Why I don't get a motorcycle.

Originally Posted by MMMM_ERT

Wow...I must be a God to handle a 1584cc bike...

Or very fat...

Originally Posted by Double-S

Or very fat...

Wrong

Originally Posted by BerkleyBMW

Not just Taiwan, but most of Europe as well.

let me get this right.... cars are manual and bikes are automatic!?!? hum.... it's like bizzaro USA!

Originally Posted by Double-S

If you're Asian I'd stick with the Ninja 250 for starters.

It's not very heavy so when you dump it you'll be able to pick it up no problem.

Also, they're lower so you won't be on your toes at the lights.

The 600 sportbike is way too much bike unless you plan on hitting the gym regularly and upping your protein intake.

Also, avoid red bikes, they're way too fast.

Hope that helps...

thanks for the advice! having gout attacks every so often, i guess it would suck to be on the toes at the light (OUCH!) or to pick up a heavy bike after ditching the b*tch. Double-S, you touched my heart like you touch other member's member here. Much thanks! :kisses:

Originally Posted by chivas

Double-S, you touched my heart like you touch other member's member here. Much thanks! :kisses:

Anytime.

As long as you understand that's the only thing I'm willing to touch.

Originally Posted by chivas

can i borrow the 250 when she's done? i needs to learn too. everyone around me rides except, well, me. someone told me to get a 600/650 right off the bat to learn on. yeah... right.

Where are you from? After she's done with it who knows what shape it'll be in!

I started on a 600, and have owned 3 of them so far, next will be 1000... I thought they were fine, as long as you respect the power and take extra precautions.

I also started on a Ninja 250... damned nice bike for a starter... light, easy and fun to ride. Also damned hard to get yourself a speeding ticket on unless you were going downhill

A 600 MAY be a decent bike to start, if you get the right one. It all comes down to gearing. However, most 600's are geared to be crotch rockets. Then again I had a 750 (Honda Nighthawk) that I rode around for ages that would've been a fabulous starter bike, too. It didn't have much welly down low, but you could keep up with traffic on the highway.

If I were learning to ride today, I'd probably get a Kawasaki ER-6N (http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Pro...?scid=6&id=430) or Kawasaki Versys (http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Pro...?scid=6&id=433)... not that I have a love for Kawasaki necessarily (though I do ride a Concours 14) but those are both damned nice bikes for not a huge outlay of cash. They'd both make decent starter bikes, but have enough oomph to stay up with traffic.

Oh... and need I say MSF course is a necessity?

Originally Posted by chivas

can i borrow the 250 when she's done? i needs to learn too. everyone around me rides except, well, me. someone told me to get a 600/650 right off the bat to learn on. yeah... right.

This is not a bad suggestion. Don't get a 600 I-4 supersport but there are plenty of tamer bikes in that size that are good starter bikes. Look at the Suzuki SV650. I'm sure Honda and Yamaha also have less sporty bikes in this size.

Another advantage of starting on a bike this size is you won't need to upgrade as your riding skills improve.

Thanks, Mike.

i like street fighters like Triple Speed or the Monster type. any suggestions on one of those starters? the Monster is not it; too expensive and while it does look nice, the Ducati name just doesn't strike me well.

Originally Posted by chivas

i like street fighters like Triple Speed or the Monster type. any suggestions on one of those starters? the Monster is not it; too expensive and while it does look nice, the Ducati name just doesn't strike me well.

The Speed Triple is a damned nice bike... but I would never recommend starting to ride on one of those! Good god, man! Seriously, that's a lot of bike for me, and I've been riding for years!

Again, take a look at the ER-6n for a street-fighter style bike... another good option (though used) would be the Honda 599... a classic street-fighter style 600cc bike that's a great starter option... or its big brother the 919. The latter is heavier and more powerful, but having ridden one I don't think it's too bad as a beginner bike so long as you have reasonable self-control

Originally Posted by chivas

i like street fighters like Triple Speed or the Monster type. any suggestions on one of those starters? the Monster is not it; too expensive and while it does look nice, the Ducati name just doesn't strike me well.

Check out the Suzuki Gladius... what's your price range? My thinking on the matter was: it didn't pay to spend $1500 on a bike i'd outgrow in 2 weeks, take a loss selling it, then dump three times that into a bigger bike. If you were to find an old CBR F2 600, it won't be nearly as fast as a new 600, probably a little dinged up in old age, and just a great bike to tool around with and learn the ropes. It also gets you prepared for handling bigger bikes, the weight difference is often the biggest obstacle to overcome, not the power.

I've ridden both the Honda 600rr and a 1000rr (about 14k miles on the 600, and about 5k on the 1000), and a 1300cc Hayabusa for about 5 miles. While you do notice the power gains, the weight was the biggest thing I noticed. Once you're up and moving it's hard to find a difference, but in town, making slow turns, that's where the differences come into play the most.

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Garbage. When you make the decision to ride a motorcycle this includes the risks. A good rider knows what's going on around him or her and rides defensively in high traffic areas. I rode for 5 years in the Detroit area and never came close to having an accident. I also never went 85 anywhere but on a freeway.

Thanks, Mike.

+1. Close to my retirement, I bought a K1200S to commute in the streets and freeways of Los Angeles. I also own a 1983 R100RS, the K1200 gives me more features for my added safety. In my lifetime, I probably have bought around 15 4wheelers and about 8 motorcycles. Out of the 15 4wheelers, only one (1) was not rear ended, my 2008 Honda Ridgeline which I just bought last year.

