the_Wife wants me to buy a bike (advice)

[the_bird]

OK, going up to look at the Silverwing on Saturday. Asked the guy why he's getting rid of it; "I'm buying a Harley!"

I'm not necessarily someone who loves Harleys over everything else, but that's the answer I wanted to hear! Rode the Honda in to work today, but he just wants to get a Harley - not something being wrong with the Honda.

I can't fall in love until I sit on the bike.... but if this bike looks good and feels right, I don't think I'm looking at the Suzuki, I don't think I'm looking at the Yamaha. That's probably not the smartest thing for me, but this seems like The Bike for me.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I'm the same way, you don't wanna buy the first thing you see, but you also can't pass up a good deal, cause if you wait and go back, it'll be gone.

 

[the_bird]

Oh, and anyone else in my situation, this looks like a helluva checklist to bring along when buying a used bike. I'm studying it right now.

 

[the_bird]

I'm the same way, you don't wanna buy the first thing you see, but you also can't pass up a good deal, cause if you wait and go back, it'll be gone.

Now, he's also asking $1,400, which is full book value assuming that the bike's in excellent condition. Not sure whether there's wiggle room or not. Thing is, that if the bike is as clean in person as it looks online, and that it feels right and rides good and all that, I'm not going to lose it over a couple hundred bucks, either. It's still $200 less than the bike my wife originally told me to buy!

Damn, how much would I be kicking myself if I had bought the Suzimatic....

 

[BierMuncher]

Does she come with it?

 

[the_bird]

All depends. How much do these old Hondas vibrate?

 

[springer]

All depends. How much do these old Hondas vibrate?

the bike dont need to vibrate just the passenger seat viberider

 

[Desert_Sky]

Hey Bird keep this in mind while you are shopping around. You're most likely going to outgrow the size of your bike within a few months if you go small. But thats what stater bikes are for right? As confidence levels and sheer enjoyment go through the roof you are going to want a bike that can keep up with how you want to ride. Im not saying you are going to turn into a speed freak or anything (well who knows, you may) but you will eventually want that extra power and room.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Now, he's also asking $1,400, which is full book value assuming that the bike's in excellent condition. Not sure whether there's wiggle room or not. Thing is, that if the bike is as clean in person as it looks online, and that it feels right and rides good and all that, I'm not going to lose it over a couple hundred bucks, either. It's still $200 less than the bike my wife originally told me to buy!

Damn, how much would I be kicking myself if I had bought the Suzimatic....

Is this the same seller that said he didn't know anything about bikes? If so start looking at everything that's not perfect and pointing the out. Even they're tiny things, a list of 50 tiny things would sound like a lot when mentioning them all as you see them. and He most likely won't know they're aren't big deals. Just act like you know what you're looking at. That should bring him down on price. He probably just looked the bike up on kbb or something similar and said, okay that's what it's worth, that's what I'll sell it for. Another sign he may not know much about it.

 

[the_bird]

No, this guy's a rider who seems to know his stuff. The beat-up Yamaha that's down in Dalton, he doesn't know anything about bikes; he was asking $750 but said that it was negotiable (wouldn't pay more than $500, although it looks to be beat to hell and I'm not sure I want to deal with all that might entail).

The guy with the Honda Silverwing is selling it to buy a Harley. I'm thinking (maybe hoping) that he DOES know his stuff and has been taking good care of it, 'cause the Honda just seems like the right bike.

I can't WAIT until Saturday! I've got to bring Evan along to keep me rational!

 

[Sean]

Not in 1983. Seems like they're reusing the name, but originally it was used for their mid-sized touring bike (little brother of the Goldwing). Some of the SilverWings have all the big-ass windshield and stuff of the Goldwings (which I don't care for), the bike I'm lookng at is pretty well stripped down to just being a classic, bigger motorcycle without the extras.

Oh, heard back on the Yamaha.



Sounds like it might be worth looking into as well. There's that and the '81 Suzuki that I'm supposed to go see on Sunday, I'm hoping to have picked something out this weekend.

Got to imagine that I'd be able to grab this for ~$500 or so... but man, I really like the Honda. I gotta get my ass on that bike and see, but there's something about it that just grabs me on a visceral level.

I would stay away from that type of Yamaha. The front ends are odd. I had a 850 triple for a while, and with the bars being up and back like that, you loose responsiveness. There is a lot of "flex" or whatever it might be called, it is noticeable, and not very comforting.

