Thinking about a bike

[Rangermuse]

Well reciently I have really been considering buying a motorcycle to get around on. I love my truck but with all the driving I do I am breaking my bank on gas. Usually I spend about $300 or so a month on gas. So for those of you that do ride to work maybe you can help me out in looking for a bike or narrowing down my options. I would like to stay in or around the $4000 dollar range and I dont need anything really fancy but for sure not a scooter.

I found this and though I may look into it further but let me know your thoughts all.

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/805701230.html

Thanks
Ory

[Warrlord]

My buddy had one of those for a couple years & he loved it. It never failed him. The only reason he got a bigger bike was for the looooong trips him & his wife were going on.

What's your riding experience? If it's been a long time or your first bike, I'd strongly suggest taking the MSF Course (http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx). There's a lot of cagers out there that don't see motorcyclists & those that don't care if they see them. That course teaches riding skills & defensive tactics.

I know what you mean about the gas thing. I've been riding since '82 so I've always had one since then but now I'm really glad I have it. I spend $70 a week on gas if I drive my truck. Now, I spend $15.00 every week & a half riding the cycle to & from work. I'm still gonne ride it in the winter except when the roads are icy/slushy/snowy.

[Rangermuse]

My riding experience is not to strong so I am going to take a class regardless of what I get. I have found a few bikes in the denver area for around 4k that look really clean but I think it would save me a ton of cash in the long run.

What do members on here ride...

[bronc_17113]

That looks like a good bike. I sold my wing last yr :(

[Warrlord]

What do members on here ride...

I ride this..........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/Warrlord/Motorcycles/strat5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/Warrlord/Motorcycles/strat2.jpg






'06 Yamaha Stratoliner, 113 cubic inch Vtwin, air cooled, pushrod engine. (http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelvideo/482/592/0/video.aspx)




.

[bronc_17113]

I ride this..........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/Warrlord/Motorcycles/strat5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/Warrlord/Motorcycles/strat2.jpg






'06 Yamaha Stratoliner, 113 cubic inch Vtwin, air cooled, pushrod engine. (http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelvideo/482/592/0/video.aspx)




.
I've been known to drol over that

[84broncoII]

Those kinda bikes are very pretty .and usually dependable I look at things like everything is a status symbol and so I really dont care what other people think about who I am or what I drive .that is why I havent sold all My trucks and just simpoly financed a really flashy one .to the chagrin of many counterparts Ive met in My life everyone of them have said the same thing why don t you sell that thing or those things and buy a pretty one LOL I laugh because I know people that do that and then spend more time and money either continuosly trading or working on a complete lemon .
in efrfect if I were to have 4000 or 5000 to spend on a vehical I would consider My options and find something that has low milage first priority .and then consider why im buying it if it is really to save money get the ugliest one that still runs with low milage they are usually the cheepest and with a little work they can become a great investment for little money .
A sugestion duel pourpose bikes often have a really shitty resale value and can be had for a dream .look at four strokes because they have potential lifespans of that of a streetbike with a sticker price of a pile of junk .another advantage is in the total fun factor they can commute to work and they can take all your free time in the dirt having a ball .The really bad part of bikes in general is in the parts they cn be very expensive four or five times that of what a car part would cost so keep this in mind as far as cosmedics and the availability or aftermarket parts they are usually cheeper by two thirds of what dealer parts are .
one example is shocks shock for a truck good 70 bucks factory shock for a bike 700 bucks fender for a truck good 150 fender for bike from dealer 150 which one is bigger ? one is made of mettle and the other one is made of plasticlike a liter bottle of coke cola ???

lOL rant over I made My choice and for 500 bucks I have a bike to ride on the street and played with in the dirt it also has a good aftermarket selection for most exturnal components as well as used parts from places like craigs and e-bay

[Hypoid]

That's a whole lotta bike there.

Just how far do you commute? What kind of roads/driving?

