OT: I need a street bike, 50+mpg, Cheap... Options

[joeav8tor]

this gets 42 mpg...It is unfortunate that people suck at driving, and dont pay attention (especially with bikes)...in less than two days I am riding to the Sturgis motorcycle rally on this bike...it gets better out west with less congestion...not as many idiots trying to kill you.
good luck on your quest
Joe

[URY914]

Best of both worlds. OK maybe not the best...

[HeloMech]

Riding a bike is what you make it. I've been riding dirt and street since I was about 7 years old (almost 37 now). You're the one who has to control the throttle and attitude. I live here at the beach in SoCal and EVERY day I see guys on their bikes with tanktops, shorts and flipflops. Yesterday my GF saw a guy with no shoes on at all. That's just Darwin looking for a place to tickle his fancy. It's been hot as hell here this past few weeks. When you walk out the door and it's sticky humid and hot.. you're already sweating.. then you pull on your helmet, zip up that jacket, etc... it's not fun. If you make it out to the freeway and no traffic, it feels nice. If it's about 100 degrees? no help. Like riding with a hair dryer in your face.

People in cars will ALWAYS amaze you at just how oblivious they are to anything on the outside of their cars. Riding daily you will have someone pull out of a driveway into your lane, switch into your lane, left turns in front of you, people right next to you merge right where you already are... it's just plain crazy.

Now then... that said. I love my bike. I love riding it. I don't stunt it but I do tend to ride fast. I split lanes at lights to get out of the pack of idiots. I always have helmet and armored jacket, gloves and icon riding boots. Never in shorts. Typically I'm in jeans or bdu's. There are "armored" jeans with multi layers and kevlar in between them which are fairly cheap. Yeah.. it's hot... sweat washes off, road rash doesn't. Not to mention when that ER Dr. is scrubbing it out with a brush... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

My 2002 CBR954rr

[GeorgeRud]

If you live in an area with nice weather year round and only have a 4-10 minute commute, have you considered a mountain bicycle? The mileage is astronomical and the aerobic workout will make you a fitter person.

Too many of my friends are Emergency room Docs, they're not called Donor Bikes for nothing. Your body parts come in in perfect shape except you're dead.
Stick with the car or a bicycle, too many idiots on the road behind SUVs.

[lapuwali]

If you live in an area with nice weather year round and only have a 4-10 minute commute, have you considered a mountain bicycle? The mileage is astronomical and the aerobic workout will make you a fitter person.

Too many of my friends are Emergency room Docs, they're not called Donor Bikes for nothing. Your body parts come in in perfect shape except you're dead.
Stick with the car or a bicycle, too many idiots on the road behind SUVs.

Many of whom don't see bicycles on the road any better than they do motorcycles...Not every place has a bike path, and bike lanes are pretty widely ignored by those same people who are a danger to the typical motorcyclist. At least with a motor underneath you, you have some chance of staying out of their way. I deliberately don't ride a bicycle on my morning commute because I was nearly killed twice in just two weeks trying to do just that.

[914werke]

What a bunch of pussys. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)
I agree with HeloMech.

I ride most days. Yes. "Cage" drives are moronic oblivious fools that
are more likley to run you over while talking on thier cell phones, eating, smoking,
reading, nose picking ect. than care.

I never understood the "I know I would kill myself " mentaility. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)
You saying simply you have no self control...? What a bunch of crap. How do you
control yourself in a teener? the reality is more likley you dont have the skill or your just down right scared of two wheels. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif)

My solution to innatentive auto drivers is MANDATE a graduated licensing program that starts ALL drivers on two wheels BEFORE ever allowing them to get a licence to drive a car.

Once folks have had to dodge a car or two on a bike suddenly they have a new appreciation for those of us who still choose to ride.

Back to the topic. 75mph is danm hard to accomplish on any thing bigger than a moped (and is BS in the ebay add). Weight is the biggest factor. A dual purpose bike IS your best choice. Its light. Narrow. and economical.
Id go for one of the recent Motard bikes but you are gonna spend more than 1500 unless your really lucky.

Pussys.

[HeloMech]

What a bunch of pussys. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)
I agree with HeloMech.

but how do you REALLY feel about it? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[ws91420]

I will give you three pieces of advice two from me and one given to me by my uncle when I was expressing the interest to ride.
MY advice take the MSF course before you buy anything and make sure you get something that has enough umpf that you dont feel like you are going to get run over for going too slow.

