thinking again on get a bike

[Nacho-RT74]

a friend of a friend is offering me a 2003 Honda Shadow American Classic 400cc. I haven't seen yet to check the conditions. The price is.... let's say affordable.

what do you think of this bike.

I NEVER HAVE DRIVEN A BIKE IN MY LIFE, but allways have dreamed having and driving a Cruiser bike.


with the heavy transit around, hard to find parking places, and wanting to use the Charger less, where mostly of the time driving it alone, is a good option to have a bike

[404NOTFOUND]

Oh, don't do that!!!  Look at that pic of my car to your left. Now put yourself in the picture with your bike!

[nvrbdn]

just got me a suzuki intruder velusia 2003. man i love it. 

[mpdlawdog]

I am assuming it is a really a 800 cc....didnt know they made a 400....400 would be way to small imo....

well, I had never ridden a bike either...I took a three day class that teaches you everything about the bike....they put you through a lot of different situations....I felt confident on a bike at the end of the class....I got my endorcement and started looking for a bike.....about a week later at work I had to scrape a 18 year old out from under a CRV....he had a cbr at least thats what it looked like when they put it on the wrecker...I changed my mind on a bike....I dont worry about me....its all the other idiots that are texting among other things and not paying attention that worry me!    

plus with having kids Im worth more alive than dead.........I know when its your time....its your time but if you have luck like mine you dont want to add an additional factors

[Indygenerallee]

If I were single and did not have dependants I would have a bike but my family sold Honda motorcycles from 77-91 and from hearing about the amount of people that were known that were killed, maimed or injured on a bike I would not have one now in my position in life, I do however ride 4 wheelers OFF road away from dumbass drivers.

[cdr]

no,not only no,but no,i had been riding 45 years & it is bad out there on a bike,you have to look at it like everyone is trying,get that,TRYING TO KILL YOU,i had to sell my harley last year because of health reasons,i dont miss almost getting killed every day,my wife still rides & it makes me very nerves knowing all the texting & drive these moorons do,also since you are an older gentleman & have no experience,I DO NOT RECOMMEND SIX CENTS   at least the harley paid for a PROJECT CHARGER   

[royt440]

If you have thought about it a long time, I say go for it.  I waited till my kids were grown and gone.
Definitely take a motorcycle safety course.
Some of the "cages" will not see you.  You do have to look at every driver as a potential threat.
People do get killed/maimed on bikes but they get the same in cars. 
Older drivers do have accidents but you will see that young guys on crotch rockets doing stupid things are kinda asking for problems. I think they are the ones that skew the data on motorcycle danger.

[Dino]

I always used a bike as my daily driver until I had to get a car.  Had a bike until '05 and rode everything from crotch rockets to scooters.  After a year or so I decided to buy a bike again until I heard my neighbor hit a dear at 55 mph and didn't survive.  No matter what you do, you can be wiped out in a split second. 

You still in Caracas Nacho?  What would your driving habits be?  Town, highway, back roads, all of the above?

[Ponch ®]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on one. I'm gonna be commuting 45 miles round trip each day, 4-5 days a week starting in August. This may not seem like a lot to some of you mid-america country folk, but this is L.A., and in order to get to where I need to go, my two options are two of the most congested corridors in the world during rush hour (the 101 freeway into L.A. or the 405/10 freeways).  

Ive done a few test runs on the 08 Charger, and it will cost me about $15 to drive there and back every day, not to mention the amount of time I'll be in traffic.

I've heard all the horror stories and I've been lectured by just about any "grown up" (mom, boss, etc). While I by no means think I'm invincible and can't happen to me, I'm thinking for all I know I could just as well eat it in the car or maybe get stabbed if I take public transportation. Plus, it makes sense money wise (the wife is, for that reason, at least somewhat supportive).

I've never ridden before either, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

Anyway, looking at a Dark Custom Iron 883 (hey...might as well do it in style  )

[Dino]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on one. I'm gonna be commuting 45 miles round trip each day, 4-5 days a week starting in August. This may not seem like a lot to some of you mid-america country folk, but this is L.A., and in order to get to where I need to go, my two options are two of the most congested corridors in the world during rush hour (the 101 freeway into L.A. or the 405/10 freeways).   

Ive done a few test runs on the 08 Charger, and it will cost me about $15 to drive there and back every day, not to mention the amount of time I'll be in traffic.

