[62858]

Hello all. I am a 36 year old male who finally got the wife to green-light getting a bike (after I increased my life insurance of course). I am 6'2 and weight 225. I have very limited prior riding experience (around 8-10 hours total on a friend's Yamaha 750 on rural roads) and need advised on what to look at. I have a gut feel that a sport touring would be the best bet, but most I've seen start at 800cc and up, which is way more bike than I would feel comfortable with. The smaller ones I've seen (500) seem to all be rice burners, and quite frankly I'm too damn big to fit on one of those. I live in So-Cal so I would be able to ride year-round. Any suggestions?

FYI: I do plan on attending as many safety classes as the CHP gives. Also, anyone who cracks about having a mid-life crisis can get in line behind my wife..I freely admit it's either this or the convertible.

 

[The_AirHawk]

What kind of convertible? I've been Jonesin' for this lil' copper-coloured Miata Hardtop with a MazdaSpeed package down at my local - MSRP is like $30k, if it sits another month I think I'll offer him 25-5 for it.......

Oh, Right! The bike!

KLR650

I happen to know of TWO of them for sale right at this moment - a '97 and an '00. Both ~8k miles each, Milwaukee area (take a bus there, ride one home - it'd be an Adventure!)

Lemme know if you're interested, I'll PM you my friend's contact info and details. NO direct affiliation with the bikes, the guy is a friend and I trust him implicitly.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

What kind of convertible? I've been Jonesin' for this lil' copper-coloured Miata Hardtop with a MazdaSpeed package down at my local - MSRP is like $30k, if it sits another month I think I'll offer him 25-5 for it.......

You have good taste in cars! I've owned a '90, a '95, and a 2000 Miata MX5. All of them were excellent cars, reliable as bricks and super fun to drive. Perfect for Florida.

The Mazdaspeed MX5 was just a couple of years, like 04 and 05, wasn't it? I was looking at some 07s but didn't see the 'speed version. I do like the new hardtop model, but damn they are pricey. The Saturn Sky and the Pontiac version are pretty nice, but I can't bring myself to buy a GM. The Honda S2000 is $36k, and will run with the Boxster. When I'm ready for the next 2 seater I think that will be the one.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Actually, I think it's just a "Dealer Package" with Mazdaspeed parts on it (intake, exhaust, shifter kit, ECU) - not actually a Mazdaspeed MX5 - there's no badging saying as such. This one has that reddish-brown leather interior, goes REAL damn nice with the copper finish. You owe it to yourself to go down and look at one and play with that retractable hard top - coolest thing since sliced bread. It's amazing how they managed to engineer all those parts to interlock and fold-up into the same space as the soft top.

It Rocks.

 

[dodogenocide]

bikes are great, convertibles are great...just don't try to combine them in a trike. Those things are just lame if you're over 3 feet tall.

I heard the KLR650's are as reliable and predictable as a French surrender, so check them out.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Actually I did! It's a neat hardtop, and it actually looks pretty good when up. But I just have a hard time spending $30k or more for a Miata. They've always been an icon of affordable sports car fun. When you get into that price range I'd like to see some more power. If I wasn't so busy keeping the ancient bikes I ride running, it would be great fun to get an older Miata and build it into a hot car. The aftermarket for the MX5 is awesome.

 

[pushrod]

Jager71, You'll want to be looking for a bike (you'll notice a slant toward the DP bikes, since you mention "tall") that has somewhere to put your legs.

The thing I tell folks, when they are looking for a new/another bike is to first decide what they want to do on it. Ride to the nearest Hooter's? Ride it to Alaska? Ride by yourself or with another on the back? You want to pack stuff along, or ride with nuthin'? You want flashy? You decide what you'll use it for, and you'll find several bikes out there that will do it.

Don't get fixated on the size of the engine. I tell folks all the time that most bikes go plenty fast enough to kill you. It's how well the brake and throttle are used that is the ticket.

Just never forget that all the cars are trying to kill you. Other than that, riding's a piece o' cake!

 

[12er]

used KLR 650, ride the wheels off it and sell it for what you paid when your ready for a new bike.

