I need some advice on Motocycles.

[Faye]

I'm in the market for a new vehicle, and with gas getting upwards of 4 bucks a gallon, fuel economy is something I've been keeping on my mind. So my mind went to Motorcycles. Now I've only been on a motorcycle once in my life, but I have friends around here that can show me the ropes. Basically I'm just wondering if any of you guys have any advice on what I should look for. I'm kinda weighing the pros and cons of a motorcycle over a car. So any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

[Blackmage]

How heavy is the traffic where you live?

[Shurikane]

Dude, he's in Texas. He has never heard of traffic before.

[Faye]

I live in a relatively small town, and I wouldnt be driving in any heavy traffic. It would really just be something to get around town and to and from work on.

[Blackmage]

Oh, yeah a bike'd be awesome. Andsectoid got 50someodd MPG before on his GSX-R 600 before he broke it.

[Andsectoid]

Don't know if you got one but here is my input.

Pros:
MPG - 400cc=75mpg 600cc=50mpg 1000ccc=30mpg
Fun to ride
Less to maintain
Fun to ride
I can use the HOV lane
Fun to ride
Lane splitting(not recommended)
Fun to ride
Increased mobility to avoid crazy driver
Fun to ride
Feeling of being out in the open and not "boxed up"
Fun to ride
Feeing of FREEDOM
Fun to ride
The feeling of having to hold on for dear life during fast acceleration

Cons:
Not as safe as a car(the broken clavicle sucked)
Bad weather
Cost of equipment
The feeling of having to hold on for dear life during fast acceleration

The only thing I regret is not getting a bike sooner. I start to go crazy after not riding for a couple of days. I get pissed off when the weather forecast said it was going to rain and it doesn't. "Alright, it said it was going to rain. If it's nice outside when I get off I'm going to be pissed." There is nothing like it in the world. Whether I am cruising down a back street of running down 85 at… well let’s just say if I got pulled over I would not be getting out for a while.

That’s another thing. I go faster but don’t get as many tickets. When I get pulled over in the Saturn or the CRV 80% of the time I get a ticket. With the bike I am 9-0. I’ve gotten comments from police officers like, “I understand running like a bat out of hell. If I had a bike I’d be doing it to. Just don’t do it in front of me.” Another good one, “I’m not sure how fast you were going but I was over the speed limit accelerating as fast as I could and you were still pulling away.”

My message to anyone who thinks they want to get a bike: DO IT!! Get gear. Take the Honda riders course. Get your license. Buy a SMALL bike like a 250 or a 400.

Final note: Get good gear. I had a crash at 45mph hit the ground slid about 20 feet over rough asphalt then hit a curb. And then I say I hit a curb I mean just that. I slid away from the bike and I hit the curb. The result was scrapes on my legs, wrists and a broken collar bone. I’m not going to say it wasn’t bad but I try stepping out of your car at 45 mph into a curb and see how you turn out. Is $300 - $400 a lot to spend on a jacket? Yes. Is it worth it YES!! Don’t skimp on the armor.

[Faye]

Okay, this is the kinda response I was hoping for. I've been working doubles for the past 6 weeks so I havent had a chance to get signed up for a course, but there is one here at the little local airport I'm gonna take, get my license and all that junk. I've pretty much settled on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R There is a good one here localy that doesnt have a lot of mileage and is in good shape. I was going to start bigger, but enough people have warned against it for me to actually listen. Thanks Andsectoid!

[RivaOni]

If its just for getting to and from work and getting about town, you don't need a powerful machine, I'd wager a 250cc would do the job. Looks probably aren't at the top of your list but these things are gorgeus!



Aprilia RSV 250, has racing pedigree too as its what Valentino Rossi used to ride before he went into the full blown MotoGP racing