I've heard all the horror stories and I've been lectured by just about any "grown up" (mom, boss, etc). While I by no means think I'm invincible and can't happen to me, I'm thinking for all I know I could just as well eat it in the car or maybe get stabbed if I take public transportation. Plus, it makes sense money wise. I've never ridden before, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

Anyway, looking at a Dark Custom 882 Iron (hey...might as well do it in style  )

You've got the right mind set.  I never had a bad crash in my 15+ years of riding bikes.  Constantly being aware of your surroundings is key, same as with a car.

[Budnicks]

There are "old riders" & "bold riders", but there are NO "old bold riders", there are those "that have gone down" & there are "those that will be going down"... I can speak from experiance on both issues, it's almost always the guy/gal in a car or truck, that doesn't see or hear you & will take you out every time... Good luck, be safe have fun, remember "load pipes save lives"...

[Ponch ®]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on one. I'm gonna be commuting 45 miles round trip each day, 4-5 days a week starting in August. This may not seem like a lot to some of you mid-america country folk, but this is L.A., and in order to get to where I need to go, my two options are two of the most congested corridors in the world during rush hour (the 101 freeway into L.A. or the 405/10 freeways).  

Ive done a few test runs on the 08 Charger, and it will cost me about $15 to drive there and back every day, not to mention the amount of time I'll be in traffic.

I've heard all the horror stories and I've been lectured by just about any "grown up" (mom, boss, etc). While I by no means think I'm invincible and can't happen to me, I'm thinking for all I know I could just as well eat it in the car or maybe get stabbed if I take public transportation. Plus, it makes sense money wise. I've never ridden before, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

Anyway, looking at a Dark Custom 882 Iron (hey...might as well do it in style  )

You've got the right mind set.  I never had a bad crash in my 15+ years of riding bikes.  Constantly being aware of your surroundings is key, same as with a car.

yeah. I also know that there's only so much I can control. That being said, I don't plan on being one of those douchebags that try to hot dog it just about any time they stop at a red light (really? a front wheelie stop?) or that split lanes within an inch of cars (it's legal here in CA, but ive seen some guys tempt fate with that too many times). I always wanted a bike, but now I actually have a valid and practical reason for getting one. I have a couple of months to figure it out...

[FLG]

Bikes are nice for open highways that are (mostly) free from idiots.

Nacho, is it a very condensed area you live in? If the commute is mainly streets, get a moped. I had one and it was great for driving around locally, and very easy when it came to parking or storing it. Also its much more maneuverable than a bike and your less likely to kill yourself due to your own stupidity (not saying YOU, but just in general) since you cant go very fast on em.

[Dino]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on one. I'm gonna be commuting 45 miles round trip each day, 4-5 days a week starting in August. This may not seem like a lot to some of you mid-america country folk, but this is L.A., and in order to get to where I need to go, my two options are two of the most congested corridors in the world during rush hour (the 101 freeway into L.A. or the 405/10 freeways).  

Ive done a few test runs on the 08 Charger, and it will cost me about $15 to drive there and back every day, not to mention the amount of time I'll be in traffic.

I've heard all the horror stories and I've been lectured by just about any "grown up" (mom, boss, etc). While I by no means think I'm invincible and can't happen to me, I'm thinking for all I know I could just as well eat it in the car or maybe get stabbed if I take public transportation. Plus, it makes sense money wise. I've never ridden before, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

Anyway, looking at a Dark Custom 882 Iron (hey...might as well do it in style  )

You've got the right mind set.  I never had a bad crash in my 15+ years of riding bikes.  Constantly being aware of your surroundings is key, same as with a car.

yeah. I also know that there's only so much I can control. That being said, I don't plan on being one of those douchebags that try to hot dog it just about any time they stop at a red light (really? a front wheelie stop?) or that split lanes within an inch of cars (it's legal here in CA, but ive seen some guys tempt fate with that too many times). I always wanted a bike, but now I actually have a valid and practical reason for getting one. I have a couple of months to figure it out...

I grew up in Antwerp, busiest intersection in Europe.  A bike was the only logical way to travel.  Yes I had many close calls but 99% of them would have been no more than fender benders.  

It's important to 'let go' from time to time but the commute to work is not it.  Remember that the biggest chance for an accident is close to your destination be it work or home.  My wife knew a guy that was waiting to turn into his driveway when a car hit him from behind while his family and friends watched on.  It was his birthday and he hopped on his bike to get more chips.  He didn't make it.  Be careful out there dude.  All of you.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on one. I'm gonna be commuting 45 miles round trip each day, 4-5 days a week starting in August. This may not seem like a lot to some of you mid-america country folk, but this is L.A., and in order to get to where I need to go, my two options are two of the most congested corridors in the world during rush hour (the 101 freeway into L.A. or the 405/10 freeways).  

