Butter knife

1/21/2011 12:48:33 PM

butterknife FTW!

Paging tripleD4u

1/21/2011 2:44:02 PM

We dont talk about them lil things.

1/21/2011 2:47:42 PM

so with gas prices getting as high as they are and my truck getting horrible MPG these days...add in the fact that I moved from walking distance to campus to a 10 minute drive...im considering getting a motorcycle.


What are some good sport bikes to look into? I dont want anything crazy fast because I have a problem with speeding in my truck as it is. But i dont want anything that people that know bikes will laugh at my girl bike.

In addition, whats the montly insurance rate for a bike normally?

trying to stay in the $2000 or less range.

1/25/2011 8:04:03 PM

Insurance is Cheap cheap if u do liability only. Get a 2000 sv650 for that money or any older 600cc, which will all easily still get you in trouble with speed

1/25/2011 8:23:15 PM

how much is cheap cheap?

and I know it wont help with speeding but thats just me being late and all on long drives...I wouldnt drive the bike but around town and to campus.

1/25/2011 9:47:46 PM

I second the SV.

Liability and theft on my '02 SV650 is $113/six months. That is with multi-vehicle discounts (2 cars and 2 bikes total), but with at least 4 insurance points on my record (it might be 5 or 6...can't remember). It gets about 40 mpg (could probably get a little more if you rode it easy, but I'd rather pay an extra $5/month or whatever in fuel costs to have fun).

an SV is really about the most bike that I think is really prudent for a first motorcycle, too. People get hotter stuff, and some of them do OK, but I think it's counterproductive at best and dangerous at worst. An SV has enough performance to keep you occupied for a loooong time, and it's more comfortable and civil than a race-replica. Hell, I've been riding for about 12 years, and have owned 5 bikes, and it's plenty for me to have fun with. The only reason I'd sell it is because I want something with stronger brakes, and by the time I upgraded the SV, it'd be the same cost as just selling it and buying another supersport bike (which I don't mind, as I have the BMW to ride as a comfortable/practical motorcycle).

I will sell mine for $2500 (with good, high performance tires, RaceTech fork springs, and fresh fork seals and front brake pads).

1/25/2011 10:28:52 PM

hmmm, any pics?

thats good to hear about that particular one though, good feedback.

1/26/2011 2:43:58 AM

you do not get a motorycle for gas mileage, especially with a 10 min commute. It will take you a long while to break even and it may change your daily routine. You should be buying it for the fun factor.

1/26/2011 9:31:31 AM

Buying a bike to save on gas for a 10-minute commute is a ridiculous notion. However, I won't talk anyone out of buying a motorcycle.

And the desire to speed is going to be a problem on any bike. As long as you're not on a scooter you're going to be sitting on something quicker than almost every car around you that is incredibly fun to drive fast.

1/26/2011 10:01:07 AM

I'll throw out a +1 for the SV. I have an '07, plenty of power where it counts, and insurance is way cheaper than a RR. Even ones a decade old are still going strong, because they're just well-built bikes. Check http://www.svrider.com for more info and pictures.

[Edited on January 26, 2011 at 10:54 AM. Reason : .]

1/26/2011 10:53:15 AM

so the sv is cool and all, but there are some other bikes to throw in the mix. gs500, ninja 650R, ninja 500, katana. with the exception of the ninja 650R, these bikes are mechanically unchanged over 20 years or so.

1/26/2011 5:51:23 PM

I would take a old kan-a-tuna over them damn bubble looking new ones anyday.

1/26/2011 5:58:59 PM

FML - Stranded Bike Story

I took the Vulcan out for a 100-mile ride yesterday (prime riding weather!). Went up to Hanging Rock State Park, which is about an hour from where I live. Half-way up the mountain I stopped to take a scenic picture, and when I got back on the bike it would just STALL. Fired up fine, and revved fine, but as soon as I put it in gear and start letting the clutch out, it flat out dies. No lurching, no bogging. WTF? It's just my luck that this happens completely out-of-the-blue after a full day of trouble-free riding, in a state-park that's an hour from closing, with no cell reception.

I had to hitch a ride with these two country punks racing around the park in their Ford Escort ZX2 with no hubcaps. I was only in that car for 5 minutes, but it STUNK and they were taking corners as fast as they could. I barely kept my lunch down.

They dropped me just outside the park at the closest place with a phone - the small municipal hospital with a trailer-home serving as a pharmacy. The women in there were extremely helpful, and I was able to get a friendly local tow guy to come help me move my bike before the park closed. Otherwise the park rangers would have towed it to god-knows-where. BTW, everyone with Sprint and Verizon phones had cell reception.

Bike's sitting in that hospital's parking lot right now. I have to go trailer it back to Greensboro tonight. After doing some web-research, I bet its the side-stand fuel cut-off. Thats the only thing that completely makes sense. Some switch must be stuck, making the bike think the side-stand is permanently down. If I had cell reception, I would have been able to research that and fix it on the side of the road. Fuck AT&T.

