Buying a motorcycle....help!

[TxGypsy]

Well enough is enough. Gas is over $3.80 here I figure I've donated my fair share to the petroleum hogs. So I am going to buy a motorcycle/scooter. Problem is.....I know nothing about them and have never ridden one. I plan to take a beginning motorcycle riders course to learn how to ride and something of the safety precautions. Where I live there are long straight deserted highways so learning to ride shouldn't be too dangerous. I'm wanting to buy a good dependable fuel efficient simple bike. Not looking for showy or fancy. I've been looking at honda scooters and motorcycles 250 cc and up. I definately want something that will do 70 mph. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[TedH71]

Scooters by a general rule don't do over 35 mph. If you want it to go over that..you kind of have to modify the engine. Don't buy American scooters..they wear out faster. I know there is one company in Austin that imports European scooters and modifies it for street use..can go 70 mph! I would suggest getting one that is a two seater. Only negative thing about scooters is that the gas has to be mixed with oil in most scooters. I think there is only one scooter company that will allow full gas with no oil in their engines..I forget which. In Texas and possibly Kansas..you don't need a motorcycle license to drive a scooter. They're also usually not allowed on highways..so that's maybe a 2nd negative thing about them. Plus side is that you get 100 mpg!

[TxGypsy]

Hmmmm definately want one that is street legal. I already know the local state trooper on a first name basis. I swear he has put a homing beacon on my car somewhere! One of the reasons I need something more economical on gas is so that I can go site seeing. I love driving around looking at the mountains. I just can't afford to do that in my car with gas this high. That and I'm about to start making an 'honest' living...lol...which means I'll have to commute back and forth to work 40 miles round trip.

[1GandJ1]

My DW has a Yamaha 250. Nice bike for her 108lbs. She grew up on trail bikes but re-learned and drives great on the road. My bike is much bigger but we can cruise together anywhere, as her bike has enough get up and go. Practice and a couple of courses before you go to far. You can't beat the MPG..... Some of the scooters of today are not mopeds. They are powerful and can be much more $ then an entry level 250cc.

[moopups]

Scooters are for running short errands, tooling around town or across a recreational area. For the daily trip to work you need a small motorcycle, something in the 350 cc and up range. But be aware you will soon want something much bigger, like a 650 or larger.

The 4 major Japanese bikes are well designed, road worthy, the real decision about which depends where the dealership is located in reference to your home.

Beginning riders mostly do not use both brakes, the front brake is applied also, it can furnish 60% of the stopping power. Get an experienced rider to teach you about things that are going to effect you in your area.

A bike equipped with a pair of saddle bags and/or a rear mounted tour box is very practical. A place for rain gear, tools, whatever you need to carry.

[DrippingSprings]

Ive spent months looking at bikes before I bought me one. One of the best bangs for the buck out there is the Suzuki M50. I saw them at three different dealers for around 4 grand new. They are big enough for two riders. Strong enough to push you faster than you really probably wanna go and get excellent mileage of course. Best deal in a 1000 cc and smaller bike to be had new. Its 800cc twin cylinder

I bought a Screaming Eagle Ultra Glide. Im gonna have to ride alot to offset the price tag but its a lifetime ownership thing with me.

[Daddymem]

For 70 mph for extended periods you'll likely want 750cc and up or you'll be buzzing for a while after you get off the bike. My GL500 is nice for tooling around but the highway stuff is just a tiny bit out of her reach to be comfortable. I always want a bit of throttle left over when at cruising speed-just in case I need to get away from something. The best thing would be to get a small starter bike to begin with until you are used to it then go up in size if you like it still. 500-750 isn't bad for an average adult, if you are larger or smaller then move up or down in size accordingly. Hondas have always treated me well. Check out http://www.bikez.com/ for bike reviews. Course this is just my opinion but I've been a biker for a while.

[jennigrey]

Honda has always treated me and my family well. I don't want to see a beginner get anything over 750 for their first bike, regardless of their weight or height. Depending on your mass, you might want to stay under 550 as well.

