[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I want a Motorcycle! (Page 3 of 4)
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Quoted: Go buy yourself a clapped out FXR. Don't listen to these boomer fudds, have yourself a blast and pull all the pussy. If OP buys a Fat Boy he can ask chicks if they want to ride his fat boy. I've heard that line at bike nights. Lame. |
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Quoted: I agree that good gear is a priority, but that seems a little high Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Take the MSF course and allow $1500 in your budget for good gear. $2,000 or more. I agree that good gear is a priority, but that seems a little high What is the price of Vanson leathers these days? What is the price of a good helmet these days? What is the price of good boots and good gloves these days? I don't know myself today. I just know the prices should be considered the prices of very good insurance. |
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Quoted: no arguments there. I just got to the point i was tired of madness out there on the city streets. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: honestly its just not safe anymore. to many self-serving ass holes on the road with phones in their hands not paying attention. I road for over 45 years both off road and street, I sold my bike 2 years ago. i just didn't want to die so some dimwitted ahole can check their status on some retarded social media site. find go buy a high end gun and stay alive. The best riding is on smaller backroads out in the country. I do my best to avoid riding in built up areas with high traffic concentrations. While you may still find distracted drivers, the lower traffic density makes it a little easier to maintain a high state of defensive vigilance. no arguments there. I just got to the point i was tired of madness out there on the city streets.  BIG difference. |
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Quoted: What is the price of Vanson leathers these days? What is the price of a good helmet these days? What is the price of good boots and good gloves these days? I don't know myself today. I just know the prices should be considered the prices of very good insurance. Pair of jeans-60 bucks. Timberlands-85 Jean jacket at Walmart-25 Gloves vary from 15-40 Helmet-120  2k in gear is no different than the ol ladys closet with once worn dresses, heels, and matching handbags. |
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Quoted: Pair of jeans-60 bucks. Timberlands-85 Jean jacket at Walmart-25 Gloves vary from 15-40 Helmet-120 2k in gear is no different than the ol ladys closet with once worn dresses, heels, and matching handbags.Quoted: Quoted: What is the price of Vanson leathers these days? What is the price of a good helmet these days? What is the price of good boots and good gloves these days? I don't know myself today. I just know the prices should be considered the prices of very good insurance. Pair of jeans-60 bucks. Timberlands-85 Jean jacket at Walmart-25 Gloves vary from 15-40 Helmet-120 2k in gear is no different than the ol ladys closet with once worn dresses, heels, and matching handbags.Trip to the hospital if you do lay it down and all that “gear” shreds and leaves you looking like a pizza at best…priceless …good gear is always gonna be cheaper than a life flight or amber lamps ride |
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Quoted: Trip to the hospital if you do lay it down and all that “gear” shreds and leaves you looking like a pizza at best…priceless …good gear is always gonna be cheaper than a life flight or amber lamps ride It is not a question of "if" but "when." Prepare! Avoid it today but prepare for "when" it happens tomorrow. |
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Quoted: It is not a question of "if" but "when." Prepare! Avoid it today but prepare for "when" it happens tomorrow. Quoted: Quoted: Trip to the hospital if you do lay it down and all that “gear” shreds and leaves you looking like a pizza at best…priceless …good gear is always gonna be cheaper than a life flight or amber lamps ride It is not a question of "if" but "when." Prepare! Avoid it today but prepare for "when" it happens tomorrow. I was being charitable…been down 4 times myself and thankfully walked away from every fall…I always suit up…and yes I do have some high dollar gear… |
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Quoted: Pair of jeans-60 bucks. Timberlands-85 Jean jacket at Walmart-25 Gloves vary from 15-40 Helmet-120 2k in gear is no different than the ol ladys closet with once worn dresses, heels, and matching handbags.Good armored jacket - $100 Good set of gloves - $50 Everything else in your list works fine. |
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Quoted: If you're not sure of your cycle skills, buy an inexpensive mountain bike (bicycle) and ride it in the city like you're in a hurry. Once you get good at this, transitioning to a lightweight motorcycle shouldn't be a problem. A dual sport bike is always a good choice for a new rider. I've been riding for over 50 years and have a Suzuki DR650 in my bike fleet. The DR can run at freeway speed and is fun on city streets and back roads. New bike prices and availability are not good these days. Attached File |
