New to the world of bikes. I want one. Cruiser like a newbie bike like Honda Shadow or a Suzuki Intruder. I am not looking for lots pep just a bike. If I dump it no big deal.
But what am I looking for KM(Miles) wise? They all look shiny run but how do I know its not going to break down on me? What should I look for?
Also for Ontario riders whats the average price for insurance for new riders?
My wife works for Allstate.
before you go too far, there are a few models/sizes of bikes that clearly scream that you are a GIRLY man and these bikes should be avoided;
harley-davidson sportster (what are you a girl?)
Honda VTX 1300 (get the 1800 you girl)
Triumph Bonneville (an English bike? what are you a girl?)
and anything under 1500cc (what are you a girl? you want to be able to keep up on the highway dammit!)
but I guess if you are truly secure with your masculinity than maybe one of the above models would be acceptable, but be prepared to explain yourself when that BIG GUY with a 13" cock starts scoffing at you as you pull up to the saloon.
BIG GUY: little guy in cowboy boots who talks loudly and a rubber snake in his pants
[quote]carbiduis wrote:
…anything under 1500cc (what are you a girl? you want to be able to keep up on the highway dammit!)[/quote]
I’m guessing you’re joking. A stock GSX600 goes 165mph. Add a straight through exhaust and a power chip and it goes close to 200mph. Anyone approaching those speeds on a public road needs their head examined.
If you’re going for a Shadow or Intruder you really don’t have much to worry about. Honda’s are solid as rocks and make a great first bike for you. I would look for the lowest miles for the money you want to spend.
james
[quote]carbiduis wrote:
before you go too far, there are a few models/sizes of bikes that clearly scream that you are a GIRLY man and these bikes should be avoided;
harley-davidson sportster (what are you a girl?)
Honda VTX 1300 (get the 1800 you girl)
Triumph Bonneville (an English bike? what are you a girl?)
and anything under 1500cc (what are you a girl? you want to be able to keep up on the highway dammit!)
but I guess if you are truly secure with your masculinity than maybe one of the above models would be acceptable, but be prepared to explain yourself when that BIG GUY with a 13" cock starts scoffing at you as you pull up to the saloon.
BIG GUY: little guy in cowboy boots who talks loudly and a rubber snake in his pants[/quote]
The Triumph Bonneville and the scrambler are very fun bikes to ride. If you are over 6’2 they are a little short though
I know a bunch of people that ride Suzuki Boulevards and love them. Big bike…
I’m also interested in this and am in Ontario. I looked into getting one a couple years ago but was put off by the insurance costs and my current insurer wouldn’t insure older bikes. Anyone know of a company in Ontario that will insure older bikes, (1980s)?
For the OP I got insurance quotes for like a 500-750 cc bikes at a few different places back when I first got my M2 an it was 1500-2000/year, which is about 3x what I pay for my regular vehicle. I haven’t got any quotes this year.
My first bike was a used 2009 250cc ninja. Definitely a good learning bike as I used up about 8 of my 9 lives on it crashing the hell out of it. Rode the fucking tires off, borderline literally as it was my only transport.
Switched 2 years later to a used 1300 honda vtx. Again rode as my sole transport for another 2 years and I gotta say it is a solid bike. It was a big switch in style from the little crotch rocket I had, by comparison it felt like it cornered like an army tank but that encourages less reckless driving, and it had a good amount of pick up which kept it fun. The lack of a chain meant much less maintenance and really never had a single issue I couldnt readily fix myself with virtually no mechanical knowledge (oil/fluid changes, replacing fuses, bulbs, and battery). Excellent bike, even started easy in the cold. No accidents, I only laid it over once trying to bump start it when the battery was going out.
I briefly held on to an 1800 roadstar and I must admit it gave me a bit of a boner, looked badass, purred like a lion, and felt like I was sailing a land boat. But it was a bit too big for my little body and hard to wield as I’m only 5’7’’ and the kickstand design was the absolute worst, it was so hard to catch the fucker and make it go down.
Thanks for all the replies 
Anymore advice keep it coming !!
You’ll be looking at 2 grand for your first year’s insurance on a cruiser. Take a training course. It will pay for itself the day you finish in insurance savings. Basically 2 days riding around a parking lot on a dirt bike and it will instantly knock hundreds off your insurance. It will be boring if you’ve been on bikes before, but there will be chicks to flirt with to pass the time, and such. Stick to the metric bikes for your first go round, and you’ll be pleased with the reliability. Harleys can be quirky, and while they do tend to fit bigger guys a little nicer, they’re more status symbol than anything else, and rarely worth the premium. EVERY year / make / model has it’s quirks though so read into it before you commit to buying anything at all. And if you’re on a budget, and this is your first bike, don’t forget to take gear into account.
[quote]Broncoandy wrote:
Harleys can be quirky, and while they do tend to fit bigger guys a little nicer, they’re more status symbol than anything else, and rarely worth the premium. [/quote]
for fat guys who want to feel cool, and turn gasoline into obnoxious noise and not go anywhere.
I have always wanted a Ducati, but I would probably die riding it.
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
I have always wanted a Ducati, but I would probably die riding it. [/quote]
I’ve owned several. The fantasy of owning a Duc is much, much better than the actual experience of owning one.
james
[quote]atypical1 wrote:
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
I have always wanted a Ducati, but I would probably die riding it. [/quote]
I’ve owned several. The fantasy of owning a Duc is much, much better than the actual experience of owning one.
james
[/quote]
I would own just as living room art. Beautiful bikes.
I am also considering of buying a bike later this year, and I was advised to start of with a 150cc for a couple of years vedores passing to a bigger engine, in order to have total control of the bike and take it to it’s limit without really passing it.
That’s the most clever option imo, because before you can run you must be able to walk.
Dream bike would be a ninja or a busa
[quote]Martimroll94 wrote:
I am also considering of buying a bike later this year, and I was advised to start of with a 150cc for a couple of years vedores passing to a bigger engine, in order to have total control of the bike and take it to it’s limit without really passing it.
That’s the most clever option imo, because before you can run you must be able to walk.
Dream bike would be a ninja or a busa[/quote]
I would never ever ever start on a 150cc. I don’t know what kind of area you drive in Portugal but any area that requires decent speeds or quick acceleration and you may as well be pushing it. I’d say a 250cc is bare bones minimum and that will be screaming anywhere near 55mph. I like 500cc or higher personally and I myself started on a 650cc.
I agree with that^^. More often than not you need to accelerate to get out of a dangerous situation. 150cc just doesn’t cut it. I’d advise learning how to counter steer as well. It’s surprising how many riders don’t use this simple technique.
[quote]atypical1 wrote:
[quote]MaximusB wrote:
I have always wanted a Ducati, but I would probably die riding it. [/quote]
I’ve owned several. The fantasy of owning a Duc is much, much better than the actual experience of owning one.
james
[/quote]
What problems or complaints do you have with this bike ?
