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The Ultimate Guide To Motorcycle Windshields
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back from Watertown, NY to NYC. Along the way, I encountered my first scooter.
I frantically asked myself, “Should I wave?! Should I wave?!”
I needn’t have worried. As I passed, the rider had a big, friendly hand outstretched. It IS the “two-wheeled community,” after all.
Later, at a rest-stop just south of the biggest Adirondack Mountains, a Harley guy pulled in. I let out a restrained, “Howya doin’?” (half-expecting nothing or maybe a grudging nod), and this guy started babbling like a sonofabitch, talking about the wind gusts, the weather report from his wife about the weather I was about to ride into, you name it!
Ya just can’t make any generalizations about people, whatever they ride…
…and being one, I have to agree. The bike has been fantastic. I’ve never ridden a 250R, but from what I’ve read here, the advantages of a 650R will be:
1. Lower revs at higher speeds. Instead of a screaming 10k at 80 MPH, the 650 will hum nicely at around 6k.
2. Heavier, but not too heavy. About 450 lbs with a tank of gas, the 18-wheelers won’t blow you off the highway.
3. The engine will likely last longer than a 250R, should you decide to hang onto the bike for 5+ years.
4. Chicks will love you for it when you lower your voice an octave and say, “Yeah, I gotta six-fitty–thankyouverymuch, thankyouverymuch…”
and was recently riding two-up with a total weight between the two of us at about 340 lbs. Up hills, down hills, on the highway at 80 MPH with plenty of room for acceleration…no problems at all.
So I think that something only 150 cc less will be absolutely no problem at all. It should work great for ya…
…markets platform boots designed for shorter motorcycle riders. They’ve got a cool demon-face front with glowing orange-evil eyes for greater riding visibility. They will also spit fire when activated by a little switch on the side.
Just kidding…
When I first was shopping insurance (went with Geico, as they insure my auto), the Vulcan 500 LTD was $270/yr full coverage.
The Ninja 650R jumped to $540/year for full, but I figure what’s an extra $25/month for a helluva lot more fun? My car only has liability because I really stopped giving a f**k about it once I got the bike, lol…
BTW, I know you’re going to pick the 650R, and you’ll gonna LOVE it…
I took the MSF class in July of 2008, and with only that experience on their 125cc and 250cc bikes, bought the Ninja 650R in May 0f 2009. I’m 5’11, 34″ inseam and about 185 lbs.
I now have about 2,200 miles of experience in most traffic conditions. I have driven it back from Albany to NYC in fog and rain. At typical highway speeds and up to 80-90 MPH, in every gear except 6th there is ample power to accelerate if you need to go even faster to get out of dicey situations.
Estimated RPM’s of 5k at 70 MPH in 6th gear, with redline on the bike starting at 11k. I have had the bike up to 100 MPH for brief stretches on the highway with no shaking or instability.
I’ve never felt I would lose control of the bike despite some jerky up- and down-shifting when I first started. I’ve really opened the throttle at times from a standstill and felt like I went from zero to 60 in a few quick seconds. I once opened the throttle up in third gear at about 50-60 MPH and got the front wheel about 6″ off the ground. I didn’t buy the bike to be a squid or do stunts, so it was just a little experiment, lol.
People seem to think it looks good too–the bike is black–as I’ve gotten compliments when just riding around town. I think it’s an excellent all-around beginner bike, and think that even experienced riders would enjoy it. Good luck with whatever you decide to go with!
