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 Dank_Trichome
 
Registered: 03/28/08
Posts: 751
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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 Motorcycles 
#14669124 - 06/25/11 05:12 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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So by the end of this year I want to get a motorcycle license in the state of Arizona.
There are a couple written tests I have to take and I am going to participate in the safety course or w/e it is called where they teach you to ride.
I have experience riding dirt bikes and smaller stuff like that but I would like to get a cycle for commuting to and from work/school and to save on gas and all that jazz.
I know there has to be a few of you guys/gals that ride bikes
What kind do you have? What would you suggest for a starter bike? Any tips in general would be cool
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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i'd suggest not getting a bike at all. it's a common misconception that bikes are cheaper. they are in some ways but in others they aren't. i.e. yes you will save on fuel due to a smaller engine, but bikes parts wear out ALOT faster then car parts, front/back brakes, front/back tires, clutches, batteries (if you dont use it often enough) etc etc.
the other main thing on a bike is the cost you face when you crash. you wont do any damage to other cars or anything but what about the hospital bills you might have to pay??
ive been riding for nearly 3-4 years, and i love it. it's one of my most favourite things to do, but it is sooo dangerous. like i'm not even joking or exagerating when i say i've nearly been killed atleast 10 times. never crashed once though.
but all that aside, i started on a kawasaki zx-4 1987 model (old bike, but great fun). its a 400cc, at first i was tossing up between a gsx-r 600 (great bike) and the 400cc. i chose the 400cc cos i was kind of intimidated by the bigger bikes and didn't want to hurt myself or anything. but looking back on it i should have chosen the 600cc. because after a few months i grew out of the 400cc, and its still great, but yeah.
yes , the controls are alot less forgiving on a 600cc sportsbike. but if you be careful with it and ride it respectfull you will do fine. no heavily ripping the throttle, no stamping or clamping the front brake like your herculees. just smooth, controlled and careful application of the bikes controls, clutch included. start out slow and work your way up.
the main 600cc's i would say are
honda cbr 600
suzuki gsx-r 600
yamaha yzf-R6
and kawasaki zx-r 600
my top two picks would be the yamaha or suzuki. they tend to have more high end power. kawasaki and honda tend to have more midrange and consistent power.
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PoopSoap
Genetically Modified Organism
Registered: 01/24/09
Posts: 603
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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I wouldn't recommend a sportbike if you want to save money. Insurance is expensive for them, tires need replaced every year if you ride enough, and it's not enjoyable to just commute on. I have a 2004 Yamaha R1 and it's only enjoyable to ride if I'm going much faster than the speedlimit on open roads with lots of corners. If you want something sporty but not quite a sportbike I'd recommend a Suzuki SV650. That was my first streetbike and it was an amazing bike. It got almost 50mpg, good power, comfortable (for a passenger too), insurance was reasonable, easy to ride, easy to work on, very fun to ride, ect...you get it.
Edited by PoopSoap (06/25/11 07:10 AM)
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 MadSeasonAbove
Reef Donkey
Registered: 09/29/03
Posts: 3,143
Loc: Florida 
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Quote:
DosileFlynn said:
you wont do any damage to other cars or anything
incorrect
Here locally some biker blew through a stop sign, killed himself, the passenger, and the 59 y/o lady driving the car he nailed.
To Dank: some advice, get a bike you can grow into, not grow out of. wear a helmet. don't excessively speed/obey the law, and pretend everyone is going to pull out in front of you.
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Dank_Trichome
Registered: 03/28/08
Posts: 751
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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Thanks for the safety tips guys, I do realize how dangerous bikes can be, but with proper training/equipment and defensive driving I feel like I can at least minimize the risk.
Poopsoap ( ) nice suggestion, I am definitely looking for more of a commuter bike to be able to use the carpool lane and save gas so anyone else please keep that in mind when recommending stuff.
Dosileflynn, do parts really wear out that fast? I feel like I could learn to work on the bike myself and just have to buy parts, not pay for labour. Would the parts wearing out really offset the money saved on gas? Seems hard to believe they would wear out that fast...
