Wanting to get into Motorcycles

Strong Bad

I'll agree on the MSF riding course. I took it and and got my license, having never rode a bike before. I did drive a 5 speed car for 13 years, which gave me the concept of clutch and shifting.

As far as what bike to get...buy what you can afford. I just so happened to be able to afford my dream bike, a 2011 HD Fat Bob. It's a 1584cc dream machine that is a pure joy to ride!

ryanjoachim

Are there any big differences between how a bike like this one ( http://portland.craigslist.org/yam/mcy/2055679932.html ) runs and handles vs other cruiser-type bikes?

dkg999

Suzuki Vstrom 650's and Kawi Versys 650's are great bikes.

ryanjoachim

What's a good price for a "starter" bike? Should I aim for closer to 1k or is 2k still worth it for a bike I'll probably lay down a couple times?

dkg999

OK, this whole "gonna lay it down a couple of times" BS is just that. Take the MSF course and learn how to ride properly, avoid hazards, counter-steer, braking control, etc. You might drop your bike in a parking lot or at the gas station, really embarrasing to forget to put down the kick-stand or let out the clutch with the front forks locked, but laying it down on the road is a pretty rare occurance. Spending $2k to $3 on a decent bike that's easy to ride, and you enjoy riding, is perfectly acceptable.

ryanjoachim

dkg999 wrote: »

OK, this whole "gonna lay it down a couple of times" BS is just that. Take the MSF course and learn how to ride properly, avoid hazards, counter-steer, braking control, etc. You might drop your bike in a parking lot or at the gas station, really embarrasing to forget to put down the kick-stand or let out the clutch with the front forks locked, but laying it down on the road is a pretty rare occurance. Spending $2k to $3 on a decent bike that's easy to ride, and you enjoy riding, is perfectly acceptable.

Thanks for the clarification.

WilliamM2

ryanjoachim wrote: »

What's a good price for a "starter" bike? Should I aim for closer to 1k or is 2k still worth it for a bike I'll probably lay down a couple times?

In my post above you'll notice I said "fall down", not lay down, although that is a possibility. But just dropping a bike can be expensive too. Hell I bumped my mirror against the wall while parking my bike in the garage. It cracked, the replacemenrt was $290. Bikes with fairings can easily have $2K in damage just from falling over.

ryanjoachim

I'm finding that I like the look of the older Honda Shadow bikes. Now that I know that the "other" manufacturers make bikes that I like, I'm finding a lot in my state that are very nice looking.

ben62670

A Shadow is a good bike. Shaft drive means less to maintain.

zarrdoss

ben62670 wrote: »

A Shadow is a good bike. Shaft drive means less to maintain.

if I ever get a motorcycle again it will probably be a Yamaha V-max for that very reason

exalted512

ryanjoachim wrote: »

Are there any big differences between how a bike like this one ( http://portland.craigslist.org/yam/mcy/2055679932.html ) runs and handles vs other cruiser-type bikes?

For your first bike, I'd personally recommend something smaller. You need to learn how to balance a smaller bike first before you jump into the 1200s and such...at least thats my personal opinion.
-Cody

ben62670

A nitehawk 650 has shaft drive too. I had a 650. It would do 120 with a 200# rider and get great fuel economy. I had a Sabre 700 with shaft drive too, but it handled weird and was top heavy.

Sherardp

Motorcycle safety course is a good start. Take the beginners and advanced course and they will help you out and give you good pointers should you get in trouble. I also took a school with Keith Code and did a few track days. Don't worry about laying it down, push that to the back of your mind. If you do lay it down, keep positive and get back on it. If your into the crotch rockets I'd start off with a 600CC. I would not buy anything less cause you're more than likely to get bored with it. I'm a big guy, so I started off on a 1000CC Vtwin Suzuki TL1000R, then I went Gixxers and R1. It's a very fun sport, easily to get addicted to but keep in mind your not Superman. Always, Always, and I mean always respect the bike. Enjoy whatever you decide to purchase. I've ridden some of the best......if I do decide to come back next yr it will be on a BMW 1KRR.

