Anyone own a motorcycle?

MizzouRah · 08-06-2003, 01:49 PM

Back when I was in the Marines, I had a 1991 Yamaha FZR 600 street (sport) bike. I sold it when I went to Japan and after getting married and having kids, the thought of getting another one never crossed my mine. Until....

My wife just told me I could get a bike and yet again I want a sportbike, so I've researched and I think I'm going to get a 2003 Kawasaki Ninja Zx-R636.

Anyone have one of these? or another sportbike?

What about reviews on the Kawasaki? I couldn't find much about them on google.com.?

Todd

Draft Dodger · 08-06-2003, 01:49 PM

I'm too chickenshit.

mrsimperless · 08-06-2003, 01:55 PM

I don't own one, but I'm a faithful fan of American Chopper. One of the first things I would buy if I won the lottery would be an OCC bike... ::drools::

QuikSand · 08-06-2003, 01:59 PM

Your wife is encouraging you to ride a donorcycle? Do you have kids?

JeeberD · 08-06-2003, 02:00 PM

Nope. My brother-in-law keeps telling me I need to trade in my car and get one, but I don't think riding the highways of DFW on one would be very safe. Plus my hair would look like crap once I got to work and school. Plus I don't want to get decapitated...

Bee · 08-06-2003, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
Your wife is encouraging you to ride a donorcycle? Do you have kids?

Perhaps he has an insurance policy...

Rich1033 · 08-06-2003, 02:17 PM

I have always wanted one, but being 22 I have to wait 2 or 3 years beore I can handle paying the insurance.

I know a lot of people with them, and I hear only bad things about the Susuki bikes(Katanas?). The best seem to be Kawasaki, Yamaha, and the Honda CBRs.

I myself prefer the Honda CBRs.

cthomer5000 · 08-06-2003, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bee
Perhaps he has an insurance policy...

His wife just tripled his coverage.

Marc Vaughan · 08-06-2003, 02:55 PM

Used to be into bikes, mainly Trail/MotoX ones (partially to do with me being 6'6'' tall and partially to do with me enjoying madly whizzing through forests at breakneck speeds

) ...

My favourite bike has probably been an old KX125 MotoX bike which took a huge amount of punishment from myself and my mates when I was a teenager. My last bike was an Aprillia Pegaso which rocked ... apart from the somewhat volitile engine which had a tendency to blow-up now and them (somewhat annoying when it took 3 months to get spares for it).

My sister is still very much a biker-chick and currently works in a bike-shop and owns around 5 bikes (ranging from very old commuter plodders to race replicas).

Marc Vaughan · 08-06-2003, 03:03 PM

PS. I'd second the call for a CBR if you really must get a sports bike, from all reports they're quick and nimble - yet better behaved than most psuedo racers.

If you want something 'better' than a sports bike get a TDM second hand, they look awesome, wheelie like made and are lots of fun (plus their top speed is only around 100mph so you're more likely to keep you licence (this is partially down to the outrageous gearing on them (very very fast pickup) ... but mainly due to the fact that you sit bolt upright and get buffeted by the wind so physically its hard to control the bike at much higher speeds than that).

Please be careful though and don't speed madly until you're used to the power of the bike (what-ever it is you get) .... the most common bikers to be in accidents are ex-bikers returning to the scene.
This is mainly because they are cocky or simply aren't used to the power bikes have these days (sitting on the back of my sisters boyfriends ZZR-1100 going at over 160mph scares the shite out of me personally (not that I'd admit it to him

) and the pickup/braking on it is incredible compared to the bikes I used to ride).

To put this into context (and explain my note of caution), my sister sells bikes for a living and is feeling guilty that one she sold to a long-standing customer who'd always rode commuter plodders was involved in a fatal accident within days of him purchasing it ...

bbor · 08-06-2003, 03:11 PM

I don't o0wn a motorcycle anymore...but i stillown a motorcycle licence

Imyself was into the Enduro/off road bikes...never got much over 250cc....but as mark said...whizzing through the forests and such you don't need much more power than that

As for race rockets..i would'nt touch one.....car dirvers are too big idiots to ride a bike near.

damnMikeBrown · 08-06-2003, 06:21 PM

I'm a cyclist, and I second the above statement about car drivers being idiots. I've been struck by a car on 5 different occasions since I seriously began cycling in '97. 6 if you count when I got bopped way back in H.S. Only one of them was in any way, remotely close to being my fault. Not much you can do though, when you're on a 19lb bike.

