Thinking about buying this motorcycle

[TheStromba]

I used to ride a dirt bike when I was a kid and I kinda got the itch again.

My joints and bones wont put up with that so I am thinking about a cruiser.

Yamaha has some awesome deals going right now

[TheStromba]

Of course I have to learn how to ride a street bike now. :)

[MuGGsy]

looks like a sweet ride man, I only know about sport bikes myself so I couldn't tell ya if it's a good bike, but I'm sure you've done your research.. let us know how it goes if you get it :D

[Puddles]

I used to love riding on the back of the dirt bikes with Stromba...this looks like fun! We have a lot of empty country roads here, I will sit on the back and moo at the cows as we ride by. :D

[Timma]

If you're gonna get a bike then get a Harley.

[TheStromba]

I realize that the Harley's have great resale. I would prolly rather have one for the mystique alone.

This bike is 6700.00

a comparable Harley is 17,000

Yamaha is doing 0 Down and then $39.00 a month for the next 2 years.

It will cost me practically nothing to aquire the bike.

After 2 years I can re-finance or sell it and It will cost me a few grand to ride for 2 years.

[Bouncer]

Nice bike just dont get in any type of accident. lol. Even a fender bender, you will come away with something broken.

[Scrumhalf]

Yep, I finally sold my Kawasaki street bike after many years. Don't want to sound morbid, but in any kind of accident you always lose on a bike. People in cars are just not paying attention to motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. But I must admit riding it was an absolute blast.

[TheStromba]

Originally posted by Scrumhalf
Yep, I finally sold my Kawasaki street bike after many years. Don't want to sound morbid, but in any kind of accident you always lose on a bike. People in cars are just not paying attention to motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. But I must admit riding it was an absolute blast.

Frankly, I am a bit apprehensive. I have heard that from almost everyone.

I guess that you have to assume that no one sees you and drive very defensive.

[Scrumhalf]

Yep, be absolutely defensive. Some of the most common bike car accidents happen when a) a car in the lane next to you doesn't see you and changes lanes directly into you and b) a car pulls into your lane from a side street right in front of you and you don't have time to stop. Be especially aware of these two scenarios, don't ride in the blind spots of cars (4-5 o' clock, 7-8 o' clock for the car driver) and anytime you see a car sitting on a side street or a strip mall driveway waiting to turn on to your lane, assume they will do it directly in front of you.

Also, take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class that typically would be offered in a nearby community college. You will relearn some of the basics and get a break on your insurance as well.

[playthegame]

Re: Thinking about buying this motorcycle

Originally posted by TheStromba
I used to ride a dirt bike when I was a kid and I kinda got the itch again.

My joints and bones wont put up with that so I am thinking about a cruiser.

Yamaha has some awesome deals going right now

What's size/model is that bike?

[Puddles]

Originally posted by Scrumhalf

Also, take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class that typically would be offered in a nearby community college. You will relearn some of the basics and get a break on your insurance as well.

We already have papers on this...this is very important! Thanks for the other advice.

We have a lot of little used back country roads here and that's where we'll primarilly ride. I will moo at the cows as we pass. :D

[spidey]

Shit! I had this whole longass response all written out and our server went down and I lost it all. :(

Here is the Cliff Notes, LOL.

If you aren't deadset on a NEW bike, check out http://www.volusiaowners.com . You can find some really good deals on used but pampered Suzuki Volusias with low milage and lots of extras. Have you seen a Vol? IMO, they look better than the Yamaha's V-Star. They are 805 CC displacement cruisers that handle extremly well and are good bikes for those just getting into bikes. Mine is mistaken for a Harley a lot since I removed the Suzuki insignia, LOL. They sort of resemble a Harley Fatboy but anyone who really knows anything about Harleys probably would not make that mistake. IMO, Harleys are over-rated and over priced. They are high maintenance and not nearly as dependable either and cost 5 times as much. Anyway, check them out.

As for safety, here is a summary of what I wrote before:

1) Don't daydream while you drive. You can't afford to take your mind off the road even for an instant. If you do, that's when you will have an accident.

2) Be hyper vigilant. People just don't see you as well and will pull out in front of you or merge into your lane. Always watch their front tires at an intersection, not their faces. If their tires start to move, take evasive action. Watch for animals crossing the road (especially at night). Hitting a deer with a car is bad enough but hitting one on a bike can be lethal.

3) Studies have shown that your visibility to other drivers is improved by keeping your headlight on bright during the day. A lightbar is not a bad idea either as it adds to visibility.

4) Loud pipes save lives. Install some loud aftermarket pipes like some Vance & Hines or Cobra slashcuts. The loudpipes help other drivers notice you and can prevent some obliviout from pulling out in front of you.

5) Crashbars are a good idea. They will help protect your legs and your bike if you do have to lay it down.

[hlcn8]

yeah, even Sonny Berger (sp? - founder of the hells angels) has said he'd rather buy a japanese made model because harleys are so incredibly overpriced it's ridiculous. I'm not sure I would ever have a motorcycle as my daily ride, but would enjoy cruising on occasion with it, i just know too many people with wrecked bodies, and have packaged a few too many up onto an ambulance to want to drive anything with less than 6-8 lug-nuts. (on the rescue squads we'd call it the lug-nut rule; whoever in an accident was in the vehicle with the least total lug-nuts would lose, semi's always win, motorcycles and teensy hondas and geo-metros and the likes would always lose). Regardless, take care of yourselves as i know you will! And yell out to a cow or two that they're my dinner while you're mooing at them!

[beefcake]

Too bad you're not into choppers. You could get one done up by Choppers Inc since you're in florida. I see you haven't looked into crotch rockets. :D