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RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

FloridaKittyCat — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:56:55 GMT

Honda VTX.

Interesting change of pace for the Sideline...

Used to ride for pleasure, now more for necessity, due to rising gas prices. On days I go to school, I'm logging 80-100 miles a day on the road. The bike gets waaaayyy better gas mileage than my car, which averages 28-34 MPG. Of course, on client visit days, I'm forced to dress up, which is usually dresses/skirts, meaning I can't take the bike, which sucks.

Can't add to any advice already posted, i.e.: take the safety courses, wear a full helmet, protective clothing, stay out of the middle of the lane, etc.

I went to a lawyer and drew up a will when I started riding. Any rider will tell you that it's a matter of when, not if, you will wipe out due to someone else's stupidity. People in vehicles don't watch out (and in some cases, don't care) for motorcyclists. There's a lot of i-d-iots out there on the road; be careful, and be safe.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Jag A Holic 54 — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:51:43 GMT

I started out on a small Honda Rebel 250. After three months I got a Suzuki Savage 650. I felt more comfortable on the small bike at first because riding a motorcycle was new to me. Didnt take me long to outgrow it. I chose the Savage because it was a good fit for a short person and it didnt feel to heavy for me. I have a good friend who has been riding for years and he told me to buy a bike that I felt comfortable with and to take the safety course. Honda used to reimburse for the class if you bought a motorcycle from them. I dont know if they still do that. What kind of bike are you thinking about. A cruiser or a sports bike? My husband had a Honda Shadow 600. Nice bike but of course he wanted a bigger one. He never did get one though. We both had helmets made by HJC. I belive they were 3/4 helmets. Not all helmets are created equal. Be sure it is DOT approved. Take the safety course offered in your area. It is well worth every penny and you will learn everything you need to know to become a responsible mototcycle rider.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Michael Lee — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:22:45 GMT

[quote][b]Michael Lee (5/18/2008)[/b][hr]Azalea festival today in Palataka.Nice rid down the river road.I''ll be there.:)[/quote]

dumb surprise nothing going on there.Nice ride though.And I wasn't even injured.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Michael Lee — Sun, 18 May 2008 07:14:16 GMT

Azalea festival today in Palataka.Nice rid down the river road.I''ll be there.:)

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

The Drifter — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:37:28 GMT

1st Bike I ever had was a 1967 BSA 350 one lugger. 350 CC's in one cylinder.

Had a 1967 Triumph Bonneville, Real Nice Bike.

Bought my Cousins 1972 Harley-Davidson XR-750 , same type of Bike Evel Knievel used in all those jumps. Nice bike but.......

Last bike I had was a 1984 Sportser. Just something to tool around in ahnd have fun. 1000 CC's.

Yeah, I've laid a few down because of i-d-i-o-t-s in cages not watching out for biies. And yes, I've cracked the ole bean open 2-3 times but.....

I will ride to this day. Don't let anyone scare you about not riding. You can get hit by a cement truck just walking across the street.

Learn defensive ridiing and enjoy the open road with the wind in your hair, and your Ol' lady on the back. :)

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

MalabarJag — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:34:10 GMT

[quote][b]Southern Chicken (5/17/2008)[/b][hr] Salty, huh? How long have you been a rider?[/quote]

I gave it up after I got married. When someone else depends on you being alive, it's time to cut down on the risks. But I must admit, nothing beats the cool air rushing by on a hot day.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Southern Chicken — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:15:41 GMT

[quote][b]MalabarJag (5/17/2008)[/b][hr]Motorcycles are a blast! They're the most fun you can have committing suicide.

No matter how skilled a rider you are, the other drivers are a real danger. If you do get one, make sure it's loud and has a very bright headlight on at all times. Never drive in a car's blind spot. Having it be "their fault" in an accident is no comfort when you're dead or crippled for life.

It also sucks in the rain, especially in thunderstorms. Get a leather jacket; raindrops hit hard at 50 MPH.

[/quote]

Salty, huh? How long have you been a rider?

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

MalabarJag — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:09:57 GMT

Motorcycles are a blast! They're the most fun you can have committing suicide.

It also sucks in the rain, especially in thunderstorms. Get a leather jacket; raindrops hit hard at 50 MPH.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Southern Chicken — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:07:28 GMT

[quote][b]TheClotTroll (5/16/2008)[/b][hr].

I know that there are a couple of people around here, like FBT and tannerfox, who ride. I would like to ask them, and anyone else, for any advice on motorcycles.

1)What kind of bike do you have?

2004 Honda Valkyrie 1500

2)Any safety tips?

Do not ride in the center of a highway road. Oil can be found there. Wear gloves for fatigue.

3)Any tips on what the school experience would be like?

