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Which motorcycle?
Can someone tell me which motorcycle(s) allows one not to have to lean forward, like this one? This seems like a comfortable riding position.
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Hey Nitro, are you planning to take your mid life crisis to a new level?
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"Sometimes you win, Sometimes you lose, and Sometimes it rains"
Cruisers?
Quote from macal425:
Hey Nitro, are you planning to take your mid life crisis to a new level?
Well, ok, no tattoos for sure.__________________
"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Quote from twofacedjoker:
Cruisers?
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Most of the sport bikes require the rider to lean forward with some of your weight on your wrists. Great for racing and maneuvering at higher speeds by uncomfortable (for most) on longer rides.
Cruisers and touring bikes generally have a more up right seating position.
You could hit the sport touring area of the market. Yamaha's FJR 1300, Triumph Sprint ST,have more of lean forward position than upright, or full lean over. If you go a pure sport bike you may find your wrists get sore after a riding even for shorter periods. A Kawasaki Ninja 14 has somewhat of a more sport tour position, but is closer to sport. It also has a ton of power, and could get you in trouble(as in crash and burn) real easy if you haven't ridden a bike in awhile, or ever. The insurance for it will be nasty also.
I like the Triumph Sprint myself, but there are any number of bikes out there that would fit the bill.
Get longer handle bars
Ok ok, thanks for the replies. I guess I should have been more specific. How is it, that Tom Cruise who I believe is approximately 5' 4", doesn't have to lean that much on that sport bike in that picture? Did they do a custom job on the bike? Maybe he is leaning more than I think he is...
Maybe it is as simple as getting slightly longer handlebars....
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Quote from nitro:
....How is it, that Tom Cruise........
Quote from nazzdack:
1) ?......CGI?
2) What about the motorcycle with two wheels upfront and one wheel in the back?
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Maybe it is as simple as getting slightly longer handlebars....
Good choice.
Quote from hoodooman:
Maybe it is as simple as getting slightly longer handlebars....
Good choice.
__________________
"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Wow, I didn't know he was 5'4". Probably a combination of handlebars that come back a bit more and higher footpegs to lift and push him forward. They may have even had to change the seat so it didn't look like they did anything to it.
Maybe not a 5 minute job, but not to hard or time consuming on most bikes either. I think most wiring harnesses are on the outside and not running through the bars. Even if they do run through, I would guess they make a connection point you can pop apart to accomodate maintenance, or change outs relatively painless.
Quote from r-in:
Maybe not a 5 minute job, but not to hard or time consuming on most bikes either. I think most wiring harnesses are on the outside and not running through the bars. Even if they do run through, I would guess they make a connection point you can pop apart to accomodate maintenance, or change outs relatively painless.
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
If that is the 650R, I would think it would be a good starting point. Remember even smaller bikes are going to accelerate quite a bit faster than you standard street car, so they can give a good thrill.
If you haven't ridden before take a rider safety class and learn to ride on their bike. The classes are even a good idea for experienced riders who haven't ridden in awhile.
Quote from r-in:
If that is the 650R, I would think it would be a good starting point. Remember even smaller bikes are going to accelerate quite a bit faster than you standard street car, so they can give a good thrill.
If you haven't ridden before take a rider safety class and learn to ride on their bike. The classes are even a good idea for experienced riders who haven't ridden in awhile.
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
400R? Never heard of that model. What year is it?
400R. For sure I am going to take a class...
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Plus life and hospital insurance. My son broke both arms with his first bike and my son in law was rear ended and received a concussion when he tried to make a right hand turn. Both bikes were total losses.
Good luck.
Hoodman, I won't argue with you. Between people who act like idiots on their bikes, or assume since they rode a bicycle they can ride a motorcycle, or the inattentive car drivers, it can be dangerous.
Quote from nitro:
Ok ok, thanks for the replies. I guess I should have been more specific. How is it, that Tom Cruise who I believe is approximately 5' 4", doesn't have to lean that much on that sport bike in that picture? Did they do a custom job on the bike? Maybe he is leaning more than I think he is...
