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Pricing,
specs, build a bike . . . this is a hot way to look at the new models! My
rating is WOW!
Compare bike specs for Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Aprilia, side-by-side! A solid article comparing 250cc bikes -- lots of info here An excellent article comparing 250cc bikes!
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2007 (August through December) Wednesday, August 8 Hi Mama, Dear
RoseD, According to the article, "Harley-Davidson has recreated the Sportsters, building what is essentially an all-new chassis around a rubber-mounting system for the engine." It's this rubber-mounting which took HD motorcycles out of the shake mode. So, if the Heritage is your dream bike, and you're considering purchasing a pre-loved one, I'd double check on that model year and definitely take it for a test ride. You may find that you have some minor vibration at the lower speeds, but it's smooth riding from that point on. Many motorcycles can be modified with bigger tanks, but if the Sporty isn't doing it for, then I wouldn't go to this expense. Still, that doesn't mean you can't get some good riding time in for practice . . . the more miles you have, the better position you will be in to judge the next motorcycle you'll consider! – Mama Thursday, August 16 Dear VTwin Mama, The guy was nice enough to let me test ride, as I'm about to pull off, I got about 10 feet I tried to get my balance as well as get my feet up, I panicked, tried to stop and of course dropped it. I didn't buy it of course because a part of me is scared straight. (I paid the guy for the estimate damage.) My question to
you is, was I suppose to feel comfort the first time like when I sat on
it? What went wrong? It wasn't the bike of choice at all but was
gonna give it a try anyway. I don't want to give up riding but I'm at a
loss, confused and sitting here with a sprained ankle and a pulled calf
muscle. I really like the feel (sitting on) the sport tourings. Would I
feel more comfortable attempting one of those? Dear
Anon, I've heard that MSF instructors tell students that getting their license is not a license to just go out and ride, but a license to go out and practice a lot more in an empty parking lot. So, am I yelling at you? Nope. Just pointing out that at your current skill level, you bit off more than you could chew by trying to ride that Ninja. And therein lies your salvation ... you made a simple new rider mistake so let yourself off the hook on that one. But let's get you on the right track now as your ankle and calf mend. Buying one's first bike is indeed a tricky thing as really the only thing you have to go on is how the bike you used in class felt and how it feels when you sit on different bikes. You should sit on a motorcycle and take it off its side or center stand ... arms should comfortably reach the hand controls, and when you turn the handlebar all the way to one side, should still be comfortable. Legs should reach foot controls with ease and leg reach to the ground should have you flat footed, a real plus for new riders. If, while at dealers, a motorcycle you are interested in does not meet these basic needs, then the salesperson should be able to tell you what, if any, modifications can be made so that the bike fits you. In the used market, if a bike does not fit your exact needs, but is of interest, then you can have the owner demonstrate its ride-ability and even take you as a passenger for a spin. Upon purchasing a motorcycle, arrange to have that bike delivered to your abode. Then identify the closest empty parking lot for practice and have an experienced rider get it there for you. If this is not possible, hopefully your neighborhood is quiet enough for you to run up and down the local side street. Now, gather yourself together and say with a bit of humor, "Yikes, THAT didn't go so well with the Ninja! But I learned something and I'll put that to good use." And then proceed. Your dream is waiting for you and a simple oopsie is nothing that should make you think otherwise. Many have gone before you and many will after you. YOU CAN DO IT! – Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear
Stephanie, So, in further looking, I typed in "motorcycles with automatic valve adjusters" into Google and saw (as one example) that the 1983 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk has this feature, and then went to BikeZ.com and called up the model. Sure enough, the notes indicate it has this feature. As you are in the market for something used, this directory may prove to be helpful. Otherwise, if there is a certain bike for sale that you're interested in, a call to the local dealer's parts department should reveal the answer. Readers, any other ideas on how to search for the info?! – Mama Friday, October 26 Hi VTwin Mama, So he has traded his for a Roadstar 1600cc now and I can still keep up with him. I too think I need another gear, but I can out run any bike that I ride with when they are in 2 and 3rd gear; I am usually in the 4 or 5th gear. My bike can out pull them on any mountain. I have tried many bikes and have not found any motorcycle that I like or fell in love better than my 650cc. I have dressed it up with as much chrome that I can. Just want to share this information. Thanks, – 650 Love Dear
650 Love, Hi Petra, My personal thinking is to go from my 250 Virago to a 500cc or 650cc or so in the spring after I have been out again on my Virago for a bit. I do not want to add a lot of weight but balance and centre of gravity are also issues I need to consider I know, especially because my control will always be compromised due to my arthritis. I will be looking for a good used motorcycle and won't have a very big budget. My husband is a mechanic so can handle any necessary repairs on an older bike. I like the looks of the old Silverwings but can't really find anything on their centre of gravity or balance issues. The seat height and width may also be an issue. I also love the Virago's, a 535 or maybe even up to a 750 but I read that the Virago's don't have very comfortable seats for long rides. I just wondered if anyone here has ridden a Silverwing and what they thought? I also wonder how to decide between a 500cc or so bike and something a bit bigger? Will there be any really noticeable power difference between a 500 and a 650 or even a 750 if the weights are comparable? The Silverwings are 200 pounds heavier than my current bike and the Viragos are less heavy for the same cc's. Any and all suggestions will be most welcome. – Sandra Dear
