Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site hp-pcd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!hplabs!hp-pcd!dhk
From: dhk@hp-pcd.UUCP (Dustin Kassman)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: motorcycles for novices - (nf)
Message-ID: <4278@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Jan-84 03:40:43 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.4278
Posted: Wed Jan 18 03:40:43 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Jan-84 02:07:47 EST
Sender: netnews@hp-pcd.UUCP
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Corvallis OR
Lines: 34

#R:proper:-85900:hp-pcd:65000001:000:1865
hp-pcd!dhk    Jan 17 14:03:00 1984

Having joined the ranks of the two-wheelers recently myself (<3 years ago),
I will pass on to you my thoughts concerning your first bike, for what 
they are worth.  I started out with a 440 and I think that this would be
a good choice for you considering the type of riding you plan on doing. 
Bikes in the 400-500cc range are relatively easy to find at a good price,
mechanically simple, get decent mileage (50-60 mpg), and really aren't that
big.  My 440 was small and light enough to be easy to handle in traffic but
large enough to hold its own on the freeways.  The one thing I do regret 
about my 440 is that I bought it new.  Inevitability you will end up tipping
it over a few times (practicing in a parking lot, on a wet road, in a little
patch of gravel on a corner...) and the little scrapes and scuffs (as harm-
less as they may be) will be easier to take if it wasn't your nice new bike.
There are alot of used bikes in the 400-500cc class and if you are a carefull
(sp) shopper you can get a good deal on a good bike, ride it for a couple of
years and then trade it in on a new one.

I know that you probably have heard the following before but I believe that it
is so important that I will repeat it again at the risk of insulting your 
intelligence.  Always! Always wear a helmet and gloves!  A full-face helmet
is worth the extra cost.  I was involved in an accident and a 3/4-face helmet
would have saved my head but I would have lost half of my chin so I am glad 
that I had a full-face helmet.  And make sure to wear a good pair of shoes.
A nurse in an emergency room once told me that people wearing thongs or riding
barefoot a guaranteed to loose at least 2-3 toes in an accident.

I hope that this has been of some use to you.  Good luck on your search for a 
bike and may your motorcycling career be a long and safe one.

hplabs!hp-pcd!dhk