Motorcycles

get a Minsk, Tom

New Vincent Black Shadow:





www.vincentmotors.com

I never liked bikes w/radiators; ruins the whole "engine & 2 wheels" concept. But I guess alot of bikes are alot more than just an engine and 2 wheels.

Yeah, you need like, handlebars and stuff... I'm not a huge fan of the engine in this (not very true to the original at all) but it does make 130HP, so I think that would be okay by me.

Some pics of one of my bikes. Aprilia Tuono. Also have the Duc Monster 1000 and Honda CBR600RR as a track bike. BTW These pics are about 10 minutes from my house. We have awesome riding in WV.

The Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory is my favorite. Superb! I'm getting one in spring. --trajan

Originally Posted by j

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New Vincent Black Shadow:

www.vincentmotors.com

Great. Now you've gone and made me want a motorcycle.

I actually signed up for motorcycle lessons for January. You guys with experience, please advise something: is the triumph triple ok for a first bike? I don't know if it matters, but I'm 6'2" and around 190 lbs.

Originally Posted by Renault78law

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I actually signed up for motorcycle lessons for January. You guys with experience, please advise something: is the triumph triple ok for a first bike? I don't know if it matters, but I'm 6'2" and around 190 lbs.

No,it's not a good first bike. You're gonna drop your first bike. Period. Get something with a lower seat height to start, like a used Duc Monster 600 or a Suzuki SV650 and spend the money you save on safety gear. You won't get hammered on the resale and when you drop it or crash it you won't freak out. Check out bayarearidersforum.com for more detailed advice. Oh, and get to the track and do some trackdays once you're comfortable on the bike. You will improve exponentially after doing a trackday. Mike

I second the Suzuki SV650(S) for a first time bike, its not too fast and sits right between the Sport and touring range.

Also that Aprilia is teh sex.

I think my first big bike will probably be a Gixxer or a Honda CBR600RR. One of these summers I hope to have enough money to pick up another bike, or just get a decent used ride.

My latest....

Kawasaki 150cc 2 stroke. Turning me into quite the stroker fan - very fast. A lot of top end, as you go up through the revs, it just hits this sweet spot and launches.

Loving it.

Generally a lack of bottom end would bother me, but it works out pretty well for the traffic here. The insane clog of motorbikes around town is hell on fast bikes (you cant reign them in), this bike is pretty good, since it isnt so fast off the mark, it is ok around town since I just keep it at low RPMs, and then has plenty of Go when I want it on the highway.

Bought it from the police market for 3.8 million dong - about $250. Illegally imported from Cambodia and confiscated (and then resold with a note to show any police that may stop me and ask that basically says 'dont mess with him, he bought it from us'.

A mess at that point, have spent about $700 on the restoration, and am pretty damn happy with the results.

Have to buy a speedo/tacho next weekend in Bangkok, then itll be done.

cross posting this with the Target thread in Streetwear because I am a self centered bastard... Anyone have an opinion of the Target Merona motorbike jacket pictured below for actual motorbike use? Next Chaly Rally will be racing the Minsk Club up north where it gets coooold.

The jacket fits way too loose and looks like it has no provisions for armor. A jacket that is actually made to provide you protection in a crash will never be comfortable enough or stylish enough to wear as a casual piece.

Leather also isn't very warm on its own. Windproof yes, but not insulating at all. For cold weather riding you'd be better off buying a used Firstgear Kilimanjaro touring jacket or something like that.

Originally Posted by mikesduc

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The jacket fits way too loose and looks like it has no provisions for armor. A jacket that is actually made to provide you protection in a crash will never be comfortable enough or stylish enough to wear as a casual piece.

I agree that the pictured jacket is waaaaaaay too loose for riding but I disagree about there being no stylish jackets that can be worn on motorcycles and casually. Vanson and Schott have some that can be worn (IMO) either way. Maybe (european) Avirex (not sure about that though) Jackets with armor can look odd but there are some jackets in which the armor is hardly noticable and removeable. Expensive though...

Anyone have any recommendations for leather pants? I was looking at Schott 110s. I guess Vansons are an option. Don't really know of any other quality makers and I don't want chaps.