Is a bike right for me?

[Septimus]

Is something like the Burgman 650 really going to hold up on the NJ turnpike at speeds of 70-80 mph? If so, it does seem like it's worth considering.

The specs seem quite promising, but I don't know exactly how the smaller wheels & "scooter" design parley into real-world performance.

[RideYourRide]

I would consider the Suzuki Vstrom 650 and SV650, Kawasaki Ninja 650r, Honda Nighthawk 750, stuff like that. Reasonably comfortable all-around sporty standards that won't punish a new rider too hard. These bikes all offer greater maneuverability then your average cruiser. They also sit you up higher, not a bad thing in traffic. They will pound highway all day long without trouble.

[Tower18CHI]

I live in Chicago and do exactly what you're talking about. I take the train to work, I bike within about 4-5 miles, and I ride the motorcycle anywhere else within the city. The benefit that I have that you don't, living in Manhattan, is that I live a bit further out in the city and I have parking for a car. So I have a car to leave the city with. Hence, I only have a 250 for putting around the city.

But, in summary, there is nothing wrong with your idea, I do it!

[Septimus]

Thanks everybody! This is invaluable.

I'm definitely going to take an MSF course ASAP (hopefully the NYS DMV will accept an out-of-state one ... much easier for me to take a course in a place like Delaware where I have family than to do it here in New York) before I decide but it looks like the mid-range Dual-sport or cruisers are the way to go.

Just out of curiosity: The Ninja 650 is listed as a "sport bike" while something like the V-Storm 650 is a "dual sport" -- obviously there's going to be crossover in these labels, and I also don't want to fall into the appealing trap of picking up a 600cc sport bike for my rist ride. The point made in one of the beginner stickies that a larger 600cc bike is more newb-friendly than a 600cc crotch rocket seems like a good one.

Does the distinction between "dual sport" and "sport" or "cruiser" category matter a whole heck of a lot if the bike meets your needs? For me, driving around the inner-city is not really something I'll ever have to do - I am lucky enough to live right next to the entrance to one of the two highways in Manhattan and that connects me with all the surrounding interstates. My big worry is having something that can keep up with traffic on the NJ Turnpike and that can get out of the way of weary weekend travelers.

My dad has owned a few bikes over the years and he is strongly encouraging me not to get one at all just because of how miserable the turnpike can be on a bike. But then I don't think he'd have followed his own advice thirty years ago when he was my age.

[RideYourRide]

If we compare the 650R with a typical 600 supersport such as the GSXR, it would add up something like this:

Ninja 650R is a parallel twin motor. It makes about 70 horsepower and the redline is around 10k. It's set up for mid range torque and response and geared reasonably short. It weighs about 390 pounds "dry" (no gas, oil, etc). The seating position is similar to a very relaxed mountain bike or city bike, very upright. Almost feels like sitting on a bar stool. The idea is a comfortable, sporty and responsive motorcycle for everyday use on the street. It's also what passes as a "beginner bike" in this age of big bore motorcycles. For someone who's reasonably coordinated I don't think it's too much bike for a beginner.

A GSXR600 is an inline four. Despite being 50cc smaller it makes 115ish horsepower. It doesn't hit the powerband until 8,000 rpm and from there until almost 16,000 it pulls like a locomotive. It weighs about 355 pounds dry. The seating position is akin to a road bike with your hands on the hoods. The idea is a race bike with mirrors and turn signals.

You get the idea. The inline four 600cc supersports are what you should really stay away from as a new rider...GSXR600, R6, CBR600, etc. They all have 1000cc big brothers that are "oh my god" fast too.

If you use aol instant messenger, feel free to drop me a line.

[spin]

i live a stones throw from manhattan on the NJ side. i work in the city so i know what it is like. i am a newb too been riding for two months now.

i find my bike (ducati monster 620) to really fit me nicely. it is great for what i wanted and that is to cruise on weekends and run errands, etc. more fun than praticality.

i wouldnt take a scooter on the NJ Turnpike personally, it may be my ignorance about them but i dont think they will handle well. a friend has a large scooter and she complains often about trucks whizzing by her and causing her to swoon in the wind.

personally i have heard it is great to ride in nyc but i wouldnt do it, not now anyway. perhaps in a year or so and even then not in rush hour.

two things i learned and heard in the MSF loud and clear are:
1) intersections
2) being mindful of idiot drivers

in nyc that is 2-2.

[TorontoBoy]

Do you have a place to securely park your bike? Motorcycle theft is rampant all over. Many bikes can be simply lifted up into a truck by a couple of burly thugs. Also call around for insurance for these bikes. Anything with Ninja/Sportbike connotations will be much more expensive, though this varies with location.

Your Dad may be right about renting a car when you need it, not because MCs are dangerous but due to other factors.

If you can ride at speeds below 50mph on alternative routes the range of MCs options markedly increase. Highways are fast but not necessarily best. Riding on secondary roads is relaxing and a lot of fun, and for me is part of the "escape". Consider 200cc Vespas/scooters as well. Small bikes are easy to park, easier to learn on, give better gas mileage, more manueuverable, and smiles per miles, can't be beat.

[Septimus]

There are garages in Manhattan that will park a bike for around $100/mo, but there are two (!) bikes parked out on the street in front of my apartment now. I live in one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan on a quiet side street. I plan on leaving some post-its on their bikes with my email so I can chat them up about securing their bike, parking their bike, etc. I'm prepared to leave it in a garage but then I'd have to hoof it just to get to my bike, which would make it far less convenient. Hopefully there is a balance to be struck between easily accessed and not sporting a "steal me" sign!

Insurance for something like a V-Strom is about $330/year for the basics through Progressive. If I add comprehensive & collision (probably a good idea to have theft insurance) then it goes up to about $1300/year.

I've looked at a couple of the higher-end scooters and they are definitely pretty nice. My only concern is that the wheel size & general maneuverability does not make them ideal for touring, though I don't know enough to say that with anything like authority.

There aren't really alternate routes to most places I'd go until you get about 50-60 miles outside of the city. There are plenty of secondary roads once I get to any of the places I'd go around the east coast -- upstate New York, PA, New England -- but in the greater NYC area it's pretty much "get out as fast as possible and don't get killed by a truck on the way."

[Ian522]

The v-strom is a great bike but I wouldnt rule out a smaller cruiser if I were you. Cruisers usually are alot cheaper to insure and less likely to be stolen.

[Septimus]

I'm less aware of the cruiser department -- something like a Shadow? What sort of smaller cruisers are OK for major highways/300-mile touring?