OT: Getting a Motorcycle

[amg]

Dear Forum,

I need your collective advice and opinions: I'm thinking of getting a motorcycle. Here's the background: I'm turning 40 and right on time, my mid-life crisis hits! Being a good planner, I've taken the MSF course, gotten the motorcycle endorsement on my license and have been riding a scooter to the train station for work and around town for two seasons now. I have a new Moto Guzzi V7 Stone in mind, though something used would fit the bill as well. I'm prepared, though honestly, scared to purchase something that could potentially do a lot of harm to me. Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,

Antonio

[rowdyhillrambler]

2004 Triumph Sprint RS Blue and proud, ridden to you anywhere in the world. Will trade for bike stuff.. It is the 3rd to last bike i have, i have liquidated 25 in thel last year. Jump on it and tell me where to ride it.!

[Jonathan]

2004 Triumph Sprint RS Blue and proud, ridden to you anywhere in the world. Will trade for bike stuff.. It is the 3rd to last bike i have, i have liquidated 25 in thel last year. Jump on it and tell me where to ride it.!

Getting off the net until this moment of weaknes passes.

[rowdyhillrambler]

Buy it, trade it!!! I will ride it back to Orlando, snowy as fuck here in TN. It is not fair..

[David Tollefson]

I have a Suzuki SV650s, and would recommend any of the small V-twin "sporty" bikes to anyone. I've always thought the Guzzi's looked a little goofy with the engine design. The Honda NC700's have some things going for them.

At the latest Int'l Motorcycle show, though, I found my next* motorcycle -- Triumph Thruxton. Sweetness.

* Don't let the word "next" fool you into thinking it'll be any time soon.

[jitahs]

Depends on whether you have any dependents.

Cars are too fast now, people impulsive and inattentive in them, road maintenance pretty poor on highways around here. No.

[al415]

That Guzzi would be a good first bike. It's not likely to bite you in the ass. I loved my Triumph Speed Triple while I had it. It was docile enough to noodle around on yet more than capable of hooning around when the urge took hold. The Guzzi will be of a similar mindset, albeit at about a 7, versus the Triumph's 11.

[rphetteplace]

I did something similar 6-7 years ago. First motorcycle since a dirt bike as a kid I went and bought a Moto Guzzi V11 Scura. It was awesome. Loved it to death, just did not have enough time to ride it. Go for it Guzzi's rock!

[riceburner]

Motorcycles are great fun. With that Moto Guzzi, you are in the price/power/performance/position range of:

Ducati Monster 696
Triumph Bonneville T100
Suzuki SFV650
Yamaha FZ8

I have had/ridden most of these and all are great starter bikes. If you want something more esoteric like the Guzzi or Duc, then make sure you have a real dealer close by for service/parts and get ALL the safety gear, helmet, gloves, padded jackets/pants, boots, etc....

[TMB]

I sort of want a MC and have since my teens. I have never bought one, and now that I have two kids, a wife and house, etc it is unlikely to ever happen.

I have always liked the bikes like the old Suzuki 250's, etc. I had pretty much given up hope of ever seeing something reasonable again.

Standing at the gas station yesterday, I saw one of these roll in ...

Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - Cycles - Products - DR-Z400 - 2013 - DRZ400SM

Lovely. Exactly what a bike should be. Powerful enough to do anything, not so powerful you die on the way home from the dealership. Sort of the Hampsten Strada Bianca of the MC world.

[Too Tall]

Good for you man that will be fun. My first bike was a Honda 500 Silverwing. It was inexpensive to own and stupidly reliable and boring. If I had started with the R100 or the K75 that followed I'd have saved time.
Man I loved that K bike. Predictable and easy to own. They are easy to find well loved for not alot of money and won't kill you because it does not want to go 130 mph in 3rd gear in 3.5 seconds.
Want a clue? Read the classifieds, it is a very telling thing that newish riders sell bikes that do not belong in the hands of new riders.