Who else out there rides?
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joe666
The ReverendToke DBK
Registered: 09/13/01
Posts: 20,081
Loc: Southern by grace of God
Last seen: 2 months, 1 day
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you can pick one of these up cheap.
600cc cruiser
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"A politician is like a baby's diaper, it should be changed often and for the same reason"-Coy Turner Sr.
"what is a weed, a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered"--Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I'm sippin Hennessy, riding on my muthafucking enemies" -Meek Mill.
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mundane
Comfy in Nautica
Registered: 08/05/09
Posts: 695
Loc: Los Angeles
Last seen: 9 years, 11 months
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I've got a Suzuki GS500e. It was my first bike, and I still have it, six years on. I'd recommend getting either a 500 or a 600. Neither have too much power, but either should keep you happy for a while as you get the hang of things. It rides on the freeway just fine.
I used to commute on it, but don't any more. Now I rarely ride, just because of the danger. I'll get out once a week on a weekday morning, when traffic's light. Even with the loud pipes I have, I've nearly been run into by idiot drivers several times.
I still like riding and have fun when I get out, but it's just difficult to justify.
And I took a safety course to learn, too. I'm glad to see you going that route.
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 Tips for a good trip
drink me
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SpiritualSnorkel
Registered: 06/18/06
Posts: 1,545
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 Re: Motorcycles [Re: mundane]
#14671039 - 06/25/11 03:43 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Look into Honda Nighthawks:
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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a bike is cheaper to purchase and run then a car, but yeah as i said the parts wear out faster and theres more parts that will need replacing, remember you only have 1 back wheel that takes the majority of wear and tear, only 1 front break and only 1 back break, this means they wear out alot faster then a 4 wheels RWD car, or a car with 4 disc brakes.
bikes need alot more maintenance and things to look after them, and alot of people do alot of the work themselves. it's usually not that difficult and with the combination of the bike manual and internet motorcycle forums you'll be able to sort out majority of the issues you have with the bike.
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rackem
Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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where a fucking helmet..
please :
the cheapest and well maintained cruiser is always the best viable option but you can get into a 01 cbr f4i for about 1500 not to bad for a starter croch rocket.
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starfire_xes
I Am 'They'
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 21,590
Loc: Dallas with all the assho...
Last seen: 9 days, 51 minutes
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Dude, I will NEVER EVER drive a motorcycle on the street. It isn't you that is dangerous, it is the other mother fuckers. Get a dirt bike.
I saw an accident where a woman was laying on the street with a crushed head, and her brains laying all over the place, and a dude laying on the street screaming for someone to please help him. He was all fucked up, blood everywhere, and it looked like his legs were crushed. It was fucking gross. After that, I decided never to ride again on the street.
They had been run over by an 18-wheeler.
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 IF THE NEIGHBORS COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE MUSIC'S TOO LOUD, TURN IT UP SO YOU CAN'T HEAR THEM BITCH
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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jesus!!! thats messed up!!! 
i couldn't handle seeing shit like that though dude...i'm not good seeing blood and gorey things and all of that.
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starfire_xes
I Am 'They'
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 21,590
Loc: Dallas with all the assho...
Last seen: 9 days, 51 minutes
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Quote:
DosileFlynn said:
jesus!!! thats messed up!!!
i couldn't handle seeing shit like that though dude...i'm not good seeing blood and gorey things and all of that.
yea, i was really freaked out for three days. Were were going to Wild Animal Park, in San Diego, I lived in Poway at that time. We went through the mountains on a road from Ramona, that was called 'Death Alley' came around the corner and it had just happened. My daughter was 6 at the time, she tried to slide over to see, i told her to get back to the other side and don't look, because, i seen some shit before, in the military, but this was a masterpiece of the grotesque.
