motorcycles 101 - education needed

[Bboy]

I've decided to scheduale my mid life crisis
for next summer...am finally going to be able to
get a bike. So the education begins and I need help.
What things to consider for the first time
rider (essentially). What questions to ask myself, as well as dealers. Used vs new. Style considerations. ETC...
Any input will be appreciated as I attempt to learn what's what - and fullfil this life goal of mine.
thanks in advance.

 

[peeler_feeler]

some links

I too wanted to purchase a bike this year but things didn't work out and will have to wait until next year. Plus too much negativity about the whole idea from alot of people around me. However, I still want a motorcyle!

Lots of info on internet - just search.

Here are some web sites to get you started;

http://www.chuckhawks.com/good_first_motorcycles.htm

http://motorcycles.about.com/library/weekly/aa122401a.htm

Lots of decisions to make. Have fun researching.

 

[hamermill]

Please remember to sign your organ donor card.

 

[torex]

Last but not least, ride with common sense, dont push your limits and respect the fact that all other drivers are out to hit you and you will do just fine.

this is the best advice !!

Carry ball bearings in your pocket.

this is also good advice! ROFL

 

[Bboy]

Keep it coming guys - jokes as well!
Sheik, what are the differences betweent the different catagories of lisences? Is there a road test for each level?

I'm definatly not the type that has a death wish. No need to do Warp speed on the 401 weaving in and out on one wheel and a babe on the back. Done the thrill seeking bit already. Looking along the cruiser lines of bikes to just be able to take off for weekends and see the countryside.
Found sport bikes sit too high for me anyways. (short legs)
I thought something around the 500 - 650cc range to start would be fine for me. Brands or models I've no clue yet.
Budget will be up to but under 10k total.
I believe in thorough training and using common sense where my or others safety is concerned. Am in the better safe than sorry business.

 

[torex]

I spent more time fixing mine than riding it !!! that's for sure

every type of bike is fun,but theres nothin like cruisin on a Harley IMHO.

 

[torex]

I hear ya! Unfortunatly I never had uhh ummm!!! 2 bikes,,,ROFL!,so I had to settle for 4 wheels for reliability!!!lol

 

[dogman]

You need to ask yourself what kind of riding I want to do.....ie:
Do I just want to travel around the city...dayly.....or travel up north and ride the twists and hills.....or travel around North America.........or race around at high speeds and corner hard.

Each one of those may require a different bike or one that can do a couple of them.....if you want to do them all, get more than 10g's and buy a BMW...it is your best chance.

As for owning a Harley Ripped........yes they are expensive and do cost a lot to repair.....but if you looked at the costs of repairing these Knock-offs, or buy one, lately it is not far behind, as well as the cost of all the aftermarket add-ons for them is also as ridiculous.... Having said that there is still no better way to pick up women than on a Harley for some strange and unknown reason......try it if you can borrow a Harley from someone and you will see what I mean.......I have owned and ridden both offshore and Harleys and by far the Harley is a babe magnet, even as I get older and uglier.......lol

I think your best bet BB for deciding what to buy is to take a couple of G's and buy a cheap bike that won't lose any value so that you can re-sell it when you know exactly what it is you want to do.

But first thing to do is to take the Motorcycle driver training course......sign up now for next year........and ask what bikes they offer you to ride on there...if there is many different bikes than you may save yourself a buy & sell thing.

Good luck and enjoy........go to Friday the 13th in dover this Friday and you will see so many bikes your eyes will get sore.....usually about 20,000 will roll through town on that day.

 

[dogman]

"There's nfw you're gonna get and maintain a Harley for anything close to what you'll spend on a comparable rice burner...unless you steal it or get it from someone who did and/or are a bike mechanic. "

Hey Ripped it sounds as if you ar out of tune the "new" rice burners......they are about 85%-90% of the cost of a Harley these days......lots of friends that ride them and I know from then that it is true. The only differance is they are definitely more dependable as some are water cooled. They are about the same price to maintain as in oil changes, tires, gas, etc.