If you are short, your choices will be even more limited - at least for the first year or two, till you're comfortable on a bike. If you have an inseam of 31" or less, or weigh less than 120 lbs, I'd recommend a secondhand Honda Rebel 250 or (if you can find one, since they were only made for something like three years) a Rebel 450. You'll spend more for the 450 as they are somewhat of a collector's item. My 115-lb little sister has been beating the tar out of her 1986 Rebel 250 for about ten years now - off-road, 75+ mph, carrying a passenger - everything you shouldn't do with that little bike. It's still going and I've done just about no work on it. Occasionally a bolt will rattle out (usually while bouncing up and down logging roads) and I have to replace it, but aside from that it's only had a new chain and a couple of new sets of tires since we bought it. I just replaced the battery last month as I discovered she'd been bump-starting the bike for the last year and hadn't said anything about it.

They're about bombproof, and they hold their resale well.

Get a cheap-ish first bike (you'll probably tip it over a time or two... probably in your driveway!) but get a GOOD full-face helmet, heavy leather jacket, good leather gauntlet-type gloves, sturdy leather boots, and maybe a pair of chaps too.

[Pony]

DD rides a Honda 400 CM. Easy to maintain (she takes it apart and puts it back together as necessary -- it's pretty old. )

Second Jenni's suggestion about buying a cheaper starter bike. You WILL lay it down. No sense in spending a mint on a pretty rice burner only to demolish it.

And we do love our Hondas. Lots of support online with various groups, too.

Pony!

[huronscoot]

I have owned a Honda Silver Wing Scooter for the last three years. This bike is my primary mode of transportation and I couldn't be any happier with it. The underseat cargo area is large enough to hold 5-6 bags (plastic) of groceries from the local Walmart. I frequently ride 2-up with my wife and the performance and reliability of this scoot is great. I have 19,000 miles on this unit and have only had to replace the tires and change the oil.
I have not checked the milage lately but I will post the results over the weekend as I just topped off this morning and by coincidance I recorded the milage.
Before I bought the bike I read a review by Cycle World and they claimed that it would do 110 mph stock. I cannot verify this as I believe I can get just as dead doing 70 as I can at 110. I can tell you that I have never run out of throttle. I can keep up with the Harleys and crotch rockets with no problem.
The bike is a headturner and you will get alot of attention riding it. Getting on and off is really nice as you do not throw your leg over the seat but "step through" to get on. People follow me frequently to ask where I bought it or just to talk about it.
I could never understand the guys who spend hours polishing their bike, ride it for a few hours and spend the rest of the day cleaning it before they garage it. I ride it everyday, blast the "Tupperware" body panels clean at the car wash and am back on the road in a few minutes.
There is also a huge underground scooter scene in most parts of the country. This is mostly for younger people and although you will be welcome at their events they do kind of look down thier noses at your "plastic scoot" as most of them drive 2 stroke Vespa/Lambettas. They wear their rusty frames and dented fenders kind of like a badge of honor. The scooter rallies are a blast if you are young at heart. Frequent campouts in groups of 50-200 people with plenty of food, beer and industrial house music.
Drawback to the bike? The stock windshield is useless. A replacement can be had from Givi or Clearview. Don't let them BS you about what size you should get. Get the biggest honken windscreen they make. The first time you take a junebug to the forehead at 70 you will wish you had. The seat is ok for most people but when on an all day ride you and passenger will develob a case of monkey butt after a few hours. The least expensive replacement seat runs about 500 bucks. I still have the stock seat but would replace it in a heartbeat if some money fell out of the sky. Also when you first get it the bike feels topheavy. I dropped it the first time I took it out at a stop sign but you get used to it.
My wife and I love to camp and although you won't believe it we pack a tent 2 sleeping bags and enough gear for the weekend on the back of this bike and buy a throwaway cooler and some grub when we get to our destination.
Although I do stop by the dealer from time to time to look at the new model bikes I have never seriously considered purchasing another bike as this one fits my lifestyle so well. I guess that in a few years I would like a Gold Wing just for the comfort aspect but I can't even imagine spending 18,000 bucks for a bike.
Hope this post helped.

Oh yeah. Don't buy a Helix as the long frame makes it steer like a truck or so I have heard.

[scott]

IF ... my wife would let me .. i'd have one of these

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Det...ontent=details


good klr forum here

http://www.klr650.net/forums/


they seem to be quite the little packmule ... the military has a diesel version.

