Good motorcycle forum? Good bike to get?

VaSteve · 07-27-2006, 07:37 PM

I want a motorcycle. I want one I can ride to work (~45 miles each way) in the carpool lane. The only motorcycle seat time I have is the MSF class last November and my brother's scooter for a couple of unlicensed weeks last summer. I think I will have to build my way up to riding to work. (I can at least ride to the comuter lot, about halfway, and ride with somone from there since there is less traffic).

I don't want a sport bike. It's not my thing. I like a couple of different bikes: an early 70's BMW /5. It's simple and looks good. Supposedly built like a tank. But, I don't want something I need to maintain and fool with all the time especially if I'm commuting on it. I also like HD Sportsters. The 883's are cheap enough that I could have a fairly new one. There's plenty of dealers around and it's new so I could get parts. I really like both those bikes. They have some soul to me. The practical side of me thinks it should be something more suited to longer trips, like one of the newer BMW bikes (used of course). I don't know anything about them, but they are a lot more expensive and don't have as much soul. The generic Japanese bikes hold little appeal to me.

Then there's logistics. I wear a suit to work, so I want to research how suit wearing guys like myself ride and make it work.

Are there any good, non-brand specific forums where I could reserch stuff like logistics, which might help me choose a bike? I like the PP BBS feel, not too big, not too small. Anyone have a place they can recommend. Or just post in this thread.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I am like you. I commute 62 miles each way. I currently have a BMW R1150GS, and it just doesn't offer the wind protection for the riding I have been doing lately (all interstate). I am not using the bike for what it was built for anymore, so I am thinking of getting an Electra Glide.....

I know, big change....

Bill

motion · 07-27-2006, 08:08 PM

Bill.....???? Go with a larger screen perhaps? I've done 750 mile days on my 1150 Adventure no problem! Get some Tobinators!

VaSteve: Stay away from the Sportsters. Trust me.

Likewise with the old BMWs. You will be constantly tinkering with them.

You need to stick with a smaller bike, 600 or smaller for your first bike. How about a Ducati Monster 600?

kmhemi · 07-27-2006, 08:37 PM

The new sportsters are fuel injected and the motor is set on rubber mounts now to eliminate the vibration. I think they got a 6 speed box this year too.
I have a Buell (built by Harley Davdison) 1200 and I like it alot. I ride it to work. Its about 60 miles one way and you dont have to lean over to ride it.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

http://www.katriders.com

VincentVega · 07-27-2006, 08:56 PM

Steve

Get some riding gear and change at work, that's the only way to go.

Figure you will change your mind after you start riding, so get something cheap and simple. sv6500, older GSX, vfr...

HardDrive · 07-27-2006, 09:17 PM

3 guys I work with drive Honda Goldwings to work everyday. Very reliable and comfortable.

Pick up a used one.

Evans, Marv · 07-27-2006, 10:18 PM

I'm thinking of getting a bike for some trips. My best friend is pressuring me so we can do it together. I like the 2003 & newer Honda ST1300, and it sounds like it might fit your need. Comes with compartments by the rear wheel to store things in, but it doesn't look like a giant touring bike.

VaSteve · 07-28-2006, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motion

VaSteve: Stay away from the Sportsters. Trust me.

Likewise with the old BMWs. You will be constantly tinkering with them.

You need to stick with a smaller bike, 600 or smaller for your first bike. How about a Ducati Monster 600?

Yeah, I want to avoid tinkering for something I will be riding often. Everything I have heard about the Duc's is that they require a lot of attention.

Mr_Wizard · 07-28-2006, 04:16 AM

I would go with the new Sportsters. They have larger tanks now, and the engines are rubber mounted. If you get a Sportster though, ensure it is a newer one. I had an 01 883 and it was a great bike, never left me stranded, but the engine was not rubber mounted and around 85 MPH the vibration was bad.

VaSteve · 07-28-2006, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr_Wizard
I would go with the new Sportsters. They have larger tanks now, and the engines are rubber mounted. If you get a Sportster though, ensure it is a newer one. I had an 01 883 and it was a great bike, never left me stranded, but the engine was not rubber mounted and around 85 MPH the vibration was bad.