 

[the_bird]

That Yammie's not going to happen, but that's good information for others that I might encounter.

He did assure me that the piece of wood in the Yamaha picture is not, in fact, holding the bike up. Doesn't sound like he really knows a LOT about it (I asked him for the model and the engine displacement, he didn't answer either) so I can't imagine he knows anything about its history. Now, if I were an experience mechanic who could go over it part-by-part, I might be interested but it's not under consideration for me now.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

I would stay away from that type of Yamaha. The front ends are odd. I had a 850 triple for a while, and with the bars being up and back like that, you loose responsiveness. There is a lot of "flex" or whatever it might be called, it is noticeable, and not very comforting.

Hmmm, I never had a problem like that with my 750 triple. But mine isn't a Special, so it doesn't have the "up and back" bars. But I had a 400 special back in the day, and didn't have that problem, either.

That said, the Yamaha in that pic looks like sh!t. I'm pulling for you to nab that Silverwing!

 

[the_bird]

You and me both, Bernie - you and me both!

I suppose I should at least get my permit before the weekend! I'm going to run to the DMV tomorrow afternoon (bosses are out of the office for the week) and (unless I'm a ******* and fail) get that taken care of.

Assuming the bike is good to go, Bean and I will run over to the cycle shop and I'll start scoping out gear. How much should I set aside for gear, you think? Helmets are what, $100 - $200? I've got a beat-up leather jacket that I've had since high school, but that's kind big and floppy, so probably no good for riding, right?

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

You and me both, Bernie - you and me both!

I suppose I should at least get my permit before the weekend! I'm going to run to the DMV tomorrow afternoon (bosses are out of the office for the week) and (unless I'm a ******* and fail) get that taken care of.

Assuming the bike is good to go, Bean and I will run over to the cycle shop and I'll start scoping out gear. How much should I set aside for gear, you think? Helmets are what, $100 - $200? I've got a beat-up leather jacket that I've had since high school, but that's kind big and floppy, so probably no good for riding, right?

Anything leather is great...the thicker the better. I had a nice thick jacket and crashed with it on...saved my hide, literally. Would have taken a couple ounces of flesh off me for sure, but instead took a couple ounces off the dead cow I was wearing. The cordura jackets with armor are great too, but make sure to get one that is build for riding. You don't want to buy one that will melt onto your skin if you happen to slide on the pavement for a while. For a helmet, spend whatever amount you need to for it to be comfortable, properly fitted, and properly rated. I usually plan to pay $150-500, depending on what I want. I prefer a full face, because I like my face and would prefer to keep it if I crash. I really like the higher end HJC helmets for the cheaper end, and Shoei or Arai for the higher end.

But bottom line, get one that fits right. A loose helmet is almost useless, and one that gives you a headache or has poor ventilation ruins any enjoyment you will get from riding. Helmets are the one place you do not want to skimp on.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

I don't own a helmet. Wisconsin doesn't require them. If I ever go visit Yooper on my bike, I'll need one.

 

[the_bird]

Bernie, forget about visiting Yooper, come visit me! You can help me buy a bike, and I've got some plumbing work in the new bathroom for ya!

C'mon, don't you want to do a road trip?

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

HJS IS-Max: ~$190: Flip up, full face, retractable smoke tinted smoke shield.

Shoei RF-1000: ~350:

 

[springer]

A good helmet is a must for a new rider whether or not the law say's you have to use one or not. I have a Shoei that I wear sometimes like in the rain or cold but most times it this one from Advanced carbon composites

its DOT legal and very light almost as light as the beenies I have.

NY makes me wear a helmet but as soon as I hit PA I can go all the way to Sturgis SD without one ...

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Bernie, forget about visiting Yooper, come visit me! You can help me buy a bike, and I've got some plumbing work in the new bathroom for ya!

C'mon, don't you want to do a road trip?

Sounds good to me! But I'm not a plumber- I'm an electrician.

But I'd be happy to wire it for ya!

 

[the_bird]

I think I'd feel naked without a helmet. Whenever I rode when I was younger, I had to wear a helmet, so they don't bother me. It's like when I get into a car, I put on the seat belt and it feels strange when I don't.

What about like pants? If I'm riding into work, I'm going to need some kind of overpants, right? Something to keep my office-boy khakis clean! Newenough, is that the site everyone uses to buy gear like this?

 

[the_bird]

Sounds good to me! But I'm not a plumber- I'm an electrician.

