Thinking about getting a bike

[ironwood]

I am thinking about getting a Triumph Speed Triple, what do you guys think?

[CHaingKaiShek]

Sounds cool. Bikes can be alot of fun. I however have lost my nerve to ride due to the fact I witnessed several bad motorcycle accidents while riding around town.

I own three bikes.

1979 Yamaha XS 11 Special (1100cc)
Kawasaki GPZ-550 - 1982
1978 CM-185 Twinstar - cool little honda bike, looks like a mini-harley.

I say go for it, no thrill like flying down the highway on a bike.

Jeff

[the baron]

Because I lost two friends ( bikers ) in a span of 1 1/2 years.
Both were killed by grandma's who couldn't drive their cars.
They both could avoid the car but they couldn't avoid the trucks passing by.
I saw my best friend Eddy's body in the morgue.It was not really a pretty sight.
He was 28 years old & let a desperate 25 years old widow...
I asked him to become my son's godfather , he was so happy with that , he died before he could do it...
My son & I miss him a lot .

Biking is fun when you're alone on the streets , but you're not .

I could barely avoid two accidents last months , so I decided to throw my helmet in the garbage , sell my bikes , & buy a pick-up truck , so I will be able the next time to blow these grandmas into orbit when they continue to drive as they did before...

Seems pathetic & sad , this how I am now...

My 2 cents

The Baron
__________________________________________________
1979 C10 2WD long bed ( 350 Olds engine )
1977 Impala 250ci "Ye old reliable"
1960 Girl friend ( frame still great , body has some dents ...)

[Low87]

I would love to have a bike, but for the reasons the baron mentioned and my obligation to my family, it's not worth it.

[SCOTI]

I owned a harley for 5 yrs. I rode usually once a week to work & occasionally out @ night on the weekends.

In that time span I only had 1 close call where I actually laid the bike over to avoid a collision because somebody wasn't paying attention (and that guy was/looked like a biker himself), so it's not just the little old ladies you have to worry about... it's every driver out there.

Bikes are great (I will get another ), but they're a risk.... no matter how careful you are. One thing I know for sure, alcohol & bikes do not mix @ all.

[AirMale]

I've owned several bikes when I was younger. Now I have to agree with the others that the odds of escaping even a minor accident without major injury seems imposible. But if you disregard our warnings please buy a BOSS HOSS with a zz502

[LOHRTBT]

Get what you like and make the decision you feel best with. Yes you have to be careful....of lots of things and it demands a very high level of respect.
I just belive in living life to the fullest and doing what you want to do

[79BIG10]

My in-laws ride bikes. They love it. I want a trike for my fat @$$ to ride.

[bagged81]

Your defensive driving skills will be put to the test on every ride.

I have a 2000 Honda CBR 929 and I absolutely love it. My dad has a 2000 Harley Heritage Softail. I will either get a Fatboy or build a custom cruiser eventually.

I dont know anything about the bike you are inquiring about though.

[Blue Beard]

I've been riding bikes since I was five.

Not one accident, that's how much my defensive driving covers everything.

I am now classified Disabled, due to a botched knee surgery by a Dr.

I still ride and the defensive driving has again changed to a little sharper.

And if I end up going to a 3 Wheel conversion, or a sidecar so be it.

But I will ride until they force me to quit.

There's a real sense of freedom to just take off and ride with no sense or care about direction.

Have made a lot of friends over the years and lots of new riding partners.

Family issues I understand, other than the wife our family is gone.

[apstguy]

Riding bikes as been outlawed by the family. Too many people were in near-death accidents multiple times in my family.

[79GMC454C35]

I agree with Blue Beard. I have been riding since I was 5 & I am almost 42 now. I started working at a Harley shop in 1977. That was before Harleys were cool. I have been working in the motorcycle industry for a long time now. I try to ride at least 50 miles every day. When I get old I will get a sidecar. I will ride until I die. I also know I will most likely die riding. I have been in 2 wrecks. Both times I was rear ended while stopped for a red light. If you have some common sense & pay attention to things around you will last longer. Most people should not drive a car let alone a motorcycle. If you want a bike get one. Get one fast enough to get out of people’s way. Try to stay slightly ahead of traffic so they see you. Be loud so they can hear you. When riding or driving beside a car, look in the side mirror of the car beside you. If you can’t see the driver’s face, he can’t see you. I also have to recommend that if you are an American & you live in the USA please support our economy & buy a Harley. You will never be sorry. Oh yeah, take a riders safety course before hitting the streets.

[ironwood]

I would buy a Harley but the bank account has some thing to do with that... The bike I am considering is British so I figured, hey they are with us at war I will support them. I also support the US I would be at war if it weren't for the family.

This is the bike I am looking into:

[Blue Beard]

What's the cost of that unit.

I use to ride Triumph for years. But that was when they were cheap. I figure that unit will run at least $10 grand.

And unless they have changed the Lucas electrics on the Triumph, they were always my worst headache.

I see you live in Washington, same as me. Consider a trip to Montana for a Harley.

A friend of mine went back there and bought a new Harley for $5 grand less than in the Portand area.

I've got a nice 89 Harley FXR here for $8900.

Not like the street racer that you are looking at but comfortable for the road.

And it turns heads whenever I take it out.

[Mike76251]

Two more cents on Bikes,

The thing that is so dangerous about them is 4 wheeler (car) drivers are used to seeing the mass and width of another car.
They pull up to a stop sign look both ways and pull right out and kill you. If these drivers are the least bit hurried, stupid, too old,
or whatever they look "but don't see".
You have to be "actively" looking for a bike or anything coming down the road and if you don't have the capability of doing that then you will pull out in front of anything smaller than a Yugo.
Many people on the road fit the above catagory and that will never change.

