Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602 |
Any chance of actually, oh... testing riding some?
Winnipeg Harley-Davidson brought some Buells with them on the last "Test Our Metal" test ride I went to... about... maybe 5 years ago. They seem solidly built (but again, my knowledge is limited to cruisers... thus the jokes at sport bikes) Didn't take one out, of course... I was with the crusty old farts in the HD rides that went out alternating with them... but I can at least vouch for the crash worthiness of them. One of the youngest kids (18/19?) on the ride ahead of us (from Gaffers at Lockport, Bruce and Chess) decided to drop back in their group and then "catch up" overriding his ability, and put himself and his passenger off the highway, through the ditch across someone's lawn and into their wooden shed. Passenger was on the ground about 60 feet from the scene, looked like the driver just went over the bars. Saw the bike up close on the flat deck afterwards and it looked the best of the three.
That's about all I can contribute.
Bren R.
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
"Any chance of actually, oh... testing riding some?"
Once I get my class M license..........yes, I will test drive all of them and then some.
I guess my real questions are.
1. Which brand is known for reliability.
2. Does anyone have any first-hand experiance with any of the bikes on my list.
I start a motrcycle safety course (that is the riding part and test for a class M license) next weekend and as soon as its done I'll start test riding.
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 915
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 915 |
All I can suggest is before you buy the bike, check for insurance rates first. Around here in Iowa, rates on those bikes are going to be around $500 to $1000+ per year depending on your age, driving record, credit, etc. A "pure" sport bike (crotch rocket) is most likely going to be $2000+. Try State Farm. I don't know how their rates are in your state, but in Iowa, they're great on motorcycles. I've lost a few clients to them (which of course pissed me off!), but I couldn't blame them.
M60s VP150 QS8s Marantz SR6003 Samsung LN52B550 Oppo DV-980H Insignia NS-WBRDVD
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602 |
Speaking of insurance... MPI here doubled insurance on bikes in one year... whatever year we all quit riding.
My buddy's '03 Shadow ACE, cheapest he could get into insurance is $1779.
If you want bikes off the road, just make them illegal.
Bren R.
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Oooh, them's purty!
Bray, you'll get nothing useful from me. I wish you luck and implore you to be safe.
I'm scared of motorcycles. Oh, I understand the economy, the exhilaration, the freedom, the "thereness" of it all. I've just had too many people that are dear to me - responsible grown-ups who are careful - get killed or maimed on motorcycles.
I know I'm not entirely rational, and I'm certainly not trying to convince anybody of anything. We all make choices for ourselves throughout life.
I hope you'll be safe and satisfied, and have lots of fun on your new bike, whatever it is.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 946 Likes: 2
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 946 Likes: 2 |
Bray,
One thing to consider is the comfort factor with these bikes. A friend of mine has one of those crotch rockets (it's lightning fast). He mentioned that the riding position puts a lot of strain on the shoulders, arms and lower back. This was based on an afternoon of riding though. If you are just doing short commutes it would probably be fine.
Cheers,
Shaun
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
JUst make sure you take turns at high enough speed--my boss has a class M, and he was taking a class a few weeks ago.
Up until Monday afternoon, both hands were in casts... and he had to endure a lot of jokes. Certainly not from me, of course.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344 |
Don't expect to save money, if any at all.
Insurance is through the roof, maintenance is high (price a bike tire) and gas mileage is not as good as some cars.
Then again there are still 1,000,000 good reasons why you should get one. Sadly saving money isn't one of them.
Where will you do most of your riding? A 600cc is a great compromise between speed and fun riding, the big bikes are actually a pita in city conditions.
I think I'd make the credibility your local dealer has (they all vary) part of the purchasing equation. Try for an Axiomish dealership.
I don't ride but a friend of mine is an addict, I know he'd say "Honda". Based on looks I'd go with the Yammy.
Getting to 2,000 posts; one year at a time vp160/qs8/qs4/SVS 2000/m60/Monolith 3x200 amp
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344 |
I'm not sure if I'm correct but is this going to be your first bike?
If so I wouldn't recommend any of these bikes. Start out on something at 600cc or less. Ride it for a year and then trade up, your family and friends will thank you.
Getting to 2,000 posts; one year at a time vp160/qs8/qs4/SVS 2000/m60/Monolith 3x200 amp
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Re: Any input on these bikes????
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,805 |
It will be my first "street" bike, but I've had several dirt bikes over the years, so the size of these bikes is fine.
As I said earlier the bikes on my short list are not typical sport bikes in that the riding position isnt leaning forward, its more straight up and down, thats why I chose them.
Gas mileage on these bikes is between 40 and 50 mpg which beats the hell out of the 15 to 18 I get in my truck.
LIFE IS SHORT. DON'T BE A DICK.
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