| My parents let me buy a V65 in 1987. Is almost died as a 17 year old. But bought a 750 Interceptor next. Then a 900RR, CBR, etc. I grew up on 2 stroke dirt bikes, 3 wheelers, etc. My last two bikes Kawasaki Versys and Yamaha Stratoliner I rode safe as I was late 40’s. I had good helmet, padded jacket, pants, boots, gloves, etc. So, learn on MSC, and buy a bike after you learn. As others said, everyone is trying to kill you and you are invisible. |
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Quoted: Quoted: If you're not sure of your cycle skills, buy an inexpensive mountain bike (bicycle) and ride it in the city like you're in a hurry. Once you get good at this, transitioning to a lightweight motorcycle shouldn't be a problem. A dual sport bike is always a good choice for a new rider. I've been riding for over 50 years and have a Suzuki DR650 in my bike fleet. The DR can run at freeway speed and is fun on city streets and back roads. New bike prices and availability are not good these days. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/49cc-4-stroke-motorized-bicycle_jpeg-2278116.JPG "Fleet"  Well done!!! Yep, DR 650 belongs in every fleet  ETA: Tennessee mountain twisties must be fun, I sure like the riding here in Central PA. The only straight road we have is I80 |
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Quoted: Good armored jacket - $100 Good set of gloves - $50 Everything else in your list works fine. Quoted: Quoted: Pair of jeans-60 bucks. Timberlands-85 Jean jacket at Walmart-25 Gloves vary from 15-40 Helmet-120 2k in gear is no different than the ol ladys closet with once worn dresses, heels, and matching handbags.Good armored jacket - $100 Good set of gloves - $50 Everything else in your list works fine. I think I would split the difference. $200 jacket, $100 kevlar jeans, maybe $100 boots. |
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Quoted: I think I would split the difference. $200 jacket, $100 kevlar jeans, maybe $100 boots. I'm there, but when I started I was just with a helmet and some gloves. Slowly as I understood more and realized that I would continue doing this for a while, I added gear. A good jacket saved me in a low side. My regular ass cheap pants from costco did not shred when I went down. I got armored shoes after that and a higher quality helmet (AGV K6). You can do it for cheap. |
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Quoted: Have always wanted to ride Good luck, it can truly be an awesome part of your life! I have been riding since I was 7, and got my first street bike at 19, a GSXR750. Still have dirt bikes, and have been through nothing but liter+ sport/sport touring bikes in the last 20 years. I traded my last Hayabusa for my first Harley. Just finished my 128 engine build on my Street Glide Special. Riding is a huge part of my life, my goal it to ride in every state, and every Province in North America, and so far I am little over half way there. I usually avoid bike threads here, it is typically a shit show of SafetySaurus vs. "Hold my Beer, watch this" sprinkled with a little of "My 1984 Virago is the best bike...evar" and in typical GD fashion, each stance is vehemently defended. Best of luck!! |
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That's pretty cool ! |
| Most people ride as every day transportation and don't wear riders gear per se. A lot of places you can't wear leathers , riding boots etc. A good helmet is $150 - $200 good gloves and whatever high topped shoes you wear all day at work. Now if you know you are riding just to ride - gear up .Good leathers are $300 , hi performance helmet $200 and up Alpine or Scorpion gear ain't cheap. You will usually find a couple guys to ride with , if not your daily commute. |
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Quoted: Trip to the hospital if you do lay it down and all that “gear” shreds and leaves you looking like a pizza at best…priceless …good gear is always gonna be cheaper than a life flight or amber lamps ride I dropped a KX125 on pavement when I was 14 or 15, 5th wide open going into 6th. About 50/60mph Other than a helmet the only gear was a pair of jeans and gloves. Had the equivalent of a rug burn on my right leg and opened my right arm from wrist to shoulder. Tee shirts don't work for shit  I'm not convinced unless crotch rocket @120+ 2k in gear is needed. In which case... whatever you're hitting after the drop is killing you unless iron man suit. Having gravel/sand brushed out with alcohol poured in where flesh used to be tickled. No trip to the hospital. (Mom was a nurse) A scrub brush (for washing hands) was used. Oooo did that fucking tickle... |
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Quoted: My parents let me buy a V65 in 1987. Is almost died as a 17 year old. But bought a 750 Interceptor next. Then a 900RR, CBR, etc. I grew up on 2 stroke dirt bikes, 3 wheelers, etc. My last two bikes Kawasaki Versys and Yamaha Stratoliner I rode safe as I was late 40’s. I had good helmet, padded jacket, pants, boots, gloves, etc. So, learn on MSC, and buy a bike after you learn. As others said, everyone is trying to kill you and you are invisible. Like the Roadliner. Not as Sporty as my Old BMW but would certainly beat it in a drag race. It LOVES gas too. |
