Forums | MacLife

oatmeal · 2005-09-15 8:08 pm

Most people would say "it looks like you bought a Motorcycle." They'd be right. big_smile

Since hurricane Katrina hit the coast and gas prices jumped through the roof I finally convinced my wife to let me get a motorcycle. I've always wanted one, but just never got around to getting one. Or a license, for that matter.

Experience? My grandfather let me ride his beaten up, underpowered old motorcycle (probably in the range of 200cc or less - most likely less) through the woods near his house. It was great - flying over little hills, the trees whipping by, not running into them (possibly that was the best part, the "not crashing" part). That was roughly 18 years ago.

So ten minutes experience on a motorcycle 18 years ago and I've bought a 650cc bike for commuting. I'm feel a little crazy even saying it - sort of explains the "What have I done" title on this thread.

I started by getting a permit, which was easy. Then I drove around with a friend of mine who has roughly 18 years of experience riding motorcycles (though he doesn't have one at the moment). He talked me out of buying a 250cc bike like the Honda Rebel or Nighthawk and into getting something that costs a little more but has a little more ability to get out of the way of trouble, should it occur.

We shopped around, looked at several dozen bikes, looked at a few seriously (including the S40, which I really liked and which felt pretty good) discussed the merits of used bikes for beginners. I bought a helmet and we called it a day before I made any sort of decision.

Since then I've been all over the web. I found dozens of reviews, models, prices. Several forums, lists of motorcycle-friendly stores, very little in the way of information for the COMPLETE novice.

Time and again I kept coming back to the S40 as a relatively inexpensive bike that's great for a new rider. The reviews I read for the S40 were all highly positive, though they suggest that they have a tendency to backfire. (They also suggested a quick and easy fix for the backfiring... though the description of the procedure was in Greek to me.) Some suggested that it might be a little on the small side for a guy as big as me (6'0"), but it felt just about perfect when I sat on it at the dealership when I was out with my friend.

It also struck me that the S40 was extremely accessible; the used bikes that would have been a good fit for me seem to be over 100 miles away or have sellers I trust about as far as I could throw their bikes. Buying new made it much easier to find and finance, and gives it a year on warantee.

So I bought one today. It's a 2006 Suzuki S40 (or "Savage," as I've learned by lurking around here for the past week or so). I got the red one. It should arrive and be ready for me sometime next week (plenty of time for Hurricane Ophelia to pass us by).

So... do we have any experienced bikers around here who have any suggestions for a complete novice?

Gusboh · 2005-09-15 8:15 pm

Ride like you are invisible, but make yourself as visible as possible.

Obtuse sounding, but it makes sense.

No blindspot riding, wear a smurfing helmet!

Reflective vests and non black leathers make a lot of sense too (if you can handle the geek factor)

oatmeal · 2005-09-15 8:19 pm

Oh, before anyone suggests it - I'm already looking into safety courses. The next DMV approved one (that would let me waive my road test) around here... starts in March. bang

How can they let it get THAT booked up? If there's that much demand, ADD MORE SUPPLY.

Maybe there are some non-DMV approved ones.

brendave · 2005-09-15 8:34 pm

Suzuki=good and will run for a long long time. I learned on an 850. Went to the test with my friends 850 and everyone else was on a 200-500. I passed with flying colors. I now ride a moto guzzi el dorado... you know, like John and Ponch rode in CHiPs?

oatmeal · 2005-09-15 8:40 pm

brendave wrote:
Suzuki=good and will run for a long long time. I learned on an 850. Went to the test with my friends 850 and everyone else was on a 200-500. I passed with flying colors. I now ride a moto guzzi el dorado... you know, like John and Ponch rode in CHiPs?

Holy cow. There's a blast from the past. big_smile

jhota · 2005-09-15 8:50 pm

the Savage is a good bike - the only things i don't like about it are it's size (it's little), and that it's a thumper.

a friend of mine learned on a Savage and just upgraded to a H-D Sportster 883...

wellfleation · 2005-09-15 8:54 pm

I like that bike! I want a nice inexpensive street bike some day. I grew up riding smaller dirt bikes and my friends larger ones, like my friends 2 stroke Husqvarna 495. That thing was insanely fast! Anyway, I'm jealous!

dv · 2005-09-15 9:17 pm

Cool.

Don't die.

justine · 2005-09-15 9:19 pm

I can't imagine how your mother feels. A couple weeks ago, my son told me he was thinkign about getting one. Words cannot express how i felt at that moment.

Malkin · 2005-09-15 9:27 pm

Some of my first memories are of riding on my dad's Honda. I had to keep my hands on the gas cap at all times, and we'd ride very slowly up and down the street while my mom stood in the driveway in half a panic.

My dad got a motorcycle again a few years ago. It's fun to ride, but I just can't bring myself to feel safe with all of the crazy drivers and SUVs with a million and one blind spots out there. I think my dad probably found out that he feels much the same, because he doesn't ride it all that often.

Try to stay off of freeways and find the old scenic highways instead. Much more enjoyable, and safer. That's my advice, added to what has already been said.

dv · 2005-09-15 9:27 pm

justine wrote:
I can't imagine how your mother feels. A couple weeks ago, my son told me he was thinkign about getting one. Words cannot express how i felt at that moment.

I'd rather die in a car accident than kill somebody else.

hal9k · 2005-09-15 10:25 pm

ummm...

