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Motorcycles....

Started by Moe Apr 11, 2007 at 9:21 PM 8 replies 1.8k views
Original Post
Moe
Moe
Well, maybe it is just finally starting to get nice outside, but I have been thinking lately about getting my motorcycle license and getting a motorcyle. At this point, I am still thinking about it, but I am interested in hearing what my fellow GameDev'ers think of motorcycles. The one particular bike I had in mind is a Honda CBR-125 (more pictures here. Yes, it is a tiny bike (as far as motorbikes go), but there are a few things that draw me to it. First of all, I am not a big guy (5'10, 150lbs or so), and the biggest motorbike I have ever driven was a 1977 Honda 70cc trail bike (which weighted a ton! Mind you, it topped out at 30 mph on a flat road, 35 mph if you were driving down a hill). I wouldn't want something that could easily smear me on the road. I think it looks quite nice (like the bigger bikes), is apparently quite amazing on gas, and costs a paltry $3500 CDN brand new (from what I have been reading. Price includes a full set of riding clothes, except a helmet). I was talking to some other guys who ride bikes, and they said to go all out and get something bigger - like a 600cc bike. The thing that worries me about a 600 is that it is a lot bigger and heavier of a bike. I wonder if I would be able to lift it back upright if it fell over. That, and price - a 600 is quite a bit more than a brand new CBR125 (unless you find a sweet deal on a used 600). So, I am curious - what do you guys/gals think of this? I know I have seen a few pictures of fellow GameDev members with motorcyles. I am curious to hear your opinion.
outRider
outRider
I'd go for a smaller bike at your size. A bike is already pretty inconvenient, you have to go everywhere with leathers and a helmet, you can't ride it in the winter months, and don't even bother with passengers. To be honest, it's a pretty lousy form of transportation when you think about it (unless you have a car as well)... but it is ridiculously fun and liberating to ride.

There's no sense in adding a bunch of weight that's going to leave you sore to the negative column.

Take a class, get some practice time on their bikes, see how you like it. Courses in Ontario also include a license test, it might be the same deal in Alberta.
gunning
gunning
Motorcycles are a blast and great on gas mileage too! But those bikes are terribly small. You'd be screaming beginner to everyone. If you enjoy the feeling of riding a motorcycle (acceleration, control, openness) get one cerca 600cc. It makes everything better and you won't regret it. And if you like that look, see Ninjas too.
....[size="1"]Brent Gunning
Moe
Moe
outRider: That is one thing that I have thought about - the fact that I would only be able to use a bike 1/3 of the year. Right now I don't have a car, and I mostly rely on riding my bicycle (the kind you have to petal to move[grin]), or catching rides where ever I go.

As for not having a car: at this point it is insurance that is going to kill me. I was looking at purchasing a 2000 Chrysler Neon LE, but the insurance was going to be $138 a month. From what I have heard, bikes are cheaper.

I do like the look of that type of bike, but if I am going to spend $7000 on a new bike, I might as well spend it on a car (and insurance).

Is it possible to find a well-priced used bike?
gunning
gunning
Quote:
Original post by outRider
I'd go for a smaller bike at your size.


Smaller than 125cc?? That can be dangerous. I'm serious. If you're riding the equivalent of a dirtbike on the highway and you're forced to accelerate from 60 to 80 to escape a merging truck that cannot see you, you better darn hope you have the power to do so.

Quote:
Original post by Moe
the fact that I would only be able to use a bike 1/3 of the year.


Depends. There are people who ride bikes almost all year round. You need the right gear and knowledge of how to ride in different weather conditions.

Quote:
Original post by Moe
I do like the look of that type of bike, but if I am going to spend $7000 on a new bike, I might as well spend it on a car (and insurance).

Is it possible to find a well-priced used bike?


Definitely. Many times you can find used bikes in nearly just as good condition as a new for much much cheaper. I used cycletrader and ebay motors.
....[size="1"]Brent Gunning
Moe
Moe
Quote:
Original post by skittleo
Smaller than 125cc?? That can be dangerous. I'm serious. If you're riding the equivalent of a dirtbike on the highway and you're forced to accelerate from 60 to 80 to escape a merging truck that cannot see you, you better darn hope you have the power to do so.

I think outRider meant that I should go for something more like a 125, rather than a 600 (or bigger).

Quote:
Original post by skittleo
Depends. There are people who ride bikes almost all year round. You need the right gear and knowledge of how to ride in different weather conditions.

Well, I can assure you I won't be riding in a snow storm (which is pretty much half the year. Either that, or it feels like half the year [looksaround]).
CadetUmfer
CadetUmfer
Look into an EX250. Cheap (US$2500 new). Great gas. Hits 100mph. Easy to learn, and great fun once you've mastered. Costs me US$260/year to insure :P
Anthony Umfer
GroZZleR
GroZZleR
I'd recommend a smaller bike for a beginner. The last thing you want to have is all the power in the world when you're a cocky amateur. You can and will put your bike on it's side at some point.

Definitely take a course on riding before you do. It's going to teach you a lot of things you might not realize, such as to avoid riding in the centre of the lane for various reasons. It also might include a full-fledged licence test (it does in Ontario) which is a kick ass bonus.
Moe
Moe
Yeah, I think I would definitely want to take a riding course of some sort.

The Ninja 250 does look pretty good! Interesting - the MSRP in Canada is $6,299. In the US: $2,999. Perhaps I should make a trip to the states, if I do decide to go with a bike...
Way Walker
Way Walker
Quote:
Original post by Moe
Yeah, I think I would definitely want to take a riding course of some sort.


I've been thinking about a motorcycle for a while now (mostly haven't gotten one because I don't have the money). From what I've read, courses usually put you on a Honda rebel or other 250cc bike. Given that, my advice would be to take a course, see how you like 250cc, and then decide if you want bigger/smaller than that.

Since I'm not a biker you should take this with a grain of salt, but it seems to me that Kawasaki is the only big name that takes their small (250cc and under) bikes seriously, and one of the few bikes that looks serious, too. I have a friend who is also in the market for a motorcycle, but thinks anything smaller than a Harley with its 96 cubic inches is effeminate. Once we walked by a Ninja 250 and, other than writing it off as a "trick bike", she was impressed.

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