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

[Big'n slo]

Single sided swingarm, eh?

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!

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

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


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'

[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).

[virus]

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

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

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

[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]

dude

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 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.

[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]

Heres a cross breed for ya

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

[CasingBill]

repost

HAYABUSA

[TNS2k2]

Yamaha YZF R1

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...