Nothing excites me. . . .

[Sirref]

^ with the exception of the price tag. Them ducati's are only marginally cheaper than harleys.

[adouglas]

I don't know this first-hand, but I've heard horror stories about the maintenance cost on Ducatis. Cost of parts, etc. The one that sticks in my head is that some guy had to spend HUNDREDS to get his hands on factory service information so he could do his own wrenching. Don't know if it's true but I wouldn't be surprised.

[adouglas]

If you're looking at new bikes and stepping outside the realm of sport/sporty, the new Yamaha triple sure does look like a screamin' deal......

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

As far as not wanting to kill myself, I just don't want something that will launch me into a tree if I go over a pothole and accidentally twist the throttle a bit too much.

Interesting that you put it that way, because I had much the same concern. My 750 is my first supersport (fourth bike) and by FAR the most potent thing I've ever been at the controls of.

My ride home from the dealer, almost exactly a year ago, was an anxious affair. Brand-new bike, brand-new (therefore slippery) tires, zero experience with that much power and torque, and a cold day complete with light snow flurries on top of it.

Now that I have some experience with the bike, I've found that it's really not that hard to manage. I thought it'd be snatchy/twitchy, and that the slightest movement would make the bike want to lift the front end. Not so. It's really no more difficult to ride on the street than the 250 was.

Having said that, I have yet to pin the throttle. I don't think I ever will on the street. I might not even go WOT on the track... we'll see when I get there.

[MR2Aaron]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

So my insurance nightmare is soon coming to an end. I'm expecting to have roughly $5500 to $6000 (claim payout + savings) to spend on a bike. I've already decided not to go back to the 250.

I'd say I'm torn, but that would imply that I want a few motorcycles very badly. The opposite is true. I'm not that wowed by the 300, given the mushy brakes and the fact that everything I've read indicates it's not light-years beyond the 250. I'm very "meh" about it.

I was looking at an HD Iron 883, but those things cost an arm and a leg, even after putting down $5k and having a good credit score.

Don't want to go too big (750 is probably my limit) because I don't want to kill myself, have super high insurance rates, or have a bike that is basically neutered because I'm not riding it to its full potential. Plus MPG is important to me.

Thinking either a 300, a used Shadow (those are dirt cheap, although the only one I really like, the Shadow Phantom, isn't), a Sportster, or an SV650. But the SV650 seems very boring.

Ugh. First World problems, I know, but still. I wish I was excited about something.

So go test ride a bunch of bikes. Most dealers I've been to seem to be perfectly willing to let you test ride used ones.

Given how broad the options you've described is, I'm not sure I can offer much advice on what to look at if none of those appeal to you. Maybe look at ADV bikes like the KLR650?

[KawiKid860]

Maybe you should rethink your perspective? Thinking about riding my crummy old 500 excites me! And riding a new bike? I FREAKING WISH

[xdnxp]

WR250R looks like a fun bike.

[BlackNinja8]

I'm going through a similar thing and I'll probably post a new thread to get my own feedback. But I've noticed so far in my search that if you can narrow down to the kind of bike that feels good to you, you can eliminate 80% of the bikes on the market. Add in your budget, and your size, riding style, and you might be able to narrow it down to 3 or 4 bikes. Then its just a matter of sitting on them and seeing which feels best. I just got home from the dealer not 15 minutes ago, and several bikes I was sure that I would love were immediately eliminated from contention by sitting on them.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by alex.s

after you get finished testing the harleys go find a ducati dealership and test ride the street fighter 848. it's pretty much the exact opposite of a harley in practically every way.

Both are expensive shiny toys that are only practical out of town...

City centre to the twistys on the 848 was a nightmare, once it got out of traffic it was a hoot.

[choneofakind]

Nothing excites you??!?!?!




you know, they make a pill for that.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Both are expensive shiny toys that are only practical out of town...

