Thinking about a Motorcycle

[trackjunkie21]

Look into Royal Enfields. It's a cafe style bike, 500cc's and decently priced. A used one can be had for around 4 grand. And it looks great!

[gr8skyr]

riding since 1986

Yep, I've owned a bike and been riding on the street longer than most RV3'ers have been alive, longer that most of your cars are old. So here's a few bits of wisdom.

Statistically, about 1/2 of wrecks are your fault, 1/2 someone or something else you will have no control over. So you can do something about the first half. Don't drink and ride. Pretend there is gravel around every blind corner you can't see. Don't think you can be a knee dragging racer wannabe on roads with oil, moisture, other cars, bikes, animals, people and the unknown.

Regarding the other part. Yes you are virtually invisible to many drivers. I made it 26 years riding without touching another vehicle. That all ended about two months ago when I was rear ended stopped at a crosswalk for pedestrians. I was lucky and didn't get hurt too badly. But you might not be so lucky.

I've had such close calls with deer that I don't ride that much in the twisty forest roads that I love. Just the other day, someone in my state hit a deer, was thrown into the other lane of traffic and killed by an oncoming car. So shit happens all the time and not always to other people. It's a love-hate thing for me. One of the reasons I bought an E30 is to maybe ween myself slowly off of my superbike addiction. So far only mixed results. Still riding almost every day in the summer. One deer I missed so closely that I didn't have time to flinch or even start to grab for my brakes. You think you'll be able to do something, but you probably won't if you are in the wrong place and time.

Get a 500-650 cc bike to start. You'll go plenty fast to scare yourself or more. I think a 250 cc will just leave you wanting more, and tough to get out of someones way without a little extra oomph. I miss my more upright kz650 for the more centered over the bike feel it had, compared to sportbike position. I hear lots of love for the SV650 suzuki's. Honda has a new 700 twin that is suppose to get near 70mpg.

Statistically, from the research I did using NHTSC data, every mile on a motorcycle is about 10X more risk of death or injury than in an auto. But it's 20X more fun, so I suppose that's why I'm still risking it on one.

[euroshark]

Fuck groceries and fuck driving people around. That's not what bikes are about. Still, it doesn't mean that you completely lose the ability to run to the store for a few things here and there or have a buddy hop on the back for a quick ride home. Tank bag, backpack, saddle bags... they exist for a reason.

I've been commuting on a motorcycle for three years now. If there's not snow on the ground and the temperature is freezing or better I ride almost every single day. I love my cars but getting 45mpg+ and enjoying my bikes every chance I get is awesome. Rain? Don't be a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles.

[Charlie]

The guy wants to buy a bike and you guys are trying to talk him into buying a 2k japanese shitbox econo car.

When did r3v turn into a bunch of 45 year old women?

-Charlie

[cale]

No one gets excited about taking out an old civic at 7am on a Saturday to just drive for two hours. Nor do they get eye-fucked by every cutie on the road and sidewalk driving by.

-Charlie

So buy a fun one an ride it those times, doesn't change the fact they make shitty commuting vehicles. Wanna stop and pick up groceries? Raining out? Gotta give a friend a ride home, it's endless.

[Charlie]

He asked about reliability and commuting.

What the fuck is point of buying a bike if those are your concerns?

He's girding his loins against the wife/GF. "Oh, I'm buying this to save gas".

-Charlie

[z31maniac]

No one gets excited about taking out an old civic at 7am on a Saturday to just drive for two hours. Nor do they get eye-fucked by every cutie on the road and sidewalk driving by.

-Charlie

He asked about reliability and commuting.

What the fuck is point of buying a bike if those are your concerns?

[euroshark]

[slammin.e28]

No one gets excited about taking out an old civic at 7am on a Saturday to just drive for two hours. Nor do they get eye-fucked by every cutie on the road and sidewalk driving by.

-Charlie

That's what e30s are for mang.

[InuFaye]

No one gets excited about taking out an old civic at 7am on a Saturday to just drive for two hours. Nor do they get eye-fucked by every cutie on the road and sidewalk driving by.

-Charlie

No but they get to come home with their dick still attached, and not somewhere down the 404.

[Charlie]

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

No one gets excited about taking out an old civic at 7am on a Saturday to just drive for two hours. Nor do they get eye-fucked by every cutie on the road and sidewalk driving by.

-Charlie

[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

[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.

[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!

[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.