[Demon_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Honkerman

Congrats on passing the course.

One other thought, usually older Honda shadows I'm the 500 - 750cc range can be obtained pretty easily. One benefit with Hondas is that they don't depreciate quite as fast as other bikes and they run forever.

Some decent Kawasaki 500's, and a few 800's have popped up on craigslist for relatively cheap. If I can get out of a certain expense that Im probably going to owe in about 2 months, I may try to pick a bike up in January.

Honestly, Im not looking for anything to keep long term. Something I can abuse the hell out of for a year while I learn more about shifting, clutch control, braking, etc, and save up for a downpayment on something closer to what I really want.

Im a pretty quick study, and a year is way more than I need to learn to safely operate a bike, but the money is the real issue. Since just about all but one of my moving violations (only had 3 in 4 years of driving) have been expunged from my record I think insurance probably wont be a huge issue.

BTW, The New Triumph Rocket III Roadster Motorcycle - YouTube

Come on, you know you like it...

[Honkerman]

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

Some decent Kawasaki 500's, and a few 800's have popped up on craigslist for relatively cheap. If I can get out of a certain expense that Im probably going to owe in about 2 months, I may try to pick a bike up in January.

Honestly, Im not looking for anything to keep long term. Something I can abuse the hell out of for a year while I learn more about shifting, clutch control, braking, etc, and save up for a downpayment on something closer to what I really want.

Im a pretty quick study, and a year is way more than I need to learn to safely operate a bike, but the money is the real issue. Since just about all but one of my moving violations (only had 3 in 4 years of driving) have been expunged from my record I think insurance probably wont be a huge issue.

BTW, The New Triumph Rocket III Roadster Motorcycle - YouTube

Come on, you know you like it...

I figured you'd be looking for a short term bike, which is why I suggested an older shadow or something like it.

As for the insurance issue, Motorcycle insurance tends to be less expensive than car insurance. There are numerous reasons for the disparity in cost between auto and bike insurance, but from what I understand, the insurance companies figure that you are more likely to wreck the bike yourself than you are to be hit by another person, and no matter how the wreck occurs, they figure you're not going to survive, so they won't have to pay out.

I pay $11 a month for my scooter, and $18 a month for my 750. My truck costs more to insure than both bikes together.

[doulos14]

Originally Posted by Honkerman

I figured you'd be looking for a short term bike, which is why I suggested an older shadow or something like it.

As for the insurance issue, Motorcycle insurance tends to be less expensive than car insurance. There are numerous reasons for the disparity in cost between auto and bike insurance, but from what I understand, the insurance companies figure that you are more likely to wreck the bike yourself than you are to be hit by another person, and no matter how the wreck occurs, they figure you're not going to survive, so they won't have to pay out.

I pay $11 a month for my scooter, and $18 a month for my 750. My truck costs more to insure than both bikes together.

No kidding, the damage you could do with a motorcycle impacting into a car is negligible to what a truck would do in the reverse. Even if you survive, the insurance won't have to pay for health costs for other parties and bikes are cheap

[mulletman]

Originally Posted by doulos14

No kidding, the damage you could do with a motorcycle impacting into a car is negligible to what a truck would do in the reverse. Even if you survive, the insurance won't have to pay for health costs for other parties and bikes are cheap

Not always true:

The end of a nice Castrol Honda RC30

[doulos14]

Originally Posted by mulletman

Not always true:

The end of a nice Castrol Honda RC30

Yikes :/, I imagine the rider was going a bit fast

Of course there's exceptions, Honkerman was talking about trucks so that's what I meant. My F150 has higher insurance than a Honda accord, even though it is the #1 stolen car, and even though my truck has 5 star crash test, but because of the damage it can cause, vs a car or bike.

[Honkerman]

Originally Posted by doulos14

Yikes :/, I imagine the rider was going a bit fast

Of course there's exceptions, Honkerman was talking about trucks so that's what I meant. My F150 has higher insurance than a Honda accord, even though it is the #1 stolen car, and even though my truck has 5 star crash test, but because of the damage it can cause, vs a car or bike.

when I say truck, I'm using the term loosely, it's a '96 Chevy S10 extended cab with a 2.2 liter 4 banger. Not very big, but still pretty solid.

Insurance is a game of averages. The average motorcycle wreck is not going to put the bike straight through a car, in fact, the bulk of bike accidents occur when the rider drops the bike (all experienced riders know it's not a question of if, its a question of when). It's going to happen eventually. For the op, I'm sure they explained in your riders course that dropping a bike can happen at any speed. I've dropped both my scoot and my big bike and I was doing less than 10mph both times. On the other hand, I know a guy who dropped a nice Yamaha seca II at 60mph on a corner. He miraculously survived, but the bike was less fortunate.

[redbaron]

depends on if you're carrying minimum coverage levels, what class the bike is in, etc. Insurance can be real expensive, especially if it's a sportbike and you're under 25 and single

[Demon_Hunter]

Ok, the deal is done. Got my license on Wednesday. Now seriously bike shopping.

[mulletman]

Do it. Buy my bike. There are currently two good track bikes for sale, and I could buy one if you buy mine.

[gtrdave]

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

Ok, the deal is done. Got my license on Wednesday. Now seriously bike shopping.

Congrats!
Remember; no one can see you and many of those who can, don't care. Ride like you're invisible.

[Demon_Hunter]

Originally Posted by mulletman

Do it. Buy my bike. There are currently two good track bikes for sale, and I could buy one if you buy mine.

Unfortunately I already have a lead on a local bike that looks promising. It's a Yamaha XJ650 Maxim in pretty good condition. It'll at least scratch this itch for a few months until I can afford something closer to what I'm actually after.

Originally Posted by gtrdave

Congrats!
Remember; no one can see you and many of those who can, don't care. Ride like you're invisible.

Indeed. Even in a car people tend to drive like I'm not there, I imagine ill have even worse luck on a bike.