Dear Forum,

I need your collective advice and opinions: I'm thinking of getting a motorcycle. Here's the background: I'm turning 40 and right on time, my mid-life crisis hits! Being a good planner, I've taken the MSF course, gotten the motorcycle endorsement on my license and have been riding a scooter to the train station for work and around town for two seasons now. I have a new Moto Guzzi V7 Stone in mind, though something used would fit the bill as well. I'm prepared, though honestly, scared to purchase something that could potentially do a lot of harm to me. Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks,

Antonio

[christian]

Antonio - how big are you? The V7 is a lovely bike and Guzzis are stone simple so good bikes to live with. But V7 is small in size (not displacement) for anyone who rides something bigger than a 54-55cm.

[jitahs]

Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - Cycles - Products - DR-Z400 - 2013 - DRZ400SM

Lovely. Exactly what a bike should be. Powerful enough to do anything, not so powerful you die on the way home from the dealership. Sort of the Hampsten Strada Bianca of the MC world.

Don't be fooled -- that thing is so capable in the twisties in the wrong hands it can kill just as fast.

[christian]

BTW, they can bite you -- I had 160,000 accident free miles in 20 years come to an end in February. My front tire hit a patch of ice when I was leaned over in a left-hander. Happened so fast I was on the ground before I could process what happened. Only injury was a turn signal and a clutch lever, but still!

[jitahs]

Another real world story -- splitting lanes (legal here) a 16 year old took me out.

There are all kinds people out there and they're all in cars.

[amg]

Thanks for the advice, all. Riceburner, I certainly do intend to wear all the gear, all the time - no exceptions. I've read most of "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough and plan to read it again, cover-to-cover. An advanced motorcycle safety course is on the agenda as well. I agree, buying a somewhat exotic motorcycle does require having an authorized dealer nearby, which I do (about 20 miles away).

My approach has been not what is the minimum required to get into motorcycling, but rather what else can I do to learn and understand more. I plan to approach this very slowly, step by step.

Antonio

[jitahs]

Thanks for the advice, all. Riceburner, I certainly do intend to wear all the gear, all the time - no exceptions. I've read most of "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough and plan to read it again, cover-to-cover. An advanced motorcycle safety course is on the agenda as well. I agree, buying a somewhat exotic motorcycle does require having an authorized dealer nearby, which I do (about 20 miles away).

My approach has been not what is the minimum required to get into motorcycling, but rather what else can I do to learn and understand more. I plan to approach this very slowly, step by step.

Antonio

Just one quick thing and I'm out: the gear lulls you into a false sense of security and there's nothing intellectually to prepare you for what really happens out there. Low side slide into a tree at speed -- you're a bag of jelly in leathers.

[burgess1108]

First of all, are they dangerous? Yes, they can be. But I can't see how anyone on a bike forum can argue that a motorcycle is any more dangerous than cycling. I've done over 50mph on a bike, wearing only bib shorts and a styrofoam helmet riddled with huge air vents. When I ride the moto, I have full gear; armored jacket and pants, boots and a full face helmet. I'd highly recommend you do, too.

Guzzi's are cool, but if you don't have a good dealer or a competent shop nearby, I'd go with something that's easier to get serviced. But I understand being bitten. I own an MV Agusta Brutale. Like bikes, you can't go wrong with Italian motorcycles for passion, performance and panache.

[amg]

Christian,

I'm 6'0". Yes, the physical size of the V7 Stone is a concern to me. It does appear that I may be a bit too tall for it. This appears to be a problem with motorcycles: the motorcycles best suited to tall riders are usually larger in displacment and power and not suitable for beginners.

[jitahs]

First of all, are they dangerous? Yes, they can be. But I can't see how anyone on a bike forum can argue that a motorcycle is any more dangerous than cycling. I've done over 50mph on a bike, wearing only bib shorts and a styrofoam helmet riddled with huge air vents. When I ride the moto, I have full gear; armored jacket and pants, boots and a full face helmet. In general, life is dangerous. You can live it, or cower inside.

Guzzi's are cool, but if you don't have a good dealer or a competent shop nearby, I'd go with something that's easier to get serviced nearby. But I understand being bitten. I own an MV Agusta. Like bikes, you can't go wrong with Italian motorcycles for passion, performance and panache.

If you're referring to me: duh. The inevitable 97% cheerleading comments will tell the OP what bike to buy. I'll be the 3% with a dose of reality.

I've had a Ducati and don't need to sell job this guy. He'll make his own choice.