From Paintball- to Motorcycles, looking for opinions.

[Spartan X]

Ait, so my paintball life when off a cliff exactly 1 year ago when I started going to ALERT, Air Land Emergancy Resourse Teams down in Texas. Took me a year with furloughs to do their 13 weeks of basic training (modeled after Marine Boot camp, just adding on to it 3-6-12-and 24 hour non stop fast pased response Hikes (with multiday packs) So any way, did that did their Emergancy Response Training the next 10 weeks, then completed a 10 weeks EMT-B course right after that....Just came back from a short 6 week course of automechanics now I'm back home looking to go back to school (nursing) My interests and directions have changed. Loooking to sell all my Paintball stuff (yes the Viking) and maybe buy a cheaper viking that I can just pack away and use if I ever do play again.


So I'm looking for a Bike. Gas prices have me pissed off as I'm sure they do every one, and I'm going to be doing alot of driving in 20 minuts burst's...work and school. I had concidered getting a 250cc scooter since they can pull off 80mpg....but as I looked at prices I noticed they cost about the same as a full blone sports bike....which I had always wanted. So here goes.....If I'm going to need to cut down on spending might as well by myself this one "toy" or tool as my primary means of transportation, and enjoy doing it.


The only motor cycle I have riden is a 250cc dirty Bike, and that was prolly less then 30 minutes at a time. So I may be looking into finding a Motorcycle drivers ed around.

Stating here that I am an Idiot, what can you tell me about getting into the world of motorcycles? I am mechanically inclined with cars, but I am no mechanic. The mechanics I have worked with have always told me Bikes are so so easy and fun to work on compared to cars, so naturally once I started enjoying working on cars, I thought motorcycles would be a blast.

I'm looking for a SportsBike....well kind of. I really don't care for the cruiser type bike right now, but the little speed bikes are to cumbersome for my 6'4" 250 lb frame. I have been looking at some of the larger Bikes with the larger engies/frames....but I'd think they are out of my class as a first bike both speed wise and price wise. I'm really digging bikes like the Kawasaki zx-14 on the speed side and the Yamaha FJR1300 on the cruiser side.....Heres the thing why I like the FJR...I really want removable hard storage...hence a reason I'd add the Ninja ZZR1200 to the list. These are bikes that look very nice to me and I think are about what I like...but they are to $$$ and fast. what would be a good bike to start out with? I don't want to spend over $5,000 on a used bike when it's all said and done.

[Madmarx]

Look into a VFR 800 '03 or newer. Kind of the best of both worlds, comfort and sporting. Pegs aren't too high and a decent reach to the handlebars. Should even be comfortable for someone of your size.

[Spartan X]

Just looked them up. Seams just a tad to expensive, just over my 5 grand mark (used) Plus a 800cc displacment seams a bit big to me for a first bike. Take into account that I will be using the bike hard. I do not plan to get even close to traying to do fast corners, stunts or nothing. The closest thing I may get to on a bike that would be concidered (reckless) and punching it ever so often while on the highway were it's nothing but staight road and no one around. Other wise it's just for a enjoyable, economical ride to work and school. I have a 94 acura legend gs for the rainy days. (20 mpg on a good day...ehh)

I'm looking forward to stopping at some motorcycle shops today, and later when I have cash in hand visit some ebay sellers selling the type of bikes I want....

Woould a 600 ninja be to small for me you think? It's rated to be a grate bang for the buck, and I know allot of people who have started on them...although I do under stand they are very fast and must be used with caution.

[Madmarx]

You're too big for a ninja 600. I don't think you will like the comfort. The VFR is a v-4 engine so it's not quite the same as an inline 4 power wise. Can't really compare it side by side with an inline 750 or 800. My wife has an 05 ZZR 600 which is a sweet bike but not as comfortable as my VFR. You have to sit on a few to see for your self. How about an FZ 6? Smaller engine, little more upright riding position and more comfort.

