[simplecity2houston]

After YEARS of wanting a motorcycle, this past April, I finally said "screw it, it's now or never". I went to dealership A, and stated my intention to buy a Busa. As if straight out of a cop movie, the salesman patiently talked me in off the ledge and explained to me that the Busa was a bike in a class of it's own and by nature it pretty much exceeded the capabilities of most riders. He advised me to try a 600 for a year or so and then come back for the Busa. It all seemed like very good advice, so I went home, slept on it, and then went to dealership B and bought the Busa. Two months later, I can't even question the wisdom of my decision because basically there was no wisdom involved in my decision. I'm of the opinion that the novice rider will go one of two routes on a Busa.

Route A, he/she will recognize that it's a snarling beast and try to appease it by driving the speed limit, and treating it over-gently. The bike will spend most of the time "cruising" instead of being ridden. While this approach is probably safe, the problem is that you spent money to buy the cream of the crop, it burns gas like a cream of the crop sportbike, and all the consumables cost cream of the crop money. In short, you end up wasting money by the mile because you could have saved the dollars and bought a smaller bike and done the exact same thing.

On the other hand, Route B has the rider thoroughly over-estimating his/her skill and under-estimating the capability of the machine. A few successful 140+ MPH runs will convince you that you're the king of the road because they come on so easily. Fellow riders, admirers, and spectators will egg you on to further explore these capabilities long before you're ready. The downside (if you're lucky) is that you wreck the bike and walk away. You know the downside if you're not lucky.

Unfortunately, while I spend most times in the A category, I have taken a walk on the B side a time or two. The good news is that as recently as today, I have considered trading it in on a smaller bike in order to spend the next year or two truly learning how to ride. I will most likely get HAMMERED in the loss but, in the long run, I think it'll be worth it.

Also, for anybody in the same boat, if you have not done it, take the MSF class. It will show you just how much you don't know. My feeling is that if you're not willing to try the exercises on the bike you own, you probably have too much bike. The instructor did all the stop, swerves, and figure 8s on a Gold Wing, so I'm sure they can be done on Busa if you have the appropriate skill.