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I just finished the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course a month ago and bought my first motorcycle last week: a Suzuki GS500E (california version). I'm going to use it to regularly make my 30 mile round trip commute to work. It got me to thinking- who else here rides? Also, does anyone else regularly commute to work on a motorcycle?
This bike averages around 60 mpg, and has pretty low emissions, so I assume it's pretty environmentally friendly, even more so than a hybrid- is that true? If so I wish I could claim a $2000 tax credit (especially since the bike was only $950). Anyways, just curious who here rides and what do you ride?
Also, as I do maintenance I might have some questions for those of you who reply if that's ok. I'm in the middle of rebuilding the carbs and it's going ok, but I never know if some questions might pop up.
Posts: 1412 | Registered: Oct 2005
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Congratulations! I ride a Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom. I bought it last Spring, took the course the previous fall. My commute is about the same as yours round trip, and it's a really pretty ride along the river. I rode in a couple of times a week last year, I can't ride every day because the dress code doesn't really allow it. Although I've thought about bringing in clothes and changing here.
I haven't done any maintenance on it yet, but it hasn't needed it. It's a 2004, and it just had 500 miles on it when I bought it. (Off e-bay!) I put about another 500 on last summer, as I was getting used to riding, and expect to do more this year. I love it. And the great milage certainly doesn't hurt, either!
There are several other bikers around, but I can't remember who, except for Bob. He drives my bike's big brother, the largest of the Star line, but I can't remember what it's called. I'm sure he (and others) will weigh in soon.
Do you live somewhere where you can ride year round?
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Congrats on completing the MSF course. I consider it the best training course I've ever taken, in any subject area. Amazingly good.
I ride a Yamaha Midnight Venture Royal Star. HUGE bike, with farings and all kinds of features for comfort on long rides.
When I got my first bike (a Yamaha 750 Maxim) I paid about $1000 and rode it every day on my 40 mile commute. I deliberately varied my route so that I could get in a lot of practice under all kinds of conditions.
I totally applaud your decision to use it as a daily commute vehicle. I suspect you should top out around 50 mpg for in-city driving. Maybe a bit less. My huge bike does better than 40 mpg, which is actually better than my previous two bikes by a bit. I'm very pleased with that.
Very cool.
Now...remember to keep practicing your skills and ride often. The people who account for most of the motorcycle riders in crashes are the ones who are just learning how to ride (first six months after getting their license) and those who (stupidly IMO) decide to start riding again after decades of not riding, and think they can handle a Harley 'cuz they "used to ride dirt bikes when I was a kid." These are the ones you read about where they have low-speed crashes turning corners too wide (or narrow) and crush their skulls on the curb because (stupidly IMO) they decided that a helmet was optional.
I hope you wear a helmet every time you are on the bike, and headed their message about protective clothing as well. Road rash is not fun!
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I comute on an 18 speed mountain bike. Does that count? My MPG depends on the couposition of the G. And a helmet? Never leave home without it!
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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Pedal power is the most efficient mechanized form of transportation devised by man.
Good for you!
I get 0 mpg on my bicycle, however. It's on one of those resistence trainer thingies in my exercise room.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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I'm actually thinking I'll try riding my bicycle to work one Friday this year, too. There are nice paths most of the way. It'll take some time, and I'm lazy in the mornings, so I probably won't do it too often, but maybe once or twice. Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Yeah, helmet is definately not optional. My last job while going to school was doing web design for a guy who sold motorcycle safety gear online. That's kind of what got me into bikes. So really the gear is not optional.
I live in Carson City, Nevada. The Sierras are right there and it's a beautiful drive. Many mornings you can see bald eagles in the field. Also, the smell of the sagebrush in the air is really just something you miss being sealed in a car. I can't drive year round like they do in Arizona, but I know many people here that do- they just drive on the occasional snow day.
About the chances of an accident, what you said is true according to the HURT report Bob. However, if I have taken the MSF class, I'm between 25 and 55, starting out on a sub-500cc bike, don't drink, and do wear all my safety gear I'm actually not in too big of a risk group. I just need to keep working on those MSF skills and try varying my route to work as you suggested. Mainly I'm going to watch out for cars making left hand turns at intersections. Fortunately there's only 2 of those between home and work.
It's pretty economical. With gas prices near $3.00 a gallon here and my car averaging 27 mpg, and my wife taking me to work and picking me up every day, the bike will pay for itself in no time. Of course the real reason to get it is for fun I'll probably ride this bike for a couple of seasons since it's pretty forgiving and then upgrade to a more advanced bike.
If anyone lives in the Carson City/Minden Nevada area, let me know and we could ride up to lake tahoe or something on a weekend.
Posts: 1412 | Registered: Oct 2005
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I love it. And the great milage certainly doesn't hurt, either!![[Wink]](wink.gif)
I'll probably ride this bike for a couple of seasons since it's pretty forgiving and then upgrade to a more advanced bike.