Ive done a few test runs on the 08 Charger, and it will cost me about $15 to drive there and back every day, not to mention the amount of time I'll be in traffic.

I've heard all the horror stories and I've been lectured by just about any "grown up" (mom, boss, etc). While I by no means think I'm invincible and can't happen to me, I'm thinking for all I know I could just as well eat it in the car or maybe get stabbed if I take public transportation. Plus, it makes sense money wise (the wife is, for that reason, at least somewhat supportive).

I've never ridden before either, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

Anyway, looking at a Dark Custom Iron 883 (hey...might as well do it in style  )

Paunch,

The 883 is a great bike...

IF... you're 5 foot 3 and weigh a buck twenty soaking wet...

If I remember correctly...

You ain't that petite...

You're going to look, and feel like an old, fat shriner on a mini bike...

Take a rider's course, and then go try out a few bikes before you buy.

[69rtse4spd]

NO,NO,NO, got hit on my brothers KZ900 two weeks out of high school in 78. Broken leg & other  complications, now have a blind spot in the right eye. Just read in the paper where a lady could not avoid a raccoon going across the road, put her & her bike down. Luckily she was wearing a helmet & not seriously hurt. Had a few other close calls before the wreck, the idiots always say they never see you, to the cops. My buddy was going around a corner, not fast or anything stupid, hit lose gravel, hit the guard rail, & luckily he went over the rail or he could have lost his leg. He got meshed up pretty go but is still with us & has all his digits. As stated before, DOES NOT MATER HOW CAREFULL YOU ARE, YOU WILL COME OUT ON THE WOREST END OF IT. .  

[Nacho-RT74]

ok, first of all, I was asking for opinions about the bike itself against similar models and brands LOL. Long time ago I made the same asking for an Intruder 800 what it was cheap, althought I didn't have the money on that moment.

Lot of ppl adviced me getting a Vulcan 750... hard to find locally, not cheap and when someone around, not really in perfect conditions

I'm aware about all the risk, and I know what you mean really. But at this moment is becoming a need in some circunstances.

I'm still not convinced, because I'M AFFRAID OF BIKES, but maybe because I never have driven one. However I have been around lot of "friends" with bikes and is not really common to get an incident if you have your head in its place

Yes Dino, I'm still in Caracas and is a 5 millions ppl city ( that we know ) maybe closer to 6.5-7  if we are realistic, on a relativelly small valley

I dream sometime with a H-D bike, but definitelly not affordable

mpdlawdog, these bikes as far I know and have seen are 400cc and 750cc available, at least locally.

[Nacho-RT74]

got 7 pics, here two of them

( matches my Charger color scheme LOL )


My friend told me that it has small mechanical details to fix but nothing to worry

[Nacho-RT74]

I've never ridden before either, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

PROBABLY I would buy first, but definitelly won't be on streets untill feel comfortable

[mpdlawdog]

nice looking bike!  did not know they made a 400 .......I really enjoyed taking the class...if they have one I would also recommend it...I was in your same shoes (never ridden a bike)....it taught me a lot!  good luck with you decision

[Troy]

I think that 400 must be for non-US markets. People here are too macho to ride anything with that small of an engine. That's not necessarily good though. I know that most of Europe excludes new riders from anything larger than a 250(?) for the first year or two. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses here in the US use 250s for their training and tests. Too many inexperienced riders here walk into the store and buy a 1000 crotch rocket and kill/maim themselves within a week (or even the same day). My first street bike was a Honda Shadow 750. It's a cruiser style with a low seat, smooth clutch, great balance, and very good mileage. Probably very similar to that bike but with a few more CCs. I spent the first summer riding on back country roads and two lane highways. I eventually sold the bike when I got a few cars roadworthy - I found that there's only a limited number of nice days around here and I preferred the muscle car experience. I'm considering getting another bike for commuting but haven't officially decided yet. The biggest concern I have are idiots in cars (with less training and shorter attention spans than the inexperienced riders I mentioned earlier).

Troy

[Chryco Psycho]

there are a lot of far smaller cc bikes in central America so I woul dagree it is made for this market .
I thought you were going to get out of there & move to Spain or Panama ? Makes no sense to buy something & move !

[Indygenerallee]

There was a Boss Hoss 383 Chevy stroker powered bike over at the auction a few weeks back, The auctioneer looked at it and said here it is "Deathwish 5"  Sounded badass but geeze O' pete you would have to have some cajones to ride it!!!

