It's funny how we realize our age when discussing certain topics. From a first kiss, to a first time behind the wheel. A recent conversation prompted me to think back to my first time on a motorcycle. After a brief moment of mental math, I realized it's been nineteen years since I first squeezed the clutch on a motorcycle.
My latest "ride". A 1999 Yamaha R1.
Here I am fourteen street bikes and two dirt bikes later. My latest is a 1999 Yamaha R1 which I have spoken of before (2-Wheel Solution). The reason for this reminiscing is due to a friends interest in riding. Like many, he wants to take up a new hobby and enjoy the option of great gas mileage at the same time.
Now is as good a time as any to take up two-wheels. Although riding is possible year round in California, this is still the "off-season". This means a motorcycle can easily be found at a great price. A quick search online and you will find a plethora of bikes at excellent deals. Some are looking for cash in tough times, while others sell due to lost interest.
A CMSP class. They furbish the motorcycles to learn on as well.
It's evident that there is a new generation of motorcycle riders in the works. A recent search for open classes with CMSP (California Motorcycle Safety program) showed booked classes in Ventura county through March. While it only takes the written test at DMV to get a permit, I highly recommend the CMSP class to all first time riders. Note; with a permit you can only ride during daylight hours and no freeway riding or with a passenger.
Feel free to contact me with any queries you may have in reference to riding. Having worked at motorcycle shops for years, and owning a fair share, I can assist you in most concerns or questions you may have.
Ride on,
Lance
Helpful links:
DMV info. on obtaining a motorcycle license
Lance...I read your column once in awhile, but fail to make a comment because I'm overly-politicized! Marie and Dan generally get my reports. But, today, my son and I are scanning through your articles. I'm surprised more people out there do not initiate comments! What's the matter with them? They can read...but they cannot type? They all love 2 and 4-wheelers, but they cannot blog on them? Hmmm.
I live in the Philippines and have done so as a Permanent Resident here since August 2000. We usually have vans and buses to travel to and fro on, which are actually cheaper than cars, anyway, (for the cost of a ticket) when you figure that cars over here are more expensive a few thousand dollars over the pricing the US has for their cars on the mainland.
I have a motorcycle, a 2006 Honda Wave 125. This particular moto come with a tweaked and blueprinted engine from the Honda factory in Manila. The dealership in Ilagan told me that the motor in this particular bike; of which the actual bike itself is a little more "developed" than the ordinary Wave's. It has an output of about 158cc's. It is a single-piston engine; 4-stroke, air-cooled job. (yeah..."air cooling" when the ambient temps reach 115+ degrees (F) here). It'sa beautiful bike and is very fast. I have only just under 2000 km's on it now. My other moto is a 2008 Honda Gold Wing, cream color and soft yellow trim. Both were assembled in Manila at the factory there. My former bike back in the US was a 4-cylinder Honda CB650 Custom, I had it in Texas. I do not have the CB650 anymore, as I sold it prior to retiring over here. (No...I'm not military). We also have a 2009 Explorer and a 2008 BMW 7 Series 4-door, in jet black; in and out.
During my life, (I'm 65 now) I had over 40 cars...no pickups at all. 5 moto's. The first moto was just a 1977 Honda 125 dirt bike I bought in Florida. Loved it! Guess I got hooked for your column now. Oh, in viewing the photos and articles on the various automobiles you have, we seem to have subliminally different styles over here, even though the designations of these vehicles are the same. We can get certain cars only, but those "crotch rockets" as above in the Yamaha, can only be specially imported, like Harley's, etc., and costs are outrageous because of the import and other taxes they levy on the vehicles here. It is dangerous, anyway, to ride something like the red Yamaha, above, as people are crossing the highways all the time with their water buffaloes, dogs are laying on the highway sleeping, carts are being pulled alongside the highways, kids running out, slow drivers, no signal lights, slow buses, speeding buses, slow, overloaded trucks...you name it, we've got it all here, so you best go slow and keep awake for all the dangers. Speeding here leads to the death of someone every time. Cheers...again...
John T King