Maybe it is as simple as getting slightly longer handlebars....
Forget motorcycles. They are meant to shred your flesh from your bones.
Get a scooter instead:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorc...es_of_accidents
PA
The Triumph Speed Triple is meant be to really comfortable to ride. It's a naked bike which most people either love or hate. I like it.
As one of the previous posters mentioned, you can fit risers to your bars or just buy new bars with a higher riding position. And you can always shift the existing bars back with an allen key. Plenty of options. Risers start at about $100.
If comfort is what you're after then you want look at sports tourers. Anything derived from racing technology will be uncomfortable after 15 minutes.
Runningbar
That is very interesting and makes some sense. Thanks.
Thanks to all other very interesting suggestions from everyone else as well. I learned quite a bit.
Quote from Picaso:
I was going to tell you how he/they did it, but in a sense you beat me to it... I think he's riding the 400 Japanese version (and that they modified the stickers to make it look the 750). Either that or, as someone mentioned, they lowered the seat (Honda does it for the ladies). I haven't seen anyone with modified (longer) handlebars in sport bikes.
See, in Japan they have two things going for 400cc bikes: 1) you can use the regular motorcycle license (you need a different one for >400), regardless of its horsepower; 2) Japanese are not exactly tall and they manufacture their 400's (that go mostly to its domestic market) with a lower seat = less leaning forward if you're taller.
Also the posture varies with the speed/wind. You can sit almost upright in most sport bikes with your arms mostly extended and leaning your weight on the handles provided you're riding slowly; as you ride faster you will have to lean forward (and shift your weight to your torso and butt) or the wind will seriously pull you back. So, if you want to ride in a more upright position, get a slighter taller fairing (worse aerodynamics, but unless you want to ride crazy fast, more comfortable riding).
Oh, and don't forget to get you belly button pierced
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
You need one of these.
http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/
Intrinsically safer, and still get performance , comfort, AND you wouldn't believe how many people I've heard of who forgot to put down the sidestand and dropped their bike at the servo.
Long rides can get real tiring-actually did that myself once. Embarrassing.
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"What the.....?"
Quote from acronym:
You need one of these.
http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/
Intrinsically safer, and still get performance , comfort, AND you wouldn't believe how many people I've heard of who forgot to put down the sidestand and dropped their bike at the servo.
Long rides can get real tiring-actually did that myself once. Embarrassing.
nitro,
try riding one of these for a few hours, you'll never want to get off
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...s:0&tx=99&ty=88
Quote from killthesunshine:
nitro,
try riding one of these for a few hours, you'll never want to get off
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...s:0&tx=99&ty=88
__________________
"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Quote from Runningbear:
The Triumph Speed Triple is meant be to really comfortable to ride. It's a naked bike which most people either love or hate. I like it.
As one of the previous posters mentioned, you can fit risers to your bars or just buy new bars with a higher riding position. And you can always shift the existing bars back with an allen key. Plenty of options. Risers start at about $100.
If comfort is what you're after then you want look at sports tourers. Anything derived from racing technology will be uncomfortable after 15 minutes.
Runningbar
__________________
"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Forgot pic
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
I've had several BMW's. I always put pull-backs on the handlebar mounts for a more upright ride, along with taller windscreen. You can only go back so far on some models unless you start replacing cables.
FWIW.
Checkout: http://aero3s.com/
Real comfy
I do love the Triumphs. They have a new Sprint GT model which has an even more upright position than the ST version.
Here's a kind of funny BMW promo for their 1000R sport bike.
http://www.bmw.tv/intl/us/video.do?...=4&channelID=16
This may be worth a look: http://www.gizmag.com/go/2303/
Are helmets helmets, or is there one that is definitely better than another as far as comfort, breathing, safety etc?
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Helmets are a try it on deal. I have a Norton and it fits great. Aria is great, but couldn't get one that fit just right. Unless you never drive more than 15 minutes you need something that works for your head and comfort.
