[HiFlo]

Is it acceptable to ride one of those Harley-style cruiser ripoffs by honda or yammy? Or are they scorned upon by the community? I can pickup a used honda cruiser for around 3k while used harley sportsers are 6k+

Not joinin a moto gang, but I don't want people to point at me on the road and say, "LOL!!! HE'S RIDING A HONDA!!!!"

[Private Man]

Harley riders very much tend to be older (35+) and only a few motorcycle clubs require American-made iron. Snag the Japanese cruiser, avoid hard-core Harley types. You still might catch some minor shit but the overall community of riders gives respect to each other simply for being on two wheels (and not riding a damned scooter!). I see lots of guys ride together with a whole bunch of different types of bikes.

[Hotwheels]

Kicking around picking up one of these. Winter prices for leftover 2012's are pretty decent up north here.



I prefer the look of a Fat Boy versus the Fat Bob but I fit the Dyna bikes a bit better.

[TheMan]

(12-27-2012 10:26 AM)Hotwheels Wrote:  

Kicking around picking up one of these. Winter prices for leftover 2012's are pretty decent up north here.



I prefer the look of a Fat Boy versus the Fat Bob but I fit the Dyna bikes a bit better.

Do it. She's a beaut!

[Private Man]

Where the gear, always wear the gear. Modern motorcycle gear (armor!) is not that expensive and makes a guy look pretty damned good.

[Fujiwara]

Something about "sweat drying faster than blood"

Damn I want a motorcycle. I shall find a Nighthawk, Rebel, or Ninja as my learner bike.

[Berliner]

(12-22-2012 09:07 AM)TexasMade Wrote:  

Most clubs and bars will hold it behind the bar or at the door for you. Full faced helmets have the locks but I carry my helmet with me everywhere. I ride with jeans 95% of the time. Boots 50%. And jacket depends on venue and weather.

I dropped my bike once, but that one time was the one time I had no jacket and helmet. I was riding 1/2 a mile down the street to pick up condoms. Faceplanted on the in the dirt. Busted my face and fractured my arm. Picked up my bike, bought the condoms, and got the lay haha. Top 5 craziest lays I have gotten. Even riding down the street now I ride fullfaced.

Thanks for replying.Can't believe I didn't think of giving it to the bar staff.Have you had it stolen there or heard about such incidents?What equipment do you ride with in hot weather, 30-38C during the day?I am thinking of riding with shirt/t-shirt, my leather jacket and jeans/trousers at night.Does it matter a lot what helmet brand I choose?

[el mechanico]

(01-02-2013 02:25 PM)Berliner Wrote:  

(12-22-2012 09:07 AM)TexasMade Wrote:  

Most clubs and bars will hold it behind the bar or at the door for you. Full faced helmets have the locks but I carry my helmet with me everywhere. I ride with jeans 95% of the time. Boots 50%. And jacket depends on venue and weather.

I dropped my bike once, but that one time was the one time I had no jacket and helmet. I was riding 1/2 a mile down the street to pick up condoms. Faceplanted on the in the dirt. Busted my face and fractured my arm. Picked up my bike, bought the condoms, and got the lay haha. Top 5 craziest lays I have gotten. Even riding down the street now I ride fullfaced.

Thanks for replying.Can't believe I didn't think of giving it to the bar staff.Have you had it stolen there or heard about such incidents?What equipment do you ride with in hot weather, 30-38C during the day?I am thinking of riding with shirt/t-shirt, my leather jacket and jeans/trousers at night.Does it matter a lot what helmet brand I choose?

Bar staff are dicks and lazy I wouldn't trust them with a decent helmet or anything for that matter.

[porscheguy]

(01-02-2013 02:25 PM)Berliner Wrote:  

(12-22-2012 09:07 AM)TexasMade Wrote:  

Most clubs and bars will hold it behind the bar or at the door for you. Full faced helmets have the locks but I carry my helmet with me everywhere. I ride with jeans 95% of the time. Boots 50%. And jacket depends on venue and weather.

