Anyone got a motorcycle ? [Archive] - TBCS Community Forums

Aero

03-17-2007, 11:16 PM

2 of my friends have their liscense's. I'm getting mine in June. One of my friends has a Ninja 250. Nice bike, very good for learning on. My other is getting a CBR 600 in about a month or so, when the weather is better. My friend with the Ninja painted his name on the exhaust which looks pretty sick. But he wasn't carefull with the tape when he did it so it looks bad up close (he sanding it down and going to paint it again), I'll try to get some pics next time I'm at his house.

Bucko

03-18-2007, 12:49 AM

I have 6 plus a pocket bike.
From newest to oldest:
'04 Yamaha R1
'96 Vespa PX200
'91 Yamaha TDM 850
2x '84 Suzuki GS1100GK
'84 Yamaha XT250

Here's some pics of my bikes:

The R1:

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6741/0000192ek0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Now the shiny stuff is out of the way, here are the others and their names:

Mr T, the TDM850:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1369/tdm1ff0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CHAOS, The GS1100GK:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4660/gs1wd1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And finally, The Rat Black Vespa of Death (alongside a friends new Vespa):

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4605/0000357tt4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I don't have pics of the second GS or the XT though.

Drew

03-18-2007, 08:24 AM

Love the ratbikes, well cool.

Personally, not a bike fan. I have the utmost respect and admiration for what they can do, but they scare the **** outta me.

If I had an R1 (my bro had one after his FZR 600) I'd be dead in a day (no self control...it'd be like 'this is cool.... whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrp... screeeeeeech .....scrape .........silence....').

I prefer cars.

You can't fall off a car. In theory.

But you go boy.

/cue flameathon from the biker boys on the forum...

sirkillalot617

03-18-2007, 09:36 AM

I really want a bike for my 16th bday but my parents wont let me get one.:(

Bucko

03-18-2007, 09:38 AM

I was lucky, both my parents had been riding from well before I was born.
I got my first bike when I was about 13.
I'm now 28 and have had 19 of the things!

sirkillalot617

03-18-2007, 09:43 AM

Oh I have a Bike to use in a field its just they wont let me have one to go on the road with.:(

Aero

03-18-2007, 10:18 AM

yeah, I've been begging my parents since last summer to let me get a bike, they still won't give in. My mom says I'm not "mature" enough. Turn out she defines "mature" in years lived, not actual maturity based on actions. But she finally realizd I'm 18 and she can't stop me, so I'm able to get my liscense and ride my friend's bike, but I can't have one of my own for about 3 years. Which is ok, because in 3 years I have to change campuses from Prescott AZ to Daytona Beach FL! So that will be one fun year!

Bucko

03-18-2007, 10:34 AM

Just remember to budget for gear as well. You want to be protected when (not if) you come off, as it will happen.
I rank importance of gear as follows:
1. Helmet
2. Gloves. Don't EVER ride without these. Your hands will be the first thing down and who wants someone else wiping your arse because your hands are in bandages with no skin.
3. Leather Jacket. While some synthetic jackets aren't too bad, nothing beats having a dead cow on you.
4. Pants. Jeans are ok in a slow off at around town sppeds, but up the pace and you should up the protection. Daggin' Jeans with the kelvar stitched in are better than regular jeans and allow you to look normal off the bike. I'd still want to wear knee guards underneath though. I have some MX guards I use under them to give that little extra protection. Again, dead cow is best!
5. Boots. Buy some shin high boots that don't just slip on. If they slip on, they can slip off. Sneakers will come off in no time flat in an off and elastic sided boots will lead to a ground down ankle (I know from experience).

Remember, it's too hot is not a good enough excuse not to gear up. You never know when that car may pull out, or that truck has spilt some diesel mid corner.

Drew

03-18-2007, 11:50 AM

SnowFox

03-18-2007, 04:35 PM

Bucko

03-18-2007, 06:25 PM

I was shown some photos that would make anyone think twice about a big bike, but they're waaaaay too graphic to go on here.

