Wife green lit a motorcycle?

[billbobaggins87]

i went down.. caused quite the commotion after 1 med flight a week in ICU and 1 month between rehab and anouther hospital it wasnt much fun.

However knowing from experience.. People die from cars,boats, planes, housefires, you name it. its your life do what you want and experience it the way u want.

 

[Greenman]

What about sportcars?

Pretty much the same.
I love muscle cars, but the simple reality is that they have no use on the street. I can go buy a 700 horsepower Mustang right now, it's cool, it will go nearly 200mph. The problem is there isn't a single public road in the country where I can drive it at even half of it's top speed, not to mention my complete lack of skill behind the wheel. So while I'm impressed by it's power, all that power is useless to anyone not racing. The thing is, if I were to go buy that Mustang, I'd still have a perfectly usable car.
Sport bikes are in much the same league, but with far less overall utility. They are designed for speed and handling, and they do both those things very well. But they lack utility, and the couple that I've ridden were uncomfortable after a couple hours. I couldn't do a weekend ride on one.

I don't care what anyone rides or drives, that's why my original comment started with "personally". The OP was asking for opinions, so I gave him mine. There isn't any right answer, but he should at least know about most of his options.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Been down twice. Both times were when I was young and stupid.

Leather is leather. Material thickness is all that counts. If you want a flashy design or some fellows name printed on it, you pay more. Helmets are much the same, DOT and even Snell rated helmets can be had for less than a hundred bucks. My point is that a cool paint job or beer can graphics don't necessarily translate into a product that will perform better.

There's a huge difference in fit and in venting between my old HJC helmet and my current Arai (with the Arai being much better). While I'm sure that the HJC would have performed just fine (it was SNELL current when I had it), the Arai is much more comfortable and has better airflow when riding.

It's similar with jackets; it's definitely worth paying extra to get a jacket with well-thought-out vents.

ZV

 

[T2urtle]

I really like my 03 sv650n, a lot of older people ask about it when they see it next to all the 600 sport bikes. Its a good blend of both to me. I'm 26 and feel this is perfect for me, after long rides only my palms and ears hurt. I think better leather gloves and a different helmet could solve those. This is my 2nd year riding and first year on the sv. I love it, good amount of power to scoot around the city and more then enough to go 80mph on the highway. The wind gets more annoying. I only get about 35-37 MPG.

It was this or a nightster 1200. This was a lot cheaper and easier to upkeep from what I was told.

 

[z1ggy]

Been down twice. Both times were when I was young and stupid.

Leather is leather. Material thickness is all that counts. If you want a flashy design or some fellows name printed on it, you pay more. Helmets are much the same, DOT and even Snell rated helmets can be had for less than a hundred bucks. My point is that a cool paint job or beer can graphics don't necessarily translate into a product that will perform better.

You are right about the protection level vs cost. There are other factors in a helmet though to increase price besides graphics. Features such as the ease of shield removal and replacement, quality of the interior materials, ability to not fog up, quietness, and air venting are all factors that are important to a serious rider. Beginners can buy the $100 HJC and it will serve them fine, but eventually they will come to realize that a more expensive one will be much more enjoyable to use and wear.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I really like my 03 sv650n, a lot of older people ask about it when they see it next to all the 600 sport bikes. Its a good blend of both to me. I'm 26 and feel this is perfect for me, after long rides only my palms and ears hurt. I think better leather gloves and a different helmet could solve those. This is my 2nd year riding and first year on the sv. I love it, good amount of power to scoot around the city and more then enough to go 80mph on the highway. The wind gets more annoying. I only get about 35-37 MPG.

It was this or a nightster 1200. This was a lot cheaper and easier to upkeep from what I was told.

I'm definitely not going to rag on the SV650, it's a great bike. But whoever told you that the Nightster would be difficult in terms of upkeep was full of shit. Keep gas and oil in it and the Sportster engines (both 883 and 1200) will run virtually forever. The Nightster probably would cost more initially though, they've been holding value in the used market well because the look is popular.

Overall, you probably made the right choice. While I love the look of the Nightsters, the way they're lowered means you don't have very much rear suspension travel at all and the result is a rather harsh ride. The Nightster is a bar-hopping bike, not something that you can hop on and ride for 200 miles comfortably. The SV650 is much better for comfort than the Nightster (though other Sportster variants are also much more comfortable than the Nightster as well).

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

I really like my 03 sv650n, a lot of older people ask about it when they see it next to all the 600 sport bikes. Its a good blend of both to me. I'm 26 and feel this is perfect for me, after long rides only my palms and ears hurt. I think better leather gloves and a different helmet could solve those. This is my 2nd year riding and first year on the sv. I love it, good amount of power to scoot around the city and more then enough to go 80mph on the highway. The wind gets more annoying. I only get about 35-37 MPG.

It was this or a nightster 1200. This was a lot cheaper and easier to upkeep from what I was told.

2 words: wear earplugs

 

[roguerower]

Another +1 for the SV650 or the GS500. I rode a GS for 8 months before getting my Triumph and could ride better than idiots on supersports who couldn't control their bikes.

 

[pauldun170]

For first new riders, visit motorcycle shops and try the gear on.
Certain brands will have a different fit than others.

