Thinking of getting a motorcycle... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #31 03-04-2011, 03:00 PM

Disagree. Underpowered MCs are extremely dangerous. They are potential deathtraps on the street.

Start at the top, then if you don't like it, or you can't handle the speed and quickness. Sell it. I've never heard a true bike guy say; "my bike is too quick/fast - I need to sell it." He would be laughed at for such a silly statement. If you are afraid of reserve power - that's another subject.

Here's why:
Having more power at your disposal is where it's at - when you want OR need it. If you are afraid to use that power, speed and quickness, it's another story. I want the fastest bike around, because if it's not - it gets old real quick as I wrote. There's only (2) bikes I've ever rode in my younger years that came close to being quick enough for me - and only one of them had the top end speed to be considered fast. Both Japanese bikes.

The Honda Rebel would not be my idea of a roadworthy motorcycle, in any circumstances. Simply put - you are in grave danger when you can't even keep up with or get out of the way fast in traffic flows. A Rebel puts you in that danger kill zone in traffic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

I've put some research into this myself. After scouring lots of motorcycling web sites, I keep reading from different people in different places that the best way to start is to buy a 250 (new or used-they're pretty inexpensive either way), use it to learn for the first few months, then buy something bigger after you have a better idea of what kind of rider you are and what you really want in a bike. Bonus-you can usually turn around and sell the 250 beginner bike for about as much as you paid for it.

That much being said, does anybody have a Honda Rebel near Reno that they're looking to get rid of

cjlipps · #32 03-04-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Disagree. Underpowered MCs are extremely dangerous. They are potential deathtraps on the street.

Start at the top, then if you don't like it, or you can't handle the speed and quickness. Sell it. I've never heard a true bike guy say; "my bike is too quick/fast - I need to sell it." He would be laughed at for such a funny statement. If you are afraid of reserve power - that's another subject.

Here's why:
Having more power at your disposal is where it's at - when you want OR need it. If you are afraid to use that power, speed and quickness, it's another story. I want the fastest bike around, because if it's not - it gets old real quick as I wrote. There's only (2) bikes I've ever rode in my younger years that came close to being quick enough for me - and only one of them had the top end speed to be considered fast. Both Japanese bikes.

The Honda Rebel would not be my idea of a roadworthy motorcycle, in any circumstances. Simply put - you are in grave danger when you can't even keep up with or get out of the way fast in traffic flows. A Rebel puts you in that danger kill zone in traffic.

I ain't got the words.....thankfully the bold portion of this post is so stupid I don't need them.

Skid Row Joe · #33 03-04-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjlipps

I ain't got the words.....thankfully the bold portion of this post is so stupid I don't need them.

That's not much of an arguement. Heh!

If your 240D is your idea of performance - then I can see where you're coming from.

cjlipps · #34 03-04-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

UJM would best suit his needs.

Agreed that they are generally good bikes. The problem arises when one needs maintenance or repair. The cost of parts and/or labor frequently exceeds the value of an older machine. The airhead is the two-wheeled equivalent of a 240D. User-serviceable, long-lasting and immune from depreciation with proper care.

Hatterasguy · #35 03-04-2011, 03:24 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-ar93wpTE&feature=related

I found a video of Justin doing his training!

iwrock · #36 03-04-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz-ar93wpTE&feature=related

I found a video of Justin doing his training!

Your crazy!

For something like that, give me 4 wheels and a ton of metal please.

RadioTek · #37 03-04-2011, 03:57 PM

With 30+ years of experience, I must strongly, but respectfully, disagree with Skid. Start out on a lower displacement as appropriate for your weight, beginner bike, learn how to control, brake, steer, maintain, etc... Then move up to a larger displacement as appropriate for your riding style.

There are differences between between types of bikes having the same displacement. Such as a cruiser or a crotch rocket. Both may have an equal displacement, but the characteristics and purposes are much different.

