I've been considering getting an added mode of transportation with much better gas mileage.
These make up my short list. Anyone with experiance or knowledge of these?
1. Kawasaki Z1000
2. Buell XB12X
3. Honda 919
4.Yamaha FZ1
Red is a cool color, but the blue matches your eye.
Does that help?
"Does that help? "
Tons. Thanks.
In reply to:
Red is a cool color, but the blue matches your eye.
...which is a good reason to get the red. People will already be calling your sexual orientation into question with the dryhumping of the tank and the rump in the air from riding a, er... (I'll use the PC term) "sport bike"... coordinating eye colour and bike colour ain't gonna help your situation.
Bren R.
Man......... you guys are a wealth of information.
I'm not sure if I could make a decision without you.
What's un-PC about "crotch rocket"??
2005 Honda Interceptor
Hi Bray,
THAT would be my choice if I want a reliable, sporty all-rounder, which I am assuming is what you are looking for. These babies have an awesome reputation as all-rounders. Ofcourse they would not be a match to the Crotch Rocket or the Gixxer but then hey, you wouldn't want them for commuting, would you?!
For pure looks, I like the blue and red the least. The Buell or Yamaha, to me, look the most agressive. The Honda Interceptor is a nice option too.
To me a "pure" sport bike (like the Interceptor) isnt a comfortable ride.
The bikes on my short list are what are being referred to as european sport bikes or naked sport bikes or even standard bikes. In general you sit a bit more upright and the foot pegs are more under you than behind you like a "true" sport bike but not in front of you like a cruiser (which I havent totally ruled out).
I like #2! But I know nothing about bikes!
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Never much cared for crotch rockets. They and I = certain death. Had a V65 magna once and figured I had no business at 145mph with only two points of contact so I got rid of it. Ride a fat boy now. Be careful on it if you haven’t ridden much. Take it slow and get used to it. They ain’t dirt bikes.
Just picked up a 05 KX 250. Love it. Night and day difference with it and the 02. Tried the thumpers, but figured I’d kill myself on one of them too. Plus, I like to keep the throttle pinned and power shift. Can’t do that with the four strokes.