Child on the way, and i want a motorcycle....

[Tbirdkid]

I know the first thing that comes to mind is you are gonna die on a motorcycle. That is the normal concern. I expect it. However, i dont live in a city. I live in Virginia, a suburb of richmond. I drive 40 miles 1 way to work and its all interstate.

I have been wanting a bike forever and now that i am 30, i want one now. I can afford it now, and it just so happens that my son is on his way and will be here really soon. Obviously, I am not looking to go 140 mph like a wildman. I just want something that is a cool hobby to get into plus save some gas going to and from work. The gas thing is an obvious thing because i drive a big a55 Dodge Ram Quad with a v8 and i get 14 mpg on interstate. The bike gets around 40 ish.

Now, my hobbys have kinda taken a side track because of my son coming. We have gone out and bought my wife a yukon and set her up really nice. I built the nursery and stuff so we are all straight there. We are taking out a Home Equity loan to put some money back into the house with things like new siding, new deck boards, and new carpet throughout.

I feel like i need something to help me out because i handle stress a bit differently too. I dont explode or anything... i get ill. Recently, i was so ill, i didnt eat for 3 days. All i could do is drink because if i ate, i would have thrown up all over the place.

Is this a legitimate hobby? Or what do u guys think? Im looking at a 2003/2004 GSXR 750.

 

[Mo0o]

Still seems a little risky for a dad to be undertaking, but to each his own and as long as money isn't a issue...

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
I know the first thing that comes to mind is you are gonna die on a motorcycle.

I am not looking to go 140 mph like a wildman.

I just want something that is a cool hobby to get into plus save some gas going to and from work.

Im looking at a 2003/2004 GSXR 750.

Wrong bike.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Buy a used convertable with aitbags...

 

[notfred]

You bought a $37,000 car that gets 16mpg in order to carry around one woman and an infant, and you're complaining about fuel economy?

 

[Tbirdkid]

Not a complaint on the yukon... plus her yukon only goes 8 miles a day. To and from work. My truck is the one that gets the 14 and i drive 40 miles one way... it also wasnt 37k for me... i get a gmac discount... so i paid wayyy less

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
I know the first thing that comes to mind is you are gonna die on a motorcycle. That is the normal concern. I expect it. However, i dont live in a city. I live in Virginia, a suburb of richmond. I drive 40 miles 1 way to work and its all interstate.

I have been wanting a bike forever and now that i am 30, i want one now. I can afford it now, and it just so happens that my son is on his way and will be here really soon. Obviously, I am not looking to go 140 mph like a wildman. I just want something that is a cool hobby to get into plus save some gas going to and from work. The gas thing is an obvious thing because i drive a big a55 Dodge Ram Quad with a v8 and i get 14 mpg on interstate. The bike gets around 40 ish.

Now, my hobbys have kinda taken a side track because of my son coming. We have gone out and bought my wife a yukon and set her up really nice. I built the nursery and stuff so we are all straight there. We are taking out a Home Equity loan to put some money back into the house with things like new siding, new deck boards, and new carpet throughout.

I feel like i need something to help me out because i handle stress a bit differently too. I dont explode or anything... i get ill. Recently, i was so ill, i didnt eat for 3 days. All i could do is drink because if i ate, i would have thrown up all over the place.

Is this a legitimate hobby? Or what do u guys think? Im looking at a 2003/2004 GSXR 750.

Uh the GSXR" is not a gas mileage bike,but;more of a high performance bike.
Buy the bike,ABD prepay a really good insurance policy for your loved ones.

You want good fuel mileage?Find an old slant 6 Mopar,with standard shift.{Not Automatic}

 

[The Stigenator]

not a bad idea for getting a motorcycle. But wrong choice of a bike.

First you are a new rider hence pop over MSF's website. www.msf-usa.org - take the rider traiing course.

then go buy yourself a smaller bike that will do good. I highly suggest the Suzuki GS500f. BUt there are other models in the range like Kawasaki Ninja 500 or the 250. Though I would say 500 is ideal for commuting.

Do not get the GSXR's and CBR's and Ninja's 600cc and above. They arent starter bikes. If you want to stay alive for your kid, i suggest starting on the GS500f, its plenty fast to get you going and it will teach you how to ride in the long run.

YOu will need to buy gear. Boots, jacket, gloves, over pants, helmet (full face recommended).

 

[Brackis]

First off, I am am going to make a critical and/or devil's advocate type post because I do not know you nor can I understand your situation. Thus, if my logic is offensive to you, please don't take it personally.

- Why not sell your expensive, oversized gas hog car for something small, cool looking, and/or less expensive? The Yukon you just got can still serve as the car when you need the size and/or towing capacity.

-I'd assume a motorcycle would be fun to cruise around it, but for a daily 40 mile commute in all types of conditions it does not seem that fun. What if you need to transport stuff?

-There are a TON of hobbies to get into, including paintball, shooting, sports, extreme sports etc... that could cost you less and be less dangerous. Don't forget to account for any rises in insurance due to your ownership of a bike.

Hope you make a choice that is intelligent and pleasing to you and your family.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
Not a complaint on the yukon... plus her yukon only goes 8 miles a day. To and from work. My truck is the one that gets the 14 and i drive 40 miles one way... it also wasnt 37k for me... i get a gmac discount... so i paid wayyy less

Let's say that gas suddenly climbs to $3/gallon, and you're driving 100 miles a day. The truck gets 14 mpg. That's $21/day in gas.

