Well I found this great board and 3 or so hours later I am finally ready to ask some questions. I have to say the tacked threads are very informative, especially the "things to do" one and Bush's manual among others.
Anyway, I am 22 and ready to become serious about biking. There are several issues I need to hash out first.
I used to be into racing Gopeds. For those in the know, I had a GSR60 that I put together piece by piece. Did something like 40-50 mph maybe more if I tuned it right. Hydraulic front brake only, centrifugal clutch, custom pipe and silencer, big carb and v-stack, and a Zenoah (model airplane engine) 62 cc ported engine sittin on the back. What a blast it was, single speed only. I remember telling novice riders about the dangers of building one with myriad injuries abound...well, after spending the afternoon watching idiots on youtube and reading about the 600cc bikes, I am yet again but the learner.
A goped might sound like kids play, but I had 3 notable crashes with the thing, the last one being the worst. I was in an empty parking lot, warm day, warm tires, everything good. I was going full speed and leaning ever-so-slightly leftwards. For some reason, and I suspect it was loose gravel often found in parking lots, the front wheel washed out from under me and I hit the pavement hard. I had on a t-shirt, jean shorts, and my Shoei RF900 tricked out bullshit helmet, which saved my brain piece. That was a painful and humbling ride home, picking rocks out of my arm was priceless.
This was probably 4ish years ago. The left part of the visor on the helmet has scuffs on it from where my head hit the ground. I am wondering if this investment in a fine helmet years ago is still good. Can I still use this helmet and is there any way to see if it has been compromised? How does time affect the materials in the helmet, do they go bad?
Probably 6 or so years ago I was in a bad accident, car totaled. I claimed I was "going too fast and lost control," to police. There was a reckless driving charge probably from that, and from one other incident. I had I think 1 or 2 points less than what would have been required for a suspension.
There have been some drastic changes since then in my life, and all for the better I can thankfully say. Since then, I have been accident free with occasional tickets. However, in the past 3 years I do not believe I have gotten any points violations and perhaps 1 or 2 tickets. (Which are easy to get where I live for doing nothing unusual)
Perhaps worth notation, is that I owned the first car I crashed and subsequently another car that ended up being a lemon that I didn't drive. So from that point onward I have been driving parents cars. I believe this will unfortunately leave me with a limited/scary record, as to insurance it seems like I have not touched a car in years.
Considering that I have chilled the f--k out
how bad could I expect insurance to be? I have the rates thread stickied but I didn't see much explanation in there, just quoting. Can I make it better besides the MSF class and being a good citizen? Does the recent absence of a driving record (minus occasional tickets) help or hurt me?
My next concern is money. Bush's thread captured the essence of my plans. I will not be buying my showroom R6. This is convenient because I don't have the money and I don't have the experience as a Goped is hardly a bike. I am looking for a fuel economic (important) rider that has good pep and go but will be comfortable and nice to drive on highways and around town for regular commuting. With the danger inherent in the 600cc class, the mediocre fuel economy, and the price I was considering a Ninja in 250 but more likely 500ccs.
I think it would be a good starter bike that is sufficiently powerful and fast yet reasonably forgiving when I mess up, which hopefully will be a humbling and not horrible experience. I'm sure this has been covered...
Next, what happens when you get a flat tire? Do all bikes have run flats? It just seems like a flat tire going fast would be a very bad combo unless on run flats.
Also, if a bike engine seizes, would you flip over the bars? Sounds crazy, but I am coming from a single speed Goped mindset.
I will digest this forum in the next few weeks some more, but what about a buyers guide? Is ebay/craiglist the way to go, or dealerships?
If you have read this far, I just wanted to try and add a disclaimer that A) I am not an idiot and possess self-control (though I may not have at one point) B) I realize from other endeavors how the actions of 1 can become the punishment of many. So hopefully the information I learn here will allow me to better represent this community and enjoy some safe and enjoyable cruises in the future.
Helmet, Insurance, Bike option, etc. - questions
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