Motorcycle in California - Suggestions?

[TridenT]

Don't have a license yet. Don't have a permit yet. However... my crystal ball tells me that those are in my future. So, I figure I may as well start planning to buy a motorcycle.

I'm going to be in San Diego/Los Angeles (And possibly between the two). I would like something that is capable of going 70mph for 3 hours and not exploding thereafter or therein. Able to seat 2 is a plus-ish. (I don't see it happening much, if ever)

It'll mostly be for commuting in Los Angeles. (It's huge and freeways) Saving on money is always nice. Upfront and down the road (Bike's initial cost, fuel, insurance, and so forth). So, suggestions? (Also, I don't know the rules on motorcycles and emissions in California, but I want something that plays nice)

 

[Fenixgoon]

1. MSF Course.

2. Make sure you have enough money for gear. Set aside about $1000 just for this.

3. Ninja 250, Ninja500, CBR250, CBR500. The ninjas have been around a while and you can find used ones for reasonable prices (would not recommend buying new)

4. If you are under 25, you may get raped on insurance anyway, although 250-500cc shouldn't be bad. My insurance was $1100/yr then dropped to $400/yr once I turned 25 for the same bike (mine was 600cc, NON-SUPERSPORT). Engine size is one of the biggest contributors to your insurance cost. And fairings.


honestly, unless you get stuck in traffic a lot, you're probably better off in your car.

bikes require more maintenance, tires don't last as long, and you have to be much more aware of the traffic around you. cars provide a lot of safety and comfort that you simply will not receive on a bike.

 

[Greenman]

You won't save much on cost compared to an econobox, and traffic in LA is hellish for a bike, but the one redeeming factor is lane splitting. Lane splitting is a gift from God, it makes a miserable commute tolerable, and can cut your travel time in half. It's also the only time it's really good to have a loud bike.
I wouldn't recommend a new rider tackle lane splitting on an LA freeway though, it's near certain you'll crash.

 

[infoiltrator]

Take Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, may be required in CA.
CA had specific emissions laws for a while, I think they've been 50 state for a while?
Generally you will drop your first bike, so small, cheap, and used is best.
There three styles, cruiser, standard, and sport. Totally different riding position and comfort zone.
Ninja 250 is a good learner bike.
What are California freeway speeds?
What is your inseam, height and weight. Comfortable protective gear you will wear is very important.
It takes about 5,000 miles in six months trying to become a decent rider to acquire more than rudimentary skills.
The Ninja 500 is another popular learner bike.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Don't ride a bike in LA traffic if its your first time driving.

Also seriously? We already have enough crazies here.

 

[manimal]

Some things require experience. Lane splitting in socal is one. Get a fuel efficient beater and be happy you dont have to worry about rust.

Buy a 400 used spree or something as well as a car if you want something to tool around in.

 

[z1ggy]

Don't get a bike for LA traffic. Just get eco box like others said.

Bike would be for canyon carving/backroads.

 

[Murloc]

Bikes are useful for traffic jams if you commute in the city.

Freeways: people don't pay as much attention and the speeds are higher => slow response times, high risk getting run over in case you fall or people changing lanes and not seeing you.
I'm sure some people do this successfully but not as novices and most of them live not far from the beltway so they always drive in jammed tracts.

 

[Throckmorton]

Since you don't know how to drive a car yet, I don't think a motorcycle is a good idea. Plus you freeze your butt off when it's cold. And there is a high likelihood of being hit by a car and getting killed. But also, think of what happens when you're going 70 and you hit a twig in the road. Do you want to hit the pavement at 70mph? What do you think is going to happen to your spinal cord tucked inside the spindly 1" bones supporting your head?

 

[superccs]

1. MSF Course.

2. Make sure you have enough money for gear. Set aside about $1000 just for this.

3. Ninja 250, Ninja500, CBR250, CBR500. The ninjas have been around a while and you can find used ones for reasonable prices (would not recommend buying new)

4. If you are under 25, you may get raped on insurance anyway, although 250-500cc shouldn't be bad. My insurance was $1100/yr then dropped to $400/yr once I turned 25 for the same bike (mine was 600cc, NON-SUPERSPORT). Engine size is one of the biggest contributors to your insurance cost. And fairings.


honestly, unless you get stuck in traffic a lot, you're probably better off in your car.

bikes require more maintenance, tires don't last as long, and you have to be much more aware of the traffic around you. cars provide a lot of safety and comfort that you simply will not receive on a bike.

This^.
I have been riding in LA for 10 years now and I think the single best thing I did to ensure my survival in LA traffic was learning how to dirtbike first. This will allow you to learn your mechanics/how to ride in a "safe" environment and keep you from looking like all of those fools on youtube.

If you do this you can probably jump straight to a Yamaha FZ6 or Kawasaki 650 which will suck way less on the hwy compared to a 250.

 

[superccs]

Since you don't know how to drive a car yet, I don't think a motorcycle is a good idea. Plus you freeze your butt off when it's cold. And there is a high likelihood of being hit by a car and getting killed. But also, think of what happens when you're going 70 and you hit a twig in the road. Do you want to hit the pavement at 70mph? What do you think is going to happen to your spinal cord tucked inside the spindly 1" bones supporting your head?