WEAR A HELMET! As others have said, take a MSF class, or other basic riding class. That way you have someone that may be able to keep you from making a few of the basic mistakes.

As you mature, it really isn't about the speed; It's about getting there in one piece.

jgranzier · #38 03-04-2011, 04:23 PM

DONT BUY A BIKE

Are you married ?- it's selfish
Have kids ?- it's way selfish

I'm certain a bike is intoxicating fun BUT , you have people txt , driving ,talking on the phone. 16 year old girls yaking ,txtn - then they get a txt from a boy they like........

riding a bike is the one thing you can do 110% correct and still die

you want to be dependent on someone else changing your diaper the rest of your life?

Feeding you ?

Like the open air , something fun to drive , buy a convertible :

PaulC · #39 03-04-2011, 05:36 PM

Yup, start at the top. This guy did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEBCTIlfMow

kip Foss · #40 03-04-2011, 05:54 PM

At 68 I know that what I will say is going to fall on deaf ears exactly as what my father told me 50 years ago when I got my first bike but I will give you my 2 cents worth anyway.

Motorcycles are death waiting to happen. I have gone through 8 of them, I have ridden all over the States and Europe, have had my fair share of accidents and can tell you in all honesty that there is no redeeming aspect of a motorcycle on the highway. Dirt bikes are another thing but the minute you put that bike on the highway you are on a down hill slope to the grave. You can rationalize all you want about it being cheaper to ride to and from work but you have to calculate into that the higher risk and cost of an accident. An accident that you could easily walk away from in a car can at best kill you on a bike and at worse will make you a vegetable. The cost of long term care can run $300k a year. All the insurance in the world will not replace you as a husband and father. The only thing it will do is make your widow rich and more attractive to another guy. You want some gold digger raising your kids?

At the last place I worked we lost 5 men to bike accidents in about 4 years. Only one accident was caused by rider error. If you are over about 40 years old your reactions and awareness has degrades much more than you think. No matter what you do you will never be as quick as you were when you were 20. All it takes is a small patch of gravel or oil on a corner and you are dead meat. Drivers in America are slightly more aware of bikes that they were in my day but they are still far short of European drivers. Saying that I was T-boned in England in 1971.

I have often wanted to get another bike but when that feeling starts I take a close look at my road rash scars, the scar of a hole I had knocked in my head, and the scar in my side where a handlebar stabbed me, the scar of a broken leg, and the scar on my upper lip that nearly cost me the lower part of my face. None of these accidents was really my fault but in the long run it doesn't really matter whose fault it was I still got the scars.

If you want to put it all in perspective sit back and think of how many people will be affected if you die. You can't be so selfish as to think no one will care.

dynalow · #41 03-04-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

You'll wish you had bought a bigger bike in about 90 days.

Anything under 1200 CC's is for wimps.

Yup

Skid Row Joe · #42 03-04-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadioTek

With 30+ years of experience, I must strongly, but respectfully, disagree with Skid. Start out on a lower displacement as appropriate for your weight, beginner bike, learn how to control, brake, steer, maintain, etc... Then move up to a larger displacement as appropriate for your riding style.

There are differences between between types of bikes having the same displacement. Such as a cruiser or a crotch rocket. Both may have an equal displacement, but the characteristics and purposes are much different.

WEAR A HELMET! As others have said, take a MSF class, or other basic riding class. That way you have someone that may be able to keep you from making a few of the basic mistakes.

As you mature, it really isn't about the speed; It's about getting there in one piece.

IMHO, and with 40+ years of experience you're not making much of an arguement there against buying a capable, well powered machine - if that is what a guy wants. The power is there for when it is needed. Perhaps you do not have experience with super-output motorcycles? They are a handful, but nothing many guys could not control with a little practice.