I have, however, always wanted a motorcycle. The two I like are the frequently mentioned CBR's, and a Ducati Monster. The CBR I like, because it is wide. I just like the look of the fat rear end on that bike. The Ducati, well hell, it's just a work of art.

Luckly or not, I've never freed up the $$ to buy one. I readly admit, even though I very much would like one, that I'm also afraid of owning one. As poorly as I've experienced drivers to be, I'm afraid for my mortality riding a motocycle.

MizzouRah · 08-07-2003, 09:52 AM

I've already owned one for two years and simply had a blast with it. A new purchase would be mainly for backroad cruisin, not highway speed racing, especially after hearing about Skydog's friend.

I'm almost 32, so I just want a bike for fun with the wife on the back and I love the looks of a crotch rocket, always have. I just can't ride a normal bike.

CBR's are definitly on the top of my list, but for the 2003 models, I like the looks of the Kawasaki 636R, plus they are cheaper than the Honda CBR, by a tad and have a good financing program going on right now.

I'll have to pay off the Best Buy card first, but the thought of owning a bike makes me smile.

Todd

Samdari · 08-07-2003, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by damnMikeBrown
I'm a cyclist, and I second the above statement about car drivers being idiots.

Lol when you are in a car, motorcycles are occaisionally very difficult to see, a function of being smaller than a car. I find it funny when motorcyclists complain about car drivers being idiots. Wouldn't that be a good reason not to ride a motorcycle, knowing how poor the average driver is, and how little protection you have?

heybrad · 08-07-2003, 11:48 AM

Yes, car drivers are idiots. They are nothing like the incredibly intelligent motorcycle riders who ride 3 inches from my bumper then attempt to pass between me and a Mack truck while swerving to avoid hitting side mirrors in traffic.

clintl · 08-07-2003, 12:23 PM

I never liked them to start with, but any chance that I might change my mind ended when my dad was in serious accident while riding a motorcycle. A car hit him almost head-on while trying to make an illegal pass, and he was in the hospital for two months with pretty much every bone on the left side of his body broken, and then several months more recuperation at home before he could return to work. He was very lucky, but it messed up his left leg permanently. Both his knee and ankle had to be completely reconstructed, and he has walked with a severe limp ever since.

Craptacular · 08-09-2003, 09:19 PM

Make sure you get an insurance quote before buying a bike. My brother had a Honda cruiser and a Honda crotch-rocket. Partially due to the outrageous insurance premium for the crotch rocket, he just traded both in for a Honda Gold Wing.

MizzouRah · 08-09-2003, 11:34 PM

Insurance is only $60/MO with my car insurance company, it's nice (Progressive) is the largest Motorcycle inusrance company.

Todd

08-06-2003, 01:49 PM	#2
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I'm too chickenshit. __________________ Mile High Hockey

08-06-2003, 01:55 PM	#3
mrsimperless College Prospect Join Date: Apr 2003	I don't own one, but I'm a faithful fan of American Chopper. One of the first things I would buy if I won the lottery would be an OCC bike... ::drools:: __________________ "All I know is that smart women are hot. Susan Polgar beat me in 24 moves in a simultaneous exhbition. I slept with the scoresheet under my pillow." Off some dude's web site.

08-06-2003, 02:00 PM	#5
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Nope. My brother-in-law keeps telling me I need to trade in my car and get one, but I don't think riding the highways of DFW on one would be very safe. Plus my hair would look like crap once I got to work and school. Plus I don't want to get decapitated... __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

08-06-2003, 03:11 PM	#11
bbor Pro Starter Join Date: May 2001 Location: toronto	I don't o0wn a motorcycle anymore...but i stillown a motorcycle licence Imyself was into the Enduro/off road bikes...never got much over 250cc....but as mark said...whizzing through the forests and such you don't need much more power than that As for race rockets..i would'nt touch one.....car dirvers are too big idiots to ride a bike near. __________________ Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob.

08-06-2003, 01:59 PM	#4
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Your wife is encouraging you to ride a donorcycle? Do you have kids?

08-06-2003, 02:17 PM	#7
Rich1033 High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sylvania, Ohio	I have always wanted one, but being 22 I have to wait 2 or 3 years beore I can handle paying the insurance. I know a lot of people with them, and I hear only bad things about the Susuki bikes(Katanas?). The best seem to be Kawasaki, Yamaha, and the Honda CBRs. I myself prefer the Honda CBRs.

