[TerriKhali]

Woh. You know, for us who are on bikes, we have it pounded into our heads to “look ahead” “Always be aware of everything around you””Assume cars are out to get you” and “Always have a way out” -isn’t it a shame that CAGES aren’t taught the same?
I mean, yah, your more protected in a cage, but with so many close calls under my belt, it REALLY makes me wonder why THEY don’t have to take a “motorcycle and other vehicle” awareness courses too!

Wouldn’t that just make EVERYONE a whole lot safer?

I’d just track them down, find out where they live, and go back later, with my trusty leatherman, and help them become more aware….of how their tires work with the valves snipped off!

*insert evil laughter here*

Ok, I really DON’T suggest ever hurting anybody elses property… but…BUT… sometimes, its fun to think about.

Did you know its actually rather a great hiss when they are cut off tho?
hehehee

[TerriKhali]

Hey ronkore, just a THOUGH, but can’t you just get what rate you can for insurance, then when your paper work gets in, go back to your guy, and have it adjusted? I had a few friends that have done that, I think the difference was about $17 dollars extra for just the one month. It really was such a small difference, and it got them on their bike faster…. maybe you should make a phone call to ask?
But again, Im in Canada, and things seem to be done differently up here.
Not to make you panic, but what if “next day” of mail checking turns into 2-3 weeks? or it gets lost in the mail? Or delivered to the wrong address? It does happen, and it usually does, when its something that your really waiting for….
You know, it NEVER hurts to ask, right?

[TerriKhali]

First off, you sure can strip them! This is a before of my bike (NOT exactly MINE, but same type)

and after:

Now, doing a “quick search”, I couldn’t find your EXACT bike that you are looking at, (I KNOW its NOT a ninja 200, I know, but it give an idea) it will resemble this, kinda, if your not going to compare all the obvious differences, it IS kinda similar in look when stripped down of the plastics, kinda: (Did I add’ KINDA’, and ‘RESEMBLE’ enough? *lol*)

Corse, its going to depend on WHAT you do to it, and what your willing to spend to change it, but if you go aftermarket parts like I do, it cost me a WHOPPING $144.00 to switch, and that was including TAX. Remember tho, Im in Canada, so if your spending more then $100.00 in parts to switch, your paying too much, IF your going low to low-mid range. Corse, like ANYTHING on your bike, you CAN spend as much as you want- but why? You just doing this to help you relax around you bike, and NOT pay a fortune, and save your ferings until you hit that 2 year “zone” OR decide you want to sell and move up, or should it drop, why spend alot, right?

As for cost, again, I’m in CANADA, so, it will be a bit higher for me here. Your BEST bet is to shop around and look. You *MIGHT* even consider the local buy and sell for your first bike, and if theres one a few years old will run you about $2,500.00 ISH. Just look for the deals, but be careful with a used bike, find a mechanic that you can ask to inspect after hours, or pay to do that FINAL check for you, before you buy. or even yet, do a “sale PENDING it passes a safety inspection” but GET IT IN WRITING. Add a clause that if it passes the inspection, its a done deal, but if it doesn’t, you have (my girlfrind uses 5 days) to return it for full refund. Most people at this point, *IF* theres anything wrong, will confess it to you! *lol*

My guy charges me a coffee to come and look, with the promise that anything *I* don’t do myself, it goes to his garage. *shrugs* You’ll find someone like that too, if you look.

Just be careful, and make sure you get what feels right to you. Don’t let ANYONE pressure you into something your not sure of. If the salesroom person try’s it, excuse yourself from them, and look for another sales person.
Bottom line, when you find the right bike, SHE WILL WHISPER TO YOU, “i’M yours!” I swear, you’ll hear it!

But maybe this will help you to see the potential of the bike your thinking of, naked!
Just Google the bike you like, and add the word “naked” with it, then click images… it just might be what you need to push you over the edge, into a choice.

Good luck, and let us know what you get!

[TerriKhali]

Well, heres a slightly bigger pic

I don’t know wich of these 2 will show up, so I’ll attach both, and know for next time.

Notice the lack of mirror, signal, OIL COVER, not even a scuff on the frame that you can see 3 feet away, and fering on this side?

Yup. I went down, 10km (5 m/per) on the last turn coming home….
The only damage was the bike, (and my pride) and yes, stupid me, it WAS the first ride of the season.
I KNOW I know better, but I slipped into the “I’m home, its 2 blocks from parking, nobody is ever on the road” stupidity. While nobody was on the road, a CAT was…. Cats OK, btw. My pride is still getting a good kicking tho. I KNOW better. I DO!

Well, that shows ya, always be alert, mind on what your doing, and LEATHERS ON. I mean, this was so close to home too. it was a stupid laps, and one that shall not be repeated.

So, yah… I’ll be surfing your youtube, and I’ll check this other guy out too!

You know, I rather did need this to happen tho. I needed a shake to wake up, and tell me that no matter HOW long you have ridden, and own a bike, never slack off.
Trust me, the “mental” bruises from where I’m still kicking myself wont soon be shrugged off.