Showed 'em to a friend who wanted a GSXR and he went and bought a Nissan 300ZX...

But hey, we all need organ donors, right?

Yep cars are sooooo great! They have been around for ages and to date not a single person has ever died or been injured while driving one. You'll never find any graphic pictures of a car accident. [/sarcasm]

Sorry, but that sort of attitude ****s me. It makes it seem that nothing bad can happen while driving a car.
I was in hospital for 3 weeks in 2005 after a car didn't pay attention and it turned straight into the side of me breaking my leg.
For that time I was there I shared a room with a guy who had 2 broken legs and a broken arm from a car accident where someone else didn't pay attention and drove head on into him.
I had a few people ask if I was going to stop riding and I asked them if Andy beside should stop driving because of an accident. They usually then mumbled something that just trailed off.

Yes bikes are dangerous, but so are cars! Only bikes are more fun in the mean time.

Aero

03-18-2007, 08:10 PM

Bikes are awsome, but they should also be respected. I guess you all have seen videos of smart asses that show off and ends up face down on the tarmac right !

Doh I want a bike when i turn 16, I can't afford one =(
Nice pic's Bucko, I love the R1 ( and the R6:D )

( What's the limit of power to drive in USA when you are 16 ? )

depends on the state. In IL you have to be 18 to get your liscense unless you take a special class. Even after your 18 its a good idea to take the class as you learn alot of good techniques for riding. But once you get your liscense anything is fair game here in IL.

and Bucko, the way I see it is that I have been drving a car for about 4 years now. I have been ridsing a bicycle (I know its way different, I'm not stupid) for about 13 years. I'm way more comfortable on 2 wheels than 4, I'll take the extra danger...especially with gas prices these days :p.

Airbozo

03-19-2007, 11:09 AM

I really want a bike for my 16th bday but my parents wont let me get one.:(

I don't blame them. Take the motorcycle safety foundation course, then talk with them about it.

Most self induced accidents happen to the 16-25 y/o range. #1 cause of accidents in the over 25 range? Old ladies turning left in front of an on-coming motorcycle...

Guardian

03-19-2007, 11:13 AM

I like the bikes. Not so much with the harleys and such, but more with the racing types from honda. Those are nice and fast.

SnowFox

03-19-2007, 05:59 PM

I like the bikes. Not so much with the harleys and such, but more with the racing types from honda. Those are nice and fast.

Yeah ! those are awsome ! The looks, the speed and the sound .. Wrom wrom !
Yamaha R6
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m222/SnowFox_91/r6_eriq1.jpg
Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m222/SnowFox_91/2005-kaw-zx6r_04-1.jpg

My favorites :D

But also the most important thing ..
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m222/SnowFox_91/icsldrbtnallss07.jpg
The helmet :hurt:

Bucko

03-19-2007, 07:11 PM

#1 cause of accidents in the over 25 range? Old ladies turning left in front of an on-coming motorcycle...

Mine was so close to what you describe. The differences are 1. It was an old man 2. he was turning right (remember, we are on the other side of the road to you guys) and 3. he timed it better. Instead of turning in front of me, he managed to nail me in the middle of the bike with my leg taking the impact.
Mmmm, titanium....

Airbozo

03-19-2007, 07:33 PM

Truth about the helmet Snowfire... I know this first hand.

I ride a harley. A sportster to be exact. The hard core harley riders kid me about my bike because it is more of a cafe racer than a harley hog. My crotch rocket friends kid me because I ride a harley, UNTIL i pass them on our weekly/monthly ride through the mountains. I know my mountain rides better than almost everyone in the group (that is my main commute path), so I know when and where to brake and when to twist the handle and leave em all behind, and due to the torque of my bike I am accelerating while they are shifting through corners. OK so I do admit that my bike is not as fast as most of the peoples bikes I ride with, I am just a better rider. My sporty is in the shop right now and when I get it back (this week for sure) I will snap a pic and post it.

