Thinkin about gettin a bike

[Sykostick]

I got my truck for it's utility and safety, but I'll admit the 15 MPG is starting to make me think twice about driving to the store or restaurant, and commuting is costly. I've been oggling over a lot of bikes on the street lately and I'm starting to be attracted by the idea of 30-50 MPG. I never have passengers as it is, and I can always still grab my Tacoma if I need to haul something.

So I would like some suggestions and opinions from the board. I'd be a new driver, probably need to go find a training course or something, and I need to apply for an M2 permit.

My budget will be around 6-8k. I prefer to buy "new." Any suggestions for a reliable, easy to ride "beginner" bike for commuting and getting around?

Please keep in mind that at the very moment I know next to nothing about bikes, brands or models. I'm only recently getting interested, so bear with me here.

But yeah I'd appreciate any advice/suggestions.

[Zembonez]

Bikes can be fun but you have look at the big picture...especailly if you are a new biker.

If it is wet, you get wet. If it's cold you get cold. Hot - hot.... you get the idea. It gets really old in a very short time. There is exactly NO cargo space. Every time you need to carry something, it is a pain. Economy? Unless you go for something under 600cc you probably won't get much better mileage than a cheap used Corolla would offer... and it would be a LOT safer, drier, warmer, etc. My 1100 got about 32mpg.

Add to this the fact that they are really dangerous in traffic and offer no protection and well....

Just my 0.02

[eyedoc]

Originally Posted by Sykostick

I got my truck for it's utility and safety, but I'll admit the 15 MPG is starting to make me think twice about driving to the store or restaurant, and commuting is costly. .

I couldn't get 15mpg even if I tried. I get an average of 15mpg or better towing a 4300lb boat/trailer.

you should be getting AT LEAST 20mpg average.......

OH, and I also agree with poster #2. Grass is always greener....until you get to "the other side"


PS: 6-8,000 bucks is 3-4 YEARS worth of gasoline for your truck..... think twice and calculate!!!!

[Sykostick]

Both points made and heard... and yeah.. You're right.

As for 15 MPG, all my miles are city block miles, I make it to 3rd, maybe 4th, and stop and idle for a minute. I barely see any cruising miles. I'm sure i'd make 20 MPG if it was all freeway. plus it's a 4x4 v6, the "less economic" of combinations. I forgot to mention also, that among safety and utility, I got it for it's reliability. And I hear you both out about cost and safety, and I must say you both make good, and well-heared points. I'll stick to my truck for now. I can't get a corolla or anything tho, unfortunately. My current living situation gives me parking for two vehicles, currently occupied by my Tacoma and my wifes Camry. I'll stick to the cost of my tacoma's gas.

I asked for advice and I got it. Thank you.

[fgochuico]

I commute twice a week on a Ducati 900cc SuperSport, 45-50 mpg. The other three times on a Trek bike.

Telling someone you get 32 mpg on an 1100cc means nothing if you don't identify the bike. The heavier overall weight, the less mileage.

A Honda CBR600 F4i would get on average 48 mpg. My friend has a 2003 Honda RC51 and never drops below 44mpg, and that's a 1000cc bike.

It not the bike that's dangerous. It's the drivers. You have to be an absolute defensive driver, treat everyone around you as a dumb driver. More 50% of the time, they don't see you. You are lucky if they are even checking their mirrors.

As for storage. If you can't put in a backpack and comfortably carry it, don't bring it.

You can go to http://www.ca-msp.org/ for training and license.

By the way, if you plan to be on the freeway, you'll need an M1, not an M2 license.

[fgochuico]

BTW, I wouldn't suggest getting a brand spanking new bike. I guarantee you'll be dropping that bike the 1st year. If not, dropping it more than once.

Buy used spend a little less than 5K, and find a nice 500-600cc bike and trade up once you feel you have matured as a rider.

I would recommend these bikes for beginners

Honda CBR600 F4
Yamaha R6
Kawasaki Ninja

If you are daring enough, there's a 2005 Honda CBR 1000RR listed on CycleTrader.com for $4800 in your area.

[Jeddak]

Originally Posted by Sykostick

Both points made and heard... and yeah.. You're right.

As for 15 MPG, all my miles are city block miles, I make it to 3rd, maybe 4th, and stop and idle for a minute. I barely see any cruising miles. I'm sure i'd make 20 MPG if it was all freeway. plus it's a 4x4 v6, the "less economic" of combinations.

I have a TRD OR DCab. I get 16.7-16.9 MPG driving in town only. It is all in the foot. I start slowing down ahead of time for the red lights--just take my foot off the gas and slow down with tranny in "D". Never let my RPMs go over 2K when I drive. Even if you do not go in the Overdrive, you still can save gas.

Looked into car pooling? My wife and I drive together 4 days a week. Have been dong it for the last 2 years. Park the truck and drive Corolla.

[demoncleaner]

I wouldnt get a moto just to hopefully save on gas $. Get one if its something you've thought about and really wanted to do all along for the fun of riding.

My road legal 500 Enduro may get 40-45mpg but weather, inattentive drivers, and its off-road baised tires make it an easy choice to still drive my 20mpg truck to work.

[05Moose]

Originally Posted by fgochuico

I would recommend these bikes for beginners

Honda CBR600 F4
Yamaha R6
Kawasaki Ninja

I read a story the other day in the paper about the Ninja. If you get the cheapest one it only runs $3,000 brand new and gets between 68 and 78 MPG!!! It's a light bike, the rider sits upright, and is perfect for beginners.

But...you still need to add in the cost of a payment (if not paying cash) and the cost of insurance. I did the math recently and found that for the 80 miles I drive to the bus each week (80 miles is total round trip), that I would never save enough money in gas to even make up for the cost in insurance. You gotta be like my neighbor...traveling 160 miles each day with no public transit alternatives to at least come out ahead.

[motomon]

As a 30+ year long-time motorcyclist (street, racing, dirt) and motorcycle instructor, I recommend two things:
1. Take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course given cheaply at a local community college where they even provide the bikes.
2. Get something relatively small and no reason not to buy used. One of the best starter bikes, in my opinion, is the Suzuki SV 650. They're less than $6k new, so you can find one very reasonably. They handle and ride well and can easily be upgraded, if and when you want to do so because there are so many around. After racing big bikes for several years, I finally succumbed to the many friends who told me to get an SV. It's fun and easy to ride for beginner and expert alike. I still have one as one of my two race bikes.

I wouldn't go with anything larger or smaller for many reasons. Also, if you haven't ridden in traffic, your skills will have to improve because "cagers" (people in cars and trucks) don't see you because you're so much smaller. You must stay alert and always have an escape plan.

All in all, many of us love to ride and even some of us live to ride (me). It's a blast here in CA with all the beautiful roads and canyons that we have.

By the way, the bikes recommended above (Honda CBR600 F4i, Yamaha R6, Kawasaki Ninja) are all sport bike, sometimes called crotch rockets and are definitely not for beginners. They also aren't anywhere near as comfortable as the SV 650. I've ridden all three, owned and raced two of them, still have an R6 that I ride on the race track and they have almost twice as much power as you need. The cheap Ninja (250) that was recommended is underpowered for an inexperienced rider. Sometimes you want to have enough power to get out of an idiot's way.