motorcycle yes or no?

[mikeyj217]

5 years ago in college I had bought a kawasaki ninja 250. I know a small bike but I taught myself how to ride on it. NEver felt completely comfortable, only had it for 8 months, rents made me sell. But I did love it. Im contemplating bike a cheap bike ninja 500 or the low level suzuki for the summer and to commute to work when its nice. I work in the bronx live in islip. Will save me a lot on gas mileage and cut the commute in half probably. Talk me into it or out of it

[zcaveman69]

I'm not gonna attempt to talk someone into, or out of buying a bike, I'm not gonna have that on my head. I will however remind you of the obvious, yes riding a bike will cut costs of gas, yes riding a bike will cut down on miles added to your Z, yes it's more fun to commute on a sportbike than in a cage, but you have to also understand the costs of the bike. How much cash will the bike cost/sales tax + Insurance + Tires & maintenance + Riding gear + Here locally theres a personal property tax, all of these have to be remembered if buying to save money, you may have to ride for a couple years before you'd actually save money.

[Zmazing03]

I've never rode or anything, but you said you never were completely comfortable on the 250. Common sense says, if that is the case, I personally wouldn't go bigger until you are more comfortable.

[slowxturtle]

I've owned 2 sport bikes before, f4i, gsxr600, and it's fun for a hobby on the weekends, but to commute everyday increases your chance to get hit or hurt significantly. Is the $5/10 you will save on gas a day worth it if you got hurt?

[terrasmak]

Originally Posted by Zmazing03

I've never rode or anything, but you said you never were completely comfortable on the 250. Common sense says, if that is the case, I personally wouldn't go bigger until you are more comfortable.

That was my first thought, but i quickly saw he was self taught. MY ADVICE is to take the MSF course before you think about buying again, and see how comfy you are on a bike after the completion.

[buzzdsm]

I think a lot of people think things like "I'll get a bike for my morning commute. save gas, and as a bonus have fun riding".

A couple of things.

Yes, it's fun to ride but it's also high stress during rush hour. You have to constantly make sure that everyone sees you.

Weather can be a factor so how many days a month are you going to be able to ride.

You can usually double your MPG but a lot of those costs are offset by insurance, tires, accessories, etc.

Here is an example of my ride this morning.

6:00am-I sure hope it doesn't rain today
6:03am-Damn I have 100 miles on the tank. Time to fill up
6:05am-39mpg damn that's good
6:10am-I better make sure I'm not in that persons blind spot (I probably thought this about 10 more times)
6:15am-Let me pass this car so that I can be first going to the next curve
6:16am-MMMMM nice corner
6:17am-Did I remember to shut the zipper on my coat where my BB is?
6:18am-I think so
6:20am-Time to park
6:21am-Time to take off all my gear
6:22am-I really don't want to carry my helmet into the office
6:23am-I hope no one spits in my helmet that I left attached to my bike

Here is what it's like to drive my car to work
6:00 am-What station should I listen to on the way to work
6:20 am-Time to park

I would say the best reason to buy a bike is to have something you can have fun on and the commuting part is just a bonus.

[doug]

riding in the bronx or NYC for that matter on a bike you don't feel comfortable? big NO NO

alot of people are going to try and convince you that it maybe ok.. however they don't live in a metropolis like NYC... get comfortable on a bike for fun first before you use it for commuting.. in NYC you will be dead in a week

[zcaveman69]

Fuuuuuuuuuk that, here's an example of my morning commute on a bike-

6:50am- Shyt, have to be at work in 10 minutes and have a 15mile commute,
6:51am- get in shower, brush teeth, etc etc
6:58am- throw jacket, jeans, sidi boots, gloves, helmet, backpack, and iPod in playing thunderdome from amsterdam.
7::08am- arrive at work and amped because I just passed 59 dikheads asleep at the wheel and life with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cell phone in the other at 75mph because they're all lemmings and drive minivans and chevy impalas.
7:12- Put on scrubs.
3:30pm- Do the same as step 3 except on my way home I'm taking the twisty route which is the other 120 miles on my tank, I then park it and get ready for tuesday-friday. Riding/commuting to work is phucking awesome

[zand02max]

Originally Posted by buzzdsm

I6:23am-I hope no one spits in my helmet that I left attached to my bike.

[nicoG35]

If you have to ask yourself if you're comfortable on the motorcycle can be arguable. Majority says No don't buy again expecially the conditions and area you will be riding in. City riding can be very harsh especially on a sport bike and unless you have experience on a sport bike and are comfortable with moving in slow traffic this isn't the best idea. Take the MSF.so you have a bit more knowledge on motorcycle safety and manuevering. If you feel confident then the 250, 500, or even the SV650 or ninja 650 will be fine. But if you are still worried, then maybe shouldn't buy at all. You will not be able to concentrate on your riding and your confidence level willbe really low because the only thing on your mind is your nervousness to ride.