PlanetCatfish.com

RickE re eyecandy:
YUM. If I was a giant, I would wear that on a necklace.
If Russell Crowe and that bike were standing side by side and I had to pick one,...hmmmm. The bike is younger and probably more fun!

Grokefish wrote:

Like this........................

Now there's a good reason to keep my mind open to buying a used bike. I already have lots of metal working tools so this would be a nice fit for me. Don't have a tap and die set but The Bigger Half bought me new vice grips for our first Christmas (That's what I asked for).

Re the girl stuff: I am finding that there are many things to keep in mind that are simply size issues and you're right, I am shorter, 5'3", so I will have to find ways of making my bike work with me.

Bike pros and cons for the ladies:
Cons: see Sidguppy's comment above, I was hesitant to use the sexism card but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the salesman probably wouldn't have given the same advice to a newbie male. Just something for me to keep in mind along with overall size issues.
Pros: Actually using the sexism card in my favour for a change - I have no trouble at all getting lots of staff members wanting to help me and even on the phone, male staff members want to talk my ear off and impress me with their knowledge and female staff members are just as awesome because they've found a kindred spirit. Brilliant. I shall not snivel about the minor amount of sexism that I come across on this journey! You guys alone have proved that there's very little of it among the best people.

Slight change in plans for my trip to the Honda Dealer - will have to go Monday. Found a Yamaha dealer about an hour away - the nice part is that they also specialize in custom work so that should be a fun trip!
Will be looking at the Yamaha V-Star 250 which sounds like it's actually a Virago...sweet. And most shocking of all - the 2010 model is under $4000.
Info here:http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/mot ... 71139.html

Get yourself a nice classic Honda CB; light, small, affordable and they last forever.

and dead easy to drive; I had my lessons on the 2 cylinder modernised version of Marc's old 4 cylinder Honda CB.

Honda CB, there must be a million of em or more in a long range of different versions; 2 cylinder, 4 cylinder, touring bike, sporty bike; you name it

I have to admit, I hear it from almost anyone I know; when it comes to quality, long lasting and fewest garage visits ever: Honda is THE bike.

it's the Toyota in the motor world.

Marc van Arc wrote:Get yourself a nice classic Honda CB; light, small, affordable and they last forever.

Everyone MUST own a CB at some point!!

Honda CB!
Sheesh, don't want to step on anyone's style-toes but that the only style I really don't go for at all. It's dorky looking and I've had my fill of dorky - I ride the buses for ** sake! I'm on a venture to ditch the sane look and find my old self again.
My Dad had one of those.
Postmen used to drive those.
If you guys look like your pictures at all, YOU can get away with driving anything including a tricycle but I just can't consider that particular bike.

Maybe if I were to paint it camouflage and pretend it's from wartime...Royal UN-field or Norton-esque.
I'll look up some videos and see if I can cool-ify one. They are mighty cheap and the manuals are available everywhere.

Just paused to look at the Honda CB and there's lots under that name that are sweet, it's just the upright 1960's style like the Honda CB 500 Four K that I don't like. No change in pulse whatsoever.

Honda CB-1 ? MMMM nice, Honda CB Twister or Honda CB Dazzler? Very Nice.
I'll try to keep an open mind but like the comment mentioned before , If I don't absolutely LOVE it's whole personality, I won't want to adopt it. No one falls in love because the person first strikes them as 'pleasant'.

Honda dealership comments Monday after work.

Yes, I understand your feelings and you're definitely not stepping on my toes.
The thing is that I've had my bike since 1979 (it's from 1976) and I 've grown rather fond of it in those 30 years. Besides, it's crammed with memories.
Just for fun some pictures (taken last year):

Very nice Marc, she's in lovely original condition. Takes me back to my youth when I desperately wanted a 750/4. (A gold one though!)

Honda CB!
Sheesh, don't want to step on anyone's style-toes but that the only style I really don't go for at all. It's dorky looking and I've had my fill of dorky - I ride the buses for ** sake! I'm on a venture to ditch the sane look and find my old self again.
My Dad had one of those.

That is kinda funny...I did ride a CB1100F for a time...didn't seem that dorky then...but then I am a dad too. (It was a rather top heavy brute though, you would not have liked it Bananas.)

Birger

Marc wrote:

..The thing is that I've had my bike since 1979 (it's from 1976) and I 've grown rather fond of it in those 30 years. Besides, it's crammed with memories....

The memories alone make that bike worth a bundle - Nice! Also like your yard, looks so peaceful and serene. Maybe the 30 years of taking care of that bike also shows in how neat and orderly your outside space is. Hope that makes sense.

