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Considering buying a motorcycle.
Daedalus
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
With the price of gas reaching frankly ridiculous levels and myself a year away from finishing college, I'm in a weird spot when it comes to transportation. Right now I'm subsisting with nothing but my bicycle and various bus systems, which is working for now but will probably not cut it when it comes time to leave the tiny and public-transit-friendly college town of Binghamton and find a real job and such.
So I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle instead of a car, mostly for the far better gas mileage that a typical motorcycle will get over a typical car. (This also appeals to me on an aesthetic level: it seems sort of wasteful to drive a five-seater sedan alone on a commute to work, you know? But it's mostly for the monetary reasons.) This is a long-ish-term decision: I'm not looking to run out and buy something by the end of the week, or even within the next couple months. I'm just doing some thinking. I would like to have motorcycle and license before, say, next May. I've got plenty of time to work with here, is what I'm saying.
Some problems have already occurred to me:
1) I will need a motorcycle license. I already have a drivers' license, and have driven a manual transmission car, but there's still going to be some learning necessary. Since I don't know anyone with a motorcycle, that's going to have to happen at a driving school. Any suggestions on what sort of driving school to look for? (Other than the obvious "one that gives motorcycle lessons", of course.)
2) I don't really know anything about motorcycles. Or shopping for used vehicles. I'll have a few grand saved up by the end of the summer, and would like to avoid a loan if possible because I've got no credit history (and don't like being in debt). When I was in high school, I had a used car (biking in that place was an impossibility due to distance, hills, etc.) but my father picked it out for me and helped out with the necessary maintenance (he's as much a car geek as I am a computer geek). I've got some distant relative (cousin-in-law or something, I dunno) who mentioned that he was looking to sell his motorcycle at some point in the future, but he was pretty vauge and wasn't sure and I'm not counting on it. Tell me what to look for, and how to avoid getting ripped off. I'm fine with using Craigslist for this, but I'm in Binghamton so there aren't really a lot of people on there in my area.
3) I'll need some suggestions on the actual bike: I'm looking for something low-maintenance with very good gas mileage. I need to be able to drive it on the highway, so it needs to be able to reach 65 mph. If it can reach that I don't care how fast it is.
4) Other considerations. I'm obviously going to need a helmet. Where do I get one and how much am I going to have to spend? Is there any other safety equipment I'm forgetting about? Or anything else, really?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
So I've been thinking about getting a motorcycle instead of a car, mostly for the far better gas mileage that a typical motorcycle will get over a typical car. (This also appeals to me on an aesthetic level: it seems sort of wasteful to drive a five-seater sedan alone on a commute to work, you know? But it's mostly for the monetary reasons.) This is a long-ish-term decision: I'm not looking to run out and buy something by the end of the week, or even within the next couple months. I'm just doing some thinking. I would like to have motorcycle and license before, say, next May. I've got plenty of time to work with here, is what I'm saying.
Some problems have already occurred to me:
1) I will need a motorcycle license. I already have a drivers' license, and have driven a manual transmission car, but there's still going to be some learning necessary. Since I don't know anyone with a motorcycle, that's going to have to happen at a driving school. Any suggestions on what sort of driving school to look for? (Other than the obvious "one that gives motorcycle lessons", of course.)
2) I don't really know anything about motorcycles. Or shopping for used vehicles. I'll have a few grand saved up by the end of the summer, and would like to avoid a loan if possible because I've got no credit history (and don't like being in debt). When I was in high school, I had a used car (biking in that place was an impossibility due to distance, hills, etc.) but my father picked it out for me and helped out with the necessary maintenance (he's as much a car geek as I am a computer geek). I've got some distant relative (cousin-in-law or something, I dunno) who mentioned that he was looking to sell his motorcycle at some point in the future, but he was pretty vauge and wasn't sure and I'm not counting on it. Tell me what to look for, and how to avoid getting ripped off. I'm fine with using Craigslist for this, but I'm in Binghamton so there aren't really a lot of people on there in my area.
