Re: Advice on bikes
 

Damn slowbubblecar, you have no idea how tempting that is. I dont even know if I can get one, but if I did, the budget would be at or below $2000. I think the FZR, F2, and Ninja 500 are the ones I am going to keep my eyes out for, I really appreciate all this help.

I havent driven a bike before, but I have been riding fourwheelers since I was little so I have atleast some experience with the clutch and what not. Basically, I cant keep my Talon after that fuckin bearing went so I am getting rid of that and my parts car so the profits that come from that will either be used to get some play things for the Cavalier (ie a better system or a black interior, etc) or possibly a bike. Oddly enough, my parents are more supportive of a bike anyway. Its pretty apparent to me that after I buy the thing, I could save some money as well. Insurance is quite a bit cheaper than the Cavalier and gas milage is 3x as better. That, and a bike would be way more fun to drive. We'll see what I can find and whether I get that job or not, this would have way more chance getting to happen if I got that $12/hr 40-50 hr/week job I applied for today :).

Re: Advice on bikes
 

I am not sure if a 4 wheeler is much differnet, but I just learned on my brothers 1000cc and then bought mine after.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

I got 60 mpg usually on my FZR 600, if I beat on it the it would drop to 54 mpg :P My GSXR1000 gets mid 30's and my 96' GSXR750 got around 40 mpg.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

How do you measure mpg on a bike? I always tried the fill up and divide miles by gallons method, but assumed the fill was too inconsistent and the volume too small to be very accurate on a bike.

I seem to pull 150-200 miles per tank. About as accurate as I've gotten it so far.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

Do it for about 3 tanks and average them. I would always fill right up to the bottom of the fill tube, so I knew they were very close to the same fills. Stand the bike up to get the air bubbles out.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

^What JET said, not too difficult.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

Yeah. I suppose it should get a reasonable ballpark. I'm just lazy. :)

Re: Advice on bikes
 

So what about setting them down? Has pretty much everyone done it or is it just a few?

I'm looking at this a lot more seriously. I did a little looking... if gas gets as expensive as they said it would on the news last night and I drive as much as I did last summer, I will save around $600 on gas alone. Not to mention under my name the Cavalier would be like $115 liability whereas the bike would be $45 though Geico... thats another $280 saved.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

You will probably have to keep the car on too, it sucks riding a bike in the rain. I have never laid a bike down on the street, but did twice on the racetrack.

Re: Advice on bikes
 

Oh yeah, definately keeping the car. I will need something to drive in the winter but I think driving a bike in the summer could save me some money and it would pay for itself after a few summers plus then I would have something to sell if/when I decide to get rid of it. What about gas milage, what do you guys usually get?

EDIT: Holy fuck! Geico was $45/month for me, Progressive was $27/month!

Re: Advice on bikes
 

I was talking about insurance on the car in the summer, you will want both on, but you might get a multi car discount!

Re: Advice on bikes
 

What do you guys think of the GSX-R 600 ? I almost bought a 97 a few years back... thinking about lookin for one again :)

Re: Advice on bikes
 

Nice bikes, I had the 750 version of the bike. 2000 was the update to the 750, 2001 for the 600.

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I suppose a 600 would be good for milage and handling. Not the fastest thing ever but my car might/should be faster then most bikes within reason anyways (pening race conditions/rider).

Re: Advice on bikes
 

Honestly, If you've never driven a bike before, I'd be a piece of crap better bike first, cause if you buy a nice expensive bike your going to be some pissed when you dump it the first few times. Lets face it, everyone dumps there bikewhen there learning.

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^^ Not if you dont act like a moron.

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The problem with powerful bikes and new riders is that when they panic they grip harder, and when that happens the throttle gets twisted open more which causes more panic, and so on it continues.

Everyone I know who has started out on a bigger than appropriate bike for them (including some guys and 600cc sport bikes) has at the very least laid it down, worst case scenario you'll end up like a kid I hung with in high school and put your head into a tree at 120 mph. As you can imagine, that didn't end well.

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That would suck for sure, that is why I plan to have a little self control and not try anything crazy for a long time, if ever, and being carefull at all times will help.

~John

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If only all new riders were wise!

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Yea that is part of the problem.