Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pucc-h Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!CS-Mordred!Pucc-H:aft From: aft@pucc-h (Klosky) Newsgroups: net.cycle Subject: Gee whiz, it's a motorcycle. How to buy your first one, etc. Message-ID: <500@pucc-h> Date: Sun, 29-Jan-84 21:11:18 EST Article-I.D.: pucc-h.500 Posted: Sun Jan 29 21:11:18 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 7-Feb-84 06:28:26 EST Organization: Purdue University Computing Center Lines: 69 re: the first motor scooter freeway blues. 1. If you are out on the freeway, a big bike is better than a small bike because it is both more stable and faster. A 350 hondog two up at night on an interstate is nothing short of a nightmare. 2. You don't have to be able to get both feet flat on the ground to ride a big bike. I am about five seven and weigh 135 lbs and enjoy my KZ1000, even though I can't back it up into a parking spot without dismounting. 3. Disk brakes are better than drum brakes for street applications, except possibly in the rain. Disk brakes stop the bike quicker, and require much less service than drum brakes. 4. Mag wheels are more reliable and require less maintenance than spoked wheels. 5. Handle mounted fairings and windshields are UNSAFE. Fairings should be mounted to the frame, if installed at all. In general, a bike with a fairing is more difficult to handle, but the fairing can transform marginal motorcycle weather into good motorcycle weather, especially in cold climates. 6. Four stroke bikes are more complex and heavier for a given power output than their two stroke counterparts, but more reliable in general. Two stroke bikes have a narrow power range, which means that you have to keep the revs up and shift all the time. And someone has to be resonsible for oiling down the highways. 7. Clothing is very important. I always subtract twenty to thirty Fahrenheit to start. The composition of the soles of your shoes is another important issue. If you wear smooth soled boots most of the time and switch to sneakers for a trek to the corner, you may be in trouble if you put your foot down while rolling. 8. The pros and cons of used bikes: A three year old 750 is much less expensive than a new 400, and built better, too. There are quite a few things to consider when comparing prices. Condition of the tires, chain and sprockets, motor, gearbox and looks should be considered. If you want to ride a Norton, good luck finding parts. 9. The cost of such trinkets as sissy bars, crash bars, highway pegs, riding hats, a cover, and whatever may make a used bike more attractive. Dealers of new bikes may offer added discounts when the extras are bought with the package. 10. If you ride two up a lot, you might look into a backrest. A backrest adds luggage capacity. Get the one piece custom one from the dealer, as the universal ones don't fit anything right. 11. Learning to ride requires a lot of practice. A big parking lot at the stadium on a quiet sunday is a good proving ground. Feel the limits of the bike's performance. You should not venture to the roadways until you can bring the whole affair to a screeching halt from 60mph. After you have mastered the parking lot after maybe 20 hours of practice, then consider riding a well known lightly trafficked route over and over. Move up to progressively more dangerous rides slowly, in stages. the first months are the most dangerous, BE AWARE, peter p.s. If you want the bike to go to the right, which way do you point the front wheel?