Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site micomvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!micomvax!psal From: psal@micomvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.cycle Subject: Re: motorcycles for novices - (nf) Message-ID: <238@micomvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 26-Jan-84 11:17:30 EST Article-I.D.: micomvax.238 Posted: Thu Jan 26 11:17:30 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 31-Jan-84 03:33:55 EST References: <5040@uiucdcs.UUCP> Organization: Micom, Montreal Lines: 41 ====================================================================== I started last year, and I'm only sorry I didn't start a lot earlier. I bought a Suzuki FA50 for my birthday, on my credit card, and it's the most exhilerating experience I've ever known. A month later I used it for a 3500+ kilometer trip to the east coast, doing the Gaspe, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island for < $18.00 in gas and oil. on some hills it slowed down, but it never stalled out. The only bad experience was being chased by a weasel for a quarter mile, with the same top speed as my bike. That's why I'm getting a 450 this spring. I wantto be able to get away from irascible quadrupeds. I'll miss the little one, though! Although rated at 165 lbs., it carried me (230) and my backpack (85) without complaint. Also, in >7500 Kilometers it's never given me any mechanical troubles other than a burnt taillight bulb. I can do fast turns by putting my feet down, lifting the bike, turning it, and landing running. It's the best $500 I've ever spent. And I've NEVER dropped it. True, my 6'4" frame is a little undignified on it, but it's VERY comfortable. My advice for first-timers is to forget about looks and performance and to go for comfort. You don't want to be distracted when learning to ride, and if you can afford a biggie anyway you can afford to dump $200 on the resale. Also, the less it weighs, the more fun. I have now tried bikes up to 1100 c.c., and I hate the two-wheeled cars. I like to be able to throw the machine around. Oh yes, my new bike will be a Suzuki too; I'm very impressed by their reliability. Good luck, and have fun! C.Thomas Weinbaum von Waldenthal Montreal, P.Q., Canada