My husband travels from Cumberland to Baltimore every week to go to work. With gas prices doing what they’re doing, it’s just about putting the squeeze on our budget.
He’s thinking more and more of buying a motorcycle. He would need a touring bike, not a sports bike. This isn’t a midlife crisis thing, it’s a gas crisis thing, and his bike would need to be comfortable for longer drives.
We’d also like one with a comfortable back seat, so I could ride with him sometimes.
Any words of advice?
I have been very happy with the Honda Interceptor/VFR - (link) - I 've had mine for 5 years and put 56,000 miles or so on it. No problems, until I was hit by a car - it has been a little bit quirky since then.
Extremely comfy for long runs - Shayna and I have done San Francisco - LA in a day with no problems - and sufficient oomph to not get too boring.
The engine maintenance is a bit on the expensive side, though - valve adjustment (16,000 mile intervals, IIRC) is a major job, due to the VTEC. Also, it’s a chain-driven bike, which of course calls for more maintenance than a shaft-driven one. We bought the horrendously expensive ($1K) but truly nice hard bags to go with it, as well.
Unless he has years of experience under his belt, stick to 4 wheels on the highways. Or carpool.
Years of what kind of experience? General driving? Because he has that. He’s had a driver’s license for 32 years and a Class A license for 15 years. If you mean years of motorcycle experience, how is he supposed to get that on four wheels? 
Based on what I’ve been reading in the recent rash of motorcycle threads, if you don’t have motorcycle experience you’d be better off starting with a relatively light bike. Less power so you don’t get yourself in over your head, and less mass, so you’re not dealing with quite so deadly an object. Am I right, bikers?
This is relevant to my interests, because I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a motorcycle myself, and if I were to get one it’d be a large touring bike, same as your husband. I figured something with a large body, not intended for sport racing, would be easier to handle and generally safer than a crotch rocket. Reading these threads has given me pause on that front, though.
We have a renter/friend who has a light motorcycle, and my hubby is planning to get his motorcycle learner’s permit and then use our friend’s bike to practice on before graduating to something bigger.
Also, I don’t think he’d ever, ever, ever ride anywhere without a helmet; his brother was in a motorcycle accident some 30 years ago, where, by the time he stopped sliding on his head, his helmet was worn away down to the bare bottom layer of leather. If it hadn’t been for his helmet, no doubt his skull would have been worn down like that, and his brains would have been all over M Street.
You don’t need a huge touring bike to get from Cumberland to Baltimore. I’ve traveled that route a number of times. What he might want is some sort of lightweight ‘regular’ bike like a Nighthawk 750 or so. It will get good gas mileage and with a windscreen it will give him plenty of wind protection.
I don’t think you’ll want a Goldwing or something that large for right now as it will be heavy and not a great first bike. He’s lucky in that Cumberland used to be the easiest place in MD to get into the MSF course, and I’ve known people who’ve driven out there and stayed the weekend to take it.
I’m going to email him a link to this thread, and let him read it.
One of our concerns, though, is that it have a back seat, so I can ride with him sometimes. Do lighter bikes come with that option?
Yes they do. I had a Honda Shadow 600 VLX that I put 20k on with my ex wife. We went everywhere. Now that was a small bike and it’s cozy, but it can be done. You might want to get a backrest, but other then that you’d be good to go. The big problem with something like a Goldwing is they are huge and weigh a lot. Not something a first time rider really wants. Now if you don’t mind going older, much older, you can get a lighter Goldwing, but it will be 20 years or so old. I do understand that some of the older wings are good, but I couldn’t tell you which ones.
Absolutely. I did all-day two-up Autobahn riding on my old Suzuki Bandit 600, which is not a big bike at all. Didn’t get (too many) complaints about the comfort level, either.
Beware of sportsbikes, though - although they may have a back seat, it is very often highly uncomfortable. Then again, a modern sportsbike is too much to handle for a first bike, anyway.