08-06-2003, 02:55 PM	#9
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	Used to be into bikes, mainly Trail/MotoX ones (partially to do with me being 6'6'' tall and partially to do with me enjoying madly whizzing through forests at breakneck speeds ) ... My favourite bike has probably been an old KX125 MotoX bike which took a huge amount of punishment from myself and my mates when I was a teenager. My last bike was an Aprillia Pegaso which rocked ... apart from the somewhat volitile engine which had a tendency to blow-up now and them (somewhat annoying when it took 3 months to get spares for it). My sister is still very much a biker-chick and currently works in a bike-shop and owns around 5 bikes (ranging from very old commuter plodders to race replicas).

08-06-2003, 03:03 PM	#10
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	PS. I'd second the call for a CBR if you really must get a sports bike, from all reports they're quick and nimble - yet better behaved than most psuedo racers. If you want something 'better' than a sports bike get a TDM second hand, they look awesome, wheelie like made and are lots of fun (plus their top speed is only around 100mph so you're more likely to keep you licence (this is partially down to the outrageous gearing on them (very very fast pickup) ... but mainly due to the fact that you sit bolt upright and get buffeted by the wind so physically its hard to control the bike at much higher speeds than that). Please be careful though and don't speed madly until you're used to the power of the bike (what-ever it is you get) .... the most common bikers to be in accidents are ex-bikers returning to the scene. This is mainly because they are cocky or simply aren't used to the power bikes have these days (sitting on the back of my sisters boyfriends ZZR-1100 going at over 160mph scares the shite out of me personally (not that I'd admit it to him ) and the pickup/braking on it is incredible compared to the bikes I used to ride). To put this into context (and explain my note of caution), my sister sells bikes for a living and is feeling guilty that one she sold to a long-standing customer who'd always rode commuter plodders was involved in a fatal accident within days of him purchasing it ...

08-06-2003, 06:21 PM	#12
damnMikeBrown College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH	I'm a cyclist, and I second the above statement about car drivers being idiots. I've been struck by a car on 5 different occasions since I seriously began cycling in '97. 6 if you count when I got bopped way back in H.S. Only one of them was in any way, remotely close to being my fault. Not much you can do though, when you're on a 19lb bike. I have, however, always wanted a motorcycle. The two I like are the frequently mentioned CBR's, and a Ducati Monster. The CBR I like, because it is wide. I just like the look of the fat rear end on that bike. The Ducati, well hell, it's just a work of art. Luckly or not, I've never freed up the $$ to buy one. I readly admit, even though I very much would like one, that I'm also afraid of owning one. As poorly as I've experienced drivers to be, I'm afraid for my mortality riding a motocycle.

08-07-2003, 09:52 AM	#13
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	I've already owned one for two years and simply had a blast with it. A new purchase would be mainly for backroad cruisin, not highway speed racing, especially after hearing about Skydog's friend. I'm almost 32, so I just want a bike for fun with the wife on the back and I love the looks of a crotch rocket, always have. I just can't ride a normal bike. CBR's are definitly on the top of my list, but for the 2003 models, I like the looks of the Kawasaki 636R, plus they are cheaper than the Honda CBR, by a tad and have a good financing program going on right now. I'll have to pay off the Best Buy card first, but the thought of owning a bike makes me smile. Todd

08-07-2003, 11:48 AM	#15
heybrad Norm!!! Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manassas, VA	Yes, car drivers are idiots. They are nothing like the incredibly intelligent motorcycle riders who ride 3 inches from my bumper then attempt to pass between me and a Mack truck while swerving to avoid hitting side mirrors in traffic.

08-07-2003, 12:23 PM	#16
clintl College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Davis, CA	I never liked them to start with, but any chance that I might change my mind ended when my dad was in serious accident while riding a motorcycle. A car hit him almost head-on while trying to make an illegal pass, and he was in the hospital for two months with pretty much every bone on the left side of his body broken, and then several months more recuperation at home before he could return to work. He was very lucky, but it messed up his left leg permanently. Both his knee and ankle had to be completely reconstructed, and he has walked with a severe limp ever since.

08-09-2003, 09:19 PM	#17
Craptacular College Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Mad City, WI	Make sure you get an insurance quote before buying a bike. My brother had a Honda cruiser and a Honda crotch-rocket. Partially due to the outrageous insurance premium for the crotch rocket, he just traded both in for a Honda Gold Wing.

08-09-2003, 11:34 PM	#18
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	Insurance is only $60/MO with my car insurance company, it's nice (Progressive) is the largest Motorcycle inusrance company. Todd

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