OT: Getting a Motorcycle

[Rosko]

All good points and great advice BUT- I might add that owning and riding a motorcycle is irrational by nature so be sure to get something that strikes a chord and makes you excited to ride.

[maunahaole]

This is cool. Not a first bike, though.

2013 Honda CB1100 - Motorcyclist Magazine

[RickM]

This is cool. Not a first bike, though.

2013 Honda CB1100 - Motorcyclist Magazine

Great motor. Good for Honda for bringing it back.

[burgess1108]

This is cool. Not a first bike, though.

2013 Honda CB1100 - Motorcyclist Magazine

Neat, but a little too close to an original from that era. I like to see some modern design elements to replace awkward things like that bulky rear taillight.

[jitahs]

550 lbs. of porcine retro-indulgence.

But smooth like a Civic.

[maunahaole]

550 lbs. of porcine retro-indulgence.

But smooth like a Civic.

Half the weight and ten times the smooth of a Harley.

[jitahs]

Half the weight and ten times the smooth of a Harley.

I'm sure it's a fine bike.

I'd rather put a little Cancellara motor on ma bicyclette.

[maunahaole]

You have a little Cancellara motor in your Miata. Start wrenching....

[twowheels]

My advice, take it for what it is worth to you--I've ridden motorcycles my whole life and love them dearly. I sold my ducati multi 1200 last fall after a friend was killed on a ride I was on with him and a few other folks. I still have a scooter for riding to the store on summer days and a ktm 510 dirt bike with a plate on it for dirt rides. If you need a motorcycle, get a dirt bike. You'll fall off a lot more often than you will a road bike but you are a lot less likely to be killed or seriously injured and you will actually learn how to ride, which is not something that should be done on a big road bike.

[marley]

Thery are two types of people that ride motorcyles - those who have fallen and those that have yet to fall.

[bartali]

I love riding my Vespa 300 Super. Il diavolo rosso. Very solid ride. A great urban motorino which cruises easily at 50-65 mph and capable of 85 mph. I don't ride on the expressways here because other drivers are crazy and distracted. Sometimes it is frightening when you are driving in the car. The Vespa 300 is very quick and maneuverable on city and suburban roads. It could easily do a cross-country road trip on secondary roads. For the city and suburbs I think it is more fun than riding a motorcycle. If I was going to buy a motorcycle, I would buy the Moto Guzzi V-7 Stone. A second choice might be a Triumph Bonneville.

[JeffS]

I think you'd be better off with the most minimal car you can think of. Turbo Miata?

Why does this comment appear in these threads? It seems inevitable, yet has absolutely no logic at all.


It's like someone asking what bicycle to buy and you recommended they take up paintball instead.

[Gummee]

My advice, take it for what it is worth to you--I've ridden motorcycles my whole life and love them dearly. I sold my ducati multi 1200 last fall after a friend was killed on a ride I was on with him and a few other folks. I still have a scooter for riding to the store on summer days and a ktm 510 dirt bike with a plate on it for dirt rides. If you need a motorcycle, get a dirt bike. You'll fall off a lot more often than you will a road bike but you are a lot less likely to be killed or seriously injured and you will actually learn how to ride, which is not something that should be done on a big road bike.

While I understand the sentiment, people get killed every day on bicycles too. If it ain't fun any more, don't do it.

The issue *I* have with dirt bikes (in the NoVA area) is the same issue I have with mtn biking. You have to drive the bike somewhere to go riding. Other places in the country: Rockies, WY, UT, etc are a different story. There you can ride the dirt bike to the ride (with minimal road legal equipment), ride the ride, then ride home. Much mo bettah.

That's my $.02. Not that you asked for it

M

[jscottyk]

Don't get a V-strom.

It's practical, yes. But the windscreen buffetting is horrible. And also, it looks like a turd.

christian speaks the truth.

Thoughts on my current middle-weight dual-sport are here.
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