Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Lately i've been considering getting a bike. I've personally never much liked cars because they're far too confining. Hell, I don't even know how to drive one (that'll have to change, if I want to get a bike. ). Up until now, i've been riding bicycles, and they're great. Now I want one with a motor.

I mostly want one to make travel around the city faster. My bicycle is great for most rides, but not all. I like the mileage that a lot of motorcycles seem to get (I pump gas, so sometimes i'll ask a motorcyclist how many miles he gets to the gallon), and the fact that it's NOT a car.

Is riding a motorcycle at all like riding a bicycle? I know that with the weight and speed of a motorcycle, there will be some very big differences, but I want to know if it's a completely different experience or not.

How much is insurance generally? Is it more or less than I would pay if I had a car?

How much should I put away for the first purchase? This includes safety gear. I plan on buying used if at all possible for the bike(Craigslist seems fulled up with 650cc+ bikes right now though).

I'm sure there are other questions that I should be asking but I can't think of any, so any other helpful information would be useful. I've got plenty of time to think of more. A few months, minimum.

Also, a bit about me: I'm 21 years old, never driven a car even once in my life. Unless of course you count this VW bus that was converted into a bicycle. I'll be applying for my permit soon, and hopefully going to con one of my friends into giving me some lessons so that I can get my license, as Oregon requires you to have a regular class C drivers license before you can even think about getting a Motorcycle endorsement.

And since I know you guys all like pictures so much, i'll post pictures of my current ride(s), even though they're pedal powered.
http://nimmy.info/images/bike.jpg
http://nimmy.info/images/bike2.jpg

Nimrod wrote:


Is riding a motorcycle at all like riding a bicycle? I know that with the weight and speed of a motorcycle, there will be some very big differences, but I want to know if it's a completely different experience or not.

none at all


How much is insurance generally? Is it more or less than I would pay if I had a car?
It all depends on what bike you get. On my first 200cc bike, I paid 250 a year. I pay 1,300 to insure my 2006 c320. If I bought a 2006 SV650s, the insurance would be $1000.


How much should I put away for the first purchase? This includes safety gear. I plan on buying used if at all possible for the bike(Craigslist seems fulled up with 650cc+ bikes right now though).

The general rule is I think $700 minimum for safety gear, so whatever the bike price + 700. (700 is a low number by the way, all my gear costs over$1000)

I'm sure there are other questions that I should be asking but I can't think of any, so any other helpful information would be useful. I've got plenty of time to think of more. A few months, minimum.

Also, a bit about me: I'm 21 years old, never driven a car even once in my life. Unless of course you count this VW bus that was converted into a bicycle. I'll be applying for my permit soon, and hopefully going to con one of my friends into giving me some lessons so that I can get my license, as Oregon requires you to have a regular class C drivers license before you can even think about getting a Motorcycle endorsement.

And since I know you guys all like pictures so much, i'll post pictures of my current ride(s), even though they're pedal powered.
http://nimmy.info/images/bike.jpg
http://nimmy.info/images/bike2.jpg

here are my rides:

heres my racing bike:

old ride




and yes.. a motorcycle is for you. who isnt it for?

If you're just looking for something to get you around the city quicker and insurance and gas prices are a concern, have you considered a scooter?

A motorcycle is lot's of fun but it can kill you quick if you don't know what you are doing. It is very Important that you know the rules of the road before you ever get on one. Remember you are not in a cage when you are riding a bike so your chances are not good if some one comes along and runs into you . You should go to a motorcycle safety course also. Take my word for it, it is not like riding your bicycle.

Take the MSF and see if motorcycling is for you. It should teach you all you need to know, you don't need any experience beforehand.

Warning ahead….


First of all.....


Second, Have you checked out the Beginner's Guide? There are also stickies and the Learn To Ride A Motorcycle page which is downloadable in PDF format (Created and maintained by Dragonhawk). Don't forget the Helmet Fit Guideline by Lion_Lady!


Third, I also recommend an MSF or other reputable safety course and reviewing your state’s (province’s/territory’s) DMV or DOT website for licensing information, guidelines and FAQ.


Fourth, Go to a variety of dealers and sit on all kinds of different motorcycles. Even if you don’t think you’d like the ride when you look at it. I was dead set on one riding style when I started and ended up buying a different type. You may surprise yourself as well.


Fifth, Good Luck, Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There! I hope you enjoy this site!

I second the notion of looking at the option of getting a scooter if you're just looking for around town riding and good mileage. The mileage those get is insanely good. Not sure about Oregon but lots of states allow you to ride a 50cc or less scooter with just a basic driver's license and no addtional endorsement. I rode a 50cc(techniically most of them are 49cc) scoot in college and it was an awesome way to get around.

(MSF isn't a bad idea even for scooting.)

Of course, motorcycles are great too - but what do you expect people to say on a motorcycle site?

Another vote for scooters if your riding will be totally in-town. The purchase price is generally lower, scooters often have built-in storage that motorcycles can only duplicate through aftermarket accessories, and scooters are nimble and extremely manueverable. Many scooters now have automatic transmissions, which can simplify learning to ride.

Not to be blunt, but even the smallest scooter can accelerate you to a speed at which a fatal accident is very possible. As folks mentioned above, take the motorcycle safety course.

+1 on recommending a scooter. If you need to travel quickly in an urban environment, there's just no comparison.

I'm close to picking one of these up next month:



2005 Yamaha Zuma 49cc. $1200 used. These get around 70+ mpg.

Veda wrote:If you're just looking for something to get you around the city quicker and insurance and gas prices are a concern, have you considered a scooter?

I have, actually. Would a 49cc scooter get a 220lb guy around easily? If so, I could pick up a scooter license without ever getting my actual license. Also, do MSF courses often allow people on scooters join their classes? I need to learn somehow.

eagle100 wrote:A motorcycle is lot's of fun but it can kill you quick if you don't know what you are doing. It is very Important that you know the rules of the road before you ever get on one. Remember you are not in a cage when you are riding a bike so your chances are not good if some one comes along and runs into you . You should go to a motorcycle safety course also. Take my word for it, it is not like riding your bicycle.

You make it sound like i'm trying to rush in to this. Assuming I went the motorcycle route, it'd be several months minimum before I even sat on one. An MSF course is definitely down the road for me, assuming I go with a motorcycle.