My uncles The moment that you feel too confident or cocky riding any type of bike is the moment that it will put you down.

[Andyrew]

Thank you all you nay sayers.. I have thought about this for a very long time thank you...

rich its "drive like everyone wants to kill you.."

I WILL get protective gear.

I WILL take the training course, As many times as it takes till I am comfortable.

I DO know the risks involved. So stop telling me.


I think James has a good comment fromt the other thread that I would like to insert here,

Y'know, sometimes I can't believe what a bunch of old ladies you guys are. First everyone rags on the 20 year old kid for wanting to move to LA to start his career with $9k in his pocket, now we're getting an earful of "murdercycles".

I'm beginning to think some of you old farts are thinking everyone was a dumb as you were at 20 years old.

I think Andyrew is showing a respectable amount of maturity for wanting a starter bike to start with, rather than 100hp 600. He's shown exceptional restraint with a 914-V8 I suspect a lot of 40 year olds would get themselves into serious trouble with. Cut him a little slack.

Sure, people die and are very seriously injured on bikes all the time. Lots of people also ride them for multiple decades with little to no serious injury. In my first year of riding, I crashed a LOT. After that first year, I went for more than a decade with no crashes at all, other than racetrack offs (which are a different thing entirely).

Take a safety course. Wear good gear. Use your head. Assume everyone else on the road is out to kill you. Bikes can be just fine.

NOW...

Can someone tell me all the bikes that have 250cc or less than 400cc? A 500cc bike is too fast for my intent.

Currently I want a Ninja 250R.

Does bright colors for a bike make a big difference as far as being seen? I think I want to paint the bike phoenix red. (after its got scratched and dinged a few times)

[Dr. Roger]

when i was 15 i got a honda 90 for purely in town commuting to school and work.

i think mine got about 90 to 100 mpg and i'd drive it everywhere.

back then the speed limit was 70 on the freeways so it never saw the freeway but back roads got me all over cali.... seriously.

too many stories to remember but all good fun.


driving a 914 takes concentration but a street bike takes absolute concentration just watching out for that moth** *ucking, cell phone using, driver who is about to try killing you "by mistake". seriously.

i go back and forth between street bikes and dirt. my last street bike phase lasted 2 years. in those 2 years i had 3 close calls and ALL were by distracted drivers. sold the street and went back to dirt. we'll see how long this lasts....

street bikes are a lot of fun. =-) even a 90cc!

everyone needs to draw a line for themselves. i don't sky dive.... bungee jumping however...

[HeloMech]

I've never met you, nor do I know how tall you are. The ninja 250 is a VERY small bike. The Ninja 500 is still small, just not AS small. The ninja 500 has a more relaxed seating position than the 250 does. My girlfriend had a 250 ninja (she's 4'11"). She moved up to the 500... she just sold that 500 for $3k because it was too tall, she wanted the 2006 250 again.

I know alot of people are doubting the 600+ size. However, if you can find a used SV650, that's a GREAT bike to learn on. Also, it's got ALOT of aftermarket add-ons that you can grow with if you chose. It doesn't come with alot of the full plastics that will break when you drop it... and you will drop it... in a parking lot, your garage, whatever. it's going over. lol. They make full fairing kits for it (or the SV650S) I think comes stock with plastics.

The 250 and 500.. I don't think either of them will physically do 130mph. On paper maybe.. not actual. The sv650 will do about that, maybe push 140 indicated. My bike is said to do 172mph... on paper. Do I go that fast? no.

The sv650 will have the low end to get you out of situations with bad cage drivers. You really should go to www.crashclub.net and ask around over there. I bet you will get about 80% suggesting the sv650 as a great bike to start on.

Your choice, your wrist (throttle). You can ride something like my 954rr... just because it WILL do 75mph in first gear.. doesn't mean you HAVE to! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Brando]

Look into a Buell! A friend of mine just got one. Appearantly most jap bikes are considered "sporty" and will cost alot more to insure. A Harley and Buell are considered touring/cruising and cost less to insure.

