Who in here rides motorcycles?

LordJezo

Banned
May 16, 2001
8,140
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How is it?

What kind of bike?

What kind equipment?

How often do you ride?

And other such thing..

I am very close to buying my first bike and just wanted others to chime in on their riding experience.

I'm going to start off small.. 250cc Ninja or Rebel. Priced right at $3000. I took the MSF course a few years back, got my license, and now just itching to ride again.
 

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
8,793
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If you are over 5'8", I wouldn't recommend starting on either of those bikes.

Look for a nice used bike. I started on a 1985 Honda VF-700, and I kind of wish I still had that bike. It was nice and comfortable, good ride, and good power.

I currently have a 2002 CB900F (919), but I'm looking at trading up to an ST1300, so its a lot more comfortable for my wife. :)
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,996
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Pretty much dirt bikes only at this point. I have a motorcycle license, but sold my only street bike. Too many completely incompetent drivers out there, when I'm on the road I want to be surrounded by 2 tons of metal.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
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i have a cbr 600cc.

I have been rideing since i was 8 years old (im 30 now). but i wear a rideing coat and helmet. gloes if its cold out. i had a pair of boots but they got to small.

the 250 rebal is a good bike. but very small. i had a 400 (450?) cc rebel when i was 16. At 16 i was short and skinny. heck i am only 5'6 and 160lbs now!

i would shoot for a 500cc ninja or such for a starter bike. just get something around that size and cheap. you will drop it a few times!
 

LordJezo

Banned
May 16, 2001
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500cc??

Thats double what I thought people were supposed to start on.. and 3x as powerful as the one I learned on!
 

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
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You will most likely outgrow the 250cc bike within a year, anyway. No sense in starting so small. Like I said, my first was 700cc, but it wasn't too much after a couple of weeks. It was hard at first to get used to it, but if you take it in moderation and don't try to beat everything on the road, you will do just fine with a 500cc bike.
 

BillGates

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2001
7,388
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Originally posted by: MogulMonster
You will most likely outgrow the 250cc bike within a year, anyway. No sense in starting so small. Like I said, my first was 700cc, but it wasn't too much after a couple of weeks. It was hard at first to get used to it, but if you take it in moderation and don't try to beat everything on the road, you will do just fine with a 500cc bike.

This is crappy advice in my opinion - the point of a beginner bike is to learn to ride and sell it after a year. Of course he'll grow out of it! It's better to start on a small, light bike and upgrade once you learn the ropes. Not to mention that beginner bikes hold their value extremely well.
 

BillGates

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2001
7,388
2
81
How is it? Better than sex.

What kind of bike? Suzuki TL1000R

What kind equipment? Arai helmet, Joe Rocket leather jacket, Teknic gloves, Diadora riding boots. I wear all my gear every time I ride.

How often do you ride? 5000-8000 miles per year.
 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
4,266
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I have a Suzuki GSX-1300r AKA the Hayabusa.

Bought it in May 1999, and I ride it every day as weather permits. I ought to have it out of the garage in a few weeks, provided no freakish weather takes hold.

I would stick with a 400cc bike or less.

I see you are in Jersey. You can find some mighty nice rides in PA, but stay away from NY, especially when first riding, because it takes time to develop the needed reflexes to deal with heavy traffic


Dang it :D
Missed the last line on the license :eek:

Anyway, stay away from NY :D
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: LordJezo
How is it?

What kind of bike?

What kind equipment?

How often do you ride?

And other such thing..

I am very close to buying my first bike and just wanted others to chime in on their riding experience.

I'm going to start off small.. 250cc Ninja or Rebel. Priced right at $3000. I took the MSF course a few years back, got my license, and now just itching to ride again.

Congrats on the License.

I got mine a few years back after not riding for 20 years. My Bike died (alternator built in motor) 2 years ago and have not had the $1,500 to get it fixed. Black 1983 Honda Shadow 1000cc motor (750 was rebuilt to 1000 before I got it), looks like a Harley but quiet and smooth so I can keep my hearing and not lose teeth from vibration like Harley's.


 

jaynonymous

Senior member
Jan 24, 2002
715
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0
I am looking at getting a Honda Shadow as a starter bike. I have become very interested in motorcycling over the last year or so, but I don't yet have the dough to shell out. I plan on getting a cruiser bike; I wouldn't mind having a speed bike, but I would prefer the cruiser type.
 

