From: andyboyl@wam.umd.edu (Andrew 'OPIE' Boyle)
Subject: REQUEST: short fella has a question or two
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 06:17:06 GMT


Hi, I am a freq reader of this post, but this is my first post her,
so please be patient.

I have been considering purchasing a sport bike in the next several
months (before March, since I heard the prices go up with respect
to the temperature) and would use it for commuting and travelling.  
(I doubt I would ever go near a race track). I will probably get something 
that is less than 600cc for the simple reason that I have heard rumors
about $2000+/yr insurance payments, and for that much I might as well
keep my car. I don't need something that will break the sound barrier,
although a little speed wouldn't be THAT bad :) .  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?

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). I weigh about 135. This may 
   sound like a stupid question, but am I to short to handle a bike
   safely?  What brand bikes, less than 600cc and without crazy insurance
   costs, would fit best?
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?
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?
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.
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?
6- What is the difference between a 250cc and a 500cc bike? Does the 500cc
   have twice as much power?
7- I would like the bike to have the space and power for a passenger.  What
    special features should I look for?
8- Where can one obtain a reference book for used bike prices?  
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?
10- Should I buy the bike in New Jersey, or in Maryland?
11- Can you get a good bike for less than $2000 to $2500?

Sorry if these are answered in a FAQ somewhere, but I wasn't able to find one.
If you could answer any of these questions(or all of them if you care to) or
point to a book or magazine that would help a beginner-beginner, I would
really appreciate the help.  If there is a large enough reply, I will edit
them all together and attempt to create a file that could help beginners or
simply people interested in sport bikes, and post it in the future.

PLease e-mail your response to:
andyboyl@wam.umd.edu

thanks alot,
Andy