Who rides motorcycles around here?

Originally Posted by LuvThatSam

Yes, but danger comes cheap.

I pay $85 a month for car insurance, plus $20 a week in gas. That's just for one car.

Plus, I don't think I'll have the guts to ride on the freeway. It would just take 2 long streets for me to get to work.

To give you an idea:
I lost my license when I was 17, I've been pulled over 16 times (mostly minor stuff, burnt out headlights, noisy exhaust, etc...), and my insurance for a 950cc rocket is $650 a year, and the 1200cc rocket is $750 a year for full coverage through Progressive.
If you decide to get a 250, and your record is clean(ish), you'll probably pay less than $500 a year. Best thing to do is call and ask for a quote, takes less than an hour for them to get back to you. You'll have to tell them what kind of bike, engine size, and year.

Originally Posted by Ryans E39

To give you an idea:
I lost my license when I was 17, I've been pulled over 16 times (mostly minor stuff, burnt out headlights, noisy exhaust, etc...), and my insurance for a 950cc rocket is $650 a year, and the 1200cc rocket is $750 a year for full coverage through Progressive.
If you decide to get a 250, and your record is clean(ish), you'll probably pay less than $500 a year. Best thing to do is call and ask for a quote, takes less than an hour for them to get back to you. You'll have to tell them what kind of bike, engine size, and year.

That must be liability only. Any bike worth money is going to be as expensive as a car, at least, for full coverage. Most sport bikes are considered totalled with any significant fairing damage.

Here in Wa insurance isnt even required for bikes. So really, if you have a used bike that isnt desirable, its hardly worth it.

Full overage on the bikes I drool over is just now becoming affordable at age 33 with a clean record. By affordable I mean not =/> 25% of the bikes value annually.

Originally Posted by Lanc3r

That must be liability only. Any bike worth money is going to be as expensive as a car, at least, for full coverage. Most sport bikes are considered totalled with any significant fairing damage.

.

Not my experience...I got a full coverage quote (with high limits) from Progressive on the new Harley model I want. It was a bit over $700.00 for the year on a $17.5K sticker bike.

Maybe it's lower because Harley riders aren't ripping around...only cruising.

Originally Posted by MMMM_ERT

Not my experience...I got a full coverage quote (with high limits) from Progressive on the new Harley model I want. It was a bit over $700.00 for the year on a $17.5K sticker bike.

Maybe it's lower because Harley riders aren't ripping around...only cruising.

The class of bike makes a huge difference.

I do.

Does this count?
<a href="http://www.untoldfilehost.com/#3164d934c91f977e9b37bb3f3d13ef81.jpg"><img src="http://www.untoldfilehost.com/files/3164d934c91f977e9b37bb3f3d13ef81.jpg "alt="Image hosting by UntoldFilehost.com" /></a>
75cc's of pure power!

Originally Posted by Lanc3r

The class of bike makes a huge difference.

Exactly, MMMM_ERT's isn't even considered a motorcycle.

Originally Posted by LuvThatSam

Nah, I was just thinking of allowing Darwin to teach me.



The motorcycle saftey programs are offered through CHP, right?

can't hear Darwin with a helmet on

LTS insurance is not really expensive for bikes. I pay $40 a month for full coverage. And that is for a $10k bike. If you get a bike that is worth much less then that will also bring your insurance down.

If you get an old bike like that 250, you might even consider just putting liability on it and that will drop it even lower.

Good luck on your search. But just hurry and get it, summer time is here.

On insurance, I have been with State Farm since I was 16... 27 years. I now own a home and 4 vehicles, one being a bike. I have only great things to say about them. I pay about $55/month on the Harley, which is 13 years old and has over 100k miles on it. I have very good liability: 250k/500k and $500 collision deductible, $250 comp.

I've had 2 major motorcycle claims with them in this time. One was a theft back in 1995. My 6 month old bike was stolen. They paid me more than I had into it, which included all the mods I did. The 2nd was a crash 2 years ago, 11yo bike with 97k miles... they paid out $6k without a question. I feared they'd total her because of the amount, but the adjuster said "i've seen 2yo bikes that aren't this clean, i can't believe this bike is that old." and cut me a check a couple days later. I did the repairs myself.

Anyway, I've been on the receiving end of a Progressive claim that had personal injury as well as vehicle damage to repair. It was unpleasant. They played dirty on the personal injury stuff, even after accepting responsibility and paying out thousands in property damage. Even my buddy who's in the business of saving insurance companies money said they were out of line. I have felt the urge to kill a few times in my life, this was one I thought I'd go thru with it.

Do the MSF course. I did the "teach yourself" method, and tho I have tons of experience now, some hard experience, the MSF course is a great way to see if you're m/c material. Dropping someone elses bike is also a good way to experience that before you are in a real situation on the road.

I say use the bike for recreation only. I know no one who commutes with it that hasn't been involved in a crash caused by some nimrod not paying attention. I hate riding in traffic, it's exhausting. Being on the open road is the only way to enjoy it. I find inner peace every time I ride that way. In fact, I feel a "therapy" session coming on as I type this.

Good luck on your search. But just hurry and get it, summer time is here.

It's pretty much a 12 month riding season out here on the left coast. When I started back in 1994, I'd ride rain or shine every weekend. Now I prioritize based on temperature and fog density.

I'd suggest nothing smaller than a 600 for you LTS. I have a friend who started on an EX500 a while back. Did a 10k mile trip around the US after grad school on it. It was a bit small for him at 5-11 and 175 pounds, but it worked. He got a BMW GS1100 after that.

You need to respect the machine at all costs. A snafu in judgement on 2 wheels is a much bigger problem than when you're caged up on 4. Even smart attentive people have incidents, it just happens. That said, I'm pretty sure there's two ways I'll stop riding: 1) "they'll" pry the grips from my cold dead hands, 2) I'm too old to get my leg over the seat and keep the bike vertical when stopped.

