Very New Newbie Learning about Bikes

[ghostofdavid]

Hello!

I am extremely new to bikes and would love to get one after doing PLENTY of research. Right now, the only experience I have with motorcycles is reading about them online and sitting on very few of them. In fact, I couldn't even tell you which ones I have sat on... Other than being very young and riding on the back of my dad's gigantic Honda Goldwing, I haven't really been on hardly anything. I have never rode a motorcycle by myself. I've always wanted one, but never had an opportunity to ride one.

I am looking at getting a cruiser bike to fit me. I read the entire 11 page sticky about what to get as far as engine size... and I am more confused now than before, but I will learn what to get soon enough.

I have already ordered both Proficient Motorcycle books and Motorcycles for Dummies (hehe) from Amazon.com to get some reading done while I am researching motorcycles.

I promise to than a MotoSafetyCourse.

I will buy safety gear before or DURING the purchase of the motorcycle. Not after. My dad and several uncles have had pretty nasty spills when they were young. Some of them learned from their spill, and some went on to have multiple spills.

My body type? Well, I'm fatter than anyone I read in the newbie sticky. I am a towering 5'8" (5'9" if I sit up straight) and weigh 240 pounds. I'd weight less, but i like Mac-n-Cheese and Sloppy Joes too much.

I'd like to buy used, but most of the used bikes I'm seeing are around 1500 bucks and the bank won't finance a lot of older bikes. I could buy new, but it seems to be a waste of money and I know I will drop it.

So, really, I don't know much and am looking forward to learn a lot. Be harsh, be gentle... I don't care. Just be HONEST. Thanks for reading!

[Lion_Lady]

Keep looking at the for sale ads, and craigslist, cycletrader, and ebay even. In the meantime, save up your money.

If you can't afford to spend $1500 on a bike, then you need to wait. Gear will run you at LEAST $500, but it is better to allow more, then you aren't pinched badly and tempted to short cut anything.

P

[ghostofdavid]

As an addendum...

I give my body type and size in case there are any other hobbit shaped people out there... I am not expected you all to predict what motorcycle will fit me best... I know the best advice is as follows: SIT ON IT!!!!!

Experience is a good teacher and I might go to a local moto shop after work today to sit on bikes. I just don't want to deal with salesmen while I am there.

[ghostofdavid]

Keep looking at the for sale ads, and craigslist, cycletrader, and ebay even. In the meantime, save up your money.

If you can't afford to spend $1500 on a bike, then you need to wait. Gear will run you at LEAST $500, but it is better to allow more, then you aren't pinched badly and tempted to short cut anything.

P

The reason why I can't afford 1500 on a bike (yet) upfront is because I took the money I would have used to buy said bike and have allocated it to take the safety class, buy safety gear (helmet, etc.), a years worth of projected insurance and the fees associated with a MotoLearners permit. Whew! You can hear my pocketbook draining!

[The549]

Ok, so you're gonna take the safety course, that's a good first step. Hopefully someone will link you up to the guide on how to get into motorcycling. But really, it's not as hard as internet geeks would make you think.

-recommend taking the course (or don't...ie like me), and then get license
-then start looking for bikes in your price range, make SURE to take into account repairs/maintenance needed and if you can do some of it on your own (otherwise it may cost a lot more).
-research insurance before buying
-practice riding in appropriate areas and go at your own pace. For me, it was freaking myself out by going on highways etc way too early....yeah that was a rush! Or you can just practice a lot in parking lots, no worry, no hurry.
-Be SAFE!

I just passed up on an opportunity to get a great condition bike for $300. 1982 cx500, honda. I wouldn't expect 5,000 miles out of it before some major repairs, but you can find great deals like for a beater learning bike.

[The549]

Gear won't have to cost you $500 initially. It all runs the continuum of risk, your purchasing power, and how much you understand better gear will help you. It's up to you.

you can spend $1500 on gear, or you can do it for much cheaper. Cheap gear is incomparably better than no gear, but not quite as good as new gear.

Helmet: $120
Jacket: $100
Hiking boots
GLOVES (a must imo!) $35
Jeans

about $250, all new. You can do it for a LOT more, or a bit less.
here's one place to start, when you get to the gear stage.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com

[ghostofdavid]

Are there other sites that sell cool gear for Cruiser style of bikes? Man, I am jealous of the sport bikes gear because it makes you look like a tactical ninja of the future... if you wear a lot of that stuff, you look dorky on a cruiser bike. Maybe mismatched is a better word?

[Nalian]

Are there other sites that sell cool gear for Cruiser style of bikes? Man, I am jealous of the sport bikes gear because it makes you look like a tactical ninja of the future... if you wear a lot of that stuff, you look dorky on a cruiser bike. Maybe mismatched is a better word?

Plenty of the folks I ride with who ride cruisers wear all the gear. They don't look any dorkier than people on sportbikes..you're probably just not used to seeing it.

[storysunfolding]

I see more and more cruiser guys with textile jackets and full face helmets. You don't need to buy the bright colors to match your bike- plenty of choices out there.

[Duane]

I ride a cruiser and until I get a few years under my belt I'm wearing a fullface with armor jacket. Girlfriend thinks I look hot, thats all that matters.