Switch to motorcycle in Atlanta?

Question

Age 41, Planning to Switch to Motorcycle in Marietta, GA. My reasoning:
1. Driven Motorcycle for about 12 years in my 20-early 30s (before I Migrated to USA) - No issues about driving skills
2. Plan to drive only in the City Roads (Home-Work ~9 miles City Roads). Dont plan driving on Freeway or Long distances
3. Save on High Gas costs
4. Love Motorcycle riding
Qs:
1. I hear it is a risk in US since Car drivers who dominate the road dont see a M/c... Not sure if this is the case for City Roads too.
2. Have a good Driving record in US for several years: -Any ball Park on what Insurance cost would be?
3.Looking for a used Motrorcycle : Advise me on the best make and Model - Budget 5K
4. Any other tip

Answer 1

I made the same change as you are contemplating. I have a Honda 450 and I get 50 MPG city and 70-MPG highway. My insurance cost is $100 per year!
I live in San Diego though and we get very little rain. There is a real problem with driving a bike in the rain. The getting wet part is nothing compared to the sliding around corners part! As much as it rains down your way you will probably need an alternate form of transportation
In the U.S. you will need to be a very defensive driver. People oftentimes won't see you. I have people change into my lane all the time. Fortunately a motorcycle doesn't need much room to escape.
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Answer 2

I think that's a wise transition. I ride a Honda Reflex 40 miles to work every morning and 40 miles back in the evening, assuming I go straight home (rarely).

1. Motorcycles are invisable to people driving cars no matter where you are riding, city or rural areas. People in cars just don't look for motorcycles. Therefore, ANYTHING you can do to be more visable will help such as using signals, wearing bright colors, and reflective tape on the bike, jacket, and helmet for night riding, will help.

2. Insurance costs are differant all across the country. I've never understood why one person is charged more or less for the same exact insurance another person has, even with the same skill level. I have Progressive and I pay $200 a year.

3. I'm a big Honda fan, and have always been happy with how well these bikes ride, and how easy they are to maintain. If you are looking for mileage then a smaller displacement bike 250-600cc like the Rebel or Shadow. Since you stated you will be commuting only 9 miles, a scooter may fit your need as well.
Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kymco all make scooters that would fit your need, and scooters are generally cheeper to insure.

4. Motorcycle Safty Class if you have not riden in a long while, and read a lot of those motorcycle riding books that are out there these days. When I can't ride in the winter, I have my nose stuck in one of those riding books and always look for more to read. I think, I would go nuts if I didn't read about riding when I can't ride.

I think, you are on the right track. If I didn't have the Reflex, I'd be broke by now. Good luck finding the right bike.
Ride Safe

Craig

Answer 3

I live just a little east of Atlanta and ride an old CX500.

1. Yeah, sometimes drivers are a bit less likely to notice. Although I've found Atlanta drivers are pretty polite. Been stuck in traffic on the Downtown Connector before and some other drivers often would let me into gaps with a friendly nod. But it's often best to ride like you're invisible, as others said.

2. I've got a pretty good record, but I'm a good bit younger than you. My insurance costs around $250 per year. At your age you can probably get better rates than I can, though. It depends on the bike, though - a CBR600RR would cost a lot more than something like a Ninja 250.

3. Good bikes. If you want gas mileage, a great choice might be a Kawasaki Ninja 250 - I hear they routinely get 70+ mpg. Or take a look at a Buell Blast, as they are designed so that the only routine maintenance is changing the oil and checking the tires. Most one cylinder dual sports ought to work pretty well, too. If you want more power, check out a Honda 599, Ninja 500 or 650, or a Suzuki SV650 or DL650 V-Strom. You can probably find any of these on your budget and they're decent, comfortable city bikes but may not get the mileage of some of the smaller options.

4. Might want to take the MSF BRC class as a bit of a refresher training, as you've been out of the saddle for a while. Or get the bike first and take the shorter ERC class for experienced riders.

Answer 4

I have lived and rode bikes in Atlanta for the past 19 years. As everyone else has mentioned, the drivers / traffic here are pretty brutal. Too many rich housewives yapping on the phone in their SUVs and too many yuppies in thier bmws who think that they must always be first. The surface roads in marietta will be clogged during rush hour. I live in west marietta and work in alpharetta, luckily I don't work during standard business hours so I get to avoid rush hour. What is worse than the cars not seeing the bikes, is the cars that do see them and decide that they are an 'easy target' when they are trying to cut in front of someone so they can get into a turning lane / interstate enterance at the last second (an atlanta tradition). The plus side is once you get out of the metro area, the motorcycling is great. North Ga. has some of the best riding in the country. As far as insurance, I pay about $375 a year but that is full coverance on a big twin HD. For used bikes, check out WOW motorcycles on highway 41. They have a very large stock of used bikes.

Answer 5

I am from GA and been to Atlanta. They drive rough from what I have seen.
Since you know how to ride and can concentrate on traffic I really don't see a problem there. You have to be careful though, they will look right through you. No matter where you ride.
They insurance depends on what kind of bike you have. I own a Vstar Custom and mine is 200 a year. I am 47.
I don't know what kind you want cruiser, sportbike ? Personally I wouldn't buy a used one. For 5K I got a 2006 brand new. Don't have to worry about someone elses headache.

Answer 6

Ride like you are invisible.

I rode around Atlanta at rush hour. While people drive fast and follow motorcycles too closely, I still found them to be better, and more courteous drivers than in South Texas.

Answer 7

Atlanta's traffic is pretty rough. but if you are experienced it might not be much of a bother to you. It also rains a good deal there.