[zgotzilla]

Despirte being 5’11” and 200lbs, my first bike was a 234cc Rebel.  I have now purchased a 1300 V-Star, which I love, but:  the Rebel or a cycle in the lower level cc class will retain value, give you confidence, keep insurance costs low, rrepair costs low, gas costs low, and be a safe springboard to larger cycles as experience is gained.  If I had started on a larger cycle (and I certainly was tempted to do so) my brain tells my ego an ambulance ride would have been involved in short order. 

[zgotzilla]

Very important subject.  With the advent of helmet lights (LEDs activated by motion) it would be interesting to see if someone could create a string of these and tie them to handlebars to create a bit more unusual illumination to draw attention to a cycle. 

[zgotzilla]

I am very sorry to hear about your crash, but am glad to learn your injuries are not life threatening. The site does a great deal to assist newbies such as myself. However, for what it is worth: Lane splitting between cars seems to be one of the most dangerous practices in all of cycling. Automobile drivers simply do not expect a cycle to be alongside where they may have looked just a second ago to see only a car. As happened to you, an open gap can close so quickly there is no time to react. I know most cycle crashes are caused by car drivers “not seeing”, but lane splitting between cars seems to be an invitation to disaster.

Get well soon and thanks for the site.

[zgotzilla]

Fantastic and important post. You might not only have saved peoples time, but you may have also saved some lives. Thank you very much.l

[zgotzilla]

I have a new Rebel and while I love the cycle, neutral is occasionally hard to find, From various sources it appears to be the one trouble spot for many Rebels.

[zgotzilla]

Glad you are okay. I was wondering what my new Rebel would do. Had it to 65 yesterday for the first time. Like you , I felt every bump, gust of wind, truck turbulence, etc. The up side: our Rebels cost less, last longer, and probably save more than one newbie life by being forgiving. I WANT an 1800cc cycle. I BELIEVE I CAN HANDLE a 750 and nothing bigger at this stage. Would you have been highway splatter with a bigger cycle?

[zgotzilla]

If your cycle scares you, can you enjoy riding? This is supposed to be fun, not torture. Your brain may be giving you a message you need to pay attention to. If you are in over your head cc wise, back off before disaster strikes. If you think you may need a smaller cycle to get comfortable, THEN YOU DO INDEED NEED A SMALLER CYCLE. Don’t let your ego teach you a hard and painful lesson. Been there, done that. I used to be an amateur, but became a professional idiot. Shut the ego down and let the brain rule when cycling.

[zgotzilla]

Things to consider. All of the above posts list very important points. By purchasing a smaller cycle such as 250 to 500 you will have a cycle that maintains its value very well. They cost less to insure, help build confidence, have higher trade in value, are easier to sell, easier to maintain, get stunning gas mileage and can last many years if you take care of them.

[zgotzilla]

Fully agree with above post. Honda Aero or Yamaha Star offers very good quality, outstanding cruiser looks, and very reasonable prices. Seems to me Honda and Yamaha have locked up quality, while HD has a reputation for requiring constant repairs. Check how many Honda and Yamaha cycles are on the road or for sale after twenty years. Buy a quality Honda or Yamaha for a fraction of an HD, and enjoy riding your cycle, instead of constantly having to repair it.

[zgotzilla]

in northern Wisconsin they are very hard to come by. I did read somewhere that Honda is going to substantially increase the production of Rebels and other smaller sized bikes for 09. If you can wait you can probably get a new one in a couple of months. Check with various dealers in the area about wait times and prices.

[zgotzilla]

Tragic all the way around. Decades ago when I was a counselor at a summer camp, the owner taught us that when angry “Dont just do something. Stand there.” The inverting of the logic of the old adage about doing something works when rage rears its’ ugly head and shuts down intelligence. Hold off action when the brain shuts down or face disaster…

[zgotzilla]

This is exactly case in northern Wisconsin. If you want a smaller cycle, you will have to wait. There are none on the floor because all arre sold. While finishing the purchase of my new Honda Rebel, a gentleman came in and tried to buy it from me after the dealer told him I had the last one until the next shipment. I have never seen so many cycles on the highway. Good for us. Stay safe, wear your gear.

[zgotzilla]

Glad you posted this. I have a new Rebel that I love, but am looking at my next bike with a bit more power, and started to consider the Aero earlier this week. Now I will look at it in depth. Thanks for the info.

[zgotzilla]

As a newbie I took the MSF, which should be a legal requirement for every single cyclist. However, I failed, and the instructor was right to fail me. As I took the final driving exam, it began to rain heavily. He stopped the test for awhile when it became monsoon like, but when it let up, I had to resume. A very experienced rider dropped his cycle during the emergency stop. This completely blew my confidence, as I had been riding all of one day. I was next up. Kept my head up, hit both front and rear brakes, and downshifted to first, while keeping the cycle in a straight line. However, the distance I took while trying to avoid locking up the wheels or dropping the cycle was way too far. Thought I did good, but the instructor was right to say in an emergency there was no way that amount of distance was acceptable.

Learn from my mistakes, fellow newbies. STOP MEANS STOP.

Here endeth the lesson.

[zgotzilla]

Might want to get on the net and request offers from several dealers in the area. Within 100 miles of where I am dealer prices on new top end cycles have varied as much as three THOUSAND dollars. It will obviously be less for lower end cycles, but shop around. If someone is going to have your money, it should be you. If you can hold out, buy a 2008 shortly after the 2009 models come out. Be a miser in this economy.

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