Now that I have passed my MSF

 Hello,

    I have passed my MSF course and I'm looking to get my first bike. I'm
not going to ask for suggestions - I'm afraid of what can of warms I
might open :)

    However, I am wondering a few things about buying a new to me bike.

    What should I look for in a bike? What should I be expecting to be
paying? What accessories should I be looking to by right off the back
(saddle bags are a given), Do I need a wind shield if it doesn't come
with one (what is the purpose of a windshield on a bike it always just
seemed to look out of place?)?

    Any advice for a newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks,

TC

 On 2006-06-06, TC penned:

It really depends on what you want to do with your motorcycle.  You
should expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $30K, for example.

My motorcycle has a wind screen, and I think it helps, well, screen
the wind.  But my husband says that when he rides my bike, it just
makes the wind hit him right in the face (he's 7" taller than I am).

--
monique
newbie rider
'96 bmw r1100r

 

That depends greatly on what you will be doing with the bike.  City
streets, commuting to college, shopping, freeway runs, recreational
rides thru the countryside, touring down the interstates, exploring
down jeep trails and places 4x4s fear to tread -- each task is best
performed by a different type of motorcycle.  



Depends on what bike you get, which depends on the usage you intend.


Why are saddle bags a given?  Commuting to school?  Shopping?
Touring?


A windshield has the purpose of shielding the rider from the wind.

If you will be doing little high speed riding there is little need for
a windshield.  If you intend much high speed riding the windshield
reduces the fatigue of fighting to stay on the bike as the wind tries
to push you off.

 Paladin wrote:

Paladin gave you some good ideas.  Another thing you should consider is
whether you will likely be carrying a passenger.  Some bikes are far more
comfortable for a pillion than others, and you'll also need enough power to
perform safely with the extra weight.  (E.g., finishing a pass safely when
you start to run out of room.)

The OP didn't ask for a bike recommendation, but I can't help myself.  The
Suzuki 650 V-strom makes a perfect first bike.   And no, I don't have one.
I'm a Yamaha kinda guy.  But lots of my friends do, and they can't stop
gushing over them.

 EffJay R. Yamaha wrote:

My friend has one and I have the 1000 version. Your friends are right to
gush, well, as long as the kiddies have been put to bed, of course.   ;-)