[Justme68_86]

I agree

[Justme68_86]

I am the proud new owner of my 1st new “used” bike

1993 Yamaha Seca II – dark green metalic naked bike (will post pic’s soon)

I spent the weekend driving around our neighborhood staying mostly in 1st & 2nd gear (10-25mph) practicing and learning the basics before I attempt going above 2nd or leaving our neighborhood. Stops, Right hand turns, Left hand turns, Smoothly accelerating away from stop sign etc. We have one of those circle round about type things on the end of our street, so I even drove through that a couple of times. I haven’t taken MSF yet, but scheduled to go mid January. I did however take & pass the written motorcycle exam at DMV so I do have a valid learners permit good for 1 yr.

Some people claim the Seca II is not a powerful engine bike, and can be doggy – but thats cool with me for now – the less power I have available at my wrist, the better off I feel So far the bike is doing great for me as a beginner. Not too powerful on take off, and accelerates pretty steady & gradual & the brakes are not grabby.

Kari

[Justme68_86]

Hi Jay,

I agree with the previous poster. The V-star is a very heavy bike. The 624lbs is the dry weight of the bike, not the curb weight.

I am a beginning rider as well, my husband owns a V-Star 1100 Silverado which has a dry weight of 639lbs, but with full tank of gas, all the fluids, saddle bags, windshield and all it is close to 700lbs if not well over (depending on how much junk we have in the saddlebags lol).

I have ridden it a few times in an empty parking lot, but the bike is just extremely heavy to try and learn on. Hard to learn while your fighting the bike to keep it from falling in curves & what not.

If you like the V-stars have you checked out the V-star 650? Looks just like the 1100 & 1300’s but lighter weight and more forgiving for new riders. Or as the previous poster mentioned the Savage/S40 is a sharp cruiser and lighter then the C50 & Vstar 1300 would be.

While at a Suzuki dealership a few weeks ago looking at used bikes, the salesman had me sit on the C50 & M50. Both extremely nice bikes. Problem was that I could barely stand either of them up off the kickstand….So for me, those were definately too heavy. I also sat on the new GSX650F (Im in love!!!) is brand new to 08 and is the replacement to the Katana. Suzuki is apparently billing this as a entry level bike alongside the GS500f. But have decided that bike will have to wait to be my 2nd bike – its pretty heavy also for a sport bike at around 500lbs (476 dry weight) also alot of HP for the newbie at 85bhp.

Im currently looking for a lighter bike to learn & build confidence on because the v-star 1100 is way too much for me to handle in the weight dept. Im assuming that the 1300 would be even heavier after you add all the gas, fluids & extras. Im not a petite lil girl either, about 5’10. Currently I’m looking for good used Ninja 500/ GS500e or if I can hold out, the new Ninja 250 if the dealerships here ever get them.

Just my .02 cents. Happy Hunting & visit LOTS of dealerships and sit on everything so you can get a better feel for weight and sitting position/comfort of all types of bikes. Take a small notebook with you so when you leave the dealership you can make notes on what bikes you liked/didnt like and why.

Kari
All of your dreams can come true – if you have the courage to pursue them

[Justme68_86]

Hi Ben! I’ll keep you posted & if we end up in Northern Cali, I’ll definately let you know so we can hook up for some rides! Right now, I ride pilion behind my husband on his cruiser and we go out about every weekend exploring everywhere. There are some really fun & scenic roads around here to ride on. I have lots of pic’s & video’s I’ll post sometime under a new topic heading. If anyone is looking into vacationing on Oahu, some of the dealerships have rentals – mostly Harley’s, but a few Yamaha FZ type bikes they can get and explore the island with.

Alot of scooters! I think almost every college kid here has one and they have them in Waikiki as rentals for tourists so alot of tourists ride them instead of renting cars.

I’m getting closer to getting my 1st bike I really would like to find a Ninja 500, but when they pop up on craigs list, they are either already sold, or the current owner has mysteriously misplaced the title and cant find. The high theft of bikes here, Im not paying for a bike that doesnt have a title. A 1998 Suzuki GS500e popped up on craigslist and hasnt sold yet. The guy is deploying overseas and is trying to sell so he doesn’t have to put in storage. He’s asking 500 under KBB so going out to look at it this weekend so hopefully knock on wood….

Kari
All of your dreams can come true – if you have the courage to pursue them

[Justme68_86]

There has been an injunction on Super Ferry from going to Maui (Kahului Harbor), but the injunction was lifted this week. So yes, can take bikes back & forth YEA! (now I just have to find one) The Company running the Superferry placed some guidelines on what they would/would not do to protect marine life and environmental issues while pending a official environmental study. People are fighting it I think because of no one had done and environmental study on how the ferry would affect the marine life between the islands. And also, I think they were worried that if all us Honolulu people start coming over with our car’s, Maui/Kauai would become a traffic jam like Honolulu is.

Havent been back into the forest preserve up Wiamea bay yet – I drive by it all the time, but didnt realize you could go back in there….hmmmm…..Sunday afternoon adventure in my future

The road to Hana on a bike would be alot of fun! It’s kinda dicey in a car, so I can imagine taking it on a bike! I’ll have to be sure to do it on a Sunday morning, immediately after church and then say about 15 Hail Mary’s (just for good measure) LOL

Kari
All of your dreams can come true – if you have the courage to pursue them

[Justme68_86]

Hey Kick,

I agree – Honolulu sucks (and blows) 99.9997% of the time. I live close to the stadium so that is the .0003% saving grace, been going to all the UH home games and can walk there LOL. Anxious to get back to the mainland. That being said, I have island hopped to Maui & Kaui prob 7-8 times in the last 3 yrs and absolutely love those islands. Its just Oahu that seems to suck. Go figure. Haven’t made it to the Big Island yet or Molokai but hopefully will before I move next spring.

I am enjoyng North Shore/Haleiwa/Wialua though Gonna miss Sunset & Wiamea when we leave

Kari
All of your dreams can come true – if you have the courage to pursue them

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