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IF THE NEIGHBORS COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE MUSIC'S TOO LOUD, TURN IT UP SO YOU CAN'T HEAR THEM BITCH
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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yeah dude , i would probably have nightmares and things. 'death alley' thats a freaky name for a road.
yeah its lucky your daughter didn't see the crash as well though. that could really mess a kid up.
oh so you were a soldier in years gone by? nice! 
and OP - heres my dream bike by the way
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fazdazzle
Wanderer
Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 1,796
Last seen: 10 years, 4 months
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Ok so I'm really excited to get a motorcycle...probably in the next year or so when I'm done with school and I never thought of it as being particularly dangerous. I ride bicycle quite a bit so I'm very familiar with driver stupidity and I have learned to bike defensively. I *always* yield to cars...even if it doesn't necessarily seem like I need to.
But on the other hand everyone here is saying it's so dangerous...what about those hardcore Harley-Davidson types? They don't seem to get into accidents, that I've seen/heard.
IMO those hardcore bikers observe the same laws that I do on a bicycle. You can't crush a car, but a car can certainly crush you, so watch out. I think my experience riding bicycle would help me in this area, relieving me of dangerous naivety.
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IamMatt
Stranger
Registered: 06/20/10
Posts: 1,071
Last seen: 10 months, 23 days
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Quote:
fazdazzle said:
Ok so I'm really excited to get a motorcycle...probably in the next year or so when I'm done with school and I never thought of it as being particularly dangerous. I ride bicycle quite a bit so I'm very familiar with driver stupidity and I have learned to bike defensively. I *always* yield to cars...even if it doesn't necessarily seem like I need to.
But on the other hand everyone here is saying it's so dangerous...what about those hardcore Harley-Davidson types? They don't seem to get into accidents, that I've seen/heard.
IMO those hardcore bikers observe the same laws that I do on a bicycle. You can't crush a car, but a car can certainly crush you, so watch out. I think my experience riding bicycle would help me in this area, relieving me of dangerous naivety.
Laying down your bike or whatever it's called is like a rite of passage almost for veteran bikers, not saying they like to do it but it happens to all of them on a long enough timeline.
i thinkkk.
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Motorcycles [Re: IamMatt]
#14673395 - 06/26/11 02:36 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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its just as dangerous for any sort of bike. regardless of whatever bike it may be. harleys may be even more dangerous as they are less nimble and agile then a sports bike. alot of people dont realise that a motorbike can actually avoid a crash situation where a car can't, due to its far higher levels of acceleration and manueverability. with a sharp response one could weave or dodge around obstacles on a bike.
but yeah if you compare the crash vs crash scenario its obviously far worse to crash on a motorbike. i mean you have to realise, that even when wearing full leathers and everything, if you crash on your bike and just hit the curb...thats going to do ALOT of damage. hitting trees, poles, barriers , even a parked vehicle is really going to do alot of dammage when it is pretty much you who absorbs the whole impact of a crash, with not car to crumble around you and whatnot.
and riding a motorbike is different to riding a pushbike on the roads, pushbikes are generally on the outskirts of the roads and not wandering in and out of lanes or going on freeways.
the other thing thats dangerous with motorbikes is that its a bit of a thrill, and the engine/bike will egg you on to go faster or push your limits and things, and obviously this is where people get into trouble trying to show off and things.
when your riding a motorbike you have to assume that you are invisible on the road, and that no one can see you, thus its your responsibility to ensure you are seen or noticed. flashing your lights, riding in their mirrors, blipping the throttle to make a noise, just having loud pipes etc. its the opposite of when someone is driving an 18 wheeler truck or something, where you assume everyone sees you and knows your there and cant really miss you at all.
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Edited by DosileFlynn (06/26/11 03:38 AM)
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starfire_xes
I Am 'They'
Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 21,590
Loc: Dallas with all the assho...
Last seen: 9 days, 51 minutes
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The other wreck I saw, some dude came up a thirty five mile zone going into santee from san diego, and he passed me on like a Ninja or something, he must have been doing about 150 miles an hour. we came over a hill and there was a big mess at an intersection.
