Why not just buy a motorcycle?

Rnroutlaw · #1 11-16-2008, 03:26 PM

Hey all, In my excitement on my (any day now) motor kit delivery I was talking to one of my friends and I told him about my project and he asked me "why not just buy a motorcycle?" So I took a minute and for some odd reason that thought never crossed my mind. In reality I guess a bicycle with a motor on it is a type of smaller motorcycle. Isn't bigger and faster always better? At least thats what I've been hearing for my whole life. I really didn't have a good solid answer for him. Weird how I don't have any desire to buy a motorcycle but I feel like a child on christmas eve when I am thinking of getting this motor on my bike. Anyone have any similar conversations with people about this?

toytime · #2 11-16-2008, 03:56 PM

"Licence, ownership and insurance please". You will never be sorry with your toy, it will pay for itself in one week.

calvynandhobbs · #3 11-16-2008, 04:31 PM

Yep, what he said. I have been relocated to CT for my job, but my wife and kids are stilling in the house in Michigan. I don't want to bother with changing over my drivers license, getting a motorcycle endorsement on my license or any of that stuff. I just needed something to ride back and forth for my few mile drive to work each day.

Andyinchville1 · #4 11-16-2008, 04:31 PM

HI,

As above plus....I guarantee you the "coolness" / "wow" factor of a nice motorized bike will be WAY higher that that of a standard motorcycle....;-)

Andrew

5-7HEAVEN · #5 11-16-2008, 04:43 PM

"I can fix anything on my motorized bike for cheap."

Out of the tens of milllions of motorcycle owners, how many of them can say that?

None, not a one.

wheelbender6 · #6 11-16-2008, 05:37 PM

First, I wanted to build something (I realize you can build a motorcycle).
Second, I'm a bit of a bicycle geek, so I have a lot of spare parts around.
Third, I will be putting two kids through college starting next year.
I did start out wanting a motorcycle, but conditions steered me to the motorized bicycles and I'm pretty happy with them. Maybe I'll get a Sportster when the kids are done with college. Cheers.

jasonh · #7 11-17-2008, 09:58 AM

I started out wanting a scooter, because they're cheap and economical. Then I found these. Even better. I do want to buy a motorcycle this spring, but even for a cheap one it'll still set me back a few grand instead of a few hundred.

I personally don't have an issue about the license and insurance. I can take the MSF riding course for $200 and skip my DMV license test. Insurance (full coverage) on the bike I want comes out to a whopping $120 a year.

But then I get half the gas mileage, and a lower coolness factor.

So why not just buy a motorcycle right off the bat? These are fun, and cheap.

TexasDav · #8 11-17-2008, 09:25 PM

I have a motorcycle and have built a few custom bikes. But none have the feel of a motorized bicycle. It is the overcoming of problems and when it is built it is so basic. It puts us back to a much simpler time. There is no age barrior. Everyone I have came in contact with is interested in it. Kids on the block know me now. I have heard so many "I used to have something like that when I was a kid" I still like riding my Motorcycle, but for just pleasure riding I take my bike instead.

Creative Engineering · #9 11-17-2008, 10:34 PM

Rnroutlaw,

The following comments will assume that you have never owned a motorcycle.

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 12, (1973), I had a suzuki T/C 90. I rode this bike for two years...pushing it to the limit.

My next bike, (15 years old), was a suzuki RM125A. There were two times that I miscalculated a jump and ended up on the ground! Bruised ego, and a few other bruises, but no real harm.

Fast forward 1981 and a Honda 750/4 special. Had it not been for what I learned about how to handle a bike, I would have been dead.

I have always contended that it's best to start out light and low powered. Balance, reaction time, instinct, must be learned!

So many kids and adults go right to a heavy street cruiser or Cafe' type motorcycle, having never been on a motorcycle! It's a recipe for disaster.

Have fun with your bike! The balance and control you will learn will carry over to a MC.

Jim

ran49 · #10 11-17-2008, 10:36 PM

I wouldn't overlook the safety factor.Speed kills on two wheels due to reduced reaction time.There is the added danger due to not being able to keep up with the flow of traffic but nothing like having some moron pull out in front of you when your doing 60 mph.I tend to ride as fast as circumstances allow and thus much better of with 70cc. Ron