Can we talk motorcycles for a moment...
Doing some pipe dreaming here. I'll try and share with you where I'm coming from. In the early 60's through the late 70's we would see alot of Japanese motorcycles on the road...before everything went to road bikes and choppers. You use to see alot of the 250-500cc bike around. Then for years they stopped making them...It seemed like for the last 20 years all you could get were a moped type of bike or a large touring bike.
Anyways, Honda has a bike that reminds me of those bikes from way back when...
Was listening to a book on tape "Wild at Heart" and they were talking about men's desire to ride...while the wife (with her nesting) wants him to be around and not break his neck...Anyways...kids are grown...This is not a midlife crisis...
I haven't ridden since the 70's but am looking at this thing and thinking..."This would be fun and doable"...Thoughts?? Below is a copy and paste (couldn't get the picture up, but you may want to click on the caption to get you to Honda's website)...Am I crazy??
Anyways, Honda has a bike that reminds me of those bikes from way back when...
Was listening to a book on tape "Wild at Heart" and they were talking about men's desire to ride...while the wife (with her nesting) wants him to be around and not break his neck...Anyways...kids are grown...This is not a midlife crisis...
I haven't ridden since the 70's but am looking at this thing and thinking..."This would be fun and doable"...Thoughts?? Below is a copy and paste (couldn't get the picture up, but you may want to click on the caption to get you to Honda's website)...Am I crazy??
Rebel riders agree, this bike makes you look good no matter how long you've been riding. It's an entry-level bike, sure, but it boasts big-bike styling with its timeless cruiser looks and nifty chrome highlights. Its reliable 234cc four-stroke twin delivers smooth power, and its five-speed transmission is a no-brainer to shift. Why pay more for a lesser bike? The Rebel's sticker price is as unbelievable as its outstanding fuel economy—proof positive it's a Honda.
Reduce Your Gas Bill to 2.6 Gallons.
Wanna get more out of every gallon of gas? The Rebel gets amazing mileage out of every drop of gas. And a lot of style.
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Flat Feet are Better.
When you can put both feet flat on the ground at stops, it builds confidence. The Rebel's sub-27" seat height makes it possible.
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Small Engine, Generous Performance.
When it's a Honda, you can get a lot out of a 250. It's highway legal and plenty peppy.
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I would not waste my time on such a small bike. I have ridden a friends just for fun and it was really a joke. Most mopeds are faster. Anything less than a 600cc bike is just not powerfull enough for a man. I have my doubts it would even run at freeway speeds. I would look at something in the 800cc range in a cruiser style bike. I really think you would be wasting your money on something so small. Underpowered bikes are dangerous. I am not suggesting a 1400cc crotch rocket, but you can get hit by a car on a 50cc or a 1100cc, but the bigger bike would give you the power to get out of the way.
I have no desire to tour...I'm thinking around town mostly or up to 5-10 miles away (about once a month). If you're thinking 5-10 miles, a moped is too little and a touring bike is over kill...And I'll be honest...The 600cc and up bikes scare me with their power. I want to be able to adjust and ditch if necessary. On my bicycle I'm very defensive...I'd be the same on a motorcycle.
Dave I.
on 6/23/10 1:34 pm - Hopkinsville, KY
on 6/23/10 1:34 pm - Hopkinsville, KY
the Rebel is a nice little bike. Is it the right bike is a question you'll have to ask yourself. What do you want out of it? Is this something to just ride around town or maybe a short sunday afternoon trips? It might be ok. Is the Mrs. even remotely interested in riding with you? If so it probably isn't the ideal bike.
Personally (even though I know i look like an elephant on a tricycle) like a more sporty machine. I ride a 2005 Suzuki 1200 Bandit. (kinda a old guys sportbike). Suzuki makes a 500cc standard sporty type bike that probably would be a better option if you know you are going to like riding and don't want to be purchasing another bike in a year or two because you decide you want more power ( it often happens with 250 riders). They say the Rebel is highway legal and it is but I don't know if i'd want to spend much time on the highway on it. It will be so light Semi's would blow it around the road easily, and power to pass would be almost non existant at anything over about 50-60 mph.
Personally (even though I know i look like an elephant on a tricycle) like a more sporty machine. I ride a 2005 Suzuki 1200 Bandit. (kinda a old guys sportbike). Suzuki makes a 500cc standard sporty type bike that probably would be a better option if you know you are going to like riding and don't want to be purchasing another bike in a year or two because you decide you want more power ( it often happens with 250 riders). They say the Rebel is highway legal and it is but I don't know if i'd want to spend much time on the highway on it. It will be so light Semi's would blow it around the road easily, and power to pass would be almost non existant at anything over about 50-60 mph.
