Any motorcycle fans here???

[desirexe]

I was having a mini-mid life crisis so I took a motorcycle safety course just for the 'fun' of it. I have a totally new respect for motorcycles and their drivers. Not sure if I am brave enough to buy one and ride it around, but I'm definitely a fan now! Anyone here ride??? If so, what kind of bike do you have??

[sagedil]

OMG, I can mix my two passions on one forum, how cool.

I just picked up a new Hyosung GV250 two weeks ago. I had not ridden for 17 years, and after my wife left last year, I picked up a used Honda Rebel. I am not a big guy, and really prefer a smaller bike. Well last November, a gentleman did not notice I was turning and hit me from behind doing about 50 mph. Destroyed my bike, and I flew through the air about 30 feet. Fortunately, my gear did what it was supposed to and all I had was a very badly bruised right shoulder.

Well finally settled with the insurance company a few weeks ago. I have had Baby for 13 days and already have put 1100 miles on her :P

The GV250 is an amazing bike. Built in Korea, but fit and finish will match up with any Japanese bike. But MUCH more powerful than any other standard 250 on the market. The Rebel, along with most other 250's, puts out about 17 HP, 14 to the rear wheel. The GV250 puts out nearly 30 HP, 25 to the rear wheel. It is the perfect bike for me; light, nimble, but plenty of power, even on the freeway going 75 mph.

If you are interested in knowing more, please come join me at my other home...www.alternativecruisers.com. Another place filled with tremendous souls from around the world, much like here. And I use the same nym and icon, so won't be too hard to find there. :lol:

I am taking the MSF this weekend. Never hot around to it when I started riding last year. But after my accident, just want to stack the odds more in my favor, plus a hell of a lot easier than going to the DMV and taking their skills test

[chainsnuser]

I have a Honda CB250, like the one in my avatar. I bought her in 1997 and have since then often considered to buy a more powerful bike, but the CB250 is simply unbeatably easy to manoeuvre in the city and on the highway and is absolutely fun to ride.

You're a bit lost on the Autobahn though. It's no fun to overtake a lorry at around 80mph - 130Km/h, when you look in the rear view mirror and see some middle-class-car approaching from behind with 125mph - 200km/h. It's the reason, why most manufacturers have stopped to sell 250cc-bikes in Germany. That shoudn't be a real problem though in any other country.

Desirexe, to be able to compete against sportscars, you should consider to buy a bike from the 500cc-class, otherwise a 250cc-bike is just pure fun.

Cheers!

[Marv]

I've been riding for 20+ years . Currently I have a Yamaha 750 Maxim. Next Spring I would like to get a Suzuki M109 Boulevard. If Anyone is interested, we have a great Bike Rally on June13-15 in Baker City, OR. It is the Hells Canyon Rally. This will be the 3rd year and it grows by leaps and bounds each year. There will be 1000's of bikers in town for the event. Check out the link:

http://www.hellscanyonrally.com/

[sagedil]

otherwise a 250cc-bike is just pure fun.

Cheers!

My first bike many years ago was a 1985 Honda Interceptor 700. I then owned two Yamaha 650's. But in 1987, I had a girlfriend crash the Rebel she had just bought, and was too scared to get back on her. So I took the Rebel to get fixed and sell for her. I kept it for about two months, and had SO much fun riding her around the city. I am 5'8" if I stretch a bit, and just loved having such a small, light bike under me. I could just throw her around.

The GV250 is amazing though. Only about 30 pounds heavier than the Rebel, about 20% bigger, but nearly twice the power.. Does not even look like a 250, and most folks don't believe them when I tell em. She only has about 8 HP less than most 650's. So I have NO issues driving her on the Freeway here in the states. But the autobahn?? You are crazier than me my friend.

[desirexe]

Sagedil...the Hyosung GV250 is one of the bikes on my list to 'sit' on. That is a sharp looking bike! I just sat on an 08' Honda Rebel today and didn't care much for it, the 'engine block' thing is wider than the seat so the inside of your legs hits this stupid box thing, so uncomfortable! I really wanted to like it too, the price was perfect! I also checked out a Ninja 500 and a Vulcan 500. Tomorrow I'll check out the Honda Nighthawk 250. Trying to find a comfy, cheap 250-500 to drive around the neighborhood and 'practice' what I learned at the rider's course. From what I read here and what other people tell me, sounds like I should lean a little more towards a 500cc, especially since I'd like to use it on I-10, where the speed limit is 70, eventually, after I master riding around the 'hood. Since I am all motorcycle crazy now...feel free to post some pics of your rides, I'd love to see them!

[desirexe]

Chainsnuser...the CB250 is the same as the 2008 Nighthawk right??? I'm really interested in those. Hard to find used though, at least in the Pensacola area.

