Motorcycles

[dude]

I'm getting ready to be getting a bike soon, I'm signing up for the motorcycle course and getting my endorsement this spring break, and I wanted to see If I could get some feedback outta this forum. I know there has to be some guys in here that ride bikes and I just wanna see what everybody thinks ie: different brands, are harleys good or is it just the brand, cruisers versus sport bikes anything just post it all in here... oh yeah and sorry this isn't a cd or anything haha

[sarasson]

You need to decide what kind of riding do you want to do. Cruisers and sport bikes are night and day. I know Harleys are better quality than they used to be but ive never owned one. Ive owned Hondas, Kawasakis and and a Yamaha. All of them sportbikes and I would recommend any one of them. No one makes bad motorcycles anymore, find the style you like and go for it. And good on ya for taking the safety course. Smart thing to do even if it is required by local law. Good luck.

[Randal Graves]

I've been thinking about getting a Ninja 250 just for my day to day commute. I'm a little worried that it may be too small, but they are cheap so I may just say fuck it and just go buy one.

[dude]

I know exactly what you're talking about with the 250 ninja. I love how they've changed it in the 2008 model and the price is awesome too. I think It'd be a great bike to start on since it's light and not too much power, I'm just worried about how comfortable a sport bike will be if I ever want to go on a long ride. The cruisers I've looked into for the foreign bike companies just seem a little bony looking for some reason and I'm not trying to pay 7-9 grand for a bike I'm not even sure if I'll enjoy

[DAS]

I ride a Honda 1300 VTX R... It's a cruiser, Harley Style. Harley's are too damn expensive. I love my bike, it's Bad Ass... Here is a pic...http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/AIADAS/P6210002.jpg

[mathiaswvu]

1981 Honda Passport

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c388/MathiasWVU/honda1.jpg

a gallon and a half goes a long way

[satan666]

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That is a sweeeet ride man. wish i could afford a bike :(

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man, scooters (or mopeds whatver you want to call em) are coming back big time! I guess cuz gas is so freaking expensive,

[Randal Graves]

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We all know you make some pimp cash running this site. :D

[satan666]

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you, sir, are crazy...i make absolutely nothing. I SWEAR to God.

I wish i did. I just do it as a favor to Jesus. And i guarantee he dosent make any money either.

[Rabelais]

Kawi made a Ninja 650 last year, year before... not sure if they're still selling it, but it was a fantastic starter bike... Good looking and energetic, but not so overpowered that it's intimidating. Personally, I prefer a sportbike over the cruisers. to each his own though...

[Randal Graves]

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I believe you. I was just giving you shit. That's why I like this site. It seems like you guys do it more as a hobby than for the money.

BTW, I also like the porn and music.

[Antipop915]

Take the MSF course. You'll figure out if you like riding or not. A great starter bike for sportbikes are the Kawi Ninja 250/500's and the Suzuki G.S. 500 (gixxer-esque looking with a parallel 2.) I'm a Honda man, but those are great starters. ninja 250/500 can be picked up for less than 2 grand, a GS 500 can be had for on the cheap too. Don't worry about picking up a pristine bike for your first bike, you are going to drop it while parking or lay it down while riding. Everyone does. Rashed fairings adds character. I wouldn't start with any 600cc sportbike made after 2000 unless you have a tightly screwed on head with substantial brain matter that would keep your right hand from twisting the throttle past 50% very often. 800 or less cc's for a cruiser is probably good for a starter. Don't skimp on gear. I think it is better to buy really good gear and have a cheaper bike than roll on a pimp bike but have shit for gear or no gear. Cowskin is cheaper than your skin, wear leather. Get good gloves, and wear sturdy boots. A good helmet is probably the most important. Find one that fits and make your budget around what fits your head rather than what fits your wallet.

[Rabelais]

Apop is right... the MSF course is great! 1st, it's FUN, 2nd you get a break on your insurance... 3rd, most states will take it in lieu of a DMV test.

MSF saves lives. Count on it.

[satan666]

Get a helmet like this to protect your noggin!!

http://aycu29.webshots.com/image/46988/2001498319995887434_rs.jpg

[Bam-Bam]

2001 Harley-Davidson RoadKing Police. Yes it's more expensive, but the value does not depreciate. I bought it used 3 years ago for 13K and can turn around tomorrow and sell it for the same price.....

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9219/1001251oj0.th.jpg (http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001251oj0.jpg)

[Thomas]

If you can afford them ...

Harleys are fucking awesome, FACT

[Antipop915]

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That would be a closed casket funeral. When your jaw just kind grinds off into a meat paste smeared on the asphalt, there isn't much they can do. Full face helmets are the way to go. Even the flip up ones (whose locking mechanisms I personally don't trust) are better than brain bowls or 3/4 helmets like those. Nice paint job on that helmet though.

[Antipop915]

http://photos-093.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v116/104/75/18001093/n18001093_30620771_1731.jpg

600RR, gets the ladies wet.

edit: Not my dirty ass garage.

[DSF Guest 1]

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I was going to say, nice face shield on that watermelon!!!

[Thomas]

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LOL at the watermelon helmet!

[dude]

So I'm getting a decent helmet (HJC) and a nice armored leather jacket, but what about the lower body? Is it necessary to go out and buy some riding pants and boots or do you think a good pair of work boots and jeans is gonna cut it? I wanna hear from you guys that have dropped it a couple times!

[Antipop915]

If you're going to do jeans, look at some riding specific jeans. Icon/various other brands make them. They are heavy denim with armor/padding in them. If you've ever fallen down on concrete/asphalt in a pair of regular jeans you probably noticed how quickly they get torn up/ ground into dust. Imagine getting off a bike at anything more than running speed now. Gear up.
Sturdy boots will save your feet and ankles, don't skimp on them too. A bunch of companies make riding specific boots that don't look like they should be on the track. High quality gloves are also wicked important to have. I've seen people go down with no gloves/shitty gloves. Referring to them as "hamburger hands" would be an understatement. You should always roll ATGATT too, you never know when you're going to eat it. (All The Gear, All The Time.)

[DSF Guest 1]

and please, please, if you get chaps, be sure to wear the pants underneath!!

[Antipop915]

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ROFL! Good qualifier.

[Thomas]

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ROFLMAO! :p

[The Godfather]

I have been riding since I was a kid ...and I have been laying them down just as long. The last time was in 2002. I roll a bit reckless as you can see. I have taken the local class given by the State Patrol but not for the reason most do but to keep the people who claim they love me but don't give me any money and have seen first hand how I ride off my back. You can bring people like to water but I'd rather have a Heineken. Despite my hardheadedness, the course is excellent.

I traditionally keep a rice burner and a cruiser on hand but since 2002, I have only owned cruisers, partly because I'm getting fat. I prefer Yamahas for some reason. I won't pay for a Harley because I don't want it all scratched the hell up.

Because I ride crazy or use to, I never ride without boots, helmet and leathers. Depending on my mood and expected traffic conditions, I will also put on abrasion and impact resistant armor under it all. The GSXR was laid down at a pretty decent clip but my leg was between it and the ground preventing the pavement from grinding it to no end. That day I had my armor on preventing my leg from being ground to no end. My knee hurts when it rains but that is about it.

Seriously, be safe.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc85/Jawjabill/Various/LayItdown.jpg

[dude]

If there's any other Noobs out there looking for all the info they can this page has a lot of great beginner info:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

[quahogs finest]

Suzuki SV650. This bike does it all.

Defenitley wear good protection-a jacket and pants with armor. You can get a decent helmet like a Scorpion 700 For under $175.00