You would be trained the basics on a 250 cc. You would be given a written test at the end of training.

45) What helmet should I get (save the Jughead and Big Ben jokes for later:)...I'm serious)?

Full face would be great for beginners. Snell makes them.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

TheClotTroll — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:51:21 GMT

[quote][b]Michael Lee (5/17/2008)[/b][hr] Sounds like you may have the bug.This friend of yours,maybe he can take you on Sunday ride.

You have got to love it man.If you want to save gas,get a little car.I have been a street rider now for 44 years.Yes it is dangerous imagine driving your car,the car and you are invisible.That is about how it is.You need eyes in the back of your head.

There are actually some advantages to being on a bike.better visibility and the fact that you need a smaller escape zone.nothing can fully compensate for those people that just do not see motorcycles however.

I'll never forget my first ride on a bike.Half a mile on the back of a 50 cc Honda.My hair was everywhere my skin was tingling from the wind still when I got off.As I watched the bike being ridden off,I knew I was hooked.

I am not a risk taker.But having said that.I will repeat something I have heard.

Everybody dies,Buy not everybody lives. for some educated advice go here. http://www.roadbikemag.com/forum/index.php[/quote]

I'm not doing this for the sole purpose of saving money at the pump.

All of your stories didn't turn out well, but here's the thing: I want to get a full education on it and go to a school with several different levels before actually going out and buying one and hitting the road. I don't want to just immediately hop on and ride.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

DragonFury — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:40:50 GMT

You what they call bike riders in hospitals?

Donors

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Michael Lee — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:03:51 GMT

Sounds like you may have the bug.This friend of yours,maybe he can take you on Sunday ride.

I am not a risk taker.But having said that.I will repeat something I have heard.

Everybody dies,Buy not everybody lives. for some educated advice go here. http://www.roadbikemag.com/forum/index.php

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

jones&24 — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:35:49 GMT

[quote][b]fjord000 (5/17/2008)[/b][hr]When I started driving back in high school, my dad made a point to tell me that every friend he ever had who owned a motorcycle had gotten into at least one wreck. Now that I'm old enough to where I've had a few friends who decided to ride get into wrecks/accidents, I'm beginning to realize that parents can be eerily right sometimes.[/quote]It takes more than one hand to count the friends I've lost in motorcycle accidents...FWIW.:crying:

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

fjord000 — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:33:48 GMT

When I started driving back in high school, my dad made a point to tell me that every friend he ever had who owned a motorcycle had gotten into at least one wreck. Now that I'm old enough to where I've had a few friends who decided to ride get into wrecks/accidents, I'm beginning to realize that parents can be eerily right sometimes.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

jones&24 — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:27:23 GMT

2-wheeled death. Get it? Cell phone+soccermom driving=dead motorcyclist.

RE: Motorcycles Have My Interest...

Utopia — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:45:46 GMT

Here's my experience:

I was 19 years old, and tried riding one for the first time. I borrowed a friend's bike and told him I'd ride in a neighborhood to get a feel for it. I made it 3 whole blocks when someone ran a stop sign and I woke up several minutes later in someone's front yard with a dislocated hip and my leg pointing in a direction it wasn't meant to point.

At that point, I figured if I couldn't get more than 3 blocks without being hit by a car, it wasn't meant to be.

End of story.

Motorcycles Have My Interest...

TheClotTroll — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:36:46 GMT

First of all, let me say that I have never driven a motorcycle in all my life. I have only ridden on one once, and that was when I was ten years old.

A fellow friend is licensed to teach people how to ride. He has been doing it for all of his life. For $75, he will teach you and eleven other people how to operate a motorcycle. This includes payment for a book and they provide the bike. He tells me from time to time how I should "get into motorcycles."

With gas shooting up to four bucks a gallon, it seems like a wise choice and something that's very enjoyable to do. I see a lot of motorcycles on the road on Sundays and Saturdays. Just like some people play golf on the weekends, they ride and have friends that ride with them.

This all seems very appealing to me. If I were to make the choice to ride, I would wear a helmet religiously. It is more dangerous than driving in a automobile because there are no sides. The least someone could do is wear a helemet...and if I were to get sucked into this, I would want to wear a helmet.

I know that there are a couple of people around here, like FBT and tannerfox, who ride. I would like to ask them, and anyone else, for any advice on motorcycles. Examples: What kind of bike do you have? Any safety tips? Any tips on what the school experience would be like? What, exactly, is "Bike Week" in Daytona Beach? How do you get involved in a group? What helmet should I get (save the Jughead and Big Ben jokes for later:)...I'm serious)? What helmets do you wear? Anything.

I don't know very much about the subject. And if I were to ever ride, I would like to get a full education on it before doing so.

Regards,

TheClotTroll