The Motorcycle Thread

My commute is 56 miles each way, which is the main reason I considered getting it just to trade in for something more commuter friendly. Honestly, I'd like a ZZR600 or a Honda Nighthawk or something a bit more comfortable.

 

Varies depending on where you are - it's a state based determination. After some more research, there is actually a list of bikes that I'll be allowed to ride - there's a power to weight ratio calculation involved for anything over 250cc. The list is here.

Cruiser/Tourer probably. Just for comfort sake. My initial thinking is 600cc, but I'm open to being talked out of that if I'm being stupid. I'm looking for decreased fuel and parking costs for my commute - performance is only an issue in that I'd like to be able to get out of the way in a hurry if some idiot isn't paying attention. I'm a big guy - in good shape, I'm 220lbs, and I'm not currently in good shape - so a little grunt is required. But I'm not interested in killing myself.

Also, a bunch of my friends wear Draggin jeans and jackets. They seem pretty weather appropriate here and I like the aesthetics - are there any major negatives? I know they do stuff that is Kevlar lined without armor - but I'm planning on getting the armor insert versions.

While I like the look of sports bikes, and I've ridden duals off road years ago - I'm really looking for something comfortable and practical - and ideally, low maintenance.

 

Since you're limited to the bikes on the list, it makes things a bit easier. Find something in a style you like from one of the big four Japanese manufacturers. A 600 cruiser would make an excellent starter. Your biggest challenge will be finding something with a comfortable riding position for your height. Your weight shouldn't be a problem on the larger bikes on that list.

That's an interesting list. I've never seen engine size listed in mL before - always cc or cu. in. It makes sense, I've just never seen it before. BSA is on the list too. Are there many BSA motorcycles there? They went out of business in 1972. My dad wrecked his 650 Golden Flash in 1961 and knocked out 3 of his teeth. It was one of the hottest bikes of the time. I can't wait to let him know it's an approved beginner's bike.

Any clothing with armor and padding is good. Just get things that are comfortable enough to wear in all weather. It's useless if it's in your closet because it's too hot.

 

Wearing leathers here is kind of funny, outside of about 3 months in winter - you sweat balls any time you wear leather, and it's not uncommon to see riders at a long set of lights unzip their leathers, or see sweat soaked riders peeling out of their leathers at a pit stop and walking around in a singlet and football shorts while they try and rehydrate enough to finish their drive. Textile jackets just make sense in this weather. I'll need wet weather kit in addition to the draggin jeans and jacket that I want - but the wet weather suitable gear I've looked at doesn't seem like something I'd wear for a daily ride - and all my friends keep a set of wet weather gear in addition to their daily ride gear - so I assume that's just the norm?

Also, because I'm both tall and fat, racing leathers would look ridiculous, and standard safety leathers would need to be custom made for me - and be about 4 times the price of the same quality, also custom made textiles that I want.

The only BSA bike for sale in my state that I can find through the main listing point for private and dealer advertisments is a '71 Thunderbolt 650 - which is on the approved list. Ideally though, when it comes to motorcycles, I'd rather ride something that's younger than me.

 

I agree with the previous poster. Check out anything from the big 4 Japanese companies. They've been coming out with lots of different cruisers, and some of them look damn cool. Should be reliable and easy to wrench on.

I've always thought that the Yamaha Warrior looked pretty cool:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelhome/505/0/home.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/pro ... /home.aspx</a>


but I'm a sportbike guy, so take it for what it's worth.

As for protection, textile should work just fine, although keep in mind that they do make perforated leathers, and they will stand up to a bit of rashing. I had a set that saved by butt. Literally.

You probably already know this, but invest in a quality and comfortable helmet, and boots. Good boots, preferably with ankle protection.

 

If you're going to start with something as small as 600cc, make sure you're not spending very much. You're going to want something bigger soon enough. I currently ride an 1100cc cruiser ('07 Honda Shadow Sabre) and it's balanced well enough that it feels light. I can throw it around pretty good.

 

So I went out this morning and got my motorcycle learner's permit, and I'm signed up for a course to get a more permanent license in a few weekends. I'm not set on buying a motorcycle quite yet, but I've got some interest and I may as well get the license now to make it easier to get a bike down the road (either this summer or next spring). I've got my eye on enduro type bikes - comfortable enough for on-road or city driving, but capable enough for some light off-roading (gravel or dirt roads) and maybe carrying enough shit for camping trips, something along the lines of a Yamaha XT250. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. And I'm wondering if 250 cc would be nearly enough power to haul any amount of stuff at highway speed.

Otherwise, I'm trying to scrape together some gear for the course. I'm trying to see if I can borrow a relative's snowmobiling helmet, but if that falls through, does anyone have any suggestions for finding a cheap leather/denim jacket and helmet for use over one weekend?

 

Try out the Suzuki DR400 while you're shopping. I've ridden on my friend's a couple of times, and I know a few other guys that own them. It's a fine motorcycle. They're actually really hard to find used, and I'm guessing there's a reason for that.

As far as a helmet and jacket...not sure where you're going to find that stuff for a single use. Maybe you could borrow some gear from your relative? Why not just buy some gear now? That way, when you do buy a bike, you already have the gear...

 

When I took my AMA course, you didn't need real motorcycle jacket since you were never really going to go above speeds of like 10-15 mph, the instructor let people use sweaters or any full arm-length coats. Not sure if that is an official policy but you might be able to get out of buying a jacket immediately if you're not sure what you want yet.

Just get the helmet now, it's going to be the most important bike-related investment you make anyway.

