a little motorcycle pricing help please.....

[Phat Ham]

Excellent, I can rant for a bit!

First, I assume this is your first bike? If so. Close all pages looking at buells, busa's, gixxers.

The Buell Blast is a great beginner bike. It's the bike Harley Davidson uses in it's new rider course.

Second, riding gear!
Buy riding gear first! Before you even book for the MSF course, get helmet, gloves, boots jacket and pants.

I'm an ATGATT guy but buying all the gear before you take the course might not always be the best idea. Some people take the course and realize motorcycles aren't for them. Then they're stuck with all this gear they paid hundreds of dollars for and don't have any reason to use.

 

[tplyons]

Second, riding gear!
Buy riding gear first! Before you even book for the MSF course, get helmet, gloves, boots jacket and pants. You will thank yourself when you drop it, and trust me, if its your first bike, you will. Please get your gear before the bike. If you do it the other way around, you might not have enough left over to buy all the gear, Then you'll be in a world of pain if you fall.

I disagree with this as well.

MSF requires nothing more than boots, long sleeves (or a jacket) and full fingered gloves. I wore Mechanix gloves, a Dickie's jacket, jeans, and Timberland boots. I owned my own helmet at that point, however, but they have helmets available.

I WOULD NOT recommend buying protective gear beforehand. I watched two people in all brand new gear scare themselves on the bikes and were out nearly $500 in protective gear and tuition. In the course, you'll never exceed 20mph so it's nothing to worry about.

I've hit the ground on a bicycle at higher speeds than that. I'm just saying not to throw money into gear that you may never use again.

I'm not going to debate the necessities of protective equipment, I protect myself with what's needed for the particular situation, and I encourage everyone to wear the gear, whether or not they see me do it. I wear what I need to for the trip. That is all, I will not argue my reasoning.

If anyone would like advice for gear, bikes, getting a license, I've gone through it all recently and have done my research as well. PM me for any of your motorcycling needs.

 

[playinpearls]

this has turned into a great thread. Recently i've been researching for bikes to buy so i can build a bobber. It seems a lot harder to get how-to's than i thought it was gonna be...

Out of all the arguments, i would have to say i agree with wearing gear...that pic is scary....

 

[michelle_andree]

When you're cruisin, look at the pavement below you. What do you see? A huge grinder, keep that in mind, lookit the poor guy in the pic.

Although I have never taken the course, I recommend it. I didn't have the opportunity when I started riding and it would be wise for me to take the advanced because even though I have been riding for many years, I still don't 'know it all'.

A small bike is great for learning, I had a 450 Honda as my first bike though my initial experiences were on an 850 Norton, (yeah!). Now I have an '02 750 Shadow ACE, (to update the thread about me lookin at Sportsters - none were available that were any good).

Two wheels can be very liberating, exciting, fun, and cool but it takes a lot more attention to everything than a cage.

 

[Philbiker]

this is from another site:

"Again, I will refer to "Proficient Motorcycling" which will tell you..sic

Above 98.6 (your body temp) the fast moving air on a bike emulates a "convection oven" and actually pump more heat into your body than you can get rid of by sweating. In dry environments,at leat, you simply cannot sweat fast enough to shed heat. A jacket will keep some of the perspiration on your skin, where it helps cooling your body."

This is seems true, on my commute home yesterday after work (just like everyday), i was wearing a mesh jacket, over pants, motorcycle boots, gloves and helmet... it was sunny and about 97 degrees outside. Although I wasn't cool, i wasn't melting and about to pass out. Earlier in the day, i was out in the sun for about 3 hours, t-shirt and shorts... i was dying and felt a little weak at times (another story, i wasn't hydrated well enough).. yeah apples and oranges, but maybe if it will get some of your goobs to think a little more about this, maybe i'm helping someone.. who knows.

This is exactly true. I used to ride without proper gear in the really hot weather. Now, I have a mesh jacket and pants which zip together and have cordura and CE armor in all the key places (knees, back, shoulders, forearms, hips). When it's over 90, I am significantly cooler in my full mesh gear than I ever was in a T-shirt and jeans. I sweat a bit and the evaporative cooling works as opposed to all the sweat being immediately evaporated away by the wind.

 

[Philbiker]

Even the most competent rider in the world can do nothing to avoid errors from other drivers.

That's not true. The measure of the competency of a road motorcycle driver is how well they can anticipate and react to errors of other drivers. This is what training courses like those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation stress.

 

[NJL]

That's not true. The measure of the competency of a road motorcycle driver is how well they can anticipate and react to errors of other drivers. This is what training courses like those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation stress.

i agree, when i commute, i'm constantly playing chess on the roadway.. as well, being obvious about what i may do next, even if i have my blinker on.

btw, i literally just hit 12,000 miles on this bike commuting to work this morning (i had thought i hit it earlier this week)! haven't even had this bike for a year yet! 12,000 is a magic number for my bike: break fluid change, oil/filter, valve adj, swingarm lube, air filter replacement, etc... all done by me!