Yeah this was helpful... Mom, don't reply to motorcycle forum posts anymore you have no idea what you are talkling about. Cold in LA? Lol.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeah this was helpful... Mom, don't reply to motorcycle forum posts anymore you have no idea what you are talkling about. Cold in LA? Lol.

It gets down in the low 40s high 30s at night in LA during the winter. Easily cold enough to be really really uncomfortable on a motorcycle if you don't have the proper gear.

I've commuted in SoCal for years on a motorcycle in temps down into the 30s. You really have to bundle up when you're exposed like you are on a bike. I have a car though so when it is cold or raining (which is pretty rare) I can take the car to work. No way would I have a bike as my only transportation. It takes a lot of concentration to ride safely, nobody is that focused all the time. Those are the days you take the car.

I also would not recommend lane splitting for a new rider, especially not in a heavily congested area like Los Angeles. You will have your hands full just learning to ride safely. Give yourself 6 months of solid riding experience before attempting that. It isn't that lane splitting is more dangerous, it's just that you have very little room to maneuver and you won't have the skills yet to take emergency evasive action when someone starts moving over into your lane or crowding you as you make your way through rush hour traffic.

The hitting a twig at 70mph this was a little ridiculous though. I was coming back from Palm Springs yesterday evening through the mountains. Roads are pretty rough in spots and I was going 70 through those sections with no trouble. I hit almost 100mph on the 15 coming out of Temecula. Hitting a twig, even at 100mph isn't going to register in the bars or steering... not sure what he's on about there.

 

[Throckmorton]

It gets down in the low 40s high 30s at night in LA during the winter. Easily cold enough to be really really uncomfortable on a motorcycle if you don't have the proper gear.

I've commuted in SoCal for years on a motorcycle in temps down into the 30s. You really have to bundle up when you're exposed like you are on a bike. I have a car though so when it is cold or raining (which is pretty rare) I can take the car to work. No way would I have a bike as my only transportation. It takes a lot of concentration to ride safely, nobody is that focused all the time. Those are the days you take the car.

I also would not recommend lane splitting for a new rider, especially not in a heavily congested area like Los Angeles. You will have your hands full just learning to ride safely. Give yourself 6 months of solid riding experience before attempting that. It isn't that lane splitting is more dangerous, it's just that you have very little room to maneuver and you won't have the skills yet to take emergency evasive action when someone starts moving over into your lane or crowding you as you make your way through rush hour traffic.

The hitting a twig at 70mph this was a little ridiculous though. I was coming back from Palm Springs yesterday evening through the mountains. Roads are pretty rough in spots and I was going 70 through those sections with no trouble. I hit almost 100mph on the 15 coming out of Temecula. Hitting a twig, even at 100mph isn't going to register in the bars or steering... not sure what he's on about there.

Fine, a STICK.

 

[olds]

I fly down to LA to teach all the time. When I am stuck on the freeway in traffic, I always wish I had my bike. If I lived there, I'd commute all the time by bike.

If it's above freezing and not raining, I ride. But I have a full faring and warm riding gear.

Do as Jules said and get experience before you split. When you start doing it, follow someone else that's splitting to he can clear the way and wake up the drivers.
Keep your head on a swivel and keep the bike in the power band. It's louder and power is instantly available. NEVER, EVER ride in someone's blind spot.

As an aside, don't buy cheap tires. You only have two holding you up. I have friends that buy tires by what's the cheapest. I buy what I feel is the best.

http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

 

[olds]

And if I had Jules kind of money, I'd go here:
http://www.superbikeschool.com/

 

[Zenmervolt]

Fine, a STICK.

Hitting a stick doesn't do anything either.

If you've got a log that's a couple inches in diameter, that's different. But that's big enough to mess up a car too.

Once you're moving, a bike wants to stay upright. It actually takes a pretty sizable bump to put the bikes I've ridden off balance. It's gravel/sand/dirt in a corner that's the real problem.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hitting a stick doesn't do anything either.

If you've got a log that's a couple inches in diameter, that's different. But that's big enough to mess up a car too.

Once you're moving, a bike wants to stay upright. It actually takes a pretty sizable bump to put the bikes I've ridden off balance. It's gravel/sand/dirt in a corner that's the real problem.

ZV

I remember during the MSF they put out a couple 2x4s for us to ride over. It just matters how you hit them and your body position when you hit them. A stick isn't going to do anything.

 

[TridenT]

I don't have a motorcycle license or permit is what I meant.

This is a few months down the road, gentlemen. I'll probably do the MSF course somewhere in LA/SD over the summer. Buy a bike near the beginning of Fall term or around December (I cannot recall when my car insurance is out... It's done on a 6 month period.). I'll try to get some estimates on insurance rates and so forth.

Edit: just did some researching. I hadn't thought about emissions of motorcycles. I did think they were lower because of higher mpg but then I realized they don't have catalytic converters. So... I might not be doing this after all. I don't want to contribute further to the problem. Damn...

