Motorcycle Advice

[2manyrocks]

I decided I had probably used up all my good luck without an accident and sold mine years ago.

Stress has a way of making us absent minded, and nobody can afford to be absent minded riding a motorcycle. Loose gravel, nut in a car....

Is there anything else that interests you?

 

[dawzie]

Eddie - very important to take bike safty coarse. As said by another reply, it also saved my life.

I got my first bike in '04 after my X left me, Yamaha Roadstar cruiser. Great, flawless bike, but a deer took me out in '06. I didn't get hurt bad but totaled the bike. Peer presure got me into a new '06 Harley road king. Had to do a motor up-grade to the 95 cube kit to get the same power the yamaha had. The stock seat was junk, so went with the "pillow seat".

18,000 miles later, I love riding. I think I've been on every road in a five county area around me.

If you already have a MC licence, most dealers have demo bikes you can try out. Let us know how you make out.

 

[txvoyager]

Asking which motorcycle to buy is kind of like asking which tractor to buy.:laughing:

You can get a machine to fit whatever you want to do with it. You can also find a forum of experts for each bike full of folks who will help you enjoy it to the max.

I'm currently riding a '93 Kaw Voyager 1200 -- sort of like a Goldwing, though some of us would say better, of course. It was made for almost 20 years to parts are easy to find and it has everything you could want to be comfortable. I completed a 5000-mile trip in 5 days last fall, including a 1500 mile day out to LA.

My last bike was an '88 Kaw Concours -- more sporty but lots of luggage space and decent protection from the weather. She was a great bike, but comfort is a big deal and luggage space is great as I put 20-25k miles on the bike and only 3-4k on my truck...

Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice... Good luck with the decision! In the end it's all what YOU like. I'm not too far from you -- up on I-30 if there's anything I can do to help...

Kevin

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you everyone for the tips and advice. I'm pretty clueless here, so every bit of advice is appreciated.

My thought is that I'd ride to town, or some of the surrounding towns. I don't think I'd go more then an hour one way, but would think half that would be more common. Just starting out, I don't have any interest in long rides, but hate to say never to anything. It just doesn't have any appeal to me as of right now.

I guess I'm looking for a commuter, erand runner and maybe some small shopping type trips. I had to run to the store to get some more wood glue Saturday morning, and a bike would have been perfect for that.

Does this help any with selection?

One thing that really has me baffled is how much power do I need? and why?

Dave,

The sports car is a thought that I've tossed around. I think it would be a good date car, but then I'm not sure about insurance of upfront cost to buy one. I have a client with a Miata that said he'd give it to me for a great price, but I just don't like the look of them. I realy don't know what type of sports car that I'd want to have.

I do like jeeps, but I've had enough of them to know that reliable isn't something that they are known for.

I really like the idea of spending 5K, but not much more then that.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[RobertN]

I have ridden a few bikes. I tend to lean one of two directions.

I like HArleys. Have since before they became super popular. I like the FXR series. My bike is smooth, rides nice, and has enough power for me. I have dinked with it a bit, but nothing too wild. Although I like many other cruisers, HD and others, this is my favorite.

Otherwise, I like enduro's. Something you can buzz to the store on, or go check a a trail in a new hunting area. I previously rode Honda XL's for that; I know there are newer nicer versions. I rode an XL500 for some time. Grab something small at the store, to work, and then check out the woods.

First though, go take a safety class. Well worth it, and counts as testing towards your license in most states. And, gets you a break on insurance usually. Usually, they can supply bikes too, so you can take the class before you spend a lot on your bike.

 

[RobertN]

Don't know what you had, but the ones I grew up around and owned were rock solid. If something broke, it was my fault not the Jeep's. I miss my old CJ.

I do like jeeps, but I've had enough of them to know that reliable isn't something that they are known for.

 

[CurlyDave]

Eddie:

As far as I know, the Miatas are about the best bang for the buck in sports cars.