Yeah, I knew they swapped out the motor mounts...and I know it was recent. Is is something you can update to an older bike? I don't plan on doing 85, just yet.

Mr_Wizard · 07-28-2006, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by VaSteve
Yeah, I knew they swapped out the motor mounts...and I know it was recent. Is is something you can update to an older bike? I don't plan on doing 85, just yet.

Not sure if you can rubber mount an older Sportster. Im sure they had to make changes to the frame to acommodate the rubber mounts.

Mr_Wizard · 07-28-2006, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motion
VaSteve: Stay away from the Sportsters. Trust me.

Just a quick question, why stay away. I never had a problem with mine, and the vibration was only a problem on long road trips. Trust me is not a valid reason. How bout we all just take everything that Pasty pastes at face value because he says Trust Me.

VaSteve · 07-28-2006, 05:05 AM

I looked over some of those other bikes suggested. Don't the leaning forward positions tire you out after a while? Even for the "sport/tourers" it looked like it would be uncomfortable.

The Duc's look painful!

motion · 07-28-2006, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr_Wizard
Just a quick question, why stay away. I never had a problem with mine, and the vibration was only a problem on long road trips. Trust me is not a valid reason. How bout we all just take everything that Pasty pastes at face value because he says Trust Me.

"Friends don't let friends ride Sportsters", so they say. I bought a 1200 Sportster a couple of years ago. Thought it was a nice enough bike until everyone starts telling me its a girl's bike. I'm perplexed. Sure enough, I dig into it and find out that it IS a girl's bike. Not to denigrate anyone here who rides a Sportster. Just letting you know that there is a stigma attached.

Mr_Wizard · 07-28-2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motion
"Friends don't let friends ride Sportsters", so they say. I bought a 1200 Sportster a couple of years ago. Thought it was a nice enough bike until everyone starts telling me its a girl's bike. I'm perplexed. Sure enough, I dig into it and find out that it IS a girl's bike. Not to denigrate anyone here who rides a Sportster. Just letting you know that there is a stigma attached.

How do you figure a Sportster is a girls bike? Where did you "dig" into it? Couple of facts, it has a higher ground clearance than any Soft Tail (amazing because most men are taller than women), or the V-ROD, a 1200 Sportster will dust a standard 88B Twin Cam, and it much more manuverable. Now that they are rubber mounted and have larger tanks on them they are probably some of the best bikes around. If your riding a bike because of the "stigma" attached to it, your a f'n poser. I am sorry you have such a weak constitution that you worry about what everyone else thinks. Why do you drive a Porsche? Just because it has an emblem on it or do you like the performance? If you just want the looks why dont you just buy a damn Kia and slap a Jaguar hood orinament on it?

KFC911 · 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motion
"Friends don't let friends ride Sportsters", so they say. I bought a 1200 Sportster a couple of years ago. Thought it was a nice enough bike until everyone starts telling me its a girl's bike. I'm perplexed. Sure enough, I dig into it and find out that it IS a girl's bike. Not to denigrate anyone here who rides a Sportster. Just letting you know that there is a stigma attached.

If you're the type a person who cares about what others say or think, that might be an issue

. So, how did you determine that a sportster 'IS' a girl's bike btw? IMO, it's more like having a sports car verses a SUV. When I see a female on a HD, it's almost always not a sportster.... I'm not offended (I have an '87), but have never understood this point of view, and YES, you will hear it from the typical HD crowd. BTW Steve, I think I'm going to sell mine...if you think you'd be interested in a sporty (I'm not trying to sway your opinion), shoot me a PM.

edited: Oops, Bill posted while I was typing...I concur

motion · 07-28-2006, 06:10 AM

A little sensitive are we?

Fact is, if you roll up to a group on HDs riding a Sportster, you are going to hear snickering. That's just the way that group thinks.

1967 R50/2 · 07-28-2006, 06:16 AM

For a good start, try the Pelican R1100S Forum.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/

KFC911 · 07-28-2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by motion
A little sensitive are we?

Fact is, if you roll up to a group on HDs riding a Sportster, you are going to hear snickering. That's just the way that group thinks.

Well...you started it

! I don't disagree with this, but it's simply a reflection of the poser HOG mentality not the reality of the bike imo...