Looking for a Cruiser and boots

[RainDownMyBlues]

Hey guys. This is my first post so bear with me.

I'm "new" to biking in the sense that I've yet to have a liscense that allows me to do it legally, and that I have lonly about 100 hours.

But I suppose this is one of the newbie wanting a bike thread.

I'm 18, and a have had my license since I was 16.

My step-grandpa has always had a few nice collection of bikes, and I've ridden 3 of them to get the hours, a Goldwing, Kawasaki, and Honda Shadow.

I'm going to buy used, but it has to be realativly inexpensive because I'm paying college as well. I'd like it to be $2,500 or less is possible. That price does not include anything but the bike. And I'd like it to be 600-1100. All the bikes I've ridden are in that range, and I feel decently comfortable with one. I will take the Course ASAP. Within the month I hope. Planning to purchase the bike about 2 months after that.

I'd like a cruiser, I guess I left that out didn't I? I don't like sport bikes at all, and the powerband with them is so much more brutal.

Now, on to a few other questions.

Boots: I'm not a cowboy by anymeans, or a biker, but I don't like those futuristic looking motorcycle boots. I just want a boot that looks like a cowboy boot, or something similar. Is there anything out there that has good ankle support that fits what I want? I like just straight leather, weird plastic designs and stuff.

Insurance: Man, this one may eat me alive. I live in the state of Illinois, and am getting a bike in part because of fuel economy, I can't do 17 MPG all year round. What do you expect the insurance rate to be on top of my car insurance? I've not had an accident, but my grades in highschool were not great. Are there any other things besides the course that could lower my rates?

I'll have more questions when I get back. Knock off those that you can.


Thanks!
Dylan

[CNF2002]

The MSF course will give you a discount with some companies. Get a very low CC bike, under 500, and that will help your insurance costs. Go to college, get an above-3.0 gpa your first semester and send in the transcript, that should give you another discount. Just ask your insurance what discounts there are available. Might want to ask your folks if you can put your vehicles on their insurance and pay them yourself to get a multicar discount. Your bike insurance and your car insurance may have to be through different companies...the cheapest rate for your auto may be with a company that just doesn't insure bikes at all.

A small cruiser might get you 40-50mpg depending on the model. If you're doing it for the money, once you figure in the cost of the bike and insurance, you might not be saving anything, especially with gas prices falling back to the $2.00 range.

Count up all your gas purchases for a month (it helps if you always use a debit card since you can track it online with most banks)...if you spend $100 a month on gas (I guess you have an SUV?), you'll spend about $50 a month with the bike...financing a 2,500 bike will run you about 50 bucks a month if you have decent credit, plus insurance which will be far more than the cost of the bike considering your age.

[RainDownMyBlues]

Actually, I'm driving a second generation Camaro at the moment, and I'm burning much more than 50 bucks a month.

And yes, I can put the motorcycle under my parents name even. Thing is, my parents are getting devorced, so my rates will go up.

I'll have to call the insurance company (state farm) and ask price policies and options for me.

Yeah the gas is down back to 2.00.... but it's going back up after christmas. You're silly if you don't think so.

Of course I'm not doing it for the money... It's just an excuse. It's just fun to be on them.

[Wizzard]

1st off , welcome to TMW Rain ,
Secondly , check out Foremost MC Insurance rather than going with your State Farm because I believe you will get a better deal .
Regards, Wizzard

[Itzamna]

The insurance will be measured in cost by the bike you have. The first bike I bought, a '82 Honda Nighthawk 750, had a insurance rate of only $180 a year. Old bike, not fast, low insurance.

Now my 2003 SV1000 is much, much more. $1,500 a year for it due to power, how new it is, and my age (21).

Basically, if you are looking at inexpensive, get something a little older and you'll be alright. I got my Nighthawk for $1,100 that I ended up getting 15,000 miles off last year on her before I sold it. Maintenece is easier on the older bikes as well, I have found at least.

[Ninja Geoff]

If you put the bike on with your car then you should get another discount.

1st off , welcome to TMW Rain ,
Secondly , check out Foremost MC Insurance rather than going with your State Farm because I believe you will get a better deal .
Regards, Wizzard

Argh!

6. Our motorcycle program is not available in Massachusetts, Hawaii or Alaska.

[CNF2002]

I understand Hawaii and Alaska...but whats wrong with Massachusetts??

[Itzamna]

I understand Hawaii and Alaska...but whats wrong with Massachusetts??

They're still mad about them burning all the tea.

[RainDownMyBlues]

Hey I would have bought that Nighthawk off of you! That's what I'm looking for.

I'll go pick up a trader today. I've been looking through craigslist @ chicago and I haven't found anything worth while.

[Sev]

Nighthawk isn't a cruiser, is it?