[uncle_bernie]

You may have a hard time finding a 600cc+ bike for $2-2.5K but have you tried Cycle Trader? Their advanced search allows you to put in a price range along with other search parameters. By the way, I just bought a Suzuki s40 (652cc single cylinder) for $3200 which I found here in the Houston area through that site. I bought it from a dealer so tax, title, and license kicked the price up about $500 but my bike only had 61 miles on it. The acceleration is really good. Top end is not as good as some other bikes in the 600-650cc range but it can cruise 65-70 on the freeway all day long and it’s top speed is supposed to be around 87-90mph (I haven’t driven it that fast….yet). Check them out.

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

The later it gets dark, the longer I have to ride in the bright sunshine after work. I’ve only been riding for a couple of weeks now, but, once I get on I tend to not want to get off, because I’m getting off too much (uh hahahaha).

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

This past weekend I was riding and pulled up to a stop light and saw one of these, a Royal Enfield. I had never heard of them and, from the totally retro styling at first thought it was a restored bike, but, apparently, it’s not. They were first produced in the UK starting in 1949 and then India around the mid 50’s.

From the company’s web site…

“The Bullet is made today in the same manner it was in 1955. However over the years improved metallurgy, modern machining methods and the passage of time has produced stronger, more durable parts, making the Bullet superior, in some ways to the same bike made in 1955.”

Pretty cool, I love retro looking bikes.

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

I agree, it’s HARD to resist the temptation, once you get a little comfortable to see what your bike can do. I don’t ride a sportbike, I ride a Suzuki S40 (652cc single cylinder) but it still has quite a bit of power. It’s more forgiving (I *think*, as I’m a fairly new rider) than a sportbike, but can still get you into trouble if you lay too heavily on the throttle.

I keep reading about people thinking that a 500cc sport bike is underpowered and not going to be “enough bike” for them. This excerpt from an article by Chuck Hawkes found here was rather illuminating the first time I read it….

“In the 1960’s and 1970’s, 50cc to 125cc motorcycles were considered “small,” the 150-200cc motorcycles were intermediate, the 250cc to 500cc motorcycles were midsize bikes, and 600cc and larger motorcycles were “big” bikes. Today, a 250cc motorcycle is considered small, and a 600cc motorcycle mid-size. Even a liter bike (1000cc) is no longer considered “big” in a world of 1400-1800cc heavyweight motorcycles. I have read articles in the motorcycle press about the Yamaha V-Star 1100’s, calling them “middleweight” cruisers!”

Now, technology moves on and all and everything is more powerful and faster than it used to be but one constant remains, the amount of trouble you can get into at a given speed on a bike if you crash it. Faster cars have the advantage of better cages and airbags to protect the occupants, on a bike it’s just you and your gear between whatever happens. Basically, everyone should make choices about a first bike that is congruent with their abilities and temperament. If your a novice rider that is apt to go 100 mph then maybe you should make a choice that prohibits your ability to do that. Just buy a bike that fits your skill level and always ride within yourself (as much as you can).

And never forget to think…

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

…and even back then I remember thinking “man, winter REALLY lasts a long freakin’ time up here!!”. Of course, this was from a kid that had spent his whole childhood around the gulf coast I hate to rub it in but it was such a beautiful day here in Houston, like 71 degrees and sunny that I *had* to knock off work early and rode from 6pm to sundown around 7:30. So, I feel for you man, and, don’t worry, come late June till late September the heat will be a certain thing we call a female dog down here. Hope you can get out there on the road soon.

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

Thanks for the advice and I keep giving it as well as getting it. If you:

a) Don’t have the time
b) Think it’s too hot
c) Think the trip isn’t “long” enough

to put on your gear for the ride then you don’t ride….at ALL.

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

My very first bike, which I just bought 2 1/2 weeks ago (Suzuki S40) is now in the pics forum. I’d done lots of slalom skiing and riding “motorcycles on the water” but had never owned my very own bike. Only two days and riding mostly around my neighborhood and a bit on the freeway feeder roads which are very close to my house but have logged around 30 miles so far and am loving it

He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

It’s weird, if I’m not logged in for instance, I see 15 posts in the introduce yourself section, then when I log in I see the correct number (which is currently 17). No clue why. Not a big deal or anything, just seemed odd.

He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

I noticed that my forum additions (i.e. the introduce yourself section) don’t show up unless I’m logged in but everyone else’s do. Is this because you moderate the forums in a particular way Ben?

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

I got $250 from my wife to put in the “Bernard Fund For Wayward Motorcycle” and an intestinal virus from my nephew. How he knew my size I’ll never know.

He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[uncle_bernie]

Yeah, the wetbike was one of the coolest things to date I’ve had the privilege to ride (so far…). I used to ride behind barges on the river and they made these huge wakes/swells about five or six feet high. If you timed it just right you could ride down inbetween them and for a few seconds be riding between two big rolling walls of water. Then, you’d hit the wake and the thing would jump about two or three feet in the air. What a kick in the ass that was!

Anyway, looking forward to becoming part of the riding community and getting my first bike. Kudos on the site! The information is great and helps in preparing a first time rider to buy smartly and ride safely so keep it up.

Bernard

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

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