 

[pplassm]

Get the bike _and_ the convertible. I picked up a used RX-7 convertible for cheap and its a gas. Plus, it's not gay like a Miata.

+1 on the KLR and other DP bikes. Experience the full range of motorcycling. Dirt is fun, too, ya know.

I just spent 4 days in WV riding old strip mining areas. Amazing!

 

[The_AirHawk]

I picked up a used RX-7 convertible for cheap and its a gas. Plus, it's not gay like a Miata.

Unlike three Nazi Officers in a sidecar........

 

[BrowningBAR]

I thought Miata was spanish for "coffin".

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

It's True

Get the bike _and_ the convertible. I picked up a used RX-7 convertible for cheap and its a gas. Plus, it's not gay like a Miata.

+1 on the KLR and other DP bikes. Experience the full range of motorcycling. Dirt is fun, too, ya know.

I just spent 4 days in WV riding old strip mining areas. Amazing!

Everytime I got in my Miatas I was overcome by Satan and became a gay homosexual. I had a flowered scarf hidden under the seat where my wife couldn't find it, and I'd flirt with truck drivers hoping they'd crush my tiny car under their 18 wheels and turn it into a coffin. Since then I've found Jesus and the Republican party and purchased a Suburban. I'm now completely straight again and support the war in Iraq.

 

[trenttheuncatchable]

Miatas are girlie cars, as are CRV's and anything Lexus

As far as the bike goes, get a street bike. I don't know what sport touring means to you, but all things considered (price, insurance, capability, fuel economy) a Suzuki Katana 750 is what I'd recommend. Just take it easy on the throttle for the first month, and ride it around the neighborhood before taking it into real traffic.

 

[sarnali2]

Everytime I got in my Miatas I was overcome by Satan and became a gay homosexual. I had a flowered scarf hidden under the seat where my wife couldn't find it, and I'd flirt with truck drivers hoping they'd crush my tiny car under their 18 wheels and turn it into a coffin. Since then I've found Jesus and the Republican party and purchased a Suburban. I'm now completely straight again and support the war in Iraq.

What a heart warming story that is, and it just goes to show how True Americans like Mr. Rumsfeld and Mr. Macnamara before him love America so much that they would sacrifice your life and the lives of many others like you in the cause of Freedom and Profits.

As do all Real Americans I'm sure they drive very large automobiles made here in the USA, not some filthy little red "Miata" from those heathen dens of buggery and debauchery in the Far East with unpronouncable names and smelly cooking

 

[62858]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions. I was also thinking about a used Suzuki GS500 or Kawasaki Ninja 500. I can get both used for around $2-3k. Any opinions regarding either one?

 

[The_AirHawk]

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions. I was also thinking about a used Suzuki GS500 or Kawasaki Ninja 500. I can get both used for around $2-3k. Any opinions regarding either one?

The Ninja has a little more power, maybe a little broader aftermarket (more racers). Depending on year, the GS has a little more style, a couple-fewer things to break down (air cooling).

Both would do you well, and won't be "easily outgrown".

 

[BrowningBAR]

Have you ever seen the South Park episode where Butters is bi-curious and is sent to a religious reprogramming camp?

 

[seruzawa]

They show their patriotism....

What a heart warming story that is, and it just goes to show how True Americans like Mr. Rumsfeld and Mr. Macnamara before him love America so much that they would sacrifice your life and the lives of many others like you in the cause of Freedom and Profits.

As do all Real Americans I'm sure they drive very large automobiles made here in the USA, not some filthy little red "Miata" from those heathen dens of buggery and debauchery in the Far East with unpronouncable names and smelly cooking

.... by hiring only legal immigrants for chauffeurs.

 

[12er]

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions. I was also thinking about a used Suzuki GS500 or Kawasaki Ninja 500. I can get both used for around $2-3k. Any opinions regarding either one?

Either bike is fine, but with your height make sure they fit (hence my KLR suggestion). @ 6'2 they shouldnt be too bad, but for my 6'6 they are a little tight.