Seeking motorcycle suggestions

My daily commute is moderately long (about 30 miles) so I'm considering getting an inexpensive motorcycle to save on gas (as well as enjoy on nice days). It'll be my first street bike, so I'll probably see if I can find some kind of safety class as well.

Any suggestions as to a good choice? Mopeds are not an option, as much of my route to work is on the interstate.

Thanks!

#2. Buy at least a 500 cc engine so you'll be able to dodge cars.

Some people think it's for looks, but it's for body protection; at least get a jacket. And with the gear, you can ride it when it's cooler out.

Helmets are optional where I live, and I intend to exercise that option.

my bad. Yes, wear one.

or whatever the American Motorcyclist lobby group is (not the American Medical Association): they actively lobby in favor of repealing helmet laws state by state. Stupid f***ers.

One of my coworkers .... this is a 45 year old married woman, a programmer, very methodical and logical ... did the same thing, bought a motorcycle to save on gas. She took safety classes. She had leathers and a helmet. I'm sure she is a very careful, very defensive driver. And Monday she wound up in the hospital in a motorcycle accident. She's OK, but she broke some ribs.

Honestly, I was thinking about doing the same thing, but after what happened to her, I'm not sure. I mean, if SHE couldn't avoid an accident, who could?

My Mom and sister are being merciless about it.

I don't suppose it's something I HAVE to do (my car typically gets 30-plus miles per gallon out of each tank), but I've always kind of wanted one.

are being stupid and they die. I confess I always thought that had a grain of truth. But if this calm, sensible, OLDER WOMAN... nothing like the demographic... can get into a wreck... well....

Within the first six months of somebody riding. It takes that long for people to acclimate to riding, learning how to be alert, how to handle emergencies, deal with bad weather etc.

It helps out a lot if you've been a regular bike rider in high traffic areas, your senses are already attuned to a high degree of awareness. If not, I suggest that you start out gradually acclimating yourself to riding in increasing amounts of traffic.

on a road bicycle. I actually bike commuted for a while. So you're saying that WOULD count? Maybe I will still think about a motorcycle, then.

This will accomplish two things:

First, in most states, completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic course allows you to skip the road test portion of obtaining a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license.

Secondly, it allows you access to try several different “smallish” motorcycles extensively in low speed maneuvering drills. On top of that, you’ll be able to “talk bikes” with everyone else in the class and get a feel what’s right for you.

Heh. There's a big harley convention in my town next weekend. Welcome to Bike Week!

So far, six bikers have died here. We have no helmet laws and these so-called bikers get drunk and make excellent organ donors. 400,000 bikers all rumbling around my hometown sucks. I hate this time of year.

I have a few tips. Expect that you will have an accident every time you get on your bike, so wear a helmet and leather for protection. Take a rider's safety course and practice riding on sunny days with nice weather. Buy a bike that doesn't break down constantly (sorry Harley fans).

Even with all of that, you could hit a patch of sand, skid out and die all the same. So make sure you're insured with a good casualty life policy so your loved ones don't have to worry.

I took one the year before last and it was great--I'd ridden briefly in my teens so shifting wasn't new to me nor a problem, but I learned a lot about things like panic stops, proper following distance, the local laws, etc. As an added bonus, it was fun! :D

Just don't take it in August, like I did. Two days on an asphalt parking lot in the South in early summer? That part was most definitely not fun.

But I will say if you have a car the gets better the 30mpg then i wouldn't worry about getting a cycle to save gas unless you just want it for yourself.... I have been riding a Cycle for half my life (road bike) and haven't got in an accident yet.(unlike my cars)

My suggestion other then the safety course is keep your head up, stay aware, you can't dose for a second while riding a cycle unlike a car (changing the radio, taking a drink of coffee, those little things you don't think are distraction but really are). I know most of those you can't do on a bike but my point is you need to have a heightened sense on where things are around you and what is coming down the road.

I've spent half of my life on bicycles (which I'd continue to do, but it's just not practical for where I'm living and working now). My years on a bike have taught me to always have an escape route, because car X will ALWAYS take the right of way (whether they truly have it or not) because they're bigger than you!

A little pricey, but well worth the money.

If you want to save on gas, look at the VW Jetta TDi. Mine gets around 44 mpg on the hwy.

better mileage than a motorcycle too! (75 mpg)



easy to ride

You kind of assume you're going to be in a car accident at least once in your life. But on a motorcycle, every accident you're in could KILL YOU. A fender bender in a car sucks, is scary, and is expensive. But a little patch of gravel or a car with a distracted driver could kill you every single time you ride.

That said, I love motorcycles. I love riding on them and I do it every chance I can. Which works out to about twice a year when I get a ride from someone. I wouldn't ride one every day because I would just be too worried about dying.

To address your question: just for looks, I like the Hondas that look like the Harley Sportsters, I can't remember the name.