[gtx6970]

just my 

and I mean no dis-respect - but if your afraid of bikes stay the hell off of them.
it WILL get you killed.


If you procede,,, take a riding course if there in your area. If not rent one and take it ,and someone  who rides regularly to a remote area to get comfortable with them as a whole.

You have to respect motor cycles with your life,, the minute you get sloppy on it, it's gonna hurt .

Around here it's the texting idiots I fear  will get most motor cycle riders

[Cooter]

Oh, don't do that!!!  Look at that pic of my car to your left. Now put yourself in the picture with your bike!

EXACTLY...

[Nacho-RT74]

Bill... the only way to get confidence and beat the fear is confronting... I have enough head to see if I'm able to do it and if not just forgett the idea. As I quoted from Ponch, I won't be riding on streets if I don't feel comfortable. However appreciate the advice

Troy, I allways wanted a 750 as minimun, but not affordable to me by now and this 400 still have the look

Chryco, still thinking on moving but Spain is not on good times now... I'm checking if I gor for a month or so by august-sept and check for job. However. think on with the high inflation we have down here ( 30% each year ) If I don't use it OR decide to sell when moving, is still an investment.

and even if the move comes to the truth, I'm taking my Charger with me, so... why not the bike with the gas prices there? LOL

[Ponch ®]

I'm this close to pulling the trigger on one. I'm gonna be commuting 45 miles round trip each day, 4-5 days a week starting in August. This may not seem like a lot to some of you mid-america country folk, but this is L.A., and in order to get to where I need to go, my two options are two of the most congested corridors in the world during rush hour (the 101 freeway into L.A. or the 405/10 freeways).  

Ive done a few test runs on the 08 Charger, and it will cost me about $15 to drive there and back every day, not to mention the amount of time I'll be in traffic.

I've heard all the horror stories and I've been lectured by just about any "grown up" (mom, boss, etc). While I by no means think I'm invincible and can't happen to me, I'm thinking for all I know I could just as well eat it in the car or maybe get stabbed if I take public transportation. Plus, it makes sense money wise (the wife is, for that reason, at least somewhat supportive).

I've never ridden before either, but I WILL take the riding course before I buy the bike, and prolly won't take the bike most of the time until I feel comfortable enough to do it.

Anyway, looking at a Dark Custom Iron 883 (hey...might as well do it in style  )

Paunch,

The 883 is a great bike...

IF... you're 5 foot 3 and weigh a buck twenty soaking wet...

If I remember correctly...

You ain't that petite...

You're going to look, and feel like an old, fat shriner on a mini bike...

Take a rider's course, and then go try out a few bikes before you buy.

yeah, I've heard that the 883 may not be enough for me. I gotta try one out, sit in it, etc...but first I gotta take the course and get my license. I'd like to be riding by the end of July, but who knows how the cookie will crumble. Dont wanna rush into it either.

[Budnicks]

Don't take this wrong guys, I'm probably beating a dead horse, but if you didn't grow up on a bike & learned to ride at an early age, don't do it, by a dirt bike or something & learn to ride in a controlled situation 1st, I am 52 I have been riding from the age of 7 years old started out on a Taco 44 mini bike, graduated to a Yamaha S-80 at 9, then to a 100 Hodoka Ace & a 125 Kawi. KX at 11, a CR250 moto-x dirt racer at 13, when I got my learners permit here in Calif. I stated riding street bikes, a Yamaha Daytona 350 2 stroke at 15, then 750 Kawi. triple 2 stroke at 17, Then a Yamaha V-Max Cruiser Hot-Rod at 20, then a Harley Electriglide cruiser at 25, had many 3 wheelers & quads too, still have a V-Max crotch rocket/cruiser, I have been riding some kind of 2 wheeled motorized machine for   45 years now, I consider myself a great experienced rider, I have been ran off the road, multiple times, I have been T-Boned at 40mph, I have had to step off a bike, "My Harley" that had a rear tire blow out at freeway speeds 55 mph, I was just cruising home, not doing anything stupid, in Calif. traffic, I almost got ran over by a Semi, no fault of theirs, I was a couple of blocks from my house merging into flowing traffic at 45mph, a guy turned left, right in front of me in a 72 Ford Country Squire Wagon I got launched over it, tore my pants off flew across the 4 lane rd. hit a stop sign with my head {thank god I always wear a helmet no matter what}, ruined/totaled my brand new bike, I had just bought a few days earlier for my 20th B-Day, I got 4 broken ribs fractured leg fractured arm eyes bleed or were blood red for 2  weeks, the bike was replaced by my insurance company... I have had many other close calls by others talking on cell phones or texting or just flat out trying to run me off the road or women doing their make up side swiping me in bumper to bumper traffic, I am an experienced rider that has grown up driving motorcycles, in one form or another, "not a newbee" that doesn't know what end of the bike does what, the problem isn't me, at all, it's the gravel, ice, water or oil you don't see that washed out the front wheel, the stupif freaken person eating a burger or booger while driving, taking you out or a unforeseen mechanical failure, taking you out... I would seriously think twice about getting on a bike in a traffic or especially in a large populated city setting, until you are 101% efficient & competent to ride in those situation, you will end up being a another statistic... I say go to any emergency room anywhere, look at the people that were all proficient riders, that are there because of the idiots in the cars/trucks that did something stupid & took them out & either injured or killed them... Be smart, not just because you want or feel the need to save a few buck on commuting gas costs, or just want or think you need a bike or think it cool or a pussy magnet... There are those riders that have "gone down" & there are those that "will be going down", no matter how good of a rider or how safe & aware you think you are.... I am very lucky, I haven't been killed several times over, I've had road rash all over my body at one time or another, I rarely even ride a street bike any longer, way too many freaken idiots on cell phones or women putting on make-up or eating, whatevere, making it much much worse, than it ever was in my youth... Good luck, be safe, learn how to ride somewhere other than the street & busy hwys, 1st & foremost always wear a helmet no matter what the laws are... Old farts rants over    