 

[olds]

I don't have a motorcycle license or permit is what I meant.

This is a few months down the road, gentlemen. I'll probably do the MSF course somewhere in LA/SD over the summer. Buy a bike near the beginning of Fall term or around December (I cannot recall when my car insurance is out... It's done on a 6 month period.). I'll try to get some estimates on insurance rates and so forth.

Edit: just did some researching. I hadn't thought about emissions of motorcycles. I did think they were lower because of higher mpg but then I realized they don't have catalytic converters. So... I might not be doing this after all. I don't want to contribute further to the problem. Damn...

You sound like a perfect candidate for walking and public transportation.
And maybe throw in a lobotomy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I don't have a motorcycle license or permit is what I meant.

This is a few months down the road, gentlemen. I'll probably do the MSF course somewhere in LA/SD over the summer. Buy a bike near the beginning of Fall term or around December (I cannot recall when my car insurance is out... It's done on a 6 month period.). I'll try to get some estimates on insurance rates and so forth.

Edit: just did some researching. I hadn't thought about emissions of motorcycles. I did think they were lower because of higher mpg but then I realized they don't have catalytic converters. So... I might not be doing this after all. I don't want to contribute further to the problem. Damn...

I could get over 50mpg out of my SV650 when I had it. The Ninja 250 you should be able to get around 60mpg out of. Bikes are getting cleaner believe it or not. I suspect a Ninja 250 probably isn't putting out that much pollution.

 

[Murloc]

Edit: just did some researching. I hadn't thought about emissions of motorcycles. I did think they were lower because of higher mpg but then I realized they don't have catalytic converters. So... I might not be doing this after all. I don't want to contribute further to the problem. Damn...

just get a small car, seriously. If that makes you change your mind it means you don't really want to ride a motorbike, let alone commute on it.

Apparently scooters (the average two-wheeler for people who just see it as a mean to an end and short commutes) emit 3 to 8 times more shit than an Euro3 car (which is really bad for a car) if they have 4-stroke engines! And they have a catalytic converter too.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I suspect a Ninja 250 probably isn't putting out that much pollution. Nothing compared to a Harley.

Why the hell would a Harley, with EFI and catalytic converters magically be somehow especially dirty?

Look, I get that some people don't like Harleys. That's fine. Everyone should ride what they like. But there's no excuse for this sort of ignorant prejudice.

Harley has had closed-loop EFI on all models since 2007 and has been using catalytic converters in the header pipes since 2009. Prior to '09 they were using catalytic converters in the mufflers for CA models for many years. There's absolutely no legitimate basis for you to suggest that a Harley is somehow more polluting than any other modern bike.

ZV

 

[Capt Caveman]

I don't have a motorcycle license or permit is what I meant.

This is a few months down the road, gentlemen. I'll probably do the MSF course somewhere in LA/SD over the summer. Buy a bike near the beginning of Fall term or around December (I cannot recall when my car insurance is out... It's done on a 6 month period.). I'll try to get some estimates on insurance rates and so forth.

Edit: just did some researching. I hadn't thought about emissions of motorcycles. I did think they were lower because of higher mpg but then I realized they don't have catalytic converters. So... I might not be doing this after all. I don't want to contribute further to the problem. Damn...

Based on your stories of speeding in your Civic, I predict if you were to get a motorcycle, you won't be posting here or anywhere within three months afterwards.

 

[TridenT]

You sound like a perfect candidate for walking and public transportation.
And maybe throw in a lobotomy.

I'll be trying to ride my bike for destinations less than or equal to 5 miles away from where I am. I'll also probably just put my bike in the trunk of my car for wherever I go so I can park somewhere without worrying about paying for it (or getting towed, etc) and then bike the rest.

I could get over 50mpg out of my SV650 when I had it. The Ninja 250 you should be able to get around 60mpg out of. Bikes are getting cleaner believe it or not. I suspect a Ninja 250 probably isn't putting out that much pollution. Nothing compared to a Harley.

They might do less, but it's significantly higher than cars (Multiple times higher. Motorcycles in California only do 1% of miles driven but contribute 10% of smog). I might have to get the motorcycle anyway. There's only so long I can actually use my car in California since it doesn't have a California approved catalytic converter. (How do they check? Do they just go under your car and actually look for a stamp of approval or what?)

 

[Vic Vega]

Why the hell would a Harley, with EFI and catalytic converters magically be somehow especially dirty?

Look, I get that some people don't like Harleys. That's fine. Everyone should ride what they like. But there's no excuse for this sort of ignorant prejudice.

Harley has had closed-loop EFI on all models since 2007 and has been using catalytic converters in the header pipes since 2009. Prior to '09 they were using catalytic converters in the mufflers for CA models for many years. There's absolutely no legitimate basis for you to suggest that a Harley is somehow more polluting than any other modern bike.

ZV

Look at the moron making the claim and all will become clear. His job is to spread FUD. I don't know of a more intellectually dishonest person on this forum.

Didn't he run and leave the forum for a bit after he got called out in another motorcycle thread?