Quote from taclander:
Helmets are a try it on deal. I have a Norton and it fits great. Aria is great, but couldn't get one that fit just right. Unless you never drive more than 15 minutes you need something that works for your head and comfort.
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
I have ridden off and on for 45 years. Assuming a helmet meets basic DOT specs, the most important thing for me is that it is quiet at freeway speeds. I hate wind whistle. Next is airflow and how well it can clear a fogged face shield. Third is weight, some are burdensome.
All of that is of course starting with a helmet that is comfortable.
Having said that, I found myself wearing a non-dot approved skullcap more often, simply because of noise and the barrier to the sounds and smells that make a slow ride though the country most pleasant.
Ok, I finally took a class. The class is given on Thursday night, Friday night, and all day Saturday and Sunday. I got through day three and ten minutes before the end of the day, I was unable to finish it because I made a silly mistake when coming to a complete stop, I pulled a hamstring trying to hold up the bike after it started leaning (I didn't square the handle bars for some reason probably from exhastion) and my right leg tried to hold up nearly all 800 lbs of the bike. So I am going to have to go back and retake the last two days another day. I am in pain from the pulled hamstring and can barely walk, but I went on Sunday anyway to see if I could do it, and it was deemed inappropriate.
Here is what I have learned:
I got an Arai helmet. It was not the one pictured earlier, but a more basic model. What I found is that generally these more expensive helmets were made of lighter composites. I also learned that imo, you need two helmets depending on the kind of riding you are going to to be doing, a three quarter and a full helmet. If I had to do it over again, I would have bought the three quarter helmet for the class, and then the full when I was ready to ride. When you are going no faster than 20 MPH (not even that most of the time), a three quarter helmet provides plenty of protection, and it breathes easier and is less claustrophobic, both of which help when learning.
I took a class where the motorcycles were terribly kept and in poor working order. I was fighting the freaking thing all day long trying to get it into neutral, starting the bike, and generally stalling it. The side of my hips hurt from the riding position which I did not expect, but I guess I am not used to sitting that way. My hands and wrists hurt like crazy towards the end. This is a bad combination given my inexperience and the 95 degree heat and humidity. I am certain that my accident was that my mind made a judgment error due to sheer exhaustion. It was a lesson well learned though: don't ride if tired or otherwise emotionally in a bad way.
I asked if I could take the course on my own bike, and they said not that particular course but that the advanced riding course one could. Sigh.
I think I decided on a bike. The instructors (whom were great btw) told me this was more than a starter bike and would last me at least a couple to many years. I am going to move the pegs forward, and get a humble fearing on it. As I gain experience, I will add a seat to the back, and perhaps some humble bags.
I am angry at myself for getting injured and not being able to finish, but it's all spilt milk now. The instructors also pointed out a positive, I get to practice more, which is never a bad thing. True.
I loved riding BTW. Motorcycles are the ultimate convertible.
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
What the heck were they using to teach beginners that weighed 800 freakin' pounds?
ps. I would agree with the instructors that a Sporster is more than a starter bike. And don' t move the pegs, not unless you want to look like an idiot. I think of starter bikes as something a lot smaller and lighter. I don't know what you rinterests are, but a dual purpose, ie street/off road, bike makes a good starter.
Quote from AAAintheBeltway:
What the heck were they using to teach beginners that weighed 800 freakin' pounds?
ps. I would agree with the instructors that a Sporster is more than a starter bike.
And don' t move the pegs, not unless you want to look like an idiot. I think of starter bikes as something a lot smaller and lighter. I don't know what you rinterests are, but a dual purpose, ie street/off road, bike makes a good starter.
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"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
I think it would be a mistake to move the pegs and controls forward on a sportster. No doubt someone makes a kit to do it but why? If that is the seating position you want, why not just get a cruiser? I think Star , which is Yamaha, makes an 800cc cruiser. Honda used to make a terrific sport cruiser called the Magna I think. 800cc and shaft drive as i recall.
