Yep, this is where I belong
So, here I am, 53 years old, retired attorney, can count on one hand the numbers of times I've even sat on a motorcycle. A good friend of my wife and me just got back from Cleveland with a mojo-cycle he found on Craig's List -- monster Yamaha with 1.6 gazillion cc's, customized beyond any sensibility. Got me thinking about open-air cruising without pedals (and hills!). I confessed to my wife that my Y-chromosome is just like any other, and I've always kinda wanted, well, you know . . .. She said she always wondered how long it would take! Yes, my wife is encouraging me to pursue motorcycling!
I'm comforted to find this Web site and forum. It's just what I need to ease into this.
Keep an eye out for me in the hills of northern Westchester County, NY. If you see a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ridden by an old fart, please be gentle; it's my first time.
Welcome...you couldn't have
Welcome...you couldn't have picked a better bike to start with!
****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!!!"****
Thanks, Munch
I haven't actually got the bike yet, but I've seen numerous mentions of it as a good beginner's bike -- good, classic looks with enough oomph that it's not a toy, but not TOO much for a newbie to handle. Do you have any particular insights?
It was my first bike. Awesome
It was my first bike. Awesome beginners.... a tad heavier then a sport bike but not by much and the shorter length overall lets you turn her in slow speed maneuvers like a dream. Take your time doing parking lot practices like the ones you learn in MSF (you are taking it right?) and you can get the hang of her in no time. A very predictable bike with a smooth throttle and very mild mannered........until you lay into her... then she will show you she has more then enough to keep you smiling.
****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!!!"****
Getting the wife to support
Getting the wife to support you is half the battle haha
As far as the Vulcan goes, it is a great bike. Just know that like all cruisers, it will be on the heavy side and slow manuevers will be tough at first, but once you get comfortable and learn the limits of you and your bike, you will be fine. Just take it to a parking lot or something first and get a feel for it before you commit it to the open road.
And have fun of course!
Get to a class if you haven't
Get to a class if you haven't already! Spend a good amount of time practicing in a safe environment were you can travel slowly without a lot of traffic. This is important stuff...you'll be pressured, if you haven't been already, to let your friends teach you how to ride. Don't be tempted...once you see the statistics on that, you won't want any part of it!
Beyond the preparation part....have fun!!! It's a blast and I hope you enjoy it!
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
MSF big on my list
Better believe I'm doing the course! Only issue with it is that the next one that's reasonably convenient isn't for 20 days, which seems like an eternity right now.
I got lucky with the boss. Her brother has been riding for over forty years and recently sold his Harley shop in Florida. Her uncle rides, and on and on. I guess she just figures it's another one of those situations where "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."
Every source tells me to go with the Vulcan 500. I just happened to drive by a Kawasaki dealership this evening (really! totally by chance!) and they're offering me a new 2009 for $4,000. I know I can get cheaper slightly used, but hey .... Comments?
$4K
is that the out the door price? that seem pretty good but what charges will be added. the sensus on this sight seems to be buy used for your first bike. well, I did not find this site in time.
so my fist ever bike was purchased on July 2008. it was a brand new 2007 Vulcan 500. the sticker was $5,000 and it was atotal of $6,000 out the door. i now see Vulcan 500's for much cheaper on craigslist. o well, live and learn and I love my bike(Tuvoc)
New or used?
It's $4k plus taxes and fees, which will total another $700 or so, but the dealer's part of the check I'd cut would be $4k. I've seen some Craigslist entries that look reasonable, and I'm torn. I know part of my dilemma is my impatience! Then again, new is, well, not used, and there's gotta be somebody that starts the chain of ownership, so why not me?
Munch, if you're still listening, the time that we exist is every time that we influence anything, an occurance that can happen even after death. I think.
$4,700
$4,700 out the door is very nice. One positive is that you will know it wasn't broke in unproperly. But on the other hand you might be able to find a gently used one for around 3k. New or used, you're going to love this bike.
