Motorcycle Advice

[hr3]

OK..Rob & Reg 16% of a Harley is made offshore,,someone here said,, When I say buy American to help America Companys.. If you buy a "Metric" 100% of the parts are offshore and the only money that stays here is the stores profit on the item. At least when an Americam product is bought the money stays here at home,,

Now see what you started Eddie..lol

 

[Frosty2]

Eddie,
Understand your desire to be "out and about", but I have to agree with most of the grayhairs . GET YOUR SELF A CAR!
It really doesn't matter if you are the BEST driver in the world,what you have to be concerned with is some teenager
with about three hours driving experience driving a raised 3 ton pick up truck, trying to impress his girlfriend.
Let's see, you 225+750lbs for the bike=1000lbs
Pick up truck=6000lbs
Get my point?
You know what we used to call motorcycle riders(particularly those w/o helmets.)
Body part donors on wheels

Hey, How many bikes have you owned? The thread started out as what kind of bike should I get because I'm interested in getting one. Not why I'm scared to ride a motorcycle. Remember everyone dies, but not everyone lives. Live life to its fullest. if you don't want to do something don't do it, but please don't try and change peoples dreams because your scared. As a Biker these stories do nothing but make me realize that some will never enjoy what motorcycling has to offer. That's a shame. Heck, maybe we should wear a helmet while driving a tractor, or walking down the street. Never know when that out of control driver will get you. Eddie, I hope the replies from the killjoys will not sway you from enjoying your life....

 

[Dozernut]

Eddie,
Understand your desire to be "out and about", but I have to agree with most of the grayhairs .

Hey, I resemble that remark! This "Gray-hair" still rides a bike although it is not as easy with arthritis in my hips and knees. I am seriously thinking about a trike, then I can put my "biker Chick" on the back and go . I am not so concerned about the younger drivers as I am about the large trucks. Out in AZ. a couple of weeks ago a garbage truck ran into the back of ten bikes at a stop light. Last I heard five had died, the driver had been checking his paperwork. If it was a small car or cars they would have been just as dead. I try to avoid the routes with big trucks and heavy traffic.

 

[CurlyDave]

SkyPup's adventure is why I don't commute or ride much in town.

I quit riding in my late 20s when I was almost killed by a station wagon full of nuns.

Getting on a freeway at a very complex intersection, the sister driving the station wagon was inexperienced and confused and stopped at the end of the on-ramp right in front of me, instead of merging with the traffic. I was completely absorbed in looking at the traffic I was going to have to merge with...

"There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots." Same thing for bike riders.

 

[FallbrookFarmer]

Hey, How many bikes have you owned? The thread started out as what kind of bike should I get because I'm interested in getting one. Not why I'm scared to ride a motorcycle. Remember everyone dies, but not everyone lives. Live life to its fullest. if you don't want to do something don't do it, but please don't try and change peoples dreams because your scared. As a Biker these stories do nothing but make me realize that some will never enjoy what motorcycling has to offer. That's a shame. Heck, maybe we should wear a helmet while driving a tractor, or walking down the street. Never know when that out of control driver will get you. Eddie, I hope the replies from the killjoys will not sway you from enjoying your life....

Let's see, first one was a 67 Honda CL160 Scrambler
,Suzuki 185Dirt Bike(?) Honda Silverwing(before it was a scooter)
So, I'm not necessarily anti-bike, Heck, there a blast,
Used to pull my daughter and all her friends on sleds across the fields, great fun.
BUT, one of the reasons that I do have these grayhairs, is that you learn that if you continue to bet against the house, eventuality you going to lose.
IMHO I'd like to have a little steel around me if I'm going to play bump-em cars

 

[EddieWalker]

No need to worry about those who are advising caution. I appreciate everones view and haven't decided what to do just yet. My divorce won't be final for another month, and I'm not to doing anything until I'm legally single. It's not about her, but it is about keeping on taget and focussing on ending that part of my life before staring a new chapter.