I did just get word from the shop. The plastics on its way! I SHOULD be on the road, CAREFULLY, middle of next week!

[TerriKhali]

Good question, and excellent answers.

This is such a great site to ask genuine questions… and as they say ‘there is no such thing as a stupid question… ‘

[TerriKhali]

I started on a Suzuki GS500, and have bought 3 since, the same, 500. I just buy newer when its about 5 years or so, sell my existing one, and have surprisingly little left to pay to move up.
Now, I am a female, and the thought of being able to LIFT the bike, should is fall, is also important to me. That is really something to think about too!

Also, on my FIRST GS500, I stripped it bare. I got an aftermarket headlight, front signals, you know, that stuff, and rode it like that for about 2 years. Then I put the plastics back on, all clean and scratch free- thus retaining more value in my bike for resale.

Altho I first figured after a few years I would out grow the size, I’m just so content on how it rides, and preforms, that at this point, I still have no desire to more up.

Just remember, being a new rider, its VERY likely that the bike will tip a few times. Its NOT a reflection on your skill, its just things that you dont think of until it happens, my biggest bone head was NOT realizing that asphalt gets REALLY soft in the summer, and kickstands CAN, and WILL, sink in, and tip it. *lol*

Plastic is STUPID expensive to replace too- hence, the strip down for a year or two, until you start getting into your comfort zone. Besides, a STRIPPED Suzuki looks surprisingly close to your other option…. At least, in *my* opinion, for what its worth!

I would recommend a Suzuki GS500F. Its not ALOT bigger, but your not likely to out grown it soon, and its not so much bigger that it will scare you, or that you’ll be riding on one wheel by mistake- common sense will have you adjusting to it remarkably soon. I haven’t wheelied yet…and have no plans to, any time soon.

Hope you can break that 50/50 deadlock, and that you make the choice thats right FOR YOU!

[TerriKhali]

Ohhh, your so lucky! I can’t wait for a few weeks… think I’ll be making a trip to my sisters, 100m away…maybe, just for coffee!

Take lots of PICS to share!

[TerriKhali]

Honestly, I’m going INSANE!
So, Im reading all the wonderful replies, KNOWING I’m not alone, it sure helps, but then I turn on the radio while I’m reading…
“Biker Blowout, new 4 piece leathers for as low as…..” blah, blah, blah….

I don’t know HOW I’m going to survive. 2 weeks feels like *forever* right now.
Great, now the news and weather… and of CORSE, sunny, sunny, sunny!

You know, Chaiya, thats a GREAT idea about just dreaming and maybe even test riding a bit… kinda afraid it will make the DT’s worse, but only one way to really find out- right?
My husband also does not ride… but I must say, hes starting to look at my bike, and hes now putting up comp screen savers of a couple nice ones… I think his is on the horizon. He also is starting to think that when the “family” goes for a 100 mile trip to my sisters, getting stuck in the minivan with 2 kids just isn’t as much fun as I’m having in front of him. He’s my blocker/drag CAGE on long trips, *lol* and I’m thinking that he’s got this mental pic of us all on bikes.
I also got my 14 on a little 50cc scooter (14 is legal starting age, but it MUST be 50cc or under) so she’s being brought up right already… she EVEN makes her own insurance payments, and pays for her gas, and EVERYTHING. It actually GAVE her a REASON to work… and that turned out well.

Munch, you sound like a GREAT dad, lowering yourself to a cage for the kids… thats a GOOD daddy… See, I’m the BAD mom, if we are using your examples. I VERY rarely take my kids out with me, 11 and 14. I LIE and tell them that I just dont feel comfortable with riders…. which, as soon as they realize that I DO have passengers- and usually OFTEN,(I will usually give a lift home my co-workers when we work late past bus times, which is about half my working shifts) I think they will strangle me, BUT, its *MY* time. I have spent well over 3/4 of 15 YEARS with them, but, umm, MY bike = MOMMY time, and I just do NOT want to share….

Elwood, man, I *HAVE* been watching your vids! I also know you have taken a bunch down because I had to be REALLY persistent to find some up on this site that was still available! I must also add, cam down low, is OK, but I’d like more centered on your handlebars Thanks! Because of you, my children live another day while Mommy is “waiting for her happy bike” *lol* Thats what they call it when I’m getting grumpy, go for a ride, and return ready for the rest of the day!

Thanks guys… I’ll be lurking in here alot… ANY and ALL ideas will help. Its SAD to know you have all felt my pain, but oddly comforting to know that I’m NOT the only one that really gets misty eyed when they see another bike, and theirs is unrideable.

I’m just trying to keep focused on my work and “spring” things like yard work and such…. with the cordless on my hip, ready to take that call telling me to “Come pick her up- shes ready!”

P.S. My pic currently, was taken JUST before she left me, 2 weeks ago… you can see what needs replacing….

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