[shawns 64 F100]

nice bikes for sure, I really am missing mine this year as well, even though I dot have any time to ride and all of my riding pals have moved on. Ranger, If you dont mind me suggesting to you, I have been riding before I could walk, I had a bike before I had a bicycle even, and my honest opinion to a younger rider with not alot of experience, Especially on the roads these days is to find a smaller bike to put around on, something not too big and bulky say a 750 or smaller but no smaller than a 400-450 CC engine. this gives you more comfort when riding around town as you adjust to the "ways of the roads" then maybe later on when you have more comfort go find yourself a nice beefy cruiser with a ton of power to tear it up!! j/k be carefull

Now. I dont know how much driving you do weekly but I put a good 400 miles a week in my pickup, Hauling tools in the back, and I know it would take a looooooong time to recover the funds saved by going with a bike on days I dont need all of my tools. Especially since we arent in a year long summer state. just something else to consider. Happy hunting
Shawn

[bronc_17113]

I would concor somethin in the 500-800 cc make a great beginner bike. Not so much power that your killin yourself but still enough that u cankeep up on the interstate

[Warrlord]

I know it would take a looooooong time to recover the funds saved by going with a bike on days I dont need all of my tools. Especially since we arent in a year long summer state. just something else to consider. Happy hunting
Shawn

There's a plus side to taking a long time to recover gas savings funds.....................Riding a bike in the Rockies is pure enjoyment. Him & his woman could take enjoyable day rides or weekend trips without having to drop $70-$80 in the tank of his truck while spending about $24 to cover that same amount of miles.

Last year, I knew two people that wanted to get a motorcycle to save gas. One bought used, the other bought new. However, making the payment on the new one didn't save him anything along with insurance (even though it's cheap on a bike, it adds to the overall cost of operation). But............both of those guys found out that they enjoy riding so much now, they kick theirselves for not getting one sooner in their lives. What I mean, is............it may start out as a "gas saving idea" but it'll progress into pretty much a full time transportation & recreation activity during the fair weather months. :)

Last Saturday the 23rd, I did our annual 5 states in 1 day ride. Covered 667 miles, spent $53 on the gas for it. If I took my truck or the Bronco, I would've spent $178 to cover the same amount of miles.

All the motorcycles I've had were bought for recreational activities. Using it during $4.00 a gallon gas prices is just a bonus for riding it to & from work.

[foxfire]

I have had Honda shadows for many years and the one you are looking at on greags list looks good. It's a 750 perfict for a starter bike and it looks like it has all the goodys on it so you will not spend alot on them. The price is right. Thos bags installed are around $600 new. The bike will last forever and it will resale great when you move up. go for it and have fun

[Rangermuse]

I think a 750 would be a good starter bike for sure this bike has a lot to offer and I wouldnt need to to any upgrades as it sits now, Insurance is going to run me about 50 a month since I am only 21 but I can live with that. I may even consider something a little bit cheaper just to see how it goes, I dont want to buy a bike and then have to upgrade right away though I want something I can grow into and will grow with me.

Thanks for all the input guys it helps a lot we will see how it goes but if I do end up getting a bike I will try and commute all the time as long as the roads are clear of ice I dont drive far but I drive short distances a lot which hurts the pocket book on gas. I have been looking for a long time now and I think this may be the way to go

On the other hand I worry because I am in college and I would like to secure a job for after graduation before I make an investment like this I dont want to be worried about money when bills come due so I am going to really weigh my options good before I just jump in

[bronc_17113]

if its up north here let me know and I'm more than happy to go look at it with u

[Rangermuse]

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/813010327.html

Here is another option little more miles little less money but with a warranty who knows

[foxfire]

no saddle bags can be a pain in the butt. but the price diff. is good. this also is a good bike. notice the handle bar arangement you need to go sit on afew and see what feels good to you then nerow your search. I would be glad to look at them with you when i'm in town

[Rangermuse]

