Anyone ride a motorcycle?

“I was thinking of getting a "really used" motorcycle for transportation, and I was wondering if anyone here rides?

I am looking at old Honda's!”

“How big? I don't know about motorcycles. I ride a Vespa.”

“I sold mine 6 years ago.”

“What's a Vespa?

I am thinking about getting a Honda Nighthawk either an older 450cc or a new 750cc. I havn't ridden in years!”

“Dude! Vespas are so cool! I'd kill to have one. I read an on line photo/journal of two guys who did Route 66 on their Vespas. I wouldn't mind having one of the old vintage Hondas either but to answer your question, no, I don't ride.

Can you drink a cafe late on a bike WC?”

“You'd look good on a vespa, wc.”

“It's an Italian motorscooter. It's classified as a motorcycle tho. If you haven't ridden in a while, you may want to think about a defensive driving course.”

“All the motorcycle cources are booked up till next year!

That is why I want to get a cheap older bike, and drive it around some back roads untill get comfy on it.

Someone I know is selling a vintage honda for $1500, but I think it will just break down.”

“Oh, and I don't have a car anymore, I just ride my Mtn bike all over the city, and thought a motorcycle would be good for those trips to the grocer and for cruising around this summer!

BUt I may not bother!”

“Don't get vintage unless you know how to fix it or know someone who can help you fix it. Two-strokes are good for learning to do that. Just make sure parts are readily available.”

“I have a mint 81 honda cb350 12k actual miles! Love it but its fer sail! $1100.Dayton,OH come and git it!”

“whoops CB450!”

“Mine's broken. '79 Kow, 650. Needs a head gasket, and I need a job.”

“tired of pumpin those pedals....... longing for the old Tacoma to carry you to the store. So much for that anti petrol stint!!!!! And I guess there is nothing wrong with those old burning two cycles engines, right!!!

I used to ride a freinds a GT80 back in my youth and often rode another RZ350 on occasion. What screamer!!!! I came across an older 440 LTD with a windjammer and hardsided saddle bags a few years back for free basically. It needed alot of work since it had not been ridin since '86. Had a busted turn signals, needed battery and all new hoses and cables/belt and every tires, all had shown dry rot. I literally gave it away to a gear head and that had just lost his bike in a DUI accident. Hit by a car and lived to tell about it.

I still like motorcycles, but if I was to purchase one it would have to that RZ350 or some older WWII style cycle w/side car. Rarity for the most part.”

“This thread was started by the guy who said "THE DRUGS ARE GOING TO MY HEAD, SOME ONE HELP ME!!!"
Kinda scary there.

I used to race motocross. Loved it! I've crashed at 70 mph and just rolled with it. I won't buy a street bike as much as I've wanted to at times. Cars are too damn hard. Nearly everyone I know with a street bike has had a serious accident. Two friends have artificial legs from the knee down. They were the lucky ones.”

“When did I say that? and why does it matter?”

“You're kidding right?

You said it earlier today on the apology thread.

It matters because if you really do have a substance abuse problem, you could get yourself killed on a bike. They get going fast real fast. You have to be super aware of your surroundings because not everyone will see you. The noise and vibration can have a hypnotic effect which could be compounded by drug use.

Of course its your life to live as you choose but you might consider choosing one activity or the other.”

“I didn't say that, someone must be using my name! I am going to investigate!”

“Oh no, a motorcyle thread!!! I want a 700 Honda Shadow so bad that I can't hardly stand it. I keep telling myself, one day, one day.”

“Wild Child, you need to take the saftey course for your state. I know what you're saying, they get booked up quickly over the summertime. You can actually not take the course, and just take the riding test through the police dept. and then go to DMV for the written test. The saftey test will give you knowledge and a chance to learn on the bike where the DMV just give you a test and you bring your knowledge with you.

A thing to remember, most riders avoid riding in rain and definitely snow, so this would limit where and when you go places.

Buying a used bike, it's simple, the older it is or the more mileage that is on it will mean you will have repairs coming up sooner than if it were new, common sense. It's good to buy a bike from someone that you know did the proper maintenance on it when they owned it.

A bike can put about 6,000 miles or so on it before you need to change the tires, so it would be good to know when the last time the tires were changed, cause they can be costly.

You will need to spend quite a few bucks on the attire for riding safely. You need to wear a full helmut that fits correctly, very important. You will need good leather gloves. Not the regular street variety.

It helps to buy rainpants (for biking) that have some protective padding, though many people just wear jeans, but they have to be thick jeans. You need a jacket that is either thick leather or material jackets with protective padding. Wear study boots that won't interfere with your shifting the bike.

