Hello, from the great Northwest.

Message

auladan · #1 Unread post by **auladan** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:17 pm

Allo!

On Friday the 13th my car, a 1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD, broke down for the second time in about the space of a year. This is the second motor she's eaten and so I've decided to move on to a more reliable vehicle; I am currently looking at 3rd generation Firebird's. However...

I have always held a great fasciation for the motorcycle and want very badly to learn to ride and to own one. I figure that now is the best time for me to start on that endeavor.

I'm 21 years old as of late December and I live in the great American Northwest; Washington State. We get... quite alot of rain up here and I understand that that is definately not ideal for riding. None the less, I want a bike all the same.

So, I stumbled across this forum in my search for some affordable, decent looking bikes. I used to favor crotch rockets but I am leaning away from that now; I definately prefer some of the Harley-Davidsons I have seen, among others.

I hope to learn as much as I can from this site and from all of its members as I can.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I am looking to register for a motorcycle saftey course for late spring or the summer, and I understand the importance of not starting on a too-powerful bike.

Gummiente · Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:00 am

Welcome! Sounds like you're taking the right route, what with the motorcycle course and all. Don't rule out sport bikes just yet, as you obviously like performance cars you might find performance bikes more suited to your tastes. But whatever you buy, make sure you invest in a good rainsuit. Your neck of the woods IS known for being pretty damp, isn't it?

CentralOzzy · Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:13 am

Welcome to the Forum & to Motorcycling!

Hey you can't go past a Harley! But don't buy anything too old. If possible 2000 model year or above. Otherwise 1995 on up....NOW.....

Which Harley? Why....A ROADKING of course!

www.harley-davidson.com

HINT: Pick up a good second hand bike with low milage, buy the one the yuppie couldn't handle....

OK so I'm biased.....what about a Victory then, very nice!

http://www.victory-vtwins.com/

Wizzard · #4 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:45 am

Welcome to the TMW Forums . Eventually you will find something that just reaches out and grabs ya . That'll be the one...............

Regards, Wizzard

scan · #5 Unread post by **scan** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:45 am

Here is another point of view. But first - welcome. I wish I lived in the northwest many times, though since I started riding (couple years now myself) I've started to think the southwest is pretty appealing. I think I will end up moving somewhere to ride all year around.

So, when you think of type, a lot of times you are talking about how you sit on the thing. Some bikes have you lean way forward (most extreme sportsbikes) and usually are not great for long trips. Some bikes have you lean way back, like many of the cruiser style bikes. For me, both of those are not good. I like to put on a lot of miles per ride, so I've put myself in the middle catagory, which is usually naked bikes, touring bikes, and standards. These are bikes that you sit up straight for the most part.

So that being said, I'd say go to the Harley dealer and others if they are nearby and go sit on a few bikes. Notice your arms reach and where you feet end up. What might feel fine for a minute might not be good long term. If you have a dealer like I do nearby, you might be able to sit on a large variety of brands and types. The only problem with Harley is you will be limited to a few types. At an import dealer (unless it is a single brand dealer) you can see many types of rides.

Before I knew anything about bikes I thought I should by a Harley. Since then I've learned most bikes are now high quality and most of the differences are taste related. If you buy used, have a knowledgable friend with you. The risk buying used can vary widely, but the cost of a new bike is a premium you might regret paying as a new rider. Not to say you will lose balance and drop your bike, but it is known to happen when you are learning. A brand new $30k bike will make you cry much more than a $3k used Honda Rebel. If you buy a cheap used bike, you will usually have luck getting rid of it without much loss on your original price.

Read more here - and in that same section of board for more information -

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=100

auladan · #6 Unread post by **auladan** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:05 pm

Thank you for the warm welcome!

I have been looking at some older bikes ('73 Harley-Davidson Sportster, for example) as well some some newer, like the Kawasaki Ninja 500. My mind is by no means made up.

In any case, thank you again, and I hope to be riding soon.

CentralOzzy · Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:46 pm

My advice to you is the same.....Don't buy an old crappy Harley, they are for the most part....errrr.....HIGH MAINTINENCE....

I'm sure some of the Harley Bashers out there could put it better than I....

allawybiker · Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:42 pm

CentralOzzy, that is funny...
Hi there auladan, welcome to the forum and the world of motorcycling. I too am from the Northwest (Issaquah) and would agree that it is pretty wet here, but I prefer rainy winters over snowy ones since rain does not really stop me from riding. As a matter of fact, I rode until the beginning of December and just started again yesterday, I could have ridden this period too but I just got tired of the constant rain. Make sure you get yourself good winter/rain gear in addition to having summer pants and jacket.
Anyhow, I have had my cruiser for a year now and been thinking (once in a while) about getting a sport or standard bike to taste the difference

I am not sure that I will do it, but the cruiser has been a blast so far, I really love it...

Take the riding course, it is very very useful and will probably save you from an accident...don't bypass this step...

Let me know if you have any questions about local dealers or anything at all...Good luck...

jackM50black · Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:55 pm

From a fellow northwesterner, Hi and welcome! I'm also brand new to this forum. The rainy winter is a drag.. but I rode yesterday for two hours ... when I took off work to do it. I ride an 805 cc Suzuki cruiser that I bought new. I had never rode a bike before in my life. I had read all the forum advice before and found a whole bunch of opinion from "ya gotta buy a used bike with no more than 500cc" all the way to "hey dude... go for it and start out with a 1000 cc". With a cruiser it was ok to get a mid size (between 650 and 805 cc), but with a sportbike, you'll want to start with something smaller such as a 350? Check with the experienced guys and gals on here.

Mustang · #10 Unread post by **Mustang** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:56 am

Sounds like you might be a bit of a gearhead so my point may not have any relevance.....my choice for getting a new bike was for the warranty and knowing I wasn't buying anyone elses problem.

I agree that as beautiful as a Harley is, there are some good-looking cruisers out there,

Victory (as expensive as a Harley)
Star (Yamaha) nice looking and cheaper

and if you want some meaner looking bikes...Suzuki......

Let us know how the bike hunting is going!