Trying to convince the "BOSS" that bikes aren't as scary and dangerous as she thinks!!
I have wanted to get a street bike since I was 16 (now 39??), but couldn't justify the extra expense. I read Ben's "living without a car" article, which will work in warmer climates, but here in Alberta, Canada...well, lets just say from October to March, you may find it a little cool. I have to have a truck for work (oil field) to carry tools, etc, to and from the jobsite, but for weekends and trips to visit friends the 13 to 14 liter per 100kms fuel consumption gets a little costly.
I have been a "car guy" since I was 16, and have talked about getting a "project car" for many years and recently my wife said that if she lets me get one, will I stop bugging her to get one...well, duh...but now that I have that green light, I don't want a car...I want a bike. The bike makes more sense...cheaper in all respects: purchase, insurance, fuel and maintenance...not to mention, it will fit in the garage with her SUV and the obvious fun factor. If I get a car, I would have to build a garage in the back yard (another extra expense). So, I am sold! I have also read most of the articles on this site, along with the feedback, so I realize that starting with a 1000cc bike is dangerous, if not stupid...
I'm 5'10 and weigh some where near 275lbs, so I would prefer a little more torque from the larger bikes, but don't want the instant throttle response...
I went to the bike show here last month to sit on all the different styles of bike and realized that, for me, sport bikes just don't feel comfortable (also don't really like the boy racer style)...too tight/cramped...cruisers look cool, but I don't like their feet in front position either. I could probably get used to that position, so they are not out of the question, but I am looking more at the standard bikes. The Suzuki Gladius felt good, but is there any foam in the seat? Wow, not comfortable after 5 mins in the saddle...Kawasaki 650R/ER6N, too cramped...this is getting short listed now...
Suzuki DL650 V-Strom...great seat, comfortable foot position, nice instruments...but funny lookin' bike...
Kawasaki Versys...quite comfortable, good foot postion, good instruments...also a little different lookin'...
Kawasaki KLR650...all good, but what is with the bent beak front fender?, also a little tall
Suzuki GS500...seems right, but they don't make the naked bike for North America anymore...our dealer has a one year old used model on the show room floor that I sat on.
Buell Blast...not at the show, and no dealers within an hours drive...so I don't know, but looks like a similar riding postion to the GS500.
I think the bikes that I am looking at are decent starter bikes that I won't want to "upgrade" next year, but also aren't high strung bikes waiting to bite your head off if given the chance...
Oh, well. The first task is to sell it to "the BOSS", then I will let you know what I get...later.
Welcome to the forum,
Welcome to the forum, madjak!
1st) for dealing with your sweetheart- the common advice is to take her with you to take the MSF Basic Rider Course (or whatever the Canadian equivalent is).
2nd) on cruisers- you don't necessarily have to have forward pegs on the cruisers. I ride a Suzuki S40, and it basically is a standard. The pegs are kicked forward a wee bit, but not so much that I feel off balanced by it. (I'm also not a fan of forward pegs.)
If you didn't get a chance, you might try sitting on the S40. It is a single cylinder, 650. It fits me just about right. You are a little taller, but I don't think you would find it cramped.
Also, you indicated that you have no problem tinkering with things mechanical. Bikes are great in this regard. If you don't like the seat, you can replace it. The handlebars in the wrong place? Get new ones. Same for any number of other items.
Best of luck!
Jodie
That is exactly what my wife and I did...
... except it was her that really wanted to learn to ride. She convinced me to go to the MSF course with her. We both had a blast, learned to ride and had a good time shopping/test riding bikes together. We actually went into it with the idea of purchasing scooters. The Piaggio MP3 was one of the ones we had our eye on. Since it leans much like a motorcycle we figured we would do the course on a motorcycle instead of a scooter and really decided that we prefer the motorcycle. She purchased her bike in October, me in November. Its been a blast learning together.
If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be. ~Author Unknown
here in Alberta,
here in Alberta, Canada...well, lets just say from October to March, you may find it a little cool. I have to have a truck for work (oil field)
Ft. McMurray? Cold as balls. Honestly. It's only -12 here in London, Ontario, and there's no way I would ride a bike in this cold. Or on these salted roads...
If it helps, tell the Boss I
If it helps, tell the Boss I said; Bikes aren't scary or dangerous, it's the mini-vans you really need to watch out for, most tailgate and drive with their foot to the floor.