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I have a Streetglide too, but this is way more fun.Attached File Attached File Or this one Attached File |
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Quoted: That's pretty cool ! Quoted: That's pretty cool ! Not mine, unfortunately. The ones built on beach cruiser frames apparently get a little pricey, unless you are willing to settle for just a coaster brake. The ones built on the proprietary frames (with gas tanks built into the frame) are even more pricey. There also seems to be something of a niche for people doing 'historic' builds that resemble the motorcycles of a little over a century ago, with long cylindrical gas tanks. ETA: Attached File |
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Quoted: I'm 6'4, 230, and my grom is my most fun bike  It's like a Drz400sm with no power, so it keeps me from riding into jail. I'd be too tempted to go into a skate park with it like I did with one of those chicom pit bikes. I didn't master the half pipe. You can whip it sideways, trajectory always spits you out more than up... That and I'd get behind the Lance Armstrong types in the bike lane for the lols |
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Quoted: Quoted: If you're not sure of your cycle skills, buy an inexpensive mountain bike (bicycle) and ride it in the city like you're in a hurry. Once you get good at this, transitioning to a lightweight motorcycle shouldn't be a problem. A dual sport bike is always a good choice for a new rider. I've been riding for over 50 years and have a Suzuki DR650 in my bike fleet. The DR can run at freeway speed and is fun on city streets and back roads. New bike prices and availability are not good these days. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/49cc-4-stroke-motorized-bicycle_jpeg-2278116.JPG No. You'll never learn how to ride fast on a moped. If you learn how to ride hard and fast in the city on a bicycle, the transition to a light motorcycle will be easy. I did that when I was fifteen, from my Schwinn to a Honda CB160. If you don't like "hard and fast" maybe rethink getting on a motorcycle, because things happen hard and fast on the street, whether you like it or not. Riding a street bike really IS a life or death thing. You have to know how to ride aggressively in order to ride defensively. Knowing how to ride a dirt bike, hard, helps too because you're always in attack mode while "defending" yourself against all the objects and obstacles around you. You develop good reflexes by riding hard. I'm almost seventy and riding at a sporting pace helps keep me stay alert and keep my reflexes sharp; it's good mental exercise. |
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Quoted: A lot of places you can't wear leathers , riding boots etc. For years I had a 100-mile round trip moto-commute. I wore an Aerostich Roadcrafter and would step out of it in work clothes. Easy. Hell, I had a formal event one time and unzipped the Aerostich to reveal a tux like I was James Bond or something. |
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Quoted: No. You'll never learn how to ride fast on a moped. If you learn how to ride hard and fast in the city on a bicycle, the transition to a light motorcycle will be easy. I did that when I was fifteen, from my Schwinn to a Honda CB160. If you don't like "hard and fast" maybe rethink getting on a motorcycle, because things happen hard and fast on the street, whether you like it or not. Riding a street bike really IS a life or death thing. You have to know how to ride aggressively in order to ride defensively. Knowing how to ride a dirt bike, hard, helps too because you're always in attack mode while "defending" yourself against all the objects and obstacles around you. You develop good reflexes by riding hard. I'm almost seventy and riding at a sporting pace helps keep me stay alert and keep my reflexes sharp; it's good mental exercise. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: If you're not sure of your cycle skills, buy an inexpensive mountain bike (bicycle) and ride it in the city like you're in a hurry. Once you get good at this, transitioning to a lightweight motorcycle shouldn't be a problem. A dual sport bike is always a good choice for a new rider. I've been riding for over 50 years and have a Suzuki DR650 in my bike fleet. The DR can run at freeway speed and is fun on city streets and back roads. New bike prices and availability are not good these days. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/49cc-4-stroke-motorized-bicycle_jpeg-2278116.JPG No. You'll never learn how to ride fast on a moped. If you learn how to ride hard and fast in the city on a bicycle, the transition to a light motorcycle will be easy. I did that when I was fifteen, from my Schwinn to a Honda CB160. If you don't like "hard and fast" maybe rethink getting on a motorcycle, because things happen hard and fast on the street, whether you like it or not. Riding a street bike really IS a life or death thing. You have to know how to ride aggressively in order to ride defensively. Knowing how to ride a dirt bike, hard, helps too because you're always in attack mode while "defending" yourself against all the objects and obstacles around you. You develop good reflexes by riding hard. I'm almost seventy and riding at a sporting pace helps keep me stay alert and keep my reflexes sharp; it's good mental exercise. People have started installing 'shifter kits' on ones similar to the one in the picture, getting the top speed up around 75mph. ...on bicycle tires and brakes. |
