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Who knows motorcycles?
Self
Posted on 09/03/2023 2:24:23 PM PDT by Tacrolimus1mg
I've been looking for a bike for a while, and seeking a dual-sport to mostly ride around town and on a family friend's forested property. Cars I speak pretty well, but motorcycles are a foreign language to me. I'm seeking advice.
Used or new doesn't really matter, but the budget is $5k, and I previously had a 2023 KTM Duke recommended to me. I liked it, and it was small enough for me, which I think is the biggest issue next to some chronic pain in my left arm that might make a clutch and engine vibration painful.
I'm 5'2", and of an overall small frame. I want to make sure that I can handle whatever it is and that my feet reach the ground when at a standstill. I'm expecting it to be torquey given its purpose, but the lesser end of that is ideal.
Any and all help is very much appreciated - thanks!
TOPICS: Hobbies; Miscellaneous
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To: Tacrolimus1mg
I planned on buying the bike I was going to learn on (have a friend ride or tow it home for me), so I’m familiarizing myself with what I’ll be riding, the same way I did with my first car. I don’t want to get used to a bike and then wind up on something that feels totally different.
Eh, the differences really aren't that much. I wouldn't worry about that. Most classes provide small bikes (250 or less) for the road/parking lot portions, and if they even allow you to bring your own bigger bike, it'll be much more difficult on some of the cone weaving and turns with the bigger one. Plus, the course is only 1-2 days normally, and less than half that is actual riding. It's not long enough to get that familiar with their bikes.
But check your State, I know Texas requires the class in order to get your M endorsement, and you are required to have that on your license to ride on public roads. Not that I agree with that, but it is what it is.
But, definitely get a friend to help bring it home if you have no experience on one yet!
To: sasquatch
He wants something reliable, lol.
82
posted on
09/05/2023 3:40:20 PM PDT
by
Seruzawa
("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
To: Poser
He’ll be safe because he will never get the damm Victor to start.
83
posted on
09/05/2023 3:42:11 PM PDT
by
Seruzawa
("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
To: Tacrolimus1mg
I don’t understand why people feel the need to go on motorcycle threads and spew the same old tired jokes (that they seem to think are so original) and give oh so sage advice that motorcycles are dangerous. We already know this. Everyone knows this. Go to some thread for timid mice instead and reassure yourselves of your innate superiority and leave the rest of us alone.
84
posted on
09/05/2023 3:50:12 PM PDT
by
Seruzawa
("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
To: Seruzawa
I put an Boyer electronic ignition on my 1969 BSA Thunderbolt and never had a starting problem again.
85
posted on
09/05/2023 3:52:16 PM PDT
by
Poser
(Cogito ergo Spam - I think, therefore I ham)
To: Poser
That’s nice. But I don’t think the OP is up on buying 60 year old motorcycles and modifying them. Or on needing to buy a set of whitworth wrenches for the frequent replacement of transmission shafts. Lol.
86
posted on
09/05/2023 4:15:30 PM PDT
by
Seruzawa
("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
To: Seruzawa
I’ve got a set of Whitworth sockets and spanners he can borrow.
87
posted on
09/05/2023 4:41:39 PM PDT
by
Poser
(Cogito ergo Spam - I think, therefore I ham)
To: Tacrolimus1mg; martin_fierro; Tijeras_Slim
My suggestion would be a Honda XR150L
Honda XR150L The low seat height, light weight, and unintimidating power level will allow you to learn how to survive motorcycling without breaking the bank. It is a capable trail rider, fairly durable, with a strong dealer network to help you out along the way.
Sign up and attend a sanctioned MSF rider training class if you plan on riding on the road. Trees and shrubs are predictable, Oscar Grope behind the wheel of a 4000# four wheeled vehicle, not so much.
88
posted on
09/06/2023 5:16:54 PM PDT
by
BraveMan
To: BraveMan
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