Hey guys,

I've been thinking of buying a m/c lately but the risks, insurance rates and lack of experience has been holding me back. I've got a m/c learner's permit and I plan to take the msf course within a couple of months or as soon as I get some decent gloves and boots. (the class provides the helmet, i've been told)

I drive an old prelude POS and i plan to keep it after buying the m/c to avoid riding 100% of the time. The less I ride the less risk of crashing right?

Anybody with comments, advice, hints please post.

Thanks

 

On the real, if your gonna crash, then your gonna crash. Regardless if you ride all the time or once a month, you never know when somethings gonna happen, you cant let the fear of crashing keep you from riding, if you do that you might as well not buy a bike. Take me for example, I wrecked 2x in the first month of riding I never even thought about quitting riding, I just went on ebay and made some orders and am back on the road. You just gotta watch out for them cages.

 

Thanks for the info, btw how did u crash the first 2 times? Maybe i can avoid doing what u did. Or was it some idiot that decided to make a left in front of you?

thanks again

 

The first crash happened exactly one week after purchase, I was going around the local twisties, finishing up the break in period, when I was coming in too fast for a corner (actually i was just going a little quick, but i can now take the same turn ALOT faster than when i wrecked) and for a newbie, I panicked and tried to stop, I didnt look toward the exit of the turn, I looked toward the shoulder and ended up going into a little ditch and messing up the bike cosmetically pretty bad, and the second time was I went over a patch of pine needles and braked and the front wheel locked up, I tried to pump the brake but I still ended up going over. Luckilly I was not seriously hurt in either of these accidents, I always wear helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots. But if I am going out strictly to ride then I will wear my pants too.

I dont have any leather though, except for my alpinestars gp+ gloves and side vert 2's, I wear textile since it rains every now and then. But I will be buying some leather pretty soon. Probably a good priced 2pc suit

 

Get a car before you get bike.
If u drive a "pos" prelude, then use the money for the bike towards a car.

I'm trying to get rid of my civic; and for myself to get a decent car, I also have to get rid of my bike..something I got 5 months ago.

Listen, bottom line is that if you are under 25, and you own a newer sportbike, you are going to be *** raped on insurance. Wait until you are older; you will probably be more intelligent and less inclined to try stupid moves on your bike.

**EDIT But ur 30, so the last part doesnt matter**


[Modified by Aly D., 11:20 PM 1/8/2003]

 

Hell No

 

what he said.

 

Thanks for your opinions. Maybe i exaggerated when i called my car a POS, everything works on my car even the A/C, i called it a POS because it's an '89 prelude. I'm satisfied with the car, but you have a point.

Ok guys, here's a new question for you.

Should I buy a 95 to 99 integra GSR or a bike?

I'm still gonna go ahead and get my m/c license though.

for everyone

 

I've had my bike since oct and haven't looked back since. I haven't had any incidents yet and I've put 1000 miles on it since I bought it (It's been kinda cold most of the time or else there would be more miles on it). I plan on getting into the first course I can when they start up around here for this year. I say if you can afford it, go for it. Now if money things get tight around my house I don't know which will go, the R or the CBR.

 

Hell no.......Dude by the way your thinking, it seems that your almost anticipating a crash...If this thought occupies your mind then you better change your state of thinking before you start riding...I'm not saying it might never happen, but the key is to think positive....as you know"**** happens" but if you've got a clear mind and your not worrying about crashing....that will definately help you out....Good luck, ride safe and have fun....Cheers

 

If you need to ask then you're probably better off going w/ the gsr. Don't forget with a motorcycle you also have many other responsibilities you wouldn't get w/ a car. You also have a seperate and potentially insane insurance premium to worry about. Also gear is very expensive and it is just as important as having working brakes. Proper training is possibly even more important than gear! Assuming you're just thinking about the bike right now I'd say go get yourself a new car and your m class license and learn a bit more. You do realize you can take the msf beginner courses w/o having a bike and its actually designed to be taken that way.

 

Whatever you do, dont get a new bike for your first bike!!! I did this and now its all rashed up, due to the wrecks, and I only have liability because I was 18 when I bought it 7 months ago. Full coverage was 2000 a year and the bike was only 3000 so **** full coverage...but I wish I would have bought an older 250 for like 1500 shipped. Oh well, I really did it to just build credit and when I pay it off I'll have built up a good amount of credit.

 

No regrets here.

Just a few "words of wisdom" here and you'll be on your way

- Take the MSF course that will tell you a lot about liking/disliking riding
- Start with a non-faired bike (GS500 or EX 500 would do the trick nicely), it will be cheap to fix if dropped and you will not be tempted by higher speeds due to wind pressure.
- Do not ride as you drive. It takes more concentration, more paranoia and more skill. If you can't focus, don't ride.
- Anticipate 500-1,000$ in safety gear
- Don't overdo it, but don't underdo it as well. When you ride you need to make decisions quickly and be committed.
- Your skills are your life insurance. Practice, practice, practice.
- Besides your skill, you need to be able to read the traffic (who is going to screw up and take you out.), that too takes time.
- Your pace is your own, give the finger to anybody who interferes with that. It takes more ***** to decline a challenge than to accept it.

