A few motorcycle questions...?

Question

Hey, I'm 19 and considering getting a motorcycle for 4 reasons:
1) Cheaper than a car!
2) Excellent MPG!
3) Cheap insurance!!!
4) Fun!

Here are my questions:
1) I've seen videos where the motorcycle loses control and starts to wobble very quickly, then the rider crashes. Is it because they're doing tricks or is there something they're doing wrong (minus a poorly executed trick)?
2) When parking, do you actually park in a parking space? Or can you just park on the sidewalk (of, for example, Wal-Mart)?
3) Are the majority of motorcycle accidents due to dangerous driving (such as exceeding speed limits, weaving between lanes, etc)?
4) Is it better to buy a new motorcycle (I am considering a Buell Blast) because you never know how well a person takes care of their bike?
5) Does anyone know any good places to get a good, used, motorcycle in Georgia? :)
6) Are there any tips that any veteran drivers have for me?

Thanks for you time!

Answer 1

Anwers:
(1) this is commonly called a "tank slapper". A rapid, high intensity oscillation of the handlebars (literally, slapping the tank side to side). It is a condition of dynamic instability, such as hard acceleration out of a bumpy corner. Classic case would be the rider landing a botched wheelie with the handlebar/front tire turned instead of straight and square.
(2) You should park in a parking space. Parking on the sidewalk generally attracts people (especially kids ) to your bike. All it would take is a little kid to put his hands on the hot exhaust to cause alot of problems.
(3) I don't know the exact statistics but in my opinion one of the leading causes of bike accidents is someone making a left turn in front of you. You have to know how to effectively stop the bike fast.
(4) First of all if this is your 1st bike I wouldn't get a new one. Its not a matter of if you'll crash, its when. It may be a smal tip over but having a new bike to start out with could really take a big chunk out of your wallet. Also you need to take into consideration what type of riding you'll be doing. Are there alot of twisty roads out your way or is it all slab? I'm not a Buell fan but there are many choices of bike to pick from.
(5) I have no idea where to get a bike in GA but I would see if Cycle Trader online has listings in your neck of the woods.
(6) My first tip would be that you take a course with The Motorcycle Safety Foundation. They have these courses all over the country, and its definately an essential to take. Most insurance companies offer discounts if you have done an MSF course.
Another tip would be to get good riding gear. Don't get it after you get the bike. Fingure it all in to the total cost of the bike. In hot areas get top and bottom ballistic nylon gear to keep cool. I can't imagine wearing leathers in GA. I have met the pavement twice in my many years of riding and if it wasn't for my gear I wouldn't be here period.
Good luck and ride safe.
M

Answer 2

1. A couple reasons, poor maint, bad trick, The high speed wobble, like answered above, just let off the gas and hang onif it happens gradually slow down and hang on.
2. You take a space, NEVER park on the sidewalk, gives all of us a bad name. Some places don't mind parking in the lined areas.
3. 66% of accidents happen by collision with a vehicle at an intersection. Of these, the car drivers were between 16-22 and over 65, those who have no experience and those who's reflexes are slower. These were under 25 miles per hour.
4. You can get a good used bike, doesn't have to be new, but with a new one you get the warranty and all.
5. Can't help you there
6. Good tips. Pay attention to the road ahead, and plan on people pulling out in front of you. Don't ride past your capabilities.
Take a Motorcycle Safety Course. Florida is mandatory for a road license under 21 or 24 years of age

Answer 3

1. High speed wobble (called tank slappers). Usually experienced while traveling at high speeds, and nobody really knows why they happen. I've had it happen to me twice and it was pretty scary. What I did was decellerate slowly. Dont get off the gas too quickly because that will make it worse. Just ease off the gas and hang on.

2. I try to park legally most of the time, but cops are lenient with motorcycles. I've seen them park on sidewalks and other non parking spaces.

3. The majority of accidents are caused by cars running into motorcycles

4. New is good, but expect to drop it a few times.

5. Sorry, I've never been to georgia

6. Tips, learn to read the mind of the car drivers, because they do plenty of stupid things, like make left turns directly in the path of bikers. The list of idiotic things cars do is endless, so always expect the unexpected anytime a car is nearby. I have near misses daily when I ride my bike.