[Spartan X]

The FZ Line seams really nice...I think that was the first artical I ever read on a bike in a magazine...suposibly ( I think it was the fz5) they ride very well at lower speeds whiich is just what I'm looking for. But I have not been able to find storage attachments for this motorcycle...Went to a bike shop today....Bike that stood out to me the most was the Katana, and the V-Strom, both bike are plenty larg enouygh for me, and have 600-650 cc engines (with tyhe V-strom available in 1,000ccs well) The one bummer on the katana is that it does not have a option (so says the shop) for eternal hard storage, the v-strom does however. Both are price at just under 7 grand new, so I could hope to find a used one for 5 grand or less I'd hope...hrmm

[Bear_Claw]

Well personally im a cruiser rider but i enjoy all forms of bikes. I ride with everything from cruisers dual sports goldwings to guys that race on the weekends on a R1 Yamaha.

FIRST AND MOST important thing GET GOOD GEAR. Helmet, Jacket, Pants, Gloves, AND boots. I ride with a HJC full Face helmet, Joe Rocket balistics jacket and standard Leather Chaps (I want those draggin jeans thou i hate chaps but i wont ride without leg protection. For gloves im guilty i wear Mehcanics Impact gloves.

SECOND dont touch the streets till ya take a motorcycle safty course. Not only does it teach you the basics its a TON of fun. It also teaches you what these things are capable of and how to safely use them. And for the cost their really is no excuse why not to take the course.

And Lastly DONT BUY A BIG CC bike to start on especialy in a sport bike. You mentioned feeling small on a smaller bike well im 6" and 280lbs and agree some of the small CC sport bikes just dont work for me BUT have you looked at suzukis 650 V-Strom. Its a Sport Adventure bike with the same engein thats in the SV650 sport bikes. Its pushing 70hp and can corner almost as good as the sport bikes and its capable of hitting the dirt roads as well. They fit into your price range and are Alot taller and well suited to even my size. Thier is also TONS of after market support for them and lots o hard luggage kits being its an adventure bike.

Its a bike i myself am strongly considering myself to have along with my V-Star Yamaha Cruiser.

Oh and bikes "CAN" be eaiser to work on (im a Diesel Truck Mehcanic for a living) but not always soo. Most modern sport bikes can be a handfull to maintain with Fuel injceted liquide cooled inline dohc four cylinders that rivel technology in most cars and all stuffed in a MUTCH smaller package. Theirs a reason sport bikes can hit 150 horses with a 1 liter engein. But Cruisers and older bikes are quite enjoyable to work on with simplistic V_Twins carburated aircooled and a LOT more room. I maintain and mod both my 650 V-Star and my mothers 650 Suzuki Savage (SINGLE). Up entill recently i was also maintaing my bros older sprt bike a yamaha seca (DAMN THINGS A BLAST but i feeel huge on it).

P.S. ooooppsss just relized you posted about the V-Strom LOL well yeah nice bike LOL

[gimp]

I've got an FZ6 and I love it. I can ride it hundreds of miles without getting uncomfortable. I just bought some R6 forks for it to. The FZ6 is technically a sport touring bike, and you can get lots of luggage for it. You can get a tank bag, two saddlebags, a bag on the rear seat, and a hardshell case off the back. You can load the thing up. The FZ6 has a the R6 engine, but it's just tuned down for street riding. I know plenty of guys your size that ride FZ6s. You could also consider the FZ1. It's pretty much the same thing, just a bigger engine.

I think your going the wrong direction though. I'd get some old clunker for 400 bucks to learn how to ride. Your probably gonna drop it anyway. It happens to all of us. And don't forget the cost of the gear. That can run pretty high.

My buddy has an 04 VFR. He's also a big guy, and he loves it. The V four is pretty sweet. Lots of tourque.

Buying a ZX-14 would be a huge mistake. In fact, any sport bike for a first bike isn't the best idea. They're fast. People just don't realize. You can drive fast cars all you want, but it just doesn't compare. A 600 will be plenty of power for you (or it will seem like it till you try something bigger). The problem would be the riding position. 600 sportbikes keep you pretty cramped up.

Look into the yamaha FZ6/FZ1 , suzuki SV650/SV1000, honda 519/919, kawasaki Z750/Z1000
Those are all naked sport bikes. They'll offer you a more comfortable riding position, and are a little more practical than a full sportbike for every day use. I was torn between the Z1000 and the FZ6. The price of insurance is what made my choice I think.

