[acecycleins]

The Dual Purpose bikes are a great start. You can buy very good models from the mid 90s and up and never have to go over the $3000 mark. Otherwise, a great selection for used mid-sized cruiser would be a Suzuki C50 or a Kawasaki VN800. They are about the size of a Harley Fatboy in dimension (you'll be comfortable for your size). They have execllent reliability and you can find good 2002 and up models for less than $4500. So- pick the style you'd like and you're off.

BTW- we are a bunch of wise cracker's here. Cynicism and sarcasm along with wit and humor are main stays in this place- Welcome to the jungle.
Kirk

 

[acecycleins]

Riding gear can be very hot on hot days, but I would think not as "hot" as road rash can be.

For the summer months invest in Textile or Mesh gear. They have great air-flow and unless you're sitting still for hours baking in the sun you'll be fine.

My Joe Rocket Jacket and Pants work fine for this. In the fall or spring a good Textile jacket and armoured jeans (Icon, Draggin Jean, Tour Master and a few others) sell quality denim for just @ $100.

 

[acecycleins]

I can understand why they do not want to. But it is too bad that you can not get a chance, at least I do not think you can, but then again I am very new and have certainly not checked all the shops around me, to try different bikes and bike styles before you settle on buy one.

Like you can do with cars. Now I know the chances of dumping a car is (hopefully) not as big of a chance as with a bike but how are you to know how a style of bike rides and then how a particular bike rides.

I have only ridden the Honda 250 nighthawk and Honda 250 Rebel. So I can figure out how a bigger engine Honda might feel, but how am I know how a dirty bike for example or any of the other bikes mentioned in here feels and rides.

Even 3K is a lot for me to spend and then find out that I do not like or can not ride the bike.

Makes it difficult to get into the sport.

But then a few months ago I had no experiences at all so I am farther ahead than I was then.

I know it makes since as a consumer to want to ride before you buy. And I know, as a former F&I mgr, that getting a person to ride before the buy helps the sale. The problem is motorcycle dealers don't have an outlet for insuring consumers while test riding. So, outside of your Euro import dealers- which by the way break those rules all the time for the sale- high volume multi-line dealers tend to not offer the ride because they are simply too scared to let the average joe take their bikes out. Law suits kill it for all of us. Some squid somewhere wads up a bike on a test ride and the next thing you know the shop is closing its doors because of the suit. There you have it. I suggest you buy your first bike as cheap as possible. Try to stick to the DP bikes because they are so versatile for your first ride. The Honda and Suzuki are much more off-road oriented than the KLR is, but the KLR has a parts supply that is second to none. They also resale better and have good on road manners. If you can find an early 90's BMWr100gs you will be very happy with the price, road manners, parts availability and reliability in general. Kind of like cheating the fine line of a road bike but having the ability to run fire roads without hesitation. Good luck.

 

[acecycleins]

Haven't looked for one lately, have you? LOL.

Love the White Jesus- everyone should get one.
I found a 89 GS on craigslist the other day for $2100. Looked good from the pics- so you never know.