[Chargen69]

my next door neighbor didnt tie his jacket down properly (sitting with it on the tank), jacket went into the back wheel, he lost control ran off the interstate, hit a tree, but didnt die right away.  found him a week later with his hands over his eyes (to keep the birds from pecking out them)

another friend got thrown off, his heart exploded

another friend got thrown off the back while riding with somebody, run over by a semi

cousin got t-boned by a van, completely crushed, but lived 3 days, and he was alert for all that



be careful, in an instant...

[nvrbdn]

i bought a harley. rode in all the poker rides. had fun.never wore helmets unless i rode across the river to missouri  for bikers for babies where they have the helmet law. not saying it was smart, just didnt. one thing that got me to slow down and sell the harley was to see these guys getting wasted on the first stop, then riding all day. that was nuts. i was bike free for several years till now.

[Daytona R/T SE]

i bought a harley. rode in all the poker rides. had fun.never wore helmets unless i rode across the river to missouri  for bikers for babies where they have the helmet law. not saying it was smart, just didnt. one thing that got me to slow down and sell the harley was to see these guys getting wasted on the first stop, then riding all day. that was nuts. i was bike free for several years till now.

I went on one poker run.

At the first stop, there were about 25 bikes.

Everybody was slamming beer and shots as fast as they could.

Getting drunk...very drunk...FAST...

I had one beer in the hour or so I was there.

The Ol' lady had a coke.

As the time came to start the "run"

Somebody yells "Last one there buys the first round"

25 drunken idiots and their fat Ol' ladies roared off at full throttle to the next stop...


Effin' Idiots...


We went to lunch.

[ITSA426]

Be sure your organ donor card is up to date and on your person.  I used to work for an air ambulance/charter company and our summer business picked up just flying parts around the country.  We just called motorcycles "organ donors". 

You could find yourself part of a celebrity.

[Indygenerallee]

Good points all around, It's a choice and I am glad we live in a country (for now!) where we all can still decide what we want to do!!!

[1969chargerrtse]

My first car was a bike.  Got it when I was 14.  1965 Honda ca110. I've been riding on the streets since I was 16 and I'm 56 and still alive with 95% of the time wearing no helmet.  The key to me is being extremely defensive.  Trust no one.  I've had people look right at me and pull out when I got closer.  
The one concern I have is the Harley.  Not the bike to ride sitting in traffic.  It will melt.  I drive a 86 Honda Gold Wing.  Drive shaft, water cooled, 4 cyl. Cheap and fun.
Every time people say drive safe, I say you drive safe and I'll be O.K.  

[ACUDANUT]

NO. I just lost a good friend on a Motorcycle. He had been riding for 30 years.

[1969chargerrtse]

Sorry for the lost.  I lost friends in car accidents,  people die in all different ways.

