I wanna motorcycle...

In My Humble Opinion
1

WHEREAS, 24-hour access parking in my neighborhood is really frickin expensive; and

WHEREAS, I can walk to work; and

WHEREAS, my folks are going to let me dump my car in their driveway during the week; and

WHEREAS, I still need some form of motorized transportation for short trips around town, and

WHEREAS, I can get a 24-hour motorcycle spot for twenty bucks a month:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, black455, am possibly in the market for some sort of motorcycle, and I’d like your suggestions in picking one out.

I’ve never so much as ridden before, so of course I’m going to take one of the beginner’s courses.

I’m looking for something small and cheap, and relatively easy for me to learn to fix myself (eg, no EFI or anything like that.) I probably won’t be doing a whole lot of freeway driving, so HP isn’t a huge consideration, but there’s a huge hill between me and the nearest grocery store, so I think I’ll need some torque.

Any suggestions and opinions on mileages, prices, and models are appreciated.

One last, frivolous thing: I’m more keen on that classic chopper look than on the ninja stylings, but I imagine I can deal.

Thanks.

2

My onetime boss, Jerry, an ex-LA cop, said the nickname for motorcyclists was “organ donors”.
Jerry had driven motorcycles for 40 years.
He got killed riding it one weekend on a country road.

That said, he alway said the best motorcycle was one you could afford and one you could fix by yourself.
Don’t know if that advice helps, but that’s all I remember.

3

Alrighty. The standard advice: get proper training. It CAN be a dangerous hobby, but you can reduce the risks severely by mastering the art.

First bike: Japanese. Usually affordable, very reliable (Honda has the best reputation, but Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are just fine too).

Choppers. Not my style, so I don’t know a whole lot about them. Since choppers aren’t superfast anyway, you can get a nice one with a big engine for the torque you so desperately need to get your daily milk. :slight_smile:

Suggestions: the Honda Shadow models, the Yamaha Virago, Kawaski Vulcan (I think that’s what it’s called), and the Suzuki Intruder. Get one with at least a 500 cc engine.

Also, get proper gear with enough protection. Leather, or kevlar enforced cloth.

And be careful out there!

4

Oh, and don’t get a chopper if you park outdoors and it rains a lot. Chrome is a bitch to polish!

5

My two cents…forget the chopper for now, the raked front end is not something you want to learn on. Find an old Japanese bike (the engines are really good) and pick up a maintenance manual to learn how to fix 'er up. Then, spend some time learning how it rides/works/breaks. Experience is just that…experience, and if you’ve never had a clutch cable crap out on you on a rainy night in Bumfukt Wherever, then you’ll be just that…Bumfukt. But DEFINITELY take the riders course and familiarize yourself with what being on a 2 wheeler entails. It’s a great activity, but one not to be taken lightly.

6

Take a MSF riding course.

7

Coldie and superbee both make good points.

For the first bike, grab a 2ndhand Japanese with about 500 cc - don’t go for the 600 cc sportbikes, though, too much power. IMHO, the best bikes for learning are “standards” - i.e., Yamaha Diversion/Seca II, Suzuki Bandit 600 (had one for three years), Suzuki SV650, that genre.
Get a season or two under your belt, sell the bike (used motorcycles keep their price quite well) and branch out into chopper/sport/touring etc. from there. But if you’ve fallen for the chopper look, Coldie recommends some nice bikes, too.

Get training and spend more money than you’d like on protective gear.

Torque really shouldn’t be a problem once you’re in the 5-600 cc range - the 250 cc bikes can be a pain in that respect.

Let’s know what you decide on!

8

Nobody has asked you how you are built or how much you have to spend?

So Answer this and I can likely assist you. I have had 5 bikes of various types since I was 15, everything from Rice-rocket to Hog. Jeesus, I have been riding for more than half my life. Christ I’m old.

9

If you count mini-bikes, I’ve been riding over 85% of my life. :eek:

10

Thanks everybody.

I’m looking to drop around 3 grand on something used, and I’m 6’1" musician-skinny.

Maybe I’ve confused the terms somewhat… by “chopper” I didn’t mean the Peter Fonda in Easy Rider-type extended front end… I guess I meant something more like the smaller Triumphs (maybe?). I’ll know it when I see it.

I’ll most definitely take the MSF course before I even buy anything. No sense in spending money if it turns out I’m really not cut out for it.

11

I think the look you’re describing is actually what’s known as a “naked bike”.

Check out the Honda CB500, and the equivalents from the other 3 Japanese brands. And, just for drools, the Ducati Monster. :slight_smile:

12

Thanks Coldie. How much do the CB500s run?

As for the “naked bike” thing, you nailed it.

I’ve looked through the local classifieds, and there’s a 1983 Honda Shadow 500 that “needs carb work.” It comes with two helmets and a cover for $1000. That sound about right? They look pretty sweet.

13

Well, a Shadow is a chopper, not a naked bike, to get things even more confusing. :slight_smile:

Naked bike means: normal bike without fairing. “Normal” steer height (no chopper, and no racer either), comfortable “natural” position, usually a duo seat as opposed to some racers.

No idea what a CB 500 costs second hand in the US. It’s about $ 5,000 new over here - if the US price is similar, 3 grand will buy you a good one. Think 3, 4 years old, low mileage. It’s a pretty standard bike, no frills. They’re used as trainers a lot over here - I got my license on one. Good bike, although not very exiting to ride. Then again, I ride a Diversion (Seca II in the US), so what do I know. :wink:

I think browsing online might be an idea. I did a little searching for you, and I think the CB series my just be known as “Nighthawk” in the US. Not sure though, but they look similar. Yahoo classifieds might be a decent place to start.