motorcycles

[Drachen]

like sportcamper said, I can't ride the sportbikes / crotch rockets either. I'm too tall to be scrunched up on top of one. they're made for shrimps.

I ride a kawasaki cruiser a couple time a week to work. I ride like everyone around me is going to try to kill me.

I also think that the excessive power and acceleration of sportbikes encourages reckless riding, even with responsible riders...

This!

Plus cruisers are far more comfortable (IMO) than riding in the fetal position

[01Snake]

GSXR-750. Fun as . I tend to do 90% of my riding out in the Hill Country as far from traffic as I can get.

Get a bike. You'll love it.

[Soul_Patch]

I know that all of these answers that you are getting are not coming close to answering your question. While safety is important, and I hope you think about it always, I will try to get a little closer to the mark to give you the answer you are truely looking for.
I don't know much about crotch rockets, but will try to relate some general ideas. First, don't be an idiot, take the MSF. You can sign up at themotorcycleschool.com. Secondly, if you are > than a novice mechanic then this one won't really matter, but if you are novice or below, try to get something air cooled. Less systems = less to go wrong = easier to fix. On this same note, if you are not mechanically inclined, or if you don't have a lot of time then try to get something built within the last 10-12 years and no more. I am speaking from experience. Regular bike maintenance takes more time than regular car maintenance, if you add on that an older bike will be more likely to have systems fail, this can eat up your time. Also, shaft-driven bikes require FAR less regular maintenance than chain bikes (no experience with belt-driven bikes). The only downside to shaft driven that I have found is that it is slightly less powerful than an identical chain driven bike, but it is hardly noticable (really I highly recommend shaft driven). Third, get something < 500cc for your first bike. I know male ego won't let you get less power, but manuverability is tantamount. I started with a 2006 Rebel 250 even though I am 5'10'' 230 and I was able to top out at 83 MPH so highway speeds are less than no problem. I currently own a 1984 honda sabre 700 as well, but I still like to ride the rebel too just because the manuverability makes it so fun to ride (I can make a u-turn in a parking space!).

Please ask any other questions that you have.

P.S. If you do have a lot of time to learn, an older bike is most certainly a good way to learn and extremely economical.

Well said, good info. thanks!

[Bender]

drachen - my current ride is my first belt-drive. now that I've experienced all three drive types, belt is the way to go. so smooth, and no maintenance.

[Drachen]

drachen - my current ride is my first belt-drive. now that I've experienced all three drive types, belt is the way to go. so smooth, and very low, or no, maintenance.

How quickly does it stretch? I would assume that the difference between belt and chain is that while you don't have to oil a belt every 500 miles, that it would stretch and wear out more quickly. Is this true? Also are there any other differences?

[Bender]

not sure, but I've read that modern technology belts last a long time, maybe the life of the bike... I've been riding for 37 years, and from now on, it's belt drive for me... (unless I get an old classic chain drive just for fun). I hated my shaft drive bike, it had a weird jerk when first accelerating. I've read that shaft drives are somewhat better regarding that problem than they used to be though.

well, I guess belts do require periodic checking/adjusting... but I know some people who put 80k or 100k on belts.

[CuckingFunt]

Norton Commando

Thumbs up to both of these. I'd kill for an old Triumph or Norton. Or maybe one of the old Hondas, circa the 1960-65 range.

Not to ride, though. Or, at least, not to ride in populated areas. I love motorcycles and have spent a lot of time around them, but EVERY person I know who rides has crashed at least once. And in most cases, it wasn't their fault.

[Bender]

my first street bike was an original triumph trident. My next bike was an original norton commando...

oh man, I wish I still had both !!

[Drachen]

not sure, but I've read that modern technology belts last a long time, maybe the life of the bike... I've been riding for 37 years, and from now on, it's belt drive for me... (unless I get an old classic chain drive just for fun). I hated my shaft drive bike, it had a weird jerk when first accelarating. I've read that shaft drives are somewhat better regarding that problem than they used to be though.

well, I guess belts do require periodic checking/adjusting... but I know some people who put 80k or 100k on belts.

Very cool, that opens up the possibilities whenever I decide its time for a new bike. I haven't noticed any problems with my shaft drive, and I keep the rebel as the wife's bike, but also so I can have some chain driven fun every once in a while.

One more compliment I will give the rebel, they don't lose their value. I could sell it for more today than I bought it for a few years back. I regularly see 85 rebels going on craigslist for more over a grand.

[CuckingFunt]

my first street bike was an original triumph trident. My next bike was an original norton commando...

oh man, I wish I still had both !!

I know a few people who have had to let go of old Norton's. They all mourn the decision.

[Bender]

most of the stuff I've gotten rid of... at least in terms of guns, cars, and motorcycles, I've regretted...

[Drachen]

most of the stuff I've gotten rid of... at least in terms of guns, cars, and motorcycles, I've regretted...

Of late, the 84 sabre is requiring a little more time than I have since I have a family, grad school, and work. My wife is currently pregnant so she told me I can sell the Rebel as long as I buy her another bike in 2 years. I have thought seriously about selling the both of them in order to buy a newer bike, but I am having problems bringing myself to pull the trigger on selling the rebel. I just (2 nights ago) got the Sabre running again. I thought the jets were clogged, but when I took the carbs off to clean them, I discovered that the carb assembly was cracked. I bought one off of ebay (and cleaned the carbs), put it all back together, it started beautifully and ran for about 15 mins and radiator fluid sprayed from the thermostat area. SOOOOO CLOSE! I haven't inspected it yet as it was late that night, but it is possible that there was a hose that I didn't tighten (I hope) when I was putting it all back together. However, this is the reason that I am having thoughts of throwing in the towel on this one and selling them both to get a newer one. If it wasn't for grad school, I wouldn't think twice about keeping and renewing the thing.