2 wheels...considered

"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
04/25/2016 at 07:00 • Filed to: 2wheelsgood

I know know, 2 wheels bad and all that. But let me but it this way...you can have more fun, never worry about parking again, cut your commute into quarters (if you live in cali...anywhere else...you still can, but its just a little illegal) save you LOTS of money at the pumps, make you a chick magnet, AND be cheaper then a used Civic?

Let me introduce...the motorcycle

Now, before everyone jumps on me, let me make something perfectly clear. I’m not talking about a R6 or something with 120HP at the wheel and geared to top 175 miles an hour. I’m speaking about 500CC and under bikes. Commuter bikes. city bikes. not supersports and anything extra dangerous

So. Lets address my points in order shall we? starting with: fun

You know how all of the car magazines say oh, this feels so connected to the road, oh, this electric steering kills the feeling.

You will never find that argument on a bike. You are steering the 2 pieces of metal that holds the wheel, and this translates into the most direct, precise, talk-ative steering in the world. And because you and the machine weigh less then 500 pounds (CBR250 with a 200lb guy on it), any movement will translate into a response from the bike. move your arm to scratch your chin? you better be prepared with the other hand to adjust for any change in direction.

It all comes down to weight. the smaller and lighter the bike, the more you will feel the road. The heaviest bike here weighs in at ~425lbs. and that can be cut down by 25 pounds easy (as how I did it)

Another another thing. I chose sub-500cc bikes for a reason. They are very doclie and not all that fast. most 250s are slower from 0-60 then a V6 accord. A ninja 250 does it in 6.9 seconds. Thats not really slow, I’ll admit. but its not blisteringly fast, and to wheelie the bike (the 250 at any rate, I cant speak for the 500s) you have to be REALLY ham-handed to pull the front wheel off the ground at all. This means you can accelerate out of a corner and not worry that A) your going to spin the wheel and crash* or B) that state trooper in front of you is going to give you a nice, fat fine.

*speaking about the dry here

^Honda CBR250R

Point #2: Parking.

OK, you got me, this does vary. but let me give you some examples of how it has helped me.
1: at work, I had designated motorcycle parking by the entrance door. 3 bike spots. no need to hunt around for 15 minutes for my car. |

2: going to the beach. That beach had paid parking, which the payment is for the parking spot, not per vehicle. So, when me and a local motorcycle group went out (6 or 7 of us) we were able to pack all the bikes into one spot, and instead of paying 70$ for the day, we paid 10$!! (yea, we could have taken a minivan, but then the group of attractive ladies that saw us pull in would have had nothing to smile at ;))

3: whenever I go to the movies, its usually on a big opening night. I buy my tickets ahead of time, but that does nothing to help with the impossible parking and having no spaces available (yes, this happens. Opening night of hunger games...*shudder* ) However, with my motorcycle, I just roll up to the handicap ramp, and leave the bike several feet away in a small alcove that seems to have been built specifically for bikes. This save space, it doesn’t intrude into anyone’s way, and its a great way to make sure my bike isn’t stolen, as its just off to the side of the most trafficked area. you couldn’t try to steal it because of the sheer amount of eyes on the thing.

^ Kawasaki Ninja 250

So, thats fun and parking covered. next up: your commute.

If you commute to work by bike, you get several advantages.

#1: Time. Granted, this applies more to the California residents then anyone else, as in Cali you can legally lane-split. So suddenly, your 2 hour sit in traffic becomes 15 minutes of 1st gear idling and slipping by everyone. As for the rest of us, here’s how it will save you time. You ever have to make a right turn, or turn into the right turn, but the car ahead of you is JUUUSSSTTTT too close to the lane you want to be in? not with a bike! you step right through and be on your merry way. Its not much, but it does add up to more then you might imagine.

#2: Fun.

^Suzuki GW250

At this point, some of you are still wondering about the money thing.

If you read back at the start, I specifically stated that I would be talking about sub-500CC bikes. The reason for this is that once you get above 500CC, the fuel consumption can drop dramatically. a yamaha R1 was only rated at something like 40MPG highway. for a bike. My personal SV650 is rated mid-60's.
But these 250cc bikes? you are looking at a 75MPG AVERAGE (taken from fuelly, Honda CBR250). So, if you ride within reason, your could probably break 80 mpg. Wouldn’t that be nice? You will still be filling up ones or twice a week (tiny fuel tanks), but instead of costed you 65$, you throwing 15$ into the tank every time.