Look into the BMW F-650 series. Most versions have very “standard” ergonomics. The later fuel injected versions get ~70 mpg. The engine has dual balance shafts and is incredably low vibration for a single cylinder. The stock luggage is good, but there are also lots of aftermarket options. They are a bit more than similar japanese bikes. They seem to last and hold thier value. Two up isn’t a problem for an hour or three, and maybe with weekend at a bed and breakfast luggage, but no camping gear, and you’d be wanting more room by the end of a whole day ride.
The Suzuki SV-650 comes (came?) in some naked versions that had very standard ergonomic. I’ve admired these for years, but never ridden one, so don’t know all that much about them…like the F-650 the early ones had carbs, the newer ones EFI. These are 90 degree twins, like a Ducati.
Also, I’d say riding on highways is lots safer than city streets. Intersections are the big danger points.
Is a sport tourer out of the question? Because the Kawasaki ZZR 1200 and its successor, the Councourse They’ve got a trim sports body, but the comfort of a tourer. Look into em. Feel free to PM me with any questions in the future.
You want them to try out a new Concours? It’s a 1400 and capable of over 150. Plus the price tag of well over $10k. They’d be better off with an older Concours. That said it’s not a good idea to let a beginner on a bike like that. Even the older ones have a lot of power, they are og awful heavy and a pain in the parking lots. Plus gas mileage is not all that great, I get right around 40 with mine.
There is the Suzuki VStrom in a 650, it has anti locking brakes and some wind protection. I’ve actually been thinking of one myself. From what I’ve heard gas mileage is also in the 50+ range. I believe new they run around 8k, maybe less.
This bears repeating. Not a good first bike.
A couple of suggestions for a new rider:
Have you considered a scooter? All of the major Japanese manufacturers make scooters in the 400-650 range (and smaller, but if he’s commuting on any freeways he’s going to want at least a 250) that would make fantastic commuter vehicles. The advantages are that they’re easier to ride (you don’t have to learn to shift), can be more comfortable over longer distances, and the bigger ones have space under the seat for storing helmet and jacket so you don’t have to cart it around with you. They also have comfortable back seats for passengers. This is the one I have now, the Suzuki Burgman 650, and I love it.
BMW F650GS . A very nice bike–somewhat underpowered, but I’m assuming he isn’t looking for something that screams. It will run quite nicely up to about 85mph. I had one of these and I adored it–comfortable, easy to ride, very well-mannered. Might not be quite so great two-up unless you’re both on the small side, since it’s a light narrow bike, but it’s definitely got the seat for it. (Ah, re-reading, I see someone else has suggested this too. Cool!)
BTW, if he’s planning to ride, please encourage him to take a motorcycle safety course. They’ll teach him to ride the right way and how to deal with some common problems and obstacles. And always wear helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and leg covering. Even for a quick trip to the store. Accidents can happen any time, and even a simple “stop too fast and drop the bike” mishap can be painful if you’re not dressed properly.
I’ve rented those on a few occasions, and they’re great. The passenger seat is a little high for some, though - definitely something to find out in the showroom, not halfway on the first trip…
That is not at all what I think of when I think ‘scooter’. That’s a very nice-looking little vehicle.
I’ve been doing research on the Burgman line all day. This is a fantastic little machine. I haven’t been able to find anything wrong with it, other than the shocks might be a little weak. 4 gallon tank, 50-55 mpg, and it’s a comfortable, reliable, cheap ride. I may end up getting the 400, since I’d be using it for city transportation for one person, but I’m simply sold on it. I’d been planning on getting a touring motorcycle when I moved to a non-deathtrap climate, but now I intend to take classes this month to get the M license and get one of these over the summer if possible; otherwise in the fall when the 09 models come out.
Am I the only one who came in here thinking the thread was about bicycle touring? (I was going to mention my Trek 520, which is designed for loaded touring)
I will link to my favorite bicycle touring site
Brian
