From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!houxm!houxa!houxi!houxz!ihnp4!iwlc7!dfz Newsgroups: net.cycle Title: Re: Andy Koenig's request Article-I.D.: iwlc7.143 Posted: Tue Mar 8 12:28:02 1983 Received: Wed Mar 9 04:25:19 1983 Reply-To: dfz@iwlc7.UUCP (David F. Ziffer) I know Andy asked for a reply by mail, but I think this is of general interest: The 400cc range is an excellent size bike for the beginner. It has plenty of power to go 55 MPH (and beyond) all day if you like, yet it gets about 60-65 miles per gallon. If your primary motive in getting a bike is to save gas money, you should probably not consider it. When one considers the money tied up in the investment itself (which could be earning you interest) and the insurance and the maintenance, it's just not worth it. Gas mileage is one of those convenient excuses we motorcyclists use when confronted by non-riders who demand an explanation for our irrational behavior. It's a good line to use and usually pacifies them. Once you ride, you know the only REAL reason for riding is that it is MORE FUN THAN JUST ABOUT ANYTHING! The beginner in Illinois is very lucky; the state takes about $4 off of every annual motorcycle registration fee and uses it to fund statewide motorcycle instruction programs. The programs are FREE, require about 20 hours of time, half of which is spent actually riding a bike (supplied). The learner need bring nothing but reasonably protective clothing. I was a six year veteran when I took the course, and was amazed at what I learned. I now have the 1983 schedule of such courses for the northern Illinois area; they run from April into September and are offered at many locations. If you are interested in this schedule, MAIL me a response. If enough interest exists, I will enter it into the net. Those of you unfortunate enough to live in NJ might try contacting your state motor vehicle department to see if anyone around there might be starting to follow Illinois' example. See y'all on the road! Dave Ziffer ..!decvax!ihnss!iwlc7!dfz