Not to mention, even new, something like a CBR250 (they have now bumped them up 50ccs, so now its the CBR300) is like 5 grand (5.5 w/ ABS if Im not mistaken)
So for 5 grand you get a light, chuck-able, reliable, cool, non-threatening, not-that-slow daily rider that can isnt afraid of getting on the highway.

I will be doing another write up going into detail about the individual bikes, and then another one going over gear, on for learning to ride, and so on.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

DISCUSSION (58)

jkm7680 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 15:35

If you want something super cheap, a Gw250 is the answer. I ride a '13, they've been selling very slowly so prices can be found on the down low.

bob and john > jkm7680
09/26/2014 at 15:38

I will be covering the prices and what not in another post, probably for next week.
thanks for the tips though

Sweet Trav > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 15:39

Here's exactly why two wheels bad:

If I own something that can do 200 mph, I will do 200 mph in it, which I will likely result in my death.

bob and john > Sweet Trav
09/26/2014 at 15:43

hence the reason i wrote about small bike. most of these guys top out at....100? mph. my buell topped out at 90.

There was a VERY specific reason why I wrote about the small bikes, and not the big ones.

bob and john > Sweet Trav
09/26/2014 at 15:43

Actually,. i'm going to highlight that

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 15:46

The only reason I don't ride anymore is other drivers, I had some real scares being pulled out on and stuff, even with my headlight always on.

jkm7680 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 15:49

Gotcha, I also might as well ad the the Gw250 only can go about 70-80 mph.

bob and john > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/26/2014 at 15:50

while I admit there are moronic drivers, with ABS and what not on bikes these days, they are a lot safer then before. no more worrying: if that driver pulls out, do i have time to threshold brake? its just BRAKE: and let the bike do its thing

bob and john > jkm7680
09/26/2014 at 15:52

yea, someone here already thought all motorcycles can do 200 MPH and completely missed the (now bolded) paragraph.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 15:53

I took the plunge in the spring of this year. Got HD 883. Love it.

Kinja'd!!!

bob and john > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/26/2014 at 16:01

While i'm personally not a harley fan (the company and the majority of the customers irk me) its great to see someone else hop on 2

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:07

I bought cause of the noise and cause Murica. I fully understand that it rides worse than more modern bikes. I am not at all like the majority of Harley owners being under 30 and wearing a tie on it riding to work most days.

bob and john > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/26/2014 at 16:08

soo (honest question) why didnt you geta buell? they used HD motors. but they had REALLY good riding dynamics, and can be bought for pretty cheap too.

nermal > Sweet Trav
09/26/2014 at 16:13

That's easy to deal with - Buy a race bike to ride on a race track (600 or 1000cc sportbikes). Buy a street bike to ride on the street.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:17

Looks, I dig the old school looks. I considered a buell though. Also considered some sort of dual sport.

bob and john > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/26/2014 at 16:20

*cough*

Kinja'd!!!

you can cover 3 of those point with one bike :P

Murican? yes
HD motor? yes
Dualsport? ehh./ more adventure

nermal > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:20

I think the Versys with a decent set of luggage would be the ideal street bike. It would work for everything from picking up babes, to commuting to work, to slaying some twisties yo, to telling your boss to go fuck himself and leaving on a cross country journey to nowhere.

You need to educate your passengers on ATGATT, however...

Kinja'd!!!

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:23

I also will be modding my bike pretty heavily, so aftermarket support was another consideration. Not saying it isn't a great option- If i had more than one bike a Ulysses would be one for sure.

bob and john > nermal
09/26/2014 at 16:24

oh yea, this was to get people interested in motorcycle. Lots of oppo have subcribed to 2wheelsbad because.....well, because of the same reasons some people throw in car enthusiasts with street racers. they see a few idiots on R1s and RSV4's riding like idiots and assume that what they will become if they start riding. I want to dispell this notion, and basically write a motorcycle: DIY guide to get more people riding :P

bob and john > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/26/2014 at 16:27