3) I'll need some suggestions on the actual bike: I'm looking for something low-maintenance with very good gas mileage. I need to be able to drive it on the highway, so it needs to be able to reach 65 mph. If it can reach that I don't care how fast it is.
4) Other considerations. I'm obviously going to need a helmet. Where do I get one and how much am I going to have to spend? Is there any other safety equipment I'm forgetting about? Or anything else, really?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Daedalus on
0
Posts
You should be able to get a used bike for a few thousand dollars. What kind of bike do you want? If you want a cruiser (something that looks like a Harley) keep your eye out for used Honda Shadows and Yamaha Stars. They're very popular, so you shouldn't have to look long.
For helmets and other gear, most bike shops will give you a discount when you buy your bike. Get one certified with a DOT sticker. Also make sure you test that it provides a proper fit (if you buckle the chin strap and it comes off when try to roll it off as hard as you can, it doesn't fit). Full face helmets obviously provide more protection than a half shell.
I'd like to avoid a scooter but beyond that I don't care what it looks like as long as it gets good mileage. Honestly I think choppers and cruisers look sort of tacky, but if I can find one cheap I don't care.
I may well be buying the bike directly from the previous owner through classified ads or the like, but I'll look for a bike shop nearby.
Get something with a small engine (250cc-500cc), especially as it's your first bike. A bike with a 250cc engine will get you to 65mph - but admittedly, it won't have much power left over at that speed for crazy accelerations. Maybe a 400-600cc bike. The smaller bikes also tend to get better gas mileage (my GN250 gives me 6.7L/200km, which translates to 70mpg according to Google).
As for particular brand, I'd recommend you see which dealers are around you. My city has plenty of Suzuki dealers, which is why I ended up getting a Suzuki bike - because there are plenty of places for me to get the bike maintained, parts replaced if necessary, etc.
I'd really recommend way more than a helmet. At the very least, helmet, gloves, and a jacket. I'd also recommend boots and riding pants - basically all the gear. The downside is cost and inconvenience. The upside of this is when you have an accident, your body is protected. Normal clothes like jeans aren't going to do anything to protect you.
I'd say something a bit stronger than that and say get a full face helment - don't get a half shell, especially since highway travel is involved. It's not just in the event of a crash, but day to day riding as well. You know those times you're in a car zooming down the highway, and a small bit of rock chips the windscreen? Imagine if you're on a bike and that bit of rock/tar seal comes to your face. Much better for it to be deflected by your visor than hit your face. Other situations where, for example, you're stuck behind a truck and dust/sand/whatever is coming off the back - a closed visor will help keep that stuff from getting into your eyes.
The only downside is the visor fogging up, but once you pick up speed and breathe lightly, that isn't really much of a problem.
I graduated in May and I've been car-free since then. I moved to a new town and started a fancy-pants job, and cycling's been working for me. Given, it does take a lot of work and planning, but if you put your mind to it, it's completely doable, and feels great.
On that note, I've noticed a lot of people around me driving scooters. I did some research on them a little while ago, and found that there are some that get the speeds you want with the gas mileage you want. Vespa is the obvious name that comes to mind, but it seems to be a fashion brand, and you'll pay for it (from what I recall, at least. They do look pretty sharp, though). Suzuki also makes some good ones. TING Motor Scooters is another brand, but I think they run on the smaller size, so they might not have the speed you're looking for.
These aren't really specific suggestions so much as just giving you something else to look at since I'm not really all that well versed in either motorcycles or scooters. I'd reconsider biking, though, depending on your living situation. No matter what people try and tell you, it's totally feasible.
Buy snow tires.
Seriously, I bike through this winter as it is. Like, on something I pedal. I should be fine.
Although maybe I should be looking for something with heated grips.