1/31/2011 10:32:49 AM

Dude, I work at hanging rock in the summer. I don't care if you have all cell phone carriers combined into one omnipotent phone plan, you ain't getting shit for signal up there. It's a wonderful place to ride though.

1/31/2011 11:54:38 AM

I've found a motorcycle I'd like.... I know roughly the trade in and retail value of the bike... Also considering that it's winter, how much do motorcycles depreciate during the winter months like now? Or are they going back up in value with spring right around the corner?

2/1/2011 5:46:20 AM

Are we talking private party? Generally, prices are much lower in the winter, but I think that trend tends to peak in nov/december. I figure people need money and as it cools down, Joe Squid finds his motorcycle less and less appealing. Once it gets good and cold, the effect sort of levels out. There are still lots of good deals to be had through March or so, but once the weather improves, prices will shoot back up, as a rule.

It's hard to put a numerical value on this "depreciation". What bike are you looking at? For instance, I would expect to see a more dramatic discount more often on sport bikes or naked bikes than I would a Goldwing or BMW with heated grips and good wind protection.

[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 7:35 AM. Reason : .]

2/1/2011 7:33:31 AM

It's a private party sale. 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom. Especially with tax returns just around the corner, I'm sure the market is probably on the incline right now...

[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 9:59 AM. Reason : .a]

2/1/2011 9:41:29 AM

Just make them an offer in between trade in and retail, assuming it's still in top shape. It's worth whatever you're willing to pay, but I wouldn't go more than retail-20% for anything private party unless it has nice upgrades that you actually care about. Demand is cranking up as we speak, so if you want to get something in particular, I'd just start throwing offers out and try to get a good deal while you can. Having cash definitely helps in most cases.

For that particular bike, I'd guess that decent numbers are in the 4-6k range, based on the msrp.

[Edited on February 1, 2011 at 10:17 AM. Reason : .]

2/1/2011 10:14:43 AM

Don't put too much stake into blue book values for used motorcycles. Motorcycle market values vary widely.

2/1/2011 11:31:14 AM

How should the brakes on an SV650 be, compared to a proper RR sportbike?

I've always been very disappointed with my SV's brakes. I had the pads replaced (they were oil soaked) when I had the fork seals replaced. I thought they bled the brakes, but now that I think about it, they may not have.

I'm about to flush the brake fluid out and replace it with fresh, as I'm sure it's past due, anyway.

I'm satisfied enough with the handling, and it has plenty of power to keep me entertained, but the brakes suck. If I can flush & bleed the fluid, and maybe install a set of stainless brake lines (and maybe a different master cylinder) and have solid sportbike brakes, that's cool...but if they're still going to suck after doing that, I think I'd rather just sell it and buy another RR-type bike rather than going to great pains to upgrade the SV.

2/3/2011 12:44:02 AM

^I've personally always been impressed with the brakes on my 600rr.. I eventually did the SS lines and some super pads when I changed out the fluid, there was a difference but honestly, not one you can overly appreciate on the street. Sure you can modulate a bitbetter, but unless your stunting or really pushing it, and I mean really pushing it, not too much advantage. (I would say I can push the edge of locking a bit more on the front, the rear SS line was a waste).

However, in a panic situation I think it actually might be preferable for the average rider (including me) not to have as much bite as mine do now, as it could easily turn into a flip endo or slide.


Now the sv's Ive ridden have all had spongier brakes, but seem to stop just fine, but there was defiantly less feel that my rr's brakes even before I did the SS lines ect.

If your going to do track days, I would say do lines and pads, and then see what you think before I would spend $$$ on a new MC.

[Edited on February 3, 2011 at 1:00 AM. Reason : dd]

2/3/2011 12:53:03 AM

The single most annoying issue I have with my SV is the front brake. It's effective enough, but the feel does not by any stretch inspire confidence, even with the SS lines and a fresh bleed. It's most noticeable when getting off of a bike with real brakes and back to the sponges that Suzuki passes for brakes on that thing. It's not something that I'm aware you can fix unless you swap the stock brake setup out.

2/3/2011 8:55:27 AM

Lots of people address that with the gsx-r front end swap on SV I guess. You get the added benefit of much better suspension.

On a realated note, rear brake on my Buell XB12 is the weakest one I have ever encountered. I have had drum brakes that game me more stopping power. I will bleed the lines and change the pads just in case, but it does not have the mushy pedal or worn out/contaminated pads so I doubt that is the issue. I have been engine braking so far, but it's not the smoothest engine to use for that purpose.

