Author Topic: Bike Question/advice  (Read 808 times)

Offline hblair

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #15 on: August 07, 2001, 07:30:00 AM »
My brother owned a '97 Ducati (900-something cc displacement, can't remember) a few years ago. He made the mistake of leaving that lil jewel with 'ol HB for a week.   :cool:

WOW, what an awesome bike, almost got killed twice on it though.   :eek:
Very fast machine.

Offline raven 8

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #16 on: August 07, 2001, 11:43:00 PM »
if it wasnt a 900, all 900 somethings are super bikes!!, ie, 916 996

those bikes are bloody awsome, but i would not recommand u buy as a first bike.

but the 900 is actually quite tame, its only got 80 hp i think........some of the japanese bikes go up to 120+

anyway i just think it looks bloody awsome, and my sole reason for wanting a bike is to look good on it:-).......so if i were to buy a bike i would definately get a duc.

rav

Offline Geeb

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #17 on: August 08, 2001, 01:15:00 AM »
I used to ride bikes a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away  :) I recomend starting with a small light motorcyle & workin your way up from season to season. my first bike was a 1986 suzuki 650 tempter. I then got a 1988 honda v65magna(wheele king), & then graduated to a 1989 NINJA ZX10. Damn thing jus bout killed me  :)

ps. if u ride with harley guys get a BUELL(it is a harley eng mated to sportbike chassis)

[ 08-08-2001: Message edited by: Geeb ]

Offline Swoop

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #18 on: August 08, 2001, 08:19:00 AM »
Just one thing, if ya wanna spend every other saturday in your garage up to your elbows in grease and spare parts......then buy a Ducati.

 

Offline -sudz-

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #19 on: August 08, 2001, 10:20:00 AM »
Yeah - get a Buell or a BMW.  Most bikes have appalling resell value, but these guys hold up almost as good as a Harley.

If you can't take the excellent advice already put forth about learning to ride dirt bikes first, due to either financial or facility considerations, then at least ride with your homies till you're comfortable with your bike and your "street saavy" awareness of other drivers.  Riding in a group makes you more visible and the lingering stigma of bike gang violence makes other motorists think twice before cutting you off.

Have fun - post a pic of your choice here after you decide  :)

Offline Maverick

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #20 on: August 08, 2001, 04:49:00 PM »
Batdog,

Let me pass on a couple things here.  am a retired cop who spent over 12 years on motorcycle duty in some of the worst traffic you can imagine.

First you have the right idea. Go enroll in a MSF, or Motorcycle Safety Foundation coure and take both the basic and advanced rider courses. Once you have done that, THEN get serious about what bike you want to buy. You will have a much better idea of what kind of riding you want to do and what size bike you want to ride.

Remember most bikes are purpose designed.

The street bikes are good on pavement and not so hot on dirt. They are also mostly 4 cycle engines which is MUCH quieter than a 2 cycle job.

Trail bikes are set up to be lighter and taller. If you are not at least average height you will have trouble when you come to a stop as you legs might not be long enough. They are also "twitchier" in that they can maneuver quickly. The center of gravity is higher due to the higher road clearance and may be dificult to keep upright if you are not up to the skill level they demand.

The main choice as to type of bike will be determined by HOW you intend to use the bike. Urban or city riding is different from highway driving as is trail riding, but most bikes will be able to do them all to some extent.

I prefer to ride on pavement and have a street bike. A 90 BMW K75RT. I started on a Honda 350, then a Honda 500 four then went to BMW's. I have had 3 of them and have over 150,000 miles altogetner on that brand.

I trained on a MotoGuzzi then rode Kawasaki's (KZ1000P's) for the city. I went through 4 of them and still like the way they handled. They were set up very well for law enforcement style of riding. Heavy but much more nimble than you would believe and stable in town. I estimate I put in about 175,000 miles of intown driving on those bikes. There was very little distance traveling on those scooters. It was all in city traffic.

As I sad before, get those MSF courses under your belt and you will have a much better idea of what you want to do. The MSF courses I have seen done here have bikes available to ride so you don't have to learn on your own scooter. It will save you much wear and tear.

PS don't think you will be safe on side roads. Those are where people are LEAST likely to be paying attention. The collision that got me retired from the Police Department happened on a residential street at 30 MPH. I turned that Mustang into a banana with my Kawasaki wehn he hung a left tunr in front of me. Remember people are not usually looking to see motorcycles in traffic. They have a hard enough time just seeing cars, trucks and busses.  :eek:

Mav
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Offline capt. apathy

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Bike Question/advice
« Reply #21 on: August 09, 2001, 08:34:00 PM »
definatly take the safety course(most of us don't heal fast enough for the 'crash' course i took when i started riding 25 years ago) and it's a real good idea to get a older cheaper off-road bike and get your skills up before you throw traffic into the equation. it'll save you money on repairs(you will crash) and it's really better to take your beginner dumps without that big rig doing 60 behind ya.
  drive the cheap bike for a year or 2 then upgrade, you will also have a better idea what you are looking for in a bike by that time.
  good luck and have fun.

    apathy