I hope to have my current bike as my last bike too. I figure I have 30+ years of riding left in me.

I've been riding dirtbikes since for about 7 years now. Ride woods and motocross but I enjoy enduro the most by far. Current bike is a 2007 KTM 250SX-F.

Originally Posted by jvr826

It's pretty much a 12 month riding season out here on the left coast. When I started back in 1994, I'd ride rain or shine every weekend. Now I prioritize based on temperature and fog density.

I'd suggest nothing smaller than a 600 for you LTS. I have a friend who started on an EX500 a while back. Did a 10k mile trip around the US after grad school on it. It was a bit small for him at 5-11 and 175 pounds, but it worked. He got a BMW GS1100 after that.

You need to respect the machine at all costs. A snafu in judgement on 2 wheels is a much bigger problem than when you're caged up on 4. Even smart attentive people have incidents, it just happens. That said, I'm pretty sure there's two ways I'll stop riding: 1) "they'll" pry the grips from my cold dead hands, 2) I'm too old to get my leg over the seat and keep the bike vertical when stopped.

I hope to have my current bike as my last bike too. I figure I have 30+ years of riding left in me.

I forget where you guys are. Here in NY we only get a few months of riding in.

And i also agree with the 600 or better but if its only 1k he will spend on a bike thats not bad to learn. But i did mention that he WILL get sick of it quick.

And great point about respecting the bike. That is a MUST at all costs. Any stupid mistake and chances are it will be something serious, versus to a car that you are caged up.

I don't ride anymore, but I had a Honda Nighthawk (great beginner bike) and an Aprilia RS50...I affectionately called it my "Killer 'priller". Technically a scooter, but looked like a sexy sportbike. Very flickable.


My husband has a '95? Ducati 900SS and a BMW R1100, also '95 or maybe '96 model.

I guess in a way you could say they're mine, too.

(I included pics of the umbrella girls at the '01 WSBK race in San Marino because I'm cool like that.)

Originally Posted by Melissa

I don't ride anymore, but I had a Honda Nighthawk (great beginner bike) and an Aprilia RS50...I affectionately called it my "Killer 'priller". Technically a scooter, but looked like a sexy sportbike. Very flickable.


My husband has a '95? Ducati 900SS and a BMW R1100, also '95 or maybe '96 model.

I guess in a way you could say they're mine, too.

(I included pics of the umbrella girls at the '01 WSBK race in San Marino because I'm cool like that.)

Nice bikes, and nice umbrella girls

Originally Posted by Melissa

I don't ride anymore, but I had a Honda Nighthawk (great beginner bike) and an Aprilia RS50...I affectionately called it my "Killer 'priller". Technically a scooter, but looked like a sexy sportbike. Very flickable.


My husband has a '95? Ducati 900SS and a BMW R1100, also '95 or maybe '96 model.

I guess in a way you could say they're mine, too.

(I included pics of the umbrella girls at the '01 WSBK race in San Marino because I'm cool like that.)

Why no more riding?

Great bikes, btw.

Originally Posted by LuvThatSam

Why no more riding?

Great bikes, btw.

I just lost interest. Typical chick, right?

And thanks

My main ride at the moment.

I do I do....my new ride:

The F800S/ST are a great bike! Congrats!

Here's a pic of my 07 R1200RT - just bought a 530xi last week. This is my first BMW automobile and enjoying having a two wheeled BMW as well as a 4 wheeled version.

Best advice heard for a new rider here has been to buy a used dirt bike to learn on. I would suggest a dual sport (street legal dirtbike, maybe a 250cc model which is very common). It's not a glamorous ride but you will learn A LOT in the dirt and this will make you a much better rider on the hard stuff.

Insurance can be VERY afffordable or VERY expensive based on the type of motorcycle, your age and your driving record. I was able to insure the $20k brand new RT for a little over $400 a year with full coverage year round because i am over 40, I don't file insurance claims, I have a good driving record, high credit score and because people don't crash BMW's very often. 25 years old with a spotty driving record looking to insure a sport bike may pay $2000 - $3000 a year or more. Do your homework on this one.

MSF course is really a must for all new riders - your life is well worth it and it is more enjoyable to ride if you are skilled and confident.

Ride on my brothers....

If you want a motorcycle.. get a real motorcycle. Never understand the idea behind these three wheel bikes (tricycle for adults?) If anyone's concern is the bike license, he/she should consider a roadster!!

Originally Posted by LmtdSlip

My main ride at the moment.

Thats hot.

I ride! NH is great for riding!

As far as insurance, less than $500 for my 2 on-road bikes, a $25k Harley Road King Classic with 110 ci engine and lots of goodies and a 10 year old Honda VTR1000F. My classic 1957 is still being restored, so only have comprehensive on that for now.

This is an old thread, and I am a new BMW car owner (at least the first one since 1968) so here is my picture taken at the FANTASTIC Vintage at the Vineyards gathering ....

1968 R60/2
1980 R65
1981 R100

http://picasaweb.google.com/rangert/...13269418042050

Granted, motorcycling is right up there with skydiving in the danger department, but once bitten, you're smitten. Having been a rider for about 40 years, I've learned some valuable lessons, not the least of which is the fact that one never stops learning! On a lark, last summer I rode from Topeka, Kansas to Nashville, TN in the driving rain on my R1150RT. I half expected to wipe out at least once, but the bike's stability was rock solid the entire distance. I was obliged to swerve to avoid being eaten by an inattentive trucker, but the bike forgave my oversteer. It is the no. 1 police department choice worldwide because of its stability and sturdy construction. It won't do 150, but 135 is plenty fast if needed (realistically, when is that - ever?).