Bikers post here.

Crewdawg said:
Foilist, that is a beauty! I noticed in the earlier post you have the kick-starter (jealous) what year is your Triumph?

How do you like the Ural? Those are wicked cool also! :thumbup: Which do you find yourself riding more often?
Click to expand...


It's a 2000 Kawasaki W650. I've only had it for about a year and a half. I traded an '03 Concours for it straight up. It does have the Brit look though, doesn't it? I'm thinking of maybe trying to trade it for something more travel-worthy like a V-Strom, but it would be hard to let it go.

The Ural is the most fun vehicle I've ever had, and I tend to ride it more. It's an '05 Tourist.
 
Foilist said:
It's a 2000 Kawasaki W650. I've only had it for about a year and a half. I traded an '03 Concours for it straight up. It does have the Brit look though, doesn't it? I'm thinking of maybe trying to trade it for something more travel-worthy like a V-Strom, but it would be hard to let it go.

The Ural is the most fun vehicle I've ever had, and I tend to ride it more. It's an '05 Tourist.
Click to expand...

Cool! I learn sumthin new every day, thanks!
 
Any suggestions for a first bike? I'm pretty experienced with a wrench and looking at sub $2kish. Seems like a Honda CB is going to be the winner but it never hurts to ask for opinions.
 
When I used to get asked that question I'd always recommend the KZ1000. Now, I just say anything metric that speaks to you. Nothing wrong with that CB.
Why metric? A $2K Harley would just be a basket case of problems...
 
So the 86 Sportster for $600 probably a no go? :)


Found a couple gs850's that catch the eye.
 
This was my first bike a 66 Suzuki 150 2 stroke S-32-2 Olympian,I was 8 or 9 at the time.

fc0d0424b9e4a70c9e2c2c7e5e2dabfa.jpg
 
That's a really cool scoot Ted. Reminds me a lot of an old Honda scrambler my Dad had. :thumbup:
 
Just got back into the fold! Had to sell my '07 FJR about a year and a half ago for financial reasons. Things are a little better lately so the "boss" said I could spend up to $5K on a bike (she likes to passenger). I found a gorgeous '02 Yamaha FZ1 for $2900- beautiful condition, lots of extras (including a louder can than I would prefer), and new tires! Took it out and remembered why I got rid of the last one- it's really fast and handles great, but all the power is on top and since 2nd gear hits 100mph before it hits redline, I don't get to use it much.

Enter an all stock '02 Suzuki Bandit (for $2500) that has lots of low-end grunt, but needs tires, and isn't in quite the shape the Yamaha is in. Much easier to get a quick start with the wife on the back (the FZ1 is a little weak on the bottom, leading to a bit of work to get a good-but not too good- launch), but the seat has her sliding into me and I'm starting to wonder if it has some mechanical issues. I need to decide which of them to keep before I put tires on it. Talk about first world problems! Only the second time in my life I've had 2 bikes at the same time and I've been riding for over 40 years. Maybe I'll sell them both and look for a better Bandit.

Note to EricV- a 1000cc sportbike is a really fast and powerful bike to start on. Don't want to sound like your Mom or anything, but you may want to consider starting on a 6-700cc standard (of which there are many). Lighter, cheaper, and much more forgiving if you happen to "accidently" roll on too much throttle at the wrong time. YMMV
 
I'm not looking at anything with too much power or at/over 1 liter. An old CB750 or gs850 would probably be the hottest motor I'm looking at and I'd prefer a 500. I'm finding that the only old bikes people kept in good shape are bigger displacement than I'm looking for which makes for slim pickings in the "cheap, simple, and runs" market. Rode a Buel blast 500 today and really likes it, but there are not many out there.
 
T. Erdelyi
You know what the difference is between a biker and an enthusiast?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
When it rains..... a biker gets wet.
Click to expand...

newbie here. i practice ride at night, and when it's raining. have to be careful on cement roads that grow moss and algae after only a couple days rain. so what does that make me?
 
EricV said:
Any suggestions for a first bike? I'm pretty experienced with a wrench and looking at sub $2kish. Seems like a Honda CB is going to be the winner but it never hurts to ask for opinions.
Click to expand...
A ninja 500, gs 500 or sv650 are all nice smaller displacement. Comes with upgraded brakes and suspension vs Cb's which have nasty head shake if you're go to fast without a damper kit.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
So I've wanted to get a bike for years and finally with a 2nd income I'll be able to in a couple months. I've ridden little mini bikes and I've driven stick all my life so I'm good with shifting and using a clutch on a bike, as well as throttle control. Just never ridden a rode bike before. So I've been looking at the 300cc bikes for a starter bike... Ninja 300, CBR 300, R3, and the KTM RC390. I'm really digging the RC390 honestly. It's a single cylinder bike and has a lower red line but it is the fastest of the group with more low end and smoother power band. I'm not totally against starting on a 500cc bike either, however mainly right now my thing is price. I'm even considering getting a used ninja/cbr 250 that I could buy all out with $2500ish just to get on something and start learning. I'm east coast and by the time I'm ready to buy its going to be getting into the fall.... I'd like to ride 3 seasons out of the year.... I guess it would be too cold in the winter here to ride.

