Motorbikes...

[manike]

OK, I did it. I just booked myself onto a CBT (compulsory basic training) which is the start to getting my bike licence (unlimited engine size).

I'm quite excited. I was wondering if any other AO'ers ride and what advice they can give me on bikes.

I want a Sports or Sports/Tourer bike.

It has to be a hella cool machine :)

I'd love a single sided swing arm, but I know that's not so common, so it's not an over riding factor. They are just hella cool though!

I'm a big guy, 6'5" and so need something that I will fit on.

I think I want the bike in yellow :) feel free to post pics if you have any. (and of your own bikes!)

Anyone recommend engine size to start? Should I get a 600 or just find a machine I like be it 600, 900, 1000 or more :D

[Big'n slo]

Doubt you'll find many stock bikes with that option. Anyways, for your size, I'd look for a 900 and up. In the bike class your looking for the extra engine size helps on highway travel and stoplight fun;) When you ride, ride as if no one see's you, because they don't until its too late.

Heres my toy

[manike]

Nice! http://www.automags.org/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

I've been thinking about doing this for years. And was just about to layout on a small sports car (probably Lotus Elise) for summer, when another one of my buddies went and got his bike licence. So that pushed me over the edge to doing it. That and the performance I can get for my money...

Oh and the excuse to wear leather :eek: ;)

On that note anyone got any recommendations on gear? Two piece jacket and pants I think? Anything to look out for and to do or not to do when it comes to leathers and helmets etc?

[synreal]

Spend the extra cash on a helmet, not so much for saftey (you'll break your neck no matter how nice the brain bucket in a rough crash) but for comfort.

Cheap helmets fog like hell and get hot quick. Go for something that is Snell and whatever the Brit version of DOT rated is, with LOTS of vents and swappable lenses (tinted, clear, amber, ...).

I also agree that 600 would be a big small for someone your size, I'm currently riding Wyn's old 750 around and I'm wishing for something a big bigger in the near future.

2 piece is the way to go in my mind, full race suits are a bit toasty.

Finally, might I suggest hot pink for the bike color. Its best for ..um..safety, yeah that'll work, safety. And its a sure fire way to get into biker bars ;)

Just go pick yourself up a Buell Firebolt
http://buell.com/en_uk/images/products/motorcycles/firebolt/gallery/firebolt8.jpg

and have it shipped to me

[Big'n slo]

My best suggestion on apparel is get what fits! Do not mail order a helmet or jacket without going to a store and trying the exact same thing on first. I like my helmet as tight as it can be without being uncomfortable. Too loose and at speed it becomes a parachute for your noggin. Same with a jacket. Oh and no matter how hot it is, wear long sleeves, its better for your skin to sweat than to not have skin at all...

Ps, I love the firebolt, but its waaaay to small for anyone over 6' :mad:

[manike]

Buell do make some gorgeous bikes! I've been oggling quite a few pictures of them but as said, I'm a big guy (tall) and need more space to feel comfortable.

[wyn1370]

I'm about to go hop on my honda shadow 1100 and head home here's a really bad picture of it (you can kind of see syn's behind it).

http://www.automags.org/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=708568

[virus]

oh boy i can see it now..... the I'ntl AO biker gang :p

anyway.... as far as gear goes.....

helmet... try them all on... they all fit different even different models from the same makers.... put 1 on, walk around the store for about 5-10 min with it on... shake your head... after the 1st 5-10 min you'll find that what felt great at first has a bunch of pinch points you didn't notice at first and vice versa.... what was a little uncomfortable at first quickly can become the next best thing to sliced bread.... along with all inbetween....

as far as jacket/pants.... myself, i have both a leather and a textile jacket and a set of leather chaps....

i have found the my textile jacket to seal out the wind/cold much better then the leather and it has a removable liner for warmer dayz.....

my leather i usally just wear to and from work unless i'm gonna do more riding then that at the end of the day....

my chaps unless going to work, i wear when ever riding...

there are textile pants out there that slip over your jeans... i never cared for them but thats just me.....

at anyrate try every thing on and if possible sit in the position that you will be in on a bike.... dont wanna drop cash on a jacket and find that the sleeves are all of a sudden to short :eek:

as far as which bike ya got me... i cant ride a sport style bike for more then 10 min with out some body part starting to ache..... crusiers are the way to go ;)

again... congrats on joining the rest of us 2 wheel nuts :D

[ShooterJM]

Hmmmm my buddy is 6'6 and he can't get comfortable on any sport bikes, regardless of engine size. You might consider a large cruiser man.