My cousin drove a Honda for a while until he saved up enough to buy a Harley. My uncle has a Harley, my grandpa had one when he was young, my mom's boyfriend has one and if I ever win the lottery, I'll have one too.

Harleys are overpriced, underpowered, underengineered, and these days marketed primarily to well-heeled poseurs. A Japanese or (more expensive) European bike is the only way to go, if you value function over buying into a carefully crafted image (read about HD's recovery from financial oblivion -- it was a brilliant case of marketing an image and it saved the day for the company).

Lots of hard-core Harley people I know or have heard of have ditched the marque in recent years and are buying Japanese c ruisers like the Valkyrie...they feel abandoned by their old favorite manufacturer and, more to the point, recognize the technological and performance superiority of the Japanese Harley lookalikes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=4124041#4125742

Bottom line: don't get too big or too powerful a bike, not for your needs and not until you've been riding a while. Nowadays, a 250-cc machine will get you about quite nicely even on the Interstate, and a 400-450 would be perfect if you've had a litle experience (e.g., a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, or similar). If you're talking about the Ninja-type bikes, a 500-cc Japanese bike can move like a rocket and anything 600-cc or over is a serious sport bike. Many people buy bikes that are beyond their abilities to control, and sad stories usually follow the purchase -- this seems especially so in the US, where the bigger-is-better mentality is compounded by people tending to treat motorcycles as toys or accessories and wanting the trendy mount of the moment, that's usually a 750-1300cc superbike.

The power to weight ratio on these current Japanese bikes is outstanding...even with top speeds that vary, one thing all bikes have in common, including the smaller ones, is acceleration from a standstill that is superior to that of any car you'll find on the street. To me, it's the accceleration, not the absolute speed, that's the biggest bonus of having such a high-performance engine between your legs (I mean the bike's, not mine), but you've got to watch out for that, too.

Always wear a helmet and always wear gloves and sturdy footwear (perferably purpose-built boots) -- after the head, hands and feet tend to come off worse if you make an unscheduled up-close inspection of the tarmac. Full-face helmets are the best, at least if you are fond of your face looking as it does. You should wear a jacket, too: leather is still the best, but synthetic mesh and the like can be good substitutes in heat. Ideally, you'll also wear leather pants or overpants. And most ideal of all, your jacket and pants will be armored. All of this safety gear, starting with the helmet, will cost you several hundred dollars, so factor that into your decision if it's primarily economically-based. A great place to get good stuff at good prices is www.newenough.com. I wear black leather jacket and pants even in 120°F weather here in the desert, so I've got little patience for people whining about how uncomfortable this safety gear is. Please don't be one of these f***ing idiots who rides around in shorts and a tank top, with sandals or flip-flops. If you can't stand the heat, get off the bike...

and it was never their fault.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Sells for 2,999 new...they basically haven't changed it since introduction in 1986. You'll get around 75mpg, it's the smallest street bike you can buy, 250cc, perfect first bike for anyone.

(It looks like a crotch rocket but is very light, easy to handle, brakes great, etc.,)

This may take you to it if link works, otherwise, check out kawasaki.com, go to Sport, then select the 250R

http://www.kawasaki.com/product_detail.asp?product=145&category=2&tag=motorcycle

That's the bike I was thinking about when I recommended a 250cc bike above. The baby Ninja is a great motorcycle, and you can pick a used one up for few semolians. It performs like crazy, is lightweight (I wouldn't recommend a 600-lb sport bike to you at this stage, let alone a Harley behemoth), and economical. It'll get you in just as much trouble around town as will its bigger siblings -- and, yes, it's usually car drivers' fault (assume they're out to kill you because, functionally, they are) -- but it's also zippy and'll get you out of trouble more quickly than a typical scooter.

Later on, if you like, switch toa 'standard' bike, a cruiser, a tourer, or move up the Ninja line (the 500-550cc versions are nice, too, and not quite as track-oriented as the 600s or as G-force-inducing as the 750-1200cc Ninjas) or into another manufacturer's line of sport bikes or sport-tourers. I love my Kawasaki -- always wanted one, and not just because Kawasaki has always been known as the leader in sheer power (sometimes they forget little details like adding brakes, though) -- but my Honda proved the conventional wisdom that it's hard to get a more reliable bike than a Honda (wonderfully engineered by usually less adrenalizing than Kawasakis) and my otherwise trusty Suzuki I had back in the '80s added my voice to those of many others over the years who feel that Suzuki electrics suck. :D

There're a lot of good bikes out there, but the Baby Ninja is a great choice and it'll get you to work in quick fashion. Great on twisty roads, too -- my big Ninja could easily get left behind a 250 in the twisty bits because it's less nimble (longer and heavier, basically built for covering great distances extremely quickly).

I hate to disagree with you but I sell bikes for a living. They do make reasonably priced 250's but I am not sure I would want to take them on the interstate, at least where I live. You need the power to get out of trouble on those roads. I would reccomend no less than a 500cc bike. Just my opinion. Not trying to call you out.