Wanting to get into Motorcycles

ryanjoachim

I've wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle since I was a teenager. I've never had the means to though, since I haven't been single since I was 18.

Now that I am single, I feel the itch again. Is anyone here a bike rider? Personally I don't like the "rice rockets" or "crotch rockets" like Yamaha, Suzuki, etc...i'm more into older styles (think more like Harley's and "Choppers").

nadams

First and foremost - Take the motorcycle safety course before you head out on the road.

For motorcycles, I wouldn't rule out the Yamaha V-Star and the Suzuki Boulevard. Very similar in styling to the Harleys, but much nicer to own and maintain

dagame27

nadams wrote: »

First and foremost - Take the motorcycle safety course before you head out on the road.

For motorcycles, I wouldn't rule out the Yamaha V-Star and the Suzuki Boulevard. Very similar in styling to the Harleys, but much nicer to own and maintain

Absolutely on the bold text above. I had a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 for my 1st bike a few years ago. It was a good bike to learn on, easy to ride and yet still fun. I would certainly recommend it to anyone.

dkg999

As previously said, enroll in and take a motorcycle safety course, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses offered through many dealers. Invaluable training that will (and that's not "might") save you from injury and possibly death.

I see you are in OR. Is buying a dirt bike or on/off road bile (ie something like a KLR650) an option? If you have places to ride off-road it's some of the best practice and experience you can get for riding on the street. It's also fun and although the hazards are not less, they are often more forgiving than avoiding stupid people in cages on the street. Just a thought.

zarrdoss

Take the safety course wear a helmet and protective clothing and ride like your invisible because hardly anyone is looking out for you, Also get a cheap POS to learn on because you will probably lay it over a few time before the learning curve kicks in. Get something that is light and easily maneuverable as it makes the test a whole lot easier than on a 1200 lb Harley.
I have been riding since I was 12 or so but have not had a bike in a few years as there are too many idiots in cars these days.

Take Care!

gdb

IF, you can put up with some aggravation...........a late 60's-early 70's Triumph is a very affordable classic (I had a 71 Bonneville). Check out the new show "Cafe Racer", lots of cool bkes/builds on there! Keep the shiny side up !:biggrin:

http://press.discovery.com/us/dhd/press-releases/2010/cafe-racer-901-901/

http://motors.beta.ebay.com/Motorcycles-/6024/i.html?Model=Bonneville&Make=Triumph&_dmpt=US_motorcycles&_pcats=50035%2C6024%2C6000&_rdc=1&_rdc=2

mole'

i started riding bike when i was like 8. started on birt bikes. was a blast. i have only owned 1 Street bike tho. it was a Yamaha YZF-600r fun lil bike. i had 6 dirt bikes tho.

take your time and make sure to take some kind of safety course. best thing i can say is to have respect for the bikes power and what it can do.

ryanjoachim

Thanks for all the tips guys. I was definitely planning on taking the safety course, as I've never even sat on a bike before.

Thanks a lot for the tip on those two bikes nadams. You're right, they're almost exactly the body style that I prefer.

As far as starting with an off-road bike first, I could...but that's not really my style. I also don't know anyone with land that I could ride on.

The biggest detractor right now is that I have to start cheap - My max would probably have to be $2500 or below.
Oh, what kind of power do I need to be looking at for a bike that can handle trips to the coast and such? That includes some decent hills and freeway speeds. I have no clue what the "cc" translates to in regards to power and speed.

mole'

have you looked at a Kawasaki Ninja 500r? good cheap starter bike.

bobman1235

ryanjoachim wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips guys. I was definitely planning on taking the safety course, as I've never even sat on a bike before.

Thanks a lot for the tip on those two bikes nadams. You're right, they're almost exactly the body style that I prefer.

As far as starting with an off-road bike first, I could...but that's not really my style. I also don't know anyone with land that I could ride on.

The biggest detractor right now is that I have to start cheap - My max would probably have to be $2500 or below.
Oh, what kind of power do I need to be looking at for a bike that can handle trips to the coast and such? That includes some decent hills and freeway speeds. I have no clue what the "cc" translates to in regards to power and speed.

Nearly any bike you can buy can handle hills and roads. They weigh next to nothing. I have a Honda SHadow 750. 750cc is 3/4 liter, if you're not up on your metric. Anyway, the thing goes 80 on the highway, has no problem on hills, and it's "heavy" as far as small-engine bikes go.