Get a copy of "Zen and the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig? No real info, but a good read.

Arrive Alive.

jeff-o · 2005-09-15 10:32 pm

My wife and I will probably replace one of our cars with a scooter this spring. She refuses to get a motorcycle, however! I guess there really is a fine line there somewhere.

LKS_Rocky · 2005-09-15 10:38 pm

oatmeal wrote:
Motorcycle.

very cool, it sounds like you'll have fun. I really like one of the new vulcans, but I'm guessing your not interested in a 2 liter bike.

dv · 2005-09-15 10:44 pm

LKS_Rocky wrote:
oatmeal wrote:
Motorcycle.
very cool, it sounds like you'll have fun. I really like one of the new vulcans, but I'm guessing your not interested in a 2 liter bike.

Shoot, I don't even have a 2 liter car.

ukimalefu · 2005-09-15 11:03 pm

I was going to post the lyrics to "Born to be Wild" but decided not to. tongue

Macskeeball · 2005-09-15 11:21 pm

In June of 1989, a 26 year old marine died in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco. That man was a registered organ donor, and because of that he saved my dad's life which allowed for my little brother to be born which is why we moved to a bigger house which is why I went to a new school which is why I got into Macs. It only took a spark to get a fire going, and I wish I could think that man.

Anyways, though, do be careful. I was driving by myself behind someone on a motorcycle for the first time today and, boy, was it scary; I'm a very new driver. I focused on him substantially though and kept a good distance between us.

mo' ron · 2005-09-15 11:25 pm

Macskeeball wrote:
In June of 1989, a 26 year old marine died in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco. That man was a registered organ donor, and because of that he saved my dad's life which allowed for my little brother to be born which is why we moved to a bigger house which is why I went to a new school which is why I got into Macs. It only took a spark to get a fire going, and I wish I could think that man.

Anyways, though, do be careful. I was driving by myself behind someone on a motorcycle for the first time today and, boy, was it scary; I'm a very new driver. I focused on him substantially though and kept a good distance between us.

So you're hoping our beloved Oaty dies and gives his organs to someone? confused

oatmeal · 2005-09-15 11:39 pm

dvpierce wrote:
Cool.

Don't die.

To paraphrase Forest Gump: I hope I don't let you down.

Macskeeball wrote:
That man was a registered organ donor, and because of that he saved my dad's life which allowed for my little brother to be born which is why we moved to a bigger house which is why I went to a new school which is why I got into Macs. It only took a spark to get a fire going, and I wish I could think that man.

I'm an organ donor... but I hope not to have the opportunity to save anyone's life that way.

Macskeeball · 2005-09-15 11:46 pm

mo' ron wrote:
Macskeeball wrote:
In June of 1989, a 26 year old marine died in a motorcycle accident in San Francisco. That man was a registered organ donor, and because of that he saved my dad's life which allowed for my little brother to be born which is why we moved to a bigger house which is why I went to a new school which is why I got into Macs. It only took a spark to get a fire going, and I wish I could think that man.

Anyways, though, do be careful. I was driving by myself behind someone on a motorcycle for the first time today and, boy, was it scary; I'm a very new driver. I focused on him substantially though and kept a good distance between us.
So you're hoping our beloved Oaty dies and gives his organs to someone?

Way to misinterpret. I want him to be safe, I was just telling a personal story, a big part of my life (because it started a chain reaction of events that largely made me who I am) how something good was made of a tragic situation. A long, blessed life with a natural death is obviously much better than dying at 26. I happened to write a college paper on this story for my English class yesterday, so it was just on my mind.

If it was the "...I wish I could thank that man." part that caused you to misinterpret me, there is a difference between being grateful that I am not a fatherless only child, that I have been truly blessed with my family, and wanting someone to die.

Last edited by Macskeeball (2005-09-16 12:46 am)

Robert B. · 2005-09-16 2:19 am

Don't ride your motorcyle in Louisiana.

depeachmood · 2005-09-16 2:26 am

Yeah, don't die.

resedit · 2005-09-16 2:44 am

Should have bought a big harley and gotten a bunch of tatoos.

jeff-o · 2005-09-16 7:40 am

A paramedic friend of my wife's routinely calls motorcycle riders "organ donors." I'm sure he only meant the punk-ass racer types though...

justine · 2005-09-16 7:52 am

jeff-o wrote:
A paramedic friend of my wife's routinely calls motorcycle riders "organ donors." I'm sure he only meant the punk-ass racer types though...

It isn't just the racers. All riders are at risk, mainly because car/truck drivers just don't watch for them.

Forums | MacLife

#1 2005-09-15 8:08 pm

What have I done?

#2 2005-09-15 8:15 pm

Re: What have I done?

#3 2005-09-15 8:19 pm

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#4 2005-09-15 8:34 pm

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brendave wrote:

#6 2005-09-15 8:50 pm

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#8 2005-09-15 9:17 pm

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justine wrote:

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#14 2005-09-15 10:38 pm

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oatmeal wrote:

#15 2005-09-15 10:44 pm

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LKS_Rocky wrote:

oatmeal wrote:

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#18 2005-09-15 11:25 pm

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Macskeeball wrote:

#19 2005-09-15 11:39 pm

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dvpierce wrote:

Macskeeball wrote:

#20 2005-09-15 11:46 pm

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mo' ron wrote:

Macskeeball wrote:

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#25 2005-09-16 7:52 am

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jeff-o wrote:

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