Sandra, It's difficult to move up to a mid-range motorcycle without a corresponding weight increase. Motorcycle manufacturers do not offer center of gravity comparisons (COG being the center of the entire mass of an object, and for a bike, that's at some part of the engine). In most cases, a seat height is a pretty good indicator, meaning that the lower the seat, the entire COG mass of the bike is lower. Lower COG translates to a better feeling of balance because a motorcycle pivots around its COG for curves, and the lower the COG, the closer the COG is to the ground, and the less force is needed to move the bike into the lean for the curve. The power difference in terms of cc size is usually most noticeable in the higher speed ranges (highest gear) ... a 500cc bike will be working harder at say 70mph than a 750cc motorcycle. Still, most bikes can be retrofitted with a hypercharger (also called a big air kit). This extends the power range at the upper end and makes cruising more comfortable as you aren't as revved up. A lot of your needs here depend on what type of riding you and your husband will be doing (day trips, overnight trips, extended trips). So, what would my strategy be? I'd look in the paper for used bikes. If there was something in my price range, I would look up the basics on http://www.bikez.com, and check engine size, weight and seat height. Then if necessary, research if a lowering kit was possible, and if it was a smaller cc bike, but the weight was better, look for a big air kit. In terms of seat comfort, there are many options these days. One can check for a complete swap out, or remove the seat cover, shave the seat to suit, dig out some of the foam and add a gel insert. In some cases, sitting position is really about the positioning and shape of the handlebar (usually lots of ways to modify here) and the reach to foot controls (not much flexibility on a change, if any). So I'd be concentrating on leg reach to ground and controls and modify the handlebar to get you seated right. One more note ... should you find a heavier touring bike in your price range, some can be outfitted with stabilizer wheels. These drop down at very slow speeds and stops so you don't have to hold the bike up, but lift up over a certain speed so you're cruising like a normal two-wheeler. Just a thought if your riding is about extended vacations, you want a bigger cruiser, but need a bit of assistance in handling things at the stops. – Mama Monday, November 5 Hi Petra, I have learned now why my friends told me that the balance and centre of gravity matter so much more than weight or cc's. So now I am looking for a good used, maybe a few years older version of the same bike! I plan to keep riding in warm gear until there is snow and ice on the ground to get all the practice I can this year whether its on my little 250 Virago or a new bike! Will fill you in when it happens! – Sandra Dear
Sandra, Remember that Suzuki renamed all their bikes under the Boulevard series for the 2005 line-up, so previous year models have different names ... the S50 was the Intruder 800, a much loved motorcycle and I always liked the looks of it! Enjoy what you've got left of this year and remember, keeping that Virago 250 for spring is a great way to jump back into the season with some practice before you take a larger bike out for practice! – Mama Tuesday, November 13 Dear Petra, P.S. Can't help but notice how many of us girls are opting for the Shadows! I just love mine. I sit in it, not on it. It is well balanced, at any speed, cornering. Other bikes may look fancier, or faster, but I will keep mine as long as I can. Its just perfect. Thanks for your suggestion on the Buff, I love it. – Jane Dear
Jane, My second motorcycle was a Shadow and I never had a lick of trouble with that bike. My only problem was that at 5'10" my legs didn't always have the stretch room, even with an engine guard and pegs, I needed on longer distance rides (many states, many days). But since I did mostly day riding, it wasn't a major issue compared to the wonderful handling, balance and little maintenance needed! – Mama Monday, November 19 Dear VTwin Mama, What cruisers are good for tall people? I'm 5'10" and I've been thinking about getting a Sportster in the spring but a few people have told me I'm too tall for it. I really would like a Harley though, and one without too big of an engine. I thought the 883 would work out perfectly. And I know I've seen people taller than me on them. I saw your comment that older Sportsters are slightly higher, which I didn't know. I've also heard good reviews of the Vulcan from someone my height. Can you think of other bikes that would be comfortable? Or mods that could be made to make something work? Thanks, – Kristin Dear
Kristin, So I would head back to the dealer showrooms and sit on bikes, taking them off the side kickstand (centered) and then moving one foot to the peg position and consider your leg room. Stretch that leg out to where it would be comfortable and inquire whether an a highway bar with pegs could be added (in most cases the answer will be yes, but if they can, have them haul out one and show you how it would be!). I will also note that sometimes the handlebar can goof us up just like the short riders. If you're leaning forward for hand controls, that bends us at the waist and further cramps our legs. This is an issue I'll be addressing on my own BMW because I added a butt pad to raise me an inch, but now I'm leaning even more forward and taking the "stress hit" in my shoulders. I'll either be adding a pullback rider or a different handlebar. While you're shopping, consider this body position carefully as it does make a difference! Since you want to stay within a certain cc engine size range, I'd limit my initial searches to motorcycles in the 800-1000cc range at first. Choices include that HD Sporty 883, Kawi Vulcan 800 or 900, Suzuki Boulevard C50 or S50, and Triumph Speedmaster, – Mama |
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