Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

[Beiruty]

Thanks a lot for the feedback. I will for sure have to take MSF course. Most likely, next spring I will take the course and keep a looking for great deals on little-used Spyders. I have another problem, my 2 cars are filling up my garage and no space to house the spyder. Either one of my cars has to be parked in the drive way or a new backyard fence with driveway gate and new shed for the spyder had to be built. We need a new fence for sure, and it could be the right time to do extra things.

[Warhammer]

I haven't seen this said yet, but... have you thought about getting a real motorcycle? If you get a Spyder (it's a trike with 2 wheels in front and 1 in the back, for those who don't know) you're really going to be missing out on what motorcycling is all about. Spyders are fun for a little while, mostly as a novelty, but they just don't offer a real motorcycling experience. No leaning, slower acceleration, less maneuverablity, much less skill required than a real two-wheeler, and they take up as much space as a small car. It would be easier, and cheaper, to just buy a used Miata. Besides, the wife would probably love to go cruising in a little drop-top car.

[C-dub]

Interesting thread and what do you know, there are a bunch of smart folks here.

I have also been riding for over 30 years. I've been down on a street bike several times. Only twice was it my fault. Once I rode though some loose gravel in a turn and the other I rear-ended someone while looking back to see if I could change lanes. The other three times were the car driver's fault. The worst for the bike was when a car ran a stop sign and I t-boned her doing 45mph. I didn't get a scratch and she spent a week in the hospital with head injuries because she didn't have her seatbelt on. The worst for me was when I was doing about 25mph and someone tried to cross in front of me to make a left turn from my right. I stopped so fast, in roughly 10 feet, that I lost my balance and tipped over and a post on the bottom of the foot peg went through my boot and tore my foot open. 4 stitches! I didn't even realize I was hurt until after I carried my wife out of the road and thought I had gotten hydraulic fluid or something on my boot.

I believe that, generally, motorcycles are much safer than cars until you are in an accident. Motorcycles can avoid an accident much easier, but once you're in it they usually get real nasty pretty quick. I've been very lucky and despite riding some fast bikes I also apparently had an even faster guardian angel.

That being said, I have a charcoal grey, 2005 Limited Edition Suzuki Hayabusa that I'm going to sell. The last time I rode, about a month ago, it just wasn't fun for me any more and I have other interests now. The bike has about 21,000 miles on it and it is in nearly perfect condition if anyone is interested or knows someone who might be.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I absolutely love motorcycles! I started riding when I was kid and got hurt, but not bad. I quit riding for years then got the bug again not long after Martha and I got married. I wanted another bike but she was worried. Not counting the people who posted on this thread, every single person I know who have owned bikes have been hurt on them and I'm not talking about just bumps and bruises. A few years ago our neighbor was killed on his Harley when a woman got into a argument with her boyfriend and pulled out of a stop-n-rob parking lot and he hit her broadside. Martha and I could hear his youngest so screaming and crying.

Three years ago I represented three minor children who were left orphans when their Mom and Dad were riding their bike on a Saturday afternoon and an irate cab driver pulled out of another stop-n-rob parking lot and they hit him.

A good friend and fellow motorcycle lover said it best, "nothing is more fun that blasting down the rode on your bike, and nothing will kill you quicker."

It's your call but my wife is afraid of them also and she doesn't have the tragedy in her past as does your wife. If Martha dies before I do, then I'll get another bike; if she doesn't, I won't.

Chas.

[Purplehood]

MSF classes are a definite must for EVERY biker. They were mandatory in the Marines, free, and you had to take it every year to ride on base. A paid week off from work (no leave time charged) to ride your bike and get the best hands-on instruction in bike riding was a definite bonus.

I don't know what the format is now, but we rode our own bikes and had to go through courses that let you gain confidence in your skills and just what a bike can and cannot do. If you have made the decision to ride, do these every year if at all possible. The refresher aspect of it is the best thing for folks that have been riding for years and may have developed bad habits.

[bigred90gt]

I have a question about the course and it's requirement. If you d not have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, and have to take the MSF course to get it, how do you get to the course legally on your bike without the proper licensing? What happens if you do not have the endorsement on your license and are pulled over?

[txmatt]

I have a question about the course and it's requirement. If you d not have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, and have to take the MSF course to get it, how do you get to the course legally on your bike without the proper licensing? What happens if you do not have the endorsement on your license and are pulled over?

All basic MSF courses will have motorcycles provided. They are designed to accommodate people who have never touched a bike before (which described me when I took the course in 2003). For the advanced course you use your own motorcycle

[RPBrown]

I have a question about the course and it's requirement. If you d not have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, and have to take the MSF course to get it, how do you get to the course legally on your bike without the proper licensing? What happens if you do not have the endorsement on your license and are pulled over?

All basic MSF courses will have motorcycles provided. They are designed to accommodate people who have never touched a bike before (which described me when I took the course in 2003). For the advanced course you use your own motorcycle

The downside to this is the bikes they use are very small (250 CC). I am a large man so you can vision what it looked like . Knees in face and such.

