Guest ProfessorRog Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 I've been thinking of getting a motorcycle lately and i really dont know very much about them, do you guys know of any sites/forums with alot of information that could help me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETEW Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 A lot of the sites are brand specific. I don't know of any general info sites that I could give you. My advise to you is start out with something small. Don't buy a big bike so you can grow into it. That is a dangerous move to make, and can cost you more than it would to buy a beginner bike and get a bigger one later. What kind of bike are you looking for? I could make some recomendations if I knew if you wanted a cruiser, sportbike, dual purpose, standard, etc. Take the rider saftey course in your state (if it has it). They will teach you alot of good habits and give you a good overall base to start out with. They also give you a license at the end of the course. Whatever you do take your time read some magazines ask everyone you know that rides and absorb as much info as you can. There is nothing that compares to riding a motorcycle, but it also calls for a lot of responsibility and awarness. I think you will love it as much as I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ProfessorRog Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 Well, I was recently inspired to get one because of a story my dad told me. He went on a motorcycle trip with a buddy around the US from BC to Maine down through the Keys and back across to CA, all on a Honda 350, he was crazy back when he was young, now i know where i get it from Anyways, I've saved up a bit and now im thinking of getting a small beginner's bike, probably something geared more towards cruising. I've never ridden one, only been on a dirtbike, but it was really fun. I kinda want something thats reliable and comfortable, and I'd definitely be going used here, poor college student Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted December 3, 2002 Share Posted December 3, 2002 Depending on your maturity level, getting a motorcycle could be the most rewarding thing you've ever done, or it could be your ticket to the emergency room. If you still think wheelies are cool and can't wait to do a few of your own, consider buying a Nighthawk 250 and learning on that. If you think popping wheelies on the freeway is about the dumbest thing since the mullet, you might consider a 450cc machine or larger. A 650cc Nighthawk will get you down the road smartly and is virtually maintenence free (as well as being cheap and available) yet the insurance won't eat you alive. One site to look at might be http://www.motorcycle.com/ When you've exhausted that, go to http://motorcycles.about.com/ and spend a couple of days in there. Oh, I think I should mention that you might end up feeling like a complete idiot until you learn enough about bikes to know the difference between an FZR, a YZF, a CBR, and a GSX. Bike manufacturers like to use a lot of letters in their names, and they're tough to keep straight at first. Keeping a cheat sheet might help you keep your brands straight. We're heading into the best season to buy a bike. Few folks ride in the winter, so for the next few months, prices will be cheaper. (Don't forget to buy the BEST helmet you can possibly afford. You're brain's worth it.) Good luck and have FUN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted December 3, 2002 Share Posted December 3, 2002 Take an MSF course first and formost! Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course! Best money and time you will spend and it will tell you if bikes are for you or not! As to the safety gear... Go here: www.newenough.com and buy the absolute best G-E-A-R you can buy... Helmet is Extremely important, but so are your hands, body and feet! I ride YEAR ROUND in FULL leathers with HARD armor! Good luck, and I'd look at the 600CC class twins in a standard configuration... Not a cruiser, not a sport bike... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 Originally posted by Mikelly:As to the safety gear... Go here: www.newenough.com and buy the absolute best G-E-A-R you can buy... Excellent reference, Mike! I've dealt with these folks before (both over the phone and via e-mail) and the lady in charge patiently answered all my questions. It's tough to find good used leathers in my size (powerlifter build) but they went the extra mile to help me. Also I must agree on the MSF course. Probably some of the best money you could possibly spend. The problem around here is getting into a class! As soon as they form, they're filled up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest timhypo Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 This website covers it pretty well in an unbiased way. http://www.beginnerbikes.com/ Additionally, I'd buy something ugly since you're pretty much gauranteed to drop it at least once while wheeling it around the garage as a newbie, I knew I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted December 4, 2002 Share Posted December 4, 2002 In order to find the limits on a bike, you have to exceed them... This said, the best thing you can do is get a $1000 dirt bike and spend hours and hours planting your noggin in the sand... Then when the bumps and bruises are fewer and further between, sell it for what you paid for it and get a street bike. Your knowledge and experience will allow a much better perspective on your purchase. IME, enough crashes in the dirt can really minimize the pain and agony you experience on the pavement. And you can concentrate on riding without worrying about Buicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 9, 2002 Share Posted December 9, 2002 Might I suggest a Kawasaki EX 250. In my opinion the best introductary bike on the market because of the features and price. Light weight, awesum handling and respectable performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ProfessorRog Posted December 10, 2002 Share Posted December 10, 2002 Hey thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I'm going to schedule an MSF class and start looking for a starter bike that wont mind getting dirty I'm pretty mature for my age but i think it would be better to start on something small, power has a way of exponentially increasing errors. I'm leaning more towards a dual-sport bike. I was also wondering if anyone had any advice or experience with sidecars and what they thought about them. I thought it would be pretty neat to have one someday. I always liked driving with the windows down and I think a bike is about as far down as the windows get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest timhypo Posted December 10, 2002 Share Posted December 10, 2002 Originally posted by Mike C:In order to find the limits on a bike, you have to exceed them... This said, the best thing you can do is get a $1000 dirt bike and spend hours and hours planting your noggin in the sand... Then when the bumps and bruises are fewer and further between, sell it for what you paid for it and get a street bike. Your knowledge and experience will allow a much better perspective on your purchase. IME, enough crashes in the dirt can really minimize the pain and agony you experience on the pavement. And you can concentrate on riding without worrying about Buicks. Or just keep it. Dirtbikes are ALOT more fun to ride than streetbikes IMHO, as long's you've a place to ride it. I'd trade my Harley for a KDX200 and Moab, UT in my backyard in a half a second if I could... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted December 10, 2002 Share Posted December 10, 2002 I used to think Dirtbikes were more fun than road bikes, until I got into the science of taking a road bike/ AKA crotch rocket around a road course... Then I gotr out of bikes all together. Now I'm back into them full force, and there is NOTHING like dragging your knee on pavement, NOTHING... Give a crack addict a few hot laps on a closed course and he/ She would give up the pipe! Moab, Utah... Was just there October... man oh man... Love that place! 'Course I have mountain bikes and not dirt bikes, but the feeling is the same! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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