[Mr Rogers]

No - you wreck one of these bikes, and there isn't likely to be a whole organ left to donate. Although you might need to SELL some organs to pay for a new fairing.

For myself, I miss the days when bikes were affordable means of transportation. I obviously don't speak for the majority - seems most bikes sold cost as much as cars, and either a) weigh as much, or b) are meant for travel at 100+.

[taxed2death]

"For myself, I miss the days when bikes were affordable means of transportation. I obviously don't speak for the majority - seems most bikes sold cost as much as cars, and either a) weigh as much, or b) are meant for travel at 100+."

Been to a dealer lately?

There's a lot of nice brand new bikes to be had for $6000.00-$7000.00 that are under 500 lbs and make terrific reliable transportation.

[Bob Mc]

Considering the maneuverability, stability, balance, tire traction, and suspension and braking performance, these sportbikes are far superior from a safety standpoint, to the old technology in Harley type bikes.

It's the rider's attitude that makes them unsafe.

As far as cost, it's relative. You can buy one of these sportbikes, such as the new Yamaha R6 with some 130HP engine, with all the latest and most sophisticated racing techonolgy installed, for 10 grand. If you were to try to buy an automobile with equivalent amount of race tuned components and performance, it would cost over 100 grand! Actually you probably couldn't legally drive such a race bred automobile on the street!

[Melas]

Nah, the cruiser market is still larger than the sportbike market, and you can find reasonable priced cruisers from $5,000 and up. A Honda VLX makes a great commuter bike and it won't break the bank.

[reagan_fanatic]

For myself, I miss the days when bikes were affordable means of transportation. I obviously don't speak for the majority - seems most bikes sold cost as much as cars, and either a) weigh as much, or b) are meant for travel at 100+.

Same here. I used to ride (before the Wife told me no more) and all I had was inexpensive Kawasakis and Hondas, which I would go for leisurely drives on everyday that there was decent weather. They sure were a helluva lot of fun!