^They DO provide bikes for the basic course. It DOES exempt you from having to take the DMV driven test (you still have to pass the written).

It DOES help on your insurance. The advanced course, even moreso.

Looks like there is an available date that I can make in mid-July. *shrug*

We'll see...

I told my wife that when I get back, we'll both take the beginner course together. She's a bit uneasy about it, but I figure she'll be more understanding about me getting a bike one day.

We'll see.

"As far as what I'll get, or how it looks, or how cute or gay it is... I don't give a rat's ass what you **** think. If I choose to buy a bike, I'll buy the bike I want. "

{in the background, "i am woman" is playing}

I used to ride years ago, 1st bike was a Kawasaki 750. Been off bikes for 25 years until March. That's when I picked up my new Star Raider, 1900cc. I took the Basic MSF course since they never had courses back when I was riding. The MSF courses are well worth the money you spend on it. However, you will probably want to wait a year or so to take the Advanced course unless you like scratches on your new bike. You will do a lot of low speed maneuvers in tight spaces so you really need to have a good feel for your bike when you take that class or risk dropping it. The smaller 250's they use in the Basic class are very easy to run through the courses they set up, but it's a lot different on the larger bikes. The Ride Like a Pro DVD's are another good source of information on riding a motorcycle. Whatever bike you choose, stay safe and drive like every car you see is going to pull out in front of you, because they will.

"Whatever bike you choose, stay safe and drive like every car you see is going to pull out in front of you, because they will. "

it's incredible how true that statement is.

heh, Last season some blonde on her cell phone in an SUV (typical) merged in to me. Not a care in the world for her. She didn't hear the iar horn I have. She didn't hear the other car honking at her. She heard me when I opened her door and yelled at her though!

If a slot is available, you should go ahead and take the course now. I've been riding a while, but still took the course last year when I bought my most recent bike. I had a great time and still learned a ton. They are a great resource for learning safety tips and handling techniques.

Hey MACS

welcome to the world of Motorcycling, take the course, pick the bike you want, screw everyone's opinion, u ride it ,u got to like it!!!!

If your gonna spend 8500, go check out a sportster, american made bikes hold their value better!!!

Good Luck with your choice, no matter what you pick!

#45 You don't realize how true that is until you've ridden for a while. My first bike was bright yellow. Didn't help. Horns on my bikes have been so useless that anywhere but the freeway and I'd get better results just yelling at drivers. No kidding. I installed a 130 db dual airhorn on my Vulcan 1500. That fargin' thing gets their attention!

#48 I could be wrong, but from ads I've seen, it doesn't appear the baby Harley really holds its value all that well. At least not around the Seattle area. I could be wrong.

Want to see what the Dealer Price is on that bike, goto:

http://www.cyclebuy.com/invoice.htm 

Spend 15.00 to save a bunch!!

51!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool Bike . . .

I always liked this style . . .

#11 Grey: The advent of water cooling and fuel injection has made bikes more reliable and require longer maintenance intervals. As with most cruisers, these engines use hydraulic valves and some with shaft drive. Changing oil and filters is all an owner needs to worry about. Leave the throttle body sync to the pros. I've got a '94 GL1500 that has always had brake problems and the most complicated normally aspirated fuel delivery system ever created. NOT FOR THE TIMID MECHANIC! That's why I always reach for my "surgical" weapon: my Suzuki V-Strom 650. I just wish it had the ABS feature. A great device for new riders I might add. Whatever you do MACS, don't fall for anyones "special" cheap payment scheme. You'll be upside-down on the loan immediately. That's my $1.25 worth.

"Changing oil and filters is all an owner needs to worry about." Almost. Don't forget the coolant. Unless you dump the bike often enough to drain it that way.

I love my Kawi, and with the shaft drive and water cooling, the thing should run for years with proper care. That coolant is a beeotch to change, however. Requires removing the fuel tank.

Hey MACS......there is club that rides in the San Fran area called the "Golden Gate Guards"........sounds perfect for you.

will this bike help him graduate from freddie mercury to rob halford?

#53 I have a shaft drive (fnar fnar) and it's one of the reasons I got my star, along with the air cooling and ease of maintenance. My cousin, seperately, also bought a star in the same make, model and year, though he has modified his more towards a chop where I went towards a tourer. When he visited us a summer or two ago from LA, riding his bike here to Denver, he found his throttle to be not as responsive and the whole feel was 'off' according to him. This was because of the rarified air in Denver. The solution was simple: a half twist to the mixture screw and we were done. Of course, he practically passed out trying to do that (too much kneeling, no water, big breakfast, hot day, altitude just bit him in the ass). If he had a fuel injected system it would have been a trip to the dealer or praying that the computer was able to figure out there problem.

.

If you ask any of the dealers here, you'll find out that they all load new power and program information in to the bikes from the factory because you simply can't ride a FI bike here without an adjusted power map. I've even seen a couple FI bike sputter and fail to start when going to the top of Mt. Evans (the highest paved road in north america) which is 14.5k feet. My bike and it's Mikuni carb has never had any problem and if it did, I can fix it without needing to plug in a laptop or visit a dealer.

.

I've actually done quite a bit of my own mechanical work, aside from oil changes, to the bike. I've removed the AIS, installed 4" forward controls, replaced the brake pads and on my old one, I did my own tire removals, though I let the shops handle the mount & balance since it's free with tire purchase. Really, it's all quite simple and keeping it simple can make it more reliable as there're fewer points of failure.

pacman367: Keep an eye on the hoses. flush and fill when required. Not too bad on a naked bike. Try a Goldwing sometime. Perhaps I'm jaded.

MACS,

Glad your going to take safety class, it should be a law before they give ANYONE a license...

It is amazing how many riders DON'T know how to ride even though they have been "riding" for years.. I have been in a restaurant on many occasions listening to people talk about there riding and how they never use there front brake!!! I have to interrupt and explain how UNSAFE that is and generally get into an unwanted conversation on how braking works... I figure it is better to embarrass them then let them kill themselves..

STAY SAFE, you don't usually get a second chance on a bike... I miss mine.. the last year is the only time since I was 16 that I don't have a bike....

#58 Yup. According to the repair manual I bought a couple years back, I should be changing out the hoses. Most work on it isn't too bad...it's not loaded with fairings and whatnot. That coolant change is just a time killer.