[Chryco Psycho]

I would never ride a small bike ever..... sometimes riding defensive means getting out someones way & having the power to do so quickly .
Panama is interesting to say the least .... where it is suicide to ride between the lanes of traffic in Panama city everyone does it , I figured there should be a law to prevent doing this but no , even the cops ride between the traffic lanes usually with a second rider on the back carrying an Automatic rifle LOL . Even though it would be easy to hit a Motorcycle just changing lanes it never seem to happen . Virtually every rider is on a 125 cc & has a top speed of mabe 40 MPH . They even ride down the highway on them & you come up on them fast , moving that slow . The craziest thing I have seen here is a guy on a 125 riding down the highway @ 40 MPH @ night with nothing reflective on him or the bike with nothing for a tail light !!  I have seen 1/2 dozen people doing this ... just stupid LOL !!
The cool part here is there really isn''t traffic laws or enforcement but there are far less accidents than I am used to seeing in North America . Laws put you to sleep , here every driver is super alert as anyone will do anything at any moment , it is intimidating to drive here at first but once you get used to it I actually prefer it here .
Have you thought about moving to Panama Natcho ??

[ACUDANUT]

NO. I just lost a good friend on a Motorcycle. He had been riding for 30 years.

He left behind 2 10 year old Daughters.  It really sucked seeing him dead.

[Fred]

Yeah reality hits hard. Makes you realise how vulnerable we all really are and how quickly it can all be over.
Have to admit, I do feel safer in a car. Might be a false sense of security but I hope I'll never have to find out.

[Nacho-RT74]

I would never ride a small bike ever..... sometimes riding defensive means getting out someones way & having the power to do so quickly .
Panama is interesting to say the least .... where it is suicide to ride between the lanes of traffic in Panama city everyone does it , I figured there should be a law to prevent doing this but no , even the cops ride between the traffic lanes usually with a second rider on the back carrying an Automatic rifle LOL . Even though it would be easy to hit a Motorcycle just changing lanes it never seem to happen . Virtually every rider is on a 125 cc & has a top speed of mabe 40 MPH . They even ride down the highway on them & you come up on them fast , moving that slow . The craziest thing I have seen here is a guy on a 125 riding down the highway @ 40 MPH @ night with nothing reflective on him or the bike with nothing for a tail light !!  I have seen 1/2 dozen people doing this ... just stupid LOL !!
The cool part here is there really isn''t traffic laws or enforcement but there are far less accidents than I am used to seeing in North America . Laws put you to sleep , here every driver is super alert as anyone will do anything at any moment , it is intimidating to drive here at first but once you get used to it I actually prefer it here .

Here we have from small bikes to big bikes without difference. Because the economical inflation and hard to afford the bike itself year by year, small cc bikes are becoming popular, but not for the gas prices, like maybe it could be in Panama.

Here bikers drives exactly the same including authorities, with a diff: the law doesn't allow that... butt... who will tell you not to do it if traffic authorities do the same. However we do have accidents.

Another problem is the small cc bikes ( China made mostly of them, from 100cc to maybe 150cc ) are used by thefts to steel in between the traffic, with guns. If you see two men on a bike like that, BECAREFULL, mostly the rear passenger is an armed thief.

We even have "MOTOTAXIS" ( taxi bike ) what are easy to confuse with thiefts

Have you thought about moving to Panama Natcho ??

not really. I have a friends who have relateds living there though. And actually is who talked me about the bike

[1969chargerrtse]

Yeah reality hits hard. Makes you realise how vulnerable we all really are and how quickly it can all be over.
Have to admit, I do feel safer in a car. Might be a false sense of security but I hope I'll never have to find out.

This can be a topic on it's own.  You have to level the playing field on the logic.  Of course riding a bike as a much as you drive a car increases the chance of being hit and or killed.  I use mine for light enjoyment.  But I've been driving for 40 years on a bike, many decades when I was younger and stupid I drove all day/night and fast.  But here I am alive.  So I'm not ignoring my enjoyment of 40 years of riding by telling others, oh no you may get killed.  I read daily all the people in my city area that get killed by guns.  Way way more than any bike accidents or death, but I'm not telling anyone not to buy or own a gun.
You guys are spooking me out, you're gonna make me afraid to ride.  Back to the original thread .

[Budnicks]

My post wasn't to scare anybody   , but just to think about learning on something else, before you drive on the busy streets or hwys, have fun but be very defensive, it's the guy/gal you don't see or that doesn't see you, that is the main problem   ... Buy away, ride away, stay safe, bikes are very fun & fulfilling riding enjoyment... Good luck, ultimately "it's your life, do what makes you happy", I'm just trying to share 45 years of experiences riding, to make you think...  

