So I'm getting a bike - Opinions ???

tchuck said:
I'm all for safety but I have to disagree with the "starter bike" recommendation for two reasons. First, the basics of biking are covered through dirt riding (balance, shifting, steering the "wrong way", looking where you want to go, emergency maneuvers, rear vs front braking, etc). Second, the basics of driving are covered through a few years of driving a car (road rules, speed limits, traffic, other drivers, etc). Starter bikes are for 18-21 year old kids who have never ridden a motorcycle before. With the skills (I assume) you already have from your experience, you'll graduate on to "normal bike" level way in less than one season. Unless you want to buy two bikes in the first year just get the bike you want and be careful. The main differences between street and dirt bikes (power and weight) are exceedingly apparent within 1min of pulling out of your driveway.
Also; Test drive test drive test drive.
Good luck!

Ps, The best piece of street riding advice I ever received came from an old man who had spent his life on harleys. It is in regard to other drivers and it is to "pretend you are invisible. Don't ever assume anyone can see you on the road because they probably can't."

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Amen, I agree, especially with the last statement. most cars will never see you, because our minds have been train to only see other cars while driving. automobile drivers may see your head lights but it doesn't register to them all the time. just think about this, or should I just ref to Cali drivers. how manytimes have you sat in your car at a light, look in your rear view mirror, see nothing and then two second later, a motorcycle will whiz by and scare the crap out of you. Go figure....WTF....is what most would say.

Now back on to the subject of picking a bike. like stated earlier, get a bike based on your ridiing ability and style. pick something that is reasonable to maintain, or that you can see your self having long term if you decided. although the italian and german bikes are great, and exclusive. it's because it cost to maintain them. The japanese bikes aren't far behind but much easier or more accessible to the pocket. and the american bikes brings a different style of riding and cost to all together. So Base it on what you can afford, your riding style and what ever you can imagine that will make you grin inside your helmet.
 
a lot of good advice, I'd go one step further than just other drivers don't see you, I'd say imagine there all out to get you... assume the guy waiting at the light is going to cut out in front of you last minute & be ready for it... assume every car you pass is going to come into your lane & be ready for it... just assume there all out to kill you & be ready for it. anyone can ride fast... the difference between the rider that lives & the rider that eats it is in knowing what to do when things go wrong... also second the advice about not riding a bike that's too tall... when I first got my zx11d it was too tall, was pretty embarassing backing it into a spot while on my tippytoes & then having it start to lean a bit too much & having to call for out for help in panic to get it back up so I don't drop it :tongue (2):

also the part about rider comfort & race bikes... you won't realize how much torture you can get on a bike until the first time you try to go for an epic 12 hour ride... a race bike is not the kind of bike you can ride for hours & hours without starting to really feel the pain, hell, my zx11 was a fairly comfortable bike far as sport bikes go, & even that I can remember more than a few times of having to just get off the bike for a bit on the side of the hwy to relieve a bit of stress before getting back on... normally I'd agree with getting a starter bike, but sounds like you have enough experience to get a more real bike too... I started out on dirt bikes, crashed & dropped them more than a few times & even slid one under the back of a car that just stopped short for no reason once, by the time I got my first sport bike I was ok enough to not drop it...

the biggest advice of all I'd give is don't fall for what I'd call the super man syndrome... that's once you do get pretty good & your confidence goes up & then you start to think your superman... the last time I rode any bike at all I came within a few inches of nailing a car at over 150... it's not a matter of weather you can do it or not, you can... it's more a matter of how thin the margin for error is when you wind up with superman syndrome... I know a few who have died & I was almost one of them... don't think I ever really had the respect a superbike deserves till after that... luckily I get to live & tell about it, next bike I get will be a big fat harley cruizer :smile (2):

oh yeah, out of your choices I'd say ducati all the way
 
You can ride a tall bike but just make sure you keep the bike in gear at all times and keep checking the mirror.

Also, I just gotta comment on MTN FX's Norton again. You dont need a superbike or a OCC chopper to get praises, that is one sweet ride. I had more people gawking at my old 78 xs650 than my bike now. Damn I miss her.

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So I've ruled the Buell out - its just too small when I sit on it - I'm 6Ft 195lbs and bike looks awkward when I'm on it...

still narrowing it down, but added on more to the list..

I knw I said I'm trying to stay away from sport, but the Ducati and Daytona have a certain appeal to them





Triumph Daytona 675


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wow sweet looking bike. I've been curious about sport bikes for a long time since when i was little my mom rode a sport bike as main transportation. It was in china so when i rode in the back i had to wear full face mask cause i was eating dust every single second but i still remember to this day how fun it was.

now i can only watch other people rode by in awe and imagine how fun it must be. I'm too chicken to ride and i'm probably too short as well lol. That and 2 years ago i was at a stop light and i watch a rider and i presume his gf (passenger) ran a yellow light right into a civic. I swear both of them flew like half a block into pavement. Look like them broken every single bone in their body and the scream was so horrify it haunted me for days :(


maybe one days i will have the courage to ride.... one day.... for now i will satisfy my craving by admiring sweet bikes like yours :)
 
Thx u...

ya it def can be scary at times - I would not have done it without taking at least the defensive riding school...

and btw most bikes especially sport are made for a shorter rider - since most racers are light and short...

and you could also consider doing track only - its fun either way
 
track only is that ..safer?:err: How short is too short to ride a sport bike? what are you thoughts on mini bikes. seem like a cheap fun little toy i can screw around with on the block, when i get bore with it i can put some crazy paintwork on it and just prop it up in my room as decoration.
 
Lol...I have not been to track yet, but I believe it to be somewhat safer depending on how far you push yourself.. almost all accidents involving motorcycles and other cars is because the other car didn't see the rider...
Mini bikes are cool, just much different :confused.:

I started with dirt bikes - this is a good place to start & cheaper
 
threezero said:
track only is that ..safer?:err: How short is too short to ride a sport bike?
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Theres a girl who rides an R1 in my community, and she cant be taller than 5'5. I've seen a short dude on a busa. He was so short he cant park in reverse and has to be on an incline. Otherwise he has to manually park the bike.
As long as you have all 4 limbs, you're good.
 
always a fan of the ducati... but my first bike of choice was a kawasaki ninja zx6r. For starters I would get a 250 or a used 600. But its up to you and Congrats on your purchase.
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