Motorcycles: What do you like?

[Odysseus]

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...6/Default.aspx

--I found this bad little scooter and I thought what a smart way to beat up on gas prices on the cheap. Colorado isn't California so there are some days when I should not be out there but why not? What do you guy think?

---I debated Harley Fat boy custom yellow and ape hangers. I debated Honda Valkerye bright red and trimmed out. I think this bike isn't the best bike out there and certainly isn't a Ducati or a Kawasaki ZRX 1200R but for the price? I don't know. It's like a cruel twist of fate. Everytime I get hopped up for a bike a "reason" always comes up not to pick on up.

--Who rides? What do you like?

[RhymesayersDU]

I don't ride... but if I had the money, I'd make Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. whip me up something at Orange County Chopper.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

I don't ride... but if I had the money, I'd make Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. whip me up something at Orange County Chopper.

I love the work those guys do but I do not ride choppers. I'd rather travel by flying monkey than ride a chopper. It's safer and easier to explain.

It's like taking a perfectly good off road vehicle and making it a low rider. I just don't get it. How is connecting the base of your spine to a hunk of metal and dragging it over every bump on the road good common sense?

I'm surprised more people are not resorting to scooters. That whole industry is starting to emerge. I don't know. Scooter versus Hotrod in Ford 3500 Diesel with mud flaps. I don't know. Which direction was the scooter going?

(Come on Hotrod. You know you like Ford!)

[heydensmom]

From an insurance angle, stay away from the sport bikes...but if you want one of those type they way around it is buell. That's what my husband has...he rides I don't I hate them. But with a certain insurance company, they don't list it as a sport bike and the rates are lower.

[SteveTensi13]

Harley Davidson Electra-Glide, thats my ride!!

[zdoor]

I ride a Harley Road King Classic and love it.

[rbackfactory80]

Honda Spree

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by heydensmom

From an insurance angle, stay away from the sport bikes...but if you want one of those type they way around it is buell. That's what my husband has...he rides I don't I hate them. But with a certain insurance company, they don't list it as a sport bike and the rates are lower.

I heard that insurance companies did the same thing with BMW. Is that true? Buell is actually a lot of bike.

[heydensmom]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

I heard that insurance companies did the same thing with BMW. Is that true? Buell is actually a lot of bike.

I'm not sure about BMW, didn't write to many BMW cycles....I'm outta the personal lines game so I can't check for you. I *think* his Buell is 1200cc...not sure....Less than some of the big harley's that are 1340. If you find a bike you like call your agent see the price of insurance, most people don't...buy the bike and then realize it costs them over 1500 a year for insurance...and they pissed at me..

[dbfan4life]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

I heard that insurance companies did the same thing with BMW. Is that true? Buell is actually a lot of bike.

Your insurance expert chiming in here...the company I work for uses cc's as the rating factor. Also whether or not the engine is turbo charged plays a factor. Motorcyle insurance is cheapest when your a rider over 25 and can insure your bike with the same company that insures your other vehicles. I don't know if all companies give the reduced rate for insuring other vehicles but the one I work for does.

[heydensmom]

Originally Posted by dbfan4life

Your insurance expert chiming in here...the company I work for uses cc's as the rating factor. Also whether or not the engine is turbo charged plays a factor. Motorcyle insurance is cheapest when your a rider over 25 and can insure your bike with the same company that insures your other vehicles. I don't know if all companies give the reduced rate for insuring other vehicles but the one I work for does.

also if you have homeowners or renters insurance along with your auto's with the same company that's another potential break.

[stanky76]

Here's a picture of my Scoot - 2002 HD Deuce, Stage 1 Kit, Pipes, and CHROME. This picture is the same pic I use as my Avatar on HDForum.

[scorpio]

Originally Posted by heydensmom

From an insurance angle, stay away from the sport bikes...but if you want one of those type they way around it is buell. That's what my husband has...he rides I don't I hate them. But with a certain insurance company, they don't list it as a sport bike and the rates are lower.

If I were to buy a sport bike, I would get a Buell. Hands down.

[Dutch]

Hey QT,
There is a lot more to it than meets the eye. What kind of riding will you be doing? How much experience do you have? How are you built? Where will you ride? One of the great things about the times we live in is that Motorcycles are not only better than ever, but also much more specialized. What you want out of a bike is out there in a form that will appeal to your idea of "perfect". Just a matter of figuring out what that is. If you are a new or re-entry rider from a long layoff, I'd recommend staying away from a new one. There are dozens of good models of bikes that can be had, ridden for a year then sold for the same money you laid out for them that make a great way to get up to speed with your skills without risking learning curve drops on a new bike. I've owned 32 motorcyclesw of every different type. Raced both motocross ( in Japan ) and roadracing ( WERA ). I do around 12-15K a year on my streetbikes. If you have an open mind and are interrested, I'd be glad to assist. Feel free to drop me an E-mail. I can hook you up with some great resources for doing your homework and getting started.

