I think I'm getting back on a motorcycle

[Emerson Dambiggins]

M&E in Bedford has a couple of these as of a couple of days ago.

I'm giving serious thought to adding one to the stable when I don't want the Goldwing or DR650 for the day.

 

[JCSR]

I appreciate the other opinions but all things considered nothing else checks all of the boxes. I don't think a motorcycle can get much more utilitarian and all I want is reliable, cheap transportation I can ride a good chunk of the year and keep the miles off of my truck. No pleasure riding, very little highway riding and probably no interstate riding.

Don't rob yourself of one the the best feelings on earth. Riding for pleasure is one of the few cheap enjoyments we have left. Motorcycles also keep me from falling into a deep winter depression.

 

[OurDee]

There are a ton of good options out there. If you like the sporties, Buy a mechanically great one and don't worry what color it is. Just ride the tar out of it. color or paint it next winter. I just dropped a friends Sportster engine off at Dark Horse in Wisconsin for a welded crank, Carillo rods, and new pistons and cylinder work. He knows the Carillo is over kill, but they are so pretty. Goal is a bullit proof motor for a ride to the Artic and beyond. He is 70. Bike is Soul Red without all the chrome. He has been building it for years. Then the Crank and rod noises cropped up. He hasn't had a car in years, but has 3 Sportsters. This one is the Gentleman's Express. The daily driver is called "The Cussed Em" and the other is a tribute bike from a friend that passed before getting it running well enough to ride. I started riding a Royal Enfield, Himalayan last year.

 

[Biggredchev]

Sportsters are great commuters and a real deal (96-97) xl1200s is a hoot to ride. That BMW looks way more comfortable than a sportster though lol.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Just got back from checking the bike out in person at a dealership, I like it but haven't ridden it yet. The size is good, the suspension is very soft (which is beneficial for me), the bike weighs 350lbs wet, it's quiet, fuel efficient and is definitely biased towards road use but it does have good light duty offroad capability which, while I don't necesssarily "need" that capability at the moment, two years down the road who knows? There may come a time where riding offroad becomes important.

If I end up getting it I'll definitely be adding crash bars, bark busters, etc.. I'm a known upgrade addict, the more upgrade options are available for something the more I tend to have interest in it. 3yr - 36k warranty is pretty nice and it's under $7250 out the door. I won't make a final decision until I have an opportunity to ride one.

Not sure how much highway time you plan on getting, but that 300 will leave you wanting more. I've had quite a few smaller bikes from 220 up to 650 and the only ones that were comfortable on the highway were the 500 and 650. If you do plan on any off-road I found the smaller 350 great for that, but if you plan on mostly road riding I would try to get a few more CC's.

The smaller bikes are absolutely a blast if you stay off the highway though, I really do miss my old DR 350.

 

[cbhausen]

In general I would say always buy at least a little more bike than you think you need. Like they say it’s better to have and not need than need and not have.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I often wish I'd have gotten into motorcycle riding. But I've been hit in every vehicle I've ever owned (except the current one - knock wood!), including two head-on collisions that I wouldn't have survived on a bike. I like having the steel around me. I'm not gonna tempt fate.

 

[phylodog]

Not sure how much highway time you plan on getting, but that 300 will leave you wanting more.

Yep, it definitely has its limitations. The only highway riding will be if and when it’s unavoidable. I honestly never really enjoyed anything over about 50 on my road king.

 

[tmschuller]

This is me in December.

That’s me too plus an artificial disc on my way to T-1000 model at cyberdyne systems...
riding most bikes is a pain in the neck ! Good luck on finding what you want!

 

[KokomoDave]

I have an appointment for my cruise control install tomorrow. Bad thing is the weather. I have no way to get it down to Westfield except ride it. Crap!
If I get killed, hoist a cold one in my name. Buwahahaha!

 

[phylodog]

I have an appointment for my cruise control install tomorrow. Bad thing is the weather. I have no way to get it down to Westfield except ride it. Crap!
If I get killed, hoist a cold one in my name. Buwahahaha!

If I wasn't working I'd bring my horse trailer up and help you haul it down.

 

[Indyhd]

I could live with one of these.

View attachment 189932

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2022-Kawasaki-KLR+650+ABS-5019178888

Funny, as I was just going to suggest that and they can be bought cheap and have tons of aftermarket upgrades.

 

[indyblue]

I plan on riding the FJ1100 more this year because of gas prices. Just wish the 40 year old bike got a little better mpg as newer ones do.

 

[Indyhd]

I plan on riding the FJ1100 more this year because of gas prices. Just wish the 40 year old bike got a little better mpg as newer ones do.

Yeah, but that thing is a classic anyone would be proud to ride.

 

[phylodog]

Anyone ridden a motorcycle at night with NVG's and IR lights on the bike?

Asking for a friend

 

[kawtech87]

I would look for an older Honda CB, Kawasaki KZ or Yamaha XS or Virago. They would make a much better little commuter.

AHH!!! NOOOO!! Anyone who recommends a Virago has never had to do extensive repair or maintenance on one! I HATE Viragos and that's coming from a Yamaha fan. (Yeah,yeah, I know my name is kawtech I've been considering changing it since I'm no longer a powersports technician )

 

[indyblue]

Yeah, but that thing is a classic anyone would be proud to ride.

Thanks.

I didn't really know what I had when I first bought it, I just knew it had been loved and stored indoors by the original owner and ran perfectly with 30K on the odometer.
The custom paint color scheme drew me as well.

After joining fjowners.com and began learning more about it and it's bulletproof reputation - I get it! It is still a popular machine among certain enthusiasts. Simple to work on and maintain. There some good mods for it. I been trying to decide if its worth the effort to go to a more modern swingarm/wheel setup to get a better selection of tires (stock 16's ugh). I like it as original as it is though.

 

[kawtech87]

This particular bike isn't actually made by BMW. It's made by the largest manufacturer of small motorcycles in India (which is a small number). It's being sold all over the world (has been for a few years now) in a few different configurations so I don't think parts will be a problem.

Sounds like Royal Enfield. I don't know of any other "major" manufacturers of bikes from India. We actually looked into adding Royal Enfield to our dealership at one time. They are good bikes and are pretty popular outside of the States. "Outside of the States" being the reason we never picked them up

 

[cbhausen]

Classics are nice but just like with automobiles, there’s no substitute for modern lighting, suspension, electronics, fuel injection and most importantly safety features like torque control and ABS. This stuff can literally save your ass and it’s definitely worth the money. Every penny of it. At least in my book.

 

[phylodog]

Sounds like Royal Enfield. I don't know of any other "major" manufacturers of bikes from India. We actually looked into adding Royal Enfield to our dealership at one time. They are good bikes and are pretty popular outside of the States. "Outside of the States" being the reason we never picked them up

My tractor was made in India. I never knew Mahindra was the world’s largest tractor manufacturer until I bought mine. I’m in the 170 hour range and it’s been great thus far (in spite of me taking it off a 6’ cliff)