Living in the Boston metro area I feel that the cagers are heavily against me, but be damned the statistics! I miss trolling around Colorado on my various motorcycles, surely Massachusetts will be the same, right? heh. Technically, not a non-motorcyclist yet as I have only recently purchased a new-to-me 1983 CB650SC I have yet to plate, license, or insure it, but I will be on the road before there is three feet of snow on the ground, or riding through it. Next step the MA MSF course. I have taken a clandestine ride or two and I remain convicted:
Two wheels good! Four wheels bad!
I’m pondering it. I had a thread around here a month or so ago about it.
I’m thinking over how I’d feel riding it in commuter traffic. The wife is against it, but not staunchly. I remind her I’ve put about 15,000 on my BICYCLE over the last couple years.
I love riding bicycles. I’m sure I’d like riding a motorbike. I definitely think I’d enjoy the commute on a bike.
A guy around the corner from me just got a new Honda Shadow, a bike I like.
Unless you live in California, you can get a Royal Enfield with a sidecar for about $7,000. Only 500cc and not very fast, but funky and cheap.
I like older bikes too. Heck, I grew up with them. 
In the '90s I bought a Honda CX500 for a dollar. I eventually lost first gear, but it pulled well from second. The engine was bulletproof. At that time my then-g/f got a '75(?) Honda 360T. Fun bike, but a little buzzy at speed. I’d love to have a '70 or '71 Honda CB750. Frames and suspension were different back then, tires were skinnier, and horsepower was less than it is today. It would definitely require a change in my current riding style.
Yet another reason why being allowed to split lanes is a good thing.
I think part of the reason that people are afraid to ride is because they always hear the bad stuff. I know when I first learned I heard of someone who’s head got taken off by a bus. Now that I’ve been riding for over eight years I’ve learned a lot.
I’ve seen three or four main reasons why people die in motorcycle accidents. One of the biggest ones are the people who buy bikes that are just to big for them. I’ve got 110,000+ miles, I’ve been everywhere in the US, and I wouldn’t buy one of these 1200-1400cc sport bikes. So people with little to no experience goes and buys a bike they shouldn’t be on. Second, people who come back to motorcycling after years off, a lot of the older riders don’t wear the protective gear, especially a good helmet. Third, there was a study where there maybe problems because of SUVs. SUVs are a lot higher then cars so if a biker hits one on the side they don’t go over, but rather into the car. Lastly, people are still stupid and drink and ride. The stats I’ve heard are 40-50% of bikers who die have been drinking.
So for those of you worried about it, don’t drink and ride, wear good gear, take a class, and don’t buy a bike that’s much too big for you. That doesn’t mean you will not die, or even get hurt, but not much in life is safe.
I would rather die in a hurricane
Than to never know the storm
– From George Romero’s Knightriders
My buddy just bought a new bike (he nd his wife got a Yamaha FZ1 and FZ6) and was selling his old 600. I asked my wife where she thought I should park it and she responded, “Wherever you want after you move out!” So I don’t think that will be happening soon!
I agree that a small bike or scooter makes a lot of sense for local errands. Of course, up here we have this thing called winter…
I rode for a few years, gradually enjoying it less each time. I still have the MC endorsement on my driver’s license, but I haven’t been at the controls of a motorcycle for a long time. I have politely passed up offers to ride other people’s bikes.
So, no, I don’t see a motorcycle in my future.
I’m considering it. There’s a safety course held intermittently right next door to my office, and I’ve looked into taking it. I’d like to have a second vehicle for those times when my truck is in the shop; true, I couldn’t haul the kids around with it, but I could get myself to work and back without renting a car.
But it will have to wait until I get some things ironed out with my job situation. Then I’ll take the course and see if I like it. I’m leaning towards something like a smaller Harley (Sportster?)
Besides, it looks like fun!
I’d really like to get one. I’ve driven one in the past, briefly, and enjoyed it.
However, in the area I live in, it’s really only feasible to ride a motorcycle maybe 8 months out of the year, as we tend to get a lot of sudden snow. I’m not certain where I’d store it in the off season, since the garage is pretty full as it is.
I’ve thought about a motorscooter.
But I’d stick to a used one.
I’m not really a fan of the way the sidecar on the Enfield’s looks. I guess the closest way to describe the style I’m looking for is more like an older military style, like what Zack Braff’s character drove in “Garden State.”
And why not in CA? Do they have laws against sidecars?
The “Peoples’ Republic Of California” has laws against everything. :rolleyes:
Unless you’re a celeb.
Then, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. " :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Every single person I see on a scooter here is wearing a wifebeater, shorts, and a baseball cap, and smoking a cigarette.
That’s what I got last October, a Honda Shadow Aero. Love it, wish I had the chance to ride it more often. I don’t commute with it, and I don’t think I would if I was riding on highways. Too many inattentive drivers to watch out for.
I agree – I have to admit (not proudly) that although I’ve always worn a half-helmet when on the scooter, that’s been the extent of my protective gear. I’m usually in shorts and a t-shirt. I guess I’ve never taken scooters all that seriously, which, now that I’ve gone through the motorcycle safety course, seems incredibly stupid, particularly since I’ve gotten our 125cc up to 55mph on a very busy street in our neighborhood.
Except highways are a bit safer because people are all going the same direction. What you really don’t want are the people who are turning left and don’t pay attention, or care that you are there.
I love riding, and unless something really interesting comes up, I’m looking to buy either the Yamaha R6 or the Suzuki GSX-R600 sometime next year. I’ve been riding for over 5 years, mostly my own 200cc motorcycle, and often enough on a friend’s CBR-400RR to feel comfortable owning a 600.
Having said that, I just rode the same friend’s GSX-R1000, and it scared the shit out of me the first 2 times I rode it!! HOLY SHIT!!
Hmm… I just realised this thread doesn’t quite apply to me :smack:
In my defense, I’m not a motorcyclist at the moment since I sold my bike and moved to another country.
I definitely want one. After getting around India on a bike for 9 months, I’m hooked. But I definitely don’t need one, so it might have to wait awhile.
Now that my position is secure here at work (FTE vs Contractor), I’ll likely be pulling the '78 Kawasaki KZ-650SR back out of the garage, and into service next season. I gave up riding once I was working 50+ miles from home, and 90% of the ride was on the highway. Now it’s 35miles to work, with about 50% highway… and far less dangerous/congested highways in NH to boot! (last positions were in MA. Rt 93 & Rt 128 are NOT conducive to long life on a motorcycle during rush hours.)