I've been in a few vehicle accidents myself and the one that caused me the most physical injury, started with me in the back seat of a car! Mind you, that was a VW bug crashing head on with a full size 60's Dodge, pre seat belts, ...but I did sustain the least significant injuries of three passengers after flying through the front windshield and sliding along the pavement, at least on a motorcycle you'll be wearing a helmet :) hmmmm, on second thought, maybe you shouldn't mention crashing at all :/
How about this; when I wanted a dog it took 2 full years of; "can I have a dog? can I have a dog? can I have a dog? can I have a dog?" and now I have a Dog! ...so that works :)
Your wish list indicates that you are very open minded on styles, one almost dual purpose, CV carburetor equipped thumper and several fuel injected road only twins, do you plan on riding much gravel road?
Fuel injection is much easier to self service on a bike that is parked for half the year, you can't push start most fuel injected bikes as they need fuel pressure to run, but you can jumper cable start them.
Looks sounds important to you but as one other writer suggested, you can swap out a high front fender real easy if it doesn't suit and I agree it doesn't, not on a bike with semi knobby tires, a windshield fairing and wide radiator body panels. The original concept of a high fender is to reduce unsprung weight and prevent clog up with rocks and mud.
Forget the 2010 Buell Blast their advertisement is a 2009 Blast that has been put through a car crusher :( NOT a real intelligent advertising scheme and it begs the question, what model will they crush for 2011?
You're a big guy at 5'10, 275 lbs. Madjak so you should be able to toss a mid weight bike around Alberta with ease. If price is no object check out the BMW dealer before you make a decision, either way, cost the insurance on various models first.
Good luck & hope you get that bike, what ever it is you're going to love it :)
Dog analogy is great!!
I recently got a flat "NO" from the "Boss" on getting a bike, so I like your "can I have a dog?" analogy...she just doesn't seem to get why guys want to have toys. To be honest, I don't understand why either. Having a second vehicle, paying for insurance,fuel and maintenance doesn't save you money...but, I know it gets my heart racing when I hear a tuned "muscle car" or a bike go by. For the dollars and cents argument the bike will work better. The purchase price alone is a pretty good argument, never mind that you would only use a third of the fuel on a bike. But for her, the bike is scary because she has no experience with them. I don't know if I will be able to "win" the argument, so maybe begging for forgiveness????
My plan of action may be to get my liscence and training this year and make my purchase in the fall or early spring next year. The trip to Disneyland this spring will eat most of our spending money for this summer....
** If you're not having fun, you're doing it WRONG...**
Riding since May 2010...
You're toast
Problem is that your arguments will never carry as much weight as her "I'd always be worried about you" and "I can't stand to live without you" argument around safety.
You can try the saving money argument, but that may come back to kick you in the teeth. My experience riding 10k per year on bike that gets double the mileage of my car and is completely paid for is that my gas savings covers my insurance, registration, self-done maintenance, tires and gear. I end up saving a few hundred a year, but I'd be TOTALLY upside down if I added a bike payment and full coverage insurance. Your mileage may vary, but I'd be careful about BSing the Boss.
I had to laugh about the "forgivenss" route. I tried that with a boat purchase several years ago. Wife came home to a boat in the driveway and gave up a "what the hell is that" comment. I guess when I told her I was going to go look at a boat she didn't understand that the logical conclusion would be that we would all be looking at it at our home. Anyway, every day on that boat was crap cause she resented it. I finally told her that if she didn't chill, I was going to sell it and start over. Within a year I sold it and then bought a larger one -- which she had full disclosure and warning that I was buying. I never asked permission, but at least she was involved in the process -- and now everyone is happy.
Good luck.
So, you are suggesting the "beg for forgiveness" route?
I think that may be the way I end up going...as for the dollars and sense, she was okay with me getting a new Dodge Challenger, but not a bike?? Although after I told her how much an R/T or SRT-8 was she wasn't so supportive...lol...you see, she likes the Challenger, so is all for owning one. (maybe we should trade in her SUV for one???) I do think that would be a fun car, but talk about payments...here in Alberta, a Chellenger R/T averages around $40,000, and an SRT-8 averages over $50,000...not really a toy that I would concider "in my price bracket"...so if I pick up a used 500cc bike for about $3000, I think that is a more logical choice...similar acceleration, better handling and braking...no payments would be involved, and I am sure the insurance would be cheaper, not to mention a third or less in fuel bills...my 12yr old daughter is pumped for me to get the bike, she loves going to the local bike shops and bike shows to sit on them...it's only the "boss" that will be the hard sell...I think my next step will be getting her to the bike shop and sitting on a bike, or scooter, for her maybe...???
Fingers crossed...lol
** If you're not having fun, you're doing it WRONG...**
Riding since May 2010...
