I've been riding motorcycles for the past 37 years. I enjoy taking mine out for a spin. Don't ride
it near as much as I used to because I commute rear round by bicycle.
What type of commute are you looking at?
If you are on the open road a cruiser is nice and comfy. I ride a Yamaha Virago 1100. Nice on the
open road but I wouldn't want to hang out in town and traffic. I have taken it out 300-400 mile
trips in a day and felt pretty comfortable when I was done.
If you are in a situation where you are in a mixed commute (some open road and some in town) I would
probably look at some sort of inline 4 cylinder in the 650-750 cc range. A lighter bike for
maneuvering in heavy traffic but has enough oomph to get you out of (or into) harms way. My last
bike a Suzuki GS750L was capable of hitting 120mph with little effort. A bike of this size will also
be able to do longer trips in some comfort. I used to ride it 400 miles at a pop. (I looked and felt
like Quasimoto when I was done.)
If you are commuting strictly in town you may look at something in the 350cc range. Lighter and more
maneuverable in town, capable of good speeds for short trips on the freeway, and better mileage.
I would look at used bikes. I bought my Virago (a 1995 model) in 1998. It had 2500 miles on it and
came with saddlebags, windscreen, road pegs, throttle lock, an after market exhaust system, and the
original exhaust system. I picked this up at a dealer for about a grand under blue book and it had
about a $1000 worth of accessories. I just happened to walk in as they were marking it down.
I would also suggest that you try as many bikes on for size as you can. One of the bikes I was
looking at made me feel like I had been folded, spindled, and mutilated. All of that from sitting on
if for a few minutes. Other folks that ride them love them.
The advice is much the same as if you are buying a recumbent. Figure out what your needs are, try
some bikes that fit your needs, and be prepared to move quickly if you are buying used. Good deals
go away very quickly. Another item to keep in mind is the time of year. In the Gray North West most
prices on motorcycles drop in the fall and winter. They pick up again in the spring and summer.
Good Luck.
William Higley, Sr. Vision R-50 & Yamaha Virago 1100 "Greg Dunn" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:LYkVa.2704$Ho3.545@sccrnsc03...
Quoted message said:Just curious: how many of you who ride recumbents also ride a motorcycle?
I've been looking at them (seriously) lately, and just completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
training class. I had a motorcycle a couple
of
Quoted message said:different times (both 20+ years ago), and had no interest in having one again until fairly
recently when it became clear I would soon be working away from home much more than I have in the
past couple of years. (I'm starting a contract training position and will be commuting to a number
of different locations, for most if not all of which bicycle commuting would not be practical.)
But I really do not enjoy driving a car, so...
--
Greg Dunn
