Kawasaki EF250 Ninja 2006.

65-70 mpg driven conservatively, 55-60 mpg if driven like the proverbial bat on a hot tin roof..........

Mixed something there, don't quite know what.

Back before one became the filling in a semi sandwich it was fun. Love them, miss them, but not fun anymore.

Hubby is restoring a 1972 Honda CL150 (? I think) he says to save on fuel, I know it's a midlife crisis, but at least it ain't a broad.

My brother is massively avid. Is that strong enough? He's taken all the courses, wears all the right things, is careful, and he still terrifies me. He and I have a mutual friend who was hit while riding down "the trace" last year for Labor Day, along with his girlfriend. Both of them were hospitalized for a long time. We worried a long time. This past year, bro, friends, even hubby, have spent a good deal of time switching "David's" cars around so that he can drive with the foot he has left. My brother rides in funeral processions (he's a veteran who honors veterans and watches over the family of fallen heroes), in parades, on the news, "...made the cover of Killboy's webpage this week", KNOWS what the heck he is doing. But he still terrifes me. You can be avid, knowledgeable and still get hit by semis and others when riding. Not to mention skidding on rocks. Ugh. Or getting your pants caught in the chain. Bikes are so so so dangerous, fully made for someone who is single and childless. I find my terror healthy. Take the right courses, wear the right things even if they are hot as heck and be vigilant in your watch for problems while riding. You take care Tisha!

I think I'm more like Rob in being terrified of motorcycles than ever wanting to ride one. I don't even like to drive near them on the road, and I don't like to drive near bicycles much, either.

I know many more people are buying 'cycles because of the economy, but in my area accident rates are also up--at least in some cases because people are taking to them without really knowing how to handle them skillfully, and PA also has no helmet law. I drove into the city about a week ago and encountered a bicycle rider in practically every block--brave souls, all of them, on crowded streets--and maybe 20% of them with helmets. One of my sons rode a bike from northern Mexico to Philadelphia just last year at the age of 48, using the best and most safety-conscious equipment he could find, and I didn't rest easy until that bike showed up on my front porch.

Well, Tisha, now that I've vented nothing but negatives, I need to say that if Keith is a safe rider and knows what he's doing, I hope you save a ton of bucks on gas!

He's taking the safety training course in August, and won't be actually riding (other than maybe around the block) before then. And he'll be wearing a helmet. Oklahoma doesn't have helmet laws either, but he'll be wearing one, as will I when I get on the back.

Since I know a couple of quadriplegics who got teat way in motorcycle accidents I have to echo Pidge's feelings on the subject.

Gloria has a motorcycle.
She used to come here often to tell us about their trips.

I can't help you any, I've only owned and ridden a Honda
scooter. I loved it.
I doubt I'll ever be tempted to ride a motorcycle and if you
do, please be careful.

Before we were married, DH had a Harley. A guy he knew will killed when a car ran into him. The Harley was sold a month later.

But, I really would like a Vespa. With a trailer to carry the grocery bags. And a big sign on the back of the trailer saying, "Caution!"

Now we're talking! Vespa, scooters puttering around town. That's the way to go.

I wish everyone wouldn't be so negative. :-( I understand your concerns and I appreciate the thought that you're concerned for me and mine, but I didn't really post this to get that kind of feedback. I posted it to see if anyone else had this "interest" and wanted to talk about it.

I understand that motorcycles are dangerous, but so is driving a car and so is walking down the street and so is sitting in my own living room in this day and age. Bad things happen and I know that, but I didn't post this to talk about those bad things.

Again, I appreciate the concern. Don't get me wrong there.

We're taking safety training, we're wearing helmets, we won't be heading out in snow storms or floods, we won't be heading out when we're tired or weary, we'll be cautious and know to look out for those on the road who aren't. And I understand that that is no guarantee, but it's the best we can do.

I weren't negative. You are going about it the right way.

Enjoy!

Thanks. :-)

Here ya go, Meldy, the next best thing.

Mr. Man got a motorcycle the week he was discharged from the Navy.

Rode it for several years back and forth to work and we would ride on the weekends.
Loved it!!

Now, it has been his dream for several years to get a Goldwing or Harley.
He plans when he retires to get one and with tongue-in-cheek says he will get a sidecar for me.
We plan on doing a lot of cross-country riding.

We LOVE riding and plan on doing a lot more.

I'll have to show Mr. Man this pic but I would guess to say that pink won't be his color of choice. LOL

tisha,
I think you are doing it right with the safety courses, proper protection, etc.
A word of experienced advice, there are a lot of drivers out there that don't give a cycle driver the courtesy they should; i.e. if an 18-wheeler was headed for their car, they would give him a little respect; if a cycle is headed for their car, why should they?
How much damage can that little cycle do to their car?

I know this sounds cold but when we were riding I saw it so many, many times.

About six weeks ago, I personally saw the exact scenerio unfold before my eyes as I was walking my granddaughter into dance class.

A large utility truck turned right in the path of a 20-year-old young man on a cycle.
To this day, I can't close my eyes without seeing what happened to this young man.
It took them 4 hours to extricate his body.

Sorry to sound so gorey.

What I am saying is...WATCH OUT FOR EVERY OTHER DRIVER ON THE ROAD because there are a lot of them that WILL NOT be watching out for you.

I got my motorcycle licence 4 years ago and still ride. I'm
65 years young and hubby has rode motorcycles most of his
life. He has a 2007 Harley Heritage Softail and I have a 2008 Suzuki 650cc that I just bought.
I have a daughter and SIL and 3 grandsons that ride.

I took the safety course and always wear my helment.

As for sidecars I don't think they are safe and will never
ride in one. I would feel more unsafe in a sidecar then
riding my own bike or on the back of my hubbys. I trust him with my life.

I keep my distance from the cars ahead of me and keep a
look out for other drivers.

I love motorcycles, always did and always will. I belong to
about 4 motorcycle forums.

Have fun Tisha.

Have never been without a motorcycle in our adult years. They are so much fun and save on gas to boot.
We have a 2000 Harley FatBoy. There is nothing like cruzing the beach road with your friends out in the open air. Totally awesome! You will love it and have lots of fun. Enjoy, Tisha

Well, as we speak, Keith is on his way to pick the motorcycle up. He's so excited.

Picture, please......

Sorry, I'm a bit behind. Here's my picture (I'll show my mine, if you'll show me yours).

Brother Mark doing his thing. He rides in funeral processions with other veterans to protect the families and honor those who died in combat. He's about halfway down the page. Mr. doggie ears. This is the second time he's made the front page of Killboy.

Hubby's bike (boy was I wrong in memory. Guess I hate the dang thang a whole whole lot)
{{gwi:168089}}

I was just given a "new to me bike" for helping out a friend. I have been riding since I was young, on mini bikes and Honda 90's. Later I took the motorcycle safty course (fell in love with the instructor) purchased a Honda 200 - quickly outgrew it and got a Honda 400. I moved to Hawaii for a bit and sold it there. I have been wanting a Honda Nighthawk since they came out in the 80's. Imagine my amazement when I get a call - you can have my 1986 Honda Nighthwak 700s - whoooohoooo. It needs lots of TLC, I dont expect to ride it until spring, but since it need swork, that will give me lots of time to make her pretty and running again.
I can nto wait for 43 miles to the gallon!!