If I were to go buy a new bike and wanted a sportbike, I would buy this;
http://buell.com/common/07/firebolt/XB12R/gallery/584/beauty6.jpg

Same engine as my harley, but fuel injected and ported and tuned for 103HP (compared to my harley which had 63HP stock, now more like 85) This is a fast bike...(although not even close to the Hayabusa)
Lots of cool tech too, frame that doubles as the gas tank, rear swingarm also doubles as the oil tank, and the under engine mounted muffler give the Buell one of the lowest unsprung weights around. PLUS it is the only sportbike made in the US! (not that I am biased or anything...

xRyokenx

03-19-2007, 10:32 PM

Bikes are cool, they seem more fun than cars even though I've never been on a motorized one. The one I have (http://www.ihpva.org/com/BikeE/BikeE.grey.jpeg) is sweet. That is a fun bike to ride, and easier on your back and the seat is flat out comfortable compared to the upright bike seats. :D

Drew

03-19-2007, 10:45 PM

Bucko - I'll be the first to admit cars are dangerous (I may be a moron, but a hypocrite I 'aint).

However, if a car and bike come together, I'd personally rather be in the car.

What I actually said was something along the lines of 'bikes are great but they scare me to death. And they do.

My whole family ride bikes (3 brothers and both parents) but they've never appealed to me. Maybe I'm missing a DNA strand or summat. It's not that I'm anti adrenalin either (I get my fix on the racetrack, but it's on 4 wheels).

And some of the machines displayed here are amazing. but they're just not for me.

Sorry.

:edit: And to say bikes are more fun than cars in the mean time sounds like someone's never been drifting in a 300zx... mmmm.... dead tyres..... but that's a totally 'nother argument...

If you fall off your bike, I won't say stop riding, i'll say don't fall off again.

SnowFox

03-20-2007, 05:32 PM

I was shown some photos that would make anyone think twice about a big bike, but they're waaaaay too graphic to go on here.

Showed 'em to a friend who wanted a GSXR and he went and bought a Nissan 300ZX...

But hey, we all need organ donors, right?

And you can't really wheelie a road car like you can a road bike.

I have seen them !
If you google after ... if you realy want to see the pic's send me a PM and I will show you !

xmastree

03-20-2007, 06:00 PM

Well, I've had a few bikes, but I'm currently without.

However...

I have just sold my car (got a company car now) and I have plans to get back on two wheels again. Very low budget though, the car was only worth £250 so it'll most likely be a project rather than a runner...

I'm not sure what to get though. I don't like plastic rockets, they all look the same. Might get a trailie (I have my eye on one), and I'm also looking at an '84 GPZ550 (http://www.jwoodandcompany.com/2000/Daytona2000/mcresults/42.jpg)

Bucko

03-20-2007, 09:30 PM

They are a sweet looking ride.
They called them a GT550 over here.

xmastree

03-21-2007, 03:08 AM

Really? As I remember it, the GT550 (http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/docs/Software/programming/cpp/tutorial/images/gt550.gif) (and it's bigger cousin, the 750) were shaft drive bikes.
They do look similar, but the GT is more chunky.

Bucko

03-21-2007, 05:20 AM

You could be right, I'll have to look some more. I know we got some different names on a few models over here to the rest of the world.

Bucko

03-21-2007, 09:23 AM

This (http://www.royalenfieldaustralia.com/bullet_electra.php) is what I was thinking for my next bike and turn it into a Classic styled Cafe Racer.

Bucko

03-22-2007, 06:00 AM

And while I'm posting about bikes, any riders like to come and join a fairly new Aussie forum?

After spending the past few years as the Administrator for a popular Australian motorcycle magazine's forum, I've left and now hang out elsewhere as Admin.

Feel free to drop by www.bikesonshow.com and say hello. It would be nice to have some riders perspectives from elsewhere in the World.

