should i get a motorcycle

[clamum]

Please do. Make sure it's a fast one, and you get shitfaced before you drive it. Oh, and make sure there's no one else around. We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt here.

 

[Imp]

Wanted one long ago, then the whole tough love thing about motorcycle crashes got to me.

If I "had to" get one today, I'd get a Honda, Triumph, Harley, or "regular" bike. Used to want a crotch rocket because they looked cool. Meh.

 

[BoomerD]

Yes, please, PLEASE buy and ride a motorcycle.

 

[dmcowen674]

should i get a motorcycle

What City are you in?

Some Cities like Chicago charge you a Road Use Tax.

I thought I was doing good saving gas money when I got zapped by Chicago with a $125 Road Use tax Fee.

That is on top of the normal Tag fee so it cost more to keep the bike on the road than the car.

Negated the whole reason for taking the bike to work everyday.

I got the Fuck out of Chicago.

 

[DigDog]

no, you should get this:

you might think thats funny, but mopeds are awesome.

i've owned a guzzi lario, a gpz 900, suzuki rgv gamma 250 2T, ducati 900ss, ducati 748R, and honda superblackbird.

my recommendation : get a moped.

 

[Broheim]

you might think thats funny, but mopeds are awesome.

i've owned a guzzi lario, a gpz 900, suzuki rgv gamma 250 2T, ducati 900ss, ducati 748R, and honda superblackbird.

my recommendation : get a moped.

most teenagers drive mopeds here in Denmark, I had several when I was that age.

my little yamaha jog with almost 20 bhp would smoke anything but high performance cars (and bikes) on a quarter mile. I loved tinkering with that thing, but I was a bit of a yobbo riding around on it.

if I were to ever get a bike I'd go for a Triumph Bonneville, it's supposed to be extremely user friendly, has plenty of power without being scary, and a very comfortable riding position. I just love the looks though.

 

[Scotteq]

don't get it. you're risk of death increases by 82%

probably true but driving in a car in city traffic elevates my stress levels and blood pressure, i get seriously pizzed waiting behind other people

Speaking as a lifelong motorcyclist and resident of the 'Greater New York' area: If you think sitting in traffic is stressful, then you definitely would not like being perceived as 'a clear spot in traffic which brain dead commuters can shove a 3000lb SUV into'.

Sooner or later:
- They WILL run you off the road and into the breakdown lane, if you're lucky. Into the Guardrail, if you're not.
- They WILL turn Left directly in front of you.
- They WILL shoot across lanes of traffic and run you over trying to get into a parking lot/spot
- They WILL slam into you at red lights because they didn't see you behind that other vehicle.

..and don't think I'm being dramatic, because every one of those things has happened to me.

For new riders, the learning curve on handling city traffic is very steep. And you need to accept that - even if you do everything correctly - the other drivers can still put you off.

 

[PliotronX]

Speaking as a lifelong motorcyclist and resident of the 'Greater New York' area: If you think sitting in traffic is stressful, then you definitely would not like being perceived as 'a clear spot in traffic which brain dead commuters can shove a 3000lb SUV into'.

Sooner or later:
- They WILL run you off the road and into the breakdown lane, if you're lucky. Into the Guardrail, if you're not.
- They WILL turn Left directly in front of you.
- They WILL shoot across lanes of traffic and run you over trying to get into a parking lot/spot
- They WILL slam into you at red lights because they didn't see you behind that other vehicle.

..and don't think I'm being dramatic, because every one of those things has happened to me.

For new riders, the learning curve on handling city traffic is very steep. And you need to accept that - even if you do everything correctly - the other drivers can still put you off.

So true! It is not your riding you have to worry about.

 

[SandEagle]

OP, you should really change your avatar. i remember reading about that kid. he suffers from a condition called progeria. are you supporting his cause through awareness or just being a prick?

 

[alkemyst]

crotch rocket <> commuter bike.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

probably true but driving in a car in city traffic elevates my stress levels and blood pressure, i get seriously pizzed waiting behind other people

Yea, cause dodging between cars in stalled traffic is safe, and says you're a considerate human being, and not a total fucking, impatient, petulant asshole.

 

[Scotteq]

Yea, cause dodging between cars in stalled traffic is safe, and says you're a considerate human being, and not a total fucking, impatient, petulant asshole.

Lane Splitting is also perfectly legal in California, as long as traffic is very slow or stopped, since it's considered to relieve congestion. That'll net you a Hefty moving violation nearly everywhere else, though.

 

[IronWing]

Lane Splitting is also perfectly legal in California, as long as traffic is very slow or stopped, since it's considered to relieve congestion. That'll net you a Hefty moving violation nearly everywhere else, though.

It's legal? So I was wrong to open the door, I guess.

 

[alkemyst]

It's legal? So I was wrong to open the door, I guess.

It's all about relieving congestion.

One less motorist.

 

[BUTCH1]

Hurry up OP, your wasting time! you might land a great BF deal today!..

 

[JulesMaximus]

so suzuki is a recommended brand? if you dont know anyone who bikes, how do you learn/do dealerships offer classes to show you?

Take the MSF course. Many local community colleges offer this class and it will help you learn how to ride, learn how to stay safe and it exempts you from the DMV riding test. Might save you some money on your insurance too. You should do this before you even look at a motorcycle.

Dealerships are very stingy when it comes to test rides and you can definitely forget about it if you don't even have your motorcycle endorsement.

 

[papadage]

First.. lose the douchy avatar and username.. No one likes a douche..

In answer to your question..

I am 45 and started riding three years ago, with the encouragement of friends, one of which is a ride instructor with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). I live in an extremely urban area, so my ride conditions are pretty bad for learning, and got hit on my first bike by a guy crowding through my lane as he tried to make a turn at a light at which I decided to stop, totaling my bike and bruising me up.

If you are serious.

1. Take an MSF course. It's the best way to learn safely, with the bonus of being able to take the road test at the end of the class on their bikes. Seld teaching will get you hurt or killed.

2. Pick a small displacement standard or dual sport as your first bike for city riding. Contrary to looks, the Ninja 250, 300 and 500 are all standard bikes, with fairings bolted on. They are not super sports, and are quite tame to learn on. Another good one if the Suzuki GS500F.

3. Buy used. You will probably drop your first bike. Also, popular starter bikes can be sold for almost what you paid for them. If you are in a cold climate, but a fuel injected bike. Less warmup time in the cold makes it more useful.

4. Wear full gear. Full helmet, armored gloves, armored jacket and pants, and motorcycle boots that go over the ankle. I was fully geared up when I got hit,a nd only got bruised up, despite being flipped over the bars, face-first into a speed limit sign post, and then somersaulting onto the pavement to land on my shoulder. Without gear, I would have been very severely injured and probably crippled.

5. In the city.. start your riding very early on the weekends, when traffic is light. Pick a simple route, and do it a few times to get sued to the controls. The start ranging out further. Do not commute in real traffic until you are comfortable in moderate weekend traffic. Rush hour drivers will have very little regard for your safety, so you need to be able to react smoothly without panic. You will also need to be VERY proactive.

6. Once you have ridden your first bike for a year, you can think about what you want in a replacement bike, if your first bike is lacking in some way. I upgraded to a Ninja 650r, which has a similar upright riding position as the 250, but with more power and comfort, which is better for the 80mph portion of my commute. Since then, I have added a bunch of gear to it to make it a decent light touring bike.