Who else rides a motorcycle other than me and Desmobob? If you do, let us know...

I want to. Especially after reading Roadshow by Neil Peart. I have found a riding school right down the road from me. I would like to get a sport/touring type bike. Any suggestions for a good beginner bike?
 
I have been riding off and on since 1974. Started with Harleys and Hondas. Then I got a BMW some years back and I am in love.
I just got back from riding on my dream bike.
It's a 1998 BMW K1200RS. Arrest me red in color. Has the removable system hard bags for when I am commuting, a turn of a key and they are left in the shed for a cleaner look when out riding.
It was a fun day!!:thumbup: :D
 
This is only my second year of riding. Last summer I rode my brothers
05 EX-500R while he was out of town. I rode my other brothers 06 ZX-6R for a week or 2. I decided this summer to get my own. So here she is a 1985 ZX-600. Nice and reasonable on gas and insurance, and still peppy! :)
I am 30.
 
Mike L. said:
1997 Moto Guzzi California (cruiser model). It's a wonderful Italian thing. 1100cc's of fuel injected bliss.
BTW, Tinbasher, I really like your Suzu. Nice looking bike.:thumbup:


--Mike L.
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Thanks ,Bought my 1990 one in 1990 with 4000k on the clock forAU$5400 put 124000k on it. Bought a 1993 one two months ago for AU$2000 and did a total rebuild and paint when I took it to the local Suzuki dealer to be valued for insurance he gave me a AU$6750 valuation:D
 
Been ridin since I was 7 back in 1967 been through the Rice Rockets British Invasion, (1971 Norton Combat Commando was my favorite) American Pig Iron, and last was a vintage 1984 Yamaha Venture, all in all 40 years ridin' 2 wheels, yea I'm Biker, unfortunately all my ridin' this year's been on borrowed Iron.

Maybe at the end of the Enthusiast's season I'll pick up a deal on a vintage BMW one of the older R series, I'd really like a Vincent Blackshadow, for you youngsters, look it up, it was called the spineless wonder one of the fastest bikes of it's time.
 
Sold My Intruder 800 to trade up for something bigger but got sidetracked by school.

I am slated to graduate with my RN in May and have a Victory KingPin In mind as a graduation present.

If I can swing it I may pick up a used bike this fall just for fun.
 
06 GSXR 750.
Absolutely the best bike I've ever ridden.
It's pure adrenaline!
Lenny

gixxer_750.jpg
 
I've been riding since I was 19, except for a 3 year layoff. Just got my "last big fling" bike (because I NEVER thought I would spend that much on a bike)- an '07 Yamaha FJR- and couldn't be happier with it! Saddlebags and decent wind management mean I finally have a practical and comfortable bike, 1300 cc's and a decent suspension mean I didn't have to give up alot of performance to get it.

I'm in So Cal and have a 45 mile one-way commute, and this bike is just the ticket for flying to work in the morning and then beating the traffic home in the afternoon. Carries a passenger well too.

Previously- Yamaha FZ1, Suzuki Bandit 1200S, Honda Nighthawk S700 (for 12 years!- great bike), etc. -started on a 1974 Yamaha TX500 for any of you old timers.

Shootist16- I would look at a used Suzuki Vstrom 650. An FZ6 or a 650 Bandit would also be good choices. You'll have to add your own luggage, but this will give you choices. Most dedicated sport-tourers are not really good beginner bikes, although a used Kawasaki Concours might be worth a look- I just don't think it's a good idea to start on a 1000cc bike. Take classes!!!
 
I haven't been without a bike of some kind since I was 16 years old (and that was a long time ago). My current ride is a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic (poor man's Harley). It really is a nice ride and a real bargain as far as bikes go. I don't ride as much as I would like to since I always seem to need to drag around more stuff than I can carry on the bike.

vulcan3.jpg
 
My experience is limited to 15,000 miles on my '04 Suzuki Volusia. Longest trip was 3400 miles from New Mexico - Chicago - Tennessee - New Mexico.

Lacking a lengthy motorcycling history, I model my riding style after popular motorcycle-related slogans:
"Loud Pipes Lose Rights"
"ATGATT" - All The Gear All The Time
"Eight hours from bottle to throttle"
"If you see my bike on a trailer, someone stole it"
"I Haull Ass, Not Bikes"

VolusiaatMiamiLake.jpg


-Bob
 
I would like to get a sport/touring type bike. Any suggestions for a good beginner bike?
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There aren't many sport touring models, if any, that are ideal for a new rider. Heavy, expensive, tall, powerful. Plus a lot of fragile plastic stuff to break if (when) you drop it.
You can add bags to the smaller sportbikes, although I'm not familiar with those models as much - I'm a cruiser rider.

For beginner-friendly cruisers, probably more cruiser riders start with a V-Star 650 than any other motorcycle. It's similar to my Volusia or MisterSat's Vulcan 800, but less expensive, less powerful, and lighter weight.

And I'm a huge fan of the Vulcan 500LTD - same engine as the Ninja 500 but tuned differently, lightweight, low, inexpensive, and often available used. Plus you can add bags, windshield, whatever. It is a smaller framed bike than other midsized cruisers, so it might be a cramped fit if you're a taller/larger person. Wife has a Vulcan 500LTD and it's smoother, faster, and much lighter and more manueverable than my 800cc Volusia.

If you're a masochist and the size of a pre-teen girl, the Suzuki Savage is a very lightweight and low 650 bike. Wife has one and loves it because it fits her like the 250 Rebel she rode in the safety class.

I suggest you take the safety class before buying a motorcycle. They generally use 250cc bikes or smaller, perfect for new riders. Then after the class you'll have to evaluate whether to buy a beginner-friendly motorcycle, accept the additional risk of starting on something larger or heavier, or perhaps even you'll need more time on a 250.

-Bob
 
Ditto on the safety course, I started on dirt bikes and worked up to the big iron in between broke both my ankles, one of 'em twice, slid skid, fell off, fell asleep but I still kept ridin', it's in my blood.
BTW here's 1950 Vincent 125mph :eek: in 1950:eek: top speed,(that's factory original)
vincent-black-shadow-1950-1024.jpg
 
Bob W said:
My experience is limited to 15,000 miles on my '04 Suzuki Volusia. Longest trip was 3400 miles from New Mexico - Chicago - Tennessee - New Mexico.

Lacking a lengthy motorcycling history, I model my riding style after popular motorcycle-related slogans:
"Loud Pipes Lose Rights"
"ATGATT" - All The Gear All The Time
"Eight hours from bottle to throttle"
"If you see my bike on a trailer, someone stole it"
"I Haull Ass, Not Bikes"

VolusiaatMiamiLake.jpg


-Bob
Click to expand...

Nice bike Bob, little steps my friend before long you'll do what I did and take the car completely off the road.

Many miles to ya Bob, keep the shiny side up.:thumbup:
 
Current bike is an '05 Suzuki Bandit 1200 Suzuki blue/white racing colors for the paint job---all stock except for a set of Michelin Road Pilots that I had put on a couple weeks ago.

Been on the street since I was 18---dirt bikes before that----I'll be 45 this week.
 
I own a Drz400Sm...crazy fun bike even after owning 2 R1's, 2 VTR1000, Cbr 954, Gzx1000, Yzf750 and others, this bike is crazy!!!
 
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