Back Into Motorcycles

[El Tejon]

Let's say your looking to get back into motorcycles after last having one nearly twenty (20) years ago in undergrad (Kawasaki Vulcan 400) because . . . well . . . because you want one, let's say.   You really don't have a specific purpose, just ride around, including the highway, not just your city.

Honda Rebel?

Suzuki Savage?

Kawasaki Vulcan 500?

*edited because I am a moron and did not spell Suzuki correctly for some reason*

[bedlamite]

Don't listen to anyone that says "You have to get a ______". Go sit on a few, take the MSF course (even if you still remember how to ride, you'll definitely be rusty) then get one that speaks to you.

[El Tejon]

Go to a rental range, handle a bunch of guns, shoot them, and buy one that you like best?

[lupinus]

That formula works well for about everything but women IMO

[Iain]

Don't listen to anyone that says "You have to get a ______". Go sit on a few, take the MSF course (even if you still remember how to ride, you'll definitely be rusty) then get one that speaks to you.

I'm sure that's great advice, but still I walked past a parked Triumph Speed Triple today. Wow.

[Monkeyleg]

What do you want to use the bike for? Taking sharp turns quickly, cruising down streets and highways, taking trips, going off-road, or something else?

I agree with the notion of trying the bike first. Too many I know bought too small a bike, too many too large a bike, and too many bought a bike that didn't suit their purposes.

[Gewehr98]

I walked past a parked Triumph Speed Triple today

Buddy of mine has a Speed Triple.

It's parked - a lot.

Especially at the Triumph dealership, getting worked on.  :|

[gunsmith]

DRZ 400!

[Strings]

Whatever you do, there's a balance you want: enough power to get you out of dodge, but not more power than you can handle...

And really, there IS no "right bike for everyone". Bedlamite swears by his sport bike, but I can't ride one more than a couple miles before I'm sore. Find the one that's right for you...

[Marnoot]

Not going to tell you what to get, but I will give a positive review to the Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It's a good little beast. Accelerates more than fast enough with my 165 lbs on it and doesn't have any trouble getting up to freeway speeds. It's certainly no touring bike, no hog, and no sports bike, but for getting around town and between towns, it's a good, comfortable ride.

[Nightfall]

Yamaha R1? 

Seriously though, the MSF course. Best advice you'll probably get on this thread. Also, what's a Sizuki? 

[RoadKingLarry]

First, before you do anything else go and take the MSF Basic Rider Course.

Then decide on what kind of riding you intend to do.

Then hit the internet forums and ask lots of questions. With the understanding that you will get as much or more BS about motorcycle brands as you do about firearms on a gun board.

[280plus]

Look at the beemers too. last time I saw them at a show they impressed me the most qualtiy vs price. Less than 1/2 the cost of a HD for instance. This area is just too congested with 99 44/100% idiots driving around. I haven't ridden in at least that long myself. Too easy to get squished by a whitehead in a caddy 'round here. 

 

[Nick1911]

First, before you do anything else go and take the MSF Basic Rider Course.

Yes, there is an excellent course held in your area, which I have personally been to.  They fill up fast, so get checking into that.  Last I checked, it was $75, and oh so worth it.

When I took it, the course was held at the INOK warehouses up on 52.  (AKA, Purdue Salvage)

[Gewehr98]

That's why I haven't ridden my bikes in almost 10 years. 

In Florida, we called Cadillacs w/blue-haired drivers "Cataracts".   

[MillCreek]

I was out riding yesterday on a rural two lane road.  I was driving the speed limit of 30 miles per hour.  About fifty feet ahead, I noticed an elderly couple driving a mid-size sedan approaching me in the oncoming lane.  I could see the driver looking at me.  Without any signal, the car turned across right into my lane when it was about 35 feet in front of me.  I vigorously applied the brakes, the driver of the car froze and came to a dead stop, blocking my lane, and I was able to swerve around her unscathed.  As I rolled past the car, the driver and elderly male passenger were staring at me open-mouthed.  I should point out that I was wearing my fluorescent neon-green Olympia AST jacket, and both my helmet and DR650 are liberally festooned with reflective fluorescent neon-green tape. 

Just like when I am riding one of my bicycles, I assume they are trying to kill me on the motorcycles, too.

[Monkeyleg]

For years I managed to be in southern Montana when the Beemer riders had their annual meet and, from talking to many of them, Beemers have just as many problems as Harley's.

That said, BMW's don't hold their value as much as Harley's, so you can get a newer used one in great shape for a lot less than an HD.

A neighbor bought the 1100 LT (I think that was the model) when it came out. He had to take it back to the dealership because the ABS system on the brakes wasn't working. The dealer "fixed" the problem, but the system caught fire and did a lot of damage to the bike. When he took it back to the dealership, the hydraulic side stand collapsed while they were looking at the bike, causing much more damage.

I heard many horror stories like this from people at the meet, just like HD riders (the ones who tell the truth, anyway).

[wuluf]

Just my $.02, don't get a Rebel.  They're great starter bikes, but you'll outgrow it way fast.  The Savage is a great first bike, so is a Bandit.  Just be careful, the re-entry riders are the highest accident demographic out there...

[280plus]

Thanks ML, I was hoping someone would pop in and give the lowdown on them. Looking at them at a show and owning one are two entirely different things I'm sure. I hear the cars are not much better so I was kind of wonering about the bikes in that aspect. Good to know.

[Ryan in Maine]

Tough to go wrong with the Suzuki S40. I hear careful driving will push 80mpg. I'd look for a blue '07.

[Monkeyleg]

Thanks ML, I was hoping someone would pop in and give the lowdown on them. Looking at them at a show and owning one are two entirely different things I'm sure. I hear the cars are not much better so I was kind of wonering about the bikes in that aspect. Good to know.

I wasn't saying that BMW's aren't good bikes, just that they're not any more reliable than Harley's.

The cars have the same lower resale problem as the bikes. It's the same with Mercedes. Parts are so expensive that people tend to get rid of the machines once they're out of warranty.

[Stand_watie]

DRZ 400!

I bought one of those this spring. I like it, but it's tall for me. I'm going to have to modify the seat to make it a comfortable ride. I'm 5'10".

[MillCreek]

I am the same height.  I tried a DRZ400 for size and also felt it was too tall.  I did not want to end up dropping it at a traffic light.  I went with the DR650 instead with the lowering kit.

[Stand_watie]

I am the same height.  I tried a DRZ400 for size and also felt it was too tall.  I did not want to end up dropping it at a traffic light.  I went with the DR650 instead with the lowering kit.

Do you like that? I understand I can  lower my 400 1 inch by adjusting the shocks, and another two inches with a custom seat....

[Noxx]

When I was a kid, I always wanted a V-max.

Last year, when it was time to buy a bike again after almost five years on four wheels, I said WTH, I'm getting me that damn Vmax. I did, and I love the hell out of it, despite all of its weird requirements.

Guess my advice is, a motorcycle isn't a logical purchase, so logic be damned, buy what moves you