I dropped my bike once, but that one time was the one time I had no jacket and helmet. I was riding 1/2 a mile down the street to pick up condoms. Faceplanted on the in the dirt. Busted my face and fractured my arm. Picked up my bike, bought the condoms, and got the lay haha. Top 5 craziest lays I have gotten. Even riding down the street now I ride fullfaced.

Thanks for replying.Can't believe I didn't think of giving it to the bar staff.Have you had it stolen there or heard about such incidents?What equipment do you ride with in hot weather, 30-38C during the day?I am thinking of riding with shirt/t-shirt, my leather jacket and jeans/trousers at night.Does it matter a lot what helmet brand I choose?

I always locked my helmet down on the bike and never had a problem with it being fucked with.

In the US, states that require a helmet will require the helmet be DOT approved. The better alternative is a "Snell" approval by the Snell Foundation. Just keep in mind that Snell does not approve ANY half helmets at all.

Most full face helmets are snell approved. It will have a label on the helmet if it is.

As for the brand, that's a matter of personal taste and comfort. As a general rule, more expensive helmets tend to offer more comfort and things like removable padding so it can be cleaned.

Arai helmets tend to be the most expensive on the market. They can easily surpass $600.

Shoei helmets I suppose are a step below Arai. The most popular are the RF series. One of the perks of these helmets is the ease of visor changes. No tools needed. I've got two of them. One is a RF-700, and the other is a RF-800. Currently the most recent RF is the RF-1100. If you catch them when they transition to a newer model, you can get exceptional closeout pricing. I got my RF-700 as the RF-800 was being introduced. I think I saved 60-70%. About 5 years later I got the RF-800 as the RF-900 was released. Similar savings.

10-15 years ago, HJC were the low priced helmet of choice for many people as they were snell approved and reasonably comfortable. My half helmet is a HJC and offers good comfort. I know there are one or two other brands that are reasonably priced and snell approved, but I can't recall their names.

I've got a couple of Firstgear jackets that I change according to the weather. Usually I wear jeans. When it's brutally hot I drive the truck. And for shoes I've got a pair of Sidi riding boots. I don't take as many chances as I used to.

[BreezyFarts]

How do you guys handle getting pushed around by the wind on the highway? Scares me shitless! I avoid the highway like the plague on my bike.

[Grit]

I have to rant here for a bit. This thread inspired me to look for a bike. Found one I'm drooling over but its not available in the USA. wtf the greatest country in the world can't allow a 9 grand sale because of some smog law???

[Private Man]

There are a lot of great bikes overseas that can't be imported to the U.S. When I was in Japan, I saw all sorts of really cool bikes that will never be sold outside of Japan. Drat.

[Grit]

Saw this the other day. Dude fails the Jumbotron test, so his punishment is uploading this for the world to see.

[Belize King]

I dropped my bike last Sunday. I have ridden 3 or 4 times in the last 18 months. I was headed towards an onramp. An offramp was to my left and a 18 wheeler in front. A SUV was headed off. I thought the 18 wheeler had enough room not to yield. My eyes were on the SUV, I looked up and the 18 wheeler was braking. I hit the front brake instead of swerving and dropped. I was geared up, helmet, jacket, boots, jeans, and gloves. Got some demin burn and my hand still hurts but otherwise I am good.

Went to see my local mechanic today. Told him whats up. He works out of his garage so less overhead, cheaper labor. My right mirror is broken, transmission is leaking, and rear brake is weak. Hopefully it's nothing major or expensive.

[Young T.R.]

Hope things turn out okay with your bike, TexasMade.

Been riding for a year. I rode through the winter, which was interesting. When people see me getting off my bike and it's 20 degrees (F) outside I get reactions from people. Girls: "OMG it's sooo cold, you're crazzyyyy." It's also helped me other times too. Tough old redneck dudes like bouncers and my CDL instructor thought it was bad ass and became friendly towards me. Normally they would have had that "this kid's a pussy cause he didn't fight in 'nam" attitude.
I don't think a motorcycle is a replacement for game though. Girls will open you sometimes because of it, but if you have nothing smart to say it's irrelevant.
As for riding in the winter, it's really not that bad if you bundle up. Also, I live on the east coast, not North Dakota. The coldest it usually gets here is like 15 degrees.

