in case you were concerned...I am still alive and kickin

[funkdaddysmack]

What kind of bike did you get, again? I remember it's one big mutha... Vulcan 1600 or something? I bet that thing can tow your p5!

I'm getting a motorcycle in the spring, what kind of advice do you have? I think you've said you've been riding for a long time. I plan on doing the MSF course and buying a bike better suited for beginners/intermediate (I'm looking at the Suzuki Katana 600, I can't justify buying a 250cc bike and 'grow out' of it after one season).

[sir nuke]

Originally posted by funkdaddysmack
What kind of bike did you get, again? I remember it's one big mutha... Vulcan 1600 or something? I bet that thing can tow your p5!

I'm getting a motorcycle in the spring, what kind of advice do you have? I think you've said you've been riding for a long time. I plan on doing the MSF course and buying a bike better suited for beginners/intermediate (I'm looking at the Suzuki Katana 600, I can't justify buying a 250cc bike and 'grow out' of it after one season).

Again? well I got a NEW Harley two months ago....its the 2003 Screamin Eagle Road King....it has a 103 Cu. In. torque monster motor in it.....Compitition Heads, performance Cams, I installed a performance intake and changed out the exhaust to allow it to breathe a bit more.....dyno'ed it when I had the changes done so that they could TUNE the ECU.....she made 100 ft-lbs of torque AT THE WHEEL. when you twist that wick, well its a good thing there is a back rest! lol

the BEST advice I can give you, you already have in mind....take the Riders Safety Course. You will learn a lot.

MY personal thing about riding is this.....when you, anyone, gets on a bike they aquire SUPER POWERS...but only one....the power of INVISIBILITY, the bad part is you have no control over it...and its ON all the time. NO ONE CAN SEE YOU. If you will ride with that thought in your head at all times.....and ALWAYS assume that person that just pulled up at the stop sign on the intersecting road ahead WILL pull out in front of you and always be prepared for that type of thing....maybe you will be as lucky as I have been....I have been riding for about 25 years...and " KNOCK WOOD" Have never had an accident on my bike. there have been a few close calls....but avoided them because I have always assumed that the other guy WOULD do the stupid thing.

As for the bike you get....you are right....don't go out and get some tiny thing you will get tired of or grow out of fast.....if you plan on using your bike out on the highway...or being able to .... get a bike that will easily handle that. if sport bikes are you thing....as they must be, considering the above choice....do your homework.....get a good one. If you are going to lay your hard earned money down......get the best bang for your buck. Just a suggestion....if you are talking getting a NEW bike...and I have no idea what kind of money you have to spend....take a moment and check out a Buell at your local Harley Davidson dealer, you get a LOT of bang for your buck...and best of all....they hold their value WAY better than any other sport bike out there. Well, that is MY two cents on that anyway. :{D

[funkdaddysmack]

Thanks nuke. Yea, everyone that I know who has or has HAD a bike says you really have to watch out while you're riding. I have never personally pulled out in front of a bike or cut one off or anything, but I consider myself a pretty aware driver. It's the ones that aren't you have to worry about. I actually think I'm going to be scared to death to ride the thing, but I've been told that's the way you need to ride. I don't plan on pushing it AT ALL... **** I hardly speed now in my cars! A few of my friends are planning on getting bikes in the spring, it should be a ton of fun!!!

As for my choice in bikes, I'm up for just about anything. Since I'm a youngster, I'd really prefer something that isn't a cruiser, though I still have a lot of respect for them. I've really been thinking about the katana though because it's a nice looking bike, good reliability, and the riding position is much more comfertable than that of a gixxer or cbr rr type bike. I guess it's more of a sport-tourer.

I really do like the buell's, they're beautiful. Do they make a fairing kit for the blast? I think there is a really large gap though in between their bikes (all three of them or whatever). I'm not sure, but I think the blast is a 500cc, but then it jumps to 900 and 1200cc for the other bikes. The blast is nice, but I think I'd like something with fairings unless I could get a really good deal on something.

I don't plan on buying new, I figure I'll try and spend around $3-$3.5k max. I really don't want to finance the bike at all, so I'm packing away my precious dinero as best I can, who needs one more bill to worry about? Plus I'll be able to save a lot on insurance. I guess we'll see come spring!

[sir nuke]

well as for touring bikes...which you could consider mine.....its a wolf in sheeps colthing. this thing is a ROCKET even being as big as it is....all due to the unsuspecting torque monster engine in it. you see, not to many people even know about the motor in my bike, this was the first year harley put it in a production bike...and on top of that they only made 3350 of them. it really hauls the mail when you want it to. I don't know if you saw the thread...but a few weeks ago I went up aginst a Ford Lightning and blew it away...lol boy that was fun! and I had my wife on the bike at the time too!! lol

the buells....yep the Blast is 500cc's....they in effect took a sportster motor and just took the rear cylinder off....and I don't think they make a fairing for it......then above that there are three other models....and they are awsome, and a TAD out of your price range...seeing as how the blast is $5000.

I think you will do well with a bike in the 600 cc range....they have PLENTY of get up and go. Just remember when you and your buddies get in a group going somewhere....the most important thing is getting there...all in one piece....and with the RUBBER SIDE DOWN at all times.

and beleive me...there are PLENTY of nut case cagers out there with their heads up their butts not watching for you. I once had a woman look directly out her window AT ME and then proceeded to pull over into my lane....and SWORE she never saw me....go figure.

:{D