Motorcycles

[Earcutter]

Well, after years of talking about it, I decided now was the time to do something about it. Again. When I moved to KS I was pretty excited about the long riding season, so the first thing I did was sign up to get licensed. Everything was fine until my instructor (just before the test I might add) told me to try taking the corner faster. I gladly obliged, the did something stupid and high sided the bike. I couldn’t take the test, my right hand no longer worked. That was 13 years ago lol!

I‘m taking the class again April 8 to 11. I’m pretty excited! Moreover, I already bought a starter bike.

It’s a Kawasaki Z400. It’ll do everything I need it to do until I’m ready to buy my “forever“ bike I figure. Should be fun too! Especially commuting to and from work.

I’m buying gear too - man I forgot how expensive it is to get into a new hobby. Helmet, Jacket, gloves. I got an airbag too! Why not? It’s just a vest I wear under my jacket! Pretty painless!

Any of you just getting started? Any old vets?

 

[MikeyS]

This will be 17 years on a bike for myself. Excellent starter bike as well. My first was a 1993 ninja 500 that was a hoot to ride. Currently have a 2000 yamaha R6 for special rides and the “daily” is a 2008 CBR1000RR modded fairly heavy. Only pic I have right now, pardon the garage clutter. I work on motorcycles and quads on the side.

 

[Lightcs1776]

I had a Yamaha XJ750 for several years. It was a fun bike to ride locally, but not great for more than an hour or so. The seat wasn't all that comfortable. I upgraded to a Vulcan Nomad 1600, which was fantastic until some idiot ran me into the median of the highway. It made my riding less confident and less enjoyable, so I sold the bike. Might get another one some day, but not anytime soon.

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[Earcutter]

I had a Yamaha XJ750 for several years. It was a fun bike to ride locally, but not great for more than an hour or so. The seat wasn't all that comfortable. I upgraded to a Vulcan Nomad 1600, which was fantastic until some idiot ran me into the median of the highway. It made my riding less confident and less enjoyable, so I sold the bike. Might get another one some day, but not anytime soon.

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That would freak anyone out.

 

[rbscebu]

I drove cars until 24yo then switched to motorcycles and they have been my only mode of road transport ever since. In order, my motorcycles have been:

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Honda CT 90​

Kawasaki Z200​

Honda RS 250​

Yamaha TW 200​

Honda CB 400​

BMW K100​

BMW K100RT (in Singapore)​

Suzuki DL650 (Vstrom)​

Yamaha YBR 125G (current in Philippines)​

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The most enjoyable motorcycle to ride out of the above was the Vstrom, the best for touring outback Australia. The K100RT was also good for riding through the SE Asian mainland while my current YBR 125G is ideal for Philippines roads and traffic.​

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I have only been hospitalised four time due to coming off my motorcycles.​

 

[Earcutter]

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I have only been hospitalised four time due to coming off my motorcycles.​

Damn! Living in America, I doubt highly I could afford the second time. Or if I could even afford a bike after the first!

 

[Beefdrippings]

Good luck on the test! There is nothing that gives me the feeling that riding does. Currently own a 2010 DR650 and a ‘79 shovelhead chopper.

 

[rbscebu]

Damn! Living in America, I doubt highly I could afford the second time. Or if I could even afford a bike after the first!

My last hospitalization was in 2008 after hitting a dog while touring Mindanao Island, Philippines on a borrowed bike in 2008. It is actually cheaper to stay in a hospital in the Philippines than in a 4-star hotel. In 2008, Makati Med Hospital, Manila, was charging PHP 2,800 per day (private room with en suite and meals) and my normal hotel in Manila was PHP 3,100 per night (without meals).

 

[AZBronco]

I’ve owned a Kawasaki Vulcan, Honda Shadow, Honda CTX and currently ride a Can Am Ryker. I know some people don’t view those of us on 3 wheels as riding real bikes. And honestly when I drove it home from the dealer I was thinking “what have I done?!” But it’s the funniest toy I’ve owned.

Good luck on the test, have fun, and be safe out there!

I’m

 

[rbscebu]

Not quite a true motorcycle, but this is what I ride to get around the subdivision in which I live and take me to the local shops.

With my fat arse on it, the 36V scooter travels 35km on one charge, top speed of 45kph and will climb a 30deg incline. Cost USD 335 including deliver from Manila.

Good fun.​

 

[luv2shave]

I am planning to buy a modern retro for my 49th birthday!

A Royal Enfield v-twin 650 cc. Royal Enfield is the oldest existing motorcycle manufacturer in continuous production in the world!

I hope to discover and live out some elements from the classic book - Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert Pirsig, on of those leisure rides through abandoned old country side roads.

Not my ride ....

 

[luv2shave]

Jay Leno's review of this engine. I am buying it purely for the retro feel and exhaust note which is amazing.

 

[Lefonque]

My shovelhead

 

[Beefdrippings]

At the last Int’l bike show pre covid I checked out the new Enfields. Some of of them are really nice and big improvement on what they were in years past. I really liked the blacked out Himalayan

Jay Leno's review of this engine. I am buying it purely for the retro feel and exhaust note which is amazing.

 

[Beefdrippings]

I’d rock that. That’s a pretty impressive top speed

Not quite a true motorcycle, but this is what I ride to get around the subdivision in which I live and take me to the local shops.

With my fat arse on it, the 36V scooter travels 35km on one charge, top speed of 45kph and will climb a 30deg incline. Cost USD 335 including deliver from Manila.

View attachment 1243374
Good fun.​

 

[rbscebu]

I’d rock that. That’s a pretty impressive top speed

Yes, I was also surprised with the top speed. Motor is 400W (0.53hp) and the scooter weighs 16kg including battery.

Most of my "scootering" is done in the 15kph to 25kph range. It takes about 5 hours to charge the battery from empty.

 

[Ad Astra]

Great thread! Love to see 'em.


AA

 

[Earcutter]

I hope to discover and live out some elements from the classic book - Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance by Robert Pirsig, on of those leisure rides through abandoned old country side roads.

I’ve tried to read that book multiple times. I could just never get through it.

 

[Legion]

Damn! Living in America, I doubt highly I could afford the second time. Or if I could even afford a bike after the first!

I started paying for private health insurance and ambulance cover in about the same week as I bought my motorbike.

I rode it for several years in my twenties, then, moving around from one state to another, it got put into storage for a decade and a half. Recently I bought a house with plenty of storage space, so it has a new home, even though it is not registered or running. I might make it a retirement project, who knows?

 

[Lefonque]

I had a Honda 4 back in the late 70s. Loved it!