Official Motorcycle Thread

[Harry Houdini]

Originally Posted by Quickstrike

Awesome bike!

I'd love to own a new M6 and Ducati @ the age of 27. You have a good taste in transportation .

Ah thank you sir!
I love this bike its very sharp and pointy, lose sight of it and it will bite your @$$...
scary at times!

[hambone575]

I am looking into getting a bike.. I am looking to get more into a sport bike and i understand all the dangers (although havent experienced them).. Anyways I am 6'2" and weigh about 175lbs.. I will sometimes have an extra rider at 134lbs.. What type of bike do you guys reccomend..

[etml12]

Originally Posted by hambone575

I am looking into getting a bike.. I am looking to get more into a sport bike and i understand all the dangers (although havent experienced them).. Anyways I am 6'2" and weigh about 175lbs.. I will sometimes have an extra rider at 134lbs.. What type of bike do you guys reccomend..

Since you mention inexperience, it really can't be stressed enough how quickly things can go bad on a modern sport bike. Take the MSF course offered in your state asap. The main suggestion I'd give is to buy used. Odds are you will drop it.

Also, before people can make valid suggestions, what is your price range? Go to your local MC dealer and sit on every bike that strikes you. You may soon find out that many sport bikes aren't for you. The more upright the seating position the more comfortable it will be for longer rides and easier to control/learn on.

[rjstaaf]

I think you may find that at 6'2" a lot of today's sport bikes may be a very tight squeeze unless you are very flexible They also seem to be getting worse in the passenger accommodation area as well.

I would second the notion that you at least sit on as many bikes as you can find.

The MSF course is a MUST in my opinion, most of the reactions that are required in order to survive on a motorcycle go counter to human instinct and the only way to learn the proper way to react is training and experience...

I still enjoy sport bikes a lot but my aging back just can't seem to take more than about half an hour in the saddle anymore. I think my current bike (1997 Honda VFR750) is probably going to be my last sport bike.



A newer VFR would probably be a great option for you as they do offer a bit more of an upright riding position. There is a great forum specifically on VFR's of all ages at VFRD - vfrdiscussion home, check it out...



Next for me will be something more along the lines of a true sport-tourer like a Honda ST1300 which will make a great commuter and cruising bike that I feel safe taking the kids on...

[hambone575]

I like that middle one alot! I am going to take the course you speak of and I am in the first stages of looking at a bike... I will take that reccomendation and goto a shop and sit on a ton of bikes.

Price range: well about 5-7k or less

Ideally I would like a used bike..

Whats the big problem with dropping a bike.. I mean are we talking at 60 or at a standstill... Mostly cosmetic right?

[etml12]

Yes, but if you drop a fully faired sport bike at a standstill you could be looking at hundreds or thousands for replacement OEM plastic. If you are ok with a little rash no big deal. For 5-7K used there are quite few options. Here are a couple suggestions (these are actually some bikes I'm looking at to replace my ex500):

A late model SV650 (naked or s version) would easily be in that range, has plenty of get up and go, under 400 lbs dry, and very maneuverable. The s has a more aggressive riding position than the naked but not extreme like the race replica type bikes. If you want fully faired lower panels can be added (the 08 650s only come fully faired). Lots of after market support.

Another sporty option with a more casual riding position (read: forward lean but not super aggressive) is the CBRF4i. More performance than the SV but can be managed if kept in the low rpm range. It was discontinued in 06 but you get Honda quality and are generally not difficult to find used.

[rjstaaf]

Both of those are GREAT bikes, have ridden them and would highly recommend them but keep in mind that at 6'2" he may find the CBR more than a bit cramped. The SV650 would be a bit better. This was the main reason I suggested the VFR, it can easily accommodate someone 6' + as well as a passenger although it is on the big side for a beginner at 500 + lbs and most definitely a fully faired bike will be expensive to repair if you do drop it. Those are considerations you have to take into account. This brings us back to the notion that you want to sit on as many bikes as you can to see how they feel. Get down in a crouch behind the windshield see if you still feel comfortable.

[Harry Houdini]

Just a pointer, MSF course is a good thing, I have just taken it since I needed the license.
They will teach you important things and then test you on it. but again you will learn how to
drive going 20MPH in a parking lot. you need to keep learning and later on you can
take the advance course which will teach you allot and some even offer on road
experience.

I have just wetnessed 3 motorcycle craches this past 2 weeks. and 2 of them they had
no jackets on!, trust me you need it, those who are trying to look good, ended up with messed up arms and broken shoulders, and they still looked stupid to me. wear full gear
you will NOT regret it.

[John Henry]

Sorry if this has already been discussed... my first post. Does anyone have suggestions for buffing/repairing dings and chips in a Hayabusa carbon fiber front fender?

Thanks guys. John Henry, Lakeland, FL

[Kal_El]

Here's mine, an 03 RC51


By z06joe at 2007-04-04


By z06joe, shot with SP500UZ at 2007-04-27


By z06joe, shot with SP500UZ at 2007-04-27

[wanabe]

my harley...

Gallery -> Viewing image

now i just need to figure out how to post pics!! the board said the file was too large