Motorcycles - Ming needs help...

[Ming]

All the talk in the car thread about motorcycles got me thinking. I think I wanna get a motorcycle. I've had this thought before, but not as strong as it is now, so I'm seriously considering it. Can anyone offer any advice? Pros? Cons? I was looking around, and I like the Honda Nighthawk, which is supposed to be a good entry-level bike. Anyone have any other suggestions?

~Ming

[GAAZ]

Night-Hawks are good but you should go with a Shadow. Even though the Nighthawk has 650 CC's the Shadow with 500 CC's goes faster and is a bit more stable.

The best thing you can do is find a Honda from about the late 80's because the bikes now-a-days have special features that interfere with learning how to ride. The main thing you gotta remember is that LEANING into turns is important. When I first started learning I was afraid to lean since I felt gravity would be against me and my 400 pound plus bike would crush me.

Also, motorcycle batteries can't hold a charge for crap, unless you use it every day. So you wanna invest in a battery charger that you can leave on the bike so the battery holds the charge. Also during the summer you haveta be prepared to change the oil once a month and the other months you can get away with every 2 or 3 months.

And get the repair manual because bikes need more tuning than cars. The tuning process is less work but it's more often...Other than that yer good ta go.

PS> PLEASE don't wear biker leathers while riding on a Honda...Yer only asking for trouble from those weekend warriors on Harleys.

[Tobias]

lol...nice Advise AZ. I also want to get a bike, and i considered first, a honda Rebel because of its cheapness, but than i realized that it was too small for someone like me. Then Andy (Ming) showed me the shadow VLX(i think) deluxe. I fell in love...now i want one, and its only 5300 bucks...thats a great deal!!

now, the only thing we have to do is get a liscense, and that will be that

that is all

[Ming]

Don't worry, I wasn't planning on wearing biking leathers. Its funny that you mention those weekend warriors though, because my uncle has a Harley, and is pretty much a weekend warrior.

[GAAZ]

Yeah, Rebels are what they train you on in those *Learn to Ride* schools. WHich is a lot butter than getting a license at the DMV.

The schools provide you with the pads and helmet and as long as ya don't crash (Entire course is at 15 MPH) you get a license. If you show up to the DMV without pads and helmet (Which will cost you $300-$500) they fail you for being reckless. (It's the equivalent of not buckling your safety belt in a car)

Then again other states may be different then AZ...Like in California if you show up to take a driving test they'll give you a license basically.

[Ming]

Yeah, I wanted a Rebel for a while, but then I saw one on the street one day and realzied that they're REALLY small. I'd probably break the thing because I'm pretty big.

*pokes Az*

[GAAZ]

If yer over 6 feet tall I'd recommend the Honda 1100 NightHawk. It's a HUGE bike so it fits yer stature and while it's got the ability to have a lot of power it's not tuned like a racing cruiser like the Shadow is.

Edit: Not over..More like AROUND 6 Ft tall.



Edited By AzVegeta on 1053031653

[Ming]

Well, I'm only 5'8", so I don't think I'd have a problem. I kinda like the Shadow VLX. It's got a nice shape, and from what I'm reading, it's a good entry-level bike. The Deluxe is also like $500 cheaper than the Nighthawk 750.

[GAAZ]

Yeah, just remember that when ya buy it within 6 mionths you haveta take a road trip. It's like a requirement. I suggest that if yer in an area that snows you do it BEFORE the white stuff hits...Autumn would be good.

[Sperrit]

Yes. Road trips are a necessity for motorcycles. It's commonly called Wolverine's Law. It states that, when a male is in possession of a motorcycle, a roadtrip will occur, the length of which is proportional to the male's angst level.

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