[stripedelete]

My post wasn't to scare anybody   , but just to think about learning on something else, before you drive on the busy streets or hwys, have fun but be very defensive, it's the guy/gal you don't see or that doesn't see you, that is the main problem   ... Buy away, ride away, stay safe, bikes are very fun & fulfilling riding enjoyment... Good luck, ultimately "it's your life, do what makes you happy", I'm just trying to share 45 years of experiences riding, to make you think...  

You don't need to explain anything about your post.

There are as many dead or maimed, safe, experienced, bikers as there are dead/maimed, unsafe, inexperienced, bikers.  That 17 yr old texting his/her possse doesn't really care about anyone's experience level. 

Imo, a long healthy life is about shaving the odds.  For me, two wheels out on the road is a high risk, low reward, proposition.
So, buy a dirt bike and go crazy. 

[Fred]

Yeah reality hits hard. Makes you realise how vulnerable we all really are and how quickly it can all be over.
Have to admit, I do feel safer in a car. Might be a false sense of security but I hope I'll never have to find out.

This can be a topic on it's own.  You have to level the playing field on the logic.  Of course riding a bike as a much as you drive a car increases the chance of being hit and or killed.  I use mine for light enjoyment.  But I've been driving for 40 years on a bike, many decades when I was younger and stupid I drove all day/night and fast.  But here I am alive.  So I'm not ignoring my enjoyment of 40 years of riding by telling others, oh no you may get killed.  I read daily all the people in my city area that get killed by guns.  Way way more than any bike accidents or death, but I'm not telling anyone not to buy or own a gun.
You guys are spooking me out, you're gonna make me afraid to ride.  Back to the original thread .

Don't listen to me. I'm at an age whereby I'm no longer prepaired to take risks. 

[1969chargerrtse]

My post wasn't to scare anybody   , but just to think about learning on something else, before you drive on the busy streets or hwys, have fun but be very defensive, it's the guy/gal you don't see or that doesn't see you, that is the main problem   ... Buy away, ride away, stay safe, bikes are very fun & fulfilling riding enjoyment... Good luck, ultimately "it's your life, do what makes you happy", I'm just trying to share 45 years of experiences riding, to make you think...  

You don't need to explain anything about your post.

There are as many dead or maimed, safe, experienced, bikers as there are dead/maimed, unsafe, inexperienced, bikers.  That 17 yr old texting his/her possse doesn't really care about anyone's experience level.  

Imo, a long healthy life is about shaving the odds.  For me, two wheels out on the road is a high risk, low reward, proposition.
So, buy a dirt bike and go crazy.  

No no no. Don't get a dirt bike!  I know someone killed on one. How about powered parashutes?  That looks like fun and the shutes always open.  

Billions of people ride bikes world wide. You wanna bike. Buy one. Be safe and enjoy life.

[Nacho-RT74]

Guys, ppl get death on cars too, so

My post wasn't to scare anybody  , but just to think about learning on something else, before you drive on the busy streets or hwys, have fun but be very defensive, it's the guy/gal you don't see or that doesn't see you, that is the main problem  ... Buy away, ride away, stay safe, bikes are very fun & fulfilling riding enjoyment... Good luck, ultimately "it's your life, do what makes you happy", I'm just trying to share 45 years of experiences riding, to make you think... 

You don't need to explain anything about your post.

There are as many dead or maimed, safe, experienced, bikers as there are dead/maimed, unsafe, inexperienced, bikers.  That 17 yr old texting his/her possse doesn't really care about anyone's experience level. 

Imo, a long healthy life is about shaving the odds.  For me, two wheels out on the road is a high risk, low reward, proposition.
So, buy a dirt bike and go crazy. 

No no no. Don't get a dirt bike!  I know someone killed on one. How about powered parashutes?  That looks like fun and the shutes always open. 

Billions of people ride bikes world wide. You wanna bike. Buy one. Be safe and enjoy life.

LOL I was thinking the same

[nvrbdn]

just to be safe, you cant eat red meat, red m&m's, go out in the sun, walk across the street,(even when the light is in your favor), go outside at night because of mosquitos, run with scissors in your hand, have unprotected sex, jump from a moving train....... seems like all the fun things are bad for you. im riding again, and enjoying it. take a class, watch what your doing, enjoy.

[Indygenerallee]

Hey in the end we all have to die so enjoy life a do what you enjoy and if you happen to die while doing it at least you were not couped up fearing your last moment!! 

[stripedelete]

Guys, ppl get death on cars too, so

My post wasn't to scare anybody  , but just to think about learning on something else, before you drive on the busy streets or hwys, have fun but be very defensive, it's the guy/gal you don't see or that doesn't see you, that is the main problem  ... Buy away, ride away, stay safe, bikes are very fun & fulfilling riding enjoyment... Good luck, ultimately "it's your life, do what makes you happy", I'm just trying to share 45 years of experiences riding, to make you think... 

