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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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an-evil-doerParticipant
I came here first when looking for first bike articles online quite a while back. I STILL have not purchased because I have not had time to take the MSC due to working on weekends. I have made a commitment to myself to do it in the next few months so I can get on the road this season.
There is another site I visit a lot because it has more to fuel dreams with lots of pictures and ride reports. It also has a lot more side forums to get involved in off topic for entertainment. In short, it is a good way to spend time thinking about bikes until I actually get going.
I will be back on this site when I have something to contribute. I am so grateful that I found it. It did for me exactly what it was designed to do. Even though I have been encouraged to go and get the bike of my dreams and ride it home to practice on my own instead of taking the course, and even though I have been told by salespeople, friends, my dad and even my bosses at work that 250ccs is too small to bother with, and even though I am lucky enough to be in a financial situation that I can go and buy any bike I want tomorrow, I am waiting until i take the class before I decide. I am going to get fully geared up before I start. And although I won’t really know what I like until I get some experience with ass to seat in the course, I am guessing my first bike will be the new honda 250. I am not a sport bike sort of guy either, but I want to learn to ride right and then grow into my next decision with more skills and better knowledge of what kind of rider I will become and what my tastes develop to.
This is all thanks to this site. Thank you to all who contribute here and I hope it doesn’t disappear before I have a chance to give back a little from my own experience, both for current member/lurkers sake and those who don’t even dream that they will ever get the itch to ride one day yet.
an-evil-doerParticipantI finally went to sit on a few bikes. The scrambler is way too tall to be comfortable for me. I can’t reconcile it at all because it obviously would be much harder to learn on when I can’t even touch toes down, and even if I was able to talk myself into it by abandoning common sense for image–I imagine I look more like a little kid with his feet dangling while he sits on the can than Steve McQueen when I am on it.
The Bonne was a much more comfy but still is a bit intimidating at this point for weight. I looked for the tu250 but it is not available in CA. As much as I thought I wasn’t into sports bikes I started to warm up to the ninja250 with the idea of graduating to a street triple R or little monster when I get mo better. They all three seemed pretty comfortable and can be lowered with seats shaving and link springs.
Still have been way too swamped at work to sign up for the class but I have made a deal with myself that I have to do this in the next month or so. Have to. None of the HD dealerships near me offer the riders edge course. So I have got to take a weekend off and that isn’t easy.
I talked to two salesmen, one (triumph) immediately told me I would hate a 250 within a week–he also knew far FAR less about the bikes he was showing than I did from my research. The other (kawi/suzuki/duccati/aprilia) lightly alluded that I may get bored with a small bike quickly, but did admit it wasn’t a bad idea to start small in a quiet voice. Both were crestfallen that I didn’t fit very well on the big money bikes. As a salesman myself I was reminded just how much good service means. Either one could have won me over because one of them is likely to get a big sale in a year or so from me, even if I don’t get my first bike from them in the next few weeks. Neither quite did it.
From specs, the V7 looks to be too tall too. I still want to see it in person and find out about lowering options. I guess I am probably mostly shopping for my second bike right now though. It is becoming pretty clear to me that a 250 is the right choice for me to start.
Eli
an-evil-doerParticipantI am going to look into this very soon, it seems like a much better option for me and will probably end up being less expensive than taking time off work anyway.
an-evil-doerParticipantThat V7 is nice too…really nice. I have been reading reviews on the tu250 and I like what I see, but a few folks have said it is a little weak on long highway runs which will be the majority of my riding.
I am way too busy for the next few weeks, but ASAP I am getting to that class and then I’ll know worlds more about what suits me instead of drooling over pictures. Thanks for all the insight. This site is full of really nice and smart people and I feel like I have learned a lot already. I’m glad I quit lurking!
an-evil-doerParticipantAnyone try that crazy expensive kevlar? I am curious how it works in the hot, hot weather as I will be riding in 105 plus degrees too.
an-evil-doerParticipantI like the look of that bike, and I really would rather start out smaller. I am just not sure about using it to ride on the highway for about 45 miles each way. It is an easy drive on a two lane highway with not a lot of traffic.