City centre to the twistys on the 848 was a nightmare, once it got out of traffic it was a hoot.

are you kidding! traffic was the best part of the 848. do you know how many curbs i jumped in that thing?

[Sirref]

Being a naked bike it's probably just as easy to split with as a ninjette too.

Is there a real technique to hopping curbs on a motorcycle? I do it all the time on bicycles but never on a motorcycle.

[choneofakind]

Just don't land on the front wheel.

[250rr]

This borderline excited me.

[Jiggles]

What about boners? Do boners excite you?

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

What about boners? Do boners excite you?

No.


My local kawi guy is able to get me a great deal on a 300 SE with ABS.

Might just go with that. But I am tempted to wait for the new HD Streets, I don't know.

I will have a better idea after this weekend. I'm going to test ride a Harley, a Ducati 848, and a Ninja 650 and 300 again.

Will be a fun weekend at least!

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

...I'm expecting to have roughly $5500 to $6000 (claim payout + savings) to spend on a bike...(

So are you hard over on getting a new bike? Or is a well-cared-for used bike OK?

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by dcj13

So are you hard over on getting a new bike? Or is a well-cared-for used bike OK?

Used is fine.

[dcj13]

I'm comfortable buying older, good condition, lightly used vehicles. A lot of people buy a bike. thinking they're going to enjoy riding. Then, for whatever reason, they don't ride very much.

Good, inexpensive opportunities for us vehicle bottom feeders! And figure you'll spoon on a set of tires, check/adjust the valves, change oil & filters, and replace the chain and sprockets (unless it's a shaftie).

[Han Solo 1]

So I have a great lead on a 2007 Honda Rebel w/ only 750 miles, no dents, faded paint, etc. $1600.

Tempted to jump on this and spend my insurance money on something else, like a nice vacation.

Ugh.

It's just so under-powered. But I will use it mainly to commute. . .

Ugh!!

[Sirref]

Hope you don't commute via highway at all

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by Sirref

Hope you don't commute via highway at all

I live in an area where I can commute via highway and/or back roads, and the travel time is virtually the same, or maybe 5 minutes' difference.

I just don't know. . .

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

So I have a great lead on a 2007 Honda Rebel w/ only 750 miles, no dents, faded paint, etc. $1600.

Tempted to jump on this and spend my insurance money on something else, like a nice vacation.

Ugh.

It's just so under-powered. But I will use it mainly to commute. . .

Ugh!!

You're kidding, right? Tell us you're kidding.

A Rebel will suck your soul dry. It is the epitome of a bike that NO knowledgeable rider wants. I'd rather hang up the helmet and drive.

If the ONLY thing you care about is cheap commuting, get a decent scooter.

[Motofool]

A two stroke 50 cc moped will be a thrill commuter compared to that ............ Honda.

[Han Solo 1]

I know, you guys are right. I had a Rebel for about two weeks when I first got into riding. I hated it so much.

But I'm getting impatient!!!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

I know, you guys are right. I had a Rebel for about two weeks when I first got into riding. I hated it so much.

But I'm getting impatient!!!

Please, read this article:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fe...ha_virago_250/

You will get perennially impatient if you buy and ride one.

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

..............I don't know, I have an appointment this weekend to ride some Harleys, and I will see what's what...............

Did you finally test-ride those Harley's during the weekend?

[Han Solo 1]

How about a 1981 Honda CB400 Cafe Racer in "perfect" condition with everything on it recently changed/cleaned/etc?

Or a 2001 Shadow 600 VLX?

What kind of power, handling am I looking at?

[Ptdoughnut]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

But honestly, I think part of the problem is that the ones that really appeal to me are out of my reach financially, like the 883 Iron, Zx6r, etc.

Sometimes you just have to go for it. Payments with $5000 down on a Zx6r wouldn't be that bad.

[Aggrotech]

Ninjette voted. My option, the Honda 650f was voted best motorcycle for Solo.

