We Kid You Not Childfree Forums

Any motorcycle riders here? If so, what do you ride? Got a favorite bike (if not the one you already ride)?

I'm about to get my first bike, and I am psyched!
DH had a sport bike, but on impulse and under peer pressure from a friend who rode a cruiser, he bought a cruiser after we returned from deployment. He sold his sport bike and never quite liked his cruiser the same way. It's been pretty lonely and barely ridden for almost two years, but we just made some new friends who have a cruiser and we all went out riding over the holiday weekend. Now DH is more into his bike and ready to do some upgrades, and I'm raring to go on my own cruiser.
I had resigned myself to eventually getting a sport bike when he traded in/sold the cruiser, but now that I can have a cruiser, I'm super excited. I'm going to take a class first, of course, but we're checking the classifieds and pricing out bikes for me. Since I will start on something used and relatively small in stature and engine size, it's going to be something we can pay for outright.
I'm soooo excited about this!
DH has a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak. I'm looking at something in the 600cc range; either a Honda Shadow or Suzuki Boulevard (although there is a Savage we might check out on Craig's list if the guy calls me back) most likely.

Awwww, those bikes are cute! I actually like the lack of chrome on the Vulcan.

DH's isn't black like the new one, though he also likes the look in black. His is a 2006, and does have more chrome. It's also red and black, but not in the same patterns as the one in the picture.

I just called the place for the bike classes (well, a place- it's not the only gig in town, but it lets me skip all the testing at the DMV), and the only weekend classes left are in August, one of which, I can't go to, so I might have to slip out of the office a little early to make it down to register. I don't know why, but they did away with online registration... grr.

I have a Kawasaki Eliminator 250cc. Bought it used a couple years ago in mint condition, low mileage at an awesome price. It's a cruiser. I am also contemplating on buying a sportier model, the new Kawi Ninja 250. I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course at a local college, and after passing the practical riding test, was endorsed with my license on the spot. And I also took a motorcycle maintenance course with DBF in the fall of 2006. I got to do some really cool work on my bike, including replacing my fork springs. Pain in the ass of a job, but totally worth it as I felt the difference when riding it home that night. Daria, is the MSF course the one you're taking? If not, I highly recommend it. Good luck! Motorcycling is awesome, welcome aboard!!!

You probably won't think it counts, but I ride a Vespa. But in the eyes of the law, motorscooters fall under the same motorcycle laws, and I wear all the same gear. People think because they're different and smaller that they're safer, like a toy or something, but you take them out on the road with everyone else, you can go 70 mph or more, you can get killed just as dead.

I started riding in 2005, I took the MSF course in 2006 (I was on a waiting list for months), and I have to know all the same stuff motorcycle riders know.

I've got a Vespa GTV 250cc, the green one. It's really smooth and fun to ride. The best thing is that modern Vespas are automatic transmission. I've never had any kind of manual transmission in my life, so when I took the MSF course, I learned on a regular motorcycle with gears. The experience taught me that I will never shift another gear again as long as I live. I have other priorities!

If I had stupid money to blow on a regular motorcycle someday, I'd totally have one custom made by these guys: Ridley Automatic Motorcycles. They make automatic transmission motorcycles and they're pretty cool. And damned expensive.

Anastasia, lovely Vespa! I always liked the green one. DBF is thinking of getting one because he wants to use it to commute to work now that his job is closer to home.

Kawi, I'm not sure if it's connected to the MSF, as I don't remember seeing it anywhere in the literature, but the course I'm taking will also get me completely licensed up at the end of it. I got into a July class, but I have to take it during the week; which means I'll be working some magic between flex time and leave... heh.
We're going to check out the 2003 Suzuki Savage from Craig's list tonight.

Since I can't get into the class until July, I'm going to do all the regular stuff through DOT to get my permit and just learn/pratice with DH until the class.


Anastasia, I won't tell DH, but I personally think a scooter counts if it's over 200cc. And yours is quite pretty.