Any Motorcycle people?

I started riding as my primary transportation about four years ago, too. I was coming from smaller dualsport (street legal dirt) bikes like KLR250 (great alternative to the scooter, OK for freeway, but I only got 80mpg out of it) and DR and DR-Z400 (not at all similar to a scooter and a hyperactive little 400 thumper that sucks fuel from fuel stop to the next opportunity).

I appreciate the "adult" upright seating position like a cruiser, without the weight of all that heavy chrome, so I really love my VStrom. It's nothing to look at or fast like your Triple, but it's both a great tour bike and efficient commuter, easy to handle in traffic and parking lots. And instead of leaning forward and getting cramps like my friends on sportbikes, I find the position comfortable on long rides and therapeutic to my already sore spine.

I commute every day on the Strom. It's plenty quick for me, and I keep pace with my friends without a problem. But I can go farther between fuel stops. I'm back at school full-time so I don't get a lot of time on weekends, but at least once a month I join my friends on long group rides.

I'm in So Cal (north SFV), if you want to get together for a ride send me a PM. Summer's coming up, and it will be easier to schedule.

Yeah, I love my cars but use them sparingly now. I really enjoy being on the bike, except when it rains (and how often does that happen in So Cal anymore?).

Replies to this message:

roadburner (May 07, 2009 7:35 pm)

#37 of 44 Re: it's back [roadburner] by la4mead

May 07, 2009 (9:19 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Apr 26, 2009 2:55 pm)

My personal favorite part about my motorcycles is not having to work on them often. I can appreciate the exotics (exotic is a euphemism when used on a Ural) and love looking over bikes you don't see often (another GSXR?) but want to ride my bikes rather than wait for parts to fix 'em. Just sayin'.

The little scooter pic is "cute" but practical only in crowded urban centers, when I feel safer on a more agile bike. Out here in suburbia, I get on a freeway right at a suburban interchange to get to campus, and that traffic is moving fast and cares little about the safety of motorcyclists. I find the best defense is to keep pace.

Riders on this forum understand not all motorcyclists fit a "biker" description of being on a bike to challenge death by Buick (or Camry, Windstar, Escalade, or any other 2+ton rolling phone booths). Plus, I guess I like to control my own gear ratios. But I hope more people use scooters (as well as bikes with fixed gear ratios) to help cut our dependence on foreign oil, have some fun, and unclog our streets. But make safety (and spread courtesy) a priority.

#38 of 44 Re: My First-and Current-Ride [la4mead] by roadburner

May 07, 2009 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: la4mead (May 07, 2009 8:55 am)

I looked long and hard at the VStrom; it's an excellent bike. The S3 was just too inexpensive to refuse. Thanks for the ride invitation but I live in Kentucky. Let me know if you are ever up my way.

#39 of 44 value 1400 miles sv650s 2005 by twomuch4u146

Sep 24, 2009 (3:40 pm)

need a value on a suzuki 2005 sv650s 1400 miles on it

Replies to this message:

steve_ (Sep 24, 2009 5:18 pm)

#40 of 44 Re: value 1400 miles sv650s 2005 [twomuch4u146] by steve_ HOST

Sep 24, 2009 (5:18 pm)

Replying to: twomuch4u146 (Sep 24, 2009 3:40 pm)

I think NADA does bikes. Edmunds just does cars.

#41 of 44 mmm, smoked hog by steve_ HOST

Oct 25, 2011 (4:19 pm)

The History of Harley-Davidson Picture Gallery (Inside Line)

#42 of 44 Re: Any Motorcycle people? [snapcracklepop] by lffuenmayorr

Nov 21, 2012 (9:37 am)

Replying to: snapcracklepop (Jan 26, 2007 1:16 pm)

Hi friends, always I like it the road and adventure, my first motorcycle was Xtreet UM, of "UM Motos" and truly I am a motorcycle lover, who wishes to speak on these topics, welcome to my circle of friends.

Replies to this message:

fintail (Nov 21, 2012 7:07 pm)

#43 of 44 Re: Any Motorcycle people? [lffuenmayorr] by fintail

Nov 21, 2012 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: lffuenmayorr (Nov 21, 2012 9:37 am)

Interesting...never seen one, guess they aren't sold in US/Canada. Might be a viable alternative to clunky Chinese bikes.

#44 of 44 . by fintail

Dec 04, 2012 (3:35 pm)

Motorcycles are itching me again - probably because I know that now in the offseason and end of year is the best time to buy, at least from a dealer. I think I will not buy a Ducati, not now anyway - not until I have a good year or so on the road to know what I want to do. The build/material quality of the Monsters I looked at seemed ages ahead of the Japanese bikes I inspected - but at a high price. I think I am going to pursue a little Ninja or the used SV650 that is still languishing at a local lot. I want something with ABS, budget 5K or so max. Or do I...

These now "vintage" bikes had big appeal to me when I was a kid, and this one looks good

This looks decent

Or this, if it had its needs addressed

These are all half the price of modern bikes I would want. I see potential future collectible status for such bikes, if they are really pristine. I remember as a kid, liking some 80s style sportbike (FZR or Suzuki?) that had white wheels, can't remember what it was.

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