Second: Most people don't know shit about bikes. I ride a Ninja 250 that cost me two grand and people still say whoaa that's an awesome bike all time. The 250 has plenty of power. I ride it on the highway in one of the worst traffic areas in the nation. People drive fast and aggressive here and I've never had a problem with not having enough power. Not that I wouldn't mind more.
People who do know shit about bikes are usually real friendly when they see you ride, no matter what you are riding.

[Belize King]

(05-09-2013 10:49 AM)Young T.R. Wrote:  

Hope things turn out okay with your bike, TexasMade.

Been riding for a year. I rode through the winter, which was interesting. When people see me getting off my bike and it's 20 degrees (F) outside I get reactions from people. Girls: "OMG it's sooo cold, you're crazzyyyy." It's also helped me other times too. Tough old redneck dudes like bouncers and my CDL instructor thought it was bad ass and became friendly towards me. Normally they would have had that "this kid's a pussy cause he didn't fight in 'nam" attitude.
I don't think a motorcycle is a replacement for game though. Girls will open you sometimes because of it, but if you have nothing smart to say it's irrelevant.
As for riding in the winter, it's really not that bad if you bundle up. Also, I live on the east coast, not North Dakota. The coldest it usually gets here is like 15 degrees.

Second: Most people don't know shit about bikes. I ride a Ninja 250 that cost me two grand and people still say whoaa that's an awesome bike all time. The 250 has plenty of power. I ride it on the highway in one of the worst traffic areas in the nation. People drive fast and aggressive here and I've never had a problem with not having enough power. Not that I wouldn't mind more.
People who do know shit about bikes are usually real friendly when they see you ride, no matter what you are riding.

We have a thread where a dude was asking what bike he should get to get through a shitty commute. I told him a 250 is prefect to get through the traffic and great gas mileage. The group thought I was crazy.

[Young T.R.]

Yeah, people will always say that shit. Most other 250s do suck on the highway, but Kawasaki knows how to squeeze a lot of power out of a 250 engine. I can reach 90 mph easy. Fastest I've got it to is 105.

[EasyMoney]

I think this is the year I'm going to learn to ride. I want to get a used ducati monster 696. The opinion of the riders I've talked with said it isn't too much bike for a beginner provided that you take to riding easily. Everyone else said get a 250.

[Malekhit]

Easy money I did some research and only alpha ride that elmech told me for ok price is yamaha vmax 1997 platinum edition these bikes look sweet and have a lot of power and doesn't cost to much you can find good ones for around $5k
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/3783237611.html

[augen sehen]

I'm looking at getting a motorcycle certification and a bike. I'm generally a safe guy, and I'm going to be careful with it until I'm used to it. I don't really want a bike that I'll have to upgrade a few months in because I've outgrown it because I'd have to pay the sales taxes twice. What do you guys think of a used Ducati?

In Germany I can find some for about €2K which is about $3000 after you convert and add in the lower salaries here. Its either that or a Yamaha/Honda, I'd like a naked bike.

Are they a good choice for someone who would like to do some of his own maintenance? I've only worked on cars and bicycles (lol) before but I can follow directions so I prefer to get something with a good community that does their own DIY.

I like this orange example.

Should I look for a bike with fuel injection instead of a carb? Or am I showing my ignorance here.

[porscheguy]

(05-10-2013 05:02 PM)augen sehen Wrote:  

I'm looking at getting a motorcycle certification and a bike. I'm generally a safe guy, and I'm going to be careful with it until I'm used to it. I don't really want a bike that I'll have to upgrade a few months in because I've outgrown it because I'd have to pay the sales taxes twice. What do you guys think of a used Ducati?

