Gonna Buy a Motorcycle

[TheMercenary]

Additionally, even if you have driven in the past, take the state sanctioned Motorcycle Safety Course. You can get the info from your state DMV website. It may save your life and it will improve your chances on a bike. I took it and had a 20 year break in riding. I know how to ride a bike but the course teaches you how to drive one in traffic. It is only one weekend and they supply the bikes. When you complete it you get to forgo the state motorcycle test to get your 2-wheel license.

Oh, and as someone told me, "Ride your own ride", and, "Drive like everyone in a car or truck is trying to hit you."

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Additionally, even if you have driven in the past, take the state sanctioned Motorcycle Safety Course. You can get the info from your state DMV website. It may save your life and it will improve your chances on a bike. I took it and had a 20 year break in riding. I know how to ride a bike but the course teaches you how to drive one in traffic. It is only one weekend and they supply the bikes. When you complete it you get to forgo the state motorcycle test to get your 2-wheel license.

Oh, and as someone told me, "Ride your own ride", and, "Drive like everyone in a car or truck is trying to hit you."

They have a very widely renowned program at one of the local community colleges, and I *will* be taking it. Additionally, there is a distinct possibility that I will get one of those LED strobe beacons to stick on my helmet. :-)

I'm now looking at this unit. More pricey, but newer, much lower miles, and pretty sweet. Also a V twin, per Bruce's admonition about "more cylinders equals more repair cost down the road."

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Elspode

They have a very widely renowned program at one of the local community colleges, and I *will* be taking it. Additionally, there is a distinct possibility that I will get one of those LED strobe beacons to stick on my helmet. :-)

I'm now looking at this unit. More pricey, but newer, much lower miles, and pretty sweet. Also a V twin, per Bruce's admonition about "more cylinders equals more repair cost down the road."

Better choice on that one, it has most of the stuff you are going to want to buy for it anyway. I do love that old Honda. Wish I could drive up there and add it to my toy collection. Wife wouldn't stand for it.

[dar512]

Originally Posted by Elspode

They have a very widely renowned program at one of the local community colleges, and I *will* be taking it. Additionally, there is a distinct possibility that I will get one of those LED strobe beacons to stick on my helmet. :-)

Besides the "no metal cage surrounding you" issue, motorcycles have a lot less grip on the road. Car tires have ~16 square inches road contact each or ~64 square inches of contact with the road. The average motorcycle tire has 3 or 4 square inches each. That means that anything that reduces friction - leaves, sand, gravel, even dust can cause you to go down in a hurry.

On the other hand, I've got a friend in Seattle (where it rains six months out of the year) who does his daily commute on motorcycle and never had a serious accident. You just have to pay more attention when you're driving a cycle.