Should I get a motorcycle?

[Anonymous]

Just go for it! It's fun and safer than people want you to believe. If it weren't for inattentive car drivers trying to kil you . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on what type of bike, and your personality type.

Details?

I am a woman, 5'3" approx 125 lbs, the bike is a smaller one, a red Rebel.

Right now I am a stay at home mom and yearning to explore other parts of myself besides my nurturing side. I am generally pretty cautious so I don't think I'd go on highways.

I'd recommend taking the course before you commit to buying a bike. I'm also a woman and got my license when I was 34. I rode for a few years on and off but found I really didn't have the time when the kids were little. Now that they're older I'm back into riding and loving every minute. But I'm a car/motorcycle/anything that goes fast type of woman and always have been.

OP - yes I thought more about it and even if I do get the bike and take the course, the problem is time... I don't know when I'll get to ride and DH pointed out an extra $50 a month is still an expense we don't really need right now.

I think you answered your question.

[Anonymous]

I vote no. Your kids will be interested in it and it can fall over on them in the garage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband's close friend just took a motorcycle riding class as part of the journey to getting his first motorcycle.

Shattered his leg during the class and may walk with a limp the rest of his life. Just happened a couple of weeks ago.

I seriously doubt this happened..

I can count on one hand the number of times I ever got into third gear during my basic riders course. Most of the time you're riding around at parking lot speeds. How one "shatters" their leg at bicycle or jogging speeds in beyond me, except that it's a pretty good induction of a bald faced lie.

I'm the one who posted about the guy who broke his leg. What do you want, pictures? I don't know any of the details, because it's a friend of my husband's from work, but all I know is that he is way too young to be dealing with something as life-altering as this. And he's actually a really smart guy. But shit happens.

[Anonymous]

We have a motorcycle and a 4 year old.

Neither my husband nor I have ever shattered a leg. Our child has never pulled it on top of himself.

Having said that, with a child this young, we don't ride it. My husband has ridden it once this year: go get a safety inspection. We are thinking about selling it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband's close friend just took a motorcycle riding class as part of the journey to getting his first motorcycle.

Shattered his leg during the class and may walk with a limp the rest of his life. Just happened a couple of weeks ago.

I seriously doubt this happened..

I can count on one hand the number of times I ever got into third gear during my basic riders course. Most of the time you're riding around at parking lot speeds. How one "shatters" their leg at bicycle or jogging speeds in beyond me, except that it's a pretty good induction of a bald faced lie.

I'm the one who posted about the guy who broke his leg. What do you want, pictures? I don't know any of the details, because it's a friend of my husband's from work, but all I know is that he is way too young to be dealing with something as life-altering as this. And he's actually a really smart guy. But shit happens.

Maybe he was hit by a meteor while riding in the class. That would do it.

[Anonymous]

Go for it!! Totally sexy.

[Anonymous]

The two main things I would think of is what kind of price are they selling it for and the time issue you mentioned.

Back when I used to ride, it would be an entire weekend event where we'd fill up several times during one outing.

And having wrecked before and not getting another bike afterwards, the consequences of things are a little bit more on my mind than it was in the past.

And honestly, it's likely going to be just an expensive toy, where it's not that great to commute with or do errands with.

But the itch is still there and I find myself looking at bikes from time to time.

Also try to be realistic and if you see yourself really enjoying something like that. We know of some people who got a bike but ended up being too scared to ride it all the time and some people who just got it for the sake of getting it but never rode it. (the ideal type that you would want to find used)

We also heard of someone getting hurt pretty badly during the motorcycle riding class. So it may have been possible that someone shattered their leg during the class. Some things may not come as naturally to everyone.

But if it's not a great deal and it's not something that you're definite about, I might consider just passing on it.

[Anonymous]

yeah, if you're a total douche and want everyone to know it.

f'n douche bag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. They are extremely dangerous because drivers don't see them.

Op, Dismiss this post and others like it, as it's clearly written by an uninformed person.

That's not an endorsement for getting a bike, but rather advice on who to take or not take advice from.


What kind of bike? Do you live in DC? Are your weekends free? Because you'll need to take a riders class if you've never ridden. Plus, it's a great class anyway. Tons of useful stuff to learn.

I'd caution about getting a sport bike or other high performance bike as s first bike, too. Go with a standard or a cruiser style.

OP - No I live in a small city, not DC.

I like the idea of rider class, I'll check it out. The bike is my neighbor's a Rebel which I just looked up and is recommended for women.

Sounds like you live in a easier place to learn (small city) than DC, so that's a plus. And if you have uncrowded rural roads nearby, that would be ideal.

The Rebel is a good bike. But I'd caution about getting out on busy highways with big, fast traffic until you really develop a feel for the bike. Being a lightweight motorcycle and a lighter-weighing rider like you, it gets pushed around by winds and turbulence from other vehicles. I say this because my first bike, a Kwai KLR650, is also somewhat light, and even though I weigh 200+lbs, I was amazed at how much the turbulence from behind trucks pushed me around. It was scary at first, then you begin to understand and plan for it.

Riding a motorcycle will make you a MUCH more aware driver, too, even when you're in a car. You're constantly scanning and maintaining situational awareness

And it's an amazing thing to get out early on a summer morning, just after dawn, and go for a ride. The sounds, the smells, the feel of the bike, the way you control it with your balance and body, it's like a sensory feast.

People who've never ridden just don't understand

I absolutely feel this way, but about road bicycles and mtn biking. Exhilarating. OP, consider joining the cyclist community!!

[Anonymous]

OP,

How much are they asking for it? When it comes to motorcyles some dealerships have new noncurrent stock at discounted prices. For some bikes, they could be five years old.

Here is an example of one, not sure if it's the same model that your neighbor has:
http://www.hondaofcrofton.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventoryDetail&id=1951300&p=3&vc=cruiser&s=Year&d=D&t=new&vt=motorcycle%20%2F%20scooter&fr=xNewInventory

You'll probably have to add a bit extra for tax, title and fees. And can't really say for sure or not if this is just a bait and switch kind of deal, where the dealer is just trying to get you in the door and will either change the price or say it's not available.

So you have to see if the price difference is worth it or not.

There are some advantages of used bikes. ie you probably know the history of it and some people like the extras that may come with it.

But if you're on the fence on if you want it or not and the price isn't significantly better than what you can find new, I might just pass on it.

[Anonymous]

Do not get one.. you have LOs and motorcycles riders are guaranteed to get into an accident at some point. Please don't take the risk. if you want to explore yourself more, think of other ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just go for it! It's fun and safer than people want you to believe. If it weren't for inattentive car drivers trying to kil you . . .

With one exception, every person I've heard of who got in a motorcycle accident died. The one exception lost his leg.
Who cares how fun it is. It's not worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go for it!! Totally sexy.

This is exactly the reason so many people risk their lives riding stupid motorcycles. Because they think it makes them look bad ass. Please don't promote this stupidity.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to sidetrack OP's question but I have a question... If you don't have one but want to get one, how do I pass the driving test? Don't I need one to take the test/get license?