[SantaCruzRider]

Congrats on passing the test. Where in the BA are you? I’m in Santa Cruz and commute to Sunnyvale — typically via Hwy 17 or Old San Jose Rd. and 85.
I’m a penny pincher, so I got most of my gear online from NewEnough and MororcyleSuperstore. My current setup is Teknic armored leather jacket, black armored Fox overpants, PowerTrip leathergloves. For boots, I used eitheran old pair of Harley engineer boots or zip up construction-type boots. I have an Xspeed helmet (DOT/Snell) and like it alot. I’m an advocate for buying helmets based on 3 criteria: fit, fit and DOT approval.
As for hitting the streets: You just have to jump in. You might start with rides during off-peak traffic hours (Sunday mornings are usually good in my area). Also, keep it short to start so your concentration stays high and your avoid fatigue that may come because you’re gripping everything too tight.
Have fun.

[SantaCruzRider]

If I could add to my Connie (and I can’t until I have bigger garage), I would buy a dual-sport — probably a Suzuki DR400 or KLR650. Very fun bikes!! Only downside is they invite hooliganism and you find yourself jumping curbs and riding across lawns to connect the dots (don’t ask how I know).

[SantaCruzRider]

I have a buddy who weighs over 250 and rides a 400cc Suzuki dual-sport. This single-cyclinder is more than up to the task of carrying him (plus sometimes his 100lb son) all over town and on freeway speeds for an hour or so. It’s no superslab commuter lane speedster, but it is perfect for his use and is up to the task. Rider weight is not the primary issue, it’s as much frame geometry and suspension travel that matter.

[SantaCruzRider]

You mention that your wife hasn’t ridden a streeter, so I wonder if she has lots of dirt experience and might feel comfortable on a dual-sport. If so, there are a number of 250-450cc bikes that might work.
Granted, a number of them sit high, but many also have lowering links and custom seats that can drop the seat several inches. They are also narrow and light, both benefits for smaller, shorter riders. Even with the mods, you’ll still get a new bike for less than an S50 (which is a very cool bike).
Not trying to talk you out of the cruiser, just another view. If you want new, it’s getting harder to find cruisers with standard (not forward) controls.

[SantaCruzRider]

If you won’t settle for anything but a 600+cc sportbike, the Duc 620 is not any worse choice that the SV650 — which many folks claim is a fantastic bike for an advanced beginner. The 620 has a V-twin (they call it an L-twin — whatever) and like the SV gives smoother, lower rev power delivery than the more racer-like parallel twins and 4 sport bikes in the 600 class.
But if you’ve spent ANY time on this site, you note that the predominant view is to start smaller. I’ve yet to see any solid case for starting bigger, but everyone is going to make their own decision.

One thing you might want to check before buying is the insurance costs. I’ve found that Ducs typically cost more to insure, both because they are targets for theft and because they tend to attract riders looking for flash who probably stunt and then crash (no offense — it’s a statistic that I’m sure is biased by a minority of riders).
BTW: IMHO, dealers can be the WORST source of advice for which bike you should ride. I’ve found that their advice is more biased to how much bike you can afford than toward what bike is best suited for your needs or skills.

[SantaCruzRider]

Thanks for setting the record straight eon. I get my Italian superbike exotics confused — part of my brain obviously lumps them into the bikes-I-can’t-afford category.
But hey, maybe this summer I can pick up a new Augusta at a govt. liquidation sale!!!

[SantaCruzRider]

Under 600cc bikes were known as ‘tariff-busters’

[SantaCruzRider]

Should be hoarding cash instead. Still not sure how they’re going to leverage an Italian sport bike — technology and image are even a worse fit than the whole Buell thing. Nothing against the bikes, but it’s like having Lotus, Kia and Hummer under one umbrella.
And unfortunately, cruiser sales are sucking wind for lots of manufacturers. Dual-sports and look-alikes are where it’s going — embrace the future!
(disclaimer: I don’t own a DS bike, but sure wish I had room for one)

[SantaCruzRider]

…Still, I don’t think I ever went 100 miles before I had to pull in for gas. But that was never a problem on two counts — 1. I was on an island where you couldn’t ride 250 miles without starting over; 2. The frequent gas stops gave you a chance to shake out your arms and get the feeling back.

My current bike (Concours) is awesome for commuting. Tank holds 7.5 gallons and it gets close to 40 mpg. With a range of nearly 300 miles, I get at least three days of commuting before I have to visit the pump! The downside is that lanesplitting is seriously hampered, especially with rear cases.

[SantaCruzRider]

Pretty much the only way it “looks” right with a 220# guy on the back is if he’s carrying a big red gas can. Gives you that “hey, I’m just trying to help a brother out!” look.

BTW: Thanks for going there Sangria. Nice transition from father-son experience to …???

[SantaCruzRider]

… expanding on the good advice already given:

Ninja 500 vs GSXR: The GSXR is a race bike, not appropriate for someone starting out. The Ninja is an great starter that you won’t soon outgrow. Also, it’s been virtually unchanged since the Civil War or something, so parts are cheap and readily available.

Helmets: Endless debate, but according to tests and research (including the Hurt Report), any properly fitting DOT approved full-face helmet will protect your head from impacts that are low enough not to kill you regardless of the helmet. In other words, in the Hurt crash study, by the time any helmet failed, the rider’s body had already been so damaged that they would have died regardless of head injuries. My advice, pay what it takes to get the fit and features you need and that will keep you from being distracted. Beyond that, the safest helmet is probably the orange one.

Insurance: Your quote probably includes medical liability (for the other guy), but may not include you or a passenger. It’s not too expensive to add some basic coverage, but note that there are per-person and per-accident limits and $15K coverage won’t last long in a hospital.

[SantaCruzRider]

Drag bars, cast wheels and a peanut tank — brings back memories.

[SantaCruzRider]

I have a couple years experience riding 2-up with my wife — but don’t mind admitting that I still spend a couple hours thinking thru the route I’d take for my son’s first ride. No freeway and I threw in an un-needed stop for gas to give him a break and be sure he was having fun and didn’t want to head home early.

2-up definately changes the game. Fun to share the ride, but you do lose some freedom. Took a solo ride the next day!

[SantaCruzRider]

Both ’94s
Not a recommendation on how to start, but also not the worst life decisions I’ve managed to survive either.

The Connie is the most powerful, fun and economical street bike I’ve ever ridden — I still feel a twinge of regret every time I turn for home (comment is about the bike — not the homelife!).

[SantaCruzRider]

Another great site. Just bought a KBC helmet on sale for about $50 for my son (awesome helmet makes me feel like a d–n bobblehead in my ole’ matte black unit) and a pair of Fox overpants for $30. Nice folks, reputable gear.
Colors may ‘scare’ some Harley riders, but that’s because most of them see the world in shades of black and chrome

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