Thinking of getting a motorcycle, but where to start?

[cowcommander]

The high miles-per-gallon bonus looks a hell of a lot more appealing now that gas prices are up. But I don't know anything about motorcycles at all or know anyone that does. Where should I start?

[givemebackmycountry]

1. How about one of these? Two wheels up front, one in the back.

I want one, I want one, I want one, I want one.

[snooper2]

20. Plan on spending 20K if you want the windshield

hard bags on the back, back seat rests, etc.,

They are pretty reliable, my friends had one for about 3 years. Been all over with his wife. Plenty of storage, front is a trunk. Gas mileage is around 30-32mpg

handles like a four wheeler to me...you can smoke the shit out of that rear tire though :)

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Check out the DU Motorcycle group:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=393

Activity there is sort of sporadic but if you skim through the older postings you may find a lot of info that would help you out.

[Angry Dragon]

3. Gotta get lots of leathers so you look good

that is the most important thing

[Gold Metal Flake]

4. Start here:

http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

[HopeHoops]

5. Get one of those things Batman had in "Dark Knight"

Comes with weaponry!

[Mopar151]

6. From what I've seen

(Disclosure: Friends of mine, really good people)
The Dual Sport type of bikes are very versatile, commute well, do backroads well enough to get out to good fishing, hiking trailheads, get around parks and farms. http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/machine/machine.aspx



These guys do all sorts of activities - from Group rides to Pro-rally and hillclimb. They can likely hook you up with good instruction on riding, etc. I met them thru hillclimbing - had a nice conversation with Max's Mom about her leading a group ride in the ND Badlands.

Hillclimb vid one of their guys did (they only let their best riders sign up for this): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iUX4Quts2g

[momto3]

8. These are great bikes.

My husband has the F800 and I have F650. I learned to ride on this bike. The BMWs are a bit pricey, but they are extremely well balanced and very forgiving of mistakes that beginners may make.

Have you ridden before? If not, please take a MSF training course first.

Tracy

[pokerfan]

10. Beat me to it

I ride a Yamaha but I lust after the BMWs.

[JanMichael]

7. a mid 80's Nighthawk 650.

Best street bike ever. At least in that it isn't a monster (not top heavy or ponderous) to ride, handles great, and gets over 50mpg.

[Rob H.]

9. Step 1: Motorcycle Safety Foundation BasicRider Course

You'll come out of the class with classroom time and time in the saddle, and (if you pass the written and skills tests) you'll be able to go to your DMV and get your license with a shiny new motorcycle designation added. Some insurance companies offer discounts to riders who have taken the class, too.


Edited to add: it'll also give you a chance to discover whether you really want to ride as much as you think you do. There was a student in the class I took who almost wrecked the bike he was on (accidentally popped the clutch and gunned the engine coming out of a low-speed turn, which lifted the front wheel and left him riding a wheelie for about ten feet) and scared himself and the rest of us badly enough that he started having second thoughts about getting a motorcycle of his own.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

13. And it's Free! (at least virtually free in Illinois)

In Illinois you put down a small deposit when you register but you get it back when you show up.

[bluesbassman]

17. I can't co-sign this post enough. Also, start out used and small. Work your way up.

I sold bikes for a while and you don't want to know how many Superbikes we'd see come in on the back of a truck, bent in half by a novice rider who got a bike way over his ability level. I even had a guy come in a buy a little 250 cruiser once so he could learn how to ride after crashing his Harley the first time he rode it.

Seriously, anybody can learn to ride a motorcycle, but it takes a lot of miles to become a GOOD rider. It'll be a lot easier and safer on a smaller bike that you can handle.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

19. +1

A good first step.

:hi:

[amerikat]

11. I started on a Honda 90

but I wouldn't recommend that for you. 40 years ago was
a million years ago when it comes to technology.
But it sure was fun at the time.

[MiddleFingerMom]

12. Have you thought of a scooter?

.
.
.
Not sure why you want a bike, but if it's for commuting and economy, that
might be your best bet (and easiest to ride option).
.
My last bike (and it will probably be my LAST bike) was a Honda 1100cc
Shadow Spirit. My neighbor had one of these small 49cc Honda Metropolitans
and I kinda envied him. 80-110 mpg (1.3 gal tank - he carried a quart sealed
fuel container in his storage).
.
He probably weighed 250 lbs + and he would regularly take it to the top
of Mt Lemmon (outside Tucson) and back. Arizona law didn't require tags
or registration for anything 49cc or smaller (though I think it requires a
license).
.
Here's the link -- brand new starting around $2,000.
.

http://powersports.honda.com/2009/metropolitan.aspx
.
.
.

[WinkyDink]

14. I'd start with, "NO."

[david13]

15. Start with a bicycle. Start with getting as much training and a

motorcycle endorsement from your dmv.
Take the safety classes and any all education you can find.
Then get a beat up old bike, cheap. And practice.
Then prepare to have a lot of hassles on the road. You really have to have a good deal of experience and a burning desire to do it, or you won't survive out there.
With a cheap old bike, you can give it up easy if you realize that's the best thing for you.
Not everyone is cut from the right cloth to do it.
dc

[applegrove]

16. People in the ER called them 'donorcycles' as in organ donors.

[CC]

18. Start with a

motorcycle safety course. Then figure out how comfortable you are and what kind/size bike you would feel able to handle.

[whistler162]

21. Lawyers office to make sure your will is in order......

then a dealer to see what fits your body and physical strength.

[jmowreader]

22. Step 1: spousal approval

There's a picture floating around the internet of a "bike for sale" ad. It was a new, fast motorcycle below dealer cost. Reason for selling: turns out "do whatever the fuck you want" didn't quite mean what he thought it did.