hello. If you think I'm going to die, let me know.

[flynrider]

I'll have to disagree with Mikey on a couple of points. Liability insurance is much cheaper on a bike than it is on a car. Bikes just don't do as much damage to other vehicles/structures/drivers, which is where liability comes into play. My current car liability policy is 2.5 times more than the bike policy (both from the same company). The expensive part of bike insurance is the comprehensive and collision coverage.

As for having a bike as your only transportation, it's quite doable in mild climates. Onlystring posted that he was in Mesa, AZ. I know it's easily doable because I was in his shoes a few decades back when I did the same thing. I was bike-only in the Southwest (NM and AZ) for 4 yrs. until I was finally able to afford a car. I wouldn't recommend it if he lived somewhere where it snowed all winter.

[asiantay]

I understand where you're coming from. My dad worked minimum wage while supporting a family of 5 (now 9). Dark times, but it builds character. My older siblings are proof. Luckily for me, when I was growing up, things were on the up-turn. You should be patient with your choices and don't rush into anything.

As for the bike, I think it's a viable option. It seems your only option at this point. BUT, you will find a close knit community of bikers in many places.

P.S.: My bro was able to buy a new 750 Nighthawk for college by picking up a job. So it's very possible, you just need to have faith. (Thank you Young Goodman Brown)

[Wrider]

I can't say I've ever been in your shoes like most of the riders here, but I do know that you are obviously mature for your age and you should be more than alright with just a bike, especially where you live... I've lived in Colorado for my whole life, so I couldn't do with just a bike, but if I could, I definitely would... I wish you luck!
Wrider

[MikeyDude]

I'll have to disagree with Mikey on a couple of points. Liability insurance is much cheaper on a bike than it is on a car. Bikes just don't do as much damage to other vehicles/structures/drivers, which is where liability comes into play. My current car liability policy is 2.5 times more than the bike policy (both from the same company). The expensive part of bike insurance is the comprehensive and collision coverage.

Right... My point was you can get away with only liability in a car... On a bike you'd want more than that, so it would be more expensive.

[flynrider]

I'll have to disagree with Mikey on a couple of points. Liability insurance is much cheaper on a bike than it is on a car. Bikes just don't do as much damage to other vehicles/structures/drivers, which is where liability comes into play. My current car liability policy is 2.5 times more than the bike policy (both from the same company). The expensive part of bike insurance is the comprehensive and collision coverage.

Right... My point was you can get away with only liability in a car... On a bike you'd want more than that, so it would be more expensive.

I must be missing your point entirely. Why would you want comp & collision on a bike and not a car? Most of the low end bikes you'll buy on a tight budget are not worth fully insuring (much like a car).

[onlystring]

Hello again everyone, and thank you for you're many replies.

The general message I was able to gain from your posts was one of support. That's really what I was looking for. Most of my family is unsure about a bike simply because they didn't have any experiences to base a decision on. I wanted to get the opinions of people who had some real-world insight into what riding a motorcycle involved.

I have decided to go ahead with my plan and get the bike. Right now I have about $2000 in the bank, and the owner of the bike I have been considering wants $1500. Assuming the bike is in decent condition (and I purchase it) that would leave me with at least $500 for registration, safety gear, and repair parts(if needed). Is this enough? I'm hoping to get a leather jacket as opposed to a mesh one. Any good places you know of where I could find one cheap would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note about the insurance, I did a few "instant quotes" at several other insurance agencies (Geico, Allstate, bikelinE, motorcycle services......) and they all gave me pretty similar numbers. Remember, I am applying for basic liability on a 248cc bike. That's probably why the numbers are so low. Comprehensive coverage would be a waste because the lowest deductible would be at least 1/3 the value of the bike, and the extra cost per year would most likely be more than the price of any damage I cause to it.

Once again, thank you for the kind input.

[Dragonhawk]

Assuming the bike is in decent condition (and I purchase it) that would leave me with at least $500 for registration, safety gear, and repair parts(if needed). Is this enough? I'm hoping to get a leather jacket as opposed to a mesh one. Any good places you know of where I could find one cheap would be greatly appreciated.

I ride with Frank Thomas leathers. They are the most inexpensive leathers I have found, and I can attest that they literally "save your hide" when you unexpectedly dismount your motorcycle and slam into the pavement.

I have a page that has a lot more links to gear over here:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

Hope you find that helpful. This site has a great beginners section too.

Hang in there, kid.

[CNF2002]

You can get a helmet, jacket, pants, and gloves for under 500 easy. Don't buy into the hype that a $500 helmet is any safer than a $100 one, so long as it has DOT and SNELL.

Depending on your climate you might want to get a mesh jacket with armor. First Gear sells well priced ones for about $125. My Joe Rocket mesh pants cost $125. Gloves will run you about 30-40. Dont know about boots.

Registration is cheap. It costs me $14 to register my bike (compared to the $60 car registration) and about $20 to inspect.

[NorthernPete]

check ebay as well, I picked up a good leather jacket for 80 bucks Can. brand new. alot of whole salers there. also theres a web site mentioned on here that deals in these sorts of things..almost new or something along those lines..anyone help me out?

[qwerty]

Yes, you are going to die. Everyone is going to die. Sorry, that's just a fact of life.

I think your idea for a small motorcycle for cheap transportation is a good one. I moved out when I was 14 because my parents were drunks, and physical abuse and neglect was the norm. I hope you have a better situation since you mentioned your father's multiple dui arrests.

My only transportation was a Honda SL100. I continued in school full time and worked two part time jobs. Things were different then, I worked part time at a Honda dealer as the custodian, and then worked until midnight in a grocery, sacking and stocking. 15 hour days. One weekends, I worked at a theater behind the snack counter. When summer rolled around I worked full time at the dealership, cleaning and setting up new bikes. All this for $1.35/hour.

After rebuilding the SL100, I was assigned as the SL100/SL125 specialist. I was able to take some factory training on holidays in the winter. Eventually there was enough work and my skills improved to the point the dealership gave me a key and I was able to give up the grocery and theater jobs. I made enough on flag time to begin a little racing. pretty good achievment for a 16-year old.

I couldn't have done it without the SL100 to carry me across town. With the motorcycle, you'll be able to put together several part time jobs and do pretty good. Plan on 60 hours per week, minimum. 80 hours per week is more realistic. I worked 80-100 hours/week back then. That's what it takes to get ahead with minimum wage jobs. Even then, you are always within one minor medical emergency of bankruptcy. If that workload scares you, pursue an education. I still work too many hours, but the pay is much better.

I wouldn't worry too much about medical insurance. Public hospitals cannot refuse care. Pay a small consistent amount on a regular basis against medical bills, should they occur, and it will help you build a good credit rating. Liability insurance is mandatory. A judgement can take future earnings for a very long time.