Answer 4

Hey Derek, these are all good questions.
1.)Most of the people I’ve seen in videos are messing around, (not a great idea, unless you’re really good, and the people I know who are really good don’t mess around to show off).
2.)You will get a ticket for parking on sidewalks, but you can find other places that are small to park sometimes.
3.)Probably avoidable accidents. Rider skill is very important. If you can spend time riding off-road (dirt). Skidding is slowed down, and you can learn how to control the bike when you loose traction. Its fun and it can save you when you encounter gravel or slick pavement on the street.
4.)A big single like the Blast is a very good choice for a starter. If you go with a used bike see if you can find a bike that has a maintenance history, or get a mechanic to look it over. Bikes are pretty tough, I’ve bought several used ones and have done OK.
5.)cycletrader.com is good for shopping.
6.)Always think defensive, EXPECT other drivers to do the worst things. Take a safety course if it is offered in your area. Learn (and practice) steering the bike, because leaning doesn’t really work. LEARN to do front wheel skids! You can do this in the dirt by letting air out of your front tire 5psi at a time until it gets really squirrelly, after you get the hang of those low speed skids, add the air back in 5psi at a time, so the speeds go up slowly, and you get the feel for what they are like at higher speeds. Only after you can deal with front wheel skids can you really ride. Just remember, you will crash, wear a helmet, good boots, gloves, and for this learning kind’a stuff knee and elbow pads would be a good idea. Good luck!

Answer 5

Just remember when you're saving all that money, to buy a good set of leathers and helmets for both you and any woman crazy enough to get on it with you. Leathers are a lot cheaper to replace than skin grafts, and brain surgery.
If your hearts set on a bike, go take a course. It will lower your insurance and get you experience on smaller bikes before you hit the big time, and you'll get your M/C endorsement right away.
When choosing a bike, talk to salesmen at different dealerships about the type of riding you plan to do. After a while, you'll get an idea of which bike is the best style of bike that will suite your needs. A bike bought through a dealer is always guaranteed for even a short period of time. Not so with one from a private party, and since you don't know anything about bikes, stick with a dealer.

Answer 6

1) high speed wobble, it happens to the best of them- pro riders alike
2)parking space unless you want a ticket, yes they will give you one in some places
3)most accidents happen because of other driver in cars/trucks that can't see you-but there are plenty of idiots on bikes who weave and cause accidents or try to see just how fast they can go on their back wheel*splat*
4)you'll pay a little more for a new bike but get a warranty that you wouldn't with a used bike- the blast looks fun, but remember it's only a 1cyl bike and won't have a ton of power, seems like it would be a good starter bike though
5)try http://www.cycletrader.com you can enter a location to search from
6) helmet laws suck BUT always wear one anyway- i used mine to dent a guys gas tank from underneath his car once(think i dented the bottom of his bumper too)-stay alert at all times , nobody is watching for you-be smart, use your head and take a rider's safety course, if you get the Blast, you can take the course at the Harley dealership-NEVER tail gait, things show up in the middle of the road at the strangest times and you'll never see them if you're on somebody's back bumper-

Answer 7

All really great answers. One thing about parking in spaces, though, park in the center or near the rear of the space. Twice when parking at the end with cars on both sides I have returned to find my bike on its side. Presumably a car driver thought the space wan empty and pulled in fast only to knock down my bike.

Answer 8

I agree, the first 2 guys had excellent replies. I'd get a used Blast, there's plenty of them around, and they go cheap. Good beginner bike, but eventually you will want something bigger so no sense losing a lot of depreciation on a new beginner bike. They typically have very little miles on them too used, just because they did the same thing and wanted bigger a year later.

Answer 9

Both answers by (I dont care and Motorpsycho ) are perfect, I was going to leave the same answer. Please listen to them ! I have a bike and I have been down, draggin my knee and two large pine cones on a blind turn. Be careful !