"my 12yr old daughter is
"my 12yr old daughter is pumped for me to get the bike, she loves going "
There ya go! 2 against 1, majority rules. I will still say though not only get her to the shop but get her to go to a MSF course, if not to participate but atleast to watch.
****Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy Shit....What a ride!!!"****
Rider training is in the plan...
The guys that put on the course here offer an introductory course, just to let you get a taste for motorcycles to see if that is something that you are really interested in ($150). And if you decide that biking is for you they give you a $75 discount on the normal beginner motorcycle course. That is what I would like to talk my wife into taking...but first I have to get her to sit on a few bikes so that she can maybe start thinking about it...this may take a while, hence the beg for forgiveness course of action...I don't want to be 50 before I get my first bike...
I will be trying to get her to sit on a few bikes and explain that it would be a nice way for just the two of us to take off for a weekend trip to the mountains...only a couple of hour ride, with some scenic stops on the way...maybe she will like the free feeling and the views better than the excitement of riding itself...??? who knows, I just know I want a bike but don't want to piss her off in the process....
There are some GS500F Suzukis in the paper for $3200, so I am itching to pick one up...or maybe two, but I think she is more of a Burgman type of girl...doesn't like shifting gears (can't drive a manual and has no interest in learnig)...
Thanks for your input.
** If you're not having fun, you're doing it WRONG...**
Riding since May 2010...
Good luck with that too
A likely response will be that then in an accident, your daughter will have no parents rather than just one.
My wife and I used to ride, but she doesn't ride with me anymore for pretty much the same reason (has since our 12 yr old was born).
Personally, I'd just buy it -- but I've been married before and am no marriage counselor ;)
Hmm... You may consider that
Hmm... You may consider that your 12 year old daughter is part of the problem. It could be that Mom is concerned about her little girl on the back of a motorcycle.
First seats seem to be fairly
First seats seem to be fairly easy to fix and most serious riders I know have purchased an aftermarket seat no matter what bike they ride.
Dual sport bikes like the KLR are said to be easy to lower with a linkage change. May even be available from Kawasaki, I know Suzuki sells one for the DR650.
The GS500F (faired) should be the same bike as the GS500 only with extra plastic. It may look like a sport bike but is actually a standard. The Ninja 500 and Ninja 250 are of similar style though I found the GS500F to be the most comfortable in a seat test.
I also really liked the feel of the WeeStrom and Versys. These seemed to be nice general purpose bikes. They look "different" but thats part of what I liked about them.
I'd agree with others about the Blast. Its kind of an orphan with the demise of Buell and was considered good only as a beginner road bike even before it was canned. I think you may find it a little small also. In this class of bike I like the TU250x and Ninja 250 much better.
Craig
I nearly CRAPPED!!!
I took the "BOSS" out for dinner tonight, and we were talking about our plans...etc...and I told her that I would like to do one of three things...get a muscle car, but the budget is up to $5000, so you can see that may limit the choices...eighties or nineties car...a couple of dirt bikes for my daughter and I...or a street bike for me...I provided her with some examples from Kijiji, and also handed her my bonus check that we didn't know I was getting...that of course killed the "we can't afford it right now" argument...but then she said something that made me almost fall out of my seat..."I would rather you got yourself a street bike than the car...", she didn't even talk about the dirt bikes, but even if she did...I don't know if I would have heard her...
HOLY CRAP!!! I think today was one of the best days...EVER!!! Now, I just have to decide on a bike...I have found a few GS500 and GS500F on the web...they all seem to hover around $3500 - $4000...or there are a lot of super sport 600cc on the market for $3000 - $3500...wow, does no-one want them or what? Definately not for me, and not just because I am starting...just don't feel comfortable...Katana 750s aren't bad and are in the same price range as the GS500s...but all of the "naked" bikes are either too old, or too expensive...I talked to the guy in the Suzuki shop Friday, and he said that he used to prefer the "naked" bikes as well, but after he rode a few fairing bikes...he prefers them now...is there much difference in riding a bike with the fairing vs naked?
I will be booking my training course on Monday...looks like I won't be riding until May, looking at the online schedule, but I was told to call them anyway...people may drop out or if they may squeeze in one extra person to the class...Suzuki guy used to be an instructor...I just have to get my written done before the class, but that shouldn't be a problem.
I'll keep you posted...WOO HOO....
** If you're not having fun, you're doing it WRONG...**
Riding since May 2010...
See!:) ...i wana bike, i wana bike, i wana bike !
