Figured there is enough of us, and no ongoing topic.

My DD is actually my bike, 2012 Ninja 650.
I have yet to actually take a picture of it lol, but here it is



It's a nice mix of enough power, ergo's and more importantly, MPG. It excels at that, with my last tank getting 62MPG, and two other tanks hitting 60 MPG. Rode year-round, in temps as low as 5-10F. Also rode home in the snow.... don't do that.

I also have two Quads (ATV's). Will get pics sometime shortly....
2006 Polaris Outlaw 500 IRS (independent rear suspension)

2008 Polaris Outlaw 525 S (solid rear axle)

Many quad-nuts hate on polaris, some for valid reasons, but the IRS has no competition in the mountains, where rocks, bumps and ruts are prevalent. I'd only wish I had the 525 KTM motor in that one as well... it is crazy. The 525 S has the KTM, and about 60 lbs less while also having very little drive train loss compared to IRS. It's honestly one of the fastest quads I've ridden, and I've been on a ton (450's, 660 rap, 400 2 strokes, 350 yam, 400 ex, 400 suz, etc).

Been riding the bike for a little over a year, started on a CBR250R... fun in it's own ways. Been riding quads for 20 years, almost all 2WD Manual sport-quads. Definitely up for some rides if anyone is interested (quads/dirt bikes). I frequent Left-Hand Canyon (so close), Rampart Range, Walden Dunes, IMI in Dacono.

What's everyone else's other motorized toys? Have to be some dirt-bikers here, and I certainly know there are other sport bike riders and a cruiser guy or two...

I'd love to get a dirt bike, but alas... no space, no money, no time, yada yada.

Nothing special. Just your basic '09 zx6r:rolleyes:

Nice, I dig it. Ride much?

Hey moose, mind commenting on using a bike as your dd? I've been thinking about saving up my money from summer work and work study to get a used bike (probably just a little 250cc bike) to have at school. Weather is fairly similar there as it is here. How often are you unable to actually ride due to weather (like percentage wise or whatever works best)?

As to not blatantly repost, you'll find my 2-wheeled rigs here in Andy's thread.

Never grew up on dirtbikes or mopeds or anything like that, but bought my first motorcycle in '99 and took all of (3) days before I got hit by a car. I've been improving ever since! =)

Various bikes that I've owned:
1999 Yamaha YZF-R6
2000 Yamaha YZF-R1
2004 Yamaha YZF-R1
2002 Ducati 748
2007 Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory
2013 MV Agusta F3

And just so we're clear.... Motorcycles > Cars (yes, even Mazdas)

Learjet45 wrote:Hey moose, mind commenting on using a bike as your dd? I've been thinking about saving up my money from summer work and work study to get a used bike (probably just a little 250cc bike) to have at school. Weather is fairly similar there as it is here. How often are you unable to actually ride due to weather (like percentage wise or whatever works best)?

Its all dependent on your own comfort levels of course, but I rode probably 99% of the time. Snow melts quickly here, which meant 2-3 days of no riding during a winter storm. Had a couple of weeks downtime between flats, projects, etc. Other than that, I rode. I'd estimate I didn't ride about 20 days in the past year. However, I rode in the rain and sometimes in the very cold. I dressed for it and had the gear, but its something to consider. Frost or ice is a big concern in winter. Rain is easy to ride in, snow is obvious to avoid... But frost or ice is invisible and deadly on a bike. But for me, bikes offer a feeling that cars can't replicate. My bike is my norm, and I feel far more odd when I drive now. I'd highly recommend a used 250 for starting. Also MSF.

mOOsE wrote:Nice, I dig it. Ride much?

Moi? Sadly work (M-F, commute) keeps me from riding as much as I'd like. I do however take the bike to work a few time a month and can be found on 'her' on weekends.

I commend you for dr (daily riding) though. I'm not sure I could hack that...it'd be stressful for me, dodging stupid drivers w/o ceasing.

~Barn~ wrote:
…bought my first motorcycle in '99 and took all of (3) days before I got hit by a car. I've been improving ever since! =

And just so we're clear.... Motorcycles > Cars (yes, even Mazdas)

Ha ha, I would concur with both Barn and moose. There's just something so freeing about bikes that cars just simply cannot duplicate. Perhaps the ever-present awareness of death? The amount of control and foresight required? The relationship between your warm rubber and the road? The sound your steed makes and the feeling it gives you when you twist the wrist? Ahhh...

Any who, I know the good ole CSC has rides, but I still think a "cmzc" sponsored ride would be...kewl.

kingtut wrote:There's just something so freeing about bikes that cars just simply cannot duplicate. <Snip...>

My buddy Josh on the CSC has this passage as his signature.... I'm not sure if it's his original thoughts or if he's borrowing it from somebody, but I'd say it's a pretty succinct description...

"A ride on a summer afternoon can border on the rapturous. The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul."

~Barn~ wrote:My buddy Josh on the CSC has this passage as his signature.... I'm not sure if it's his original thoughts or if he's borrowing it from somebody, but I'd say it's a pretty succinct description...

"A ride on a summer afternoon can border on the rapturous. The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul."

I ride in the morning in February is like a punch in the ovary, because lets face it, when it's 9F on your bike, I think they technically turn into ovaries.

I've done my share of winter time riding but the older I get, the more I realize I'm a fair-weather kinda guy. If/When I ever get a more proper touring or sport-touring bike though, I might invest in some heated gear.

Nothing special here just your 600 cbr. All stock.
Not really into making motorcycles fast as it scares the shit out of me.
But def a fun and enjoyable ride

This is all I have that isn't a car:

Jealous of the bike owners. I really really want one but I keep spending money on electronic toys that could have been used to pay down debt and free up money for a bike. One of these days I will get one. Saw this beauty today when I was dropping my dad off to pick up his Road King Classic after getting his 25,000 mile service done.

So since it seems like there's a decent amount of people here with bikes, I was wondering if you all might be able to offer some advice on looking for a beginner's bike.
My main use would be running simple errands (and also to have some fun) when in NY and mostly fun at home during the summers if I don't store it there.
Given a budget of say around $2k or $2500 (I'm hoping I can save up somewhere around that amount by the end of summer/beginning of school), what would you all recommend as a good beginner's bike? Clearly I'm not looking for anything crazy fast or powerful. What are some things to look out for when buying a used bike?