Advice needed on purchasing a motorcycle

Hey all, I'll just jump right in here and hopefully someone can help me.

Next year I plan on taking a two week road trip with my brother. Catch is, we decided it would be awesome if we did so on motorcycles. Now, I've never ridden one. So obviously this is a problem. So I've started looking into procuring a couple of pre owned bikes from private sellers in my area. I'm not looking to go fast, just be comfortable enough to ride for a few hours.

I'm six foot tall and weigh 140 (I know) so I'm not looking for something that I can't lift off of myself should I lay it over.

Now I've ridden quads and imagine shifting a motorcycle works in the same fashion. I'm thinking 750 to 1100 CCs would be adequate.

I'm not so ignorant to think that I can just buy a motorcycle and hit the road for two weeks, which is why I'm trying to get one now and get as much experience under my belt as possible. We plan on staying off freeways and interstates as much as possible. We really want to get some off the beaten path kinda scenery.

Is there any advice any riders out there can give me concerning this subject?

It would be greatly appreciated.

reply to post by denybedoomed


I would go the Enduro route.
Maybe a Suzuki DR 650...alot of fun and easily has enough power.

I ride an Enduro and will never ride anything else,I have rode it through the woods and have taken it off the beaten path many times.

Also,having a kick start is a good option for colder weather.

I can tell you that if you buy a 750 you will definitely be ready for a more powerful cycle after a two week trip. That's my experience any way, it doesn't take long to learn how to handle a cycle and then get that need for speed. I would say go for somewhere inbetween 750 and 1100, if you are definitely staying off populated roadways. Have fun and don't forget to take a camera along.

reply to post by DrumsRfun


I did find this awesome looking triumph street triple. So awesome, but a bit out of my price range.
Thanks for the input!

reply to post by InTheLight


Definitely going to have a camera! Must have really. Thanks for your advice.

I don't want too much power because I know myself well enough to realize I would totally die.

That's the reason I didn't buy my friends ninja a few years back, I just know I'd say "how fast can this thing go?" And end up dead. Haha.

Our trip will take us diagonally through Nevada, into Wyoming, across Montana and Idaho, down through wash. to oregon, them jump on the California 101 to wrap it up. I'm super stoked, just don't want to be cocky and think I know what I'm doing without getting some experience first.

denybedoomed
reply to post by InTheLight

 

Definitely going to have a camera! Must have really. Thanks for your advice.

I don't want too much power because I know myself well enough to realize I would totally die.

That's the reason I didn't buy my friends ninja a few years back, I just know I'd say "how fast can this thing go?" And end up dead. Haha.

Our trip will take us diagonally through Nevada, into Wyoming, across Montana and Idaho, down through wash. to oregon, them jump on the California 101 to wrap it up. I'm super stoked, just don't want to be cocky and think I know what I'm doing without getting some experience first.

Fair enough, but make sure whatever cycle you buy has great resale ability, because you will want more power.

It sounds like a great route. Will you post the pics here when you return?

reply to post by InTheLight

reply to post by InTheLight


Absolutely! My ATS family will be the first to peep the shots we get. We'll be packing light and camping the whole way. So etching about the open road on a bike seems so much more satisfying. And I recently read that riding a motorcycle makes you smarter, so there's another plus!

For your height and weight. Plus you want to go off the beaten path. Also inexperienced. I would suggest something like a Honda Shadow 600 CC. It has the power needed. Not over powered for people with little ride time. The bike is a cruiser
Style where you can sit upright and not in the awkward forward fetal position like crotch rockets. This helps for a more relaxed shifting position.

I bought a 2005 Honda Shadow vt750dc last summer for 2k ( U.S. dollars ). The bike was in pristine condition with less than 700 miles. I have driven crotch rockets but with back problems the shadow was a much better fit. I'm 6ft 1in tall 235 lbs. The bike has the pick up speed to get around slow tractor trailers if I have to.

My advice if you are taking a trip for 2 weeks is. If you go with this kind of cruiser. Get saddle bags and a sissy bar. The sissy bar comes in handy when you strap a travel bag to it and thus allowing you to lean back comfortably. Also get a trickle charger, they run about 30-40 bucks.

Insurance ran me $160.00 for the year. But if you take a motorcycle safety course which provides you with a license at the end. Sometimes insurance will reduce buy $80.00. I went with Geico.

Word of warning! Be aggressive. I ditched my bike once...a lady on a cell phone pulled right out in front of me. I was fine the bike took a scratch to the right mirror. Even though I had bright green on and anticipated idiots. Accidents still can happen.

Good luck! I have a bike for sale with one scratched mirror

a 750...or even a 500 should be fine for something like this.
Not too much power, but enough to get you quickly out of a scary situation or keep up with any kind of traffic

reply to post by InTheLight


True. But I was inexperienced and 750 was just right. But I am now looking for something bigger

Take the safety course. also ride what you would like. i'm 6"1 and 215 and i cruise on a gsxr 1000. My friend has over 88,000 miles on a 05 kawi x-10r 1000 and rides ironass trips. haha

reply to post by Bigburgh


Thanks! Yeah, my back isn't in great shape either. I would rather be able to sit up comfortably rather than be leaning forward. I'm definitely looking to get a sissy bar as we plan on packing our guitars.
Thanks for all the advice, you guys. I knew I could count on ATS.

For something like this, get a bike that is comfortable. This means one where you are not constantly distributing your weight through anything other than your butt and back. It can be VERY misleading because a bike might feel fantastic in a thirty minute test drive, but turn that into three hours and it could be a completely different story. Once this starts to go on day after day, it can make an otherwise AWESOME road trip get knocked down a peg.

Engine size isnt particularly important, but overall, being quicker to accelerate and brake than the boxes around you can save your life. If you can, ride a few sizes and see what you like. You have the option to modify it down the line if you want more power, but the riding experience of different engine sizes cant be as readily changed.

Do you have the ability to test ride some bikes beforehand? Bike geometry and comfort can be very specific.

edit: Oh, and remember, its all in the wrist.

reply to post by denybedoomed


You're welcome. Stay safe

Bigburgh
reply to post by InTheLight

 

True. But I was inexperienced and 750 was just right. But I am now looking for something bigger

LOL. Don't suggest he buy a Shadow, only biker chicks ride those.

InTheLight

Bigburgh
reply to post by InTheLight

 

True. But I was inexperienced and 750 was just right. But I am now looking for something bigger

LOL. Don't suggest he buy a Shadow, only biker chicks ride those.

Haha..well I didn't have 23 grand for the Harley electroglide. Which my sister has.
But it is my first bike. And I'm also not as experienced. So I'm just offering what my personal experience is. Plus my shadow was my brothers whom needed cash fast considering.....It snows here in the winter and he didn't have a car.

I gave you a star for that

reply to post by Serdgiam


Thanks for the input.

Unfortunately I live in a pretty rural are and don't have many opportunities to test ride, so I'm limited in that aspect. And I don't think I'm comfortable enough to test drive someone's bike and not know what the hell I'm doing.

My bro lives in so. Cal. And just found an 82 yamaha maxim 650 for $750, it's old, so would it be a gamble?

He also is In the same boat as me, doesn't know how to ride and doesn't know anyone who does.

And up here someone was selling a 74 honda cb750, even older, but seller says besides a few cosmetics, it runs great.

Oh! And have a friend purchase a bell that he/she puts on the bike. Mine is the Fire Fighter IAFF. I didn't have a choice. It showed up one day.


Aww man I wish it was June again.!