We are still teething as we get everything set up properly, but Tony and I will do our best to make you feel welcome.

xmastree

03-25-2007, 02:15 PM

Well, I've had a few bikes, but I'm currently without.

However...

I have just sold my car (got a company car now) and I have plans to get back on two wheels again. Very low budget though, the car was only worth £250 so it'll most likely be a project rather than a runner...
And so it shall be... I appear to have won one of these (http://www.grappa.univ-lille3.fr/~gonzalez/images/moto-yamahaxs400.jpg) for the princely sum of one hundred pounds. :banana:

As I said, it's a project as this one hasn't run for six years. It is complete, so it probably just needs the carbs cleaned out, and maybe a new battery.

We'll see...

S!CKO

03-25-2007, 02:32 PM

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b369/tinycruiser/kris/gp-1.jpg

heres a pic of my old Aprilia RS125, sold it on ebay last year but loved every min on the thing!!

xmastree

03-31-2007, 04:22 PM

And so it shall be... I appear to have won one of these (http://www.grappa.univ-lille3.fr/~gonzalez/images/moto-yamahaxs400.jpg) for the princely sum of one hundred pounds. :banana:Picked it up today::banana:

http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/1963trailer.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/1963trailer.jpg)

Having got the beast home, and had a poke around, it seems that it's not all that bad really. It's all there, but the tax disc says 2001 which gives a clue as to when it was last used.

The fusebox has some issues:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/6529fusebox.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/6529fusebox.jpg)

There are barnacles under the filler cap:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/7012filler_cap.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/7012filler_cap.jpg)

And as expected, once I got the carbs off I found this inside:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/3234float_chambers.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/3234float_chambers.jpg)

The battery's bone dry, but I hooked up another one and it lights up. Starter wouldn't go but I traced that to a dodgy kill switch. Starter is fine now, and there are sparks.

The forks are fine, but feel empty and one seal looks bent.

But I'll have it running in no time. :D

Aero

03-31-2007, 04:42 PM

sweet. I love how easy bikes are to work on. ie) its alot easier to take the exhaust off a bike than it is a car :p. Be sure to keep us updated on how the repairs go.

Nagoshi

03-31-2007, 05:53 PM

And so it shall be... I appear to have won one of these (http://www.grappa.univ-lille3.fr/~gonzalez/images/moto-yamahaxs400.jpg) for the princely sum of one hundred pounds. :banana:

As I said, it's a project as this one hasn't run for six years. It is complete, so it probably just needs the carbs cleaned out, and maybe a new battery.

We'll see...

I was a baby kid... but my father had a bike about 15 years ago. Some kind of Yamaha that looked like an Harley, similar to that one (by the YAMAHA writing, and the overall shape of the bike). But I know it's a Yam. And it was black. I only have it on some paper pictures, and no scanners in the house... :( but it really was beautiful.

And personally... Id rather have THAT kind of bike instead of a 2-wheeler.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t147/FrostMeUp/br579R9_3.jpg
Yamaha YFZ450 SE2 2007... 450cc of racing power, the bestest of all ATVs ever made. :) My friend (shes a girl) had one, exceit it was a standard YFZ450, white, and she coursed in professionnal tracks with it. Unfortunately, school and busted ATV forced her out :( Lack of time, and no cash for a new YFZ and racing... now she's got a 2002 Yam Banshee, she's trying to sell it to buy an Acura Integra or some imported Nissan car.

As for the YFZ power... she didn't needed to sit on the end of the seat to make wheelies. It was her baby.... but some dimwit decided to steal it. >_<

xmastree

04-01-2007, 02:17 AM

Some kind of Yamaha that looked like an Harley,Probably a Virago (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=on&q=yamaha+virago&btnG=Search+Images). I used to have one of those, a 535 but it was rather lacking in ground clearance. It kept digging in on corners.

xmastree

04-01-2007, 01:15 PM

Lovely...
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/2914needlevalve1.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/2914needlevalve1.jpg)

And:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/8316mainjethousing.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/8316mainjethousing.jpg)

Both of those (especially the second) really ought to be spotless...