[Juxtaposer]

I ride a Vulcan 900 Classic LDT to work. Really saves on gas. My old bike is still in the garage too, a 750 Shadow Spirit. I need to clean the carbs out and sell it. No helmet laws here in Hawaii but I always wear one. I really enjoy the concentration required to ride. It is very relaxing and is similar to meditating. Snusing and riding go hand in hand!

[chainsnuser]

Chainsnuser...the CB250 is the same as the 2008 Nighthawk right???

Yes, hard to believe, but the 2008 "Nighthawk" appears to be exactly the same motorbike as the 1997 "Two-Fifty". I think there's just no need for improvements. 8)

But the autobahn?? You are crazier than me my friend.

It is possible. The Autobahn is certainly not the natural habitat for a 250cc-bike, but it's not too crazy. Sometimes it's just the only way to drive long distances in reasonable time.

Cheers!

[desirexe]

Chainsnuser: any idea how tall your seat is? That is my ONLY problem with the nighthawk...the 2008 is 29.3" high which is a tad high for me. I COULD ride it, but I've learned that the safest bike is one you can sit on the seat and have your feet touch the ground completely flat.

[CWC]

I have an old Honda CB750 1976, had it running last year took it apart to do some wiring, need to get off my but and get it back on the road.
Desirexe, you need to stop, no way you are real, a girl that likes snus, fishing, baseball, motorcycles and goes to church. Let me know if your ever in the market for a broken down debt ridded generaly agrivated with life grumpy not old but not so young man. :lol:

[sagedil]

Sagedil...the Hyosung GV250 is one of the bikes on my list to 'sit' on. That is a sharp looking bike! I just sat on an 08' Honda Rebel today and didn't care much for it, the 'engine block' thing is wider than the seat so the inside of your legs hits this stupid box thing, so uncomfortable! I really wanted to like it too, the price was perfect! I also checked out a Ninja 500 and a Vulcan 500. Tomorrow I'll check out the Honda Nighthawk 250. Trying to find a comfy, cheap 250-500 to drive around the neighborhood and 'practice' what I learned at the rider's course. From what I read here and what other people tell me, sounds like I should lean a little more towards a 500cc, especially since I'd like to use it on I-10, where the speed limit is 70, eventually, after I master riding around the 'hood. Since I am all motorcycle crazy now...feel free to post some pics of your rides, I'd love to see them!

Definitely check out the GV250. BTW, Hysosung has a contract with United Motors. The UM version is the identical bike, so check for UM dealers as well. The seat on the GV250 is far better than the Rebel seat. If you see a GV250 in person, I promise you will be amazed. Does NOT look like a 250.

The GV250 puts out as much HP as most 500's. If I am doing 75 on the freeway, and drop it down to 4th gear, she will pull all the way to 85. Plenty of power for me to drive the freeway comfortable. I still try to avoid it, not for safety reasons, but just cause back roads are so much more interesting to ride, Check out alternativecruisers.com for more info about it.

[RealmofOpeth]

well i don't mean to crash the party but i've been interested lately in getting a scooter.
not the gay old fashioned kind, but one that looks most similar to a regular motorcycle.
i'm really in it for the practicality, something thats price is much less than a motorcycle, gets really good gas mileage while still not having a problem on the highway, and is able to carry stuff, while at the same time still a bit fun to ride. i'm not particularly hot on the idea of getting some super fast bike or one that's really loud to look cool on, but i don't want to look like a nerdy poser type either.

[chainsnuser]

Chainsnuser: any idea how tall your seat is?

755mm = 29.7 inches according to the data-sheet of my bike. I'm 5'7'', so it's perfect for me and could even be slightly higher. Make sure to get yourself a bike you feel comfortable riding for hours. Of course it's best, if you find a vendor, who gives you the opportunity to do a long test-ride.

well i don't mean to crash the party but i've been interested lately in getting a scooter.

I also have a 50cc 2-stroke scooter, made by PGO in Taiwan. In Taiwan, scooters are just a part of living, like cars are in other countries, so you won't get something gay or nerdy, but technically mature. If you find a PGO-vendor in the U.S. then you should check it.

Besides of that, I don't think that there's a big difference, cost-wise or practicability-wise or fun-wise between a 125cc-scooter and a 250cc-bike with side-bags. Security-wise, I'd even say that a bike is much better than a wobbly scooter. So just make sure, that you make the right decision.

Cheers!

[Juxtaposer]

I would get a 50cc scooter because the laws here allow up to that engine size to travel on road shoulders. This way you are not bound to follow regular traffic. I would also have an antenna flag because the low profile of a scooter limits your being seen which is crucial. I would choose a model that was relatively easy to soup up for that little extra power that may be needed in regular traffic, left turns, etc. Also get a good lock for your bike. I wouldn't worry too much about the nerd factor. Nerds are much cooler than most members of society in this day and age. But alas I'm budgeting for a mountain bike so I don't see riding scooters in my near future.