Remember that the Japanese make some great cruiser style bikes, that are very reliable and more important to you, CHEAP. My bike is a 2007, I bought it BRAND NEW for just under five grand. You can find used bikes in your price range EASY. My biggest tip aside from the ones that have already been said about safety and whatnot is try and buy in teh offseason. I've seen piece of crap bikes go for 3x what they're worth at the beginning of the season just because people are itching to ride.

Good luck!

bobman1235

mole' wrote: »

have you looked at a Kawasaki Ninja 500r? good cheap starter bike.

Nice reading skills, mole.

Personally I don't like the "rice rockets" or "crotch rockets"

ryanjoachim

bobman1235 wrote: »

Nice reading skills, mole.

lol, thanks bobman. Depending on finances, I might just get a new one on a payment plan. I need to start rebuilding my credit after the bankruptcy, and this could be a great way to do it.

Couple questions - when does the "season" start?
And are motorcycles "all-weather" vehicles? I know they can run in the rain and what-not, but besides getting really wet are there mechanical reasons to only drive when it's dry?

AudioGenics

I see HD's on craigslist at low prices
and with the season change you will be in a better position to negotiate.

Face

They're not called donorcycles for nothing.

WilliamM2

If you have never even sat on a bike, how do you know that you don't like sport bikes? I'm not saying you should get the latest race replica, but in general, a sport bike will handle better, and more importantly when learning, stop quicker than some overweight Harley. Something to consider.

gdb

ryanjoachim wrote: »

lol, thanks bobman. Depending on finances, I might just get a new one on a payment plan. I need to start rebuilding my credit after the bankruptcy, and this could be a great way to do it.

Couple questions - when does the "season" start?
And are motorcycles "all-weather" vehicles? I know they can run in the rain and what-not, but besides getting really wet are there mechanical reasons to only drive when it's dry?

Traction and safety go way down in the wet conditions. Being from Oregon.....you already know about rust, I imagine. :biggrin: A fairing is a nice accessory for riding in the rain, as long as you don't slow down too much, or come to a stop!

ryanjoachim

WilliamM2 wrote: »

If you have never even sat on a bike, how do you know that you don't like sport bikes? I'm not saying you should get the latest race replica, but in general, a sport bike will handle better, and more importantly when learning, stop quicker than some overweight Harley. Something to consider.

You're right, of course. I don't know for sure whether or not I'd actually like how a sport bike feels. I do know that I don't like how they look, and that I don't think my frame would be able to handle the typical riding style (leaning that far forward all the time).

exalted512

bobman1235 wrote: »

Nice reading skills, mole.

A ninja 500 isn't necessarily a crotch rocket. Plush seat, upright seating position. A fantastic 'starter' bike. I wouldn't rule one out.

They're extremely easy to steer at low speeds...which seems to be most of new rider's accidents...they're light so its easier to hold up if it starts to tip over...and there's an abundance of them out there and if you buy one used...its pretty easy to get almost all your money back in a year or two.

WilliamM2 wrote: »

If you have never even sat on a bike, how do you know that you don't like sport bikes? I'm not saying you should get the latest race replica, but in general, a sport bike will handle better, and more importantly when learning, stop quicker than some overweight Harley. Something to consider.

Probably for the same reason that even though I've never sat in a Smart Car, I still would never own one...

Some people like cruiser bikes, so people like 'go-fast' bikes.

...and that's coming from a person with a 'go-fast' bike. This is me a couple months ago:


Although the yamaha styker's are pretty sweet as well...not sure if I could ever push myself to get a harley though.

-Cody

zingo

I would agree with Cody that buying a light weight bike is easier to ride and control. The last thing you want to worry about when riding is the bike.

WilliamM2

exalted512 wrote: »

Probably for the same reason that even though I've never sat in a Smart Car, I still would never own one...

Some people like cruiser bikes, so people like 'go-fast' bikes.

I like the looks of both types, and I have owned both types. I know which type handles better and feels safer overall, and it ain't cruisers. A good "standard" wouldn't be bad either, but not too many have been made the last couple of decades.

WilliamM2

zingo wrote: »

I would agree with Cody that buying a light weight bike is easier to ride and control. The last thing you want to worry about when riding is the bike.

