Debating to get a motorcycle

I'm glad to see that so many people are advising against it.

I remember reading an airline magazine while on a flight and the top 8 risky things that will get yourself killed in America are:

8. Motorcycle rider in city traffic

7. Organized crime organization member

6. Electric Lineman

5. Illegal injectable drug addicts

4. Convenience Stork Clerk

3. Iron Worker

2. Cab Driver

1. United States Marine

You don't need a helmet you are so smart and have so much riding skill.

Wearing a helmet is state law in Virginia (which is ironically a commonwealth and not a state). This isn't an impulse buy anyway. I've been thinking about it for a few months and wouldn't be interested in purchasing, if it happens, until after the new year. If there's any chance that we'll have an east coast winter like last year, I'm willing to wait even longer.

your a moron wrote:

Getting a motorcycle is like getting a tattoo. Just let that sink in.

The only people who make that ridiculous argument (about tattoos) are people who have never had one. I know a LOT of tatted people (hell, you're more likely to come across a tatted person than a non-tatted one in most cities these days) and have heard of very, very few regrets.

As a motorcycle rider one of the first things you will notice is how many people, most of whom have never ridden, will point out how dangerous it is. It's kind of strange that anyone would think that this is something that might otherwise have never have occurred to a rider. I prefer to think of it as a particularly unforgiving activity. It will never be as safe as being restrained within a ton of metal and airbags, but proper training, protective gear, and a defensive mindset much of the risk can be mitigated.

That said, saving money on gas is not a great reason to get a bike. You'll find that the maintenance costs are typically much higher. A drive chain is about a 20k mile item, tires about 10k (lower for high performance rubber, higher for touring tires), valve adjustment intervals are short (for bikes without self adjusting), and so forth. If you do all of your own work and ride a small displacement bike, you can save a few bucks over anything with four wheels. If you're going to a shop for all your service, it would be cheaper to just put the bike in the back of your truck and not ride it.

beginnerbikes.org used to be a good site for reviews and discussions of entry level bikes, training, and gear reviews. In a quick look, the forum still seems to be active, but the links to reviews and articles aren't working for me at the moment.

Ride or die wrote:

Wearing a helmet is state law in Virginia (which is ironically a commonwealth and not a state).

I don't think this is irony.

Ride or die wrote:

Wearing a helmet is state law in Virginia (which is ironically a commonwealth and not a state).

That's not ironic or true.

I bought a Triumph Bonneville this spring. I had not had one in more than 10 years. I put 4,000 miles on it this summer. 1,400 on one trip to MN. Something to do - when and if you have the time. Do some research on gas mileage, cost, reliability, etc. Or just go buy a Harley like everyone else and pay twice as much for one that is like all the others. It used to be you would buy a Harley to be different. Not any more.

Easy Rider wrote:

I bought a Triumph Bonneville this spring. I had not had one in more than 10 years. I put 4,000 miles on it this summer. 1,400 on one trip to MN. Something to do - when and if you have the time. Do some research on gas mileage, cost, reliability, etc. Or just go buy a Harley like everyone else and pay twice as much for one that is like all the others. It used to be you would buy a Harley to be different. Not any more.

Yeah, now you have to get a Triumph when you try to be different.

If you die doing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 at least the likihood of your body being intact for your family to view at your funeral would be acceptable.

8. Motorcycle rider in city traffic

7. Organized crime organization member

6. Electric Lineman

5. Illegal injectable drug addicts

4. Convenience Stork Clerk

3. Iron Worker

2. Cab Driver

1. United States Marine

Are runners more disproportionately subject to Flagpole disease? What a bunch of pussies. Yes, learn to ride, get a bike and live a little.

I've been riding for the past 38 years, commuting everyday, toured around the USA 4 times and rode down to South America and back. Over the years I would guess that I've got over 300,000 miles under my butt.

Motorcycles are a tremendous life enhancer. Yes it comes with risks but those risks can be easily mitigated.

I agree with others that you shouldn't make the decision to ride based solely on perceived costs savings because it's probably a push. Of course that being said, if the presumption of saving money gets you on a bike then go for it. How you get on the bike; chicks dig it, it's cheaper, feeling of freedom, sensation of speed, whatever, once it's in your blood you'll have no way to stop. You should go ahead and appease the Chicken Littles by becoming an organ donor and then excuse yourself from their company.

I've known lots of people over the years that rode motocross as youngsters and/or rode intermittently as young adults. They quickly gave it up when they "grew up" only to get back on as Baby Boomers. This hasn't had the best of results - riding is not something you want to do part time or get rusty. If you're going to ride you need to ride every chance you get.

Start out with a smaller, used dual sport and resist the urge to horsepower up until you develop your 6th sense; ability to read a car's body language, id distracted drivers and intuitively mitigate difficult riding conditions. Once you get there then there you can start adding performance.

Best of luck and have fun.

Everyone I've spoken to, even my own supervisor, said a Harley is the last one I should look into buying - overpriced for two words on the tank. The only Harley I was looking at would've been the iron 883, but the suspension has almost no travel.

Opinions on the honda shadow line?

The Honda bike that I really like for a beginner or experienced rider is the NC700X. Perfect riding position and under seat fuel tank lowers the center of mass. Great all-rounder.

I'd stay away from the cruisers as they're usually overpowered and harder to handle in the curves and executing evasive maneuvering - too long of a wheel base.

I and my wife have been riding our own motorcycles since 1985; we started on Honda 250 Rebels and rode them a few months which is an excellent starter bike. I have over 500,000 miles on BMW motorcycles and about a 100,000 miles on other makes. My wife has almost 400,000 miles total, over 300 thousand on BMWs. Thank God we have not had an accident but some close calls with deer and cars. We always wear helmets and protective gear. Once you ride and understand the feeling of riding it is hard to explain that to a non rider. You will not save money riding as everything is more expensive on a bike and a lot of bikes cost more than cars. It always pisses me off when people say that you are saving so much money riding. It is a fun adventure and we have been all over the country on them. I have been running since 1989 and the feeling you get from a good run is the same as the feeling you get from a good ride. Life is about risks and we all chose to live our lives with certain risks; we can live in a bubble and still die early.

The Honda Rebel may go 60 mph downhill with the wind at your back. My wife has one.

how bout a honda dual sport. street and off road bike. 70-80mpg for the 250CFL.

Ride or die wrote:

I have to have a truck for work which works out fine since I get reimbursed for part of it, but I'm tired of paying so much in gas. Again I get reimbursed for some but not all of the money I she'll out for that.

Advice in getting a motorcycle (cruiser, not crotch rocket)?

My brother-in-law is the Fire Chief in his town. He started out as an EMT and then became a paramedic and is now the Fire Chief. He calls motorcycles "donor cycles".

Do with that what you will.

Yup, my pops calls them donor cycles as well. Don't get me wrong; I like driving my pickup. It looks fresh as hell coming out of the car wash, is a great vehicle for tailgating, and has all the cargo space I need for camping. A lot of the driving I do, though, consists of trips to the gym, to the local state park to log miles, and commuting to see family in DC, Richmond, and Philly. Unless I'm planning on packing anything, it's just a hassle.

And yes, this is where I get told "you'd rather deal with the hassle than a broken body."

If you're a rider, what did you ride and why did you choose that brand/bike style?