OK, so here I am... haven't posted much in a while but now I've got a question. My beneficent employer has requested, under pain of pay-raise and bonus, that I relocate to Texas. To the northern Dallas metro area to be specific... the lead-up to that is part of why I haven't been participating as much around here BTW... been flying around doing things and not having time to do much "motorcyclish" stuff other than commute back and forth to work.
So, when it comes to relocating, is there anything motorcycle-related I should know? Any tips about exchanging licenses and keeping my M endorsement? And differences in preferred type of bike since I'm leaving the coastal mountains for the flat plains?
I'm half considering selling my 2006 EX250 and picking up a different bike when I get settled in out there. I don't know what the market is for a 6-month-old (assembled by the dealer on 5/1/2006) 2006 ninjette set up for long-distance commuting (hard saddle bags, high-ratio sprockets, etc) with over 15,000 miles. Part of me says, "I should be able to get a premium for the saddle bags and other enhancements", another part says, "used, high-mileage, it's worth a couple grand at most". Shrug. If I sell the ninjette, I'll probably pick up a V-Strom or a BMW GS... my concern with that is the lack of proper filtering/lane splitting in Texas will make it way more dangerous to ride there. I'm not sure I can justify a big-dollar bike that only gets used on weekends. Again, shrug... I don't know enough about riding out there to judge.
Question... Switching States
Question... Switching States
Ride it like you think owning it matters.
You can have your paperwork transferred to TX. I would do that. Hit the DMV:
http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/department- ... hicles.php
There's a lot of info in there, and I've looked through it. Browse through the FAQs and it'll tell you exactly what's needed (I'm sorry I didn't type it out, I'm on my way out but I wanted to post you some info)
http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/department- ... hicles.php
There's a lot of info in there, and I've looked through it. Browse through the FAQs and it'll tell you exactly what's needed (I'm sorry I didn't type it out, I'm on my way out but I wanted to post you some info)
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MontyCarlo
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There's not a whole lot of fantastic twisties in that area. There are good motorcycling roads in the great state of Texas but they are few and far between.
Mainly far between. A ninjette really isn't suitable for the wide flat and fast stretches you'll encounter riding in Texas. You will definitely want a big-bore bike that won't be running out of breath at 85 mph. And this is just guessing, but you'll probably have an easier time and get more $$ selling the ninjette in CA than you will hauling it with you to Texas. Use your relocation/promotion as an excuse to upgrade!
Mainly far between. A ninjette really isn't suitable for the wide flat and fast stretches you'll encounter riding in Texas. You will definitely want a big-bore bike that won't be running out of breath at 85 mph. And this is just guessing, but you'll probably have an easier time and get more $$ selling the ninjette in CA than you will hauling it with you to Texas. Use your relocation/promotion as an excuse to upgrade!
"At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
I kinda figured that flat-as-a-pancake Dallas would be short on good MC roads.
I mostly ride the 250 on the interstate, and CA interstates average higher speeds than the Dallas-area interstates I've been on...out of breath at 85 isn't so true but the brakes seem scary weak if you are doing 95 and have to slow down quick. I had planned to get a v-strom or GS after a year or so of riding anyway. Of course, at this point I've only got 5 months /14000 miles of riding experience so it's a bit earlier than I'd planned....
Would the V-Strom 650 or BMW F650-GS be a decent choice? That's what I was planning on picking up next. As in, planning before this move came up. My interests are mostly in the "off the beaten path" side of things... as in exploring the more wilderness type regions (I don't even know if such exist within 300 miles of Dallas) rather than zipping through twisties as fast as possible.
I mostly ride the 250 on the interstate, and CA interstates average higher speeds than the Dallas-area interstates I've been on...out of breath at 85 isn't so true but the brakes seem scary weak if you are doing 95 and have to slow down quick. I had planned to get a v-strom or GS after a year or so of riding anyway. Of course, at this point I've only got 5 months /14000 miles of riding experience so it's a bit earlier than I'd planned....
Would the V-Strom 650 or BMW F650-GS be a decent choice? That's what I was planning on picking up next. As in, planning before this move came up. My interests are mostly in the "off the beaten path" side of things... as in exploring the more wilderness type regions (I don't even know if such exist within 300 miles of Dallas) rather than zipping through twisties as fast as possible.
Ride it like you think owning it matters.
If I were you, I'd take the Ninja down to Texas and see what's its all about before selling it and guessing at what new bike might be worth it. Yes, roads are vast in Texas, but those aren't the only kinds of roads out there. And as for a market, there should be a beginner's market everywhere. Yes, even in Dallas, some newbie needs or wants a Ninja 250. Don't limit yourself by assuming or guessing at what you're going to get into.
At the very least, you'll have a bike to ride right away. Rather than needing to drop a hunk of change for a new bike on top of moving expenses (even if they're paying you still have out of pocket expenses - believe me, the military spouse)
DZ, what part of Dallas are you headed to? Have you decided where you'll live or what the commute will be? We've got family and friends in Dallas and Ft Worth, so its a little familiar.
At the very least, you'll have a bike to ride right away. Rather than needing to drop a hunk of change for a new bike on top of moving expenses (even if they're paying you still have out of pocket expenses - believe me, the military spouse)
DZ, what part of Dallas are you headed to? Have you decided where you'll live or what the commute will be? We've got family and friends in Dallas and Ft Worth, so its a little familiar.