There was no sign of the rider, but that fucking bike, or what was left of it, had sliced about three-quarters of the way through a lincoln continental, which had pulled out in front of him. I mean, that fucking lincoln was damn near split in half.
Obviously, this was the fault of a TOOL on a machine he shouldn't have been on.
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IF THE NEIGHBORS COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE MUSIC'S TOO LOUD, TURN IT UP SO YOU CAN'T HEAR THEM BITCH
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frith
God
Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Ninja 250 or 500 are great starter bikes.
Don't be a douchebag and you should be fine.
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PoopSoap
Genetically Modified Organism
Registered: 01/24/09
Posts: 603
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: Motorcycles [Re: frith]
#14674029 - 06/26/11 09:15 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Look for a used Honda CB550/650/750 on craigslist, some are in great shape and don't cost a fortune. They usually run forever if taken care of.
+1 on the Honda Nighthawk also.
As already posted, motorcycles are very dangerous. Spend the money for a good helmet that is both DOT and SNELL approved, and get a good riding jacket too. Skin does hold up well when scraping the pavement. And, as already posted, you can be the greatest rider in the world but what you have to watch out for the most is other drivers. Cell phones are the biggest enemy. I've been cut off, almost hit head on, and almost rear ended due to people blabbing or texting on their cell phones most likely updating their FaceBook status.
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MadSeasonAbove
Reef Donkey
Registered: 09/29/03
Posts: 3,143
Loc: Florida
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Re: Motorcycles [Re: frith]
#14674204 - 06/26/11 10:05 AM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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The cruisers are less maneuverable, yes, but least you have respect for the bike, this is because the bike weighs a lot. The idiot kids that ride the crotch rockets are usually the people you end up reading about.
Around here, the cops eye the crotch rockets. I've heard a cop say that they aren't worried about the cruisers.
Here's a pic of my bike(not an actual pic, but they're identical)
She handles great, it's low center of gravity and perfect engine balancing is what makes this bike ideal for me.
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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thats a damn nice bike dude.
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Humility
Working on it
Registered: 10/07/08
Posts: 6,745
Last seen: 6 years, 3 months
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Bikes aren't particularly dangerous if you ride them right; this means being observant 100% of the time.
I am always really put off by people who recommend 600+ machines to people to start off on. WHY? The speed limit is 65 MPH. The speed limit is a retarded government rule but a beginner on a motorcycle really has NO REASON to be going in excess of 70-80 MPH *EVER* within their first 2-5 years of driving.
Why in the fuck do you need to accelerate from 0-60 in 8-10 seconds instead of 12-15 seconds? Why do you need a machine capable of a top speed of 150 or 200 mph instead of 100 mph?
Why? What are you trying to do? More importantly, what are you trying to have a newcomer do to themselves?
Riding in the city is many times more dangerous than riding on the highway or in suburban areas/large road; always be observant 100%.
Make sure you get licensed. Also I'd highly recommend an MSF course. THey usually last a few weeks and there is written work and driving tests.
Your first bike *has* to be a used one because you *will* drop the bike. It's a part of life. I wouldn't spend more than 1500 or so on my first bike. I've had my 250 rebel for 3 years now and put around 6k miles on it and the only thing I've had to do is regular oil and spark plug changes along with the occasional inner-tube. I'm in bad need of a front tire but my rear tire is still in very good shape. I could use a brake change but it isn't necessary at this point.
Make sure if you're going to buy the bike to spend $300-500ish on supplementary gear. Get a good helmet for 100-200, pref not above $150 and the rest should be spent on protective gear. Learn which parts get damaged in a crash and cover them. Feet, hands legs and arms should be clothed and protected with abrasion-resistant material that's backed up with metal plates.
And last but certainly not least; go out there and have fun. You save a ton on gas, you're far more maneuverable and it's a very free, uninhibited feeling to be driving a bike. Make sure you get insurance and an insurance policy in the name of someone you care about just in case. They might as well get paid...