MBony

Platinum Member
Sep 16, 2003
2,990
0
76
Originally posted by: jaynonymous
I am looking at getting a Honda Shadow as a starter bike. I have become very interested in motorcycling over the last year or so, but I don't yet have the dough to shell out. I plan on getting a cruiser bike; I wouldn't mind having a speed bike, but I would prefer the cruiser type.

Good choice, I have a 1995 Honda Magna and love it! The old shadows only went to 600cc, but since they go up higher. I would definately recommend the Shadow. There is a lot of aftermarket equipment that caters to Shadow owners. If I did it all over again, I would buy a 750cc Shadow.

I'm not big on crotch rockets, too much speed between your legs. Be prepared, if you get anything other than a Harley, to be snickered at by the Harley owners. Sorry I don't have $20k to spend on a bike!!! There are many Harley snobs where I live. They won't wave or anything, discrimination at its finest. At biking events you may find your bike overturned too. But if its sponsored by anything besides Harley you'll be fine. I'm sure its not this everywhere, but I'm speaking from experience.

/steps off soapbox
 

LordJezo

Banned
May 16, 2001
8,140
1
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Who else rides?

If everything works out I will be putting the money down on the bike this afternoon.

Getting excited.
 

malbojah

Golden Member
Dec 6, 2000
1,708
7
81
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
If you are over 5'8", I wouldn't recommend starting on either of those bikes.

Look for a nice used bike. I started on a 1985 Honda VF-700, and I kind of wish I still had that bike. It was nice and comfortable, good ride, and good power.


SUCKER!!! I got mine in my shed with 37k miles on it and it still runs great!!!

But I'm going take the big CBR 1000 out for a spin today

 

jjones

Lifer
Oct 9, 2001
15,424
2
0
I used to ride. I'd recommend something between 500 cc and 750 cc. Anything less and you'll get used to the power (or lack of power) in a very short time and wish you had bought something bigger. I really recommend either a 700 or 750 cc bike. It's really not too much to handle and it can be the last bike you ever buy if you decide that's all you really need.

The last bike I owned was a 1400 Suzuki Intruder; prior to that it was a 700 Intruder. I loved it but my brother totaled it and I haven't bought a bike since then; I have a convertable RX7 that gives me that "sun on my face and wind in my hair feeling" so I haven't really felt the need for another bike.
 

JoLLyRoGer

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2000
4,153
4
81
How is it?

Love it!

What Kind?

'97 H-D FXDWG (Dyna Wide Glide)

Equipment?

Full Leathers and a turtle shell.

How often?

Weekends.

MSF is a great place to start LJ. Don't feel like you have to get the smallest bike on the planet to start out on though. My first scoot was a Honda Shadow VLX (600cc). Obvioulsy you don't want to start out on a "bagger" i.e. Road King, Electra Glide, Gold Wing, etc. But it's equally unsafe to ride a bike that is underpowered. Beleive me, if you plan on hitting the paved roads there WILL be times when you'll need more power to get out of a dangerous situation than a 250cc street bike will be able to deliver (not so sure about the Ninja, but forget the Rebel)
 

boyRacer

Lifer
Oct 1, 2001
18,569
0
0
I have my license... but i dont have my own bike :(... so i leech of my friends. :D :p

Its an old ninja 500r and a nighthawk 250... i dont look cool like the crotch rockets here doing wheelies on the onramp... but heh... still saving for my own. :)

Take pics of your bike if you get it! :D
 

Woodie

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,747
0
0
Me.

How: It's fun. (of course!)
What: 1980 BMW R100RT
Equipment? Full fairing, hard mostly waterproof cases, helmet, armor, gloves...
When: Every chance I get. Which is: almost every weekday between March and December. (commuting :()

Planning on doing the New England Bun Burner this summer. That's a 1,000 miles in one day, around New England. :D
Longest day (so far)..was San Fran to Yosemite, through the park into Nevada, then back through the park and back to San Fran. (800+ miles) From about 0700 to about 2200.