14,000 miles in 5 months? That's a lot of riding.
Dallas traffic is horendous. You'll be cruising home at 85 after a late night at the office, tired, zoning out, and some fool will come zooming past you in a Ferrari at 165, and 1/2 second later a Lambo will go by on the other side at 185. That'll stain your BVDs for sure.
There seem to be three kinds of riders in Dallas: 1) very wealthy wannabes on $35,000 Harleys, Iron Horses, and Big Dogs, 2) spoiled teenagers on crotch rockets (often seen on the sides of the road needing to be scraped up), and 3) poor slobs on rat bikes.
If I was you, I'd save the 250 for commuting--you won't be going anywhere fast during rush hour. Get yourself established and meet a few people before buying another bike.
Dallas traffic is horendous. You'll be cruising home at 85 after a late night at the office, tired, zoning out, and some fool will come zooming past you in a Ferrari at 165, and 1/2 second later a Lambo will go by on the other side at 185. That'll stain your BVDs for sure.
There seem to be three kinds of riders in Dallas: 1) very wealthy wannabes on $35,000 Harleys, Iron Horses, and Big Dogs, 2) spoiled teenagers on crotch rockets (often seen on the sides of the road needing to be scraped up), and 3) poor slobs on rat bikes.
If I was you, I'd save the 250 for commuting--you won't be going anywhere fast during rush hour. Get yourself established and meet a few people before buying another bike.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you.
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-Holiday
- Legendary 1500
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What market will you get more money for your current bike in? Is it a substantial difference? That might play a part in your decision.
Will it cost you any money to move the 250 to tejas or will your company pay?
Basically, I think that if it doesn’t cost you any money to get it there, take it and make your decision there, because once you're there you should have a clearer idea of what you want.
Will it cost you any money to move the 250 to tejas or will your company pay?
Basically, I think that if it doesn’t cost you any money to get it there, take it and make your decision there, because once you're there you should have a clearer idea of what you want.
2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200s
Vespa Rally 200 in pieces
[img]http://www.brian-payne.com/bikes/VisitedStatesMap.jpg[/img]
Vespa Rally 200 in pieces
[img]http://www.brian-payne.com/bikes/VisitedStatesMap.jpg[/img]
I suspect I can get more for the bike in CA just because the CA-specific smog junk (carbon filter on the fuel tank vent, which all told reduces the fuel capacity by 0.2 gallons) will probably be a negative in TX and normal in CA.
The company isn't paying for the move as such. They wrote me a bonus check which I can spend however I want, and told me to be in Dallas as early in 2007 as possible. I could ride my bicycle with everything strapped to my back and pocket the bonus or hire a moving company to move my stuff and fly 1st class and end up paying out-of-pocket for unanticipated expenses -- they don't care as long as I get there. My current plan is to replace my wrecked truck, load a few things onto my flatbed trailer (5300lb capacity -- it's a big tandem-axle 7000lb gross sucker), and drive out. Which means I could strap the bike onto the trailer and bring it quite easily.
And, yeah, 14000 in 5 months is a lot... for most people... but my commute ranges between 100 and 140 miles per day depending on road closures, my mood, and such... add the "occasional" 30-mile lunch and you've got 500-700 miles per week, not counting any weekend rides. I don't ride often on weekends but a weekend jaunt can easily add 200 miles to the odometer. I'm just as bad with cars... 50-60K miles a year is pretty normal. The scary part is that a bunch of that driving is recreational/sightseeing.....
At this point I'm seriously leaning towards the V-Strom... when I first went to buy a new bike, the three big contenders were the KLR-650, V-Strom 650, and ninja 250... the 250 won on price and weight/beginner friendliness and I'm glad it did... but in the end what drew me to bikes (beyond the massive commuting advantages) was the idea of adventure touring.
The company isn't paying for the move as such. They wrote me a bonus check which I can spend however I want, and told me to be in Dallas as early in 2007 as possible. I could ride my bicycle with everything strapped to my back and pocket the bonus or hire a moving company to move my stuff and fly 1st class and end up paying out-of-pocket for unanticipated expenses -- they don't care as long as I get there. My current plan is to replace my wrecked truck, load a few things onto my flatbed trailer (5300lb capacity -- it's a big tandem-axle 7000lb gross sucker), and drive out. Which means I could strap the bike onto the trailer and bring it quite easily.
And, yeah, 14000 in 5 months is a lot... for most people... but my commute ranges between 100 and 140 miles per day depending on road closures, my mood, and such... add the "occasional" 30-mile lunch and you've got 500-700 miles per week, not counting any weekend rides. I don't ride often on weekends but a weekend jaunt can easily add 200 miles to the odometer. I'm just as bad with cars... 50-60K miles a year is pretty normal. The scary part is that a bunch of that driving is recreational/sightseeing.....
At this point I'm seriously leaning towards the V-Strom... when I first went to buy a new bike, the three big contenders were the KLR-650, V-Strom 650, and ninja 250... the 250 won on price and weight/beginner friendliness and I'm glad it did... but in the end what drew me to bikes (beyond the massive commuting advantages) was the idea of adventure touring.
Ride it like you think owning it matters.