Lets talk motorcycles

Now that my commute is entirely surface streets I was thinking of getting a cheap motorcycle to commute in. Never owned a motorcycle before so I need a safe starter bike. I have no interest in a sport bike and prefer a more classically styled standard or cruiser bike. Nothing too big either. I don't plan on exceeding 60mph and no freeway.

As I know very little (or nothing) about motorcycles I'm looking for suggestions. If I get a bike I plan on completing a motorcycle safety course. Do they also offer riding lessons anywhere? As I said, I am a newb and want to do this right and safely.

Cost is also a concern. I wouldn't want to spend more than a few grand.

Take the MSF course first.

Can you do that without a motorcycle? :confused:

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Originally Posted by black roadster

Can you do that without a motorcycle? :confused:

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Not only can you, but you have to. In Texas, you can't ride without an endorsement, and you can't get an endorsement without the MSF. The MSF will show you quickly whether or not you even WANT to ride a motorcycle - if you are a motorcycle type, it'll be 2 days of gas burning fun as you ride around a parking lot. If it's not fun, you probably won't enjoy riding much, either.

How far is your commute? If it's really short, I'd go for a Honda Ruckus as those things are a metric-assload of fun, dirt cheap, rock solid reliable, and free of the encumbrances of licensing (did I mention dirt cheap?).

Something to hang your "Hello Kitty" stuff on, and later Kate can take it to College.
http://donnphoto.files.wordpress.com...ooter-copy.jpg

As a beginner, I'd shy away from classic styled cruisers and get either an adventure bike or a super moto. Not because they are cool, or might be racy, but because they are very easy to ride and keep under control and because you have a tall seating position to see and be seen.

Just say no. As much as you get hit, stick with 4 wheels and airbags. Surface streets are more dangerous than freeways. Majority of MC accidents/fatalties are riders w/less than a year experience. Riding 5 days a week exposes you to even more peril. Back in the day, a MC was my only mode of transport for a few years. Hit twice by non-attentive drivers. Been riding since single digit years...

Just sayin..

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Originally Posted by SixAce

Just say no. As much as you get hit, stick with 4 wheels and airbags. Surface streets are more dangerous than freeways. Majority of MC accidents/fatalties are riders w/less than a year experience. Riding 5 days a week exposes you to even more peril. Back in the day, a MC was my only mode of transport for a few years. Hit twice by non-attentive drivers. Been riding since single digit years...

Just sayin..

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When riding on two wheels, you are forced to drive to accommodate everyone else's dumb-ass moves, too. It would be nice if people were required to spend 2 years on 2 wheels before they could operate on 4...

http://www.alertrider.com/index.htm

This is taught by the facilities manager from my last job. I have been thinking about taking it too.
For the entry level class they provided the bikes and safty gear.

For a starter bike I would say a Kawasaki 250. C

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Originally Posted by SixAce

Just say no. As much as you get hit, stick with 4 wheels and airbags. Surface streets are more dangerous than freeways. Majority of MC accidents/fatalties are riders w/less than a year experience. Riding 5 days a week exposes you to even more peril. Back in the day, a MC was my only mode of transport for a few years. Hit twice by non-attentive drivers. Been riding since single digit years...

Just sayin..

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+1 You have enough trouble with people running you over in a car!

+1 on doing MSF before anything. Sink the hook or get it out of your system. Either way it will be an educated decision.

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Originally Posted by SixAce

Just say no. As much as you get hit, stick with 4 wheels and airbags. Surface streets are more dangerous than freeways. Majority of MC accidents/fatalties are riders w/less than a year experience. Riding 5 days a week exposes you to even more peril.

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My thoughts exactly. One has to be 100% on your game to dice with traffic, and even then there's still an amount of luck involved. You in particular, whether it's skill or luck, would be taking more of a risk than most. Please don't take this personally.

If MSF plants the hook (which it did for me 20 years ago), take your time finding the right bike and then spend at least six months on residential streets gaining experience before jumping into rush hour.

Just say No!

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Originally Posted by modernbeat

As a beginner, I'd shy away from classic styled cruisers and get either an adventure bike or a super moto. Not because they are cool, or might be racy, but because they are very easy to ride and keep under control and because you have a tall seating position to see and be seen.

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I would not suggest commuting either. I used to ride a lot, but not in the city. But if you must +1 on the above.I thought I wanted a cruiser also but they suck for handling, sold it quickly and went the sport touring route. A standard style bike like a Honda nighthawk or adventure touring is easier to deal with. At the MSF class they had both standards and cruisers to learn on in my class and the ease of handling and fun factor was night and day.

After you get done with the MSF course, take a look at something like the honda Hornet (599 or 919) or suzuki sv650, ducati monster, buell lightning. All great sporty standards/nakeds in your price range. +1 on commuting every day, break it up a bit, 2-3 days a week maybe. Its just helping your odds at reducing the frequency of bad stuff happening, The consequences for bad stuff happening on a bike are significatly greater, so gear up for sure.

i suggest the BMW S1000RR! :P

buy a Yamaha YZF R1, update your will and just get the wreck over with in the first week.

You have a family. If you decide to do this, take out a term life insurance policy. At your age you can get half a million coverage for less than $300 a year. Your wife and daughter will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Just say no...

I stopped riding on the street in 1968 when traffic was simple and almost nobody had decent brakes. I've not broken a bone since. The odds are just bad. Do the math.

Jim

I rode through highschool. Two minor downs (hurt pride and torn pants, but otherwise ok). One major accident that left me with a crushed foot (I actually drove to the hospital on the broken brake foot). I'm askeered to ride here. Too many idjits.

Back to his question, I think that a reliable and inexpensive bike would be a good one for what you want. Really with a bike you need to go and sit on a few and see what you find comfortable. I'd look about 5-10 years back and find something that was mass produced so parts are plentiful. Honda Shadow 750 is a good one, the 750 will do what you want, don't need a 1100. Or Yamaha Virago 750. It's shaft drive and makes maintenance easier I think. If you want a little more power, even a Honda magna 750 would work, it's a V4 engine.I love to ride but hate riding in rush hour.Remember that there are alot of little expenses with a bike. Summer jacket, fall jacket, summer gloves, winter gloves, helmet, tinted visor, clear visor for night, boots, tank bag or saddle bags, bike stand, bike lock, some new tools to work on it, etc etcI have almost 20 years on bikes. 15 on the street, ran a motorcycle parts business for 5 years, was a paid stunt rider, etc. All this before I sold my last bike, a CBR1100XX and bought my miata.