Let's talk about Motorcycles - Can you ride smart and safe?

[mjshira]

I have always loved motorcycles. My Dad was big Harley rider from the 40's through the 70's.

Out there there are still open roads and less traffic than other places I've lived like NorCal or NYC for example. So I've been kicking around the idea of getting a bike.

What do I need to know?

What do you guys think?

[pwd72s]

You'll break a leg...or worse. But then, rent or buy "EZ Rider"...you'll do it anyway.

[nostatic]

do a search on "coyote"

[Rot 911]

Take a motorcycle safety course. What kind of bike are you interested in?

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by nostatic

do a search on "coyote"

Hoot! And we're not talking about sexy babes dancing atop a bar, are we???

[mjshira]

nothing bigger than a 600, a jap bike, probably a honda CBR as I also want to do some track days with a buddy of mine.

[the]

Motorcycling can be very safe.

Until that one second where it isn't.

[on-ramp]

I just started riding myself. Take the safety class. You will learn a lot there. Also, spend some $ on good riding equipment. Avoid riding at night and in the rain at first.
My bike is a Honda 600vt. It's a good starter bike, but at 450 lbs, it's still heavy for some people.

Ride when you're relaxed and awake, like in the morning or afternoon. I try to avoid late in the day because the sun is in your eyes.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by on-ramp

Ride when you're relaxed and awake, like in the morning or afternoon. I try to avoid late in the day because the sun is in your eyes.

Only if you ride west.

[on-ramp]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Only if you ride west.

you mean the Sun sets in the West ? wow.

[5axis]

A SV650 can take you from beginner to Advanced trackday rider and do it affordably. It is one of those bikes that does things much better than one would assume.

Search SVs on the bike boards and you will find a lot of info.


http://www.nesba.com/

BTW
We were just at Putnam this past weekend.

[cab83_750]

Yamaha YZF750R and R1 for me. I live around the canyons and love the rockets.

As stated above, take the MSF. It pays for itself, plus you don't have to take the DMV riding test.

BTW, my factory manual states that you should treat your bike like a toothbrush (don't let anyone else use it).

[Aerkuld]

Quote:
"Let's talk about Motorcycles - Can you ride smart and safe?"

My opinion-
Yes. But you also have to ask the question,
"Can everyone else around you be trusted to DRIVE smart and safe?"
The answer to which is the reason I don't want to ride a bike anymore.

[rattlsnak]

Two kinds of bike riders....... ones that have gone down, and ones that are going down.

It usually isnt you, its the idiot in the car next to you.

[rob justice]

I own a couple of bikes - been riding now for over 20 years. Got into off road enduro riding earlier this year. After road riding for over 20 years, I was shocked by how much you learn whilst riding off road - the learning curve is just unbelievable. Feel as if the two complement each other and I'm actually enjoying biking a lot more.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by the

Motorcycling can be very safe.

Until that one second where it isn't.

does not even need to be whole second. the problem is not so much the mistake you might make, but the other guy, or coyote in Todd's case.

Never had a bike for the same reason I did not play football. I plan to be a very old man some day, and would like to be able to tie my own shoes.

[Gogar]

You can ride responsible and safe. The problem is: You need to realize that the guy next to you just bought his FIRST motorcycle, and it has a 3:1 weightower ratio. He's never taken classes, and he BARELY passed the motorcycle endorsement requirement with his bike. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU. motorcyce riding is LOTS of defense, and a little enjoyment in the holes.

[5axis]

Silly fun and crazy dangerous. You need to make the value judgment.

My little brother on his >$3k SV track bike.



Crashes... hmm I lost count.. I think I have between 16-20. Not sure anymore, we changed the rules and lowsides don't count as full crashes

My leather repair expert told me it was time to retire mine as they were getting ground kind of thin in a lot of places

[SLO-BOB]

The simple answer - No.

However, One out of two ain't bad (I guess). You can ride smart. I'll take Rattlesnaks answer (the right one btw) one step farther- There are two kinds of riders. The ones that survive the crash, and the ones that don't.

Get the bike, but buy the right protective gear, take it slowly, and avoid commuting. If you just use it for daytime pleasure riding you significantly reduce the opportunity to get punted off your bike by a motorist who did not see you.

Track days are a GREAT way to get to know the limits of any variety of machine in a relatively safe environment.

Also know that even "just" a 600 cc Honda is a hell of a lot faster than most cars on the road. They can get you in over your head very quickly. You need to really stay on top of that short wheelbase.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Never had a bike for the same reason I did not play football. I plan to be a very old man some day, and would like to be able to tie my own shoes.

Well said - I played football and have put over 550,000 miles on bikes in the past 42 years. In the early days, I kept track of my crashes by writing them down. I didn't count dirt riding or racing. I quit counting after 25 crashes.......I didn't plan on ever living long enough to get old and now can't tie my shoes!!!!!!!!!!

Safe motorcycling is very doable. Like any other sport, but good gear, get good instruction and take it one step at a time.......