2/3/2011 9:24:51 AM

after doing most of my sport bike riding on track lately, I decided to hit the streets yesterday. I have 11" rotors and street galfer pads on the street 636 and 13" rotors with sintered vesrah pads on the track 636. the difference is night and day. there were several moments where I thought I wasn't going to be able to stop in time. I also have a brembo master cyl for faster stops. master cyl probly makes the most difference in terms of shortening stopping distance if you aren't tire limited.

2/3/2011 9:39:53 AM

Y are u going that fast on street to not be able to stop with a stock setup on a 636

2/3/2011 12:07:22 PM

636s are fast DUH!


I got a black one

2/3/2011 4:16:16 PM

hey smoothcrim, when's the next time you're going out on the track. After VIR I'm addicted.

2/3/2011 4:47:30 PM

Quote :

"The single most annoying issue I have with my SV is the front brake."

Yep, same here. I will go so far as to say that mine, at least, is inadequate for a sportbike of any type. I really think that the brakes on my 1983 BMW touring bike would give them a run for their money.

Quote :

"Lots of people address that with the gsx-r front end swap on SV I guess. You get the added benefit of much better suspension."

Yep, and there are ways to just use RR (GSX-R, R1/R6, CBR, etc) components without going to GSX-R (or ZX-6R) forks...but I don't feel like sinking that much money into the SV and not being able to get it back when I sell it. I'd rather just sell it and buy a more focused motorcycle, now that I have the BMW to ride day-to-day.

(also, my SV's suspension is already upgraded somewhat...RaceTech springs and heavier fork oil)

2/3/2011 5:12:34 PM

^^ i'm going to infineon the 14th, CMP whenever i get my suspension back (soon) and after that just follow the WERA and NESBA calendars. turnone would be cool if i could get my cager buddies come ( Ahmet, dubcaps, etc)

2/3/2011 6:53:11 PM

yeah, i need to see if I can get my Z06 on to my trailer...if so, I could do Turn 1 with both a car and a bike.

2/3/2011 7:08:57 PM

the way turnone works you'd have to be a solo driver for the timing to work out

2/3/2011 7:28:25 PM

Thatll be soon enough...or I could run them on separate days.

2/3/2011 9:26:15 PM

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/mcy/2199237878.html

what say guise?

2/6/2011 9:38:29 AM

Good bike, seems like a good deal, though I recommend the old gen 250 if this is your first bike. You can get one that will run 100% as well for 1-1.5k less money. You'll appreciate that if you drop it. Maybe I'm just a cheapass

2/6/2011 9:45:02 AM

there were ninja 250's around here (madison, wi) for high teens when i was looking a few months ago. not sure how much of a premium you pay being in the city.

2/6/2011 1:53:50 PM

Wait...2750 for a 250cc bike that doesn't even run? Am I missing something?

2/6/2011 2:04:32 PM

How are the carbs already in need of cleaning? Did it sit for two winters straight?

2/7/2011 2:27:43 AM

tsalva, get a gs500 or a ex500

2/7/2011 5:05:11 AM

I'd tell him to get it running and you'll give him asking price cash, but I wouldn't pay that for something that's questionable.

2/7/2011 11:15:48 AM

Yeah, I didn't read the whole ad. I wouldn't give that unless it was running like a bike that new should be.

2/7/2011 12:46:03 PM

only 250 worth buyin is the new one with 17" wheels so you can put proper tires on it

2/7/2011 7:49:19 PM

Dude, don't spend $2750 on a Ninja 250.

Buy my SV650 for $2500 instead. Has Racetech front springs + heavier fork oil, good tires, slip on ART exhaust, fork seals and front brake pads replaced. 20k miles.






I like the bike a lot...I just don't ride it a lot due to the BMW being my daily rider. I think I want a dedicated track bike, instead.

[Edited on February 7, 2011 at 8:00 PM. Reason : ]

2/7/2011 7:52:30 PM

I cant ride my bike when it is like this outside.

2/7/2011 10:05:40 PM

vs.






you be the judge

2/7/2011 11:25:33 PM

Naked SV would be my choice after relocating the oil pickup. But that is only because I like picking the front up...

2/7/2011 11:58:23 PM

Skinny
Redhead
Female
Rider


Want

2/8/2011 10:08:46 AM

Do any of you guys own the cb450 twin bobber-ish thing that was parked outside talley today?

2/14/2011 12:21:55 PM

I guess I'm going to stop getting gas in my bike at the Hess on Western. Filled up and not even five miles later the 'rauder was running like shit. Are most bikes pickier than cars as far as gasoline quality is concerned? Anyone else have this happen?

2/14/2011 5:35:34 PM

What's the best local place to have Kawasaki parts? I fucked up the threads on one of the valve adjuster screws while doing a, yep, you guessed it - valve adjustment. Only god knows when it'll get here if I order online, so I want to try to get my hands on a new one ASAP, even if that means stealership prices.

2/14/2011 6:15:37 PM