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Does anyone else here ride at all? I was looking at cars, but my wife and I are looking at houses and I don't want to do anything that changes my debt to income ratio until after I buy a house. I had about $2500 in cash, but most of the cars I could find for that were worthless.
We owned a scooter for about 2 years, and we loved it, but it was stolen. It was a 50cc MZ Moskito, and it went about 44 with me on it, and I am over 200 lbs. It was great around town, but other than that it didn't do much. It wasn't fast enough to drive for long distances or for very long.
So I started looking at bikes. I found a great deal on a 94 Yamaha Virago 750. It is in great shape, and only has about 16,000 miles on it. It runs great, and has a ton of power, at least to me.
I drove it last night after picking it up, and it was a little scary to be honest. After riding a scooter, this bike was touchy on the acceleration. I had a chance to buy an 1100, but now I am glad I stayed with the 750. I am 41 years old, and not going to speed or hotdog.
I am looking forward to driving it today, as I have the day off, and setting it though it's paces.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Congratulations, I still want one someday but without trying I ended up in an 07 Charger and feel no need to change... ever. Enjoy those long rides.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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I've been tempted to get a motorcycle at times, just for the efficiency of it. But I can't help but thinking it's not if but when I have an accident on it.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I actually scared a scooter rider off his two wheel transportation because those little things are not loud enough, a good motorcycle engine can be heard before seen and should alert anyone ahead of you wanting to make a turn to wait.
Kwea, you mentioned your wife and I thought I would ask if the... ladies seat is up to snuff, it does have the backrest right?
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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I rode until last fall when I was in a wreck caused by an inattentive car driver. It was extremely low speed but I managed to break my finger. I've since spent about $5000 on medical care, had two surgeries, and couple dozen sessions of physical therapy plus multiple at-home sessions of physical therapy exercises. For my most recent surgery that meant about 20 minutes of painful bends and stretches at the site of the incision (down the length of my finger) every 3 hours, 24 hours a day, for a week. I'm still doing those exercises but the incision is mostly healed and I'm now permitted to sleep through the night.
I still don't have full range of motion on that finger.
Posts: 3275 | Registered: May 2007
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Kwea, my first bike was 94 Virago 535. It was a POS, but it was a great starter bike. My current bike, completely coincidentally, is a 95 Virago 1100. The power upgrade was fantastic, and I have an after market seat that makes long rides very comfortable.
My only complaint is that I'm a little scrunched in on the bike. I'm not a big dude or anything (a relatively skinny 5'11"), it's just an older style build. I added highway bars to alleviate that issue on longer rides, and it helps, but I still don't have quite the extension I'd like. I really enjoy the Virago, but I'd be unlikely to get one again.
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Nothing makes me cringe more than having a motorcycle zip past me on the road, weaving between lanes--except maybe discovering a motorcyclist sitting square in my blind spot when I'm making to switch lanes. I am a vigilant driver, but I've still had some twitchy moments with motorcycles. I think some motorcyclists forget how invisible and extremely vulnerable they are on a busy road. Kind of like when you get out of your car at a store, you're suddenly a pedestrian and forget how hard you are to see. Obviously many accidents are not the motorcyclist's fault, and I do see plenty of motorcyclists on the road with me driving responsibly and defensively. But I really do fear that someday I'm going to change lanes right into somebody on a rocketbike that came out of nowhere.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by AchillesHeel: I actually scared a scooter rider off his two wheel transportation because those little things are not loud enough, a good motorcycle engine can be heard before seen and should alert anyone ahead of you wanting to make a turn to wait.
Kwea, you mentioned your wife and I thought I would ask if the... ladies seat is up to snuff, it does have the backrest right?
My wife can't ride on the back. Neither one of us is a small person, and I don't trust myself on it yet (I haven't ridden in almost 20 years) to try and take her out on it. She LOVED our little scooter, so I may end up buying her a 250cc scooter so she can ride with me. Some of those have good loud tailpipes, and they can go about 90-100 mph. We won't cruise that fast, of course, but that means she can ride on major roads if necessary.
My bike DOES have a back seat, and a small sissy bar back there, but probably not enough of one for her to grab if necessary.
One thing I have noticed.....I know know why so many people go with full face helmets. You NEED something....either a visor, face shield, or windshield....to keep the wind our of your eyes. Not to mention driving into a setting sun is brutal.
quote:a good motorcycle engine can be heard before seen and should alert anyone ahead of you wanting to make a turn to wait.
I've heard this before. It's not true. As a driver I've never heard a motorcycle engine in such a way that it could warn me of the bike's presence, only when they're tearing out away from me.
