[Jeff in Kentucky]

I like the idea of modular helmets- able to put on sunglasses easier, and easier to talk to others at a stoplight or gas stop without removing your whole helmet. This article below stopped me from buying one:

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Green.html

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The dealerships would often prefer that you buy a whole new tach from them for hundreds of dollars, instead of the labor to replace the sticker inside and the small chance that the tach glass cover starts to leak in the future.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The CBR 600 is a lot of bike for a beginner- it is best to ride a slower bike for at least 10,000 miles before getting on a bike with that much horsepower and braking power. Also, at 150,000 miles it is probably ready for an engine rebuild, and the maintenance for everything else on the bike could be a major hassle. Hondas are considered the most reliable bikes for a lower price, and BMWs the most reliable for a higher price.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Welcome here. The FZR 600 is more of a second bike, and the other two are first bikes. I would take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner course first, then you will have a better idea of what bike is best for you, both for styling and the amount of power.
If you get the Honda cheap enough, you could pay for repainting.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Feet on the seat does raise the overall center of gravity for the bike and rider, and even more for this bike and rider:

[Jeff in Kentucky]

This guy in Ohio works on Honda Hawks, including making them as fast as an SV650, and is a good source for parts for them:

http://www.hordpower.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=1627083db886492de1e9af167551d652

[Jeff in Kentucky]

If you get a good windshield (proper height and shape), it will help quite a bit at 60 mph, and much more at 75 mph. Your arms get less tired from holding your chest upright in less wind, and there is less wind noise. I like a windshield that is the size of my chest and at the same angle as the front forks, and I look over the top of it instead of through it, especially when it is foggy. I also wear a full face helmet to block the wind above the windshield.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

My back is less than perfect- I find that stretching exercises every day and long walks help. Also soaking in a tub with a handful of epsom salt added- we bought a tub with whirlpool jets- not good for the electric bill but it does help my back. I use generic acetaminophen timed release pills once in a while, designed for people with arthritis. I do not use ibuprofen unless the other is not strong enough. If I take them right before going to bed, it is easier to get out of bed the next morning.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Here is one BMW airhead forum for Florida:

http://www.flairheads.org

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Another option is adding this below to a bike with carbs, but each carb needs one and if you have 4 carbs the price is high to get 4 of the packages:

http://www.thunderproducts.com/dial_a_jet.htm

Note that I bought one for my single-carb bike, but I found it did not add enough fuel for both a new intake and a new exhaust near sea level, then I decided to add a regular Dynojet brand jet kit along with it, instead of the dually kit.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

You have to use your imagination for this snow-covered peak with a motorcycle photo

http://www.chillybikinis.com/pics/1024.JPG

[Jeff in Kentucky]

This is cheating, a photo I found:

http://canyonchasers.net/gallery/rdmrds/ouray01

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The fear of going faster is your mind telling you that you need more hours of practice at a lower speed, something that most guys do not have.

Within 3 weeks of getting my bikes when I was in my teens and 20s, I had to find out what their top speed was. At 105 mph, a 1978 Yamaha XS-650 makes your eyeballs shake.

The bike that I have now has never been over 85 mph, I guess because I bought it when I was 43 years old, and I am a little more cautious than when I was younger.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The Triumph Street Triple base model costs $8,899, while the “R” model’s MSRP begins at $9,599, extra money for a suspension much better for track days. They both have 105 horsepower at full throttle with their 3 cylinders, closer to a 600cc 4-cylinder sportbike than the less powerful and less expensive 650cc twins available. They are rated very high, but are probably much better as a second bike than as a first bike.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The Suzuki GSX650F with an MSRP of $7,899 is really too much power for a beginner on the street, unless you have some dirt bike experience and your wrists are fairly strong.

In most cases, the 250cc Kawasaki Ninja moves around just a little extra from the wind, and only for the strongest side gusts. It is not the most comfortable for riding 500 miles a day at 75 mph or with a passenger, but these should be avoided by a beginner anyways. In the 1970s a lot of people rode 350cc bikes across the country with a passenger, but power inflation to make dealers more money and give riders more status has made this seem impossible to many now.

Here is a good article about first bikes:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/good_first_motorcycles.htm

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