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Quoted: I agree that good gear is a priority, but that seems a little high Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Take the MSF course and allow $1500 in your budget for good gear. $2,000 or more. I agree that good gear is a priority, but that seems a little high I trashed almost $3k in gear in one of my crashes. I walked away without injuries, no hospital bills, no time off work. I consider that a win. |
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Turning 40 and having a kid pretty much cured me of my infatuation with riding motorcycles on the street. I trust in my own abilities, but it's simply too risky with all the other idiots on the road, IMO. At some point I do hope to get a couple adventure type bikes set up for basically 100% off road stuff and haul them to various cool locations around the county to ride in the outdoors. Edited to add: if you're into this style of bike, IMO the Triumph Bonneville is an excellent starter bike. Decent power but fairly tame at the same time. These were mine, green is a 2000 red/white was a 2013: Attached File Attached File |
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Quoted: Don't go overboard on gear for your BRC. Helmet, gloves, long sleeve shirt, and shoes that come over the ankle are all that required. If you find you can/like riding, that's when you splurge on good stuff. |
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Quoted: What you want is a Dual Sport. There's nothing more fun than a street legal dirt bike. Unless you want to ride long distance, then they kinda suck unless you buy one of the bigger less dirt bikey ones. https://i.imgur.com/VBfAND6.jpg  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYS1HbLZOmQThis is the wisdom. Heed. |
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Quoted: This guy says-Brakes? That's cute. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5891fc231b10e3abb993bb36/1524513744577-2YSSAIU7RKA715URXDNY/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w Quoted: Quoted: People have started installing 'shifter kits' on ones similar to the one in the picture, getting the top speed up around 75mph. ...on bicycle tires and brakes. This guy says-Brakes? That's cute. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5891fc231b10e3abb993bb36/1524513744577-2YSSAIU7RKA715URXDNY/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see somebody build one similar to the front one in this picture, but put a shifter kit on it with 7 or so gears, just to see how fast they can go on a hopped up 49cc engine. Attached File |
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Quoted: I'm there, but when I started I was just with a helmet and some gloves. Slowly as I understood more and realized that I would continue doing this for a while, I added gear. A good jacket saved me in a low side. My regular ass cheap pants from costco did not shred when I went down. I got armored shoes after that and a higher quality helmet (AGV K6). You can do it for cheap. Quoted: Quoted: I think I would split the difference. $200 jacket, $100 kevlar jeans, maybe $100 boots. I'm there, but when I started I was just with a helmet and some gloves. Slowly as I understood more and realized that I would continue doing this for a while, I added gear. A good jacket saved me in a low side. My regular ass cheap pants from costco did not shred when I went down. I got armored shoes after that and a higher quality helmet (AGV K6). You can do it for cheap. I hear you, I rocked $20 wally world carpenter / double knee jeans for the first year or so i rode |
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I highly recommend motorcycle-specific boots with reinforced or steel toes and built-in ankle and heel protection. Had a small deer t-bone me. Planted its nose in the frame right in front of my foot. Had steel toe MC boots on and a 50 mph toe into where its head joined its neck was unpleasant. Thought my foot was broken. Was afraid to get off the bike until I got out of the boonies in case I couldn't get back on. Turned out no break. I'd hate to repeat that with soft shoes. Didn't go down but the bike did its best to spit me off. Knee into helmet and half off the bike on the other side. There is a real possibility that getting genuinely injured might have put me down. |
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Quoted: Have always wanted to ride, bought a Suzuki 500 in college, and immediately wrecked it. That pretty much killed any further desire.... For a while..Now 20 years later and I've got the itch. I'd like to go about it the best way possible. Looking into Harley beginner rider courses to learn all the basics. I think you might be trying to tell yourself something subliminally...