Another bike point,
In New York they have these teams that sit around and listen on police radios for motorcycle wrecks.
They are called "Harvest Teams".
They rush out to most any bike wreck because they are usually fatal (broken neck) and the body's organs usually make it through okay.
They are looking for organ donor cards first off.
Get the picture?

Motorcycles are great.............on a planet with no cars.

[Blue Beard]

My riding experience.............

Never assume someone sees you when riding.

When approaching intersection, things I do and ready for............

1. My thumb is ready on the horn
2. I watch the front wheel on the car sitting there. You can see that car move faster by watching the wheel than the car.

With or without a hubcap, you will see that wheel move before the whole car.

3. I am ready to downshift for more defensive action.

4. When stopped at a sign or light, same kind of thing.

I always watch my mirrors when a vehicle approaches from the back, and I am ready to take some form of evasive action if needed.

Everything you can do to give yourself the advantage is that little bit of edge that keeps you alive.

No matter where you are riding leave yourself an out, and pay attention.

It all becomes second nature when you ride.

Yeah, there's that one in a million chance. But so is getting out of bed in the morning.

Worry and Stress can kill too. We only live once, and I've done alot of things that could have killed me. Sure other people have too.

[the baron]

Ironwood ,
I got some guys at work who have owned such a three cylinders Triumph .
I asked them what they found of it .
it seems they are reliable and fun to drive , but they try to match the quality of Japanese bikes , what means for me :
-Quality of construction
-Reliability

They are not like the 1970's Triumph , who were leaking oil as none other , had electrical problems , couldn't stay on the street , no brakes , etc...

But ! ( there is always a but...)
As they try to match the Japs , they have also less "soul" as a Harley , a Buell or a Ducati can have.

The Speed Triple produces a wonderful sound , but this will never match a V2 ( read Buell or Ducati ) sound ...

In my eyes , a bike has to shake the biker , it must give some kick & vibrations in your butt when you open the throttles.
V2 : big pistons , high torque , low RPM's...
3 cylinders and above : High RPM's , that's all
The speed triple is to "aseptized" for me

As the other members already told you : "you want it , get it"

Take care

The "no more bikes" Baron
____________________________________________________

1979 C10 2WD long bed ( 350 Olds engine )
1977 Impala 250ci "Ye old reliable"
1979 Yamaha XS 650 SE ( for sale )
1960 Girl friend ( frame still good , body has some dents...)

[ironwood]

Blue Beard,
that bike runs about 3-8 grand used to new depends on the year and such. But for the years I like it will have to be a 97 or newer. I think my price range will have to stick to a used bike.
As a trainer bike a guy at work has a ninja250 for $500 I think my wife can handle that bike when I get done with it.

Dave

[rage'nrat638]

i have a 95 cr125 dirt bike just like new for 1200.00 its a 2000.00
bike can post a pic.

[racedvl]

Moved to GD.

[(3.1415)lot]

Bikes are a lot of fun; I personally love 'em but to echo what a lot of people say, it's totally true regarding safety and caution - use your head. Bikes have a tremendous power-to-weight ratio that can be very tempting to exploit - have fun, but don't be a fool. . . I see too many idiots out there go out and buy super-powered sport bikes only to lay them down or end up launching them into trees, ditches, parked cars, moving cars, trucks, buildings, and you name it.

There are no "fender benders" on a bike. You hit something, you get hurt. Someone hits you - you get hurt. Badly.

If you haven't ridden before, I strongly suggest taking one of those courses for new riders; heck, even if you have ridden, I suggest it, you'll get SOMETHING out of it. They're a bit cheesy at times, but you get to "play around" somewhat and practice panic stopping, tight manuvering, and other stuff you might be tempted to skip on a nice shiny new bike of your own that you don't want to drop. They're a great confidence-booster in your skills at the very least.

Welcome to the world of two wheels - keep the shiny side up and don't do anything foolish.

Ride like you're invisible - ALWAYS!

Riding a bike will open your eyes to the reality of just how much everyone out there IS out to kill you.

The Triumphs are really gorgeous, aren't they?

[1969 GMC]

I myself have never driven a bike, but I am going to acquire an old Honda CT-90 for my first bike, so I don't think I will kill myself hotdogging in front of my friends.

My dad has been an avid biker for a long time, never one accident...always wears a white full face helmet and leathers.

However I know how devastating motorcycle accidents can be...a friend of mine's father went into a coma for 2 weeks after Farmer John pulled his tractor off a field onto the road right in front of his Harley. The doctors doubted if he would live, but thank God he came back. The settlement money from that bought him a new Harley and a Honda.

[Randy70C-10]

I've been riding off and on for 23 years. 98% of the time, you can see an accident coming. Only experience will sharpen your skills to become more defensive.

[racindego]

i have owned a few bikes, this is my current one, i dont see myself without a bike, too much fun.

[papawswrench]

Yes - get the Triumph , but follow all the suggestions above ! Safety training is valuable , no matter your past experience . IMO most people should ride a bike for a while , that experience will strengthen your driving skills in your "cage"(biker term for car or truck) , because a m/c RIDER (absolutely not DRIVER!) learns to see in 6 directions at once and soon learns to drive ahead to avoid problems. This translates directly into better operation of any vehicle operated .
Please do not say "drive" when talking about a motorcycle , you ride it or pilot it!