I suppose it could have something to do with the fact that Harleys are in the shop at least half the time. 8-þ...lol

The new Harleys...the EVO and the 88B are quite dependable compared to the old Shovels....still not as good as the "rice burners" though.

 

[dogman]

Granted, I haven't shopped for a bike in the almost four years but I know the "new" rice burners cost a h*ll of a lot more than the "old" rice burners. Still, nowhere near 90% of a similar Harley...maybe if you compare the most expensive rb with the least expensive Harley.

My math was probably incorrect....however the equivolent offshore bike to that of a harley is about $25,000 compared to about $18,000. Both prices are absolutely ridiculous and I find it hard to believe that there is that much money in parts and labour in either bike.


Even air cooled rb's are, in general, more dependable than Harleys...especially inline 4's (my personal fav).


My personal experience isn't what you are saying. I had a Honda CB750k and a Honda CB900 custom, both of which were in need of new motors after about 45,000 km's. My harley is still running strong at 80,000 km's and it will need major repairs soon but not yet. Only my personal experience and I will grant you that with age I got smarter and took better care of things. Don't know what would have happened if I took as good of care of the other two.

Price to maintain, as far as the items you mention are concerned, may be about the same IF you don't use genuine Harley parts or buy from a Harley dealer. 8-(

You'd be surprised......Harleys are a bit more but I don't think it is significant....don't truly know all prices of RB parts but labour is the same and so are the tires. Do some shopping and you will see that the "new" RB's are not what they used to be in pricing for some reason......I think it is called demand.

 

[Bboy]

thanks so far guys.
Obviously the course is the first step - as I said I'm a firm believer in training for safety. As to the type of riding I'm looking for it's more along the lines of up north for the weekend vs warp 10 along the highway.
So far I'm comparing the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD, Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic, Honda Magna, and Suzuki Intruder Volusia. But again the decision on which is still way off.
One further question: (and it may be stupid) - when buying do you test ride?

 

[dogman]

BB

If you are buying a bike private you will definetly test ride it.....however if you don't have a valid license and the owner asks for one then you will not be having any wind in your hair more than likely. If you are buying used from a dealer, it will depend on the dealer. I have never heard of a dealer in T.O. allowing it, but some of the dealers in rural areas or smaller ones may allow it.

One question for you is how big are you and how much do you weigh.....the bikes you mentioned are more for little people. I know you mentioned short legs......but if you are a heavy person you will not enjoy those bikes for too long.

Don't forget to register now for next years courses as they will most likely be full by the end of Oct. for next year......they are in high demand, even by licensed drivers as they offer you a chance to lower your insurance significantly upon successful completion of the course.


dogman

 

[dogman]

The only possible advantage to buying from a dealer is that they MAY have a knowledge of the quality of the bike. Meaning they may have sold it originally and done all the maintainance for the person. Also if you buy from a dealer you MAY get a warranty.

The only other thing is that it is certified, unless sold otherwise. Although you could buy a private bike certified also.

 

[dogman]

It's very similar to buying a used car.....same basic methods and same chances

 

[torex]

How you care for your toys doesn't have much to do with their relative, inherent dependability

So True!!!!

My bike was my baby! I'm very particular when it comes to my toys.I was very religious when it came to maintenance and caring for my bike!,but I had to fix her almost everytime I went for a ride!!rofl

 

[Bboy]

One question for you is how big are you and how much do you weigh.....the bikes you mentioned are more for little people. I know you mentioned short legs......but if you are a heavy person you will not enjoy those bikes for too long.

5'7 130lbs so yea I hear you. I've sat on some of the sport bikes and was on the balls of my feet balencing them. Not comfortable.
Cruisers sitting lower to the ground and being the type of riding I want to do seem to be a good way to go.
Mind you I also recognize that I'm not ready for the mucho extra CCs as well as the extra weight.

 

[Goober Mcfly]

If you get a Harley, make sure you drive by my house repeatedly at 1 am.

Farking bikers.