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Quoted: Not mine, unfortunately. The ones built on beach cruiser frames apparently get a little pricey, unless you are willing to settle for just a coaster brake. The ones built on the proprietary frames (with gas tanks built into the frame) are even more pricey. There also seems to be something of a niche for people doing 'historic' builds that resemble the motorcycles of a little over a century ago, with long cylindrical gas tanks. ETA: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/Sportsman_jpg-2278161.JPG Cost me at tad over $200 to put this one together last Summer. LOL Attached File |
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Quoted: What you want is a Dual Sport. There's nothing more fun than a street legal dirt bike. Unless you want to ride long distance, then they kinda suck unless you buy one of the bigger less dirt bikey ones. https://i.imgur.com/VBfAND6.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYS1HbLZOmQDon't be a pussy. Get a liter bike |
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Quoted: Good luck, it can truly be an awesome part of your life! I have been riding since I was 7, and got my first street bike at 19, a GSXR750. Still have dirt bikes, and have been through nothing but liter+ sport/sport touring bikes in the last 20 years. I traded my last Hayabusa for my first Harley. Just finished my 128 engine build on my Street Glide Special. Riding is a huge part of my life, my goal it to ride in every state, and every Province in North America, and so far I am little over half way there. I usually avoid bike threads here, it is typically a shit show of SafetySaurus vs. "Hold my Beer, watch this" sprinkled with a little of "My 1984 Virago is the best bike...evar" and in typical GD fashion, each stance is vehemently defended. Best of luck!! It starts with short local rides like the carry-out for a sixer. Then day rides. Then overnighters. Then days on end. A cute and adorable pastime becomes a monster. I never thought I'd want to go on long rides back when I started. I've got a lot more places to ride. I've only hit these states, in red, so far. Attached File |
my fifth bike and i got it last winter for 2400 bucks. Currently torn apart for valve work. My advice is to buy a cheap bike to learn on. You will do damage to it. I have wrecked or tipped over every bike iv had except this one. You can always upgrade later assuming you dont die anyway Dibs on guns 
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| Wood ride. More than 3 minutes. |
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Quoted: Cost me at tad over $200 to put this one together last Summer. LOL https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/279984/20210923_145308_jpg-2278277.JPG Quoted: Quoted: Not mine, unfortunately. The ones built on beach cruiser frames apparently get a little pricey, unless you are willing to settle for just a coaster brake. The ones built on the proprietary frames (with gas tanks built into the frame) are even more pricey. There also seems to be something of a niche for people doing 'historic' builds that resemble the motorcycles of a little over a century ago, with long cylindrical gas tanks. ETA: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/Sportsman_jpg-2278161.JPG Cost me at tad over $200 to put this one together last Summer. LOL https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/279984/20210923_145308_jpg-2278277.JPG Huffy Cranbrook? I was looking at those, but then I started trying to sort out what it would take to upgrade the brakes and realized it would make more sense (moneywise) to get a hybrid/commuter bike with the brakes already on it. |
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Me too and I know exactly which one. Not picky about color, just a second gen. XL350R Attached File |
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Quoted: 6'1? Honda grom! Helmet gloves jeans denim or leather jacket... Not chicom pleather. You won't be happy with the 48...that peanut tank is only good for about 2 hours I'm 6'0. Unless mini ape hangers or risers with the factory drag bars moved forward some, it feels like being a T-rex... Depending on how long your arms are, you'll want something that won't have you coiled up, but not fully extended reaching for the sky retarded roadcaptain like... And it corners wonky with those fat tires. Night and day difference in corners. Normal skinny sporty carves (I drag pegs and pipes) fat tire sporty floats/borderline plows. Fat tires don't belong on sportsters. Geezer glides and fat boys, something you hop on a highway for hours on end, sure. Something that actually corners? No. The other ones that are fun: Dyna street bobs, lowrider S, and wide glides. I scored a hell of a deal on mine. Genuine midlife-crisis-mobile. Dude had neuropathy from the beetus and couldn't hold a bike up anymore. It only had 480 miles on it. He took $6,800 in $100 bills. I find 103 Dynas anywhere between 9 and 12k 15k+ gets you custom paint/wheels/who knows what cams intake pipes tune and gremlins... THIS Harley Dynas (Street Bob, Super Glide, Lowrider, Switchback, Wide Glide) are out of production by 6 years, so even the last production year buyers are in the "Itch to buy something new" phase of ownership. Lots of Dynas hitting the market at prices between 5k for pre-2002 models with Evo engines and 10-12k for 2013-2016 103/110 Twin Cams. Harley Softails are also old enough that owners are getting the itch to buy new and 2002 to late models (Standard, Heritage, Fat Bob, Sport Glide, Lowrider S) are showing up for sale at good prices. And aftermarket support is catching up to the level Dynas enjoy. For someone over 6ft, either a Dyna or Softail can be a very comfortable bike when the right seat, pegs and bars are installed. Good for 200 mile rides without physical suffering. But that's going to be a bar hopper bike, not a long haul touring bike. But as a beginner bike, a Dyna or Softail is a better choice than a crotch rocket or a big touring bike. |