Sherardp

My MV Agusta was the best 28K I ever spent. I sold it due to wanting the Ducati Desmosedeci. Sadly my dealer could never get it, so I just sat on the sidelines since. It truly is the Ferrari of sportbikes. I had all the plastics removed for real Carbon Fiber, Moto Corse handmade exhaust was 4k alone, Sato Racing Rearsets and more. Don't salivate too much. A dead gorgeous bike.

HB27

The motorcycle safety course is never a bad idea.
I've owned a bunch of motorcycles. I grew up on dirt bikes in the late '50s and had my first old Harley Panhead in the early '70s.
When you ride enough different scoots you'll know which one fits your arse the best.
I love the old FLH Harleys personally. Low center of gravity, stable on wet roads, windy conditions, and plenty of torque when you roll back the throttle.
I'm riding a '96 Harley now. It's the first EVO model and it's a great combination of handling, power, and response. It stops great, handles any wet condition, and is so well balanced I don't get tired or sore at all riding it long distances. I've also got a bad back and beat to pieces and the Harley is a very forgiving scooter.
I will have to admit I didn't like being blown away by the rice rockets and have done some major engine work to be competitive. There's not many of the **** jobs that compare well overall and in the long run.
Watch out for "the other guy" that's not watching out for you.

zarrdoss

2011 V Max

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:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Strong Bad

I've layed my bike down once. I was at a traffic light going to turn left. When traffic cleared, I went into the turn and it stalled out then fell over. I jumped off landing on my feet. I have an engine guard and caught some of the weight as it went down. The engine guard did it's job and has a few minor scuffs on it. Thats it! I let out the clutch too fast without giving it throttle. I've done turns like that tons of times since owning it. I chalk it up to a momentary lapse of thinking! I picked it up, people were nice and waited for me and I went on my way having a great ride the rest of that day.

You WILL drop the bike at some point. All my friends have. Chances are, it'll be a stupid episode like mine. You'll be very embarrassed and feel like a big dope! When you're riding, motorcycles in general want to stay upright.

Don't buy a piece of crap bike because you're expecting to lay it down. But a nice bike because you're expecting to have tons of fun! Take the MSF course, go out and have a great time riding!

Timothy Smith

My $.02...

Old bikes are cool, as is old stereo equipment, old cars, old guns etc.

But if you can afford a good used modern bike (1-5 yrs old) and can only have one bike, will use it for transportation sometimes as well as for fun, and are concerned with safety, are not an experienced rider/owner yet, a newer bike will have "modern" brakes, "modern" tires, "modern" suspension. modern handling (non-evil) etc. and will likely be more safe and reliable than vintage.

Buy something older, cooler, faster as your second bike as you get more experience in the saddle.

thsmith

HB27 wrote: »

I'm riding a '96 Harley now. It's the first EVO model and it's a great combination of handling, power, and response.

EVOs came out in late 1984. 1998 was the last year for rubber mounts, Softtails had it for a another year or 2 which was a B-motor TCs. I had a 2003 Heritage softtail springer with B motor, sold it in less than 12 months.
THey are ok up to 75mph but after that they buzz in the handlebars. And yes I have ridden other B motors and they did the same thing.

FXRs are the best handling HD I owned.

Timothy Smith

Almost 30 years ago I was newly married and owned a $300 1970's Honda CB-360 steetbike.

My wife asked me why I liked to ride (and work on my crappy $300 motorcycle soo much.

In moment of clarity I replied "Because it's the most fun you can have with your pants on".

Short of flying a jet fighter, driving a dragster or a F1 car, smoking crack, or being in a gunfight, motorcycle riding is about as good a thrill that a normal person can experience (with your pants on).

It is a challenge to do it well, anyone can sit in a car and mash the gas pedal, but has some risk of course.

HB27

Timothy Smith wrote: »

Almost 30 years ago I was newly married and owned a $300 1970's Honda CB-360 steetbike.

My wife asked me why I liked to ride (and work on my crappy $300 motorcycle soo much.

In moment of clarity I replied "Because it's the most fun you can have with your pants on".

Short of flying a jet fighter, driving a dragster or a F1 car, smoking crack, or being in a gunfight, motorcycle riding is about as good a thrill that a normal person can experience (with your pants on).

It is a challenge to do it well, anyone can sit in a car and mash the gas pedal, but has some risk of course.

Possibly my next thrill????

