Any motorcycle owners out there?

Right now I'm 17 and I'm driving around a Mazda RX-8, and I love the car but I can't help but think it'd be more practical to get my Motorcycles license and sell it and buy a nice street racer style bike and save a few thousand dollars.

Anyone out there have a motorcycle? I'm probably going to go to the 2 day class to get my license next month and I'm looking at getting a Ninja 250R. It gets over 60mpg while right now I'm getting 16.

What do you guys think? How is the cost, experience, and fun of owning a motorcycle? Do you have any tips for a beginner?

 

I dont have one, but il give you the tip of being safe, it's really easy to lose control.

 

The word "practical" and "street racer bike" can never belong in the same sentence. Bikes are not practical in any way shape or form. They're easy to lose control, if you crash you're not likely to make it out without some sort of injury, weather sucks if it's not sunshiny EVERY DAY where you live, maintenance sucks, 0 resale value if it gets regular use even if you're careful, and insurance will be more expensive.

That being said, I love my bike and I would never give it up for the world until it's run to the ground. Point is, bikes are not for everyone. Personally, I wouldn't sell your car and have that bike be the only way of transportation. You'll regret it, I know I'd regret my bike if I didn't have my Jetta to drive around on rainy, windy, or cold days, or if I need to go out of town.

 

I'd personally say bikes are very good fun, cheap, very fuel efficient, ever since I bought my bike I haven't touched my 350Z AT ALL.

^That being said, is something you really wanna think about.

It's a guaranteed sensational feeling (a feeling car enthusiasts will never understand). But as soon as you come off, your views towards bikes may change entirely. I myself have come off my learners bike (CBR250RR) twice, CBR600RR once, Thank god for insurance lol.
But I still carry on with bigger bikes (currently, CBR1000RR) as bikes are just my passion. Of course I've had some serious injuries and permanent scars, but I love motorcycles way too much to give it up.

I personally would not consider the new Ninja 250's a 'street racer style bike'. It is designed to make the riders body in an upright position and won't at all look like a 'Racing Style', more of a cruiser.


As for the car, I'd say... keep it? In case for a rainy day?

 

Well, I live in Texas, so about 355/365 days of the year it's warm and sunny out. And the days it's not I most likely won't need to actually go somewhere, and if I do it won't be far.

I plan on going to college up in Boston University next year and it'll take me over $550 in gas to get my pig of a car up there.

I can always drive my Dad's car in the mean time if I really NEED to I suppose.

I've heard it around on the internet that every bike rider at one point has had a crash. Right now that's actually the only thing that scares me, cause the worst I've ever gotten is a concussion and a broken bone freaks the fuck out of me.

 

I have a 2000 and a 2007 Yamaha R6

Coming from another young rider, I'd like to warn you: Although riding is great fun and economical as hell, it is fucking DANGEROUS. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I've witnessed 4 motorcycle deaths in the past year, and only one was the riders fault.
Stay Safe


The 2006 looks like this...


My 2007 looks like this, but less assholey

 

I'm not worried about death, I'm worrying about laying with a cracked in half leg underneath a 350 pound bike; other than that I can't wait to give it a shot.

 

They go hand in hand Whenever I've crashed it seems like I've been able to have some luck sliding it out avoiding the bike.

 

Exactly how injured have you gotten riding your bike? lol

 

I've got an Rx-8 too! Nice. Looking to get a 350z though. I'd go with a ninja 250r which is what you're doing for your first bike, then once you get experience you should be able to move up to an R6 or the bike I'd prefer FZ6R.

 

Oh and word of caution! You will instantly lose your motorcycle license, and, in not so extreme cases even, your driver's license as well if you're caught doing anything reckless on your bike. Swerving through highway traffic like a madman, popping wheelies, drafting, drifting, all of this stuff-- don't do it. You may not be anywhere near comfortable with trying any "cool" stuff on your bike the first few months you have it (maybe even years if you're a cautious person), but you may soon get the urge to actually use the bike as how it's meant to be used, a racing bike. Just make sure there's no police to see you, because that's a HEFTY fine

 

You don't want your motorcycle to be your only form of transportation. Weather can be a real pain in the ass. If you can save up to keep your car as well as getting a bike, do it.

I ride an old 85 honda shadow (cruiser) and I love it. Bikes are fun, but not quite that practical (aside from good gas mileage).

 

Now say you're on a freeway or something and traffic is really backed up, is it actually legal to go straight through the middle on your bike?

And yeah, I don't think I'll have to much of an urge to get reckless on a motorcycle. Drifting around a roundabout at 40 miles an hour in my car is one thing but I don't think I'd feel comfortable doing anything like that on a bike.

Do motorcycles have any compartments inside the bike itself? You know to put like a phone or something in?

Edit: I was thinking about trading my car in for a meh boring shit looking car like a Camry or something and a motorcycle, so just in case on the off chance I actually need a car I'll have one.

I think I'll just start with a motorcycle and pocket the difference and save that just in case.

 

Broke a few ribs once. Only cause I race in the 600's.

You're above post seems pretty sensible, as I love to ride, but weather/time/season does not always permit me to do so.

 

Sports bikes typically don't have storage because their whole design is geared for aerodynamics and compact-ness/minimalism/light-weight, although you can splurg about 200 bucks and pick up one of these:


The company is called "Axio", and these models are "Axio Swift" hardpacks
I think they look sexy as fuck, and the material (carbon fiber and resin) is stronger than the body molding on your bike, I'd bet. The ratings show excellent shock-proof capabilities

 

The r6 has a very small storage spot under the secondary seat. You will definitely need a backpack though, and you don't have to get something expensive. I really like the camelback brands large sizes, as they fit tightly and can be strapped in different ways (as well as have a ton! of space)

 

The Ninja 250R says it has under seat storage for 2 helmets and such, so I think it should be alright.

If all goes according to plan I'll be doing my motorcycle course July 14-15, and I'll get in some classroom hours and 10 riding hours on their bikes(which happen to be Ninja's and other similar bikes).

Now I assume on a bike you don't have any blind zones and those side mirrors work pretty well, correct?

Also, I've heard you have to manually shift on a bike. How does that work?

 

I used to think they were cool and I did think about getting one when I was old enough but then something changed my mind...

One of my teachers brothers graduated from a top university with a good degree, he was very bright and destined for great things. Then he got hit by a car on his motorbike (not his fault at all) and now he is practically a vegetable. Needs constant supervision and help with everything and will never be the same again. That story really ruined it for me - I'd hate to end up like that.

Not trying to knock bikes or anything, totally your choice what you want to do but personally I don't feel they're for me.

 

Yeah the only thing that is making me uncomfortable is the possibility of injury.

Literally the only thing I'm afraid of is pain. The idea of dying in a head on collision in a car doesn't bother me, but shattering my leg on a bike scares the hell out of me.

I'm not going to let that throw me off though, cause I'd rather have ridden a bike, gotten it easy, and skinned my arm on some asphalt a few times than never have given it a chance at all.

There are horror stories about rollercoasters, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to enjoy them.

Edit: My dad talked to me earlier, and he rode bikes for years(apparently when I was like 4, cause I don't remember). He has his old motorcycle helmet in the garage he's going to give to me. Supposedly he only dropped the bike once when a dog ran in front of him, so I don't think I'm destined to an accident if I ride. lol

 

When you're on a motorcycle just remember, just because you can see them doesn't mean that they can see you.