Jeans will rip if you find yourself separated from your bike. Ripped clothes and leaving a gap between the bottom of your jacket and the top of your pants will allow gravel to be imbedded in your skin, it's nasty.

Side note: You can't go out and party, then use the bike to drive home. It's much more dangerous to drink or whatever while riding a bike as compared to a car.”

“I meant get sturdy boots.”

“Ex used to motocross, too. Many hours spent watching MX races. (I'd tear around to various track locations to take pictures... on my mt. bike!) He had open bikes (big guy). We'd go watch pro races as we were able. Went to a Motocross Des Nations in upstate New York once. Always caught the pro race at Spring Creek MX Park in Minnesota.

Before we were ever married my ex was hit by a train on his street bike. This will go to show that the defensive riding/driving course is good. As a motocrosser, he was familiar with the way bikes grab a surface, etc., what to do if you're going down, and how to react.

He was wearing a helmet. Could barely hear the train whistle as he came to a crossing with no lights. He said he knew he was gonna hit it. He pretty much laid the bike down on its side as the point of impact was coming......... laid it down and somehow pushed it away at the same time.

The train hit the bike.... and not him. He only had that beloved road rash you talk about (was wearing shorts, I think?? And this was on pavement, but I'm sure there was a little gravel on it.)

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON A MOTORCYCLE!!”

“Lizs, not everyone can learn something, then be able to apply it under those kinds of circumstances.

I saw a man & his bike get hit by a train on tv on a reality show. The train hit his front tire, and it pushed the bike and the man out of it's way. The man lived.”

“I rode a motorcycle once for about 150 feet and crashed it. Never again!”

“Ride on! Ditto on the Safety Course... Works pretty good for insurance discounts too, and might just save you the cost of the course! Take it from me. I know.”

“walkindude, part of riding is look where you want to be a few seconds before you get there. Look at the scenery, and you may end up being part of it, lol.”

“I have to rephrase that, you have too turn your head as you look. It's important to turn your head, not just your eyes. The bike will follow.

The thing about riding a motorcycle is that after you take the safety course, you have to practice, a lot, in parking lot or on quiet roads.”

“I started riding a minibike when I was 12 and have been riding motorcycles for 31 years. I raced motocross for a few years and won 11 trophies, but never any money. At that time you only won money in the expert class. My only injuries were a torn up knee and concussion which isn't bad considering the risks.
Now, I'm riding a 1982 Honda XL 250R dual sport with 13,000 miles on it and it runs great. I bought it off a friend in 1982 for $975. I also have a 2000 Yamaha XT 350 dualsport I bought new last year and it's a great bike too. I put 3000 miles on it last summer and expect to ride it as much this summer.
There's a lot of used XT 350's out there since Yamaha's been making it since 1986. Check out one of these if your looking for a bike. The engine is strong and reliable and can run 40,000 miles with no problems. It's a proven design and that's why I bought the bike, nothing fancy, just the basics. 2000 was the last year they made it though.”

“I forgot to mention my XT 350 gets 75 miles to the gallon on the street.”

“I'll just stick to a mountain bike. It don't hurt as bad to wreck them. LOL!”

“My 535cc Yamaha Virago gets 50+ miles per gallon.”

“Thanks for the info everyone. I only have about $1000, so my choices are limited. I thought about the dual sport Yamaha, or Suzuki, but I think the Honda NIghthawk is the best bike for the money. Do you thinkn 250cc would be to small for someone 170 pnds? I think it might be!”

“I was a motorcycle messenger in Wash DC about 20 years ago.
Whoopee we're all gonna die!

My sister's a nurse and her husband is an ER physician.
They call them "Murder-Cycles"...
Go figure....

One of my buddies still has my old BMW R65, 1980.....he don't ride anymore.....hmmmmm, maybe I can get it back!”

“Owning and riding a motorcycle is a serious responsibility. One in which I think (you in particular from what you've shown on this site) need to be a he!! of alot more grown up and having a serious attitude wrt this type of transportation. I know two people who have been killed while riding their bikes...and it was the "other guy" who made the mistake, but my friends are the ones who paid the price with their lives!”

“I don't mean to be pointing my finger...I'm just trying to save you from getting "crazy" on it and hurting yourself. "Cause it ain't hard to do!”

“Thanks for the put down Buddur, you're a great person!”

“If you think Buddur's concern about your life is a put down you have just exhibited the type of immaturity he (and many others) have seen in your posts.

Do yourself a favor and take LH's advice and get the proper protective equipment before you ride. If you can't afford it - don't ride. I made the mistake of waiting till after I got injured to get the right gear: composite boots after the broken foot, chest protector after the bruised ribs. Fortunately I had the full face helmet before I skidded a couple hundred feet on my face.”