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/2054957114.html

JimKellyfan

nadams wrote: »

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

Yes, safety first. My last bike was a Yamaha Virago (laid back style). In fact all my bikes were laid back or upright. Depending upon your size and if you plan on carrying any riders, you would consider size (cc). The Virago I had was great for one rider, could handle two, but was a bit smallish for two people. That said, handling the 700 was great. It was light and fast enough for one. The bigger heavier bikes, if I were to get one, would be around an 1100 at the biggest. Any bigger is too big for me.
I miss riding tremendously, but remember I was sick of dodging the people trying to kill us on bikes as they couldn't see us or so the claim was. Many non-riders, believe that all bikes can stop fast as they can go faster than cars ( acceleration wise ) but that's not always true. One thing I would do again was to make sure my bike was loud, so they can hear you as well ( the non-riders)
My favorite was the old back country roads, as I didn't like the strong breeze of the tractor trailers on the major highways. Back in Jamestown, NY it was great to ride just about anywhere, as was Scranton, PA. But down near Charlotte, NC it was crazy trying to not get killed. I quickly gave up riding, as I was tired of avoiding at least three wrecks every time I rode. And not from me, but from others not seeing me or just driving like crap.
Hopefully, you live in a demographic where you can ride comfortably.
If I were to buy a bike again, it would be an 1100, but, if you haven't rode, I would go smaller first, say around the 700 size, depending upon your size as well. You can always sell it after you get comfortable and then move up. You don't want your first bike to be too big for you.
Hope this helps.

JimKellyfan

Check ebay and other sources, I always bought local after an in depth search from an individual seller, the Virago I would imagine will be right up your alley for all your needs.
They haven't made a 750 since 1998, so they will be cheap as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Virago
I have never paid more than 1500 for a bike, and had plenty of fun. I have had 4 bikes that were mine (1980-ish Yamaha Special II, Kawasaki 750 something 1978?, Honda 1972 450? and my 1984 Virago 700) and 9 different models that I have ridden, including my own. I also started on the dirt. My first ride was a KE100, and my next dirt ride was a K?175, Kawasucki's
Every Kawasaki used seemed to be crap except the 175.
My Yamaha Special II, actually popped the chain, so it sat it's last winter, with me starting it to keep fluids flowing and battery charged every once in awhile, and in the spring I went to fix it, and it actually had a big hole in the block, yet ran just fine still. That was the end of it, but I really had great luck with Yamaha, or as my HD roommates called it, the Yahaha.
Hope this helps.
Stay safe, buy an expensive helmet too, say a full faced Bell around 300 and up. Also some leather will help, and leather is more forgiving than skin and jean material. :>o

ryanjoachim

I've seen a few Viragos for sale around here, and I like how they look. A big problem for me is that I'm the least mechanically inclined person I know. I can change a headlight and windshield wiper fluid...but that's about it. So, I have to factor professional upkeep into any budget I make.

JimKellyfan

True, but considering your budget and what you can afford to spend, anything you buy for less than 3500 will need work of some form eventually or immediately. If mechanical is the concern, then buy new or near new and finance it.

bobman1235

Lasareath wrote: »

I think it's because when you get into an accident on a motorcycle you have a higher chance of dying rather than being in an accident while driving a car.

You have a higher chance of dying driving a car than walking to work. Or never leaving the house.

People make decisions that they consider calculated risks. No one likes to be preached to about those decisions.

JimKellyfan

Do what you want, just be careful, that's all we're saying.

AudioGenics

Arthur Davidson, of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Corporation, died and went to heaven.

At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur, "Since you've been such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven."

Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God."

St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God.

Arthur then asked God, "Hey, aren't you the inventor of woman?"

God said, "Ah, yes."

"Well," said Arthur, "professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention.
1. There's too much inconsistency in the front-end protrusion.
2. It chatters constantly at high speeds.
3. Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much.
4. The intake is placed way to close to the exhaust.
And finally,
5. The maintenance costs are outrageous."

"Hmmmm, you may have some good points there," replied God, "hold on."
God went to his Celestial super computer, typed in a few words and waited for the results.

The computer printed out a slip of paper and God read it.

"Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed," God said to Arthur,
"but according to these numbers, more men are riding my invention than yours."

ben62670

This is exactly what I had. Great bike.

ben62670

Double post