 

[flakeh]

That's not true. The measure of the competency of a road motorcycle driver is how well they can anticipate and react to errors of other drivers. This is what training courses like those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation stress.

I disagree.

nothing can prepare you for this:
Invalid Link Removed

Thats a professional road racer filming a motorcycle safety video.


playinpearls - What'cha bobbin?!?! I'm getting more and more into the whole streetfighter/bobbed bikes nowadays.

Tpylons - I kinda agree and disagree with you. I bought all my gear before i took the test, but yet again I am very serious about getting a motorcycle. I didn't spill on the test at all, and we were hitting up to about 80km/h. but some guy spilled at about 20km/h and ground up his arm petty nicely. But, Seeing as our riding styles are completely different, I would not feel safe in anything but my riding stuff (Jacket, pants, boots, gloves helmet) I like to kneedrag

 

[playinpearls]

playinpearls - What'cha bobbin?!?! I'm getting more and more into the whole streetfighter/bobbed bikes nowadays.

i dont know yet, probably end up being a honda. I have about 0 dollars to budget for, so i'm just gonna go with cheapest i can find and improve it. I'd really like the get a vtwin cause there are so many more optons, but they all start at like 2 grand...I used to like all the 14' forks and stuff but now a classic totally trimmed down bike with a short rake and no extras just looks sweet to me...

 

[RED5]

I'm about to take the motorcycle safety course in a couple of weeks and I'm ready to start pricing some bikes. There's plenty of info available for used bikes, (blue book, etc.) but almost nothing regarding new bike pricing. I know it's not the same as negotiating a new car, but what kind of discount should I be looking for? I know there are the "hidden" assembly and delivery charges that I'll have to account for, but I'm just trying to get a feel for how to negotiate with these guys. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

dee

This is a bad time of year to be talking "deals" at bike dealers. Warm weather brings out the sharks. Everyone wants a bike when it's summer! You'll pay what they want you to pay. Best bet on first ride? go used, or to be PC? "Pre-owned" Best time for them is after the season is over, and most of the newbs have realized they got in over thier heads.Season is adjustable, I'm in the Northeast so we have a definite beginning and ending to the riding season. You're in Texas? I envy you. You're in Sweden? Holy cats! you ride on Ice! As far as saftey gear goes? How many people giving advice on safety gear here have actually hit the road at say? 70mph and gotten back up relatively undamaged? I have and I recommend it strongly. Boots, gloves and a helmet, Substance over style, not them lil' fingerless dealies. Lastly? As appelaing as it is to have the biggest baddest ride on the block? The rest of the world has it right. Here in the US? You got the cash? You can get Formula one performance to go.that's fast, crazy fast. Think about it. You've never gone as fast in a car as you'll be able to haul on a sport bike. It's a religious experience to go 150mph on public roads, not smart though.In the more mature countries? you have to qualify to ride large bore bikes. No one starts off on a Hayabusa in Japan, or Germany. You start with small bore bikes and after a time you can qualify up. Like flying. You don't start in multi-engine jets! Bottom line is use your smarts, and be safe to start. Good luck wit it.

 

[flakeh]

This is a bad time of year to be talking "deals" at bike dealers. Warm weather brings out the sharks. Everyone wants a bike when it's summer! You'll pay what they want you to pay. Best bet on first ride? go used, or to be PC? "Pre-owned" Best time for them is after the season is over, and most of the newbs have realized they got in over thier heads.Season is adjustable, I'm in the Northeast so we have a definite beginning and ending to the riding season. You're in Texas? I envy you. You're in Sweden? Holy cats! you ride on Ice! As far as saftey gear goes? How many people giving advice on safety gear here have actually hit the road at say? 70mph and gotten back up relatively undamaged? I have and I recommend it strongly. Boots, gloves and a helmet, Substance over style, not them lil' fingerless dealies. Lastly? As appelaing as it is to have the biggest baddest ride on the block? The rest of the world has it right. Here in the US? You got the cash? You can get Formula one performance to go.that's fast, crazy fast. Think about it. You've never gone as fast in a car as you'll be able to haul on a sport bike. It's a religious experience to go 150mph on public roads, not smart though.In the more mature countries? you have to qualify to ride large bore bikes. No one starts off on a Hayabusa in Japan, or Germany. You start with small bore bikes and after a time you can qualify up. Like flying. You don't start in multi-engine jets! Bottom line is use your smarts, and be safe to start. Good luck wit it.

Big large throbbing +1 to that.

Hyosung GT250 comes in in 4 days! Now I wish I didn't sell my camera among other things to pay for it. New boots and pants being ordered today! I am giddy like a school girl! hehe!

 

[etoncrow]

It seems that around here the bottom has fallen out of the used Harley market because everyone wants the new 96 CI motor with the 6-speed. I personally think the 5-speed is better for mountain twisty riding (check the comparative rpm for 4th and 5th in both trannies) and an 88 converted to 95 has more torque than the 96 (check the dyno graphics). But what do I know, I'm just a AMI certified HD dealer mechanic from 1979-1986 and a registered mechanical engineer in WV, KY and OH. Anyway, for example, you can get a 2003 heritage classic (softtail) with $5,000 worth of extras for around $16,000.