I actually did better in the advanced course using my own bike than I did with the little drag the knee bikes they provide in the beginner course.

[Purplehood]

Sounds like the beginner course was with Honda Rebels...

[gemini]

I have a question about the course and it's requirement. If you d not have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, and have to take the MSF course to get it, how do you get to the course legally on your bike without the proper licensing? What happens if you do not have the endorsement on your license and are pulled over?

You drive your car to the MSF class if you have no M endorsement on your license. The MSF courses offered locally all provide either
Buell's (at HD dealerships) or small Suzuki's etc. If you're in the DFW area any Harley dealership either offers the couse themselves or
will rec a course for you to take. Here are 2 to check out.
http://www.weridesafe.com/?gclid=CIGy4- ... 7QodP06Hlw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ridercourse.com/?gclid=CLu7t ... 7QodLyy2kA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you get pulled over w/o the M endorsement....you get a ticket.
In advanced rider courses you usually ride your own bike.

In my "youth" I rode all the time. The last bike I rode was almost 30 years ago, a Norton Commando 750. I loved it.
Jump forward in time, married, 3 kids, house, own my own business etc etc..... time for another bike. I took the
MSF course as a refresher. I still had the M endorsement on my license from when I originally got it at 14. So, the
MSF course was not required. I took the course and thought it was great. In the class were 2 guys that were very skilled
riders but they had both been stopped and ticketed. So, they were taking the course. Besides, the MSF course completion
might give you a slight reduction in insurance rate for your bike. Good luck. Ride safe.

[gemini]

I have a question about the course and it's requirement. If you d not have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, and have to take the MSF course to get it, how do you get to the course legally on your bike without the proper licensing? What happens if you do not have the endorsement on your license and are pulled over?

All basic MSF courses will have motorcycles provided. They are designed to accommodate people who have never touched a bike before (which described me when I took the course in 2003). For the advanced course you use your own motorcycle

The downside to this is the bikes they use are very small (250 CC). I am a large man so you can vision what it looked like . Knees in face and such.

I actually did better in the advanced course using my own bike than I did with the little drag the knee bikes they provide in the beginner course.

Ditto. I actually sat on the passenger seat. I looked like a gorilla on a mini-bike.

[SlickTX]

I have a question about the course and it's requirement. If you d not have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, and have to take the MSF course to get it, how do you get to the course legally on your bike without the proper licensing? What happens if you do not have the endorsement on your license and are pulled over?

If you are riding now without the endorsement you are illegal so don't sweat the ride to the course. Just ride your bike to the course and use their bikes for the course. You are trying to do the right thing so no one should bust your chops about riding to the course.

If you don't have the endorsement when pulled over I imagine it would just be another box that is checked on the ticket that you get to pay extra for when you settle up.

[Texas Size 11]

Been riding for awhile...went down once on a gravel road and once in some rain when I hit a patch of oil. The first one hurt (banged up my wife to the tune of black and blue) and the second one only hurt my ego. There has been some great advice in this thread. One thing to note is that you have to pay a lot more attention when riding a bike for idiot car drivers who are on the phone or just don't care. If you do that and ride within your own capabilties then I don't think it is a whole lot more dangerous. The second you get complacent on a bike, you are toast.

I love it, used to ride 60 miles round trip to work every day down I-75 in Dallas. I've been on several long trips (tours if you will) and I cannot think of anything more entertaining. My wife loves it (after getting the nerve back after the gravel road incident) and it is a fun thing to do together. I always keep the belief that all cars are out to get me when riding and have been safe from harm so far - not to say there have not been some scary moments.

I know people who have died in motorcycle accidents and I have know people who have died in car crashes, so I don't get caught up in that argument. As long as you ride safe and pay attention to the common situations that cause motorcycle fatalities then you'll be in pretty good shape. You're going when your number is up one way or another - whether that is on a bike, in a car, or a heart attack. You might as well enjoy life while you're here because you are dead a lot longer than you are alive. Do what you can do to make sure you are as safe as possible (no matter how "uncool" that makes you look) and do it. You might as well look at the HD Road King because I think it is the best bike ever made :)

I do keep a pretty hefty life insurance policy as well - just in case. I want my wife and kids to not have to worrry about money in the event that I check out for any reason.

In the end, you do what is best for you and your family. If your wife isn't happy, I can promise you that you will not be happy.

[Beiruty]

For 2 wheeler, I love to buy a honda gold wing loaded. My wife likes the honda DN-01 however i was not impresses with its performance.
For roadster, my choice would be honda s2000

[RPBrown]

For 2 wheeler, I love to buy a honda gold wing loaded. My wife likes the honda DN-01 however i was not impresses with its performance.
For roadster, my choice would be honda s2000

I am gonna get flamed here but HONDA???? Get a Harley. The Ultra Clasic would fit the wife for comfort.
When I got the latest, my wife said get something she could be comfortable on also so the Ultra it was. Then she got her own bike (Fatboy). I said okay, I will trade mine in on a Street glide but noooo. She wants to keep the Ultra for "LONG TRIPS TOGEATHER".

Maybe santa will bring me the street glide.