Motorcycle Page

Well, here we are. It is now 2002, and all over the world, people of every creed who know what it is to be chasing the sun, are now looking at getting back in the saddle. I find it amazing that every year, someone you know, or yourself, wants to get a new bike. Not an unusual request; why not get the latest in technology that has the power to propel you to the pearly gates? Funny though, considering I was thinking about getting a cruiser for the 2001 season, and this year, a sport tourer. Dreams are just but that, but don't you think it's odd that people who ride are never quite satisfied with what they have already got? I mean, I'm looking at other bikes, and my current bike isn't even paid off yet!      Oh sure, my 2000 model Suzuki GS-500EY bright royal blue girl has alot of everything you look for in a bike. At 487 cc (Half liter), it isn't the biggest bore, but it's twin horizontal cylinders deliver 48 horsepower @ 9300 rpm. For a machine that weighs in at 487 lbs. wet, that translates to alot of power when you do need it. Just ask the Porsche Boxter in Simcoe, Lambourgini Diablo ('91) in Grand Bend, and countless annoying Mustangs. I think I should clear this up first... I don't go looking for drags, they, uh, come looking for me. Anyway, it is a great bike; it forgives otherwise stupid moves that other, more "sophisticated" bikes would make you pay dearly for. I can corner with the sport bikes, albeit at a slower speed, and stay with the cruisers on the highway, without getting a bike butt as fast as a crotch rocket rider would. But, I plan on getting a more comfortable saddle for this season, so that my 10,000 km I plan on putting on this year is a little more easier than last year. One of the few things I don't like of this bike is that it takes 4 hours to do a full clean. Not cool when you would much rather be on the road, than cleaning the fricking fins of the cylinders. Or how about the hoses??? Grrr.      I do find much humor in people who keep on saying to me, "Man, I plan on getting a bike really soon." Yeah, uh, when? Either get it, or don't. But, if you do want to get a bike, keep in mind that every bike type is for certain people. I have a couple of tips for people wanting to get into riding, but their only problem is finding the right one for them.      Cruisers: Laid back, relaxed. The apparent bad boy look, and style that accompanies the cruiser crowd is always over whelming. People always seem to look at them and say in a whisper, "Man, he looks cool, but don't screw with him!" The horsepower isn't really there, unless you look at the new power cruisers... the Yamaha Warrior, Kawasaki Mean Streak, Honda VTX 1800, and of course the (Yuck)Harley Davidson V-Rod. BMW, Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory, Indian, and Yamaha all make cruisers.      Sport Bikes: Fast, sporty. Annoying to some, with their loud pipes that often sound like a Singer sewing machine gone amuck, they are flashy, and most often thought of being the craziest out there. They wheelie, come to a stop on their front wheel, do smoke shows, etc. They don't get any respect out there, and in some cases, don't deserve any. Too many people who just get their licenses or in their mid-life crisis get these crotch rockets. In any case, alot of the time, they are inexperienced riders who don't know the first thing about handling their bike responsibly. These bikes have the horsepower/weight ratio of nothing else on the planet that is street legal. Aprillia, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha all make sport bikes.      Dirt Bikes: These little things are really meant for off road, not on. I don't recommend these toys for road use, as the fuel capacity isn't large, and the ride is not exactly the best. They are set up for off road, and the knobby tires wear down fast on pavement. Should be used for recreational purposes only. Aprillia, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, MuZ, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha all make these dirt bikes, also known as dual sports bikes.      Scooters: Hahahahhahaaaa...don't even get me started on these.     Touring: Plan on going for a long trip? Need heated grips, a 6 cd changer, cb radio, mp3 player, reverse(!), and enough luggage capacity to stow away four full face helmets? Well, here you go. The Cadillac of touring bikes, the Honda Gold Wing, is still setting the standard, even after more than 10 years. All these bikes have the amenities of a car, including air conditioning, without having a roof. Buy these if you're old, rich, and want to travel alot; say on your retirement. Other than Honda, manufacturers include; BMW, Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Victory, and Yamaha.       Standard: Also referred to as the naked bikes. They have a sporty style, but lack the fairings that the sport bikes have (In other words, you can see the engine). Most of these bikes still have the power available the sport bikes have, but are tuned for more torque, and mid-range power. This category has the second widest spectrum of engine displacement, only to the cruisers. The cruisers engine sizes range from 250cc to 1800cc(!). The naked bikes range from 500cc to 1400cc and are making a comeback with a vengence. Over the last two years, four brand new bikes are now on the market from different manufacturers. My GS-500EY is in this category. Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Triumph, BMW, Buell, MuZ, MV Agusta, and Kawasaki all make these naked bikes, so if you have a favorite manufacturer, chances are they have a naked bike for you.                                                                                                              Continued