I realize that crashing is a part of riding, and that the odds are higher on a bike then in a car. I also know that some people have had allot of accidents, while others go their entire life without ever having an accident. I like the idea of a helmet, gloves and leather. It just makes sense to me.

As for what to by, I know more today then I did yesterday because of everyones recomendations and suggestion. Overall, a few things are coming out again and again. Type, size and brand information. These are all things that I'm ignorant of, and without those suggestions, I wouldn't even know what questions to ask, much less make an intelegent decision.

Thanks to everyone who's offering advice. There is no bad advice when the guy asking for it doesn't know anything.
Eddie

 

[IH3444]

Having started on mini bikes, and progressed up to a Honda V65 1100cc, V4, twin overhead cam, water cooled street bike, took a total of 42 motorcycles. 70s, 90s, 100s, 125s, 160s, 250s, 350s, 400s, 550s, 650s, 750s, skipped 900s, finally a few 1100cc. Hop up kits, tuning kits etc. Whatever you get Eddie, please be very safe. I now only ride the Suzuki DR650S Dual Sport. A buddy just got hit while on his Harley....lucky feller only has his left leg broke in 3 places. His wife just dumped her 883 last November. No injuries, just shook up quite a bit. Remember that our reflexs slow down also as we age, and that saki and Kawasaki don't mix very well. I also had the motorcycle safety course. One of the best classes I ever attended. Never had a bad street accident. Had a few bad dirt bike ones tho. Nothing serious, or lasting.

Glad you are OK Skypup!

Oh yea Eddie.....you need Japanese steel.

 

[Frosty2]

FallbrookFarmer, Sorry if I came off too harsh. One of the things I hear when I'm out on the road is how someones Uncle (insert name here) was hit by a (insert vehicle here) and died young. I remind them of my Uncle (well not really an Uncle but a friend of the family) that lived to be 97 but was afraid to come out of his house for the last 30 years. I tell them that their relative had a better life. Life is funny like that. I'm 50 now with a little gray and I'll have some great stories to tell my grandkids when I have them lol. I plan on living life and having fun. Motorcycles are that for me.

 

[Ray_Fort_White]

I've got a 2000 Honda ST1100 and a 1999 BMW R1100RT. Those are 2 of the best long distance bikes. I prefer the BMW for long camping trips because it will carry a lot of weight, tent, stove, and such stuff. The Honda seems better for riding 2 up. I treat those bikes much like a car, put in gas, change the oil every 6,000 miles and wash them once a year whether or not they need it. Both go about 12,000 miles on a set of tire and get about 42 m.p.g.

The BMW folks and the Honda Gold Wing riders seem to be the real long distance champions. Both groups think a Sunday Lunch ride should be several hundred miles.

I've had Harleys. They're just too hot for Florida. The BMW doesn't toast you when you stop at a light. I can put my hand on the cylinder head for several seconds without a burn. I always enjoyed showing that to Harley riders and dare them to do that on their bike.

Ray

 

[RobertN]

Oh, I agree. Been riding HD for years; my wife has been riding(solo, not passenger) on Harley's since late 70's. My bike is an early EVO, and is getting old by all these whippersnappers, but I like it and will keep it for a long time to come.

In regard to Metrics though, I would call them that instead of imports. Kawasaki has been building their larger bikes in Nebraska for a long time. Honda makes their big bikes here. Engines, frames ect are made here just like my beloved Harley. Kinda like the Toyota Tundra; although it is not my cup of the, it is built here. Of US made components.

I still try to buy here, support US companies.

There is just getting to be more and more of a gray line there though.

OK..Rob & Reg 16% of a Harley is made offshore,,someone here said,, When I say buy American to help America Companys.. If you buy a "Metric" 100% of the parts are offshore and the only money that stays here is the stores profit on the item. At least when an Americam product is bought the money stays here at home,,

Now see what you started Eddie..lol