What I would look into is going to a dealer and negotiating a deal where you would buy a used smaller bike with a guaranteed trade-in on a bigger bike within a month or so. That way you can get used to riding on something easier, see if you really like it, then get somehting you can enjoy for a while.
The most dangerous miles you will ever ride on a bike are the first 200 or so. It's a lot easier to control a smaller bike, but make sure you do get something that can keep up with freeway traffic.
If it was a Buell it was their smallest model, and there was no way it weighed 800 pounds. It was a pretty small bike, and was their intro bike. I don't think any of the bigger Buells came in close to 800 lbs. A sportster is a Harley. Harley screwed Buell out of exsistence, but fortunately Eric Buell kept going making a race bike, and now has financing to produce street bikes again.
I read a statistic once that said 80% of motorcyclists that die, get killed in the first 8 months of having their license. So you have to be really careful during this period. Believe it or not, it's over confidence that gets you into trouble. After 3 months of riding, you think your good at it and you take more risks. This is the danger zone. You want to push the bike a bit harder and get a bit of a thrill. But you can come off pretty easily and some times its not even your fault. I've dropped the bike once when I hit oil at an intersection and I got knocked off once by a car that turned without indicating. Luckily both happened at less than 15mph. Another time I nearly crashed when I hit a piece of furniture that fell off the back of a pick up. Another time I nearly crashed when a bee bit me on the neck. And one other time I got hit in the face by a bird. Believe me, it doesn't sound like much but at 50 miles an hour, its like getting a straight right from mike tyson.
You have to be ready for the unexpected.
Runningbear
Quote from Runningbear:
I read a statistic once that said 80% of motorcyclists that die, get killed in the first 8 months of having their license. So you have to be really careful during this period. Believe it or not, it's over confidence that gets you into trouble. After 3 months of riding, you think your good at it and you take more risks. This is the danger zone. You want to push the bike a bit harder and get a bit of a thrill. But you can come off pretty easily and some times its not even your fault. I've dropped the bike once when I hit oil at an intersection and I got knocked off once by a car that turned without indicating. Luckily both happened at less than 15mph. Another time I nearly crashed when I hit a piece of furniture that fell off the back of a pick up. Another time I nearly crashed when a bee bit me on the neck. And one other time I got hit in the face by a bird. Believe me, it doesn't sound like much but at 50 miles an hour, its like getting a straight right from mike tyson.
You have to be ready for the unexpected.
Runningbear
Find a used Honda blackbird 164hp at 10500rpm. I ride one and it is a blast. Not for first time riders though . I,ve ridde 100,000 miles in the last 10years. Prior to the blackbird I had a Honda 1800 vtx. I put 50k miles on it. Nice upright position.
Be careful.i
Quote from Runningbear:
I read a statistic once that said 80% of motorcyclists that die, get killed in the first 8 months of having their license. So you have to be really careful during this period. Believe it or not, it's over confidence that gets you into trouble. After 3 months of riding, you think your good at it and you take more risks. This is the danger zone. You want to push the bike a bit harder and get a bit of a thrill. But you can come off pretty easily and some times its not even your fault. I've dropped the bike once when I hit oil at an intersection and I got knocked off once by a car that turned without indicating. Luckily both happened at less than 15mph. Another time I nearly crashed when I hit a piece of furniture that fell off the back of a pick up. Another time I nearly crashed when a bee bit me on the neck. And one other time I got hit in the face by a bird. Believe me, it doesn't sound like much but at 50 miles an hour, its like getting a straight right from mike tyson.
You have to be ready for the unexpected.
Runningbear
Quote from AAAintheBeltway:
Wow, you had some close calls. I know a bug hitting your face shield at hihgway speeds can make your ears ring. I don't even want to think what a bird felt like.
I don't know what they teach at the safety school, but in traffic I would probably want to get close up behind an SUV. Cars will turn left in front of you like you're not even there.
Runningbear,
One thing that we learned in the class is that the only thing you can control on a motorcycle is time and space.
