Except the '86-'87 VFR700 (I have one as my beater/commuter). In stock trim these things make about 60-70 HP, and can be had for under $1.5k.

I like Alpinestars air flo textile overpants. Easy zip over street clothes and what seems to be enough protection for minor crashes (didn't get to test them like the rest of my gear :(

I don't think I'd run any of the reinforced jeans. Better than straight levis, but gear moves around when you go down so protection needs to be maximized. Better with over pants over jeans, or good tough textile/kevlar pants, or better still, leather.

I'm telling you, the difference between leather and textile/mesh is HUGE. In fact I'm going to keep my leather motogp jacket just to wear around (sans armor). It is scuffed, but still ready for action.

The Real Reason:

When the ladies ask how the scuff happened you've got your in! ;)

In the BMW range , a 95-97 R850 R oilhead may be a safe inexpensive beginner bike for the right rider. ABS ,fuel inj,suspension design second to none and cheap. It aint no Hailwood Replica ,flashy sport bike ,but if you can handle the 400= lbs of the sidestand, it has very good street manners and a bullet proof engine to boot..
It is certianly an aquirred taste once you see the lines of the bike,great hips , full Bust up front and a rear sloping diagonal taper to splice the package together.
BUT before you swing a leg over anything ABSOUTLY take the MFS course and read David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling, Read The Hurt Report, Find the Riders Creed, about riding your own ride and live it. Leave the ego in the driveway when you ride and remember 4 tires and alot of metal beats 2 tires and no metal in the event you decide to tangle....Jesus i sound pathetic,sorry rant off.

especially when I tell them that my g/f was wearing it (which she was) :p

I agree with Kurt V. I have the First Gear over pants as well. They have a zip in liner for colder weather, and good armor.

Bill

I don't know how big you are because a 250 is kinda small but why not look at a new Kawasaki Ninja. They are only like 3grand brand new. But you'll have to be in the right gear to accelerate quickly.

They are small, light, both feet on the gound easy to pick up if you knock it over. (Notice I didn't say fell over, cause I hope that never happens.) The only other thing being a 250 you could out grow the bike quickly. But with your experience you may have it a while before you move up. Just a thought.

Check it out:
www.kawasaki.com

Last year they didn't have the flames.

I did the MSF class last fall based on recommendations from this baord. Also, got the book proficient motorcycling (need to find it in my house, LOL). Lots of good recommendations on this board, by adults (not in the legal sense). Which is why I like asking here.

Thanks

Aerostich Dariens. Textile (cordura) overpants. Waterproof via Goretex. They go over street clothes (great for commuting), take 5 seconds to get on/take off, and probably give the best protection (abrasion resistance) next to quality leather. They're pricey ($300), but I don't ride without them anymore (unless I'm in full leathers).
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/index.html



Countersteering works even at 10 mph on a bicycle. Pedaling (or not) makes no difference, but it's probably easier to feel the effects of countersteering if you're not pedaling and just concentrating on the handling. The amount you turn the handle bars is tiny; but the effect that has on steering is not.

Another +1 for bikes like the SV650, Baby (250) Ninja, 500 Ninja, or GS500E (or whatever Suzuki's calling it these days) as a first bike. A 600/620 Monster would also be OK, if you're willing to stomach the parts/maintenance bills.

I had no problem countersteering the bike, I just tried to pedal at the same time (like you'd accellerate out of a turn on a motorcycle). It was difficult to lean AND pedal at the same time.

A friend (a 50-something woman and first time rider) just bought a Ninja 250 new. She likes it, but the break-in is a B!TCH. You can't even get over 45 for the first 1000 miles! Or something like that. I'm too lazy to look it up. I just remember that it was a PITA.

My friend's Ninja 500 was the same. He couldn't come visit me because it would have taken him all day on the 45 mp streets.

I don't know why anyone buys these new.

I keep going back to the mid-80's Hondas. $1000 to $1500 and you get a bike that always starts, runs forever as long as they are maintained, and have a lot of modern technology to boot. No bad habits. Parts are plentiful, and there are a lot of them out there. If you drop it, no big deal. When you grow out of it, you'll still be able to sell it for what you had in it.

1st bike?

SV650 (carb'd ones are cheap to buy!)
NT650 aka Hawk GT
EX500 aka Ninja 500

A mildly modded SV will hang with a Duc 748 anywhere in the real world and even on the track...lest one think the SV is a beginners' bike only.

I bought a 748 after 3 months of learning on a 1000cc BMW airhead. The Ducati's not a death sentence if you're careful. It's beautiful, the sound is intoxicating, and the ride is a thrill. Within two years I was doing track days on it and the bike gets attention everywhere it goes. Extra creds for losing the chicken strips, too.

That being said, considering what you're going through with the 930, you'll want a more reliable, inexpensive bike. I mentioned vintage bikes earlier, and I'll post examples of vintage cafe racers below (from www.caferace.com). Clean vintage street bikes are easily converted by installing low clubman bars or clip-ons, a solo cafe racer seat, loud pipes, and better shocks. Start with a Honda and you've got a pretty reliable, relatively cheap bike with lots of style that's fun to ride.

Alternatively, and less of potential headaches, is to go down to Bellevue Kawasaki and look at the Korean 250cc V-twin sportbikes that they're starting to sell. It think they're less than 4K and look like a lot of fun. I'm considering one as a dedicated track bike. I'll add a pic of that as well. This stuff's fun to think about, eh?

I race one of these (just not as pretty!):
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1157962297.jpg

BMW airheads make for simple, reliable cafe racers:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1157962366.jpg

The holy grail, a 72 Ducati 750GT:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1157962449.jpg

A Honda CB750:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1157962664.jpg

And here's an awesome bike on Ebay that would look grreat as a cafe racer, the classic '67 Honda CB450 "Black Bomber":
[img]
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads8/Black+bomber1157962824.jpg[/img]

And finally, the Korean sportbikes I mentioned:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1157962870.jpg

Where can you get that tank for the CB 750? Would have loved one of those when I had mine..

Saw the Hyosung at a Kawasaki dealer....I just can't get past the name.
I do recall thinking they are about 1k cheaper than an equivalent Japanese sport bike -

Those cafe' jobs remind me of when my Dad & I went to the track back in the 1970s......fun times!

This is what I ended up with. 1980 BMW R65. :D

And it matches my Targa!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1158030157.jpg

congrats ... I see a very cool project in your future..
http://www.rockerboxer.com/page/page/1415111/360717.htm

Steve, if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for the R65, and what kind of shape is it in? I remember looking at the airheads and being amazed at how expensive they were (for 26-year-old bikes, that is).

Steve,
Nice choice !! looks very clean and unmolested. And it's AIRCOOLED.
The handling on your bike and the single sided swing arm R80ST were said to be the best handling beemers they built.

Loose the windshield,unless you really like it. i have a BMW bikini fairing for your bike ,contact me if interested hbkramer@aol.com

Also check out www.IBMWR.org for info if you're not there already. Tech stuff etc. Another site is www.airheads.org
Great group of strictly aircoled rider/wrenches across the country. recommend you join for the tech stuff alone.
Have the trans input splines been lubed recently? If not put it on your list for this winter,Or find a local tech session in your area after you join the Airheads,and you will have tons of help!
Have fun AFTER you take the rider course.
I will ps headed north in Pa (working of course) on my 96 R11R in a few hours.This puppy will have served up 80K Bulletproof miles for me by the time I get home tonight. !
Enjoy!

Probably repeating everyone else here, but go with the SV650. Monster 750'sa nd 800's are great, but they are rather pricey to buy and even more expensive to maintain.