Many others here ride too...
 

opticalmace

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2003
1,841
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0
As a curious wannabe biker, I have a question for anyone in this thread:

Have you ever been seriously injured because of a motorcycle accident?
Or something just as traumatic.

Thanks.
 

Woodie

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,747
0
0
Gone down a couple times...picked up far more other people (& bodies) that have gone down.

The deer got away in first one. (bike totalled because of chrome etc...but no injuries to the !@#$% deer or myself)
I broke a collar-bone in another. (not particularly traumatic, just irritating)

Still riding...although I bought a different style of bike, and succeeded in changing my riding style and attitude. I'm on my fifth bike.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,512
22
81
It's great. Riding is one of the biggest joys. I ride a 1982 Honda CB450SC (Nighthawk 450), always wear over-the-ankle boots, leather motorcycle jacket (motorcycle grade leather is necessary, not just any leather), leather riding gloves, and a full-face helmet. I don't ride too much, maybe 1,000 miles a year.

I would recommend strongly against the Honda Rebel 250. My Nighthawk is a standard, like the Rebel and even with nearly double the displacement it is not suitable for highway riding; it doesn't like to cruise at more than 65 mph and I can't imagine that the Rebel 250 would take to the highway well at all. With a sportbike like a Ninja, you could probably get away with the 250 CC engine, but with a standard like the Rebel, you'll want at least 450 CC and probably 500 CC.

ZV
 

LordJezo

Banned
May 16, 2001
8,140
1
0
I'm going for the Ninja 250r.

Hopefully putting deposit on it tonight. Still not sure about the jacket. I am thinking about a strong armored textile. From what I am reading they are getting to be almost as good as the leather ones.

We'll see tonight though.

Helmet = HJC AC-11, gloves = something armored and leather palmed..
 

Instan00dles

Golden Member
Jun 15, 2001
1,174
1
81
How is it? Amazing, look forward to the riding season every year

What kind of bike? 1981 yamaha maxim 550

What kind equipment? unfortunalty I only have my riding jacket a helmet and riding gloves. I wear leather boots that go above the ankles, I cant fit into real motorcycle boots. I do not have any riding pants, thats next on my list.

How often do you ride? During the spring and summer, every damn day. Last season I put almosy 7000km on my bike
 
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
What I ride: 2001 Suzuki GS500 (pic below in Sig)

Helmet:
3 helmets (1 open 3/4 face CL5 and 2 full face helmets - KBC TK7 & HJC CS12). Old helmet Vega (some model is limited to car driving or absolute spare helmet).

Boots:

KIT Steel Toed Boots (over the ankle leather) & Teknic Freeway Boot (need full lenght socks as this boot goes up to your calf)

Gloves: Wintex Olympia Full Leather gloves with thinsulate on inside. Plan to get another new glove for this season. The one i have is more than 2 years old. Cost me about 80 bucks then.

Jacket: Alpine Stars textile jacket. Leather Jacket (well its a cold weather jacket that can be used if i want to but i hardly use it). Fieldsheer 2 pc rain suit. Actually its not a rain suit, but it can be used as one. Its actually a cheap riding light riding jacket. It is not made like rain suits but it still works as one if needed.

Pants: I use the overpant of the fieldsheer 2pc rain suit on cold days else i just use jeans.

Mileage: 150miles shy of 10,000. Riding for the last 3 years on this.

Modification: BobB (gstwin member) V&H Advancer Clone, Progressive Springs (front), Katana 600 Shock (rear), Flanders Clubman Bars, JeffD (Gstwin member) LED tail lights. I am getting a new set of tires soon - placed order for a brand new BT 45H yesterday. Should be here soon. I also got the usual luggage (tank bag) & saddle bags (on order). I have a windshield that i hardly use.

Edit:

The 250 is teh way to go... once you get used to the bike and put on a whole lot of mileage you can sell it for almost what you paid for it. Those things hardly ever lose value. I can look forward to selling my GS500 today for 3600 or so (retails 4300 back then).

The Ninja 250 even though being a 250 actually produces about 37 hp (almost up to my GS500 which is 41) this is because of its high compression and high revving engine. Its a lighter bike and has a great power to weight ratio. Its an awesome starter bike. I know if I can find one for cheap I will snatch it.. nothing like flicking a lighter bike into the turns.