The bike gets 40 mpg, that's $7.50/day in gas. So, you save $13.50 a day, 5 days a week. Supposing you drive the bike every day instead of the truck, you'll save about $3500/year (at $3/gallon). Of course, gas isn't $3/gallon, and you'll still be driving the truck when the weather is crappy, so in reality you're probably not going to save much more than $1000/year in real life.

The bike costs what, about $6000? It's going to take you half a decade of riding the bike to even make up it's cost with gas savings. Of course, if you can afford to spend probably $30/day on your wife's car so that she can drive a whole 8 miles (that's over $3/mile), then the gas probably isn't hurting you that much anyway.

If you want a bike, go ahead and get it, jsut don't pretend it's for economic reasons - you just want a bike because it'd be fun .

 

[Tbirdkid]

Selling the dodge is a definite no, because i will take about a 7G loss on it because i have only had it a year... thus i have only essentially paid interest on it...

As for bikes... i am 6 foot 4 260lbs. I dont think a 250/500 will do it for me... I think i will out grow it too quick.

 

[Mo0o]

Wouldn't a bike be really uncomfortable 40 minutes both ways as a daily commuter?

 

[DainBramaged]

Too bad!

 

[rh71]

- swap your truck (I get 14mpg too but I don't commute) for a minivan
- buy the bike and use it on weekends to support your hobby (less chance of accidents since you will ride less often)

The way I see it you have (or want to keep) your truck as a toy. You don't need 2 toys if you have such concerns.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Get a bike, but not a sports bike like that IMO

You do realize you can grab a used civic and get 40mpg+ on the highway, right?

 

[CrazyDe1]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Wouldn't a bike be really uncomfortable 40 minutes both ways as a daily commuter?

I ride a bike 20 miles each way to work in the summer and it seems way too short...

I actually look forward to the ride home...in a car it just seems like a long drive.

 

[Tbirdkid]

yea but where is the fun in buying a civic? I had one... too small remember, im 6 foot 4 260lbs... my wife told me not to buy a mini van either because she wouldnt be caught dead in one... and neither will i. Sure, my truck is a toy... but then again, everything i have if you consider it something i like to be a toy is a toy. Oh, wait, my 51 inch tv is a toy... my pc is a toy... my mountain bike is a toy...

 

[CrazyDe1]

Originally posted by: rh71
- swap your truck (I get 14mpg too but I don't commute) for a minivan
- buy the bike and use it on weekends to support your hobby (less chance of accidents since you will ride less often)

The way I see it you have your truck as a toy. You don't need 2 toys.

WHy would you ever recommend anyone buy a minivan?

Also, what kind of attitude is ride less so you have less of a chance of getting into an accident? People who buy bikes want to ride more not ride less. If that's your attitude don't buy a bike...it's that simple.

 

[Colt45]

Get a Ural

It is sort of copy of pre-war BMW bikes.. and you've got a sidecart, so the wife or kid can come along too.

http://www.imz-ural.com/patrol/pics/bike01.jpg

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: CrazyDe1

Originally posted by: rh71
- swap your truck (I get 14mpg too but I don't commute) for a minivan
- buy the bike and use it on weekends to support your hobby (less chance of accidents since you will ride less often)

The way I see it you have your truck as a toy. You don't need 2 toys.

WHy would you ever recommend anyone buy a minivan?

Also, what kind of attitude is ride less so you have less of a chance of getting into an accident? People who buy bikes want to ride more not ride less. If that's your attitude don't buy a bike...it's that simple.

I hate minivans but obviously he has a truck for space issues so that's why I said a minivan instead of a passenger car. And that will also afford him better gas mileage.

He wants to fulfill his hobby but that's not the only thing he should be concerned about. He's going to be a father. The last thing he should be doing is putting greater risk on his life every single day for 40 miles. Ride it on the weekend to satisfy the urge... that'd be my compromise. It'd be "that simple" if he were 20-25 years old and had no family to worry about.

 

[Yossarian]

I think you should separate the hobby part from the everyday transportation part. Go ahead and get a motorcycle to tool around on the weekends, I just wouldn't ride it on the highway every day.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

No bike for you.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I have kids and ride a Hayabusa. Chances are good that I have been riding longer than you are alive. That's why I can get away with it. If you are a new rider, your chances of surviving 6 months on the bike you mention are not great.

Bike? Sure. THAT bike? NFW.

Don't sell something to replace it with a motorcycle. That makes no sense. Just buy a more logical bike and ride when you can.

 

[Tbirdkid]

What about something more around the r6 or gsxr 600?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Tbirdkid
What about something more around the r6 or gsxr 600?

I think the high end of survivability for you is something like an SV650, which is a kick ass bike.

Not a slam against you, but realize that a full blown sports bike requires established habits and reflexes to ride well. The clutching and braking are completely different from a car. What happens when (not if) something comes at you and you need to respond without thinking? Talent and coordination has nothing to do with it. What will happen is you will most likely dump the clutch and then you either stall the bike or stand the bike up and over, or zoom off in an unexpeced direction. You could get lucky, but it would be luck.

Sports bikes also have a rather seductive quality in that you can get into a curve too fast and need to lean more than you think you can. You try to muscle the bike along the line and go wide into the woods or guard rail.

Bad idea IMO. In a year or two? Sure. Not now. BTW someone will say how they learned on a superbike and lived. They are both lucky and stupid. Don't count on luck.