[baron4406]

I'm a 38 year old guy, won't give you my life story. I'll just say its been as entertaining as an Episode of a Jerry springer show. I got my first (and ONLY) streetbike when I was in the Air Force in Phoenix in 1987. It was a 500 Interceptor, now I had ridden a few dirt bikes as a kid. Got pretty good on it, good enough to enter the street stock class at PIR!! Entered my first race thinking I would lap the field........then finished 14 out of 14. How could guys lap me on the same bike i was driving?? Then saw my freind die on a bike due to a driver pulling out in front of him while he was going 45MPH (Cars never saw bikes in Phoenix, you had to watch out big time). Since then had a few dirt bikes, last on was a 1995 CR250. Rode a few friends bikes from time to time. Two years ago I stole a freind's Hayabusa (long story, it was in his wife's name and they were going through a divorce). Parked it in my kitchen. Hit 150MPH on Rt78. Did a great burnout on my front porch with it. I would die on a bike like that. So here we are in the modern day. Want to get back into riding, I don't really want a cruiser. Was gonna get am SV650 or an older CBR 600 but you guys got me all wierded out by reading all these stickies. Do I really need to "start" out on a Ninja 250?? Just gonna carve some corners, want a cheap commuter (My 2005 Xterra and heavily modified 1992 AWD Talon are not exactly cheap to drive anymore). I know i'm waaaaaaaaaay too psycho for a 'Busa, but now I don't know what to get. Its been a long time.

 

[tommygun124]

Want to sell your talon ?

 

[Hagios]

Things have changed a lot. Look at the Ninja 500R. The ergos are VERY similar to those you'd be familiar with from the 'ceptor. Or maybe look into another 'ceptor 5. Those are awesome bikes, and bulletproof to boot. Did I mention that they're cheap anymore (2.5k or so for one that's mint)

 

[baron4406]

Want to sell your talon ?

Ironically it is for sale, hate to give it up tho.

I thought about another Interceptor, but I think most of them have been destroyed by now. Besides I'd kinda like something a little more modern.......ooops i think I just violated one of the rules about getting a 600cc bike. :fiddy

Finding ANY bike I like that's not overpriced is darn tough. Not gonna do anything until I finish the MSF course anyway unless a screaming deal comes up.

 

[Dawson-ZX]

I'd recommend a CBR 600f2,f3, or f4i. Great bikes and not quite as insane as the latest supersport bikes... maybe also look into a little bit older zx-6 (98-02)... You seem to be mature and intelligent enough to know you're not the best rider out there and to ride within your limits. That's the biggest thing, riding within your limits.

 

[BooRidesSB]

You can ride whatever you want.......

..... It was a 500 Interceptor, .....

Great bike! I had one. Loved it.

............ I know i'm waaaaaaaaaay too psycho for a 'Busa, ............

:rolleyes

Don't misunderstand me. I'm no one to be preaching. Or lecturing. I sometimes get a wild hair, despite coaching myself to be careful. But, if you are waaaaaaaaay too psyco for a Busa maybe you should cool it for a while on the street bike idea. If I didn't think I could control my right hand I would bail on bikes now.

JMHO

 

[baron4406]

Nah I'm older and alot more sane than I was 20 years ago. So why then my adventures on the 'Busa last year?? To be honest I wanted to see if I still "had it". Skills came right back to me-but that bike was way too insane to drive everyday. My buddy who had it and distained Harley's, guess what he traded it in on?? You guessed it a Brand New SoftTail Heritage. However Harley's are way more than I want to spend right now, plus I live in a mostly rural area and have alot of low traffic , back roads to cruise around on. Just got my permit today and my MSF course won't start until late June. With that in mind let me bend your ears for more info:

Back "in the day" I had a full leathers getup, it was alot of fun in the summer in Phoenix trust me. For the modern, more sedate me I think I wanna get at minumum a jacket and gloves, maybe some boots and of course a helmet (I want a full face and my drag racing helmet is a half helmet). I see alot of Joe Rocket stuff around, is that any good? I've run into a little problem in that area too, I remember what is was like with cars never seeing you on bikes- so I thought I'd get some bright colors in my helmet and jacket. Then again I'm an old fart (38) I'll look like a goob. Any recommondations there?? Thanks

 

[Hagios]

As far as customer support goes, I would reccomend Teknic. I had a zipper failure (fault would fall upon YKK, not Teknic) that I alerted them to, they asked me to send them the jacket. I did so, and they fixed it for free, didn't even have me pay shipping.

Far as the bike thing goes, go with what you like best. You could always try a current Viffer. They're awesome machines, and I get great (>45, usually mid fifties) gas mileage with it, if I short-shift, and right around 45 if I am being "festive" with my wrist.

 

[bush]

Yes, the newer Interceptors are boner-inspiring.

I have nothing more to contribute. Sorry.