Thinking about a Motorcycle

[Threehz]

I love how OP states he doesn't want a sport bike and everyone suggests a sports bike...

carfantiti, I definitely appreciate the negativity as I know I'm surrounded by idiots on the road. The biggest problem with your argument lies in this statement, "I had a Harley..."

I'm mainly thinking a standard/cruiser because they generally aren't as powerful as a sportbike and I enjoy the look (and imagine they have a different feel).

Randomsv650, what do dislike about cruisers?

[evandael]

no matter how good of a rider you are, everyone else on the road will try to kill you.

every time my girlfriend goes off on her bike (an sv650 btw, very nice ride), i'm a fucking bundle of nerves and don't calm down til i hear the ignition cut when she returns.


threehz, cruisers are often very heavy and cumbersome, especially for beginners. by the same token, sport bikes are twitchy and way too fast. YMMV. find something that's comfortable cheap and manageable and appealing to you. and yes, you WILL drop the bike, so a late model bike is the best choice.

[future rs]

no matter how good of a rider you are, everyone else on the road will try to kill you.

every time my girlfriend goes off on her bike (an sv650 btw, very nice ride), i'm a fucking bundle of nerves and don't calm down til i hear the ignition cut when she returns.


threehz, cruisers are often very heavy and cumbersome, especially for beginners. by the same token, sport bikes are twitchy and way too fast. YMMV. find something that's comfortable cheap and manageable and appealing to you. and yes, you WILL drop the bike, so a late model bike is the best choice.

I was busy before and couldn't type out a long winded answer.

I do agree with most of this. I started out riding dirt bikes as a kid. If a family member or someone I knew needed something to learn on,(this is if you have NEVER rode a bike of any type) I would recommend jumping on a dirt bike and go for a spin in the middle of the desert. Nothing large and metalic or of concrete construction to hit. You will only endanger yourself and you can learn the ins and outs of shifting and the feel of a bike.

As for commuters. I strongly recommend a V-twin setup. Hands down a better in town bike and still great at speed on the freeway. A bike like an SV650 is going to be much more comfortable in the arse region than a full sport. But you still get the agility of a sportier bike.

As for the sentiment "you will drop it" I have crashed once. Yes once. In years of riding and that was on a dirtbike driving like a 14yo idiot. I have owned several on road bikes and have yet to crash or "lay down" a single one. Don't get on the bike thinking it's inevitable. Get on the bike thinking clearly that you will ride safe and never drop the bike. This doesn't mean to not prepare for the worst. In my opinion Boots, Jeans (or dedicated riding pants), a good jacket with "armor," and a helmet are a MUST every time you get on your bike. Even if its 200 yards to the gas station. Now if the worst does happen a "naked" style bike is generally an easier repair and cheaper bike.

As for bike preference. Go ride a couple. Ask a friend with a bike to let you hop on theirs. I personally feel that a Ducati Monster 696 is a wonderful bike. And something that as you progress will still be plenty of fun. The SV650 is another excellent choice as well. I also know a lot of people who hopped on a KLR and learned a lot and they are SUPER cheap to maintain.

Whatever you decide Good Luck! and ride safe!

[cale]

I plan to get another bike soon, and like my buddy who's been racing for the last two decades...I have no intentions to commute on it.

If you want to commute on the cheap, get a fuel efficient car. Your entire commute (early morning, rush hour) will be spent trying to keep yourself on the road whilst everyone else is more worried about their coffee, or getting two cars ahead by changing lanes without doing a shoulder check. It's stressful, you WILL have your heart skip a beat once in a while, overall a rather unpleasant experience. Lets not forget additional insurance costs. In the end how much will you be saving really with a bike vs. a small car? Anywhere I've been it's cheaper by a big margin to insure a small than a bike, so the cost savings may not be as great as you think.

Those are my $0.02 about commuting on a bike. Overall, not very enjoyable experience. Buy a bike to enjoy when the time allows, not when trying to be practical...because they're not.

[carfantiti]

I plan to get another bike soon, and like my buddy who's been racing for the last two decades...I have no intentions to commute on it.

If you want to commute on the cheap, get a fuel efficient car. Your entire commute (early morning, rush hour) will be spent trying to keep yourself on the road whilst everyone else is more worried about their coffee, or getting two cars ahead by changing lanes without doing a shoulder check. It's stressful, you WILL have your heart skip a beat once in a while, overall a rather unpleasant experience. Lets not forget additional insurance costs. In the end how much will you be saving really with a bike vs. a small car? Anywhere I've been it's cheaper by a big margin to insure a small than a bike, so the cost savings may not be as great as you think.

Those are my $0.02 about commuting on a bike. Overall, not very enjoyable experience. Buy a bike to enjoy when the time allows, not when trying to be practical...because they're not.

100% AGREE that was my experience

[Ryan Stewart]

Just as a note for costs, its cheaper in Atlanta to run the MV than my girlfriend's Lancer of the same year. I run full coverage on the MV and liability on the Lancer and they cost the same to insure. This has always been the case for me, because they know that if you hit something on the bike your liability is lower, as you are less likely to do serious damage to someone else.

But you are right on the shitty drivers. I commute on the MV. My route and practices mitigate the risk but you have to ride like nobody is paying attention to what they are doing.

Also, if you really want cheap to run scoot. My girlfriend has a Honda 110 scooter and she puts a gallon of gas in it a month. Its slower, which is in some ways safer but I still decked her out in full cycle gear.

