Opinions from motorcycle owners

[NGOT8R]

QIs an MC endorsement the same as an M class rating on a license (differences in state lingo), or is it a step above? I tried googling it and couldn't find the answer.

Yes, same thing, just different lingo.

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[NGOT8R]

Get yourself a bagger and a nitrous bottle for when you want to feel some extra power. This was my 2015 Street Glide Special with a built motor. I was being silly and taunting one of my buddies in the pic, lol. My wife and I rode this one from Kansas City to Memphis.

 

[daSNAK3]

I've been a Mustang guy since I was 17 and bought my first one. I had other cars in between the 7 Mustangs I have had, but always end up coming back to the Pony. When covid hit, I was bored and didn't have a Mustang, I bought a cheap bike just because I was bored and couldn't afford a Mustang and so I fell in love with bikes.. when its super nice out and not a chance of rain, I ride the bike anywhere I can, unless I am just not up for it which is rare. Days were it may not be as nice out but still a decent day, I take the Mustang. Real shitty days like all of winter, I take a shitbox Jeep. I split my time pretty good between the Mustang and Bike.. and I really don't want to have one without the other.. they are different types of fun but I need both now.. lol.

 

[Balr14]

While a touring bike is not as much fun as a crotch rocket or cruiser, it has several practical advantages.
It eliminates the wind hitting you. That can get tiring after awhile.

It gives you places to carry and store stuff.

But the biggest reason is you are far more visible to people in cars. The bigger you are the more you register on their perception, because you are a potential danger. If you are small, you are invisible because you are no danger to them. It isn't intentional, it's how the brain works.

 

[Rapid Red]

A bike is fun, but defiantly not as the single means of transportation. Weather and asshats just take all the Fun out of it.

Want a bike get the car, and then a bike, choose your times to ride.

Think down poor, stuck in traffic creeping along. Stopped sun high, the rising heat off the asphalt cooking you.

But then again there is nothing that compares to (flying does) leaning in a curve. Adding some throttle keeping off the pavement, more throttle coming upright, and out for the straight lane ahead.

Thrilling I say.

 

[Hack]

I have ridden motorcycle a lot in my life, but generally only local trips/weekends, not as a commuter. I prefer not to ride if it's cooler than about 75 or above 95, so that really limits the amount. I gave motorcycles up completely about 10 or so years ago after a close call. I was in town and only going about 30, but I almost got hit. I had the bike skidding sideways and was determined that the bike would impact first against the car that pulled out in front of me. I was riding a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500. Great bike and fun to ride. I always wanted a crotch rocket but was afraid I'd end up crashing it. I don't always have the best impulse control on the road.

Anyway, the near miss.. she saw me and stopped midway into my lane and I was able to recover the skid and avoid her. However, I just didn't want to risk injury so much. Motorcycles can't turn or brake like a car can, and if you get into an accident you will be hurt and you may never recover completely. My opinion is you have to REALLY love it to take the risk of riding with today's drivers.

If you buy a motorcycle I wish you the best of luck. Be careful. Make sure your pipes are loud and do whatever you can to be as visible as possible.

 

[NGOT8R]

Crotch rockets are a lot of fun too. I’ve had 5 of them. If you’re the type that likes to get in a good adrenaline rush (like Mustangs provide), you can road race or drag race them. My last one was a 2008 GSXR-1000 which was a nice street/strip bike that I ran 9.20’s on. Now the Sportster is my little hot rod bike.

One safety feature that‘s really good to have on a bike is ABS. Conventional brakes on a bike work well, but have to be used with care or slides can be induced very easily. Continuous rolling friction is what will scrub off speed. My Street Glide has ABS, but the Sportster doesn’t, so I‘m mindful of that.

 

[Dfeeds]

Get yourself a bagger and a nitrous bottle

Dude, that's absolutely ridiculous and epic. I love it haha.

One safety feature that‘s really good to have on a bike is ABS. Conventional brakes on a bike work well, but have to be used with care or slides can be induced very easily. Continuous rolling friction is what will scrub off speed. My Street Glide has ABS, but the Sportster doesn’t, so I‘m mindful of that.

I actually don't want a crotch rocket. I think (my opinion) they're a bit one dimensional. I'm worried I'd get too addicted to doing what they're designed to do.

All of that is actually why the Rebel 1100 is at the top of my list. It has ABS, wheelie control, three drive modes (rain, standard, sport), among other safety features. It also can be optioned with a DCT which I find really interesting.

I got my M class permit yesterday and on my way back I noticed my neighbor had his bike out. He has a rebel 300 he's looking to upgrade soon and he offered to show me how to ride it, so now I just need gear! I'm getting a headache looking up helmets, though. Online advice is irritating. I keep seeing "try it on first" pop up but then there's also advice to steer clear of the cheaper brands sold on shelf. That's a complete contradiction.

I want to protect my squishy bits but I'm also apprehensive to dump $700 on a helmet if I'm not even sure I'm going to commit to this.

 

[Dfeeds]

but the biggest reason is you are far more visible to people in cars. The bigger you are the more you register on their perception, because you are a potential danger. If you are small, you are invisible because you are no danger to them. It isn't intentional, it's how the brain works.

That makes perfect sense, and now I get why some people want their bikes so loud. People almost turn into my Mustang all the time so I can see how that's just amplified on a motorcycle. It's why I'll never understand bicycle riders on highways. "We have the right of way." Yeah, sure, care to test who has the right of way when 1 ton of steel loses control and heads straight towards you?