I'm cycling to my summer job every day as it is, and, well, it's like you said. Work, time, and planning. I'm getting kind of tired of it. Oh, I'd still keep the bicycle around, for short trips and exercise, but I'm tired of having to dedicate a couple hours out of a day for what should be a minutes-long store run. For instance. It's doable; I know firsthand, but now that I'm not quite as dirt poor as I used to be I'd like to move on.
Check out these forums for more information on motorcycle handling, safety, etc
http://www.msgroup.org/
As per the actual motorcycle, I suggest starting out with a nice Honda Rebel. Used it runs for under 2k dollars, (about 3 grand if they're new) they're very low maintenance (The Ak 47's of the motorcycle world), it's 250cc so it's a small, nimble, and very maneurable bike that will let you go 80mph at highways, and still get good gas mileage. and well, they look cool.
Here's more info: http://www.rebel250.com/rebelforum/index.php
You will need a helmet and motorcycle gloves for sure. Other gear you can make do. (jacket, pants, etc) The Motorycycle safety foundations course should tell you all you need. You can probably find the rest of the gear used in Craigslist.
I just took a 600 mile round trip in my Virago 250. How far are you planning on going? It's tough on your body with small bikes at highway speeds. It can be done, but its challenging. Try to get some experience under your belt before attempting touring.
e-oh yeah, for your full gear (and good gear, don't skimp out on the things protecting your body from impending doom) it will run you about 400-800 bucks)
This is a bad idea. Do not buy a motorcycle as your main means of transportation if you have snow or extreme cold to deal with. I love my motorcycle to death but I would never consider it a replacement for my car and I live in California.
The issue in the snow is not how much cold you can handle but the motorcycle itself. Riding in the snow is an absolute disaster waiting to happen. You have no idea how easily the bike will just slide out from under you as soon as your tire slips a little or you hit a small patch of ice. Not to mention that people will see you even less than they normally do because they are not looking for an idiot riding a motorcycle in the snow. Then when they cut you off or almost run right into you, you can't get out of the situation because you simply don't have the traction to do it. Even if it's not snowing you will have to be extremely careful not to hit any black ice.
That said, if you do plan on doing it, you had better invest in some really good heated winter gear. Your ass is gonna be freezing.
To add to this: Wear your fucking gear and helmet. ALWAYS.
1) Take a motorcycle safty foundation course, and only an MSF-approved course. Do this before buying anything. Who knows, you may hate riding.
2) Read this eval checklist. Google what you don't understand. http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html. Once you find a bike you might buy, paying a local bike shop $75 to check it out would be worth it.
3) Cheap, low maintenance = a japanese made 1990 or later, air-cooled, inline 4 cylinder. This is about as bullet-proof as you can get. Bonus if you find one with a shaft drive. You absolutely don't want anything earlier that 1990 period, technology moves fast so the newer the better. I own the best commuter bike ever built - Honda CB750 nighthawk. If you don't mind the ugly look - the KLR650 is a fantastic do-anything jeep of bikes and is cheap to buy and easy to work on.
4) Helmet - Figure $150 for a low end and up to over $500 for name-brand with fancy features like a flip-up face. DO NOT BUY USED HELMETS EVER. Ever ever ever. Other gear is ok, but just dropping a helmet on the floor can ruin the impact protection. GET A DOT-APPROVED HELMET ONLY! You can do some reading about it, but the cheaper DOT certification actually provides more impact protection than the stiffer ANSI approved ones. You will also need boots ($$), thick jeans ($) or riding pants ($$$), gloves ($), a weather specific jacket ($$$) (can't wear summer gear in winter), plus rain gear if you're riding year round. Frogg Toggs are pretty good in the wet stuff.
If you're serious about riding in the snow, which really isn't the end of the world like people are acting, look hard at the KLR or other dual-sport/dual purpose bikes. Check out the advrider.com forums for advice on adding stuff - the electrical system on a bike isn't as robust as a car so be aware when adding all kinds of heated accessories.
And I always recommend the books "proficient motorcycling" and "total control: hi-perf street riding".