Like so many others, the Weekender is now considering two-wheeled transport. I have a 40-mile daily commute round-trip. The first 10 is a two-lane and well-designed road through parkland. The second 10 is freeway, culminating in suburb. Public transport would require over an hour and a half (bus-rail-bus-bus) and actually cost more than my current price of about $9 a day (just for gas). I’d love to bicycle but have the clothing problem, if not the time..
The state has banned hands-free cell phone use as of July 1. So, even though I have great reservations, I am thinking about getting a bike for non-rainy commuting.
Even though I’d love a Sportster or something macho-n-kewl, I am trying to displace gas debt, not incur new debt, so I am looking for a cycle for around 2 to 3K.
Opinions sought for make, mileage, considerations (cylinders, chain, whaaever). I also favor smaller bikes. I want something I can pick back up, not a hog. And I am not mechanically handy, so it has to be something that can be repaired by more than one shop in the county.
I have a M1 license, because 30-something years ago, I had a Honda 350. I tend to think that I don’t need anything bigger than a 750. But my thinking is so dated… I saw a Craigslist ad for a single cylinder 650 “Thumper” and tried to figure out what or why one big cylinder is better than two smaller ones. Less hot tail pipes I reckon…
I advise getting the quiet one–the one that doesn’t rev its engine at stoplights. The one that doesn’t drive between lanes of cars on the freeway. Oh, and the one with rear turn signals larger than a dime.
Please post a photo of you in your leather chaps/jacket when you get set up.
In Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky also cover operators with instructional/learner’s permits.
California/West Virginia-Universal helmet law (covers all riders)
Nothing like a good case of road rash to wake you up during the morning commute especially if it’s on the brain Triumphs, the only way to ride, and I’m from the land of Harley.
Hmm. That’s so weird, because I walk up a main street and I see helmetless motorcyclists all the time, and on the main street is the Police building. I guess they (the police) just don’t care.
It is just way too dangerous to ride a cycle. Spend the gas money or better yet find a closer job or move closer. I have several friends with ground off fingers and totally paralyzed from the thrill of these cursed bikes. That being said I still love my old Triumph 500, but I got rid of it before I got hurt.
I assume that there are mechanics a-plenty for the various rice rockets brands. This is important to me. I’m rotten with car type of repairs.
I really don’t know who works on Triumphs. I even saw a Royal Enfield on Craigslist for a decent price. I didn’t know they still made 'em. But I remember years ago watching a Texan finally go ballistic on his RE because it gave him so much trouble. Took a hammer to it. Kinda traumatic to my young self.
I found some Shadows for $3500. One is a 94 with less than 1,500 miles on it. Kept in a garage and all shiny and stuff. Kind of a girlie color though (San Jose Sharks turquoise). The other is 02 with 10,000 miles. I wondered if the older one would be more repair-prone from sitting so much.
The reigning knowledge in my neck of the woods is that the increase in insurance that comes with a motorcycle far outweighs the gas benefit.
Have you checked with your insurer yet?
No, not really, but I was told by bikers that the collision is pretty much nil and I’m no kid. The alternative is some kind of ultra-mileage car. None of them are cheap and you have to insure them too…
I am just thinking about the 20X2 bicycle trip a day. Flat terrain? I use to do five miles and I was still faster than the bus. Glass and flats were a big problem. Defiantly nothing close to 20 miles though.
It would be cool to read about you biking it at least once and tell us about the experience, but I understand that you most likely do not have a shower and a place to change at work.
Believe me, I thought about it. I work in a temporary-cum-permanent rotten little commercial trailer with no running water. The other newer trailer does have a bathroom to change in. Some day, we’ll have a real building. Some day. There’s quite a long gradual grade at first on the commute, so I would definitely work up a sweat goin’ in.
I have pondered scenarios, like wearing coveralls at work, which would be kind of funny, since I do graphics. Hey, I would like to be one of the good guys, believe me. I thought about riding my bike down the hilll, catching a bus, getting on the BART, then riding to work from the BART station, but then, I would have saved little money wise, still taken forever to get there. etc etc.
And no, in this tight economy, I can’t just “get a job closer to home.” I was out of work for almost two years, and this was the best I could do. In fact, it was the only thing I could get. And there are 19 graphic artists recently laid off when the local big paper outsourced their jobs to India who would LOVE my job and all live nearby. One kid in college, one yet to go, a mortgage, all the lovely trapping of debt capture. No Bohemian alternative at this stage in life.
Triumphs, the only way to ride, and I’m from the land of Harley.
