First motorcycle?

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

I want to get a motorcycle. Hopefully to save money on gas in the long run driving to the dz, and also for fun. Can some experienced bikers tell me what a good first bike would be? I'd like a crotch rocket of some sort, small, quiet, easy to handle, excellent on gas, and cheap (i dont know prices very well, but i was told there are some good ones around the $2,000 mark.) Any suggestions?

[shropshire 0]

Have you been trained to ride already? What experience do you have? What size are you? What distance/type of roads will you likely be riding?

There's LOADS of variables.

If by Crotch Rocket you mean performance sport bike, then if you have no previous experience, I'd have to recommend against it.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

im 5' 10"

130 lb's

no experience, other then a pedal bike

im mostly going to ride through country roads and small towns, very little traffic

if i happen to get my permit before im done with my aff at the other dz, i'll be riding on the turnpike, roughly 65 miles on the turnpike.

it takes about 40 minutes going to the closer dz, going the speed of maybe 50/60 mph

[shropshire 0]

Have you thought about a Trailie? Nice option for a beginner and long legged!!

I started on one (blllllaaa years ago) It was great for road and off-road and gives a commanding view of the road.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

are they common? and what models would you suggest?

[shropshire 0]

Very common (over here in the U.K and Europe in general).
I was partial to Yamaha; I started on a DT175 (Now I'd look at the XT250) but I'd also look at KTM too (250 is a grat size for learning on, I'd say).

Shop around see what your local dealers sell.

Have fun and get some great training.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

thanks :>

[airdvr 210]

Get the most powerful rice-burner you can get your hands on and then ride fast and take chances. Everybody's doin' it!

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

lol ya, i'll start off by throwing hot coffee into a cops open window and see if i can get away from him without killing myself

[cocheese 0]

Get a rig and 100 jumps first.

It will make you a better rider.

It will also help you decide if you really want to go horizontal skydiving with the the general public.

[Bolas 5]

As a brand new rider this is what I did:

1. Got training - I took a motorcycle safety class to learn the basics of riding. They even provided the bikes: 250 Nighthawk.

2. Went small and cheap - I'm 6'2" and I bought an old Honda 350. Figured it's a good starter bike and I can either hang onto it and start the collection or turn around and sell it for most if not all what I paid for it. Plus, should I drop it, I won't be out alot of $$$.
The other thing about not having the extra power I'm not ready for yet, is I can't accidentally use it.

3. Getting good protection - I'll be getting a some good protection with some padding/armor. Pants,jacket,gloves.

4. Being realistic - I eventually want to take it to the DZ and such, but I know I'm no where near ready for that yet. Luckily there's lots of country roads out where I live. It'll be a while before I take it much further than the store, work, etc. and even longer before I venture towards a highway.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[AggieDave 6]

I'd recommend something with two wheels.

Beyond that, are you going to be in town or any track days or any long rides? In town you could get something in the 250-500cc range and sip gas all day long, even if it looks lame and can't hang on the highway.

Have you taken a MSF course? You should. Also read Proficient Motorcycling.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

I'm going to be on open country roads for the most part, very very little traffic. Speed limit of 45/50 pretty much the whole way there.

My father's friend, who has been abiker for most of his life, said i should get a bike with at least 650 cc's.
He said that getting a yamaha xt250 wouldnt be that smart, since its an off/on road bike. he said the tires arent great for the road and it doesnt have the power i'd want on the highway for where i'd want to go.he also said that you dont need to take any tests to get the permit, you just go and apply for it. Is this true?

Also, i might be looking at bikes tomorrow, and if i get one and a permit, i'll have the option to go to the dz on it (the one that is further away). i have to go on the turnpike for 65 miles to get there, and i doubt i'll be ready for that. The speed limit there is 65. When do you guys think i'll be ready for that?

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

ive seen stories of people's main deploying on the highway going 80, didnt pan out too well :

Really? Where? I've only been in the sport for a bit over 8 years, but I can't think of any of the stories off hand, I can only think of a couple of "my friend's brother's cousin's friend named Duane told him once..." stories told by whuffos.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

nevermind, i never saw it.

