Back in the wind.

[Anti Federalist]

Also liquid cooled. +1

It's funny how people's tastes run...that is the primary drawback to that bike in my mind, the fact that it is not air cooled, and is probably the reason why I'll be going bigger and air cooled next year, if the timing, money and stars align properly.

I saw a great deal on one of these, but could not commit to pull the trigger...

 

[Anti Federalist]

I'd rather walk.....

LOL, well so would I...but out young friend from California has tastes that run 180 degrees from ours, brother.

 

[oyarde]

It's funny how people's tastes run...that is the primary drawback to that bike in my mind, the fact that it is not air cooled, and is probably the reason why I'll be going bigger and air cooled next year, if the timing, money and stars align properly.

I saw a great deal on one of these, but could not commit to pull the trigger...

I might look good on that , but too hard to give up the F 150 .

 

[shakey1]

 

[tod evans]

It's funny how people's tastes run...that is the primary drawback to that bike in my mind, the fact that it is not air cooled, and is probably the reason why I'll be going bigger and air cooled next year, if the timing, money and stars align properly.

I saw a great deal on one of these, but could not commit to pull the trigger...

The priest at our church rides one like this;

 

[tod evans]

LOL, well so would I...but out young friend from California has tastes that run 180 degrees from ours, brother.

That '56 Beemer I linked to on EBay is out in the land of fruits-n-nuts, doesn't look imposing, will get out of its own way and will be worth more tomorrow than today....

 

[TheCount]

Got my license here in CA last Fall but haven't bought anything yet and have no riding history except in the Rider Safety Course. I believe CA is the only state where lane splitting is legal, which really adds to the incentive to get one for rush hour commuting.I want something small I believe. Although I'd consider a Honda CTX700 DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) if money were no object.

The Honda parallel twins have no soul. Truly boring to ride, and I'm not a huge fan of their transmissions. That said, if that's the sort of bike that you want, then the new Rebel 500 would be a good choice. They took the 500 out of the CB500 bikes and put it in a more cruiseresque frame. Quite nice. The 300 is garbage, don't even bother.

You'll really want to get riding before too much time passes after your class. It'll just get harder to get into it. Lane splitting is the best, saves me an enormous amount of time on my commute. Nearly half.

 

[anaconda]

BMW and Ducati make nice bikes if you're put off by V Twins...

These bikes will appreciate;

[edit]

'56 on E-Bay just a few hrs left;

Thank you for the ideas! Bur are parts availability and cost, and labor costs reasonable for these brands?

 

[anaconda]

That can't be comfortable.

Doesn't that make the blood run out of your arms?

Sounds like modest ape hangers are very comfortable for many, for a variety of reasons.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/269327-ape-hanger-s-comfort.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycle..._someone_please_explain_the_appeal_of_monkey/

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/general-harley-talk/119113-ape-hangers-drag-bars.html

 

[anaconda]

The Honda parallel twins have no soul. Truly boring to ride, and I'm not a huge fan of their transmissions. That said, if that's the sort of bike that you want, then the new Rebel 500 would be a good choice. They took the 500 out of the CB500 bikes and put it in a more cruiseresque frame. Quite nice. The 300 is garbage, don't even bother.

You'll really want to get riding before too much time passes after your class. It'll just get harder to get into it. Lane splitting is the best, saves me an enormous amount of time on my commute. Nearly half.

Yes. I forgot to mention I had been seriously thinking about the new 2017 redesigned Honda Rebel. Thanks for pointing that out. They are apparently exactly the same except for the engine. I don't really want any thing too heavy or too powerful. The 300 should do at least 90 MPH. I think I could easily live with that. Why do you consider the 300 garbage? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[anaconda]

It's funny how people's tastes run...that is the primary drawback to that bike in my mind, the fact that it is not air cooled, and is probably the reason why I'll be going bigger and air cooled next year, if the timing, money and stars align properly.

I saw a great deal on one of these, but could not commit to pull the trigger...

It is my understanding that water-cooled engines can be constructed with more precision tolerances since they don't contract and expand as much with temperature variances. So, presumably, for a given displacement, you will get more horsepower, better fuel economy, less overheating on hot days, and a longer engine life.

 

[anaconda]

The priest at our church rides one like this;

Looks like the preacher has a little bit of the devil in him.

 

[anaconda]

Comes very highly recommended:

2017 - BMW C650 GT

https://ericpetersautos.com/2017/04/18/2017-bmw-c650-gt/

Too big for me as a starter. I'm gonna need to push whatever I buy around some obstacles in the small garage I'll be sharing with a car. The older Honda Reflex is about the biggest I would want to try for if I go the "maxi-scooter" route. But yes, these are great I believe. Thanks for mentioning it. This beemer is 575 lbs. The Honda Reflex (shown above in post #134) is 375 lbs.

 

[tod evans]

Thank you for the ideas! Bur are parts availability and cost, and labor costs reasonable for these brands?

Absolutely parts are available and there's a following just like with Harley..

Both of those motors were as common as 350 Chevy motors only in the bike world. Tons of information, aftermarket parts and accessories too...

 

[TheCount]

Yes. I forgot to mention I had been seriously thinking about the new 2017 redesigned Honda Rebel. Thanks for pointing that out. They are apparently exactly the same except for the engine. I don't really want any thing too heavy or too powerful. The 300 should do at least 90 MPH. I think I could easily live with that. Why do you consider the 300 garbage? Just curious. Thanks.

The weight difference is not much at all between the two, and the 300cc engine is a single cylinder. I'm not fond of the characteristics of a single, they're naturally unbalanced and tend to vibrate the bike at certain RPMs, particularly at constant speeds like commuting. The two cylinder 500 will be much smoother and overall friendlier to ride, plus the additional torque will be a godsend in traffic.

There's a number of very favorable reviews on Youtube already by major motorcycle outlets. I'd check 'em out.

 

[Origanalist]

That can't be comfortable.

Doesn't that make the blood run out of your arms?

It sure would mine. No way I would have those.

 

[Origanalist]

I might look good on that , but too hard to give up the F 150 .

You CAN have both you know.

 

[Origanalist]

Yes. I forgot to mention I had been seriously thinking about the new 2017 redesigned Honda Rebel. Thanks for pointing that out. They are apparently exactly the same except for the engine. I don't really want any thing too heavy or too powerful. The 300 should do at least 90 MPH. I think I could easily live with that. Why do you consider the 300 garbage? Just curious. Thanks.

You aren't going to do 90 with it.

 

[anaconda]

Absolutely parts are available and there's a following just like with Harley..

Both of those motors were as common as 350 Chevy motors only in the bike world. Tons of information, aftermarket parts and accessories too...

Good to know. Parts are crazy cheap for that Kymco People 150 shown above (the green large-wheeled full step-thru scooter). On the other hand, just try to find fairings for the pre-2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250, of which there are tons of on the road.

 

[anaconda]

You aren't going to do 90 with it.

CBR300R with same motor goes 100 MPH. Why would 90 MPH a bad estimate?