From: egreen@east.sun.com (Ed Green - Pixel Cruncher)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: REQUEST: short fella has a question or two
Date: 11 Nov 1992 16:13:48 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
Distribution: world
Reply-To: egreen@east.sun.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: laser.east.sun.com

In article 19751@wam.umd.edu, andyboyl@wam.umd.edu (Andrew 'OPIE' Boyle) writes:
>
>I don't need something that will break the sound barrier,
>although a little speed wouldn't be THAT bad :) .  

Even a small motorcycle will blow the doors off of 98% of all cars on
the road.  Motorcycles are fast.

>And because I plan
>on using the bike in a residential area in the summer, I don't want 
>anything that will shatter windows 1/2 mile away.  Actually, contrary
>to popular opinion, I would prefer something as quiet as possible.  Is
>this good or very bad?  What type of sport bikes are quiet?  Are there cheap
>add-ons that make the bike quieter?

All motorcycles sold in the US meet EPA noise restrictions.  That is
plenty quiet enough, you won't be shattering any windows.  For a
variety of reasons, many people like to make their motorcycles louder
by changing some or all of the exhaust system.  This makes the bike
illegal, but noise levels are almost never checked and the EPA laws
almost never enforced.  In a used bike, look at the muffler.  If it has
a brand name on it, chances are the motorcycle has been modified to
make it loud.  Pick up a motorcycle magazine and look through the ads
in the back to recognize the aftermarket brand names (Kerker, Muzzy,
SuperTrapp are a few that come to mind).  As long as the muffler is
stock, don't worry about noise.

>Here are my questions:
>1- I am pretty short, 5'4", with a 29" inseam (which I guess is important
>  if I want to keep my you-know-whats). 

What?

>   I weigh about 135. This may 
>   sound like a stupid question, but am I to short to handle a bike
>   safely?  

I believe you should be able to flat-foot both feet while astride the
motorcycle.  There are many people on the net who don't find this
necessary, and ride tall bikes with no problem.  Send some email to the
Keeper of the Short Bike List (KotSBL) at noemi@maui.cs.ucla.edu for
further short-people advise.

>2- I will definitely buy used (can't afford new).  What should I look for 
>   in a used bike that would show excessive wear?  Buy from a dealer or
>   from For Sale ads?  Which is cheapest?

You have more room for negotiations in buying from individuals, but it
is strictly an "as-is" transaction (true with many used dealers as
well).  I would suggest doing your own research, and taking a
motorcycling friend along to help inspect the serious prospects you are
considering.  

Without going into specifics, I would say just inspect the overall
quality of the bike.  Does it have rust?  Has it been crashed?  Are the
tires bald, but the odo says 3,000 miles?  Does it look like it has
been well cared for?  Ask for a maintenance book (there won't be one,
but ask anyway).

One thing to look for:  if the main bolts have had little holes drilled
through the heads, and have wire attaching them to the frame or to
other bolts, you should probably walk away.  This is called "safety
wiring," and it indicates the motorcycle has been raced.  While there
are some good ex-race bikes to be found, you probably don't want one as
your first bike.  It will have been modified, probably making it
illegal, and it will probably have been run very hard.

>3- I go to school in Maryland, but am a resident of New Jersey.  If I take
>   an MSF course, does it transfer from one state to another?  Where is 
>   insurance cheapest?  How much does the MSF course cost?

MSF prices vary from state to state.  The course is essentially
identical, and certification is good in any state.

>4- How far does the average, well cared for bike, go before it dies? It sounds
>   stupid, but all of the bikes I have seen in the paper for sale all have
>   5,000 or less miles on them.

Impossible to generalize.  Like any other vehicle, a well-maintained
one can go for hundreds of thousands of miles.  There is perception
that Harley-Davidson motorcycles last longer than imported
motorcycles.  Even if true, this probably has more to do with their
price and ususal mode of operation than any inherently superior
engineering or quality.  The bottom line is that it depends 100% on how
well it has been cared for.  Ask at what intervals the oil was changed,
the brake pads replaced, the battery charged, etc.  Don't believe what
you hear, of course, but if the seller seem to have some mechanical
aptitude, chances are the bike has been well maintained.

>5- Is there a blacklist that is available to the public, that lists all
>   of the motorcycles that are high-risk, and therefore have high insurance
>   costs?

No.  The insurance industry denies the existance of any such
blacklist.  Every good insurance agent has a copy of it.

>6- What is the difference between a 250cc and a 500cc bike?

250cc's.  :^)

>   Does the 500cc have twice as much power?

It depends on what you mean by "power."  It depends on the style of the
motorcycle and your riding style.  A 250cc Ninja (sportsbike) will
*seem* more "powerful" than a 500cc Interceptor (cruiser) to an
aggressive rider.  Besides sheer engine size, you will need to consider
handling characteristics, seating position, passenger and luggage
capacity, etc.

>7- I would like the bike to have the space and power for a passenger.  What
>    special features should I look for?

A comfortable seat and rear foot pegs.  I wouldn't plan on carring a
passenger until you have several thousand miles of solo riding under
belt.

>8- Where can one obtain a reference book for used bike prices?  

You can probably take a look at one at your bank or credit union.  You
can buy one yourself for something like $40 (?).  Ask Paul
(thompson@apple.com) for the address and ordering info.

>9- Would it be wise to join a motorcycle club in the mean time, to learn
>    what I want and to understand the lingo?  What are some good ones
>    around DC?

I've heard good things about the Denizens of Doom...

>11- Can you get a good bike for less than $2000 to $2500?

Yes, if you know what you want and are patient.

I would suggest you start with the MSF course.  They provide the
motorcycle and helmets.  Ride as many different styles of bikes during
or after the course as they have.  The MSF instructors are generally an
excellent source of information for the beginner.

Read some of the motorcycle magazines to get a feel for the different
styles and types of motorcycles available.  Call up some of the
mail-order houses that advertise in the back, and order a catalog.
This will give you a feel for prices of leathers, helmets, gloves,
etc.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

---
Ed Green, former Ninjaite |I was drinking last night with a biker,
  Ed.Green@East.Sun.COM   |and I showed him a picture of you.  I said,
DoD #0111  (919)460-8302  |"Go on, get to know her, you'll like her!"
 (The Grateful Dead) -->  |It seemed like the least I could do...

Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles