Best Ride For You

Archive for the ‘Motorcycle Types’ Category

Piaggio MP3

The Piaggio MP3 is a 3 wheeled scooter that leans like a motorcycle. This forward-thinking idea involves extra parts that require extra maintenance, yet decreases the entry level skill of balancing a scooter. With double the tire surface contact on the front, it also allows for much higher performance.

There’s also a convenience factor. you don’t have to consider where your kickstand is going to land. The scooter holds itself up! This makes load a passenger easy, easier scooter maintenance, and less leg work for those that may have slight disabilities.

The cost is around $9000. Smaller CC models(250cc and 400cc) of the Piaggiao MP3 cost less. Motorcycle licensing will be required in most areas.

Will a Piaggio MP3 scooter save you money? That depends on many variables. As a sole source of transportation, most likely, but as a second vehicle, probably not. It’s the maintenance and insurance costs for the scooter that stop the savings you get in fuel costs.

The storage capacity is much larger than it appears. Errands like running for milk and bread are no problem. There are accessories, like scooter saddlebags, that will work well too.

As with any vehicle, you will need training to be safe on an MP3. It is easier to ride than a motorcycle, but the risks for untrained riders are still significant.

httpv://il.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj1irO5UY68&feature=fvw

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Harley Davidson Cruiser. Image via Wikipedia

Cruiser motorcycles come in a large variety of sizes and models. On top of the large variety, there is a huge market for aftermarket upgrades and customization. If you want a one-of-a-kind motorcycle, the cruiser is the only way to go. If you want comfort and style he cruiser is great, if you’re only considering shorter rides. The cruiser is capable of long rides, but they lack the ability of the touring motorcycle.

I don’t suggest cruisers for starter motorcycles because the lack the stability of a standard motorcycle. However, they do hold an advantage for short riders because of the low seating position. If being able to touch the ground with your flat foot is important to you, a small cruiser may be your best option for learning to ride.

The make of cruiser you buy should depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want -

• Price
• Quality
• Comfort
• Looks
• Technology
• Old-School Technology
• New Technology that looks like old school.
• High Performance
• Lifestyle
• High Weight Capacity
• the list of choices could go on and on

Here’s the thing about your cruiser choice. You can have a combination of qualities, but it’s rare to find a combination of all choices in one bike. There is a give and take that happens when producing a motorcycles. This balance is weighted towards one type of rider or another and the companies put their investment in bikes that will appeal to the largest groups. Let’s take a brief look at some of the groups.

Harley-Davidson Cruisers

For some people, Harley-Davidson embodies all that they dream about. They buy “the lifestyle”. If that’s you’re thing and you have money for it, go ahead, but don’t forget to load up your checking account before buying. These people could care less about specs. It’s about the looks. Harley specs pretty much stay the same and if you don’t like them, you can pay a fortune to change the bikes performance and capabilities. There are some tech advances used by Harley, but they’re rarely a draw towards the motorcycle. Often, in the case of the watercooled V-Rod, the Harley-Davidson crowd will discount these advances as junk because they deviate from the basic Harley design. If Harley covers all of your wants in a motorcycle, no other brand will give you what you need.

Close Harley-Davidson Knock-Offs

Harley-Davidson alternative bikes are plentiful. Victory Motorcycles are much more technologically advanced and they are made in America. They’re expensive too, but you get the advantage of a motorcycle that outperforms Harley on nearly every level, except “lifestyle”. Large CC Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha V-Twins are cheaper Harley knock-offs that perform well, but lack in looks and overall quality. The drive trains exceed Harley, but the ornamental pieces are commonly plastic and cheap.

Cruisers That Only Borrow The Harley Seating Position.

There are many cruisers that resemble the Harley setting position, but that’s where it ends. Triumph’s triples, Honda’s V-4′s, and other configurations are great performers. Generally speaking, the less the motor looks and sounds like a Harley-Davidson V-Twin, the more value you get for the money. V-Twin’s are antique and the Harley sound is created when the antique technology is used. Motorcycles that do not require this retro look and sound can excel at smooth operation, power, and increased engine life. They are even less expensive to manufacture, so the price is more reasonable.

In Conclusion

Consider these options when buying a cruiser. There is one out there that is the perfect bike for you if you consider what qualities you most need in a motorcycle. I would say that you are crazy if you forego motorcycling altogether just because you cannot afford a Harley-Davidson. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Ride within your means and you’ll enjoy it more than a monthly payment bike.

Honda Rebel starter bike. Image via Wikipedia

Starter motorcycles are the 250 c.c. motorcycles that I see many people start to learn on. They are light, easy to control, and affordable. The most popular is the Honda Rebel, so I’ll go with it for my pick as the best starter motorcycle. If you want the sport bike look and feel, go for the Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Here’s the problem with the Honda Rebel. It’s low! To low for many tall people. It also doesn’t have the power that a slightly larger motorcycle would have. The same could be said for the Ninja 250. For just a little more money, you could buy a Suzuki GS500 and have a very manageable motorcycle that you will not outgrow quickly. Carefully consider your options before buying. If you get it wrong, the small starter bikes do hold their value very well due the demand for them.

If you are a responsible rider, the GS500 is not powerful enough to really get you into trouble, yet it will be powerful enough for long highway speed rides once your skills are up to speed. The key decision factors to a starter motorcycle are:

1. Can you touch flat footed on the ground?
2. Is the motorcycle light enough for you to handle and pick up if dropped.
3. Can you afford the insurance and payments? Sport bike styles are always more expensive to insure.
4. Can you get a decent resale value when you trade up later?
5. Is there a model that can be both a starter bike and a long term bike that fits me? If so buy it.

I use these examples because they are the most popular. Check out the comparable models for price and other features you like. It’s not uncommon for a Suzuki or Yamaha 250 to cost less new than what a used Honda Rebel costs, and these other brands are quality motorcycles too.

Scooters are a viable option for just about any rider that wants to save fuel. Scooters range from tiny 50cc models to 650cc. The tiny ones will barely get you around town, while the larger ones can take you down the interstate without a problem.

The positives are that most are purpose built. You buy them to get you around cheaply and they are fun. It’s not uncommon for them to get over 60mpg. They are easier for riders that cannot swing their leg over a seat of a motorcycle. Their insurance is cheap and sometimes not required at all. Maneuverability is very simple and the learning curve to ride is slight. Automatic transmissions are also common.

The negatives are the the smaller cc versions are slow. Not as slow as you would suspect, but nowhere near what a similar motorcycle would do. The smaller wheels and other parts do not last as long as a motorcycle. Their high speed handling characteristics cannot compare with a motorcycle and the scooter should be carefully reconsidered for any high speed riding.

If you want a cheap gas saving fun machine to get around town and slow rural settings, the scooter is a nice alternative.

Some Major Brands Are:

• Honda
• Yamaha
• Suzuki
• Piaggo
• Vespa
• Aprilia
• Kymco
• And a myriad of Chinese knock-offs, some of which aren’t that bad.

My favored brand is Honda. Second favorite would be Suzuki, especially their Burgman. I’ve heard rave reviews for Kymco, a newer brand. Vespas are PRICEY, but they are the world standard in scooters.