I am driving the route everyday in my truck and my wife’s car right now, and even in bigger vehicles I am seeing people do all kinds of wacky stuff that has me speeding up and slowing down to avoid them. I am nervous about being underpowered out there once I am not caged. Is this a valid concern with a 250?
Believe me, it is not because I think I’ll have more fun on a faster bike. I have really read and “heard” what folks on here are saying about a smaller bike being easier to handle and less stressful to begin with and I can see that translating to more fun. but I want to commute safely too.
The reviews on that tu are awesome and the price and mpg are too. If it can handle highway speeds and have a little in the reserve for when the gettin is good, I will strongly consider it and maybe move up later to something a little bigger and nicer.
an-evil-doerParticipantJust for fun and without any implied responsibility for what anyone else chooses to do, what did or do you all plan to do for your last or next break in? What have you heard from once removed riding associates as to what they did and how it worked out?
It would be pretty hard to impossible to know if the break in was the determining factor in any perceived results the owner had. The true answer would demand a large test group with a proper control group, and even then would only really apply to the motor used in the test. But lets assume that’s a given and chime in with anecdotal evidence and pure opinion!
I also was wondering about buying a used bike with low mileage for this exact reason. How can you tell if it was broken in properly? Is it important enough to warrant buying new instead of saving on the depreciation now? Will you end up paying for the “great deal” you got later on with increased engine issues and decreased performance?
What do you think?
an-evil-doerParticipantLots of good information and tips here. I appreciate it greatly. I am going to look into the alternative courses available that are not on the weekend soon! I can’t wait. I also did a bit of research on the scrambler on other forums and it looks like the seat can be changed with the lower one for the bonnie, but I first am going to make sure I even like to ride and take the course.
I like the idea of getting a tu250 or the vstar 250 first to get used to riding, but I am just not sure about having those on a highway commute. I get the idea that it might add a bit of stress to have to worry about faster traffic coming up behind me in my mirrors without the ability to get from 65mph to 85mph in pinch if I want to or need to without feeling like it is not right there for me.
I guess the next step is really just ass to seat and until then it is all academic, but thanks for the voices of experience! This site is great and I hope to be one able to give advice from experience in a little while now!!
an-evil-doerParticipantDon’t know if this would be worth betting a new camera on, but my wife carries hers in her purse that has a magnetic latch and if I recall correctly, the latch on the camera case itself is a magnet. Not sure how powerful it is in comparison to your bags though…
an-evil-doerParticipantThanks guys,
My commute right now is pretty easy, free and clear. I make it my practice to arrive at work way in advance so I never worry about traffic too much, and so far I have not encountered any on my commute anyway. I took notice of some advice on this site already about leaving a nice big time cushion when you commute so you never find yourself stressed out or nervous or wanting to push too hard for fear of being late. I don’t plan on lane splitting but may consider it once I get way more experience if it seems like a comfortable thing to do. For now it is not a consideration.
And for the off roading/gravel, it is not going to be a big part of the hours I put on the bike, but I like the idea of being able to if I want to someday. I know there are better rated duos, including the bmw gs and the klr, but off road is a distant second use for me.
I know that only placing ass to seat will tell me how this bike will work out for me, but I am floating the balloon to see if anyone has a positive or negative academic response for me or even better from experience with it. I mostly just really love the way this bike looks. I like others too, but every time I see a pic of the scrambler it just moves me. Love at first sight.
I am not super worried about the weight if I have to pick up the bike. Even though I am short, I am pretty strong and have worked physical jobs most of my life. I AM concerned about how easy it will be to learn on with the center of gravity and my short leg reach.
I wish the MSF was available during the weekdays, I work weekends and that is what is slowing me down from getting started now.
an-evil-doerParticipantLook, if you read what i said carefully you would see that I conceded your point and said it is a gray area with another side to it. Gross exaggeration can go both directions and does little good when debating REALITIES. For example are you saying that there should be no safety laws? That anyone should be allowed to drive any vehicle any way they see fit at any speed, any age, whether drunk stoned or sober? Burn tires in an uncontrolled fire in the walkway between our and our neighbors house while blasting 120 decibel show tunes at three in the morning on a work day?…it’s weak. I know you are not for that and you know that I don’t think all vehicles and colored paint should be banned. Being scared to make any laws because it would kind of makes you as paranoid and unrealistic as the people you are mocking.
