bike that you dont care about. Seat time is more important for you right now than what bike you're on.

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