[mikeyfireman]

Take a look at the suzuki V-strom. It comes in a 650 or 1000. Both are great bikes. Bad thing about riding for the first time is you'll want to do it all the time.

[Rockin'B]

If I were in your shoes I'd be looking for a used Japanese bike in the 650 to 750 class. Something like Honda Shadows or Yamaha Viragos. They can be had for a song and lower mile units are fairly common. They would make decent enough transportation.

I owned an older 750 Virago and drove the wheels off of it. It was a late 80's bike and they guy that has it now still rides it.

My wife and I now cruise on a Harley Road King but they are expensive.

[Haggis]

I've had many brands and sizes of dirt and street bikes over the past 40 odd years; I started riding in 1965, I bought my first Harley, an 883 Sportster, in 1968, for me, a Harley is the only choice. There are a lot fo nice bikes out there in all makes and sizes, but a Harley is a great bike. My current bike is a Heritage Soft Tail Classic, and it is one smooth ride.

[bill not in oh]

You'd probably look reallllly good cruisin' into one of those li'l ol west Texas towns on this...

Decent mileage
Should go at least 65-70...
sits low if you're short....
Perfect!

[mistletoad]

I used to have a Honda Nighthawk 650 but I could barely touch the ground as I'm only 5'3" - I was going to trade it in for a Virago 750 (seat is much lower) but it was stolen and the insurance company wouldn't pay out on it.

I wouldn't buy a scooter - they tip over a lot easier than a bike does and I wouldn't go much over 250cc on a bike if you have never ridden one before (70mph on a bike feels a whole lot faster than 70 in a car! lol)

[Pink_Carnation]

Check into the safety course before you buy...some of them will supply bikes for the class. That would at least give you a chance to try one and hopefully get a better idea of what you want to look for.

[SteveD(TX)]

You've gotten lots of great suggestions. But in order to get an informed opinion, we really do need lots more info from you. Such as:

1) your anticipated daily commute - how long, etc.
2) do you prefer a scooter or motorcycle?
3) how strong are you? large bikes will take some strength to handle when parked, esp.
4) more city driving or highway, or equal?
5) occassional off-road or not?
6) the big one: HOW MUCH DO YOU WANNA SPEND?

[BasicLiving]

I agree with Pink Carnation - take the class first and make sure you are indeed a "rider". Not everyone is.

I have a 82 FXR Lowrider and I love it. For a first time rider, I recommend getting something used and inexpensive. I started on a Honda Shadow. As previously said, you WILL drop it. Plus it will help give you some idea of what you do and do not want in a bike. Ride that for while and when you are ready, find something within your budget and something that fits you.

Good luck - and ride like everyone is out to kill you. It may save your life.

Penny

[TxGypsy]

Originally Posted by SteveD(TX)

You've gotten lots of great suggestions. But in order to get an informed opinion, we really do need lots more info from you. Such as:

1) your anticipated daily commute - how long, etc.
2) do you prefer a scooter or motorcycle?
3) how strong are you? large bikes will take some strength to handle when parked, esp.
4) more city driving or highway, or equal?
5) occassional off-road or not?
6) the big one: HOW MUCH DO YOU WANNA SPEND?

WOW at the responses! I'm going to look up all the bikes ya'll suggested. Ok here are the details you asked for.

1. I normally put at least 100 miles a day on my vehicle sometimes 300 or more...yeah I know....car dealers scoff when I tell em that too.

2. I don't really have a preference....but it is sounding like I need a motorcycle. I'm mostly after good gas mileage.

3. I'm pretty stout for a woman. I manhandle an arctic cat 400 over some pretty rugged terrain all the time.

4. It will be almost totally highway driving. Come to think of it....I don't think there is a stoplight in the whole county. What towns there are here are tiny. Other driving will be on the interstate traveling to other parts of the country.

5. I live 2/10 of a mile off pavement. That will be it for offroad. I have a 4 wheeler

6. I'd definately like to keep it under $10,000. I saw some nice bikes for around $6,000. It would be great if I could get one for that or less.

Several folks asked about my size. I'm 5'6".....and a good cook