 

A yamaha xt225 serow could be a nice bike for someone starting out. It has a low seat height which is nice for someone who maybe is not as tall as others. When you are just starting out it is nice to be able to put both feet on the ground at stop signs and such. A DR has a pretty tall seat.

As for motorcycle clothing, try craigslist for your gear. You would be suprised how cheap and unused you can find gloves, boots, jackets and such. Do not try and cheap out by buying a used helmet. Always buy those new, and only after you have tried on the exact helmet you wish to purchase.

 

The policy is a leather or denim jacket (I already have jeans, leather gloves and proper boots). Should be able to find something cheap at a thrift store if needs be.

Buying gear now would only increase the odds that I actually follow through and get a bike. Which is hardly a bad thing, really.

 

For jacket sizing, I recommend getting something on the snugger side. My first jacket fit comfortable just walking around but flapped around and buffeted me at speed. My second jacket was a bit more snug off the bike but much easier on me at riding speeds.

I'd also recommend a leather jacket. Friend of mine went down in 40mph low side wearing a textile jacket and it literally tore the jacket apart, wore through and gave him some minor road rash. I can't imagine how it would've been at freeway speeds, or higher.

 

Here's a thread on another message board I'm on. It's a few years old and they guy writes like he's got a thesaurus next to him at all times, but it grows on you. It details his amazing solo ride around the world. Great read, good pics, excellent message.

Check it out:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ride-tales/around-the-earth-glen-heggstad-41590" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/r ... stad-41590</a>

 

Ok I need clarification on this. I am looking at getting a bike and I keep hearing two arguments with respect to "starter bikes"

1) Get a Ninja 250, GS500, at most an SV650 and while you may outgrow it quickly, sell it and upgrade as you get better.

2) Fuck it, get what you want, be respectful of its capabilities and you will grow into it. The same people say an SV650 is fine and you can start on a supersport if you want.

Look, I won't lie, I want a bike because I like going fast and want to look cool. But I would hate to be a squid, and my motorsports background prevents me from being a poser. I want to be a good rider and will do what it takes. I bought a Miata because I wanted to become a good driver rather than a shmuck with a fast car and no talent, and I know what it feels like to have "outgrown" your ride. But I won't sell it because it's too much damn fun.

Are the smaller bikes really pieces of shit and not worthwhile, or is that just Gixxer meathead types talking?

 

Personally, I wouldn't start on anything smaller than a 500, unless you wanna feel like you've outgrown your ride two weeks after getting it.

Mostly, it's about what you feel comfortable on. Just don't get something too big before you know how to handle it.

 

I literally went through this last fall, so I feel like I can speak with some experience on this.

First, take the MSF class. You get some classroom instruction, which can be helpful if you don't know a lot about bikes. But better yet, you get two days actually riding a motorcycle to see what it's like. This is great because the first time you get on a bike is actually a pretty humbling experience. One of the first things our classroom teachers asked us when we got in the class was, "Why do you want a motorcycle?" At least two people answered that they wanted to go fast. One of these guys dropped the bike on the first day at the range and didn't even come back for the second day. I think the point is that, riding a motorcycle is more difficult than it looks, and the MSF class is a fantastic way to see if it's something you want to take the jump into.

As far as the first bike you should get, the MSF class is also good because you get to see what it's like to ride a 250cc motorcycle. At the place I took the test, I rode a Nighthawk 250, but they also had Rebel 250s. My first bike that I bought a month or two after finishing the class was a 2002 SV650S. I will say that the difference between the Nighthawk and the SV was a big one, but the SV has been a great bike for me to start on. I definitely had a few experiences where I got on the throttle harder than I wanted to, or popped the clutch too fast and took off, but I would never recommend against a bike like an SV650 as long as you respect what the bike can do. I also felt like the Nighthawks and Rebels were too small for me, to the point where I sort of considered them Fisher-Price "my first motorcycles." I wouldn't really have liked to take either of them out on the road, because they seemed almost flimsy. At highway speeds, I don't think that I would be comfortable on either of them. The SV has actually felt substantial enough that I'm comfortable on it.

In short: take the MSF class, no matter what you do. You can usually get your license from finishing the class also. And as long as the class goes well and you can take learning to ride a bike slow, a bigger engine will work just fine for you and you won't outgrow it. I'm still having fun on my 650, and I'm sure that if I had bought a Ninja 250, I would already be looking for something bigger.

 

If you're mostly going to be riding on the street, I'd go with a smaller bike. I had a 500cc ninja and it was great for street riding. I think supersports and liter bikes are overkill on the street and unless your self-control is a lot better than mine, it's easy to get into trouble.

Riding a smaller bike is going to be like driving a miata, you have to maintain momentum through corners because you don't have the power to out-drag anybody on the straights. I was generally able to keep up with my friends on their 600cc bikes as long as the road had a lot of curves. Even though a 500cc bike isn't fast compared to supersports, it's going to be faster than most cars.

You won't be able to use a supersport to anything near its capability on the street unless you're a total jackass. It's been said a bunch of times and I believe that riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike slow.

One thing to consider, you won't get the newest tech on smaller bikes. Most of the 500cc and smaller bikes have carburetors and you don't get fancy digital displays or top-of-the-line suspensions. I never really missed any of that stuff.

 

I will always recommend a 250 or 500cc bike to a new rider looking to get into sport bikes. Can you start on a supersport and survive? Yes you can, will you be a become a better rider faster by starting on a smaller bike? Definitely

I've been flogging my GS500 for 5 years and I've never felt like I've outgrown it. I just end up pushing the bike harder.