....always watching.... and
....always watching....
and a man of thoughtful perspective you seem to be! My daughter (14 yrs old) is struggling to answer it, and she gets a kick out of my answer..... "The instance before memory is when we exist"
****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!!!"****
New vs used
Everyone has their own opinion on New vs. Used.
For myself, I bought new. I don't know enough about mechanics and/or bikes to have felt comfortable buying used- even with someone knowledgeable to check it out.
Just don't do like I did and put your first ding on it on your first ride. Try to wait a ride or two.... Unless you are of the "hit the mailbox on the way home from the dealership to get over it" mentality.... But even then, I still don't suggest laying it down on the way home. :)
Best of luck!
I dont think that's what they
I dont think that's what they meant by break in period...
Nope, typically not. As I
Nope, typically not. As I said, it is not my recommended route. :)
I guess its the same effect
I guess its the same effect as saying "youre not going to eat in your new car" when you first get it, but after like 2 weeks, youre devouring a hardees biscuit on the way to work lol
At least you got it out of the way early :)
Depends on the deal...The
Depends on the deal...The difference between new and used, for some, is negligible...for others, and certainly for some bikes, it's a big difference.
A good friend of mine just bought a Ducati Desmosidici...an $80K bike when outfitted new. He bought it used...for $40K. With 1,000 miles on it. Clearly, that's a deal.
;-)
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
Good point on that...
... There are some dealers who still have stock of '09's they are just dying to get rid of. Sometimes the price difference between a new and used bike can be minimal. That said there are some mint condition, low mileage used bikes out there that you wouldn't know from new without checking the odometer. Sometimes these can be picked up for a fraction of the new cost as your example clearly shows. Sometimes they will even include some expensive upgrades and mods for the lower price.
If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be. ~Author Unknown
The deed is done (almost)!
Last night I got the boss's thumbs-up on the new Vulcan, so this morning we went to the dealer and wrote the check. $4K, plus jacket, helmet and gloves at cost. Monday I'll tidy up the insurance and title matters, and Tuesday they'll deliver. (Remember, I still only have a learner's permit and a lot of zeal.) Classes aren't until May 4-5. Any bets on how long I'll be able to keep the beast corraled in the garage?
Wednesday afternoon
That's my bet
A lot of us don't get the bug
A lot of us don't get the bug until we're old farts, in my case I bought my bike a few weeks short of my 46th. My bike was the second motorcycle I had ever sat on, so you are certainly not alone in the oldie/newbie aspects. Seems like the 3 most common ways to spend money in the midst of a midlife crisis are, a motorcycle, a Porsche and a mistress. In my case the only one I could afford was a bike, and I can't imagine either of the other two making me anywhere near as happy.
Best of luck with the MSF, I took my BRC with Motorcycle Safety School in the Bronx and then took the ERC with them, but they give that up at Ulster Community College.
By the way, I noticed in your initial post that you're in northern Westchester. Where exactly? I grew up in Armonk and may be doing some riding around the area late next month.
Southern Westchester, actually
I live below I-287 (Tuckahoe) but have done a lot of bicycling around the reservoirs up north. Love the hills and turns and fabulous scenery up there and figure that if it's good riding on pedal power it''l be good on piston power!
MSS is still in the Bronx; Mott Haven is where my classes will be. Ulster County is just too damned far to go for a class that starts at 7:30 am.
You might want to give
You might want to give yourself a few extra minutes to find the class in The Bronx. You make a turn off of a street and it looks as if you're heading either onto railroad tracks or into the river, but that's where it is.
May MSF Class
You may be able to get into an MSF class sooner if you show up and a spot opens in the class. Sometimes they'll let people in like that. You might try calling the organizers and see how they handle it.
As for keeping the bike corralled, just sit on it and make vrroomm vrroomm noises. You'll thank yourself later. :)