[CasingBill]

If you want a single sided swing arm and a sport tourer look no further than the Honda Interceptor. Cycle World rated it best bike in the open class. I am also in the same sort of predicament. I am 6'3" and 250 lbs. I want a bike that I will look normal on and feel comfortable. This is where the Suzuki Hayabusa steps in. This is the bike I am going to get. Check out this link (http://www.automags.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=800970#post800970) for the pic. They are longer bigger and the fastest production bike made. They are also comfortable from what I hear. Hopefully I will have one in the next month or 2. It might not be a great first bike though. I have been riding bikes since I was 6 and street bikes since I was 15. I am finally ready to graduate. Good luck.:)

[bornl33t]

CBR 929 RR that's what I got on my wish list. I think if you look it up it's the best bang for the buck.

http://www.mtv411.com/motorcycle/pictures/honda/929.jpg

[Big'n slo]

I love the power and look of the 929 but its still a small bike for a big guy. The Hayabusa is much more comfortable, but like CasingBill said, it not a learner bike.

Heres the perfect learner for ya:





BTW: Heat, I laugh everytime I see the movie clip in you sig

[Big'n slo]

I've drooled over these confederate Hellcats for a while now

[CasingBill]

HAYABUSA
http://www.suzukicycles.com/sr_03/sportstreet/images/1300a.jpg

[TNS2k2]

too much bike for me, but i did drive the YZF R6 which is the 600, it was really light and was not a bad size, i think 6'5" would fit nicely. my dads friend has one of the YZF R1's, and all i have to say is OMG fast, light and so sexy... although he has a 2k or a 2k1 with the blue and white paint... tis sexy... oh and you can get one at Weybridge, Surrey in the UK. but i have no idea where that is...
http://www.tiforce.com/tiforce/images/r1.jpg

[bornl33t]

Originally posted by Big'n slo
BTW: Heat, I laugh everytime I see the movie clip in you sig

I try to please :D

[TNS2k2]

I try to hold the tears back when i see that as well, ps you owe me a computer chair for breaking mine, when i laughed at that.....:D :p :D

[maglover52]

ducati monster or ducati 998

[Mr. Grumble]

My first street bike.
'91 suzuki bandit 400cc
smaller then my last dirt bike (an old yamaha IT490)

it's a small bike for the street, but much fun to ride on.

Mr. Grumble

[ShooterJM]

I'm just looking for a cheap beater to learn on first (haven't ridden since I was like 12). Unfortunately the only bikes my buddies are selling are harleys or not running. :(

[phil16628]

im grabin a r6 this summer for my first bike i cant wait :P

[cheetah256]

i'm riding a honda cx500 right now, and its really ticking me off : ) you'd think a 500 cc bike would have no problem topping out over 60 mph. my dad runs a 1000cc interceptor. lets me ride it every once in a while. its a great bike, lots of fun in the corners. :D i'm looking at a new bike myself, maybe a 600 katana or something. being 17, my insurance is quite a bit more...

[dmonahan]

O.K. He lives in the UK where they still sell real bikes. Not the watered down junk we get here is the US. I can say this because I worked for Yamaha for 10 years. 3 of witch where on the Super bike team as a tech.

Look at some of the VERY fine Italian bikes you have over there. Aprilia has some great stuff. The RSV Tuono if the bike I am currently looking at it would make a great sport tour. Also The Ducati ST4 is nice and the new monster (04) is just flat nasty and even has a single sided swing arm. you have so many more choises over there than we do.

Even Triumph had some great bikes.

I have to agree on the jacket and helmet Buy the best. Like they say $10.00 helmet for a $10.00 head.

