I too entertained the thought of getting a motorcycle...the idea gets snuffed quickly if you are married!

A bike dealer friend told me that part of the danger of riding the streets on a bike is that people were NEVER trained to watch for motorcycles in driver's ed...just other cars and trucks. To most of us, a motorcycle is simply a bicycle with an engine on it, and the physics of evasive maneuvers is never taken into account when pulling out in front of one.

I will admit that I have nearly clipped a motorcycle or two while changing lanes, just from the mere fact that they are just not that visible while alongside...especially in an SUV!

By all means as other poster noted...WEAR A HELMET!!! Next door neighbor's brother wiped out on his w/o a helmet on. Survived the accident, but had 1/4 of his grey matter surgically removed!

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

When you're a family man, it is an added consideration in placing your life and limb in the danger zone of MC riding. It is a shame that the fun and fuel savings riding an MC is offset by it's danger.

__________________
'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

My first bike was a 98 sportster 883 I bought brand new, cash, when I moved down to florida in '98.
I rode it around until just last year, but I will tell you. You do outgrow the lower cc's pretty fast.
I just bought a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad for $7500.

In the 13 years I have been riding I have seen many people go down. Some loss of limbs. Some long hospital stays. The reason all the time is speeding. Eradic lane changing. Cutting the lanes. Basically stupid riding.
Your riding style will directly reflect just how safe you are.
I'm the right lane sometimes laft lane, 5 over the limit rider. I had to stop riding with some people because they wouldn't slow down. And I just heard that one of them was in a serious accident. He had a speeding problem for sure.

My advice is go get a bike and enjoy it! Take an advanced riding class.

Go to your local bike shop to pick out a bike. Asking around here won't get you very far, imo.

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

Perhaps you should watch the Top Gear Vietnam special. Clarkson is pretty damning about motorcycles.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Very true, asking the opinions of folks who don't ride is a waste of time.

You don't have to have ever "ridden one" to know or learn about the dangers of MCs - thusly, all opinions have value. Especially since some may not be aware of the dangers involved riding them in the first place.

__________________
'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Millions of people log millions of miles on motorcycles every year, let's not get all hysterical.

Some folks are hysterical, they are simply afraid of everyone and everything. I'm never sure whether to ignore them or pity them, but I'm certainly not going to let them get in my way.

Well, I admit it is dangerous, but it isn't like, some mass slaughter going on. It's all a question of developing the right habits. At intersections, watch the car's wheels, not the driver's face, if it moves even a little bit, blast the horn. Don't ride on Friday and Saturday evenings where the bars are. Get up at the crack of dawn if you have a long trip planned so you can get the majority of the riding done before the cars hit the road. Don't take any riders, unless their ass is as narrow as the seat (some allow some overlap) ........

Life is dangerous. I've been ridding for close to 40 years without any serious injuries. Just pay attention to what you're doing and don't worry about it. If you think you need to take extreme precautions, why bother riding; you might as well buy a RV and take up golf.

How far are you from Red River, New Mexico? I hear they have a great rally over Memorial Day.

Not close enough, I'll be working in VT that week.

That's a nice area, been through there a few times.

Smaller bikes, if you fit well, can do the job if you are just looking for basic transport. Not everybody is cut out for a 1.8 liter boy racer crotch rocket. Buy used smaller bike, see if you like riding/fits your need/not scared of it. Ride for a while and get your level up. GO DIRT RIDING on somebody's dirt bike; you will learn a lot from it on handling odd situations in less than perfect traction.

500-650 cc UJM is perfect for most situations. great mileage, low insurance, low theft rate etc. If you find later you want to impress yourself or others, look at the big bikes. starting on one is less than smart, most 1 liter + bikes (except Harleys) will do some fairly unrecoverable stuff at a fairly quick pace, if you grab a handful of throttle without thinking at the bike's performance level. Remember, lots of the super bikes offer speed and acceleration at levels only offered by race only bikes not so long ago. Not saying they are unsafe or you should not own one, but know what you are getting into. A bike that will wheelie going into 6th gear at over 115 mph is not a bike for a beginner, or a toy.

If you want to get a bike that you can usually get your money back on, get a Harley, or maybe a BMW.

About an hour ago, I rode then made an offer on a GSXR1300R.


Suzuki Hayabusa.... O_O

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

That's a bit much for a first bike. Good luck and be careful.

My first motorcycle ride on a public highway was on a 984 cc Buell. I eventually decided it would be more prudent to go with something smaller, hence my 250 Ninja. If/when that gets to be not enough (the speed limit after all is still 75), I'll probably be looking for a Ducati Monster.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.