Going to take the motor cycle safety course as well after I get the bike.

Any suggestions/tips?


Here is the KTM RC390 with aftermarket pipes in case you havent seen one. I also like the Duke too... which is just a naked version bike with the same engine.

163902H220_B_L.jpg
 
Last edited:
Since the thread popped up again, may as well add my scooter.

qzepas.jpg




••••••••••••••••••••
People are Strange, When You're a Stranger....
 
Converge- I'd recommend going for 500 up to about 700, and you'll be amazed at the range of used bikes you'll find in that price range. Power/acceleration is a safety factor on a bike (adds to maneuverability) and even a 700 should be controllable for a beginner if you're careful and respect it. You also won't outgrow it as fast, be able to carry a passenger when your skill level is up to it, and it will be more comfortable and easier to ride, especially on the freeway or for longer distances. I've had a lot of bikes in my 40+ years of riding, and while the little ones can be fun as a novelty, their limitations get old quick.

Update to post #288 above- I did get a newer (2008) Bandit 1250 and sold the 2 bikes mentioned in that post. Pretty much broke even. The '08 has fuel injection that the '02 didn't and runs much smoother. I added a Givi top box and am good to go. Pretty much the perfect bike for the way I like to ride and hardly even notices the wife on the back. Note to younger guys- Used to be I wouldn't even think about anything as dorky looking as a top box, but it has added so much convenience (as well as a backrest for my wife) that now I probably will never go without one- who cares what it looks like! Is that an "old guy" thing? Wanna race? Oh, wait- never mind ; )
 
MVF said:
Converge- I'd recommend going for 500 up to about 700, and you'll be amazed at the range of used bikes you'll find in that price range. Power/acceleration is a safety factor on a bike (adds to maneuverability) and even a 700 should be controllable for a beginner if you're careful and respect it. You also won't outgrow it as fast, be able to carry a passenger when your skill level is up to it, and it will be more comfortable and easier to ride, especially on the freeway or for longer distances. I've had a lot of bikes in my 40+ years of riding, and while the little ones can be fun as a novelty, their limitations get old quick.
Click to expand...

100% correct. That's pretty much what I would've recommended if I'd seen this sooner. In fact, I'd say to just go for a 750-1200. Just respect it early on. Ease into it and learn the bike's capabilities. Don't jump on and grab a fistful or you'll see your bike headed down the road without you.

In the areas where I ride most, you'd get smashed flat on anything less than that range. Just as MVF said, the extra power is a plus as it adds maneuverability.

Just think about this a second. Bikes don't have a shell. They are not like cars. You are completely exposed. No seat belt, no airbags. Just you on your bike vs. EVERYTHING. Cars, the road, the conditions, etc. The number one thing bikes have to keep you from eating sh!t is maneuverability. Get caught on a slow or squirrelly bike in the wrong situation and *splat*.

With a bigger bike, you will have to "grow into it". You'll have to be careful early on or they'll eat your lunch. The good news is that it'll stay good for you a while. You won't outgrow it real quick and feel rushed to get to something bigger.

Whatever you choose, best of luck. Don't forget to check your bike out before riding, and don't forget that every time you get on it YOU ARE WEARING A CLOAK OF INVISIBILITY. That is the number one thing I tell new riders. "NOBODY sees you". Ride accordingly.
 
I HAD a Harley( I AM a Harley woman!!) several years ago; a 2001 FXDX (A Dyna Superglide Sport.) It was black, with black White Bros. pipes. I had it custom painted at the Sturgis Rally, before we moved to New England; it had a custom House of Kolor greens. The Tribal started in a dark green, and faded to a light green. It was done by Burt Ballowe.


 
Thanks MVF and Ant... that is helpful information. I was kind of thinking about that already. I was weary of the 250's for because as you said a bikes benefit is having that acceleration to get yourself out of a nasty situation. And I definitely know I am at a point in my life where I absolutely can respect a vehicles power and not abuse it. I would definitely like to have power available when I need it just at a safety stand point. I was thinking about the Suzuki Sv650 and the Kawasaki Ninja 650... but I still realllly like that KTM 390. It looks damn nice, that orange frame makes it. It's also decently quick from what I've read since the bike is so light weight. It's closer to 600s then 250/300s because of the power to weight ratio. The only problem is there aren't many used ones around so I'd have to save a while to get one new or take a loan. I may end up going with the SV650 they are in my price range without a loan.
 
Converge take the course first and then decide on the right bike after.

And, here's the VFR 1200 on Westside Road.



And Green Mountain Road.



The Last Spike near Revelstoke.




And the Husky on the South Canoe FSR.



and in the USA doing the North Cascades loop.



And Duffey Lake route to Whistler.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top