I'm sorry but having worked on Harleys I swore I would never own one. Their technology is so far behind. They are finally coming out of the dark ages and almost up to the late 70's.

Good luck

Darren

[headcase]

Let's see:

SV1000 -- should be a real fun bike killer engine, I love the naked look, I had the little brother and it was much fun.

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/images/SuzukiGBFullSize225.jpg

Or if you want a half Naked there is the "S" version

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/images/SuzukiGBFullSize229.jpg


Since you are on the other side of the "pond", you might want a British bike, then in my opinion there is only one choice ---- Triumph Speed Triple

http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/dynamic/hi_res/ACCS_speed_trip.jpg

[CasingBill]

Ducatis and Aprilia ar both very nice bikes. They are also expensive. My friend just paid $29,000 for a Ducati with no lights of mirrors. If the Hayabusa is watered down, I'll take it for a $9,500 price tag how can I go wrong. The triumph are also nice bikes, agreed. Less expensive also. The Daytona 955 was one of my choices. Ducatis may be the best 1/2 hour bike you can buy but I ride for more than a 1/2 hour.

[manike]

I'm so enjoying my lessons! I can't wait to pass my test.

I'm almost certainly going to get a Honda VFR 800 (ABS I think). Only trouble is they don't come in yellow... :( so I may have to get red :)

You guys on that side of the pond call them 'Interceptors'.

Looks like this...

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/en/picture/product/VFR800_ABS/Color/prd_bike_italian_red.gif

or...

[Wheelman]

I just got my permit and am picking up a bike on wedsnday (1979 Honda CB750F Supersport) but when I go new I'm thinkin of a Honda 919, basically a naked sportbike (lower insurance) but the biggest selling poin was it was the only one at the dealership I fit on (big guy= big bike)
.http://www.motorcycles.com/assets/images/model/model_hero_shot/motorcycles/2003/large/919_large_01.jpg
If you looking for soething with a single sided swingarm check out the multistrada that ducati just released, kinda looks like a beefed up monster with some plastic but is made for just about any road, no matter how crappy.http://www.cycleworld.com/cmt_images/issue_teaser_smallimage_8.jpg

Good luck manike and have fun out there!

[manike]

On average we have MUCH better roads here than you do in the states so I'm not worried about having to ride on crappy roads really.

I've seen the multistrada and to be honest I think it is butt ugly :)

I do like a lot of the Honda bikes, and they seem quite popular here also. That Honda looks great Wheelman, one of the things I love about the VTEC VFR is the high level exhaust. Great styling!

Having now sat on a VTEC VFR I think I am in love, and it will take finding something else very special to change my mind...

Just wish they came in yellow... oh well to get red or silver is the next tough decision :D

[Zhivago]

All of you need to end this and just ride motocross!

[ShinyGuy]

manike: if you're willing to get a used bike the VFRs came in yellow for a year (2000 in the US maybe different in the UK). It was the previous generation of the design but they haven't changed much. The new ones have slightly different plastic, upswept pipes, digital speedometer and V-TEC (adds a hair to the top end, mostly just lowers emitions).

[Pokaris]

Here's what happens when you get a bike that is too much for you when you've never ridden. (Actually this is because a car decided it wanted my lane, but the effect is still the same) This is through leathers, and I wouldn't have the left half of my face if I hadn't had a helmet on.

GET REASONABLE BIKES TO LEARN ON FOR THE LOVE OF PETE.

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~huber/Rash_0022.JPG

[P4ULuk]

Hi Si,

Didn't know you were a bike fan, got a Honda Firestorm myself!
I've had a few bikes that I'll now list for you:
Honda Mt5 - 50cc trail bike
Honda NSR 125
Suzuki RGV 250
Suzuki Bandit 400
Kawasaki ZXR 400
Kawasaki ZXR 750
Yamaha R6
Kawasaki ZX7R
Honda Firestorm

Fave is a toss up between the ZX7R and the Firestorm, I love the low end grunt of the V-twin but the handling on the ZX7R was wicked!!

Paul
:)