I will give HD this: they offer the most amount of after market tassels and chrome then anyone else:P

jokes aside, it does annoy me how anti-mods some of the other companies are. I'll throw suziki in as one. I swapped the suspension from my bike to the forks and shocks from a GSX-R, took it in to get the brakes bleed, and they refused to work on it. friggen morons.
ended up taking it to a shop an hour away just to get the brakes bled -.-'

jkm7680 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:28

Yeah, The thing is it just isn't a great bike for commuting long distances if you see what I'm saying.

bob and john > jkm7680
09/26/2014 at 16:29

they can get up to freeways speeds and frankly, thats all you really need...they arent the most comfotable, but thats a story for another time.

jkm7680 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:31

But when the speed limit is 70, and everybody is driving at just about the speed of light it isn't the best.

It annoys me how tons of people assume that all motorcycles are insanely fast...

bob and john > jkm7680
09/26/2014 at 16:32

just look at the comments here, one guy already assumed that

472CID > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:33

Why does everyone recommend Ninja/Honda 250s as starter bikes? I learned on an old UJM (universal Japanese motorcycle (a Kawasaki KZ650 in my case)) . Old 70s bikes aren't too fast, are infinitely customizable, and they're a great chance to learn how to wrench.

It'd be like if Jalopnik recommended that all new drivers get a Civic or Fiesta, and completely ignored things like Fox Mustangs or DSM Eclipses.

nermal > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:33

Yep - Idiots come in all shapes and sizes, unfortunately.

Good work, keep it up!

jkm7680 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:34

Haha, Wow.

The world should be educated that there is a huge difference between a 250 and a liter bike.

bob and john > 472CID
09/26/2014 at 16:36

simply because they are cheap, they are plentiful, and they are easy to find and get parts (in case they drop it it...so tanks, body panels, etc) for.

also, while I agree on great to learn how to wrench, old bikes also have old brakes, which arent the greatest. Modern brakes (ESP ABS) is a literal life saver, if they want to get something older and classic, by all means!

Once I get the money and space (and permission) i'm turning my garage into a small restoration area, Always going to have a project bike of some sort there.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:39

I promise no chrome or tassels. Thinking something along these lines- http://www.bikeexif.com/harley-sportst…

Kinja'd!!!

472CID > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:49

I can't argue with you much on the safety aspect. But at $4200 a new 250 is about 4 times the price (and half the power) of a nice older bike.

bob and john > 472CID
09/26/2014 at 16:51

well, the whole POINT is to have something without a lot of power, right?

other wise i'd just tell everyone to get a first gen SV650.

bob and john > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/26/2014 at 16:52

I love that style of bike. with the fat front wheels. My dream bike garage would have some of those in it.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:54

Yeah the fat front wheels really sells it, and is my favorite part. I'm hesitant to start blacking things out because, while I think it looks awesome, I have a strong feeling it's going to look dated in the not to distant future.

472CID > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:56

Even for a new rider, I wouldn't say 60hp is a lot.

bob and john > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/26/2014 at 16:56

100% blacked out is going to look dated, yes.

blacked out with accents such as gold or red, humma humma

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 16:58

I'd still rather avoid it for now. Maybe one day I'll get round to doing my full licence (mine restricted me to 125cc and only lasted two years) when I have some money and get a nice cruiser.

bob and john > 472CID
09/26/2014 at 16:59

IMO, a first bike shouldnt be able to power wheelie. I can power wheelie my SV

if the person has experiance with dirtbikes or 400hp+ cars, then yea, an SV would work great. other then that, id stick to something under 50HP (and the Sv's are 75, thank you very much....FI models at least)

BeMark > bob and john
09/26/2014 at 17:04

I currently ride a cbr250r and it's a great motorcycle. It's my first and I've had it for two seasons now. I'll probably move onto the 500r when I can get a winter pricing deal. Its such a great bike that I don't really want to sell it and financially I don't have to, it's a garage space issue. If I had the space I would hold onto it and make it into a track use toy.

One of the 250r's selling points for me was how cheap parts are. As a new rider you worry about dropping the bike or whatnot and honestly it's so cheap to fix it's not even a thought anymore.

It gets 70 mpg without trying and it will do highway speeds (tops out around 80-85). Will you have to downshift to make a highway pass, sure, but the single cylinder is remarkably balanced and ready to do it.