In the riding course I took, we all rode Honda Nighthawk or Rebel 250s. After that course the next bike I rode almost a year later was a 600 (Kawasaki Eliminator 600.) I'm 6'0 tall and weigh 220lbs. While a 250 is ideal for learning the very basic skills, beyond that, I would never own one. The problem I have is I don't find them particularly comfortable due to their small physical size. And yes, the physical size is much smaller than most bikes with larger engines. I've been riding since some posters here were in diapers, and others in elementary school. I've owned a few different bikes, and ridden countless others, from a 250 Nighthawk to a 700lb BMW K1200LT. As far as a Ducati goes, they tend to cost a fair bit more to maintain, and they require more maintenance than a Honda or Yamaha. They're not the shit they were 20 years ago however.

(05-10-2013 05:02 PM)augen sehen Wrote:  

In Germany I can find some for about €2K which is about $3000 after you convert and add in the lower salaries here. Its either that or a Yamaha/Honda, I'd like a naked bike.

Are they a good choice for someone who would like to do some of his own maintenance? I've only worked on cars and bicycles (lol) before but I can follow directions so I prefer to get something with a good community that does their own DIY.

A lot of people say things like "should I get a naked bike since I plan to do my own maintenance?" From a maintenance perspective, I don't see plastic fairings as a big deal. On most modern Japanese sportbikes the plastic fairings are well designed and executed. The first time you remove them, if you're smart you'll go slow so you don't break anything, but once you figure out how it's done, you can pull the side covers from around the engine in about 10 minutes. When I had my Ninja, I could pull ALL of the fairings and gas tank in about 30-40 minutes. It's really not a big deal to me. (But trust me, there's no shortage of fucking morons who can't do something like that without fucking it up.) The only reason I would skip a bike with fairings as a beginning rider is because they're expensive to replace if they break or get cracked, and as a new rider you will do something dumb and drop the bike. At your price range, it will be next to impossible to find a bike with fairings that don't have at least 1 or 2 cracks, and most sportbikes in that price range have been beat to shit.

(05-10-2013 05:02 PM)augen sehen Wrote:  

Should I look for a bike with fuel injection instead of a carb? Or am I showing my ignorance here.

You're in Germany. Germany is cooler and wetter than much of the US. For that reason alone you should look for a fuel injected bike because carb bikes in cool, wet climates are bad for a problem the Brits frequently bitch about called "carb icing." In most cases it won't leave you stranded, but it can be an annoyance. Some water cooled bikes with carbs do have a coolant circuit that passes near or through the carbs to warm them and prevent the problem, but IMO, fuel injection is the way to go. Many would disagree with me for the same reason 20-25 years ago they complained about the switch to fuel injection on cars. The frequent claim is "too complicated." The thing is, your average asshole who says that is too fucking stupid to work on a bike running multiple carbs despite what they may think. These dummies think they have some kind of golden touch that allows them to tune a bike better than the manufacturer, and they don't like feeling locked out with fuel injection.

Whatever you decide on, the best purchase you make when it comes to maintaining your bike is a FACTORY service manual. Skip that Clymer bullshit unless you're purchasing it as a supplement for the Factory book.

[Cincinnatus]

I grew up around motorcycles but never got a motorcycle endorsement so I can roll around on one. I think this is the year I'm gonna change that.

Some years ago my dad sold a Honda Goldwing to a buddy of his. The fella is willing to sell it to me for $500, since he doesn't ride much anymore, and my dad tells me it'll take about $500 to get it running well and reliably. $1000 motorcycle, plus money to take the classes for an endorsement = <$1500

Should definitely be worth it.

[Pacific]

The Goldwings are huuuuge... I think they actually have a reverse gear since they are so heavy.

[el mechanico]

What year is the Gold wing and how much dress is on it?
The older ones drive like shit and the carbs are a bitch to rebuild, add in gas tank repair and timing belt ( yes they have) a couple new tires and you're over!

I have some top pick entry level cheap bikes you can get on criagslist I'll post up.

[Cincinnatus]

It's a '91, quite basic. I'm open to other suggestions, I brought up the Goldwing as it's a phone call + $500 = mine.