Solo must abide by this ruling and buy one asap

[Han Solo 1]

2008 Honda Nighthawk 250?

Were those any good?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

How about a 1981 Honda CB400 Cafe Racer in "perfect" condition with everything on it recently changed/cleaned/etc? ............

A reliable commuter can seldom be an antique bike.

Several time-related things work against reliability: corrosion, polymers' degradation, metals' fatigue, bearings' pitting, etc.

They are all subtle and invisible killers of reliability.

Any well serviced young machine (less than 7~10 years) with moderate (or even high) mileage will serve you well.

There is a reason for old machines to be in museums or garages rather than on the road everyday.

[adouglas]

For commuting:

Newer > older due to reliability

Adequate displacement > gutlessness because fuel economy, while important, cannot displace the utter rage caused by twisting the throttle and experiencing... nothing....

Mild excitement that costs a bit more > than buying the cheapest thing you see because while commuting sucks, it sucks a LOT less on something you actually enjoy riding.

Suck it up, spend a few extra bucks and buy a bike you actually like. Your bladder won't burst if you wait a few weeks for something decent to pop up.

Don't buy somebody else's bag of problems. Be picky.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by adouglas

I don't know this first-hand, but I've heard horror stories about the maintenance cost on Ducatis. Cost of parts, etc. The one that sticks in my head is that some guy had to spend HUNDREDS to get his hands on factory service information so he could do his own wrenching. Don't know if it's true but I wouldn't be surprised.

I know this may be a little late but DO NOT FEAR repairs on a Ducati. I have done most everything on my Ducati myself. I have a bit of experience with working on bikes but I am very far from a Motorcycle Technician. I adjusted the Desmo valves on my 999, which is (was) the top of the line Ducati motor, by myself with just youtube and a Ducati website as my guide. The older Ducatis (916,996,748 and earlier) were way harder to adjust! Ducati has made constant improvements in their maintinance procedures and all the HYPE is mostly from the dealers to get your money. The new bikes don't need anything but oil and belts for 15,000 miles. I can do the belts on my bike in less than an hour start to finish. The belts cost $45 each and last 2 years. All the rest of the maint is the same as the ninja, oil change, brake pads and even the fork oil is as easy to change as the ninja! Tires WILL cost much more but that is directly related to your throttle hand. I am willing to answer any questions on repair and cost for most Ducati models so ask away and don't be afraid they are not as complex as people think. Also the info to do the repairs and maint is readily available online just Google what u need to do and the answers are all in cyber space.

Good luck on your bike hunt, Take your time and make a wise not hurried decision or you will be making it again soon when you sell the bike you don't like.

[Han Solo 1]

Just picked up a used 2009 Shadow Spirit 750.

I think I'll stick with it a while!

[Motofool]

Good decision !!!

The 2009 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 is powered by a 745cc liquid-cooled, carbureted V-twin engine.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

Just picked up a used 2009 Shadow Spirit 750.

I think I'll stick with it a while!

I rode one of these for years and years, one of my favorite bikes.

[Han Solo 1]

Guys, my insurance came through with a lot more cash than I thought it would. Imagine, a 2008 Ninja 250 getting stolen, and getting $4000 in return from the insurance, and that's AFTER the $500 deductible!

When I found out, I started looking at my new/old Shadow and decided I didn't like the forward controls. Put it up on Craigslist and sold it for a little more than I paid, which wasn't much to begin with (I was expecting insurance to screw me over).

Now I have all this money and back to square one.

But still, thank you Progressive!!!!

[alex.s]

you should buy an rsv4!

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by alex.s

you should buy an rsv4!

200 hp? I'd last about two minutes on that!

Great looking bike, though.

[Han Solo 1]

What do you guys think of this:

2013 Ninja 300 SE (green/ebony)
2300 miles
"well maintained" w/ synthetic oil, K&N filter
No drops, no scratches, no dings
Blind spot mirrors
Puppy Foam grips (whatever that means)

$4500?