Life Motorcycle advice... - Page 9

**Fire Me Boy!** · 05-09-2009, 10:40 AM

Thinking about getting my first bike... looking fairly cheap, not into speed-demon type stuff.

Just some advice about a 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan (left) or a '78 Goldwing (right).

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-14-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Just consider the weight of that bike. Big cruisers get heavy fast, hence the term “lead sled”.

I know. The Vulcan 900 is a "middlewieght cruiser" I think... with all fluids it ought to be around 600 pounds. Definitely will need to sit on one, lean it a little and get some feel for it. Might try to find one on CL to take out for a ride to get a feel.

Radar Chief · 07-14-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denverdanchiefsfan

I bought an '81 CB900 Custom last year. Great bike to get me to and from work since it came with all the luggage (two side bags and a trunk). Most of my drive is highway - 65-75 mph. Mileage isn't quite what I would like since it is only a 5 speed (actuall 10 - with the high/low gear it also has) but now 6th gear for highway cruising.

You can change your gearing by shuffling sprockets around.
Try getting a front sprocket with 1 more tooth on it, yours probably has a 13 or 14 tooth sprocket. To compensate you would have to get a slightly longer chain or you could also get a rear sprocket with 1 or 2 fewer teeth than your rear one currently has.
You will loose acceleration but swapping gears around can get your engine speed, RPM’s, where you want it at a given vehicle speed, MPH.

andoman · 07-14-2009, 03:05 PM

FMB, if you take a road test on a Rebel let me know how it goes?

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-14-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andoman

FMB, if you take a road test on a Rebel let me know how it goes?

Should be riding one tomorrow or Thursday.

**Lzen** · 07-14-2009, 10:05 PM

I took my test on my Honda Shadow. Trying to navigate that thing through staggered cones spaced 10 feet apart was a bitch. Took me 2 times to pass the test.

**rockymtnchief** · 07-14-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I took my test on my Honda Shadow. Trying to navigate that thing through staggered cones spaced 10 feet apart was a bitch. Took me 2 times to pass the test.

I saw a 100 lbs. woman do that on a raked out Harley when I took my test. There was no way I could do it on that bike at that time. I wanted to go tell her I was impressed, but her 6'6" 300 lbs husband looked kinda pissed to be up so early in the morning.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-15-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I took my test on my Honda Shadow. Trying to navigate that thing through staggered cones spaced 10 feet apart was a bitch. Took me 2 times to pass the test.

That actually is a bit of my concern, getting a bigger bike. I know I'll get used to it, but all I've ridden is the 250cc Nighthawk. Little bit of nerves until I at least ride something bigger, you know?

**morphius** · 07-15-2009, 07:57 AM

Have you looked at the motorcycle safety classes, in a lot of states if you pass the class they give you a certificate which you can take in and get your license without having to take the test. Plus, its just a damn good idea to take the class anyway.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-15-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphius

Have you looked at the motorcycle safety classes, in a lot of states if you pass the class they give you a certificate which you can take in and get your license without having to take the test. Plus, its just a damn good idea to take the class anyway.

Took one last weekend. rules changed and they didn't bother to tell anyone that if we had our permits we could get a license test waiver.
Posted via Mobile Device

wild1 · 07-15-2009, 08:21 AM

a dual purpose bike is perfect for the test if you can find one to borrow.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-15-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild1

a dual purpose bike is perfect for the test if you can find one to borrow.

I've got my permit already. Have been debating about getting a bike and riding it for a while, then taking the intermediate safety course, which also has a waiver. Would give me some of that skills experience on my actual bike, rather than the 250cc bikes they make you ride in the basic class.

Brock · 07-15-2009, 08:31 AM

They make those tests ridiculously hard. It's why half the people you see riding motorcycles don't actually have a license.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-15-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

They make those tests ridiculously hard. It's why half the people you see riding motorcycles don't actually have a license.

The MSF test I took this weekend is harder than the DMV test for SC, and I was "excellent" in all categories. I didn't find it very hard at all.

Brock · 07-15-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

The MSF test I took this weekend is harder than the DMV test for SC, and I was "excellent" in all categories. I didn't find it very hard at all.

You would if you took it on a Road King.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-15-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

You would if you took it on a Road King.

That's probably very true.

05-09-2009, 10:40 AM
Fire Me Boy! Cast Iron Jedi Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $9999900 VARSITY	Motorcycle advice... Thinking about getting my first bike... looking fairly cheap, not into speed-demon type stuff. Just some advice about a 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan (left) or a '78 Goldwing (right).
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07-14-2009, 03:05 PM	#123
andoman You're not too far between Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Midland, GA Casino cash: $8396464	FMB, if you take a road test on a Rebel let me know how it goes?
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07-14-2009, 10:05 PM	#125
Lzen Banded Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Oz Casino cash: $-529308	I took my test on my Honda Shadow. Trying to navigate that thing through staggered cones spaced 10 feet apart was a bitch. Took me 2 times to pass the test. __________________ Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.
Posts: 42,458

07-15-2009, 07:57 AM	#128
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $5845027	Have you looked at the motorcycle safety classes, in a lot of states if you pass the class they give you a certificate which you can take in and get your license without having to take the test. Plus, its just a damn good idea to take the class anyway.
Posts: 26,022

07-15-2009, 08:21 AM	#130
wild1 MVP Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 31040 Casino cash: $10004900	a dual purpose bike is perfect for the test if you can find one to borrow.
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07-15-2009, 08:31 AM	#132
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	They make those tests ridiculously hard. It's why half the people you see riding motorcycles don't actually have a license.
Posts: 47,314