So, I'm thinking about getting a bike.

[Acolyte]

This whole take-taxis-and-buses crap everywhere in school is really getting to me. The Windsor cabbies scare me to hell, I'm afraid of getting raped or shot on the buses (Yes, I am a guy. That says something about the creepiness.), and if I want to leave town, I can just forget about it between cost and odd-ass times.

So, I'm thinking 'I should get a cheap car.' I find a few I like and go out to price out insurance.
[i]$6000 a year for a $4000 Civic?! WHAT THE FUCK?![/url]
Ok, yeah, I'm in a pretty bad position for car insurance. In Windsor, I'm a student (1) living away from home (2), REALLY far away (3), with 2 speeding tickets in the past 5 years (4), one of them in a school zone (5), who's trying to get insured in Ontario (6), in a city that's got a pretty high crime rate (7) with a out-of-province license (8). But still, insane.

So, I start looking at motorbikes. I find a few I like for around $4000 and price out insurance. $1800-ish to insure it the months I'm at school-now that's more like it! (I'd take the insurance off it and throw it in a storage box for the summer). I finally found this nice little deal (http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=&Region=900&subcategory=-1&CAT=4&ADID=6303057&ADS=6303057%7C). If I can OK it with the 'rents and get a decent job during the school year, I may just have the money for this.

Anyways, any of you have anything to say about having a bike as a primary vehicle? It wouldn't be a high-use vehicle-run out once in a while to the mall or school or somebody's house or the store or what-have you. Maybe the odd trip to visit my friend in other cities on some of the lesser highways (NOT hitting the 401. I felt afraid there when I drove a Crown Vic-I'd have a heart attack on a motorbike). I know the obvious stuff-Yeah, I'll probably dump it someday, cars are ALL out to get me, ect-but anybody have any other bits of advice for me?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

My husband had one before we started dating (we were friends for a long time before we dated) and he says once the novelty wears off, having a bike as a primary vehicle sucks.

You get sick of getting rained on/sunburned/bugged on, get stiff and uncomfortable on long highway trips, you can't haul anything, and frankly, the number of idiot drivers out there trying to kill you is just too high.

He said it was very cool at first, then it started sucking and didn't let up.

[FuzzyKitten99]

Those insurance rates are pretty high, even for the stuff they're counting in, but you gotta remember, they are basing it off the liklihood of them needing to pay out a claim to you.

[protege]

Anyways, any of you have anything to say about having a bike as a primary vehicle? It wouldn't be a high-use vehicle-run out once in a while to the mall or school or somebody's house or the store or what-have you.

One of my neighbors rides a sport bike. The main reason he got it was his long commute, and with gas prices being what they are... He likes it, but he says it sucks in the rain.

The only advice I can think of, is to try out several, of different styles and capacities until you find one you're comfortable with. Also, don't cheap out on protective gear. Better to be safe than sorry. Oh, and if you get the chance, check out goingfaster.com (http://www.goingfaster.com). The site owner is heavily into cars and bikes. Lots of good info up there, and the Harley letters are hilarious :)

[symposes]

If you dont like leather. There is a company that makes what they call Draggin Clothes.
These are demin with kevlar patches in the knees, butt, backside, etc.
just as comfortable as demin.

and I dont care what you hear, a FULL face style helmet is the only one worth using. Just trust me on this.

They make some where the face lifts out like its on a hinge. these are nice if you wear glasses, because you dont have to take off your glasses to put the helmet on, then you can snap the faceshield back in place, viola.

You may have to buy it aftermarket, but get the LOUDEST horn you can find. That way is someone starts to cut you off, you can blast the horn and chances are they will hear you.
Also you have to watch not only how you drive, but how everyone else drives, in essence you have to be twice as observant if not three times.

Milage may very. But these are things i was taught growing up around motorcycles.

You can get all kind of lugage to, from saddle bags, to tank bags, to trunk bags, to straps that let you use the back part of the seat, ie a 2 seater seat, to haul stuff. so for short trips that are for like a weekend or whatever its great. but yea, if you have to give someone a ride, or what have you, it can be a pain in the butt.

[AFpheonix]

n'thing the get good gear part, especially good boots, gloves and a helmet.

Also, since you're in Ontario, were you wanting to ride in a few months when it gets stinkin' cold, or are you going to go back to public transportation during the winter months?

Get some good waterproof gear. If you're going to ride when it's colder, save up and get some electric gear, too. they have wires that connect into the bike's electrical system and keep you warm.

[Rahmota]

Hey good for you. One of the guys I used to work with had a harley dresser as his prime ride. With good gear and equipment it can replace a car for most things. He had hard pods on the back and sides, and like AFP said get thermal heated gear and comfortable suit and you can ride all year round if you're comfortable enough riding on ice and snow that is. But according to the guy you can get snow tread/all season motorcycle tires. Just not cheaply.

My uncle had a honda gold wing that was setup the same way only he also had a trailer for his and could take his wife along on it. I swear some gold wings can be setup with more options than a caddy could.

I'm planning/hoping on getting a bike as well someday. So you're not alone motorcycles are a popular option for a lot of people.

[Shabo]

Whatever you do, don't be one of those jerkface bikers that goes inbetween lanes of stopped traffic. Some guy did that, and my poor dad knocked him over when switching lanes. Pretty dangerous, and stupid, IMHO. Luckily, the guy wasn't hurt, but whenever you knock over your bike, you run risk of cracking the frame, which will cause problems later on in the bike's life.

Also, have someone who knows bikes go with you so they can check it for just that sort of thing. It never hurts to be safe.