And this:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/4014diaphragm.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/4014diaphragm.jpg)
Shouldn't have a hole in the rubber part.

(this is turning into a worklog... :rolleyes: )

.Maleficus.

04-01-2007, 02:37 PM

Oh how I want a bike... Maybe when it's legal for me to drive/ride :rolleyes:

Nagoshi

04-02-2007, 10:50 PM

Probably a Virago (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=on&q=yamaha+virago&btnG=Search+Images). I used to have one of those, a 535 but it was rather lacking in ground clearance. It kept digging in on corners.

That name rings a bell in my head... ill ask him someday.

xmastree

04-18-2007, 05:13 PM

The fusebox has some issues:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/6529fusebox.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/6529fusebox.jpg)

Not any more:

http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/9326newfusebox.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/9326newfusebox.jpg)
That's better. Still has the wrong fuses in, but it's much better now. That fusebox came from eBay and is meant for a MG Midget!

oh, and...

http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/thumbs/8932rpm.jpg (http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/8932rpm.jpg)

:banana:

Bucko

04-23-2007, 06:39 AM

I bought some new gloves that I think really suit me and my Rat Bikes:

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3905/vansbonz44a03e90xq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Vanson deer hide. They were AU$250, so a little pricey, but I had to have them.

SnowFox

04-23-2007, 10:24 AM

Hehe ! Sweet ! Do they glow in the dark ?

Aero

05-13-2007, 10:48 PM

Hey, I'm a bumpin this to see how that bikes going.

Also, to anyone who has a bike on here. I was wondering if yall had any opinion on what bikes last the longest, are easiest to work on, or have the cheapest parts. (Yes, I realize how those questions look and how noobish I am).

Anyway I helped my friend fix up his goped and moped recently. The goped needs a torque converter, but the moped just needed to be tuned and a new sparkplug wire. Anyway I rode the moped down his block, got it to about 25 and realized there was a stop sign about 200 ft infront of me :P. I stoped fine. Anyway I definately got hooked. I can't have a motorcycle that I can ride (parents won't let me). But I can have one to work on as my summer project. I figure if I buy something broken/in bad condition, I can fix her up and sell it to make a little extra cash. I just wanted to hear what you guys have to say about older bikes.

NuKS

05-14-2007, 10:21 PM

I used to have a motorcycle. It was a 1994 Yamaha YZF600 Vance & Hines Edition, so it was pretty fast, and pretty colorful, since it was a mustardy-yellow and purple. I had a lot of fun with it, and do miss having a motorcycle. It wasn't my first motorcycle, but it was my first street bike. My first one was a 50cc little bike with 2 gears that I got when I was 8.
My advice to SnowFox-
If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, and if your parents will let you, considering insurance for a 16 year old with a motorcycle will be pretty high, is to get something really cheap. A lot of insurance companies now go by engine size to determine price. A good thing about going with a cheap bike is, for one, if you dump the bike it won't hurt you as much, since the bike won't be worth much. To help this, you can get some frame sliders. If you want to go with a sportbike, the Ninja 250 is a good way to go. They are cheap, easy to ride, and you can find used ones for around a grand. If you want to go with a cruiser, Yamaha Virago or anything from other manufacturers that is around the 250 cc range will be a good bargain. I know in Ohio when you get your motorcycle endorsement, you get a rookie licence, which I believe you can't ride at night or on the highway for about a year. Don't quote me on that, though.
What I'm trying to say is to stay safe out there if you get one. It sounds bad, but when you go ride, it's good to have the mindset that NOBODY sees you, so you have to see them and try to anticipate what they are going to do. Remember to leave yourself an out in any situation. People change lanes in front of you and pull out in front of you, because you are harder to see and they are busy talking on their cellphones, keeping their kids happy, or thinking about how late they are.
OK enough of the yapping.....here's what I went to look at the other day, and still working on the boss (wife) on letting me get this new toy.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7512/2003r6bh1.th.jpg (http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2003r6bh1.jpg)