You don't need to explain anything about your post.

There are as many dead or maimed, safe, experienced, bikers as there are dead/maimed, unsafe, inexperienced, bikers.  That 17 yr old texting his/her possse doesn't really care about anyone's experience level. 

Imo, a long healthy life is about shaving the odds.  For me, two wheels out on the road is a high risk, low reward, proposition.
So, buy a dirt bike and go crazy. 

No no no. Don't get a dirt bike!  I know someone killed on one. How about powered parashutes?  That looks like fun and the shutes always open. 

Billions of people ride bikes world wide. You wanna bike. Buy one. Be safe and enjoy life.

LOL I was thinking the same

Ok here's another option.   A kidney is worth about $450k on the black market.  Sell one now (instead of giving it away) and put the money towards gas.   

 

[Ponch ®]

not to freak you guys out, but I know of people that have died as a consequence of using the internet.

[nvrbdn]

   hows your search comming ponch? i would also suggest at least the 1200 sportster.  but i did have a friend that had the 883 and loved it.

[Ponch ®]

 hows your search comming ponch? i would also suggest at least the 1200 sportster.  but i did have a friend that had the 883 and loved it.

havent had much time to look, but I need to get on it. Its frustrating because I can only window shop be a tire kicker until I take the riding course and, ostensibly, get my motorcycle license. Unfortunately, I may not able to do either until mid-July at the earliest.

I did see a couple of 883s while I was out and about yesterday and talked to one of the owners. the bikes aren't THAT small but power may be an issue. He did tell me it's a good first bike, but once I get the hang of it, I'll inevitably get the urge to get something bigger.

Also considering a V-Star 1100. Not a big fan of foreign bikes, but theyre plentiful and a lot cheaper than the HD's. The one thing I like about the V-stars is that they lend themselves well to the "bobber" look, which I really dig.

[nvrbdn]

here is the one i just picked up. a suzuki intruder velucia. big size. handles great.

[Nacho-RT74]

here is the one i just picked up. a suzuki intruder velucia. big size. handles great.

WOW! LOVE IT! never have seen that one before... and sure won't be seen locally

[nvrbdn]

it rides great. i like the large size and weight of it. only 8000 miles and the guy sold it to me for 2600.00. the price was right.

[Budnicks]

just to be safe, you cant eat red meat, red m&m's, go out in the sun, walk across the street,(even when the light is in your favor), go outside at night because of mosquitos, run with scissors in your hand, have unprotected sex, jump from a moving train....... seems like all the fun things are bad for you. im riding again, and enjoying it. take a class, watch what your doing, enjoy.

Yes, I remeber when Sex was Safe & Racing was dangerous  ...

[Fred]

My brother-in-law has just gone out and bought himself a Honda CBR 1100 after about 30 years of not having ridden one.
Pretty game if you ask me. I wish him well.
I won't be going for a dink on it.

[nvrbdn]

just to be safe, you cant eat red meat, red m&m's, go out in the sun, walk across the street,(even when the light is in your favor), go outside at night because of mosquitos, run with scissors in your hand, have unprotected sex, jump from a moving train....... seems like all the fun things are bad for you. im riding again, and enjoying it. take a class, watch what your doing, enjoy.

Yes, I remeber when Sex was Safe & Racing was dangerous  ...

ha ha your right budnicks, we use to say the sex was safe and vanning was dangerous. 

[Finn]

I took the permit test without studying and passed, wasn't hard at all.  I ride with a couple of buddies at the moment because they have a bunch of spare bikes, but I still want to take the safety course before I ride by myself or even think about buying a bike. Every single one of my friends who rides has gone down at one point or another. Luckily there hasn't been any major injuries yet (knock on wood).  

One of the guys I ride with has an 883 that's for sale actually.

It's a gorgeous bike. Hard to tell from the picture but its a deep red that lights up in the sun. Lots of custom stuff.
Interestingly enough, he says that with the thin front tire (has to be thin to have that particular rim) and 5 speed transmission, it doesn't make that great of a commuter. He actually gets better gas mileage and a smoother ride with his 1983 Honda Magna v45 he bought for 500 bucks and fixed. That's the bike I am on when I go riding with him and I like it a lot.

[nvrbdn]

that honda looks good, just got my boy a good running yamaha maxim 650 for 650:00 good running bike and nice looking.