[MattN]

A large part of that is likely where you live. I lived in NY for 25 years ( most of my life ), and my insurance for my car was always sky high, even with a clean record. I would imagine bike is the same.. not to mention you living on long island is only going to make it worse.

I moved to NE and my neighbors both pay 1k+/yr for each of there Harley’s.

[MattN]

Thanks. You’ll like the MSF course.

I’m getting my bike in feb/march timeframe I think. Hoping for a good deal during the winter up here. and then hoping for a short winter so I can ride it in March

[MattN]

We have a bunch up by us for sale here.

I love it b/c its just so different from anything else…
http://www.nationalpowersports.net/itemDetail.aspx?itemID=2741&pid=2&sTxt=ducati&st=Description#_ctl0_ContentPlaceHolder1_detailCtrl_mainImg

[MattN]

I was at our local Triumph/Ducati dealership over last weekend.

I now know why you bought that bike. pictures do not even come close to doing it justice.
I just sat and admired the 1000S ( the one with the half fairing, otherwise essentially the same ) for a good 15 minutes. That right there is a dream bike. No wonder so many park them in their living rooms.

[MattN]

You should be able to get it under $4k. MSRP is ~3500. they pay even less than that ( invoice ).

Negotiation Tips. Go in more than once… talk to the same guy so he remembers you. The more you talk the more likely the price will come down in your favor. Think about things you need like riding gear. 4250 isn’t bad if you can get a helmet and jacket with it. Ask about things like that.

Don’t commit on the first day. For example go in on a saturday, talk with a salesguy about the bike. Get his card. get a rough starting number and leave on a positive note. Email him mid week saying you were in and got his card. Ask him about their website’s price of a 250R listed as 3500 and ask why he quoted you 4250. Just ask to get clarification of the price descrepancy. He’ll likely email you back saying they don’t talk money via email but if you’d like to come in they can work with you on the price…I wouldn’t be surprised if he hints they can get you a better price than 4250. Go in the next saturday and talk with the same guy. The more you talk, the more likely you’ll get a good deal. YOu may still end up paying 4250, but I bet you can get a few goodies on the side as well.

[MattN]

but I will admit I love the look.

[MattN]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/2009-honda-motorcycles-released-86951.html

Article, 14,999 for a 680cc bike. I have to really want an automatic for that $$

[MattN]

insighting panic into a crowd ( yelling fire, yelling bomb in an airport etc.. ) is much different than free speech and the right to say and do what you want. Agreed.

There is a difference between hurting someones feelings and putting people in physical danger…

[MattN]

Interesting.

Honda’s bike site needs to come into the 21st century though. only 2 pics… I want to see a 360 view on that one..

[MattN]

Those shin guards look like my hockey pads do they mostly protect from abrasions or do they offer support for the leg as well? meaning if you hit something hard do you think they’d protect from breaking a leg or are they primarily for road rash?

Thanks for the responses guys. I’ve found a ton of info that I’ve been looking for so far.

[MattN]

I’ve got about 10 I’m looking at right now haha…

front runners are the Triumph Thruxton and Speedmaster. I’ve ridden everything from a harley fatboy to a 500r over the past month or so, trying to get an idea of what kind of bike I want. I’m really leaning towards the cruiser, only I want one that actually can handle, wasn’t a huge fan of the fatboy…. We’ll see…. I’ve got more bikes to sit on and ride still.

We’ll see what finances are like over the winter too. With the economy in the dump I may have a hard time justifying the $$ for a nicer bike… I live right on the NH border between MA and NH, there are always ton’s of used bikes for sale and I may grab an older “beater” for a year just so I can ride.

[MattN]

Figures
sweet boots
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-boots/vendramini-aero.htm

discontinued…

[MattN]

Don’t know about the thick boots. I think if you have a normal size foot you should be fine

At my MSF course there was a guy who was at least 6’10” with size 14 shoes and he had issues with the shifter. He ended up giving up after the first couple hours. but thats a 14 shoe. I wore a size 12 steel toe timberland and had no issues… Nighthawk 250 btw.

[MattN]

Wish I’d talked to you sooner.

Googling any type of reviews for bikes or bike stuff always brings up the same damn sites
topspeed.com
motorcycle.com
motorcycle-usa.com
motorcyclecruiser.com

I’ve known there has to be more out there but I was striking out trying to find good ones.
Thanks

[MattN]

Nope I hadn’t ( I was the original poster btw, before registering )

Will do so now.

I’ve been through a few websites like motorcycle.com and motorcycle-usa.com reading reviews. I’m always suspicious though when a site like that does a review. Seems more like paid advertisement half the time.

[Author]

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