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MadSeasonAbove
Reef Donkey
Registered: 09/29/03
Posts: 3,143
Loc: Florida
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Quote:
Humility said:
Why in the fuck do you need to accelerate from 0-60 in 8-10 seconds instead of 12-15 seconds? Why do you need a machine capable of a top speed of 150 or 200 mph instead of 100 mph?
Mine is an 1100 and it doesn't come close to topping at 150, maybe 115. I would much rather have the torque if the situation needs it (e.g someone coming from behind about to ram you, or someone intruding your lane unexpectedly and you have no where to go but forward) that shit happens.
Quote:
Why? What are you trying to do? More importantly, what are you trying to have a newcomer do to themselves?
Say what? Are you saying I am trying to get someone hurt? That bike was my first bike, ever. You can kill yourself at 25 mph, wtf does engine size have to do with it? You should know the chances anytime you sit your ass on the seat of a two wheeled vehicle that you may wreck.
Maybe you should get a moped if you don't like a good sized bike. Why would I buy a small bike, and in a year(if that) I am going to want something bigger? The value depreciates, and you're the one getting hosed in the end.
This is advice from experience.
Quote:
DosileFlynn said:
thats a damn nice bike dude.
Thanks man, I love it. I've put 45,000 miles on it since I bought it and never once had any major mechanical problems other than some gaskets and seals wearing out. It's an easy bike to work on too.
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fazdazzle
Wanderer
Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 1,796
Last seen: 10 years, 4 months
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Quote:
DosileFlynn said:
thats a damn nice bike dude.
Sooo nice....that is almost exactly what I want. What is it?
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Humility
Working on it
Registered: 10/07/08
Posts: 6,745
Last seen: 6 years, 3 months
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MadSeason, bike prices, at least for used vehicles and especially so for starter models, tend to stay relatively solid due to next year's crop of riders needing a poop machine to practice on.
I looked up the stats on your V-star and was quite surprised that an 1100 is only doing 100-110 mph max. My 250 rebel sails at 85 and can do 90ish downhill; if I changed up the sprockets and chain and got a new set of tires I've heard people doing 100ish.
Big bikes just feel quite unnecessary to me. I am however a city driver and not really a big highway or touring guy.
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frith
God
Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Motorcycles [Re: Humility]
#14676559 - 06/26/11 07:20 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Humility said:
Big bikes just feel quite unnecessary to me. I am however a city driver and not really a big highway or touring guy.
QFT.
I just moved to Chicago. I think I'm going to try and find an old Triumph Bonneville. Beautiful machine.
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Humility
Working on it
Registered: 10/07/08
Posts: 6,745
Last seen: 6 years, 3 months
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Re: Motorcycles [Re: frith]
#14676607 - 06/26/11 07:35 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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Man that sky blue looks sexy as all outside. Reminds me of manta rays and the water.
That bike would be fucking *perfect* for a coastal/beach city like Miami .
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eastcoastremedy
Registered: 10/03/05
Posts: 535
Loc: appalachia
Last seen: 6 months, 27 days
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Re: Motorcycles [Re: Humility]
#14677361 - 06/26/11 10:07 PM (11 years, 11 months ago) |
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+1 on ducati. if you can afford it...
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Dank_Trichome
Registered: 03/28/08
Posts: 751
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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Ha! I wouldn't want to get a Ducati for my first bike and then end up crying when I put it down.
The will probably be looking at the "cruiser" type of bikes for my first one as it will mainly be used for going up and down the freeway.
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eastcoastremedy
Registered: 10/03/05
Posts: 535
Loc: appalachia
Last seen: 6 months, 27 days
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first bike- buy based on price. If you can find a decent old honda or yamaha for $1000 or less, I'd say that's a good place to start. guaranteed you're gonna lay it down a few times, so something that looks a little rough but runs good is always a good call. I'd start by looking on craigslist or something- make sure when you go to check it out that dude starts it, and drives it for you- make sure all gears are in good shape, you know, kick the tires.
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