It was pointed out that it is rarely one thing that causes a motorcycle accident, but a confluence of things. Most human beings are able to act quickly when faced with one danger. But the more decisions he has to make in concert, and worse quickly, exponentially raises the chance of accident.
So one of the best things they did in our class was, they would play a video with some situation for three seconds, and stop it. We would then have to identify all the key issues in the video from memory, and predict scenarios. It was really instructional, and in fact, one very similar to your situation came up. The answer of course, was to anticipate that the driver at the intersection view of the motorcycle may be blocked. Since giving yourself more time and space is often the answer, and to reduce complexity (since the other driver can now see you or at least you can react if by letting him go by), it was obvious the answer was to slow down.
It is actually amazing how often slowing down is the answer, since it lengthens time and space.
__________________
"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Quote from nitro:
Runningbear,
So one of the best things they did in our class was, they would play a video with some situation for three seconds, and stop it. We would then have to identify all the key issues in the video from memory, and predict scenarios. It was really instructional, and in fact, one very similar to your situation came up. The answer of course, was to anticipate that the driver at the intersection view of the motorcycle may be blocked. Since giving yourself more time and space is often the answer, and to reduce complexity (since the other driver can now see you or at least you can react if by letting him go by), it was obvious the answer was to slow down.
It is actually amazing how often slowing down is the answer, since it lengthens time and space.
Quote from r-in:
I saw a real time simulation of a person looking over to their car stereo and changing a station while driving 30 mph in a city. In the split second the car covered enough distance for the kid chasing a ball to pop out from parked cars a couple ahead and get creamed before the driver realized what happened. Distance is good, and never ever count on the other guy to be alert.
__________________
"You have to fix your roof when it's sunny outside" - JFK
Quote from nitro:
Right. 60 MPH is approximately 88 feet per second, so traveling 30 MPH a vehicle will travel approximately 44 feet in one second.
At the class, one of the things the instructors said they do constantly while riding is to strategize, mostly to reduce complexity to having to deal with only one emergency. If this, then I do that, etc. The level of awareness required when riding a motorcycle is easily ten times that required by a four stance vehicle. Stupid things like leaves on a road, gravel, tar, metal bridges, potholes, mancovers, crowned roads, etc, things that a car driver doesn't even give a second notice could potentially have a huge impact to the safety of a motorcycle rider.
Quote from r-in:
I hate manhole covers! Those slippery SOB's suck. Also hate roads that are grooved supposedly for water run off. On 2 wheels you really feel movement. There used to an older bridge in St Paul, part of 694/494, just southeast of the downtown airport. I hated that thing. It had the metal mesh that moved the bike around even if you tried to stay in a straight line. Oil on the road can be a nightmare too. I've been stuck at stoplights where a car dripped oil, so ended up with it on a wheel. The last time I looked like some butt head crotch rocket driver as my rear spun when I let out the clutch.
Must have hit quote instead of edit, sorry. Changed Southwest to Southeast.
For all you that hate the idea of motorcycles, I add my experiences yesterday. Asswipe in a car on his cellphone wanders into my lane. I hit the horn, but still got all the way to the curb before the jerkoff swerved, yes swerved, back into his lane. Needless to say he saw a finger at his window, and heard a lot of bad words at the stop light. Later in the day I had a guy blow a stop light, mind you I wait 3-5 seconds before I venture into an intersection for this vary reason. He was on the other side of 3 or 4 cars that stopped at the light. I have anti lock brakes and experienced them fully. I applied probably too much front brake as I lifted the rear stopping to avoid being a statistic. Thought anit lock would avoid that, and am going into the dealer to make sure the antilocks are working correctly.
The best part of my day was the cop that gave me a ticket flew by me at a yellow light. He wasn't going anywhere as he obviously slowed down after the light. I called the city and gave them the number of the squad and asked why it was ok for him to do this, but issue a ticket to anyone else. I was transfered to the chief. It didn't go well, we had a bit of an arguement.
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