new biker - several questions

[zarakand]

In Illinois it's the same as Jersey with the M being an endorsment on your license, so once you're suspended ALL driving privelages are suspeneded.

For what kind of cruiser to start out on, go to a dealership and sit on all the recommended ones from the what bike should I start out on sticky.

Don't be daft and start riding without a license, several dealerships are unethical and will still sell you the bike. I have a friend who's been riding for the last few months without his license, he got pulled over a few weeks ago and went straight to jail. From his one year suspension it's most likely going to go to a five year suspension, depending on what happenes in court in a few days. If he gets caught during those five years the maximum penalty here is a life suspension.

It's just not worth it, waith the few months or year that you have to then go to MSF.

[Dragonhawk]

i really do appreciate any advice yall can give me, im pretty pysched about the whole thing so its hard to not rush right out and buy one. im TRYING to research and learn my "poo poo", before i run off and buy the wrong bike. any other advice youd like to give would be appreciated as well.
thanks
-dusty

Well, Dusty, I'm sorry to hear about your suspension. As others have said, you're gonna be screwed and won't be able to go get the M endorsement because a suspension applies to the whole liscense.

However, I'm not gonna be so harsh as to say you shouldn't be riding a motorcycle. The simple fact that you want a 125cc Kawasaki Eliminator hints that you have finally learned your lesson about not speeding. You are THE FIRST newbie I have EVER seen on ANY message forum to ask about a Kawasaki Eliminator. I respect that. Too many people start on bikes that are WAY too powerful.

Check out my page with some advice on starting:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn.php

The Kawasaki Eliminator may not be able to be ridden on the highway legally. I'm not sure. The law varies from state-to-state. I know in California it can't be, because the engine is too small.

Whatever happens, whatever you decide, I wish you well and I hope you continue to look at sensible, responsible motorcycles and that you have learned your lesson on speeding.

[BuzZz]

I gotta say if you've had your license suspended for speeding you aren't the kind of person I'd want to see on a bike.

That's a pretty broad brush your slappin' around there, Skooter.....

[DirtyD86]

Don't be daft and start riding without a license, several dealerships are unethical and will still sell you the bike. I have a friend who's been riding for the last few months without his license, he got pulled over a few weeks ago and went straight to jail. From his one year suspension it's most likely going to go to a five year suspension, depending on what happenes in court in a few days. If he gets caught during those five years the maximum penalty here is a life suspension.

i appreciate the advice. i wouldnt ride without a license, so its a good thing i struck a deal which will allow me to keep my license in exchange for doing community service. and if that will get me on a bike legally, ill do it with a big smile on my face. technically i could keep my car since i will still have a license for it, but my insurance rates are going through the roof regardless of how much community service i do. which is probably a good thing; its definitely caused me to slow down.

reading around this website, and on the net, a fire has sparked inside me and i now want one so bad im foaming at the mouth. in the interest of not getting myself killed, and as a punishment to myself, im going to stay on the lower end of performance. i would go with an eliminator 150, but since im a pretty big guy i dont think id be able to hit highway speeds, and the highway will be the setting for about 90% of my riding. my first choice as of now is a kawasaki ninja, whether it be a 250 or a 500. im going to go to a dealer and sit on both to get a feel for them. if the 250 doesnt feel like its too small, i will most likely be getting it. thanks again for all the advice yall have given me

[Sev]

I gotta say if you've had your license suspended for speeding you aren't the kind of person I'd want to see on a bike.

That's a pretty broad brush your slappin' around there, Skooter.....

You're welcome to speed, but if you get caught doing so repeatedly... well there's something to be said for learning from your mistakes.

[DirtyD86]

I gotta say if you've had your license suspended for speeding you aren't the kind of person I'd want to see on a bike.

i hear ya, good thing for you that im all the way down here in georgia.

youre in no immediate danger

[Sev]

Hey, if you want to speed, that's fine, I do it too, and fairly regularly. But you need to be caught up here a bunch of times to lose your license. I can't imagine not learning from the first couple of tries.

[PrettyInPink]

Hey, I ride a Kawi Eliminator and I'm a beginner. You will likely find it too small. It's very low. I'm 5'8" and it's not bad for me, but I can't imagine anyone much taller on it.

[sapaul]

Hey, if you want to speed, that's fine, I do it too, and fairly regularly. But you need to be caught up here a bunch of times to lose your license. I can't imagine not learning from the first couple of tries.

Is it the speeding you have problem with or the getting caught?

[Sev]

Getting caught repeatedly bothers me. If they say, "we're going to take away your license if you keep speeding," and you do, then I dunno. Just seems bad.