Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello everyone, hope your weather is better than what we've been having here in New Jersey. Rain, more rain, and then, even more rain. I think I feel a set of gills starting to grow on each side of my neck!

Well, after selling my last bike 11 years ago (dumb move) I'm looking to get back into it. My searching around on the net has brought me here. Nice place, I like it. The folks here seem to be knowledgeable and civil. I started with an 81 KZ440, went to a Yamaha Radian (IL4/600cc) then to a PC800 (don't laugh, it was an 89, the white one). I've been out long enough that I feel completely new to riding. I kept my "M" endorsement on my license through the years but it's worthless since I haven't used it. Thanks to this site I found FDU here in Bergen County has safety classes which I'm going to take. I still have my chaps, Jacket, Helmets, they are Shoei and in new condition but I wonder if they are still good? Do they expire? I know the newer ones have got to be better but these cost me close to 3 bills each back in 91. I like the new Vulcan 900 but I'm looking used. So maybe the Honda VT1100 might be good. My only concern is I hope I can handle such a big bike. But I don't want to buy another 800cc and in a year or 2 have to get another one.

Anyway, I'll be lurking, reading and posting some dumb questions from time to time! Have a good one.

to the TMW community ONE OFF and also another big welcome to returning back to motorcycling!

A very smart move you've made by thinking about retaking the safety course. After 11 years of not riding it's a little harder to remeber the skills, but they do come back with the bad habits.. haha. But by taking the course not only will you ace it, but you'll drop those bad habit skills too.

Since I have an 1982 motorcycle and have ridden the newest ones I can tell you that motorcycles have changed a lot since 1989 with the PC800. Remember that today's engines are much more efficient then those in the past at the same cc's.

For equipment, If your jacket and chaps are still in good shape (no cracking or tares) then I'd keep them. The helmet will need to be replaced as it's old, the foam my not be too good and technology has vastly changed. Also in some areas of the country they can (not that I've ever heard of it happening) give you a ticket if you helmet is too old. The newer helmets are great and the prices have gone way down since the 80's for them.

As with your bikes in the past, go up in cc's as you need them. The Vulcan 800 is a great bike or Shadow 750's to get back into things. (amoung other 750's as well)

Post all you like, we are all very friendly.



Mike.

Welcome to the TMW Forums and welcome back to the wonderful world of two wheels .
Regards, Wizzard

Where in NJ do you live? I live in Union County. The weather has been crappy lately, but I went for a ride today anyway. It was pretty cool to ride in the rain for the first time, but I doubt I will say that as I ride more often. Maybe I liked it more because it was more dangerous, I don't know, but I thought it was fun.

Nothing like a nice long ride I agree. I miss packing my stuff Thursday night so I"m ready to take off right after work on Friday. Usually off to DC or Gettysburg or both on long weekends. Riding through PA back to Jersey past all the farms was the best. I always liked how bike riders stick together too. You stop to see something and you wind up talking to the other riders more than anything else. I want back in now!

totalmotorcycle thanks for the advice on the ccs. I'm looking at the Suzuki C50 now. Had the day off yesterday and sat on a bunch of bikes. I like them all but the C50 was just a better fit than the Vulcan 900 or the VT1100 (too much bike for right now). If I can find the Vulcan 800 I'd jump at the chance on that one too.