Also, I wouldnt call the SV650 a sport bike. Its more upright than what I would call a sport bike but lighter and more agile than a true cruiser. Also, its cheap to get and run.

[randomsv650]

carfantiti, I definitely appreciate the negativity as I know I'm surrounded by idiots on the road. The biggest problem with your argument lies in this statement, "I had a Harley..."

I'm mainly thinking a standard/cruiser because they generally aren't as powerful as a sportbike and I enjoy the look (and imagine they have a different feel).

Randomsv650, what do dislike about cruisers?

It's not even the looks that im against, a lot of them have a really nice classic look.

But, I just don't feel comfortable on them. I've been riding street for almost 10 years and have ridden dirt for probably 20.

I personally dont think you have that same level of control on a cruiser as you do on a sport bike/standard/supermoto or even a dual sport. Standards/dual sports IMO are the best to learn on because you're in an upright seating position which gives you better control at slow speed, and in some cases, even high speed. Cruiser you are much more relaxed in your seating position and tend to ride that way too.

Most cruisers have crap for brakes and have pretty slow steering. I've ridden the big and small harleys, victorys, all the jap cruisers, etc and they all feel about the same to me. Heavy and slow. BUT, that's probably because i am biased too.

I'm used to riding around on BMW motorcycles, which are night and day in terms of quality and technology.

I'm going to + 5 and say look at an SV650 (naked version). That was my first street bike and i rode it for 6 years. Still regret selling it to this day.

[Charlie]

I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle, and it seems like a great idea in every sense aside from the obvious dangers of riding a motorcycle (of course only my girlfriend, family, and friends care about that).

I know we have a lot of bikers here on R3v so I'm looking for some input on what type of bike would be the best.

The bike would be mainly for commuting (I drive 30+ miles six days a week and the 80+ mpg that bikes get sounds real good). I'm not into sportbikes, I'm really only interested in cruisers. The Honda Rebel is the type of bike I'm thinking is right, but I don't know shit about bikes. Just a reliable, good gas mileage cruiser that doesn't have too much power (or I'll kill myself and enjoy it).

Any suggestions as to what types of bikes would be a good idea (reliability is a big factor too)?

Also, should I buy new or used? 3500$ for a brand new Rebel seems like a score.

Thanks R3v.

Unless you're a 105 lb 5'1 girl, you really don't want to do the 250 rebel. They're tiny and scooter-slow.

If a small cruiser is what you're looking for, you might want to look at the Suzuki Savage/V40/whatever it's called now. Big 650cc thumper, been around unchanged for probably 20-25 years. Lightweight and torquey, so it's pretty easy for a novice to putter around on and can still get out of its own way.

-Charlie

[ohthejosh]

no matter how good of a rider you are, everyone else on the road will try to kill you.

OP if I ever catch you lane splitting me on my right I am definitely reaching over to open my passenger door right when you are about to pass. LOL

jk. Im one of the few people that keep an eye out specifically for bikes while driving. My thoughts are if I am looking for a bike in my blind spots I would lessen the chances of missing a car in the same blind spots. I tend to move over 1/4 of a lane onto the shoulder if a bike is approaching during traffic.

Be extra mindful of others is pretty much the only advice for any rider.

[Ryan Stewart]

FYI, riding will make you a better driver, fitter, smarter and a better lover. Im not just talking out of my ass either, both a Japanese and an American (well, Indian researcher at US university) study confirmed.

[evandael]

OP if I ever catch you lane splitting me on my right I am definitely reaching over to open my passenger door right when you are about to pass.

this scares the shit out of me when i'm on my bicycle. some people are just so self-righteous though that i feel it could happen!


and uhmm. maybe i should rephrase my statement. everyone else on the road, barring r3v members, will try to kill you.

[ÜberslowETA]

jk. Im one of the few people that keep an eye out specifically for bikes while driving. My thoughts are if I am looking for a bike in my blind spots I would lessen the chances of missing a car in the same blind spots. I tend to move over 1/4 of a lane onto the shoulder if a bike is approaching during traffic.

Kudos man! Im sure all riders will agree that this mindset is appreciated.

[j0oftheworld]

-Commuting in/around Tucson won't be bad.
-Take the MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) training. It's worth it and you forgo the need to take the riding test @ dmv.
-Older bikes are simple but will need work. Manual and simple tools are enough.
-Lots of cool cruisers out there from pretty much ALL manufacturers.
-600cc and less cruiser
-"naked bikes" (Ducati monster/SV suzuki's/etc)
-Adventure, on/off road bikes are good beginner bikes too..

If I were shopping for a commuter I'd love a Bonneville, or one of these newer naked/motard style bikes. Ducati/KTM, etc all make them now. The Bonnie is timeless and you'll almost get what you paid for it 20yrs from now if taken care of! :O

Drive defensive and cautiously and you'll be fine.. fact is, you gotta live a little, in life!

[Stephen]

Ive got a CB125s im building up. It's a fucking riot on backroads and city, but would run out of breath too quick for freeway commuting.


I enjoy having it as a backup, toy, and a high-mpg replacement for occasional trips where i don't need a car, but i leave my commute to the e38 or bus. I might ride it to the park n ride (about 3miles away) sometimes; but commuting increases your risk substantially.

Medical bills are still more expensive than gas.

[z31maniac]

As usual, add in tires/maintenance/insurance to the upkeep figure and see if it still really makes sense.

$3500 would buy an old Civic that will never break and get 40+mpg and have tires last 50k+ miles.........not less than 10k, etc etc etc