That would help a lot if ppl want to check them out with me, I may look at one when I am down in the springs this friday and see what I think. A Yamaha vstar 2001 650cc 3700 bucks 300 miles on her

[foxfire]

look close at the v-star. they have a tranny problem. but with 300 miles hmmmmm. also 650 is a liitle small. yamaha is already an under powered bike. remeber engine size and H.P. are 2 vary diff. things

[Rangermuse]

3000 miles I meant ha I will take a look for sure though thanks for the input

[foxfire]

:thumbsup: :laughing2: 3000 miles I meant ha I will take a look for sure though thanks for the input

[bronc_17113]

look close at the v-star. they have a tranny problem. but with 300 miles hmmmmm. also 650 is a liitle small. yamaha is already an under powered bike. remeber engine size and H.P. are 2 vary diff. things
i would have to disagree. 650 will be plenty for him and yamaha is also one of the better built ricer bikes out there.

[84broncoII]

One thing about those pretty bikes is how good is it going to look to You when You lay it down .Notice I said when and not if You lay it down .every one dumps sooner or later .Dont forget it is a bike with two wheels .consider how much the bike wieghs read the book /owners manual it may weigh 500lbs and You'd need a towtruck if it went over .modern dirt bikes can also weigh quite a bit up to 300lbs with equipment .they are usually more forgiving in the lay it over factor and the parts are cheeper to replace and if you cant pick it up by yourself You could probly find someone to help you .
My niebor dumped His bike coupla weeks ago .He considers himself to be an expierenced rider and I know him to be very conservative .He owns a suzuki 650 ricer with all that fiberglass and He rides it everyday .he scratched His glass and broke a turnsignal strained His shoulder and tore His jacket )He wears a nice racers jacket with pads everywhere some of them probly saved Him from more serious injury .He was making a very slow turn and near the house they recently tore up the street and left some gravel so at about 2 miles an hour He dumped it .cost so far without paint or bodiework 80 for the turn lenzes 600 for the jacket .

I have ridden bikes for years totaling 15 yrs most of it dirt riding about 5 yrs on the street .I admite Im a little crazy like evil conevil crazy LOL .Ive already dumped My new to Me dirtbike about 10 times .I like to race it in the dirt as fast as i can and jump and try to crimb hills and challange My abilities all the time Im riding .My relativly new tires when i bought the bike will be replaced with new ones this week as i have already wore then out .
front and rear cost Me 100.00 mounted and ballanced .normal cost would be about 100 each but I bought cheepest dirt only tires I could find as that is where My interest lies .Other carnage consists of paint t ups I use a rattle can and turn signals hand grips and some bodiework on My headlight fairing a new front fender and two mirrors welded the shift lever and the kickstand and bought a coupla spare front levers for the brake clutch and I broke My choke lever that is mounted on the handlebars .
The kind of riding i do I ride for two or three hours and then Im sore all over like a just swam laps in the pool or ran a 5 mile marathon .
Ive skinned My elbo and bumped My head inside My helmet scratched My helmet and strained My wrist and My ankle also My shoulder and bent My knee backwards all in the last two months Im all healed now and still riding its a good thing I usually know how to fall.:D "Tuck and rol Man" :"Tuck and roll:. LOL !

Also consider riding apparel I have of course My helmet most important and goggles ,gloves and good boots I got a pare of O-Neal MX boots the otherday a steel @ 50.00 .pants with pads and reinforced seams 100 bills a chest protector for the times when the guy in front of Me is roosting Me I also got a kidney belt as My family is prone to hernia and lower back problems .now when i go riding I look like some alien matadore ready to ride the bull from Hell LOL:twocents:

[Warrlord]

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/813010327.html

Here is another option little more miles little less money but with a warranty who knows