Does a CBR count as a "CB"? In that case, I fulfil the criteria of "owning one in your life as a motorcyclist". I have also ridden the CB500 twin cylinder model as a loaner bike from the shop where I had my bike serviced. That is a fun bike to ride when you are used to a bigger bike, as there's no "fear" in using the throttle - as long as you have a tiny bit of sense and experience, it's gentle and you can hold it wide open for more than a few seconds at a time...

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Mats

$900 for a non-running 2000 Suzuli SV650S
Should I consider these type ads if I'm willing to learn how to fix it up from scratch?
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/SUZUKI/SV650 ... ycles_atvs
Already read that the forks should be replaced as the '00 stock forks are less than nice.


Opinions?

I wouldn't buy a non-running bike as a first bike. You want to RIDE it, not build it. It doesn't say clearly what is wrong with it, and I very much doubt the owner took the library picture used in the advert, so at the very least, before you go out there, get some pictures and details of WHAT needs fixing.

I wouldn't worry about forks [unless they are what makes it a non-runner - in which case it may get a bit expensive to fix].

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Mats

Thanks MatsP,
I've emailed for details and pics. The ad says that parts are hard to find but I've had no trouble finding parts that I randomly picked from the manual. The snow will be here shortly so unfortunately I probably won't be riding until spring.

Entertaining the thought of looking for the dirt bike people that regularly ride through the winter on trails - there may be someone who I can pay to teach me to ride on one of them while I wait for spring.

Am going to look at a Honda CBR 125 later this week.

CBR125 is a nice small bike. I bit low on power to be a longer term bike, but for a year or so, sure.

An off-road bike is an excellent way to learn bike-skills (rule is: when in doubt, gas it! ;) )

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Mats

If you're going the dirt route, why not just get a dual sport as your first bike and have the best of both worlds. It'll be lighter and have better power to weight than that CBR125 also.

MatsP wrote:CBR125 is a nice small bike. I bit low on power to be a longer term bike, but for a year or so, sure.

An off-road bike is an excellent way to learn bike-skills (rule is: when in doubt, gas it! ;) )

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Mats

Agreed with this but 5'3 and dirt bike is not so good, I have problems with dirt bikes and I'm 5'6 thats why I stuck with trials bikes when off road.

Good thinking, Gary.

Only slight problem is that they tend to have long suspension travel, (even I, at 1m90/6'3", have problems flat footing a Triump Tiger, for example) putting the seat quite high up. But one of the smaller models will be a good plan, I think.

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Mats

I'll have to look at more dirt bike/street crosses. Just looked at the Suzuki DR200SE. Kind of perfect but with a seat height of 31.9 inches - just a wee too much stretch for me.

The honda CBR125 has a higher seat than I'd like but apparently the bike is somewhat skinny so it's doable. Speedwise, MatsP is right about the speed, several sites don't recommend using it as a highway bike unless you're VERY experienced because it has no real power. The speedo says 200mph but the reviewer said it would only ever reach that if it was thrown from an airplane! I still like it and since they're so cheap, it may be worth considering to learn to ride.

2010 -Star V-Star 250 looked like smallish fun but the dealers here don't have one in stock and won't be ordering one any time soon. Lots in Toronto, so maybe there will be one at the bike show in December.
Here:http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/mot ... 71139.html

Hooked up with a forum to talk to other women about dirt/street crosses. Maybe will find more things to look at from them.

RE the old Honda CB's - Motorcycle Classics Magazine came in the mail today. Maybe I spoke to soon about them

Okay, one more then I'll get off youtube...darn brain-sucking website...

Found the bike - Honda CBR 125R.
So I'll stop bugging everyone soon but I really appreciate all your help, It's made me so much more confident about learning.

Tried a used Savage today and it's really cute and 'cool' but the throttle etc is on a really funny angle and I naturally sat with my back all hunched instead of bending at the hip joint. It's like a lazyboy chair but to drive you have to reach out too far if you get my meaning. They're so cheap, I may have to consider this for a toy someday. I can't see anyone over my height not looking a bit funny on it - it's really small!

The CBR was ultra easy to move around and lean over. It's light as a feather and so forgiving that they use it here for the official bike courses. Felt like I could just back it out of the line up and drive home

I asked about maintenance and was told that other than routine oil change etc, it never needs any maintenance. He said I would probably trade up before I ever have to get something done to it. They sell about forty a year and aside from ones that get smushed, they never have to fix them. This is our big dealership with the biggest motorbike garage. Kind of sad because I was really looking forward to that part. I'll get the manual anyway and will at least be able to take off the fairings etc to see what's where and how to check all the goodies.