[AggieDave 6]

Please link to a real story. I just did a DZ.com search a few different ways and found nothing.

I believe that you are propagating a whuffo myth. Don't worry about a motorcycle, jump more and un-whuffo yourself.

If you can post a link to two separate incidents, then I will apologize. I would say only one, but your initial statement made it seem like a dozen people have had an accident due to an accidental deployment while riding a motorcycle.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

.

[JumpinJim1 0]

I have rode for the better part of 25 years. Started with a dirt bike and currently ride a Goldwing. I average around 15,000 miles a year which is more than most of my friends who ride. So here is my experience talking, taking it for what it is worth. You wouldn't dream of jumping out of an airplane alone for the first time so you took the AFF class. Do the same thing. Don't buy the motorcycle until you have taken a motorcycle riders class. Than it will be easier for you to decide what is most comfortable for you. Everyone has a certain comfort level on a bike. Secondly it will give you time to talk to people and get personal information about what you are buying.
The next thing you need to understand is that the chances are you will have an accident. The accident may be a small as dropping the bike in the middle of an intersection while trying to avoid a car to an actual crash. I have gotten to the point that I look inside the cars that I am ready to pass to see if the driver is on the cell phone. I don't assume anyone is stopping at an intersection even if they have a red light and I alway work on keeping an escape route out for the people who either fail to stop behind you or change lanes into you. It happens. People are not very observant so you have to be.
That being said, it is like the sport of skydiving. Get trained, be safe and be smart. Stay one step ahead of danger by using your brains and it is the best way to travel.
My opinion on first bikes is that 250 is a tad light if you are going to drive on roads that speeds exceed 60 or if there are hills. I would probably stay around the 650 to 800cc size for the first bike. I would not buy a new bike because it will be just like a skydive rig. You will outgrow it in a year or two. I also would not buy a sport bike for the first bike. They have great speed off of the line and are very agile. But it will put you in a situation that you will not have the experience to handle. Your friends won't laugh at you when you cruise on your cruiser. And when you do get the new or newer sport bike you will live long enough to enjoy it.
Just my thoughts

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

Thank you for the response, it is very useful.

Just to be sure, the yamaha xt250 bike, does the 250 part mean 250 cc's? and what does cc stand for?

And for the training, would the dmv be the place to go for the bike training? The same place i got my ppermit and driver's license?

Last thing, about the bike permit, is there a test for it or do i just go up and apply for it? My father's friend said he never took a test for it, but that was a while ago.

sorry for all the questions :\

[SarahC07 0]

Dude, I'm glad YOU asked this and not me (i'm semi looking at getting a motorcycle, too). Some of the responses in this thread are h a r s h.

Best of luck and let me know what you decide on.

[Squeak 17]

Quote

Thank you for the response, it is very useful.

Just to be sure, the yamaha xt250 bike, does the 250 part mean 250 cc's? and what does cc stand for?

sorry for all the questions :\

thispart here, indicates to me that you really need to do a course before you even start to look for a bike.
or you're trolling

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

i read over this site a lot, ive read a lot of threads, i didnt try to memorize the thread it was in. sorry, believe it or not.

But you said that you found it searching on the site...I'd love to see a link from one of those searches.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

i cant get a link, i was wrong. i never saw it. you're right.

[Bolas 5]

Quote

Dude, I'm glad YOU asked this and not me (i'm semi looking at getting a motorcycle, too). Some of the responses in this thread are h a r s h.

Best of luck and let me know what you decide on.

I wouldn't say harsh. More concern. Very similar to a jumper that wants to downsize. Make them aware of what they know and what they don't know and need to learn. Make them aware of the risks.

It's a big decision. It's not like choosing a nickname for someone...

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[FallloutboyDAoC 0]

Quote

Quote

Thank you for the response, it is very useful.

Just to be sure, the yamaha xt250 bike, does the 250 part mean 250 cc's? and what does cc stand for?

sorry for all the questions :\

thispart here, indicates to me that you really need to do a course before you even start to look for a bike.
or you're trolling

people thought i was a troll when i posted in the general skydiving forum about skyride, and now im banned from that forum.

im just extremely oblivious :P