Motorcycles?

billwill

I've always been interested in riding motorcycles. This interest has been furthered to the point of potential action by rising fuel costs and the inconvenience of finding a parking space on campus.

Where should I start? I've never ridden one before, so is there some class I could take that would teach me how?

Assuming I ride it and love it, what brands/models would you recommend as a good beginner bike? Please keep in mind that I'm 6'4 and a healthy 270 pounds (it's muscle, so it's not like I can lose weight); will I have trouble finding a motorcycle that will be comfortable?

Just general tips and advice concerning motorcycles would be greatly appreciated. It's not like I'm going to go out tomorrow and buy some super fast one and go zipping through traffic; this is just to get me started in the right direction.

Thanks!

Doc

A 50-page thread in Debate and Discourse on it:
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=97328

I'm 6'6" and that bike in my OP fits me fine.

Where are you located?

billwill

Las Vegas, which is another thing that kind of worries me. I don't plan on being one of those idiots riding in shorts + t shirt, which means I'll always be in full gear. It gets really hot during the summer, though. Like 115 degrees (last summer, for a few days, it was 122).

Is there some kind of jacket that won't cook me alive?

Doc

You'll have to find a tradeoff between ventilation and protection from the hot blast of air. My jacket is great for the WA climate, but probably not so much for Vegas. Post in that thread and ask!

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=NV

That's a good jumping-off point for novice rider courses. Expect to pay about $250 for the course, and they provide the bike.

soxbox

I take it that initially the motorbike will be a second vehicle? When you first start riding, it's a lot better if you can pick your rides - ie, have a car to fall back on when the weather is too hot/cold/wet for comfortable riding.

How long are your rides going to be? Once you're into the high 30's (ummm 95+ in your fahrenheits?), you're probably not going to want to do more than 30 minutes in any sort of decent protective gear, and you're going to come out sweaty on the other end regardless. I take it that vegas gets the hot days/freezing nights desert climate? If so, when looking for a bike consider storage very strongly as you may end up needing to have two sets of gear (or gear with removable layers, either way, you're going to need to be able to bag them).

Definitely do a course as your first step.

Jokerman

Take the MSF course like Doc said. 250 bucks and they'll teach you the basics of riding a motorcycle and get you all licensed and ready to go.

For a guy your size, you're probably going to be most comfortable on a dual sport, which is a motorcycle that is designed to ride off road and on road. Doc's bike, a V-Strom 650, is one of the more streetier dual sports that'll handle better on the road then off. The KLR is another Dual sport that is more suited to off roading, so much so that the USMC ordered a diesel version built for us in Afghanistan.

Something to keep in mind if you ever decide to take a detour and hit up some dunes.

Jokerman

Also, if dual sports arn't your cup of tea, you might keep your eyes peeled for a KZ1000p. They're pretty easy to snag at an auction out west, and they're bullet proof bikes. A bit more then you'd normally want to start off on, but for a guy of your size it's going to be incredibly comfortable. Most people under 6'1 have a hard time flat footing it.



As far as gear goes, get a helmet with excelent ventalation and a mesh jacket and you should be good to go. Modern day mesh provides just as good protection as textile or leather.