Do You Ride a Motorcycle?

Vespa PX125!

I know I know.....! :-)

My first bike was an '01 Harley DynaGlide Sport - still sorry I sold it. I bought it before I'd taken the MSF and had second thoughts about owning a bike several times during rides until after I took the course. I had learned how to ride about 20 years earlier and all I can say is thank goodness I waited until I was older to get a mc. I would've killed myself when I was younger, since I can feel the "speed monster" lurking around me.

My current mc is an 03 Harley Heritage Softail Classic. I prefer longer rides and have ridden cross country several times.

Good luck with whatever motorcycle you end up with and be safe, but have fun.

Up in Canada, we don't have the MSF, but we do have similar. I won't even touch a bike until I've passed the course.

Not a fan of cruisers. My background in mountain biking, where I loved to go fast and be able to move around on top of my bike to go where I want to go (much like a sports bike).

A 650 is actually slower than a 600cc - The SV650 engine is used in Suki's cruisers. They're designed more for low-rpm torque and don't rev nearly as high as pocket rockets. Much easier to drive.

Heck, I know of a tiny sub-120 lb girl who rides one and she loves it! She's a great rider, but is very, very cautious. She was surprised by how easy it was to ride.

I'm a tall guy. 6', 35" inseam. If anything, a bike will be too short for me.

Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth from 30 plus years of riding on and off the road... No offense, but I'm a little concerned about your referrals to mountain biking and translating it to street motorcycling. Yes, there are instances where these may apply and there are a similarities, but on the road, it is far more awareness of the bike and what it can do and what it will do in certain situations - than what you can do. The athleticism used in mountain biking applies less to street riding - dirt riding - ABSOLUTELY! - but reflexes, awareness (both of self and of your surroundings) and control are more applicable. Most riders can ride a lifetime without getting themselves into a bind on a bike - if they use caution, it's the other vehicles on the road - teen girls / boys using cell phones, fogies out for Sunday drives, truckers, etc. that you need to be concerned with.
That said, I have agreed wholeheartedly with everything digitalbill has said, and if I were in your shoes, would take his advice. Thanks for listening to an old man ramble.

I had a Firetruck Red Ninja 650..........then I had a baby............and had to start paying for daycare

Sturgis 2012 in 3 weeks baby! Yeah!!!!!!
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Heck yeah!!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!

I ride a '06 HD ElectaGlide Classic, my husband rides an '01. Can't wait to make the trip from OH to Sturgis!
We have actually made riding a family thing. My HD has a sidecar so our kids can ride too!
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I'm riding my to sturgis this year too! (of course I only live 30 miles from Sturgis so that seems like a no brainer... LOL)

I was thinking the same thing. :happy:

My dad has a Harley Dinoglide, and I want my own so badly. Because of how dangerous they are, he won't let me get one while I'm living under his roof. Once I move out though, I hope to save enough to buy my own, preferably pink with some sort of glitter.

Sorry gotta correct this... Dyna Glide.. not Dino... :bigsmile:

Haha yeah, I realized after I posted it, and figured everyone knew what I meant. Dad would kill me if he saw that, long day at the office I guess.

Sorry, Harley people. I'm ashamed.

My dad has a Harley Dinoglide, and I want my own so badly. Because of how dangerous they are, he won't let me get one while I'm living under his roof. Once I move out though, I hope to save enough to buy my own, preferably pink with some sort of glitter.

Sorry gotta correct this... Dyna Glide.. not Dino... :bigsmile:

Haha yeah, I realized after I posted it, and figured everyone knew what I meant. Dad would kill me if he saw that, long day at the office I guess.

Sorry, Harley people. I'm ashamed.

If you're a Harley person, you're never ashamed!

I think having as much knowledge of engine size, type and the power and mannerisms of each are very important for a first time rider. My first bike was an 06 Kawasaki Ninja 636 not too much power, for me it was a perfect "learning bike". I actually just upgraded because I am now much more comfortable to a 2012 Triumph Daytona 676- Very Nice bike

I ride a Kawasaki Classic 1600. The size of bike you buy is also dependant on how big you are. Big guy big bike. Whats your ride style. Wanna cruise, wanna fly? Cross states ir cross town?

I have been riding since I was 10 and have had a number of bikes over the years. I currently ride supermotos (motards) and dirt bikes on the street, dirt and on the track. SUMO's are a blast in town and on the track but not too comfy for long rides. They are easy to maintain and if you drop them you don't do much damage! I have also had an SV and a Gixxer 600. I would definitely get the Gixxer over the SV any day! The suspension is better and for a little bit of extra $$ you get an all around better bike.

I try and take some sort of rider safety or skills class every couple years to continue to hone my skills and eliminate my bad habits! Just remember you are in control of the throttle no matter how much horse power or torque your bike has!

Some pretty bike pictures on here!

Agreeing with the long time riders that have posted. I would say don't buy a bike you are going to "grow into" for a first. Buy one you will outgrow and THEN get the one you like. Your safety instructor would likely tell you the same. You can have a lot of fun on a Buell Blast for a few seasons then get the Ducatti, Habayusa, or what ever trips your trigger. It can be very frustrating and potentially harmful trying to get your skill level UP to the bike you presently own. But, buy the one right for your skill level (starter) - drive it a year or so and then graduate to something more technical. Be safe either way you go!

I now drive CanAm Sypder Roadsters and LOVE the new kind of ride. Not for everyone for sure but neat and fun.

Someone mentioned on here earlier the necessity of having a bike as petrol was $1.45 a litre.... Seriously???? Over here (UK) I currently pay £1.30 a litre which at todays exchange rate is $2.03 a litre !! $1.45 is £0.93 a litre here we'd kill to have that price here!!

Lol keep in mind it is much more common to have a longer daily commute in the America's than in Europe and the UK. My father drives about 150 miles a day for work. My husband drives 50 round trip and we consider that short.