I wouldn't reccommend spending much on the first bike either, as it probably will fall down once or twice. Repairs can quickly add up to more than a bike is worth.

exalted512

WilliamM2 wrote: »

I like the looks of both types, and I have owned both types. I know which type handles better and feels safer overall, and it ain't cruisers. A good "standard" wouldn't be bad either, but not too many have been made the last couple of decades.

And I agree with you. I'm just saying even though you've never sat on a sport bike doesn't mean you don't know what you do and don't like.

Which is why I recommended a 500R. Hell, you can even go 'street fighter' with it to make it look more 'cruiser'

...as seen here:

-Cody

ViperZ

I ride a Suzuki "crotch rocket" and it's a blast!

Btw, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, etc. all make great cruising motorcycles, which don't have hard-mounted engines =P.

Like someone said, take the safety course. It may be expensive, but what you will learn most likely will potentially save your life.

Get all the proper gear - helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, even riding pants.

Good luck! (I'm taking my baby for one more short ride this weekend - 12 degrees Celsius here tomorrow... already changed oil, filter, and added fuel stabilizier ).

P.S. Ohhh... just read the non-stop debate (on all forums) of which bike is good to start on . Kawasaki Ninja 500R or Suzuki GS500(F). If you want a non-crotch-rocket look, get a GS500 .

ryanjoachim

I'm really liking the look of the Strykers. And now I know that "crusier" is a good description of the look I like.

Any suggestions for bikes you typically see (cruiser-types) for sale around your parts? Older and cheaper, of course.

exalted512

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/2056645970.html
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/2055612313.html
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/2053859215.html

You want to start off on something light and less than $3500...because chances are, you will lay it over.

Just search on craigslist!
-Cody

exalted512

Also, dont forget how much gear is going to cost. I get all my stuff from www.newenough.com.

Boots, gloves, jacket, helmet....even budget minded, you're looking at $500.

Never buy a used helmet. Other stuff is okay to get used.
-Cody


EDIT:
Just to give you an idea of gear:
194.80.........a* storm rider gloves
88.48..........a* ridge waterproof boots
53.86..........joe rocket meteor 4.0 jacket
284.99........shoei rf-1000
75.88.........Joe Rocket Supermoto Gloves
401.75........a* interceptor jacket
165.23........joe rocket reactor 2.0 mesh/leather jacket
$430...........sidi vortice riding boots

thats $1700 just in gear. Now you dont need $400 racing boots, but especially in OR, I'd imagine you want warm weather gear...and full leathers aint cheap.

camp21178

I would recommend this website to anybody looking to get into riding. I bought a motorcycle three years ago after a 32 year absence, and this site was very informative. Also check out Motorcycle Journal Forums. I post on that site and it is great. http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/index.html Most sites will recommend a good used mid size bike that won't break your budget when you lay it down. You have a very good chance of laying it down, trust me.

ryanjoachim

exalted512 wrote: »

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/2056645970.html
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/2055612313.html
http://salem.craigslist.org/mcy/2053859215.html

You want to start off on something light and less than $3500...because chances are, you will lay it over.

Just search on craigslist!
-Cody

Thanks a lot for those links. I looked earlier today, but I had the assumption that all Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, etc were "rockets". Now that I know they make the kind of bikes I like too, I'll take a closer look.

Timothy Smith

Consider a Suzuki V-Strom 650.

I have owned a bunch of bikes but really like this one.
Looks a little odd maybe. Kind of like a semi-sport bike v-twin (same engine as in the Suzuki SV-650 but tuned more for midrange) with long travel suspension, with trail tires and wide handlebars, a small fairing, and a comfortable seat.

This thing gets 55 mpg, cheap to insure, goes like stink but not scary, can even go on trails and dirt roads pretty well. Reliable as an anvil. Seat is big enough for two for short/medium rides.

It has been described as the "Swiss Army knife of motorcycles".

I am 52, can't really do the leaned over crotch rocket thing for long, cruisers are to lazy feeling, touring bikes too heavy, most dual-purpose bikes are better dirt bikes than street bikes.

Check it out.

bobman1235

Face wrote: »

They're not called donorcycles for nothing.

Because people who don't ride are ignorant and like to judge others for no good reason?

exalted512

bobman1235 wrote: »

Because people who don't ride are ignorant and like to judge others for no good reason?

Probably more along the lines of people that don't ride can't drive or even take notice of motorcycles on the road.
-Cody