I've seen people with 100k+ who had never dropped a bike, I've seen people with 10 miles on a bike dying. Unless you are the unluckiest dude on the planet, your behavior will define which way you go.

Expect to feel more "alive" if you become a serious rider, it is that intense.

 

I definitely recommend a used bike. I have experience in riding but never owned a bike of my own. The first month i got it, i dropped it in the garage after an oil change(didn't realize that the sidestand was up when i set it down off the rear stand). A broken mirror and a few scratches on newly painted custom white fairing. But because it's a 94', I found that parts were cheaper too(found good used ones on EBAY...and it was even carbon fiber...nicer than stock). I would imagine it would be harded to find used parts for a 02' or 03' model ya know? Don't get me wrong, if I had an 03' bike, who's to say I wouldn't have dropped it too at the time.

 

I third the "used bike" post. Buy a $2000-2500 beater that runs good. Expect to spend between $550 and 1000 on gear. It's more than likely you're going to drop your first bike. The heaver the bike is, the more likely it's going to happen.

If you're worried about cost, buy a conventional (like a nighthawk). You'll find out if a motorcycle is for you or not that way. You can throw some clip-ons on if you feel like having the "racing" posture, nobody's going to steal it, no fairings to rash if you drop it, you can pick up a good one for $1k, and insurance is cheap.

 

The only regret I have about buying my first streetbike is that motorcycles in general have become something of an addiction. I ride, race, modify and maintain them, and just can't imagine not having one (or 2, or 3 ).

If you are a beginning rider, do what everyone else so far has suggested and get an older unfaired bike...as far as ownership costs go they can't be smote. Little or no plastic, possibly air-cooled, small displacement, all adds up to lower maintenance costs and insurance rates.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the replies.

This is what i got so far:

Don't speed like I do on my car.
Buy a used bike, 'cause I'm gonna drop it and fairings are expensive.
Money spent on gear is money well spent.
Don't think about crashing, but be aware of all the things that could go wrong.
Proper training will keep me riding longer than if I learn on my own.

Well I gotta give you guys props for knowing your sh**.

Ride safe, stay cool.

Peace

 

Honestly, not to knock your will power, but how you drive your car, is probably how you'll drive your bike. And you don't want to putter around anyway, it's not safe for you or the people around you. It's all about riding with the traffic. I also suggest against lane splitting for a while (except at stop lights. you can make your own call on that one).

True 'dat! Followed closly by, money spent on the MSF is the best saftey money you'll even spend. Also, when the time comes, a track school is the best performance upgrade you'll even buy.


Good luck. Shiny side up.

 

I'm sure that you know... riding a motorcycle is DANGEROUS! So you really have to make a wise decision on whether or not you are willing to take on the extra responsibilities. If I had the time, I would name the countless differences in responsibilities between riding a bike and driving a car. A monkey can drive a friggin car, but it takes skills to ride a bike. Don't think that a person can jump on a bike and carve the canyons with ease on the first day, this mentallity can get you hurt, or even killd. It takes PRACTICE to gain the skills and the knowledge on how to ride a bike, and even after that, the best rider in the world has no control over what OTHER PEOPLE do on the road. My main concern when I ride the streets is other people. I constantly hear people say the phrase "the bitch didn't see me and she pulled out in front of me, i hit the brakes, but it was too late." I would agree with taking a Motorcycle Safety School. They teach you the basics of street survival, how to ride a bike, and it can even be a easier way to get your license (I didn't have to take the DMV road test, just written) This course may also help you decide whether riding a motorcycle is for you.

If you do decide to get the bike, BUY GEAR!!!! Road Rash is the same as getting burned!!!! No joke...


[Modified by ALL MOTA, 4:32 PM 1/9/2003]

 

well, from the sound of this post it seems like you are going to get a bike. These guys already covered your questions, but I am going to add some other tips...

keep an eye out now for bikes. It is the off-season, and they go cheaper. Dont just buy the first bike you see, and take someone who knows motorcycles to check out what you are about to buy.

When you are riding, think "smooth." All your motions should flow, and nothing should be jerky. I also recommend you spend plenty of time in an open empty lot practicing slow speed turns, backing your bike up, braking, etc...

and even in the empty lot- keep your eyes up! Always Always Always no matter where you are, if you are on your bike, keep your eyes open. You should be ready to react to something behind, in front, beside, on top, everywhere.

above all- have fun!