BeMark > Sweet Trav
09/26/2014 at 17:07

You do own something that can go very fast. Most modern cars will do 100+, do you have that same lack of self control behind the wheel?

bob and john > BeMark
09/26/2014 at 17:18

personally, i would try out a 650 while your there. You can find used SV650s with ABS and ninja 650s for ~5k, and they make GREAT commuter bikes. you may find that the 650 is more of an upgrade and will last you a little longer then a 500 will.

I'm not saying buy it. I'm saying try it.

BeMark > bob and john
09/27/2014 at 11:11

Thanks for the advise, I'll be sure the swing my leg over those bikes when I'm there.

The Compromiser > bob and john
09/27/2014 at 19:56

Father in law has a 250 Ninja. Can confirm. Not great on highways for comfort or power. Chicks dig it. Most can't tell its wee. He has a lot of fun with it though. And has no interest in a bigger bike for now.

He rode my 1300 however and it took a week to get the smile off.

bob and john > The Compromiser
09/27/2014 at 19:58

ok, the way that notification was sent to me was "fat her in law" threw me off for a second there

The Compromiser > bob and john
09/27/2014 at 20:21

That is funny.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > bob and john
10/08/2014 at 12:14

Just for shits and giggles, maybe mention the larger scooters that are available. I'd say they fit in this article intended demo pretty well. Plenty of them between 250 and 500 cc are available from most all of the big motorcycle companies. I'm rather fond of the Aprilias

Kinja'd!!!

bob and john > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
10/08/2014 at 12:17

I'll be doing a separate article on scooters VS bikes. One of the issues (in canada at least) is that if you do you test on a motorcycle, you can ride anything. if you do it on a small scooter, you only have the permit for a small scooter, and you need to re-do the test on a bike

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > bob and john
10/08/2014 at 12:21

I'm not talking about the 49.5-150 cc bikes, at least in California no special license needed for anything under 50cc, everything over that and you need the motorcycle endorsement. By the way, I like your writing style much better that Silar's. Something about his makes me rage, every.single.time.

bob and john > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
10/08/2014 at 12:27

Hmm, i'll have to look into that. Will defintely be something I mention in the next article.

I either havent read Silars writing, or I just forgot what its like. Thanks for the compliment either way!

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > bob and john
10/08/2014 at 12:33

Let me know if you have any scooter questions, I know more about that segment than any sane person should.

JEM > bob and john
10/08/2014 at 12:48

Great article!

Though, I still don't think it's 100% necessary to start as low as 250cc, I think 500-600 is a fine starting point if you plan on doing highway riding.

bob and john > JEM
10/08/2014 at 12:51

500 maybe. 600? no. I'm actually writing another article right now that I hope will be up within the hour.

JEM > bob and john
10/08/2014 at 12:53

I just started on a 600cc 2001 Katana this summer and it feels like the perfect amount of power - granted it's a heavier bike. I still feel like I have enough power to get out of the way, yet never have I felt it had too much power at launch.

bob and john > JEM
10/08/2014 at 12:54

the Katana I consider more of a sports touring (like my SV650) then a full on sportsbike.

JEM > bob and john
10/08/2014 at 12:59

Oh definitely, that's why I bought it - my commute is 80 miles round trip and if I want to do any riding after work, there's another 20 easy so 100 miles a day is nothing for me. Thing is, there pretty much is no entry level (inexpensive) sports tourer out there.

Oh, and whoops, just realized I'm replying to the old article not the new one. Sorry!

TommyK154 > bob and john
10/21/2014 at 20:00

in regards to parking your bike in a visible place, many would disagree with you. I know a few moto vloggers that had their bikes stolen like that. Bystanders don't care. Out of sight, out of mind might be the better option. A thief can't steal what he can't see

bob and john > TommyK154
10/21/2014 at 20:02

hehe, chaseontwewheels, he.

maybe in the states. In canada, people are pretty good in regards to that.

YoeMeyeR > bob and john
02/27/2015 at 11:44

I love my Ninja 300...Can't wait 'till is warm to daily drive that beauty.

bob and john > YoeMeyeR
02/27/2015 at 11:45

I've yet to ride one, but all I hear is good things about them. Might have to stop by my kawi dealer when i get the chance