Got the brochure for the dirtbike course in the spring too. Dirtbike/sport crosses are very pricey around here - yikes.
Signed up for their Ladies Night Garage. They hold that about 4 times a year and close the whole building off to any men. Lots of tech talk, instruction etc.

Sooo, they have three CBR's there:
3 2009 for $2800 (2 year warranty)
4 2008 for $2299 (1 year warranty)
1 2008 that just came in used today - not even tuned or cleaned up or whatever it is they do before they move it out to the floor BUT....it's from the instructional course that I have to take at the college. 30 day warranty and he's checking to see if there's still any of the extended warranty left on it. That one is $1700 but will probably take less if I show up with the cash.

If it was used to teach - I'm thinking I should worry about the clutch going??
I can order the 2010 but according to the things I read about that bike, there's been no changes on any of them 2008/09/10.

All of them would be stored free for the winter.

My brain is saying the new 2008 with the 1 year warranty because I probably won't have it for two years, so why pay the extra if there's been no changes to the bike other than a bit of cosmetics. Think I should consider the used 2008 that was a learner?

Don't worry - no highways on this little bike! We have enough twisty little roads.

I suspect, if they use it as a learner bike, the clutch is pretty unbreakable. Or easy/cheap to replace. You wouldn't use a bike for training if it's got a sensitive clutch. And you can at least believe that a learner-bike is well maintained when it comes to oil-changes and such. Ask how much it costs to replace the clutch - perhaps even negotiate a new clutch before buying? I doubt that any other part of the bike will have suffered from being a lerner bike [as long as it's straight - and again, you don't use bikes that "bend" easily as a learner bike!].

I'd recommend you go for the ex-learner-bike, myself. Price is that much better. Just make sure that you get out on the bike [or someone else does] at least a bit before the thirty days is over. If that's going to be unpractical, see if you can pay (a deposit) for the bike, and leave it with the shop until you are in a position to take it out on the roads - after all, a thirty day warranty isn't very long.

And I guarantee that in less than a year, you'll want a bigger bike. But it's fine to start on a small bike. And after your first bike, you will have much more of an idea of what you actually want from the bike.

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Mats

Will let you know my progress but first, here is your birthday present. Same poem but a little faster...

Twas the Night before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a cyclist was stirring, I sat on my couch.
The boots were hung up by the chimney with care,
In hopes that my bike soon would be there.

The gloves were nestled all snug in their box,
I had visions of corners that really rock.
And straight-away rockets, want just one more lap
I couldn’t settle in, for this long winter’s nap.

When out in the snow, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the spot to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a truck with some bikes and all kinds of gear!

"A Kawi, Ducati! And the brand new Tenere!
And there was the Blade that I’d wanted all year!
To the end of the drive, I flew like a shot.
He said “Take your pick, Lady, this is all that I got.

And then, in a twinkling, He spoke it quite loud,
“Go away Snow!” And it went in a cloud.
As I sucked in my breath, there did appear,
The track from the Italian Grand Moto Premier.

I was dressed all in black, from my head to my foot,
My Blade was all naked and the colour of soot.
Eight tiny racers pulled up to my side,
They were all of his elves and they wanted to ride.

They sprang to the lead, with crazy elf laughs,
I jumped in behind and snuck up in their drafts.
An elf in the corner went over the rail,
His Zuki unhappy, g a trail

The lead elf was German and his bike was one too,
He was arcing and sliding and I slipped right on through
Four more before me, I studied their style.
One was quite lazy and I passed him and smiled.

A maniac elf on the Kawi up front, made a wild and blind move,
And he paid for his stunt.
There were two bad ass riders who traded the lead,
I followed and watched on my trustly black steed.

The elf on Ducati was most cautious of all,
so I challenged him fairly as the other did fall.
Ducati and I cornered long on the last
And we smiled and we laughed as Santa roared past!

I pulled over and grinned, as they raced into the night,
Safe biking to all and to all a fair fight!

Thanks andywoolloo!
I've butchered that poor poem a dozen times now but it just lends itself so nicely to whatever's on one's mind
It's funny, I just realized that if I look back over the years, I can use that poem to track the fetish-of-the-moment in my whole life history. The catfish one is still my pride and joy but Jools has to change it back to 'Twas the night before Catfish!
Happy Holidays!

This is what LNB's bike will do in the hands of young riders on a race-track!


(It's rather long!)

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Mats