Help: Thinking About Buying a First Motorcycle.

My class is tomorrow!

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Have fun. I've been meaning to do this for years.

Map - I'm really excited. After I take the class and do the course, I'll have a certificate. I take that certificate to the DMV, and take the written test. After that, I'm licensed.

I'm really fortunate to have so many experienced riders at work. they have been really great at getting me information and offering their advice.

I made some purchases today. I have my safety gear now. Red helmet to match the bike, grey/silver jacket with good armor, and rding boots with shin protection. I'm going to buy a nice pair of gloves next.

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First day of class was good. Notable hot heads in the classroom that didn't take the instruction seriously or thought that they knew better than the instructors.

It was a very informative class. There were lots of older and experienced riders taking the course as a refresher too. I think I could have learned to ride on my own, but I think the course is awesome at offering sound fundamentals and strategy I would not otherwise got.

Tomorrow. I ride.
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Awaiting further reports

I have my license now! I scored well on my exams. I have however thrown the brakes on my bike shopping. I was set to buy the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, but the class taught me a lot about sizing and what different bikes are going to be used for. The 250 might not have what I need for highway commutes.

I asked the owner for a week to do a little more research to be sure.

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Congratulations!

I got cold feet on the original motorcycle I was going to buy. I test drove it and after what I was being told from my instructors and a few other knowledgeable, the bike was too small for my body.

From there, I began to search for a good used bike of my liking.

I've been looking at

Buell Blast
Suzuki SV650 (naked version)
Honda Shadow variants

It's harder than I thought to buy a bike. I am getting a great deal of experience inspecting bikes though. The SV650 is my favorite so far. They are harder to come by however. Found a good one, but the owner was a D-bag. sadly that transaction was canceled.

If I had enough parking allocated to me in my garage I'd simply go all out and buy a Ural Sahara. However, the parking alone would cost me $1200.0o/year so I'll hold off on getting one of those until later in my motorcycle life.

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Killjoy number two present and reporting. I understand the thrill of it but I've seen too many DOAs to think that the thrill is worth it.

Mr B and I saw another horrific accident last night. I don't think he was DOA but I doubt he'll make it. Motorcycles, rain, hills, and SUVs are NOT a good combination.

I'm flattered that people post their concerns via killjoys.

In the most cautious way possible, I'll interject that killjoys, while flattering, do not serve to help keep a person safe in greater volume/number. I've received enough at this point to have the point clearly made.

This isn't the "I'm just that young guy who thinks he's invincible and can't get hurt" potion of our program. I, if anything, think I'm pretty damn far from invincible and am rightfully respectful of my own mortality. That's all I can say.

I'll ask that you trust in me to use my best judgment. So lets not do the joy kill bit anymore. Let me enjoy this.

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my first scooter was a Cushman Eagle

my last scooter was a Honda Goldwing

with many (BSA-Norton-Triumph-Ducati-Yamaha) inbetween. I rode for 30 years and don't regret a single moment (zero injuries)

Common sense and due vigilance are great assets in riding motorcycles, or actually, in anything one does. Many things are dangerous in life and we usually regret what we did not try.

You seem to possess common sense and intelligence so I am sure you will do good.

(If Dys can do it. You can do it )

Cool bike Dys. I'm used to less cool looking goldwings. That one is pretty badass.

If I had my way (which would be very expensive) I'd go for this.

It's not the cost of the bike that prevents me, but rather the cost of parking here in DC. My apartment complex will only rent out three spots per unit, so I'd have to store elsewhere. Besides, one of the reasons I want a bike is so I can zip into the district and have ample parking. A large bike with a sidecar would still be a pain to park.

I'll save this dream for a later day, and potentially a epic CC roadtrip.

I'm also quite fond of old Indian Army bikes or similar designs.


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Cool video...

A boy can dream...

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Well, after a few weeks of shopping around. I think I found the one. Yesterday I found a Silver 2003 Suzuki SV650 (naked). I instantly took a liking to the bike. The owner seemed to have a real good vibe to him too--kind of reminded me of my brother. I have one bike I'm checking out this afternoon at 5:00PM (also a SV650). I'm pretty set on the one I saw yesterday, but just to be sure...

Either way, I'll be choosing a bike of my desire today. Thanks to everyone for their input and support.

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SV650...what did I tell you from the start?

Kids...they just have to learn everything for themselves and then come back with the decision I suggested in the first place. I tell ya, what's the world coming to?

First ride on the bike went well. It was a 53 mile (gulp) little drive from Baltimore (double gulp) to DC (triple gulp).

Now that I'm home, I'm enjoying a nice glass of water and then I'm taking it to get VA inspections and then to get it titled.

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Did you get the first one or the second one?

The silver SV650. It's licensed, insured, and chilling in my garage right now. Pics to come soon.

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I've only driven my car once in the last week...

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