mcgeer@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU (Rick McGeer) (10/25/85)
The first thing I should do is thank the many, many people who responded to my first request for information on motorcycle safety. I have a file around with all the responses, which I'll happily forward to anyone who's looking for similar advice. OK, I've finished my MSF course, and I now believe that the risks of motorcycling can be managed. So I want to buy a bike. I'm looking for a low-maintenance first bike, for something like $1500. I live in the Berkeley Hills, so I need something that does well on hills, windy streets and tight curves (means a narrow bike with a low c of g, I guess). I'm a new motorcyclist, so I need something that's pretty forgiving. I'll probably only use the bike for short commuting around town at first, but I may do a little touring next summer. My first thought was new '82 Vision, but: (1) I learned to ride on a Honda CB125, and the first time I tried a low-speed turn on a friend's Vision I dumped it. Does it just take practice to manage a heavier bike? How much? (2) The '82s are almost gone in the Bay Area, and the dealers don't seem prepared to go below their list (about $2300) on the '83s. (3) One dealer claimed that the Visions have had a number of maintenance problems (he didn't go into detail) and instead recommended the '82 550 Seca, which is listed at $1699, is 68 pounds lighter than the Vision, is an inline four instead of a twin, is air-cooled and chain driven. Is the Seca really as nice a bike as the Vision? (4) Is a 550 to big for a first bike? Should I be looking at something in the 250-400 range? Are there any good new old model bikes in that range? Any answers, new questions, leads, advice would be gratefully appreciated. -- Rick.