I just signed up for the BRC and will be taking it the start of august. I grew up with both a endro bike and one for motocross as well as had a quad and too this day still trail ride once and awhile. With that I feel I have some experience under my belt in the sense of basic control and shifting but know that dirt vs asphalt is a very different beast so I am not running around thinking I am a pro and ready to go, I do believe I am ready to learn though.
With that out of the way my questions revolve around gear and the first bike for me. I have decide to get a bike because my commute is just far too long in terms of mileage for both my leases so a bike is a cheaper and fun way to resolve this.
For my first bike I want to go used because scuffs and who knows what are going to happen and I want to pay between 1-3k. I am not after fast but most of my driving is on interstate and parkway so I want to feel safe in that the bike can react as quickly as I do if the need arises I care more about defensive then fun. I tried to talk to a dealer and they were pushing me to get a cbr 650 and it was clear I wasn't going to get very far taking their advice as a new rider.
Because I am just starting to learn I am in the belief that 200-300 would be more then ample to provide defensive driving on busier roads but yous guys can tell me best. Second I am not quite yet set on style, once I have been riding for a bit I do believe I will want to ride a little more aggressive and sportier so I don't know if a cruiser would be the way to go but my drive is a 45 minute drive and am unsure how a none cruiser would have my back feeling for that long of a drive. I also have heard and this could be very false, that a cruiser leaves you a little more relaxed, and for me I want something that keeps me as alert as possible because the riding style it's self demands it.
Last bit of my short book. I do have 2 young ones at home so safety and precaution is of the utmost importance to me. In my head I imagine fully suiting up but I want to be realistic with this and on the same hand be as comfortable as possible while being ready for the what ifs. I would rather spend more and be over protected vs crash and be under protected.
Oh and since this is my ride to work I will be have my laptop from time to time with me on my back unless you know of a better method. Also I believe I might some time have to change my shoes and such so those could go with my laptop, how ever I am carrying it.
Thank you for reading my short book and any advice and help you can provide. I am quite excited about this.. oh shoot and I forgot to mention I did own a honda shadow 2 years back that I was working on getting running and it had fallen so I know how heavy those suckers can be.
With that out of the way my questions revolve around gear and the first bike for me. I have decide to get a bike because my commute is just far too long in terms of mileage for both my leases so a bike is a cheaper and fun way to resolve this.
For my first bike I want to go used because scuffs and who knows what are going to happen and I want to pay between 1-3k. I am not after fast but most of my driving is on interstate and parkway so I want to feel safe in that the bike can react as quickly as I do if the need arises I care more about defensive then fun. I tried to talk to a dealer and they were pushing me to get a cbr 650 and it was clear I wasn't going to get very far taking their advice as a new rider.
Because I am just starting to learn I am in the belief that 200-300 would be more then ample to provide defensive driving on busier roads but yous guys can tell me best. Second I am not quite yet set on style, once I have been riding for a bit I do believe I will want to ride a little more aggressive and sportier so I don't know if a cruiser would be the way to go but my drive is a 45 minute drive and am unsure how a none cruiser would have my back feeling for that long of a drive. I also have heard and this could be very false, that a cruiser leaves you a little more relaxed, and for me I want something that keeps me as alert as possible because the riding style it's self demands it.
Last bit of my short book. I do have 2 young ones at home so safety and precaution is of the utmost importance to me. In my head I imagine fully suiting up but I want to be realistic with this and on the same hand be as comfortable as possible while being ready for the what ifs. I would rather spend more and be over protected vs crash and be under protected.
Oh and since this is my ride to work I will be have my laptop from time to time with me on my back unless you know of a better method. Also I believe I might some time have to change my shoes and such so those could go with my laptop, how ever I am carrying it.
Thank you for reading my short book and any advice and help you can provide. I am quite excited about this.. oh shoot and I forgot to mention I did own a honda shadow 2 years back that I was working on getting running and it had fallen so I know how heavy those suckers can be.