But I'd be happy to wire it for ya!

That's right - why was I thinking you were a plumber?

Too bad I've already got someone working for me under the table!

 

[z987k]

when looking for a helmet, get a full face one... you don't want to see a picture of what those half helmets do for ya. Or a modular one, a lot of people like those. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good helmet. Try it on before you buy. This is one thing I still like to buy from the brick and mortar stores even if it does cost more. I'm going to be spending probably in excess of a month of time in the next 2 years in the thing, I want to to fit good and be comfortable. A lot of motorcycle shops will price-match online stores... mine does.
Dennis kirk, newenough and motorcycle susperstore are both good websites for gear. Look in their clearance section, if you wear smaller sizes you're usually in luck.
Right now MCsuperstore has Joe Rocket and aplinestars stuff 74% off, might want to look into that even though it's rather picked over now.

Or for instance, I own this helmet in different graphics, and cannot speak high enough about it. It's very quiet, warm in the winter, cool in the summer and doesn't fog that easy. DOT and SNELL approved.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/38/2107/CITEM/Icon-Mainframe-Hooligan-Helmet-Closeouts.aspx
I would try to find one in a store and try it on first though.

 

[springer]

Springer, I support your right to not wear a helmet even being the safety oriented person I am, but I reserve the right to call you stupid for it.

I am not getting into the helmet wars been there over and over on V-twin forum


And there is statistically no difference in deaths or injuries between states that have helmet laws and states that don't like CT


Edit: and calling someone stupid for their beliefs is a little over the line and somewhat personal ....

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Springer, I support your right to not wear a helmet even being the safety oriented person I am, but I reserve the right to call you stupid for it.

How come he gets to be called stupid and I don't? That's not fair.:cross:

 

[z987k]

I am not getting into the helmet wars been there over and over on V-twin forum


And there is statistically no difference in deaths or injuries between states that have helmet laws and states that don't like CT


Edit: and calling someone stupid for their beliefs is a little over the line and somewhat personal ....

you're right, I don't want to really get into this, and I should not have posted it on a forum. I'm sorry.
In real life we just don't let non gear people ride with us anymore because they get hurt.

It's not really a belief though, if it was there would be no way I would have said that. It's a risk you choose to take. You can't believe that hitting your head on the pavement won't hurt you. That is a fact. But you can choose to not wear a helmet in the assumption you will never be involved in an accident where you hit your head.

I've only been through 1 helmet, a set of leathers and 3 sets of textile gear... but not everyone rides as much or as hard. But without the helmet that took a nice beating, I would either be a vegetable or not here. I do not stunt or any of that other ******* **** either.

 

[bradsul]

Sounds like the motorcycle world equivalent of batch vs fly sparging. Lets all agree to disagree and steer away from that topic.

BTW damn you all for rekindling my long buried desire for a motorcycle.

 

[springer]

in 34 years of riding I have been in 1 accident on my bike. rainy night tired as hell and went into a turn to hot I laid the bike down and slide about 120 feet as my bike spun and hit the guard rail ... Leather has some character I now have a permanent pavement tattoo on my leg ,helmet never touched the ground .



I have lost a few friends on bikes but the helmet was least of their worries if you know what I mean

 

[Bernie Brewer]

In the interest of not hijacking Bird's thread, I took the liberty of introducing the helmet topic to the Debate Forum.

 

[z987k]

in 34 years of riding I have been in 1 accident on my bike. rainy night tired as hell and went into a turn to hot I laid the bike down and slide about 120 feet as my bike spun and hit the guard rail ... Leather has some character I now have a permanent pavement tattoo on my leg ,helmet never touched the ground .



I have lost a few friends on bikes but the helmet was least of their worries if you know what I mean

Yeah, when a car comes into the picture, a lot of times not much will save them save a full body cast of titanium worn at all times.
I've just been riding with too many people in the past that have come away severely injured due to lack of gear in some way, so I just try to instill in people how important it can be.

I've highsided once in the 30ish mph range and w/o a helmet it would've been over. Let alone the broken bones.
The lowsides never hurt much but they do ruin gear rather quick.
I even lowsided an enduro in the northern nevada desert at who knows how fast, but we were something like 80 miles from a town, and if I would have been seriously injured, I think the nearest hospital was in Fallon which was hundreds of miles away. Thankfully the gear did it's job(that and it was mostly sand and sage) and we road to our destination that day.