Re: Get a motorcycle or not???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: craigp40</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why do I want to ride? Pleasure mostly. Don't care much about gas or commuting. Just think it would be a great feeling and fun to take an evening or weekend ride to just "get away". If gas goes to $5+ that may change...
The bike I'm looking really hard at is a 2003 Honda VFR800. Sat on a few different cruisers and just didn't feel right leaning back. Don't feel like I have command of the bike in that position. The pure sport bikes are just not for me - don't fit me well and just too much for me. The sport touring feel good for me. I'm 6'3" and 238,.There aren't many bikes that feel right to me. The VFR is comfortable though.
It's a tough decision. I want the enjoyment of riding, but not interested in the titanium rods in my spine or broken neck/back/spine, etc.
I guess it all comes down to how much risk I want to take on. I started this thread mainly to see if all negative press was really justifed or if it was more of a scare tactic. I know it's dangerous, but it would be interesting to see what number of accidents occur to the guys who are responsible riders - good gear, no drinking, no crazy speeds/horseplay, safety course, etc. </div></div>
The VFR is a good bike and with a good pipe it kinda sounds like a Duck (Ducati, and that is like music). It has some good all around characteristics, good handling, torquey, it's a pretty bike to look at without all the back breaking ergos and fatigue on the wrist.
Some of us are not trying to talk you out of riding by any means, we are trying to prepare you / arm you with information so you will be prepared before that first ride down the busy street during lunch hour and having to wade thru the teens with cell phones and the agressive driver that's late for work.
The majority of my riding experience started on the dirt and I learned some very valuable riding techniques in a relatively safe environment (Other than the occasional nucklehead running wildly on a motorcross bike leaving his tire prints on your helmet). If you can get a dirt bike and spend some time off road first, then you will be heads and shoulders over someone starting green on the highway with his first two wheeler.
JMHO and I wish you well with the decision.
It kinda sounds like you have the bike bug and if you can afford it and your family is okay with it, then do it. Just make sure that you alot the money for the safety gear, don't skimp.
Don't get the bike and have $100 left over for a cheap used 20 year old helmet, $1.00 jersey gloves and use the penny loafers that have been gathering dust in your closet.
Wearing good gear when we lay the bike down (wreck) makes us emphatic about bragging about how well it works to people like you and for good reason.... Been there done that, lived to ride another day.
There ain't nothin like riding in the Blue Ridge mountains during the fall,
southern cali (In the hills) anytime(Try Julian during apple festival),
Italy in Sardinia during the summer,
Sierra Nevadas during the summer months,
Oahu Hawaii anytime of the year (but expect to do short trips/ it's little),
Ontario Canada during summer months, it's pretty (Watch out for the green small horse flies, geeeeze they bite)
The North east (New England states), drop dead georgous during summer months and stopping for fresh fish at a local restaurant is fantastic.
Traffic jam (In a major city / I forget where)on a brand new freshly asphalted highway during a 104 degree day and the engine was like riding a wood stove.......I wish I could forget
.....SmokeRolls
