I'm looking at getting a bike to use solely for my commute. I'm getting killed on gas in my truck, but don't want a small beater car. I'm looking for a bike to get good mileage on and have enough power to ride on the freeway without killing myself. I also have NO CLUE about bikes.

Give me information, oh AZ bastards of knowledge.

 

My mom won't let me get a bike, and your mom should have a talk with you

 

Oh believe me, when she hears of this, I'm getting my ass CHEWED OUT. She's a nurse, and she used to work as the head nurse of the ER at a major trauma center.

 

well a lot depends on the "style" of bike you want. there's "crotch rockets" like a lot of guys have on here, there's cruisers liker Harleys,Boulvards, and Shadows,etc and theres touring bikes, like the BMWs and of course Goldwings.

a lot depends on your riding style and ability to. as far as power for first bike i'd recommend if you wanna run it on the freeway somewhere in the 600-750 cc range. it's enough to get you moving but not " way to much power" like a R1 or CBR1000RR.

 

-Take MSF course. http://www.msf-usa.org/
-Find a used Kawaski Ninja 250 (might be small for you ) or Ninja 500.

 

would you please shut the fuckin' up.

 

would you please go to fucking hell you piece of fucking shit. if you have nothing good to post why don't you shut the fuck up.

 

http://www.safetycenter.org/ this is local for you.... start with that.

 

your fuckin' post didn't fuckin help him... you just braged about your fuckin' goldwing...

 

no i didn't you fucking piece of shit he was asking about bikes you dumb shit.

 

Where do you live and what does your commute entail? It is the soccer moms on cell phones that is going to kill you, not your driving.

Mike

 

I really like my little bike. It gets great gas mileage. Upwards of 65 MPG. I've not taken it on the interstate, so I can't really say anything about freeway riding. But I've read that even a Busa when used as a commuter will get upwards of 50 MPG, so the bike's size and power isn't so much of an issue. I guess it all really depends on how much you want to spend on the actual bike. Even then if you have a sportbike that uses soft and expensive tires, you might find yourself having to shell out a lot to replace those if you're logging tons of miles.

ETA: My bike is a Ninja 250.

 

If you commute in any kind of traffic I would highly advise you to rethink this...your life/saftey is worth so much more than 50 extra bucks a week in gas.


Every rider goes down! Its not even the rider most of the time, its the other guy.

<---- spent 4 weeks in the hospital after my accident, but there is not a day that goes by I don't think about getting back on it, which I will, just please don't be niave about motorcycles


Also, don't get me wrong, I love bikes, I own two..just seriously think about it!

 

i get shitty mileage for a bike on the GL. like 40-45 mpg.

 

I don't think Jared have you ever ridden a bike before... so please water-s shut up about your goldwing and R1.

 

I concur and I have been riding for 30+ years. It is very different riding for work (in traffic) and riding for pleasure (when traffic is light).

I get the feeling some here think jumping on a motorcycle and learning how to ride is no big deal. Bikes are alot less forgiving if you f*ck up. At least get the MSF class first.

 

It is my understanding a good leather riding suit and other proper equiptment can really do wonders if you go down... They will not, however, soften the blow of Mack truck.

Mike

 

This is the same reason why I'd want to get a bike. For commuting and Recreation. Some of my friends have said not to get one for commuting because of the poor depreciation on bikes. But that doesn't bother me because I dont' plan on selling it anyway. But the riding in traffic is scary.

I've heard from a few people that the smaller bikes (250cc) tend to ride rough, but then again I've never ridden one so i'm taking other peoples word on it. They've said to hover around the 500cc - 600cc area for bikes ridden on the freeway because they tend to not shake as much. How much of that is true I have no idea. what do you think? is that a valid assumption?

If I were to get a bike it'd be an R6

 

why don't you shut the fuck up. what the fuck your problem. who the hell lit the fuse on your tampon.

 

 

Yeah Jatt, take it from someone who has been plowing motorcycle farms since he was 8 (with no pics).

Mike

 

The only reason I am alive today is because of my gear...
I still broke 7 ribs, a collar bone, lascerated liver, 10 inch tear in my diaphram, lots of brusing, collapsed lung...(my liver was ontop of my lung (about 15 inches above where it was suppose to be)

but not an external scratch

 

My bad...

 

Water-s and Jatt, cut the crap please, its really annoying

 

I haven't ridden anything under 600 yet... so I don't know. As you might know my first bike was v-twin 650cc (well learned in Indian on those small 125cc bikes).

 

what the fuck a motorcycle farm you dumbass? maybe you need to worry less about the marines and more about school.

 

Thats a good question. Post pics.

Mike

 

i don't have to post shit. maybe if your post would make sence would.

 

Really? I think not.I love it how you are still trying to figure out what that means, and are actually inquiring about it now.

Mike

 

we have few members who started with 250/500, maybe they'll chime in and tell us how they do on the freeway.

 

i got pics of my bike on my hard drive if someone will host them. 30th anniversery edition black cherry GL1800 ABS with some chrome stuff on it. i've taken it since i've put my mirror covers+ valvetrain running lights/turn signals.

 

tljatt559@gmail.com

email them

 

Do I still have to tell you what a motorcycle farm is?

Mike

 

i like them but knowing how ridiculous i look on one and knowing how dangerous they are i just cant justify getting one...

 

at water-s, crazy, and Jatt.


Ummmmmm,.....I dont have anything useful to add,.......but I would like a bike one day. I agree with everyone about reconsidering if you have to commute in heavy traffic.

 

sent
sidenote: i was being lazy that night and didn't turn on the lights so i just rolled up the barn doors. so if the pics seem dark thats why.

 

Figures.

Mike

 

ok my last post... Jared said he doesn't know about bikes, so why would even mention his riding style and abilities? Secondly why would even recommend 600-750cc range bikes? Wouldn't you recommend something smaller so he can learn and survive?

 

To to original poster,

In my opinion, riding a motorcycle is just an expensive hobby. You don't save $$ in reality. Sure it looks good on paper that you get 40 - 60 MPG, but adding up everything you need to get, i.e., insurance, gears, motorcycle itself ..., unless you are exhanging a 4-wheel for the new 2-wheel, you will not be saving anything.

 

well you ride a crotch rocket different than you ride like a touring bike. i wouldn't be afraid to start off on a 600 cc. i started off on a Honda Magna which is a 750 v-4 for like a year then moved up to a 1500 Goldwing(which is A HELL OF JUMP) then just in January i got my 05 Goldwing.