From: gwu@nujoizey.tcs.com (George Wu)
Subject: Re: FAQ
Organization: Teknekron Communications Systems Inc.
Distribution: ba
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 01:11:15 GMT

In article <17h1tqINNcjc@agate.berkeley.edu>, gtchen@glacier.berkeley.edu (George Chen) writes:
> I just found this newsgroup and haven't located any FAQ yet.
> I've been toying with the idea of getting a motorcycle.  My
> justification is that I can't see myself driving my 'stang as
> a commuter vechicle and my bicycle just won't cut it when I
> wake up late for those early morning meetings.  Besides, it
> looks like fun!  So here are a few questions:
> 
> 1.	What do you recommend for someone who has never ridden
> 	a motorcycle (but who does have a lot of cycling 
> 	experience--don't know how well the skills carry over).

     I think you'll like motorcycles.  Your .signature mentions
skiing, and as a skier, I think the the thrill seeking skier will
likewise find motorcycling very enjoyable.  Some of the bicycling
skills carry over, balance, paranoia of cars, but the two are very
different also.

     First, don't buy anything until you've taken the Motorcycle
Safety Foundation (MSF) class.  Second, buy something used for
your first bike.  Third, something of 500 CC or less is probably
best.  (There are lots of people who've started on something
bigger, but you will find a smaller bike lighter and easier to
handle.)

> 2.	Are there courses for beginners.

     Yes, call 1-800-CC-RIDER to find the MSF class nearest you.  They
will teach you all the basics, shifting, braking, road safety, etc.  You
even get to use their bikes for the class, which is nice since you'll
probably drop them once or twice.  It would be a shame to brake off the
mirrors in something you just bought.

> 3.	What's the annual cost for things like gas, maintenance,
> 	and insurance.

     Gas is lots cheaper than a car.  Count on at least 45 MPG.  My
Yamaha SRX 250 gets around 70 MPG.  Maintenance is more frequent than
a car, for probably about the same parts and labor cost, but more
motorcyclists do more of their own work than cagers.

> 4.	Where can I buy one.

     Well, you can always talk to a dealer.  Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki,
Yamaha are the most likely beginner bike manufacturers.  Again, buy
used.  A better bet for a used bike is the local paper.  Either way,
find a friend who knows something about bikes to test ride it and
give things a once over to make sure you're not getting taken for a
ride.  (Pun intended.  :-)

> 5.	What about size.  This is the biggest problem for me as
> 	of now.  I went to a Honda showroom, just browsing, and
> 	didn't find a single bike that I would feel comfortable
> 	riding.  I'm only 5'4" so I'm on my tippy toes for most
> 	bikes.  Any recommendations?

     Gee, who's got that list of short bikes?  (Someone on the net
maintains such a list.)  Mostly, you'll find bikes under 500 CC.  A
quick list off the top of my mind: Honda Rebel, Yamaha SRX 250,
Suzuki Bandit, Kawasaki EX500, Honda VT250 (or is that VF 250?), and
Yamaha (?) Route 66.  Hopefully, someone will mail you the list.

						George

----
George J Wu, Software Engineer         | gwu@tcs.com or uunet!tcs!gwu
Teknekron Communications Systems, Inc. | (510) 649-3700
2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704  | Never be the first to believe . . .
Newsgroups: ba.motorcycles