A motorcycle that cannot get out of it's own way isn't fit for the street anyway. The reason why, is because a motorcycle has no crash protection. If your answer is to ride a small underpowered one in rush hour traffic, and that is what you personally feel is what you can comfortably control, that's great. But it doesn't make sense. If you can't handle a motorcycle of any size/power on the streets, that's an issue in and of itself. One then needs to learn how to handle one in the first place.

You don't need to own a motorcycle to learn to ride one either - just not true. Bikes are available with rider courses with a lot more power than you think - and you don't have to buy them. Rentals are available most anywhere if one needs an MC classification, and needs to get it with their state.

Bikes are exactly like sporty cars - there's nothing worse than an underpowered one. If the guy wants a mo-ped-like scooter to commute with, more power to him - whatever he feels comfortable with is up to him. I prefer the high-performance models in the 1,200 cc+ range - they just rock-on a whole lot better for me. I've been riding MCs since 16 yrs. old, so it's second nature to me riding 'em fast and hard. Not everyone likes the power as I do.

Skid Row Joe · #43 03-04-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

You'll wish you had bought a bigger bike in about 90 days. Anything under 1200 CC's is for wimps.

That's what I was going to say.....but didn't.

Skid Row Joe · #44 03-04-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

What good does life insurance do? You ain't gonna get to collect it. First, see if your employer offers long term/short term disability insurance. Given the risks of motorcycling, it is the smartest thing in the world to have. Believe it or not, your risk of being maimed for life are a lot higher than just being killed. Ah, don't mention the motorcycle to the insurance people....

I have three motorcycles. My "commuter" bike is a 2009 Honda VTX 1300. It is water cooled, which means if you get stuck in the kind of traffic we have in Houston, you're engine doesn't fry. It's also a powerful and comfortable bike, on the down side, the thing drives like a truck. I also have a 2004 Sportster 1200 XLC, which I also use for puttering around town. It's all souped up with all kinds of crap, which you have to do or the rice burners will make you eat $hit. Sportsters handle like a dream.

You can pick up all kinds of nice used Sportsters for five grand or less, they are a great bike if you want to ride a Harley cheap, and if you are looking to get laid. Ricers never get any, Hoggers get it all the time.

I also have a 2010 Heritage Softail. I usually only ride it to rallies or on long bike trips, mainly because I don't want to run up the miles on the little jewel.

You can't go wrong with any of the Honda's, great bikes, extremely reliable, and dirt cheap used. Either a Honda V twin or a Sportster fits your 8 grand budget.

Good input!

HAD NO IDEA YOU WERE A BIKER TOO!

Although I respect the Harley-Davidson products and company - in fact, two years ago, Berkshire-Hathaway, Inc. granted Harley-Davidson a loan for a whopping $300,000,000.00 dollars @ 15% APR

after they asked for one. I of course believe they have a strong franchise and a viable product. If they default - shazzam, Berkshire owns part of HD!

However, where I part ways is the riding experience. I want it quick and manueverable - neither of which a Harley-Davidson is. They're not supposed to be either. So, that is NOT knocking them - they're just not high-performance enough for my riding wants & needs.

The Japanese 4 cylinder 1,200 cc+ superbikes do it for me - nothing is the rush of one rockin' on down the freeway or anywhere, really. They have the speed and quickness I need in a bike, 'cause that's just the way I roll!

Jim B. · #45 03-04-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

... dangerous. They are potential deathtraps on the street.

Start at the top, then if you don't like it, or you can't handle the speed and quickness. Sell it. Here's why:
Having more power at your disposal is where it's at - when you want OR need it. If you are afraid to use that power, speed and quickness, it's another story..

Simply put - you are in grave danger when you can't even keep up with or get out of the way fast in traffic flows. A Rebel puts you in that danger kill zone in traffic.

Post that up in Diesel Discussion. I dare you.

When all the 220D and 240D drivers come to get you, tell you what: I''ll gladly officiate at your public crucifixion if they ask me to.

We'll pay for the flowers out of petty cash.