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From: an@hou2h.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: re: motorcycles for beginners
Message-ID: <253@hou2h.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Jan-84 18:45:24 EST
Article-I.D.: hou2h.253
Posted: Wed Jan 18 18:45:24 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Jan-84 01:06:39 EST
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 65

Subject: re: motorcycles for novices
Newsgroups: net.cycle


Yes, definitely start out small!  You don't know how much 400 lbs
is until you have tried to pick it up as it lays there in a heap by
the roadside.  As for power,  even a 400 cc bike have more than
enough to lay waste to some $30K plus sport cars.  My 550 with me
(120 lbs) aboard has the same power to weight ratio as an early
70's Corvette with a 455 cid v8!  Big bikes just mean big trouble
if you are just starting out.

I found it odd that the distinction was made between 250s and 400s.
Most two-fifty's probably don't weigh a whole lot less than 400's.
My guess: 300-350 lbs vs 400 lbs approx. If you wanna talk small,
try 125's for a significant difference.

I only sorta agree with that bit about starting out with an second
hand bike though.  Depends a lot on who you buy it from of course.
Ask to see service records if the bike has any kind of mileage on
it at all.  Beware of self maintained bikes,  unless the guy's got
a ton of tools in his garage and a Lotus Europa all taken apart in
a million pieces!  And even then,  beware ...

Note also that lots of used bikes suffer from a lack of exercise.
Weird stuff can form in the oil when it's allowed to sit for
several months,  corroding engine parts and probably reduce the
oil's lubrication properties also.  The best maintenance one can
give a bike is to ride it regularly.

And,  of course,  new is just --- well,  newer! Because of the
rotten economy last couple of years there are lotsa '83, '82
and maybe even '81 leftover bikes that can be had for a song.
The Yamaha Seca 400 is good, and so is the Suzuki 450. Any of
the Honda's using variations of the 400/450 6-valve twin are
good solid pieces. And of course there's my personal favourite,
the Kawasaki GPz305.

Myself, I started out on a '74 Honda 360 in '80 because I couldn't
afford anything much newer than that at the time, and I definitely
didn't want anything bigger! After over 7000 miles in a bit over a
year, at least half of which were long distance highway miles, I
retired it in favour of a bigger bike. No complaints here! The
long trips were not the most comfortable trips I've taken,
but they were all fun and the bike never broke and left me
stranded, which my dad's Chrysler station wagon did once!

Brotherly instructions and other forms of informal lessons are
poor stuff even for cars,  and especially more so for bikes.
There are official riding courses offered in most places. You
can probably ask a bike shop in your area.

Helmets are needless to say a *MUST*! Get a full face helmet
unless you have a really good excuse. Football players wear 'em
to face 300 lbs linebackers, and if you think you can face
Grope in a 3000 lbs Buick without one, you oughtta have your
head examined! Boots or shoes that cover the ankles are a good
idea, and gloves too like the man said.

				Au Nguyen
				AT&T CP
				Holmdel, NJ
				(201) 834-1042