I bought BMW Z3 about 10 years ago, and looked at most of the available ones then.

If I had been 45 instead of 55 I would have bought the Miata. It is like driving a freeway-capable go-cart. The only problem was that it felt like I was sitting about 2" off the ground, probably because I was sitting very close to that.

The Z3 was still a fun car, but was more like sitting 5-6" above the ground. Bigger engine, but less zoom. Probably higher speed, but the cops have radios and Motorola is faster than anything on the road.

I still have the Z3, but don't drive it a lot--not until we get the 1000' of hilly, bumpy driveway paved. Then it is going to make a comeback.

Almost any sports car is going to set you back more than 5k.

 

[czechsonofagun]

YouTube - Ural Sidecar Motorcycle Military Demo


Eddie, here is a fairly unique Motorcycle that might fit into the Crisis Mode. Two wheel drive, some real interesting history and a few different models to choose from.:thumbsup:

I drove this one - one of my American friends had one in Prague - and we spent a lot of time trying to make it run at least OK. But you are right, Egon, that would fit the Crisis Mode very well, you are too busy to keep that darn thing on the road to be concerned about the passing life, LOL.

 

[hr3]

Buy AMERICAN :thumbsup: We send far too much money off shore as it is..

 

[Thomas]

Own mostly HD over the years..now high end ground pounder also HD trike..do check out Honda Goldwing..best bang for your buck.

Eddie have you consider yesterday vintage/classic car or pickup..restore fixer upper,have feeling you would enjoy.

 

[Skyco]

I'm a bike guy too...currently have a 2004 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom. Stupid name, V-Strom, but a great multi purpose bike. Sort of like an SUV. High ground clearance and knobbier tires than street tires. Great for checking out that dirt road although not a trail bike by any means.

I own two dirt bikes, a 98 Honda XR400 and a 2000 KDX200, both licensed for street use too. It isn't possible to license them in most states, but in SC I managed to.

Go take the MSF course, around here they supply the bikes to the first level students.

BTW saving money with a bike is a fallacy usually...mileage isn't that much greater than some cars and I tend to eat a $150 rear tire every 4-5k miles

Personally I could not stand a cruiser type bike, sitting there with the feet out front where you can't rise off the seat when a big bump is coming...nope not for me.

Eddie- since you have land might I suggest you get a dirt bike to play on? I strongly feel a guy that gets decent in the dirt is a much better street rider, you really learn how to handle slides and unexpected events. Too many street riders panic and lose it when they slide in a turn from gravel or wet leaves. That stuff is common in the dirt, experience with it helps a lot on the street. Don't get anything high performance if you decide to try dirt/trail riding, at least not at first. The current crop of full on dirt bikes are scary powerful.

 

[20 20]

So then I got the idea that a bike might be a better idea. Granted, on rainy days I'm not going anywhere, but that's not what it's for. I also like the idea that it will get good fuel mileage and be cheap to drive. I used to like to ride, but I wouldn't say that it's been a passion or something that I've missed.

If you don't miss it then maybe{??} it's not really "your cup of tea"? I'd ponder the idea for a little longer, and make sure it is what you want.

I don't really know what I want, or where to start. I want to take a class to get my license if I decide to do this, but first, I'm curious what I should be looking for. Reliability is number one on my priority list. I think Honda makes quality in everything they make, but we haven't had a Honda dealer in Tyler for almost a year now.

I own a Honda vtx1300 now it is a great machine. I did go for a time without ridding 15-20yrs. To get back into the swing of things I started with the Honda Shadow{750}, awesome little bike. It pulled me and my wife with no trouble{I weigh over 215}

I'm 5ft 11in tall and weigh 220 pounds, but I'm losing weight and hope to be under 200 pounds in a couple of months. I don't want anything huge, but big enogh to drive down the Intestate.