I ride a Virago 250, about 6000 miles a year. I can keep up with highway traffic, and I don't need any more power or any more noise. I've got a Suzuki 450 also, and I used to own a 550. There was a time when a 600 cc bike was considered large. Nowadays people consider anything smaller than 1000 cc small. That's ridiculous. You don't need the power to weight ratio of a dragster, and you don't need open pipes to announce you're coming.
A 750 is a nice sized bike, obviously way more peppy than mine, but not suicidal either. Sounds like a good choice, Kwea, as long as it fits your body and handles the way you like it. Just remember how vulnerable you are on a bike. Wear a helmet, a good riding jacket, and boots. Be respectful of traffic.
Posts: 3735 | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:a good motorcycle engine can be heard before seen and should alert anyone ahead of you wanting to make a turn to wait.
I've heard this before. It's not true. As a driver I've never heard a motorcycle engine in such a way that it could warn me of the bike's presence, only when they're tearing out away from me.
I agree.
quote: I ride a Virago 250, about 6000 miles a year. I can keep up with highway traffic, and I don't need any more power or any more noise. I've got a Suzuki 450 also, and I used to own a 550. There was a time when a 600 cc bike was considered large. Nowadays people consider anything smaller than 1000 cc small. That's ridiculous. You don't need the power to weight ratio of a dragster, and you don't need open pipes to announce you're coming.
A 750 is a nice sized bike, obviously way more peppy than mine, but not suicidal either. Sounds like a good choice, Kwea, as long as it fits your body and handles the way you like it. Just remember how vulnerable you are on a bike. Wear a helmet, a good riding jacket, and boots. Be respectful of traffic.
I especially agree with the bolded portion. Take a safe rider course or refresher if you can. Practice occasionally especially if you're rusty -- find an empty lot and do some figure-8s, swerving around obstacles, emergency stops, turning from a dead stop while signalling, etc.
As for size: I owned 2 (modern) Triumphs at 990cc and one at 1199cc. The larger one in particular was in the 'sport-tourer' class and it was a great size for my large frame, powerful enough to load with luggage, and competent on long highway miles in all weather. For a time I rode fairly regularly between Boston MA and Harrisburg PA and I think a bigger bike was a more comfortable and safer choice for me. Engine displacement or horsepower or torque only tell part of the story. Any size bike can be suicidal if the rider is foolhardy or even a little careless.
I agree that the street-racing type bikes seem to belong on closed courses. And they take particular skills to ride safely and well. Some of them scare me. But after a few years off (because of money matters) I am considering getting back on a bike, and I'm unapologetic about liking the Kawasaki Concours 1300. But not a starter bike by any means.
Posts: 431 | Registered: Oct 2003
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The newspaper I work for ran an article some time back about a class where motorcycle riders addressed a driver's ed class. I learned that one reason bikers wear leather is because it's more protective in case of an accident - denim shreds, but leather hardens when it heats up. That was interesting.
I don't have much else to add, as it's been nearly 30 years since I last rode a motorcycle. I can only offer what my dad told me (and you probably already know): Ride as though the other drivers are out to get you. And my one accident was caused by an inattentive motorcycle rider (me), so pay attention.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
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quote:a good motorcycle engine can be heard before seen and should alert anyone ahead of you wanting to make a turn to wait.
I've heard this before. It's not true. As a driver I've never heard a motorcycle engine in such a way that it could warn me of the bike's presence, only when they're tearing out away from me.
I ride a Virago 250, about 6000 miles a year. I can keep up with highway traffic, and I don't need any more power or any more noise. I've got a Suzuki 450 also, and I used to own a 550. There was a time when a 600 cc bike was considered large. Nowadays people consider anything smaller than 1000 cc small. That's ridiculous. You don't need the power to weight ratio of a dragster, and you don't need open pipes to announce you're coming.
A 750 is a nice sized bike, obviously way more peppy than mine, but not suicidal either. Sounds like a good choice, Kwea, as long as it fits your body and handles the way you like it. Just remember how vulnerable you are on a bike. Wear a helmet, a good riding jacket, and boots. Be respectful of traffic.
I have heard this as well, and I have heard more than a few bikes that have had pipes added/modified, and it IS a good precaution. However, nothing replaces being careful and respectful of other drivers.
I always wear a helmet, along pants, and will be picking up a decent riding shoe/boot this weekend.
The Virago is low to the ground, and perfect for me because I have short legs. I can rest comfortably with both feet on the ground, something i can't do at all on a sports bike unless I pay to have it lowered.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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It was great around town, but other than that it didn't do much. It wasn't fast enough to drive for long distances or for very long.