And now you nearly have one ! BTW. give it some time, my wife really loves my dog now :) just don't drive her crazy with it, she needs some time to see how it keeps you occupied and makes you happy. Whatever you buy, learn it inside out, keep it spotless and enjoy it totally.
Bikes aren't like old cars, they won't get covered in rust and go to crap, save up a few old tooth brushes, they work great for cleaning in around all the tight spots ;)
windshields and fairings
Wind protection is all about how tired you feel at the end of the day, and if the 10-wheeler in front of you throws a big rock towards you, it is better if it hits plastic before your eyes or skin.
I have a small windshield on my bike that protects my chest, and my arms get less tired from not constantly holding my chest up against the wind. The wind is not bad at all for a 30 miles trip, but it wears you out if you are doing 300 plus miles a day.
To me, the best aftermarket windshield companies are National Cycle for all bikes, and California Scientific for sport tourer replacement windshields.
My scooter came with the
My scooter came with the optional windshield from day one so all my riding has been behind it. I took it off for one day last summer due to the heat but immediately put it back on when I got home. A 60mph wind in the chest has quite a force so unless you are crouched over on a sports bike you have to counteract that force somehow. When I used my arms it messed up my steering inputs. When I used my back muscles I got tired pretty quickly.
Having said that those who started out without a shield seem to love it. I guess you adapt to what you have.
Started with no shield/fairing, love it now
I started off riding a naked bike with no shield or fairing. Loved the wind in the face and warm breezes --was living in Hawaii at the time, so no issue with cold. Even then, high speed riding is considerable more tiring because of the wind buffeting and you get more fatigued after 60 minutes on the bike.
My current bike is fully faired and it is amazing how much calmer, warmer, drier and downright pleasant it is behind the fairing.
I still love the look of the naked bike and would have one if I had room for a 2nd (town) bike. But for my 90 mile RT commute and highway blaster, I really enjoy the fairing.
secret windshields
Custom choppers with a raised gas tank are using the gas tank as a windshield:
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/amchopper/photogalleries/blackwidow/bl...
Booked my rider training...
I should have done this earlier...I am booked in for May 12-14th...I have to take a couple of days off work...weekend courses were already booked up to June...oh well, I am pretty much out of town until May anyway...
I have come across a pretty good deal and want your input...it is outside of the "beginner bike" size recomendations, but most reviews of the bike call it the beginner for "bigger guys"...the Hp and Tq is similar to the SV650 (70HP and 46TQ)...should ride similar, but with a more upright position...
I do expect you to shoot it down, but being 275lbs I want to be able to do hi-way speeds safely...
2003 Kawasaki ZR-7S...has 20,000kms and he wants $2900...I have been looking for a GS500, but they start at $3500 and go upto $6100 for a 2008...??? New they are $7199 with out the discounts that most dealers offer...
Anyway, your input would be appreciated.
Thanks.
** If you're not having fun, you're doing it WRONG...**
Riding since May 2010...
Kawasaki 7R-7S reviews
Here are some reviews for the 2001 Kawasaki air cooled Four (7R-7S), which should be the same as the 2003:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/2001KawasakiZR7F.htm#reviews
ZR-7 -- great 2nd bike
I've never owned one, but come close to buying one for my current ride. The bike is very similar in performance to the SV650. Even though it makes it's power with an inline 4, it reportedly runs the 1/4 just a tad slower than the SV.
On the negative side, it weighs in at more than 100 lbs more than the SV. Some of that is comprised by 5.8 gallons of fuel carried way up high in the tank -- so it feels top heavy and can be pretty challenging at low speed.
If you were already sold on getting an SV and instead came across a great deal on a ZR-7, I personally don't think you would be compromising your safety. But you need to recognize that you have already jumped onto the border of what most folks here would consider a safe first bike, and now you're dipping your toe over the line.
At the end of the day, the ZR seems to be quite popular with 2nd bike owner and then again with more experienced riders moving back down to an engine size that's more manageable but still gives more power than they truthfully need.
Finally made the decision...
I finally bought my first street bike on Friday last week...Everyone told me that I would need atleast a 650cc, probably 750cc or more...but I decided to listen to you guys (and gals). I bought a 2003 Suzuki GS500e. It has 23000kms, a windshield or deflector (kinda looks like a shield from a Versys) and the common blue. I can't wait to take the course and the test, then insure and register the bike...then ride time...just have to get the gear now...good helmet, decent jacket and gloves...money, money, money...I'm pumped...lol
** If you're not having fun, you're doing it WRONG...**
Riding since May 2010...
Nice choice
Good move. The GS is a beauty.