*edit - yeah, bearclaw mentioned the V-strom. I've heard all sorts of good things about them by the people that own em.

[Lohman446]

Don't crash

[BeaverEater]

id say go take a rider course to see if you even want to ride. I know people that are set on riding, take the course and decide its just not for them. You also cant really pick a bike over the internet because they all fit people differently. Just go to the dealer and sit on a couple, see what feels comfortable.

[Spartan X]

id say go take a rider course to see if you even want to ride. I know people that are set on riding, take the course and decide its just not for them. You also cant really pick a bike over the internet because they all fit people differently. Just go to the dealer and sit on a couple, see what feels comfortable.

That's what I did today, and I plan to continue doing that.
It seams the next course is not till December, so I got some time. I am going to look for a old clunker, even if it has to be a cruiser. To tell you the truth, I'm torn between 2 types of bikes, the all out sport touring, or the adventure style bike. Latter on after I get my RN and can save up I'm thinking I should get a Toyota Tacoma or Tundra (father has 2 tundra's in the company, they are awsome little trucks) to cart the bike around....I'll prolly swing more into the adventure type bikes since I do not see my self going cross country or more then 200 miles at a time with a bike....plus versitility is always a good thing...that why I want a small truck and not a lexas.

I will deffidently want to ride. You could say it's in my Blood. My fathers side of the family all grew up riding bikes up untill they got married (only one uncle has continued on with owning a Honda CBR)

I'm going to persue getting a older wreched bike from my grandfather. My uncle wreched it years ago on the highway at high speed. He did not really get hurt, but the bike sustained a baddly bent fork and who knows what else, thus is sat in the garage for a very long time with gas in it and is still there today...no clue even what it is...I'll find that out soon enough. I plan on first finding out what it is and seeing if I can get the engine running. I'm thinking I should take the gas tank off and have it sealed to take care of any rust inside, clean the carb, let deisel set in the cylider if it's jammed and go from there...if I can get her running again I'll find a scap yard or attempt to get her street worthy again as cheap as possible....maybe by december, who knows. It's worth a dream.

[BeaverEater]

well take into consideration that if you have to replace the front forks that gonna be about a grand atleast right there if you can find parts. Your almost better off buying a used bike, or look on ebay for a wrecked one that just has cosmetic damage. I have a sport touring bike and im split between what i should get for my next bike. I want an r6 but i dont know if im willing to pay the higher insurance costs seeing that im only 19 right now. Im thinking i might get a fat boy and put what i would be paying in higher insurance instead into making bike payments. Plus a harley will relatively stay the same in value down the road.

[slade]

i just filled up my tank a few days ago... and it cost me $13 . and a tank of gas lasts me a few weeks driving to work. i love riding a motorcycle.

as people have said, take the MSF course. but the most important thing to realize after youre done with the course is that the course is on an entirely flat area. youre going to have to learn how to deal with hills on your own.

And Lastly DONT BUY A BIG CC bike to start on especialy in a sport bike.

youre probably right on the sport bike part, but dont say you should stay away from large CC bikes in general. the bike i drove at the MSF course was a 250 CC honda. what ive been driving since then is a 1000 CC BMW. its not too much power by any means, and its not like its hard to control the throttle. with any bike you get, youre going to have to be very careful at first while youre learning, and probably stick to back roads. while you dont want to start out on something too powerful, it would also be a mistake to buy a less powerful bike that youre going to want to move on from after a month.

[Spartan X]

Found out what kind of bike it was....and yah it was a 600 cc sports bike and my uncle said he does not want me trying to ride it any way since he knows just how scarry fast it was....he agrees the v-strom wil be a good choice. I think I may try and find a place once I get my MSF couirse over and have my license to test ride both the v-strom 650 and 1,000. I'm not sure. The only difference in the in the 1000 in 20mm taller (good for me) and 22 pounder heavier with 20 more hourse power. Over all they said it drives the same besides that it has more get up and go from the start and a higher speed limiter....all in all I may just go for the 650 since it wil inevitably plenty fast, and will get better gass millage...that extra 20mm seating is prolly not worth it.