Post,
Dutch

By the way, be sure to take an MSF (or equivelent ) course. It will get you up to speed on how your current bike behaves in extreme situations, and will save you from 20-40% on most insurence rates.

[delany]

BMW 1150 GS Adventure.

I NEED that bike.

[Conklin]

sports bike here, then again, i ride a 01 gsx

[stanky76]

Originally Posted by Dutch

By the way, be sure to take an MSF (or equivelent ) course. It will get you up to speed on how your current bike behaves in extreme situations, and will save you from 20-40% on most insurence rates.

I couldn't agree more with Dutch - I was an experienced rider with 9 years under my belt when I took my first course and i'm here to tell you that I was doing ALOT of things wrong!!!!

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by scorpio

If I were to buy a sport bike, I would get a Buell. Hands down.

Uh, maybe the new dual sport looking one or the race only model. Otherwise, I'd sell it if you gave it to me. No I'm not a Harley basher, I've owned 2. Course I'll never own another, but that is a cruiser thing...not a Harley thing.

Post,
Dutch

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by stanky76

I couldn't agree more with Dutch - I was an experienced rider with 9 years under my belt when I took my first course and i'm here to tell you that I was doing ALOT of things wrong!!!!

I was actually an instructor when I was in the Marines for the MSF. You had to take their course to get a base sticker. You would not believe the number of people that refuse to believe counter steering works.


Dutch

[Ratboy]

I love Ninja's.



I want one of these.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by delany

BMW 1150 GS Adventure.

I NEED that bike.

I'll always have a soft spot for that one as well. I owned mine for 6 months and sold it to a buddy that couldn't ride sportbikes anymore & wanted to do more 2 up with the wife. He still has it and has put down 25K on it in three years. We ended up enjoying my '99 Triumph Sprint ST for 2 up so much, I just couldn't justify the garage space ( or an additional insurence policy for that matter). She likes the fact that I get down out of her field of vision a bit more on the Sprint. That way she can see what is coming without having to lean out or just look at the sides of the road.

Post,
Dutch

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Ratboy

I love Ninja's.



I want one of these.

I just bought one of these:

http://www.triumph675.net/wallp/mcusa675_089w.jpg

It is a very, very, very bad afliction.....

[Den Smith 49]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Hey QT,

By the way, be sure to take an MSF (or equivelent ) course. It will get you up to speed on how your current bike behaves in extreme situations, and will save you from 20-40% on most insurence rates.

I just got my first bike last fall, 81 Honda Silverwing 500. I've been trying to go to the Basic Rider/motorcycle safety course in my area. They are booked through September.

Have to show up each weekend to hope someone doesn't show. Wish I could find somewhere else to take it. If they are so booked up they should have more classes.

[Den Smith 49]

Originally Posted by Ratboy

I love Ninja's.



I want one of these.

I'm 39 so maybe I'm just an old fart, but those crotch rockets look uncomfortable as hell. Must have been a chiropracter who thought of that design.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Den Smith 49

I just got my first bike last fall, 81 Honda Silverwing 500. I've been trying to go to the Basic Rider/motorcycle safety course in my area. They are booked through September.

Have to show up each weekend to hope someone doesn't show. Wish I could find somewhere else to take it. If they are so booked up they should have more classes.

Same problem everywhere. It really boils down to not enough instructors/people willing/able to devote the time. I haven't been current with my cert in a few years. No time, plus the reqirements to keep it updated make it a bit of a pita. The Marine Corps sent me to the school or I don't think I'd have ever been able to devote the time to it you need to do it well. Hell, the ole' USMC sent my little bro to California Superbike School ( I could'a killed him for that one)! He was a motorcycle MP in The Suck and they had just purchased Yamaha YZF 1000 sportbikes to use in Okinawa to try and cut down/keep up with the "Squids" running all over the Island on sportbikes. He didn't have to run many down, but he had a blast for 2 years doing it! Just so you know, the taxpayers got their moneys worth out of both of us. He did 12 months security in Saudi durring D-Storm/Shield. I did 14 in that one, 8 months of which I rode a Kawi KRX-650 as the "Pony Express" delivering mail to my Recon unit at the front. Stories, stories....another time.

Post,
Dutch