I also want comfortable over flash or speed. I'm not in any hurry to get anywhere, and I don't want to be beaten up by the ride either.

Thanks,
Eddie

Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and sit on a few, get a feel for what YOU want.

 

[polo1665]

I'd second (or third) the suggestion to go sit on a few to get the best "feel". My first bike was a Kawasaki Vulcan. I traded it in on a Honda Valkyrie. When the Valkyrie needed it's first tire change, I roamed the showroom while waiting, and ended up leaving with a GL 1800. The Goldwing is a great bike, but I wouldn't advise starting out with one. Start smaller and trade up if you want. It is also recommended (easier) to take your driver's test on a smaller machine.
Not sure what the law is in Texas, but make sure to get a high quality, comfortable helmet and wear it. Some may not agree with this, but I'll stick to that advice.

Good luck
Mark

 

[NSBound]

...To get back into the swing of things I started with the Honda Shadow{750}, awesome little bike. It pulled me and my wife with no trouble{I weigh over 215}

Eddie, the Shadow Aero or the Shadow Spirit (both 750 cc bikes) would be perfect for the type of local riding you want to do, not too expensive, and still you can go on the highway pretty much anywhere you want to go if the spirit moves you. They're both nicely styled and fun to ride. Personally, I'd add a windshield, but that's up to you. I just don't like highway debris, bugs and birds whacking me in the face when I ride.

I remember one time I thought I'd take the windshield off a Triumph Tiger 500 I had, just to experience the wind in my face. Well, I was on my way home from work in downtown Toronto going up a highway and got caught behind a gravel truck, before the days of load covers . I had an open-face helmet. And then a big bee lodged himself in the edge of my helmet. That wasn't a great day, and the windshield went back on that same night!

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I want comfortable over flash or speed. I'm not in any hurry to get anywhere, and I don't want to be beaten up by the ride either.

My choice would be a Enduro type bike suitable for on/off road use that you could ride on your property also. Not sure if they would meet your needs but they sure have come a long way since I owned one and they are available in bigger H.P. models.

 

[roadhawk]

Does Kawasaki make an ST1300 too? I've only seen Honda ST1300s.

Oops! I was comparing it to the Concours in my mind at the time, another nice sport-tourer.

 

[arrow]

Allow me to provide some reasoning.
Metric bikes are going to be cheaper. A HD Sportster is a nice bike but would not consider anything less than a 2004 model as they put in fuel injection and made these bikes smoother to operate. I believe this bike might be a bit small for you. Going a step up into the HD Dyna range and now you are approaching money into the teens. A nice used one might go 10 to 12 G's. Nothing sounds like a Harley but the Vstars and Hondas come close. The Jap bikes came out of the gate smooth. All shift smoothly and you can get a nice bike for cheap money. You want something light and nimble for the purposes you descibe and not much over 600 Ilbs for gas mileage and ease of use. The Vstar 1100, Kawaski Vulcan 800 and the 750Shadow line of Honda along with the Intruder line of Suzuki, all fall under these criteria. These bikes all have low seat heights and are comfortable to stop at red lights as you will have both feet flat on the ground. The Shadows are nice bikes but their hp is limited to around 35. the Vstar approaches 50. The Intruders have the most. This is where sitting on each of these will begin to tell you what you are going to like. My suggestions just begin to limit the choices from a few million to 4 if that would be helpful but you cannot get much more comfortable than a cruiser for all around street use.

 

[RobertN]

Oh, come on now. We gotta have 10 or 20 pages of idea's before we make sense

Yes, kinda like tractors. Try them all, then decide. Like tractors, there is a huge variety of types, sizes and brands. Although, there is a lot more color variety

Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and sit on a few, get a feel for what YOU want.

 

[RobertN]

Need... more... PICTURES

Marcus Dairy still going, or too early for that? That is a ways from you though...

Own mostly HD over the years..now high end ground pounder also HD trike..do check out Honda Goldwing..best bang for your buck.