Prior to this truck was an 05 RED Titan, was rear-ended at a stop light in the middle of downtown L.A. This Toyota Corola (rental) wiped out his whole front end and partially lifted the rear end of my truck. The driver, from New York was on his cell phone. If I was riding my motorcycle that day, it would never happen because of I can always put the bike in more defensive position/s. Based on my riding and driving experiences, 4wheelers are sitting ducks. I have been riding since 16 years old and no accident on motorcycles.

Some people would like to have fun and ride motorcycles but afraid because of what they see happened to others. And those people who decided to limit the enjoyment of their lives because they are afraid to die, remember that we all die ultimately, regardless of what you do in life. Just think of some people who were jogging for their health, ran over by cars and die.

I only live once and I wanted to live this life to the fullest. I would never restrict my life with certain limitations at the expense of quality and full enjoyment.

chivas i would recomend a ninja500, it's a great starter bike, a little more power than the 250, and a little less that the 600. i liked the advice the guy at the dealer told me when i was lookin. see that zx650? yes. well if it's not as forgiving as this 500, if you accidently give too much throtlle, your on your ass, with this 500, the only your going to pop a wheelie is to stand on the back. i was sold. i love the 500, but i do like the nicer zx bikes, epecially the 10 and the 14. but i have realize that the only difference in these bikes other than handleing is that top speed and and how fast you can get there. and ridding at 55 mph at first seems like warp speed.
here are a few other things also to consider about ridin in the city, really cagers(cars) don't see you. so you learn where the horn is real fast, and really you become so more aware of everything around you. the mos pita thing is stupid cars ridin your back tire, and the most irratating thing, there on your back tire at stop lights. wtf.
that's another thing, you will be more aware at stop sign, or lights, because those crazy nuts look like they are not going to stop. i'm surprised that i haven't wore out my tail light yet.

^^^^ You forgot to mention the cars that decide to merge into your lane without looking

that's the part where you learn where the horn is. and yes i've had to do that quite a few times. i've even one day had to turn around behind me while riding, and throw a fit with the minivan behind me. i was like stuck behind a car, double lanes, and a car in front of him, and you know you need your space to stop or dive around, or sumthin, if they stop for some reason, and i keept hitting the brake lights to get them to back off, enough was enough. they did back off after that, i though wow what power, considering they were on 4 wheels and out weighed me.

Sometimes even the horn doesnt' work, I was forced into the tiny shoulder to the left of the fast lane next to the cement barrier on Palisades Parkway in NY state... Kept on the horn and the driver didn't realize it for almost a whole minute... felt like a day... car behind and infront of the DB that pinned me there too so I had no where to go. People just don't watch. NJ has tried to do a few things to make drivers more aware, they printed a photo of a bike on the back of all vehicle inspection stickers that says watch out for motorcycles, not a bad idea.. is it working? Probably not. It's a risk we all take, and have to ride with the understanding that these idiots could take us out anytime.

that's so true. people just don't pay close enough attention to bikes. it's the risk to ride, but when you find the right conditions, it's worth it.
i don't know how many days at work, it was a beautifull day, just right, and everytime i'd walk by my bike, she was like beggin to be ridden. she's trouble. then i get sad, and then at 5, i find the longest route home. i've told my wife plenty of times. that ridding a bike, gives a certain freedom that's really hard to describe.

Very true, it's an addiction and you can't explain it to someone who doesn't ride. I was rear ended on a friend's CBR at around 25 mph while sitting still.. the Medics told me I was crazy to ride again... I was on my bike the next day in pain, well i'm stubborn as well.. haha. The pleasure is well worth the risks involved.

Originally Posted by chivas

i like street fighters like Triple Speed or the Monster type. any suggestions on one of those starters? the Monster is not it; too expensive and while it does look nice, the Ducati name just doesn't strike me well.

What a little european company that keeps winning at MotoGP and WSB inspite of the fact that the asian's spend a whole lot more on their race teams.

The monster 620 is a great starter bike. My wife will never give up hers, it's just to much fun.
If you drop it, that just's an excuse to star modding.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php

Originally Posted by 3beemers

...And those people who decided to limit the enjoyment of their lives because they are afraid to die, remember that we all die ultimately, regardless of what you do in life. Just think of some people who were jogging for their health, ran over by cars and die.

I only live once and I wanted to live this life to the fullest. I would never restrict my life with certain limitations at the expense of quality and full enjoyment.

Your take on Life reminds of a line in one of Mel Gibson's movies:

"Everyone dies. But not everyone truly lives".

Scooters are also pretty popular in the states, but nothing compared to Europe.

starting with a 600cc is not a bad idea...as long as you take it slow you shouldn't have a problem...and ride with people you can trust

The problem with 600cc and plus sport bikes is that you won't ride slow. The thing is designed in such a way that makes you feel like 40mph when you are really going 60mph. It takes will power to control the urge that comes from your right hand when you are on the bike.

Originally Posted by Bremen Ben

The problem with 600cc and plus sport bikes is that you won't ride slow. The thing is designed in such a way that makes you feel like 40mph when you are really going 60mph. It takes will power to control the urge that comes from your right hand when you are on the bike.

its all in the mind...just because you have a bigger bike doesn't mean you wanna go fast and race everytime you ride it...and if u start with a bigger bike and your smart enough you'll take it slow unless your not thinking about your personal health

That was a sad story and a reminder to watch the speed approaching junctions.

I ride a motorcycle almost every day and try to expect a car or truck to turn in front at any moment. I also drive a car and hope I never turn in front of a bike myself.

Riding is more dangerous but I'd rather be riding my bike than driving the car (although many of you here would think thats because I drive a MB C240!).

We are about to trade in the C240 for a 328i Convertible. Which will I want to take out then - the car or the bike?