Motorcycles

For all intents and purposes, I've never ridden a motorcycle. After recently finding myself in a Harley dealership, I can't get these beautiful machines out of my mind. Please let me know your thoughts on safety, pros/cons etc. If I WERE to get a bike, I would really want the safest one available.

a little bit about myself:

34 years old
wife, kids, the whole shabang
6'1" 205 lbs., in good shape, muscular and strong
I am a VERY cautious/conservative driver...as I would be motorcyclist.
I drive a stick shift car
My wife is only modestly opposed to this, not vehemently against it

Money really wouldn't be an issue when considering a new bike. Please give me your collective wisdom on this topic... good and bad.

thanks a bunch
Andrew

Need more info.

Are you stuck on a cruiser (Harley styling) or are you open to other styles of bike?

Do you plan on taking long trips - with/without your wife?

How handy are you/do you like to tinker?

Will you be doing mostly country/interstate/city riding?

Before deciding what bike to buy, I would take an approved riding course - this will really give you a sense if this is something you'll enjoy.

I don't recommend buying a new bike - especially for a first bike. You'll save lots of dough and you're quite likely to tip your first bike over (nothing serious, but enough to scratch the paint, ding the chrome and snap off a mirror).

I'm not going to make any comments about Harleys or any other brand (at least not yet!).

If you give us more info, you'll get better responses.

1) I'm pretty sure I want a cruiser, as opposed to a "crotch rocket." Something comfortable. Basically, I want the safest bike possible. I don't plan on trying to set any speed records, or show off on this thing... just would like to enjoy the open road.

2)probably won't be taking long trips. Mostly just futzing around the suburbs.. I can't see my wife wanting to hop on the back of it, but I suppose that's a possility

3) I am not handy, do not like to tinker

4) I definitely plan on taking a riding course first, to see if it's something I really want to pursue. I am VERY methodical and responsible (some may even say anal, but anyhoo) and will do an exhaustive amount of research before committing to getting a bike. You have no idea how much time and research I put into shaving with a straight razor prior to actually doing it. So, I am not worried about making a hasty, uneducated decision

5) Let me know your opinions on different brands of bikes. I'm not married to the idea of buying a Harley, but they are obviously well known, and that just happens to be the dealer that I dropped into... plus, I REALLY like the looks of some of their bikes.

thanks for your help.

Andrew

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Originally Posted by suzuki

Need more info.

Are you stuck on a cruiser (Harley styling) or are you open to other styles of bike?

Do you plan on taking long trips - with/without your wife?

How handy are you/do you like to tinker?

Will you be doing mostly country/interstate/city riding?

Before deciding what bike to buy, I would take an approved riding course - this will really give you a sense if this is something you'll enjoy.

I don't recommend buying a new bike - especially for a first bike. You'll save lots of dough and you're quite likely to tip your first bike over (nothing serious, but enough to scratch the paint, ding the chrome and snap off a mirror).

I'm not going to make any comments about Harleys or any other brand (at least not yet!).

If you give us more info, you'll get better responses.

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Frankly, I don't see big differences in safety between different motorcycles. The rider is exposed on all of them and they all have similar accident avoidance abilities in skilled hands. I can think of two exceptions. First, bikes with ABS brakes take rider skill out of the equation; everyone should be able to stop a bike with ABS brakes just about as short as a motorcycle can be stopped. Second, cruisers often have poor cornering clearance. That's a problem because limits the rider's ability to avoid an accident because it limits the bike's ability to lean (and turn).

If cost is not an issue, BMWs would be very good choices because they're comfortable, they all have good cornering clearance, and they all have ABS (at least as an option).

Sounds like your on the right track. You know what you want. Make certain you take a motorcycle course as many of your questions will be answered there.

Most of motorcycling is learning the skills needed to be able to drive safely and accepted that its risky anyway.

Have some fun and accept the fact that life isn't always about making logical decisions. At some point your compelled to actually enjoy your life the way you want to.

I have a Harley Road King. Tis my 3rd Harley and I have been on motorcycles over 40 years. So..........I am biased toward the Harley tour bikes. Definitely take an MSF course. Tis the other guy you have to worry about more than yourself.

Lynn

Andrew,

If you haven't already, review Ilija's thread where he was preparing to get a bike... some relevant info there if I recall correctly. Lots of the members here ride, btw.

Have you considered renting a bike and going on a ride/taking a short trip as part of a group? This might give you a better feel for what it's all about. MC riding is (in my opinion) much more enjoyable if you have a group of friends that also enjoy the sport. And I think, in general, riding as a group is safer... you get a larger recognition factory from other drivers (ie, it's easier for other drivers to see 3 or 4 bikes coming down the road than one). So, if you don't already have friends that ride, make sure there's a local group you can join.

Once you have a bike, seek out different conditions and practice riding on them so you develop an "instinct" of how to handle various conditions. There's lots of obvious ones... wet roads, dirt/gravel/sandy roads, paved roads with sand/gravel or wet leaves on a curve, rain grooves on a concrete roadway, the old fashioned steel bridges with a steel mesh roadway, etc. And then there's always the odd stuff... like cattle gratings across rural roadways, or going off-road and riding in deep sand. Each of these presents a unique "surprise" when you're riding, so you want to be prepared before you have to hit them at speed.

Your choice of MC is ultimately your own. I've ridden Hondas, Nortons, and Yamahas and I owned at one time or another a Harley, a Triumph, a BSA, and a BMW. They were all excellent bikes, each in their own way. But because I like the comfort, quietness, and predictability of how it handles, my permanent steed for the past 35 years is BMW... but I won't claim a beemer is the best there is for beauty is always in the eye of the beholder ;).

There's really no safe or unsafe bikes. The unsafe part is how vigilant you are towards everyone else.

I would say that if after you take your riding course and decide riding is for you, take a ride on a few prospective bikes. Most places will let you take a spin on a bike, but you'll probably have to jump through a few hoops. If anything, they'll all let you sit on them, so you can at least get a good idea of what it feels like.

It all comes down to what you want and like. I've had exceptional rides on Harleys, but I have a particular liking for Triumphs and their looks. Chances are that any newer bike you get is going to do what you want and do it well, so just focus on comfort and style.

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There's really no safe or unsafe bikes.

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True that but since you did ask and without disrespect to the purists.

I'm going to take this on and bring this hybrid between sportscar roadster and bike for your consideration. And if anyone is your ever up in Ontario I can hook a brother up. http://spyder.brp.com/Index.htm

I'm not much for trikes, but I would love to try one of those! Too bad I live way too far from you:(