Going to look at a bike Sunday
I love my motorcycle and commute daily but here is some advice.
1. You dont save money riding a bike. That is a myth. By the time you add extra insurance, registration, maintainence, leisure riding, etc. there is no savings over the extra gas your regular car would have used.
2. If you ride, get life insurance, a living will, and a power of attorney to someone you trust.
It may sound crude or morbid but I cant tell you how valuable these documents are if you are in a serious crash. Read my sig line. I have lived it. I know what I am talking about here.
As a matter of fact, everyone should have these things, not just riders.
3. The ad is blocked here at work so I cant see the bike you are looking at but I would look for a mid-size bike with a smaller frame such as a Suzuki Intruder 800 for a good starter bike. They are shaft drive and last forever with low maintainence.
(Can you tell Im a Zuki guy?)
The Zuki 800 bikes are small enough to be easily handled but have enough engine to hang with the big bikes. You can upgrade to a bigger bike if you wish once you get some experience under your belt.
4. TAKE A RIDER TRAINING COURSE!! The life you save will be your own.
5. Bikes can be dangerous but so can cars, guns, and husbands that come home early. Life is full of danger. Dont let that stop you from riding. Just be sensible about it.
Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it. I love my bike and riding is a great stress reliever. I go places and intentionally get lost so I can explore. Then I set the GPS to get me home again! LOL
1. TOTALLY disagree! And here's why, we'll figure gas at $4/gal
Bike Truck
45mpg and 4.5 gal tank 13mpg with a 26 gal tank
35miles a day m-f is 9100 miles per year, car or bike, doesnt matter which.
45.5 tanks/year @ $18/tank=$819 27.5 tanks/year @ $102/tank=$2805
gas savings = $1986/year, insurance should be aroun $50/month including life and tags/prop taxes probably around 5/month.
ins=600/year
registration/prop taxes= 60/year.
Total savings, just from fuel, would be right aroun 1300 bucks a year! But thats if you continued to drive the truck equal miles, which you wouldnt.
This of course could be waaayyyyyy different based on every variable even possible, but this would be my own particular situation. That bike would probably get MUCH better milage than mine, 2005 Kawi Vulcan 2000cc...
2. That couldn't be more true! Everyone should have these set up, whether you ride or not!!
3. Shaft is the best drive as far as mainetance goes, I'm a Kawi guy ;)
You're right about a mid size bike for all around, but it seems like this is going to be mostly a commuter bike thats ridden 20-30 miuets at a time. the bike in question would be a great bike IMO.
4. I wish more people would understand that it's not only a good idea, but SHOULD be mandetory. There's a fella on one of the bike forums that said no bike should ever buck when you are at low speed. I had to educate him on the friction zone portion of riding. I couldn't imagine riding in a group ride anywhere near him if we had to make a tight turn somewhere.
5. Absolutly correct! Have respect for the machine you're operating, and you and everyone around you will be safer.
