dumb idea?

[iroc409]

been kinda contemplating getting a motorcycle. but i keep thinking i'm just going to kill myself on it. not looking for anything big at all. just transportation that's entertaining. kinda looking at the yamaha virago 250 or xt225. i've been on a 600 honda. it was fun, but i've never owned a bike before. i know what the guy's gf that owned the bike did to herself just by trying to learn it. and my shop biz partner's neighbor just permanently fucked himself up on his harley, and his friend riding with him died. scary shit, but it still sounds like fun.

i've always wondered how you handle, say a semi flying past you on the highway. i mean, you gotta take them on the highway if you have them. but i know sometimes on the more country-ish 2 lanes semis used to almost put my 3/4 ton blazer off the road, i couldn't imagine that on a bike...

[Carrie]

Contact your local DMV and see if they have or know of any bike safety courses. Like here, there's a local course run by the community college every weekend. They supply the bikes.

One, it'll give you a good feel for what it's really like and two, it'll teach you how to keep from being a statistic (which is the most important thing).

When you see semis flying up in your mirror, move ooooover to get away from the push/pull. And brace yourself.

Viragos are sweet, my Dad owned an 1100cc. Rode smooth, tons of power and then some, as nice as a Harley but not as obnoxiously loud.

[stevecore]

Originally posted by iroc409
scary shit, but it still sounds like fun.

Pass this form along to your next of kin.

[iroc409]

Originally posted by Carrie
Contact your local DMV and see if they have or know of any bike safety courses. Like here, there's a local course run by the community college every weekend. They supply the bikes.

One, it'll give you a good feel for what it's really like and two, it'll teach you how to keep from being a statistic (which is the most important thing).

When you see semis flying up in your mirror, move ooooover to get away from the push/pull. And brace yourself.

Viragos are sweet, my Dad owned an 1100cc. Rode smooth, tons of power and then some, as nice as a Harley but not as obnoxiously loud.

thanks for the info. yeah, the community college offers a mc course. if you pass, you get your endorsement. i should probably go take that to make sure it's what i want to do

the virago 250 looks as if it's new for 04, at least that's what it said on yamaha's site. they're also a few $k cheaper than a harley. a friend of mine has a sportster, and he seems to like it quite a bit. good to hear about the brand though, i haven't really heard a lot about them from others' point of view.

[Ice]

Buy a used bike even 1 or 2 years old......this will save you thousands over new.

Take the safety course

When I started riding bikes at 16 I picked up a Suzuki GS 400. Then I wen't to a 600 Ninja and now I have a Kawasaki ZX-7. I was getting tired of the power so I added larger pistons.. Muzzy cams... Kehin 35mm flat slide carbs.. Muzzy exhaust and Peformance Machine wheels. You can also play around with gearing to get more bottom and midrange out of it. Try one tooth smaller in the front or a few larger in the back to increase snap. Now the bike is alot of fun to ride. Next step for it is NOS just for fun.

Good luck and keep it rubber side down.

Oh as a side not... don't get cheap on protective gear. Buy the best helmet you can, I have the top of the line Arai and a good leather jacket and gloves. They sure saved me when this guy ran a stop sign on me and I hit his passanger door doin 60km on my 600 ninja. 4 broken ribs, punctured lung, cracked skull, bruised hip, broken arm... Im still riding...