I'd take the back roads...wouldn't take it on the highway, but you have a point...many of the back roads are where alot of the big truck are located also. And NO, my wife would not ride with me. My mind goes to the movie "A Christmas Story"...Where everyone said to the kid..."you'll shoot your eye out". Except it's..."You'll break your neck"!!
I can see why you would want to get one and start riding again. I got my class "M" license ten years ago and still have not bought a bike! Part of the problem was me and my short, fat legs! Now that I'm 160 lbs lighter handling a bike would be much easier.
As it was pointed out to me once when I was bike shopping when you get a smaller bike - how long are you going to ride it before you get bored with it or get lust in your heart for something bigger and better? 
Never, and I mean NEVER, trust a fart!! 
Dave I.
on 6/23/10 1:49 pm, edited 6/23/10 1:54 pm - Hopkinsville, KY
on 6/23/10 1:49 pm, edited 6/23/10 1:54 pm - Hopkinsville, KY
Tell you what cabin you might want to look into the big scooters available now. I've got a friend that has a 650cc Suzuki Burgman and it is one sweet ride, they also make a more economical 400cc.
Now for your theory on defensive riding on a motorcycle. If you are serious about wanting to ride and its been 30 years since you been on a bike, seek out your nearest Motorcycle Saftey Foundation course. http://www.msf-usa.org/ Take the basic course, around here its about 125-200 bucks and covers two days of classes. Day one is typically a classroom setting with written tests and videos, Day two is hands on mostly with little 125cc machines. It's money well worth spending, there is alot of things thrown around by riders that just are plain bad practices. Also in KY they waive the driving portion of the test to get your motorcycle endorsement on your license if you can give them your form saying you passed the MSF course. Second is gear up. I know its not what the cool kids preach but skin graphs are painful and expensive and helmets are a hell of alot cheaper than brain damage. (ok i'll get off my soapbox about that now) .
Now for your theory on defensive riding on a motorcycle. If you are serious about wanting to ride and its been 30 years since you been on a bike, seek out your nearest Motorcycle Saftey Foundation course. http://www.msf-usa.org/ Take the basic course, around here its about 125-200 bucks and covers two days of classes. Day one is typically a classroom setting with written tests and videos, Day two is hands on mostly with little 125cc machines. It's money well worth spending, there is alot of things thrown around by riders that just are plain bad practices. Also in KY they waive the driving portion of the test to get your motorcycle endorsement on your license if you can give them your form saying you passed the MSF course. Second is gear up. I know its not what the cool kids preach but skin graphs are painful and expensive and helmets are a hell of alot cheaper than brain damage. (ok i'll get off my soapbox about that now) .
Good idea about the safty course. Another thing that concerns me is brittle bone problems. For those of you who don't know, there is a good chance you not only will lose muscle mass from WLS, but also have calcium and bone problems later in life. My surgeon recommends a bone scan after WLS (as a baseline). You think of women with this problem...but us guys can get it too. When you think of someone almost 4 years out post op...I wonder how my bones would hold up with a spill? Plus being 54 I wonder how the healing process would go...Again just pipe dreaming for now.
As part of my whole life style change, I gave up the rat race about a year ago and no longer have a car. The only vehicle in my household is my 1986 Yamaha Venture, 1300cc's, and customized (rat style) with my GPS, Radio, Adjustable vents for engine heat in winter etc.
I say get the bike you want, and if you out grow it move on to something else. The safety course is great and you will learn a lot from it!
I ride year round, (Except when icy, but snow is okay) and a bunch of the girls at the tim hortons started calling me "Duck" as I would come in soaking wet for my coffee every morning.
In the bitter winter weather I fantasize about a car again, but then realize I'd have to work harder to afford it, and quite frankly I'm finished with working more then 40 hours a week.
I say get the bike you want, and if you out grow it move on to something else. The safety course is great and you will learn a lot from it!
I ride year round, (Except when icy, but snow is okay) and a bunch of the girls at the tim hortons started calling me "Duck" as I would come in soaking wet for my coffee every morning.
In the bitter winter weather I fantasize about a car again, but then realize I'd have to work harder to afford it, and quite frankly I'm finished with working more then 40 hours a week.
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