 

[Dfeeds]

A bike is fun, but defiantly not as the single means of transportation. Weather and asshats just take all the Fun out of it.

Want a bike get the car, and then a bike, choose your times to ride.

Think down poor, stuck in traffic creeping along. Stopped sun high, the rising heat off the asphalt cooking you.

But then again there is nothing that compares to (flying does) leaning in a curve. Adding some throttle keeping off the pavement, more throttle coming upright, and out for the straight lane ahead.

Thrilling I say.

I do plan to get a car. This isn't car or bike but more expensive sports car or cheap commuter and fun bike.

Flying is incredibly thrilling. Even flying a tame little piper. My Mustang felt so... detached, after every flight. One moment I'm literally riding on the wind, the next I'm just... not. A plane is definitely in my future, but unfortunately I just can't financially handle one right now.

 

[Wingnutzz]

Plenty of good helmets in the $200-400 range. Someone mentioned a leather jacket. In the Ike days. Now the breathable (good for hot weather) synthetics with Kevlar in the right places and good rain or cold weather liners are the way to go!!! Not sure how to advise you about riding to find out if you even like it without spending a bunch of money — unless you have a rider friend your size who will let you borrow! On my Y&D (young and dumb) days I rode in t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes. Y&D — but survived!

 

[Wingnutzz]

Loud pipes are obnoxious to both the rider and all others! They don’t help a bit when drivers are in their AC’d cocoons, using their phones, and are oblivious to everything around them!!

That makes perfect sense, and now I get why some people want their bikes so loud. People almost turn into my Mustang all the time so I can see how that's just amplified on a motorcycle. It's why I'll never understand bicycle riders on highways. "We have the right of way." Yeah, sure, care to test who has the right of way when 1 ton of steel loses control and heads straight towards you?

 

[Deleted member 35644]

I loved riding for the few years I did it. Started small to gain confidence (Ninja 250), worked my way through cruisers and standards - 750 - 920 cc, and ended up loving the Ninja 650R. Sport bike looks, with standard comfort. You didn't have to lay down to ride it, and it was more tame with a twin vs. an inline 4.

I finally gave it up because I was just having too many close calls, no matter how defensively and conservatively I rode. Drivers are selfish and self-absorbed, and they don't have any idea what's really going on around them when they start jerking the wheel to change lanes or make a turn. I didn't want to end up maimed, in a wheelchair or a bed for the rest of my life, so I stopped riding one day, and sold the bike the next. Food for thought for somebody who's considering getting into it in this day and age. I'd advise starting off with something smaller and lighter than 1100. That's a heavy, powerful bike for someone with zero experience.

 

[Dfeeds]

Loud pipes are obnoxious to both the rider and all others! They don’t help a bit when drivers are in their AC’d cocoons, using their phones, and are oblivious to everything around them!!

I have no desire to destroy my ears! I just meant that I get why some may do it. Whether it's the boy racer in their old civic with a fart can or a Harley that'll permanently destroy your ears in 10 minutes, it's all obnoxious.

Plenty of good helmets in the $200-400 range. Someone mentioned a leather jacket. In the Ike days. Now the breathable (good for hot weather) synthetics with Kevlar in the right places and good rain or cold weather liners are the way to go!!! Not sure how to advise you about riding to find out if you even like it without spending a bunch of money — unless you have a rider friend your size who will let you borrow! On my Y&D (young and dumb) days I rode in t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes. Y&D — but survived!

Yeah, I think I'm stuck going all in or not at all. Unfortunately, none of my friends ride. I have a very thick leather jacket that I got 10 years back, on sale. It's fantastic at blocking out the wind but I can't say I have much faith in it protecting me in a fall. I actually really was hoping I didn't have to get another leather jacket, so that's good to know what to look for! Considering I'll just be riding in a parking lot, with my neighbor, I may be able to get away with just a good helmet and gloves. By the time I'm ready to drive in traffic, I'll hopefully have a more solid idea on what I want to do. Right now, everything considered, I'm leaning towards the motorcycle. Nothing about the new Mustang is exciting me but everything I see, with a bike, gives me a big urge to go and do it.

 

[Wingnutzz]

Good plan. Don’t get me wrong, leathers are great for sliding and avoiding abrasions! Problem is they’re hot hot hot and don’t let any air in. Thus folks take them off and they don’t give you any protection when they’re in a saddlebag or strapped on to your bike!

I have no desire to destroy my ears! I just meant that I get why some may do it. Whether it's the boy racer in their old civic with a fart can or a Harley that'll permanently destroy your ears in 10 minutes, it's all obnoxious.


Yeah, I think I'm stuck going all in or not at all. Unfortunately, none of my friends ride. I have a very thick leather jacket that I got 10 years back, on sale. It's fantastic at blocking out the wind but I can't say I have much faith in it protecting me in a fall. I actually really was hoping I didn't have to get another leather jacket, so that's good to know what to look for! Considering I'll just be riding in a parking lot, with my neighbor, I may be able to get away with just a good helmet and gloves. By the time I'm ready to drive in traffic, I'll hopefully have a more solid idea on what I want to do. Right now, everything considered, I'm leaning towards the motorcycle. Nothing about the new Mustang is exciting me but everything I see, with a bike, gives me a big urge to go and do it.

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