 

[dee rob]

Thanks for all the responses. Finished the course today, with a perfect score on all four evaluations!! To those who've asked.....no, it's not my first bike, but it's been a looooooooong time since I've ridden so I wanted to re-familiarize myself as well as get rid of the many bad habits that I've kept over the years. The course was great, I highly recommend it. As far as the bike goes, I have decided to go used over new. It looks like a Buell Lighting, or a Ducati Monster...whichever I can find a better deal used on. Anyway, thanks again for all the help.

dee

 

[FL Knifemaker]

If you buy a Buell, be more concerned that the dealer selling it can AND does actually service them. Don't go by what THEY say, check the Buell forum for feedback and find functional Buell dealer in your area.

I owned one, never again.

 

[kasanovakarl]

It is ironic that I found this thread today. I am seriously considering (again) purchasing a motorcycle. I first wanted one after being in Milwaukee for the HD 100th anniversary. I came back home and got a permit...then let it expire. I figured I wasn't mature enough, or really ready to make that commitment. Fast forward to today, I'm back considering it again. Both my mother and father-in-law have Harleys and ride all of the time. My concern is this, they keep telling me when you dump your bike over, not if. My father in law has dumped his a couple of times, with no major injuries. My concern would not be me driving the bike, I'm more concerned with the other drivers on the road, because there seems to be a lack of respect for bikes.

My question to those of you who ride is how many of you have dumped your bike over?

 

[69nites]

it's really not that hot in the protective gear when you're moving...

that's also why you buy GOOD stuff the difference in cooling between helmets is amazing.

I see people riding in shorts and sandals these days. first thing I think is "what is this ***hole doing on a bike?" then I think "what kind of man wears sandals?" then I just give up trying to understand. I no longer ride but will probably end up getting a bike again in the near future.

I've been hit by cars that say "I never even saw you" twice in the 2 years I had a bike. Thankfully I was wearing my leathers and lot up with minor brushing as I just slid down the pavement even my leathers almost wore through.

My dad was hit stopped at a redlight by a car going 40 miles an hour. It doesn't matter how slow you ride or how careful you are. There are people out there who don't know how to drive but for some reason we still give them licenses.

 

[tplyons]

It is ironic that I found this thread today. I am seriously considering (again) purchasing a motorcycle. I first wanted one after being in Milwaukee for the HD 100th anniversary. I came back home and got a permit...then let it expire. I figured I wasn't mature enough, or really ready to make that commitment. Fast forward to today, I'm back considering it again. Both my mother and father-in-law have Harleys and ride all of the time. My concern is this, they keep telling me when you dump your bike over, not if. My father in law has dumped his a couple of times, with no major injuries. My concern would not be me driving the bike, I'm more concerned with the other drivers on the road, because there seems to be a lack of respect for bikes.

My question to those of you who ride is how many of you have dumped your bike over?

Not yet, but it's only been a year. I've nearly dumped it once though but caught it.

 

[etoncrow]

Let me tell you something, EVERYONE dumps his or her bike over at some point and if they say they haven't they are either lying or it just hasn't happened yet cause it's gonna. I have been riding for over thirty years and wrenched on them for seven. I have been down on ice (1) , mud (1), sand (1 - Daytona), and gravel (2). Get the DVD's "Ride Like a Pro" and "Surviving the Mean Streets": http://www.ridelikeapro.com/ These are excellent instructional videos.

In the past three years I have seen three guys with my length of experience drop their bikes in parking lots and one in his own back yard. It's gonna happen. Just hone your skills, pay devout attention to EVERYTHING and do not assume you know what the other guy's gonna do cause you do not have a clue. How could you if he doesn't?

 

[Philbiker]

etoncrow speaks wisdom. You probably will drop your bike at a dead stop or at parking lot speeds in your first few years of riding. This is the kind of riding that's most awkward and funny things happen. I've dropped bikes at parking lot speeds a few times, it's no big deal but can cost a lot in parts if it's a shiny new sportbike!!!! The MSF courses stress defensive riding strategies, you develop a sixth sense to see when drivers are doing dumb stuff, and the MSF course teaches this.

I've only had one relatively bad accident, it was a guy who didn't see me. Other than that knock on wood no problems yet. I always wear full armored protective gear head to toe no matter how hot it is. Recommended!!!!

 

[kasanovakarl]

Let me tell you something, EVERYONE dumps his or her bike over at some point and if they say they haven't they are either lying or it just hasn't happened yet cause it's gonna.

Get the DVD's "Ride Like a Pro" and "Surviving the Mean Streets": http://www.ridelikeapro.com/ These are excellent instructional videos.

Not to derail the OP thread, but are there any training classes that are better than others? I know the state of Ohio offers a class for a relative inexpensive fee. Is it safe to assume that it will cover the different types of gear and what's best, or could the video you suggested suppliment this type of information?