Personally, I like the first one better because it already has saddle bags so you can carry stuff & has a crash bar just incase it ever gets dropped, damage to your bike is minimal compared to without one. You could get bags anywhere from $200 (cheap ass bags that'd eventually rip apart from wind & weather) to $600 (nice quality bags). Crash bars run from $130 to $200 depending on style & brand. For comfort on long rides, you could add floorboards (http://www.jpcycles.com/groups.aspx?LID=d98a939a-97aa-4b7a-bb51-bc2c4adfc06a&DID=fcce0597-3765-4ba0-8d4e-6619b1e1f390) and highway pegs (http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=5F4FC8EB-3350-4604-95E9-263679D9F6D4) to the crash bar. there are less expensive brands but Kuryakyn is quality.

Also, either of those Hondas could have 40,000+ miles on them & they'd still be very dependable as long as the previous owner took care of 'em.

My brother had a Vstar 650 & it was underpowered on the highway, almost full throttle required at 75mph. The 750 Honda Shadow doesn't have that issue.

but yamaha is already an under powered bike

Depends on models, not brands. The Vstar 650 is a toad, the mid 90's 1600 carburated Road Stars were toads.

My Road Star Warrior wasn't a toad, I ran a 12.91 at Pueblo on it when they're rated at 12.57 at sea level.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/Warrlord/Motorcycles/Warrior1.jpg

On my Strato, I ran a 12.79 at Pueblo when they're rated at 12.24 at sea level. I beat my freind Neal's '05 Honda VTX1800 on both bikes, the best he got was a 13.33. I also beat my freind Chris's '07 Screaming Eagle 110ci Road King on the Strato, the best he got was a 12.84. I'll take my STOCK under powered $12,000 (I didn't pay MSRP) Yamaha over his FACTORY SOUPED UP $33,000 Harley any day :D :)

[foxfire]

Personally, I like the first one better because it already has saddle bags so you can carry stuff & has a crash bar just incase it ever gets dropped, damage to your bike is minimal compared to without one. You could get bags anywhere from $200 (cheap ass bags that'd eventually rip apart from wind & weather) to $600 (nice quality bags). Crash bars run from $130 to $200 depending on style & brand. For comfort on long rides, you could add floorboards (http://www.jpcycles.com/groups.aspx?LID=d98a939a-97aa-4b7a-bb51-bc2c4adfc06a&DID=fcce0597-3765-4ba0-8d4e-6619b1e1f390) and highway pegs (http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=5F4FC8EB-3350-4604-95E9-263679D9F6D4) to the crash bar. there are less expensive brands but Kuryakyn is quality.

Also, either of those Hondas could have 40,000+ miles on them & they'd still be very dependable as long as the previous owner took care of 'em.

My brother had a Vstar 650 & it was underpowered on the highway, almost full throttle required at 75mph. The 750 Honda Shadow doesn't have that issue.



Depends on models, not brands. The Vstar 650 is a toad, the mid 90's 1600 carburated Road Stars were toads.

My Road Star Warrior wasn't a toad, I ran a 12.91 at Pueblo on it when they're rated at 12.57 at sea level.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/Warrlord/Motorcycles/Warrior1.jpg

On my Strato, I ran a 12.79 at Pueblo when they're rated at 12.24 at sea level. I beat my freind Neal's '05 Honda VTX1800 on both bikes, the best he got was a 13.33. I also beat my freind Chris's '07 Screaming Eagle 110ci Road King on the Strato, the best he got was a 12.84. I'll take my STOCK under powered $12,000 (I didn't pay MSRP) Yamaha over his FACTORY SOUPED UP $33,000 Harley any day :D :) I agree and I should have been more spacific I was refurring to the modle not yamaha's in Gen.

[foxfire]

soo what did you figure out?

[Rangermuse]

Well I have some cash saved up but I think I am going to stick it in a savings and add to the pile till Jan. or Feb. time frame then go from there, I will have a lot more to spend and I will have time to do more research and find exactly what I want.

Ill keep everyone posted though. Thanks guys