me@privacy.net wrote:
> wrote:
>
>>I can say it was the best university I attended, but then it was the only
>>one attended. As one grad student put it, "There's a lot of big name
>>companies hiring UH grads. Either we produce good engineers or we're good
>>cheap labor."
>
> They have an engineering school there?!
Yes. http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/
--
HPT
G Robert Mann wrote:
> I'd mostly use the bike to commute around town, but would like
> something I could take on the interstate without getting run over.
Up to this point it looked as though 250cc max was all you needed,
but now you've upped the ante. For freeways I'd say get at least 750,
something like a Honda Shadow.
Sean_Q_
> Up to this point it looked as though 250cc max was all you needed,
> but now you've upped the ante. For freeways I'd say get at least 750,
> something like a Honda Shadow.
> Sean_Q_
Not a bad suggestion. Anything from about 400 up will do for most people at
normal highway speeds (85MPH or under). The 750 and up would be required if
you plan to have a passenger often, though. -Dave
wrote:
>... I had the brainstorm
>that a motorcycle might be an elegant solution to both problems and save
>me some money on gas to boot.
No. A motorcycle is a lifestyle change, an addiction that will turn
you into a macho stud who wants nothing more than to tinker on
weeknights so you can spend all your weekend hours getting bugs in
your teeth. You will wind up subscribing to umpteen magazines,
quibbling over ridiculously petty statistics, and buying countless
farkles, all for a mundane transportation tool. Beware.
>... I don't plan to
>ever take it more than 100-150 miles anywhere so I don't really need to be
>able to go all day on it.
Wait. You don't actually want to have FUN on the bike? heh. You'll
see.
>too macho about that. Probably the biggest problem with my whole plan is
>that I don't have anywhere out of the weather to keep the the bike,
Get a cloth cover. Not only does it protect against the weather, but
it's also an impediment to vandals & thieves.
>And now, the questions:
>1. Should I take the MSF course as soon as possible--to find out as soon
>as possible if I can cut it--or wait until closer to when I actually buy a
>bike--so I don't forget what they teach me?
Sometimes the MSF classes are filled far in advance. Schedule now,
and buy when you're done.
>2. ...So what would be more difficult,
>managing a break-in period while learning to ride, or fiding a used bike
>in good shape?
The best value is after 3 years. There are plenty of low-mileage 3, 4,
& 5 year old bikes in excellent condition. You want a used bike, but
not a beater.
>3. What makes and models should I be looking at?...
Too many to list. For your size, a minimum of 500ccs. Suzuki GS500,
for example. When Mike T says get any bike you want, beware that some
sport bikes have very sensitive throttles, and can get you in trouble
fast if you aren't used to it.
>4. What will a decent set of all weather riding gear cost me, and who
>makes stuff that's a good value for the money?
There are many good sources. Rider magazine and Motorcycle Consumer
News do fairly reliable tests/comparisons. The most important thing is
that it FITS. There's nothing like spending all your time on the bike
cursing some rub that is a constant pain. Expect to pay >$500 for
helmet, gloves, boots, & a leather or cordura jacket & trou. (Probably
closer to $1000.)
>5. What are some good ideas for cargo? I need something waterproof and
>if I could lock it and leave it with the bike, that would be nice, but not
>essential.
Do NOT wear a backpack. Strap it to the back of your bike if you don't
have saddlebags. Straps, not bungees. Bungees break (DAMHIK,IJK,OK?)
and then they wrap around the axle/chain,causing all sorts of
"interesting" situations. Also, bungees stretch, allowing the load to
shift, sometimes when you least want it to.
Saddlebags depend on the bike. Some come with hard bags, you can buy
hard bags (Givi & Happy Trails for example,) and you can also get soft
bags (leather with tassles for a sport bike, or cordura for your
Harley.)
>6. Are there any other questions I should be asking?
"Where are the fun roads in my area?"
And a couple of questions you DON'T want to ask:
What kind of oil should I use?
What kind of tires should I use?
--
Turby the Turbosurfer
On Fri, 05 May 2006 16:48:15 GMT, Turby said:
>And a couple of questions you DON'T want to ask:
>What kind of oil should I use?
>What kind of tires should I use?
You forgot "Should I wear a helmet?".
--
"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds
that I don't know the answer."
- Douglas Adams
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>
>>I can say it was the best university I attended, but then it was the only
>>one attended. As one grad student put it, "There's a lot of big name
>>companies hiring UH grads. Either we produce good engineers or we're good
>>cheap labor."
>
> They have an engineering school there?!