Durrthock

05-14-2007, 10:23 PM

My Dad got some 80s Honda for free today. My mom is pissed lol

Aero

05-14-2007, 10:38 PM

My Dad got some 80s Honda for free today. My mom is pissed lol

damn you:p *waves fist*

Thats exactly the kind of deal I'm looking for as my project bike.

chaksq

05-15-2007, 10:10 AM

I have a minibike that I need to rebuild, does that count?

Airbozo

05-15-2007, 11:24 AM

Crotch Rockets are not the best at mileage either. It also depends on how you ride. I have been trying to find more specs, but last I remember my friends yamaha gets about 30-35mpg depending on how hard he is twisting the throttle.

My 1200 Sportster gets 40-45, again, depending on how I ride. If I am out with my friends on the weekend, I get around 38 and most of them get around 30 (on a crotch rocket). Anyone got any data on their rides?

As to insurance and young riders; Take the Motor Cycle Safety Foundation's classes. In California, riders under 18 are required to take this class before the state will give them an "M" class license. No exceptions. A couple of benefits to this are; First, once you complete the course, you do NOT have to take the riding portion of the state test. Second, if you take this course your insurance rates will be cheaper. The wife and I took this course many years ago and it was quite fun and the cost of the course was more than recovered in insurance costs. I was the most experienced rider in the class and the wife was the least experienced. She got the best grade, I got the worst (due to my bad habits I had picked up over the years, plus the fact I kept bunny hopping the bike they gave me and pulling wheelies... They were NOT amused, although when I did a front wheel wheelie to a complete stop from 35mph they were impressed.)

MY first bike; Bultaco Pursang MK4 1968
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/2525Bultaco Pursang MK4 1968.jpg

Bucko

05-15-2007, 11:46 AM

My '04 Yamaha R1 can get 300km to it's 17L tank.
Mind you it can also be run dry by 120km...

FrooP

05-15-2007, 11:55 AM

mine :D
http://www.diariomotor.com/imagenes/Yamaha_YBR_125.jpg

NuKS

05-15-2007, 12:06 PM

Typically you can get around 40mpg on a 600cc sportbike. Less if you are driving aggressively. On one tank of gas, it's less than 200 miles. My roundtrip to work is around 100 miles, so I basically fill up every 3 days in my car. When I get my motorcycle, I'll be filling up about the same, just that it will be like $15 to fill instead of $30.

Airbozo

05-15-2007, 12:48 PM

40mpg on a 600cc? None of my friends seem to get that much, ever. I do know they have the lead wrist though... They also seem to go through tires twice as fast as me too...

On my sporty, I have a 3.5 gal tank. If I push it I can get 150 miles off that tank. I usually fill up by 100-120 miles though, or when I engage the reserve tank. Yes I also fill up the same amount of times whether I use the car or bike. It's just about 1/3 the cost on the bike though. 70 miles round trip to work through the most beautiful scenery around.

NuKS

05-15-2007, 01:02 PM

Yeah 40 is stretching it. That's pretty close to what I used to get though. I didn't really dip into the throttle too much, since my bike was painted bright colors, and the vance & hines exhaust really attracted a lot of attention. It is a really conservative estimate on gas, though. Really it all depends on how you ride.

chaksq

05-15-2007, 05:11 PM

I want a crotch-rocket. Gas prices will probably push 4$ a gallo nthis summer, i need something cheap,fast, and affordable.

I'm definately considering an older ninja. Although I have never ridden anything bigger than a 150cc dirtbike

-J

If you get a ninja get one from the late 80s. A kid at my school has one. No rev limiter on the older ones. As he says: you can run it until the engine blows or you fall off.