Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey everyone... 1st post....

I'm trying to figure out if I can actually use a motorcycle before I commit myself to taking safety courses, getting DL endorsements, and buying a starter bike. I'm not talking about physical ability to ride... I'm in my early 30s and figure that should be only the usual problem. I want to at least pretend this is a practical alternative to a car. 95% of the driving I do is commuting alone to/from work, and I'd like to be able to ride at least one or two days a week. The other 5% usually involves carrying 2 passengers.

The problem? My workday commute is about 100 miles round trip... 70 miles of interstate (65/70MPH speed limit), 29 miles of highway (55MPH), and about 1mi of surface streets. A few steep hills but no real twisties. 50 minutes each way by car on a good day (bad traffic on a Friday night and I don't get home until 1:30 in the morning....but that's another story).

Is that way too much of a ride for a beginning rider? A beginner bike? I don't have much opportunity for shorter rides, except maybe going for lunch on a week day and I can't really leave my bike at the office so that's marginal.

I want to get something in the 250cc range to learn on, but everything I've read says they are totally marginal for that sort of commute. I've seen the HUGE jump in insurance rates as bikes go up in performance... as in a 250cc might cost $450/yr, and a 500cc $2000/yr. I take that as another warning not to get in over my head.

I already own what will be my second (maybe third) bike ... neighbor busted the transmission on his bike a few years ago. I paid him $200, found a $50 blown engine for parts, and fixed the 2nd gear shift fork over a weekend. It is in pretty good condition, but the implications of 75HP and ~570lb empty weight are obvious even to a newb like me. I have enough self restraint to keep the 1100cc Yamaha (XS11) in the garage. It now has company... A friend recently abandoned her 2000 BMW F650GS next to it (she didn't have any place else to store it while she traveled). I suppose it is cool to be able to look at these bikes... but I want to actually ride something for a change!

First off... shop around for a better insurance price, there is NO WAY insuring a 500cc bike should cost that much. I am 30 years old and ride a 1200cc bike and with full coverage it is only $620.

Just make sure you are "good" before going onto the open roads and you will be fine... you do not need to take a safety course to be a good rider... In my opinion a 250cc bike is way too small for any type of long commute... others will disagree but if you want the bike to actually MOVE when you roll the throttle go with at least a 750cc (for a cruiser)... I am assuming you want a cruiser if you plan on a long commute.

Yeah, my insurance "shopping" was just going to progressive's web page, dialing in "total newb with no experience and a brand new motorcycle endorsement", and entering different bikes. A Virago 250 was about $420, A Ninja 250R was about $2000, my friend's BMW 650 was about $2400...

Yea, try to get a motorcycle insurance company. They give lot better prices. You can try Rider insurance. For example, they quoted me for $240 a year for my '95 EX250 while gieco wanted $810.

A few things to consider. Do not go with Progressive or Geico, they just charge too much. I just got a new policy for an SV650s that has excellent full coverage for $470 per year. For much inferior coverage, Progessive qouted me for $1100 per year and Geico $790. Moral of the story, shopping around will save you tons of money. Progressive motorcycle counts on people not doing research.

Also, thats a heck of a long commute. I always vote against using motorcycles for commuting. To me its a numbers game, the longer you are on the road, the better the chance of being involved in a freak accident. I would have to advise against it.

If you do decide you want to commute 100 miles each way, make sure you have a supremely comfortable bike with enough power to quickly accelerate at highway speeds. It sucks when your on the highway, you twist the throttle and there is nothing there. That will be the case on a 250. Heck I have to downshift my SV650s on the freeway if I need to accelerate quickly. Even then I am left wanting.

That's great to know about the insurance... I looked $2000+ and my eyes just about popped out of my head!

The freeway performance problem is exactly what has me questioning the whole thing. There are a few hills that can slow cars/trucks down to 50MPH... when I see something about a motorcycle that can do 75 all out, I wonder if it is even remotely safe on such a road.

If you get a powerful-enough bike the commute will be a peice of cake... and might even be fun if the bike is comfy enough

dieziege wrote: The freeway performance problem is exactly what has me questioning the whole thing.

100 mile commute could be cake with the right bike for you. I took my Interceptor for a 100 mile jaunt and I wasnt even fatigued/tired/or sore! It is absolutely amazing when you find a bike that fits you very well. I was so pleased, I took it for another 50 mile ride the next day, just for giggles.

a 500 will handle that just fine. check out dairyland insurance, I pay $84 a year for my insurance for a 500cc bike.

a 650 to 800cc cruiser could work well too if you like cruisers

Allstate wanted $4800/year for my bike, fully insured. I went with Progressive and pay just $400.00/year.

As for the commute, 100 miles isn't all that uncommon. I do it every single day, what with running the kids ten miles in the wrong direction every morning to get them to the sitter's house. The longer the commute on the bike the better, as far as I'm concerned. Work sucks, so having a bike waiting for you after you punch out is a welcome sight.