[HeloMech]

One more thing... the absolute MOST important thing I've seen here is that you wear the proper gear. MSF is great, will teach you alot of breaking and maneuvering, panic stops, etc. First and foremost.. I'd get GEAR in your brain. That certificate is great.. but if some cager takes you out while you're wearing shorts... you're not gonna have an ass to hold up the pants with the pocket to carry the wallet where you put the certificate and forgot everything they taught you the first time you pulled out onto the street. lol.

Also... if you didn't know this... when you take the MSF course, in CA, you're not required to do that silly-assed driving test in the parking lot at the DMV! Stupid circle, cones, feet up... blah. lol.

[HeloMech]

Look into a Buell! A friend of mine just got one. Appearantly most jap bikes are considered "sporty" and will cost alot more to insure. A Harley and Buell are considered touring/cruising and cost less to insure.

OMG!!! if you consider a BLahuell... do NOT go to crashclub! lol.

harleyuell... blah.. leaking rattly, underpowered blehc...

gimme some listerine.. gotta get that taste outta my mouth. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[lapuwali]

Can someone tell me all the bikes that have 250cc or less than 400cc? A 500cc bike is too fast for my intent.

Currently I want a Ninja 250R.

Does bright colors for a bike make a big difference as far as being seen? I think I want to paint the bike phoenix red. (after its got scratched and dinged a few times)

No, not really. Just assume you're invisible and work with that.

I had a 250 Ninjette, and they're OK, but they aren't that great. Don't assume the difference between 250cc and 500cc means a 500 will have 2x the power. The GS500E I suggested earlier is SLOW. It's a old air-cooled two-valve design that maybe makes 40hp. The 250 Ninja is a water-cooled four-valver, and makes about 30hp bone stock, and can very easily be tuned to make 50hp. One big problem in NoCal with finding a 250 Ninja is the AFM (NoCal bike racing club) has a specific class for 250 Ninjas, so most of the used Ninjettes have been thrashed to death. My 250 Ninja was a fully sorted racing bike, and would absolutely smoke a GS500, and would seriously worry an EX500 rider.

Noboby serious races a GS500, they're meant to be starter bikes. No bodywork, cheap parts, cheap to buy used. Many of them you'll find have low miles, being sold by someone who decided riding bikes wasn't for them. A dual-purpose bike is also a good choice for a starter bike, in that they're designed to be crashed with little to no damage. They're light, and can flick around in traffic nicely. The only trouble is, they're pretty much all singles, which are great for giving you a vibro-massage at freeway speeds, and pretty much terrible for any kind of distance. I say this as the previous owner of several single-cylinder'd bikes, including a couple that were kick-to-go only (the true mark of the masochist).

I started on a Honda 200 Reflex, a 200cc single (kick only) that was styled like a dirt bike, but was really a street bike. It would just BARELY go 65mph if you lay flat on the tank and waited a good long while for it to accelerate to that speed. Oh, and drum brakes at both ends.

I've known people who started out on fearsome 1100cc monsters. It's all in the right wrist. You only go as fast as you want, just like your V8.

[JPB]

Vespa makes a good scouter but you need to wear body armour with the crazy drivers out there and it runs at 100mpg.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) If they make fun of you, ride wasted!

[Andyrew]

I am 6' tall. My boss is 6'3 and has a hyabusa, but he got a 250R for his wife, He has ridden it I believe without any trouble and recommended it for me...

My other problem with getting a bigger engine bike is cost.

I need to buy a mechanically perfect bike for 1500 or less

[JPB]

Best of both worlds. OK maybe not the best...

Hey I know that design. Isen't that a crack rocket? Ya know, for crack heads. LOL

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) Just kiding, but what disfunctional sacraligious schmit have you tramatized me with here! AAHHHHHhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL

[Andyrew]

James, your putting out some very good info.. Thank you!

Ok, I understand that cc's dont neccisarily mean hp.. (think about the massive trans am engines they used in 75+... lol)

lets say I want under 45hp.. preferably under 40hp.. I can add hp later... or step up to a faster bike in a year if I desire so.

[JPB]

I am 6' tall. My boss is 6'3 and has a hyabusa, but he got a 250R for his wife, He has ridden it I believe without any trouble and recommended it for me...

My other problem with getting a bigger engine bike is cost.

I need to buy a mechanically perfect bike for 1500 or less

Ya I understand. They usually have some good deals in the want adds and used bike traders also. You might talk your boss into upgrading and then this one can be yours.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) Bikers are always shopping for a bigger bike, believe me.