With Jackets, you can take a cheapo leather jacket and a high end jacket and they will offer similar level of protection if the specs are bout equal.
On the cheaper jacket, the leather may feel stiff and artificial, the stitching may tart coming loose early and venting sucks.
One of my my AlpineStars Jackets have the same list price as my Joe Rocket jacket and the Joe Rocket jacket has more vents\pockets but I rarely wear my Joe Rocket jacket. The AlpineStars jacket just feels better in terms of comfort and fit. the color alone is reason enough to pick it first on every ride.
I've found some really nice fitting Icon jackets that fit me perfect, looked great and had all the feature I wanted but I've heard some folks have had issues with stitching issues after being worn a for a few times (that and the model I liked hasn't popped up on clearance discount big enough for me to take the jump). Dianese is very nice but I can never find a shop that has a good selection.

Gloves - I'm not that brand aware as I have always just gone to the MC shop and tried them on. Currently have a set of Olympias for cold weather riding and a pair of textile armored glove (full...covering the wrist) whose brand I never really noticed.
They fit and they are pretty well built.

I've had my Oxtar boots since 2002. Forget the model but they look like the Matrix GTX thats currently on the Oxtar site. Can't believe they have lasted this long.

Ear plugs - big ole box of foam ones. Get them anywhere.

 

[Majunior]

+1 for the SV650 as well. I ended up with a Honda 599 and couldn't be happier.


Take the MSF beginners course, It's worth it. Know that you're going to hit the ground at some point, and prepare for it. Don't skimp on gear, as it's there to save you from death, and the pain and agony of the wreck.

Imagine running down the road, tripping on a crack, and trying to catch yourself with your hands or landing on your head or knees. Now try to imagine instead of going 6-7 mph, you're going 35, 45, or 70mph.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

For a jacket I'd get a leather one if you can. If you can't afford one get a good textile jacket. If it's really hot in your area you can think about picking up a mesh jacket. A good jacket is only going to protect you if you wear it and sometimes it's too damn hot to wear leather.

If you pay more you might get better armor/vents/materials. My friend won a Bilt textile jacket from a cyclegear bike night last week. It didn't have YKK zippers and that thing broke open while he was riding home yesterday. Had no vents either. Whatever jacket you pick up I think it's a good idea to replace the back armor. The one that comes with the jackets is usually crap. I bought a cooling vest the other day and that ting works pretty well. So that's an option too.

Trying gloves on are a good idea too. GP style gloves usually fit a little more snug. Only problem is most shops won't carry the kinds you might be interested in. Like RS Taichi/Alpinestars. Might be a good idea to watch a brian vann video review sportbiketrackgear.com of the glove and see what other gloves he mentions fit similar.

Also if you're trying to be AGATT you definitely want to pick up some pants. Something for abrasian resistance and probably impact resistance. Knees to pavement is bad. I have draggin liners with hip and knee armor. They work pretty well. Might be cheaper to buy some overpants or textile pants though.

 

[Renob]

Now that she green lit it, I don't even know if i want it.

So, assuming I go forward with this, I know the following:
BIKE
1) I want something less expensive and probably used (sub $6000)
2) I do not care for sport bikes

4) I care about reliability and fuel economy
5) I don't care for a bike that accelerates fast

QUOTE]

R U NOT a MAN?

 

[Zargon]

Been down twice. Both times were when I was young and stupid.

Leather is leather. Material thickness is all that counts. If you want a flashy design or some fellows name printed on it, you pay more. Helmets are much the same, DOT and even Snell rated helmets can be had for less than a hundred bucks. My point is that a cool paint job or beer can graphics don't necessarily translate into a product that will perform better.

this. I have paid under 100 for helmets on closeout, close gear is almost all i will buy, unless I just went down and need a new something right now

but I ride in sneakers alot, because, well, work is 2 miles away and its all 30MPH zone



did you say you got an XR1200 btw?


I would suggest looking at sportsters, SV650's, and the small jap cruisers of course

try out the DRZ400 too, maybe the yamaha WR250X, see which standardy bikes riding style suits you

and they can be had pretty reasonably, with the Harley's IMo having the biggest premium 'for what you are getting'

 

[master7045]

I don't know much (if anything) about bikes or bike safety, but I've thought about buying one too. The farthest I've gotten is online shopping for them and the model I have always liked the look of are the Triumph Bonneville's. Good luck!

 

[soccerballtux]

Make sure to try the helmet on before you buy. Some good sites for gear are:
motorcyclegear.com
motorcyclecloseouts.com
revzilla.com <- they pricematch
cyclegear.com
ironpony.com
leatherup.com

+1 get helmet that is super tight. First helmet was snug but quickly loosened up, now not really connected with head. 2nd helmet much tighter, now still tight and tracks head very closely. Much better.

 

[roguerower]

I don't know much (if anything) about bikes or bike safety, but I've thought about buying one too. The farthest I've gotten is online shopping for them and the model I have always liked the look of are the Triumph Bonneville's. Good luck!

Nice looking bike, but I'm more of a Thruxton fan myself. Doesn't matter, if I get another bike it'll be a Speed Triple R or an 848 Evo.

 

[Baked]

Ducati Streetfighter 848 in t shirt and board shorts.