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Man, I just spit my ‘Dew on the computer screen with that one.

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Don’t get so in love with the bike that your judgement is compromised. Play hardball — the bike has been dropped, regardless of how it happened (and you’re going to trust a USED CAR SALESMAN when he tells you it was a no-speed tip-over?), and it anything so much as HINTS at the stink of s#!t, walk away.

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Scooters, cruisers, cops, sporties. The only ones that I get a hit-or-miss from are the scooters.

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All you do is swap the brake cables left to right, and vice versa.

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“2. Truth in stereotypes – Sportsbike riders are seen as the dangerous ones cutting in and out traffic giving bikers a bad name in general (speedsters with no regard to others safety). Cruiser riders are the roughnecks who look and smell dirty from the old Hollywood movies (think Hells Angels).”

In my experience riding on the road so far, the only ones that have done dangerous things in traffic near me (lane split to make a pass, passing multiple vehicles around blind corners, etc) have been cruisers.

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Second the suggestion of NewEnough.com — great site. Cruise through the closeouts, and get on their mailing list.

For gear, I’ve gone a different route. I’ve got the jacket(s), gloves (several weights), helmet (and ear plugs and glasses), two pair of boots (full and low-top), but for pants I go two ways. I’ve got some full A* overpants for colder rides, and for commuting and warm rides I’ve been going with Riggs Wear Ranger pants. They’re kind of like Carhartt’s, but better looking for that not-so-construction-site look, and they’re cargo pants made from cordura — the same stuff that most textile riding gear is made from. And at $33 each at DenimExpress.com, that’s a TON cheaper than most any riding pants out there. Add some knee/shin armor, and you’re set.

Maybe that will help some.

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The short list for “next bike” for me includes the 1125R. I just like the Buell philosophy and execution, and the Rotax V-twin. The fairing is the clincher for me — looks to be the only one out there that actually gives consideration to sending the air AROUND your hands…

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Not just for breakfast.

It’s my caffeine of choice any time of day.

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Yeah, that’s the ticket…

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I have the rear cowl where the passenger seat was originally. I keep the registration and proof of insurance in a zip-lock bag under that cowl. It’s key-locked, so no one’s going to take off with it unless they take the whole bike, in which case my insurance policy kicks in…

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Often they don’t include things like the battery when taking the dry weight.

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…that rides with 3 ‘hawks on his lid. Red, white, and blue. Very cool, in my opinion. But the single ‘hawks? Hmmm. Not so much. Again, just my opinion. YMMV.

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As much as I really prefer a faired bike, I gotta admit I like the looks of the Griso and the Wakans. But when it comes to my “next” bike, if I decide to go bigger, it’ll most likely be a Buell 1125R. Why? It’s all driven by aesthetics — I like the look of the fairing, how it directs air past the hands, and I like the look of the undercarriage exhaust (the huge side-can look just doesn’t do much for me, much as my bike has one). Performance? I haven’t a clue.

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until you can get it properly patched from the inside.

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…that cars have tried to race me. One was a tuned ‘Vette, and it was no contest (not that I was even participating). The other was a big deisel 4×4, and again, it was no contest (the truck didn’t stand a chance). But I don’t race. I’ll often take it off the line fast just to get out of the mess of traffic.

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