“I have ridden bikes all my life and this is the first full year that I have been without one. I used to ride Trials in my youth, a Honda TL 250 basically a motor and frame, very light and low geared. My first 4 years in the Army I was an Infantry Scout and we had Kawasaki KL 250's and Uncle Sugar paid for all replacement parts.I bought my first Harley in 1984 a 52 Panhead on a 62 chopped/rigid frame. I've had 6 other Harley's since and my last scoot was a 68 Motoguzzi which was in mint/factory condition. It turned heads everywhere I went even at Harley Rallies.I don't ride anymore because of the lifestyles that sometimes comes with it but I'm not saying that I won't ride again either. This time of year often makes one yearn for the open road.I also was a serious biker gear head. When ya have a Harley or any other classic bike it's hard not to spend a fortune on them.It can even be more addicting than Backpacking gear.For me it was 10 times as bad.”

“Immature???
WTF???
I think that boy Wild Child displays wit and talent.

I knew some pretty goofy guys who were excellent riders.

Its all about reflexes and judgment with a good dose of luck.

I knew of a guy would ride with ONE LEG!!!
He used his cane to shift gears or operate the rear brake....can't remember which.
He lost his leg in a motoring accident.

Then there was the one-eyed Harley wacko.
The messenger service wouldn't hire him.

I would avoid the Crotch-Rockets.
But DO get something with a fair-sized engine(400+cc) and don't be afraid of it.....EVER!!!”

“LH said "It's much more dangerous to drink or whatever while riding a bike as compared to a car."

But at least no one else but the partier is likely to get killed.”

“Wow Violin, for someone who doesn't know me at all, you seem to have really figured me out! Thanks to you as well!

I agree Tom T, that is why the Nighthawk seems like a good choice. I just want something to get to those places public trans won't go.”

“Would it be better if I said: "OK wise a$$. Go ahead and splat yourself into a truck. See who cares."?”

“If you get that motorcycle, come down to the f-state. Our Bush repealed the helmet law. He's going to work on the clean water act, but that's for another place.”

“Wild Child, your weight will not be a problem on a 250cc bike. The way you tell if the height of the bike fits is that you should be able to touch the ground with your feet flat while sitting on the bike.

I'll pass on what people told me when I was shopping for a bike. The bike I wanted came in a 250cc version and a 535cc version. Since the 250cc had less power, it is considered a starter bike or a bike for just riding around town. It's not meant to be ridden on the highway. I guess it's a strain on the bike to ride it at high rpms and it may be hard to get it moving fast when trying to enter a highway.

I was told I might get tired of the 250cc bike when I got some practice under my belt and wanted to keep up with my husband's BMW F650 dual purpose. The bike you are looking to buy is a cruiser. It should be fine for you if you want to stay local, but there is nothing wrong with getting on the highway.

I know very little about the different models as I was just looking at a bike under a 650cc for me. I haven't heard anything negative about the Nighthawk. I can tell you that the Yamaha Virago 250cc is an excellent bike if you find one.

I can send you a motocycle site where you can ask these very knowledgeable guys about the nighthawk. Between them all, I think someone will have info on it. I'll check to see if you have an e-mail address.”

“Thanks, LH!

Also, I think insurance prices are determined by the cc's!”

“That's probably true WC. Just like if you bought a sports car, you would pay for it in insurance. Of course, where you live plays into what your rate will be along with if you take the saftey course.

The url for chatting with the guys is- http://ftp.motorcycle.com/mocompare/cruise_bbs.html. It takes a minute to load, then scroll down to the bottom to find the box to write in.

Here is an url for info directly related to your bike. It's a comparison with the 250cc nighthawk, ninja and virago. It tells you the drawbacks of the bike, but that doesn't mean you still can't buy it. The url is- http://ftp.motorcycle.com/mocompare/250shootout.html. Read this first before anything.”

“Forget the "feet flat on the ground" stuff.
As long as you can get one foot on the ground when you stop, WTF?

Personally I prefer a high-saddled bike to the low-saddle cruiser types.
The proper way to ride is much like the proper way to sit a horse.
That is right up behind the tank, feet on the correct pegs, back straight, chest slightly forward, and the head up.”

“LOL!! TT talking about proper posture on a motorcycle. TT talking about "proper" anything?? What's this ole world coming to??? ROTFLMAO!! I think you've sold out, Tom. OH NO!! >8-O”

“cont....
With the proper riding position one has optimum control.
I would avoid the low rider/cruiser bikes.

We could call you Leather Child!”

“Tom Terrific, I've seen men tippy toe on their bikes, but it is not the right way to buy a bike, but of course a person can do anything they want.”