Yes I agree that we live in a nanny state, the knee jerk reaction that all safety restrictions bad and we will be imprisoned in bubbles is just as ridiculously fear based as those who would ban motorcycles. It’s a risk we take living in a society of laws that we need to manage as group and individuals. Saying that helmet laws will certainly lead to a loss of all rights is the same vein as saying riding bikes at all will lead to certain death. Let’s do our best to be as even keeled as we can and we will win some and lose some until the end of humanity–live with it.
I do not want people to learn and grow by risking someone else’s life or liberty. If you don’t have the judgment to not drink and ride your motorcycle, as an example, and you swerve into my wife’s lane and cause her to wreck and be killed, or even just miss work for a day or two, I am not going to be impressed with an assertion that you lived and learned from your mistake that was your right to make. In fact the number of repeat offenders for any infraction shows that that is not how bad judgment becomes good. I am positive that you know folks who make the same stupid mistakes over and over and over again at increasing consequence. The cemeteries are full of them AND the innocent victims of their bad judgment. I’m sorry, but if you need to hurt yourself or someone else to figure out what is acceptable risk then I am happy to have the entire group decide for you before you cause damage.
And as for your teenager example, get the kids off the television, internet, video games and you will see a lot more help with their life experience than allowing unsafe behavior to remain legal whatever the cost to society.
I know you are a very smart guy, I like reading your posts and your straight forward style is appreciated by me. I agree with most of your opinions and I respect your views on the things I have no experience with myself. I can’t stand the political tactics of the day that include ridiculing opposing views by hyperbole to the point of lunacy in order to be “right” about a matter of opinion. It is another way along with over legislation, over litigation etc that I feel we are headed in the wrong direction in this country. It doesn’t solve anything or often waters down your point and you end up preaching to the choir instead of actual positive debate. Try not to do it, your views should be able to stand on their own merit.
Eli
an-evil-doerParticipantI get the personal choice thing and it sways me, it really does. My problem with it is there are other people at risk, even if just emotionally, when a rider gets injured or killed in an accident. If that can be helped or prevented by having safety laws it makes good sense to me.
I don’t just mean the rider’s family either. I mean others who may have been involved in the accident (regardless of fault) the EMT involved, the bystanders who witness it, the traffic issues created in a serious or fatal accident, the resources used at the hospital, the police—many people are impacted when a rider gets seriously hurt or killed on the road. To me that means one’s personal right to risk their life does have to be weighed against everyone else’s right to have risk to their well being and resources managed and limited when possible.
It will always be a gray area when we are talking individual rights vs impact on the public. The people who can admit it and see both sides are the only ones who are worth talking to about it, but sadly it is not solvable and will always become a matter of opinion instead of fact.
Eli
May 22, 2010 at 3:21 am in reply to: What would you have done differently buying gear in the beginning? #26654an-evil-doerParticipantI work in sales. I have customers come in and use my expertise every week who then think they are outsmarting me by purchasing from a warehouse online.
I still shop online for convenience myself, and competition is the key to capitalism, but there are two more dark implications involved in NOT supporting your local businesses,that you didn’t touch on.
1. You are hurting your local economy by not keeping dollars circulating in your area.
2. You are hurting your local economy by not having the taxes collected go to your own community.
You may feel like any time you pay a higher price for something you are being “ripped off” and perhaps sometimes you are, but if you go in and use a brick and mortar store as an extension of the online store you are supporting you are in fact ripping off the B&M for the rent, utilities, overhead, training, and information they provide you with as well.
an-evil-doerParticipantNot vehicles, so I may be off, but we hate starting to negotiate price with a customer when we pretty much know that they are using us as the “first stop” jump off point to leverage against the next shop. We have to do our best to find out if the customer is curious, serious or using us.
That said, try the straight up approach. If you are going to shop them, let your first stop know that you are serious about making this purchase but have to check other places for price. *If you like the service you got at the first place*, let them know that you will give them the last shot to match the lowest price you find, and stick by it. So many customers will get the bulk of their help from their first contact and then give the commission to the place they get shoppers fatigue at, often even at the same price.
Sales is a tough gig. Take care of the folks who earn your business.
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