[Jeff in Kentucky]

These people are not able to do 75 mph on the interstates, sort of like the guy crossing the US on a 50cc scooter, which has been done many times:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/01/photo-incredibl

[Jeff in Kentucky]

A sport bike is really for someone that does at least one track day a year. A naked is plenty fast enough for the street, but not the best choice for riding 500 miles in one day.

Ideally, I would have a Suzuki DRZ 400cc Supermoto for my usual 22 mile loop on twisty country roads going 65 mph or less (an Aprilia supermoto if I struck it rich) , a 150cc scooter for my 9 miles to work, and a big sport tourer for my annual pilgrimage to Deal’s Gap, Tennessee and to visit my family 600 miles away in New York State. The problem is too little money and too many choices, and my wife might crap a brick if I came home with another bike- then she could afford fewer shoes and clothes and vacations.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

I think this is a great second bike, if you add a better aftermarket seat to it. I only like the black one, or the blue and white one with all of the white parts repainted flat black. I would also take off the ugly silver plastic frame covers above the main footpegs:

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2009/04/suzuki-gladius-vs-i-405.html#

[Jeff in Kentucky]

You can now buy a leather jacket with a waterproof liner, but the price is high and you will sweat a lot in the summer:

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits/transit-jacket-1.html

The lower budget alternative, cooler in the summer, is to buy a textile jacket with an inner liner and sweaters added for colder weather, and add a waterproof outer jacket when it rains for both dryness and more warmth. This is what I chose, after trying a few on and looking at the armor they came with:

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/mensbonneville/mensbonneville.htm

[Jeff in Kentucky]

I use the one that came with my Olympia jacket- it seems pretty good, along with an added wide weightlifting belt.

from the June 2010 issue of Motorcyclist magazine:

Ari Henning uses the Forcefield Sub 4 back protector ($190).

Aaron Frank uses the back protector that came with his Olympia GT Air jacket ($280).

Tim Carrithers uses the back protector that came with his Dianese Wave V 1-2-3 Neck jacket ($469).

Brian Catterson uses the back protector that came with his Icon Daytona Flat Track jacket ($470 to $500).

Joe Neric uses the back protector that came with his Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit ($797).

Kristi Martel uses the back protector that came with her Spidi Ladies Lizard Pro suit for racing ($1199).

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The 250cc Ninja is a great bike for beginners, the 2008 + for more modern looks and the older one for a lower used cost. I started on a minibike with an automatic transmission and no brakes. If you have the money, this is a great bike for a beginner, or someone who wants even less risk for sliding the front tire(s) in a fast corner or on ice:

http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters.php#/home/Piaggio%20MP3%20250

[Jeff in Kentucky]

You have an enormous amount of experience on the street. I would take the MSF Experienced Rider class- it is one day long, you bring your own bike, and it will lower your insurance costs (I took this myself in 2002).

Make sure you check the insurance costs before buying the bike- something like a Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki ER-6n with 70 horsepower would have lower insurance costs and better gas mileage, compared with a 100 + horsepower 600cc supersport.

I am looking at getting one of these, with carbs, more comfort and a lower cost compared to the newer 600s:

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/kawasaki/2008-kawasaki-zzr600-ar46417.html

[Jeff in Kentucky]

This guy likes Shell Rotella T 5w-40 Synthetic oil the best for the price, and a mechanic I know likes Amsoil the best:

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

[Jeff in Kentucky]

There is no one answer for oil- personally, I use mostly 5w-40 Rotella Synthetic, mixed with a quart of Amsoil 10w-40 synthetic. I also think the Maxima brand motorcycle oils are very good. For a very old motorcycle, the 15w-40 Rotella diesel oil may cause fewer wet clutch problems, and is a high quality regular (cheap) oil.

I use a Walmart Supertech oil filter made for a car, and it fits perfectly. Some say only use the motorcycle brand of oil filter, others say the Hiflofiltro brand is the same as the dealer oil filter for a lot less cash. Generally, most hate Fram oil filters- the quality company that used to make them was bought out by a low quality company, cashing in on the previously good name.

TCLOCS stands for Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Side stand, what to check before you take off.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

More best of lists, for used bikes:

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=13&article_id=452

[Jeff in Kentucky]

This one does not include best low budget bike, unless you want a 250cc dual sport:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2/5359/Motorcycle-Article/Motorcycle-USA-Best-of-2009-Awards.aspx

[Jeff in Kentucky]

You can add more seat padding to raise the stock seat higher, and handlebars with less pullback, to make a smaller bike fit a taller rider better. Sometimes aftermarket footpegs are available that relocate the stock footpegs along with relocating the shift lever and back brake pedal, especially for sportbikes.

I am not a fan of highway pegs to stretch your legs, because you lose some time for getting to the back brake at the start of an emergency stop. I sometimes move around on the seat and briefly stand on the footpegs once in a while to keep my legs from getting as stiff. For an occasional long trip, I like to take extended release ibuprofen or acetaminophen tablets (Advil and Tylenol are the more expensive brand names), designed for people with arthritis. I think it is wiser to stop more often, before your gas is almost gone, and instead of getting more tired from fewer stops. A tired person on a long straight boring road is more likely to daydream and make mistakes.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The dual sports are tall, and are probably the best bikes for tall beginners.

A 250cc is best for 60 mph or less, and the 400 to 650cc models will do 75 mph for long trips, although not as comfortable as a heavier, wider touring bike. Here is one bigger dual purpose bike:

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/1996-2008-suzuki-dr650-ar40437.html

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Here is a list of entry level street bikes, but I consider some an entry level for the street only if you have at least some dirt bike riding experience:

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=33&article_id=1681

Unless you are racing, a lot of motorcycle choice is about style. The most safe and practical is a 250cc, 400cc, or 500cc Piaggio MP3 scooter with three wheels and an automatic transmission, but most beginners will not like the style of them.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Here it is no helmet, maybe a doo-rag over your hair, no gloves, no jacket, maybe shorts, and maybe sneakers. The excuses- it is too hot to wear protective gear, and there is no helmet law.

A friend at work just bought a Harley Ultraglide, and is selling his Honda Goldwing- more money for a less comfortable bike, but he fits in with about 3 out of 4 riders here with Harleys, especially older guys with more money. I wonder if he will drink the koolaid for no protective gear as well.

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