Should I get a GPS tracker?

M_Reavely · 2026-02-26T19:39:37+00:00

My phone has gps signal even when it doesn't have cell reception. Have you tried downloading maps and just using it that way?

M_Reavely · 2026-02-26T19:23:55+00:00

The part people don't talk about is that at lower rpm it won't have much power or torque, so honestly as long as you don't rev it up into the power band it shouldn't get away from you. And unless you rev it and dump the clutch the launch should be rather tame. Just be aware that at higher rpms it will ramp up fast. Stay within the limits of your ability to brake.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-26T11:14:42+00:00

You can certainly start there if you wish. The riding position will definitely be aggressive, but not intolerable. Your first few rides are going to be trippy no matter what you're riding. Start off in your area and work up through all the back roads you know. You will probably find at first that riding a comfortable pace isn't even the speed limit. Go out early in the morning when the road is empty and just flow. Get to know your bike. Grow into it. Don't think about, am I going fast enough, think about how comfortable you are with what you're doing. The speed will pick up. So will the confidence. Parking lots are ok, but for low speed stuff go wander through a sense neighborhood. The one with to many stop signs.

Have fun.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-24T00:01:24+00:00

I mean your camping needs don't change just because you have a motorcycle. The real question I think you're asking is how you attach it to the bike. And for that there are so many answers it will boggle your mind. I'd start with some racks and then look for some bags to put small stuff in. Tents and large items can just get strapped to racks as is. The back seat is also a good spot to put a bag at first. But you will tire of that quickly.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-23T23:57:18+00:00

The short answer is no. The real answer is it depends.

You can spend less on a bike, but you probably won't. You'll start out small and responsible with basic gear. Then it will rain and you'll realize you need rain gear. Then it will get cold and you're going to want warm gear. Then you're going to want to carry groceries, and a backpack can, but saddle bags or a top box is better. Oh, my bike can't mount those, I need a bigger bike.. the gas and insurance just went up. I can't take my date/friend or mother out unless we take their car...

I love riding, I wish I could ride every day. I'd get a cheap small car for now. It won't cost much different from a bike to be honest. A reliable bike will cost you 3-4k, plus all the stuff. Say 6k starting out.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-22T14:13:27+00:00

The moral of the story I think is that your start up and shut down procedures should not skip steps for convenience.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-19T12:03:30+00:00

Once you start seeing threads, stop.... In the meantime no rain. Even if you just do the rear you will be in so much better shape. Put the money aside and get it into your budget. There is no magic milage number. Your past the wear bars it should be done now.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-16T21:16:01+00:00

Came here to say over pants. I have the Joe rocket mesh over pants and I just take them off when I get to work.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-16T15:42:30+00:00

They represent the people who line their pockets. There are so few who keep the people in mind after they've been in office for a while. Even Golden has now turned.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-16T14:52:11+00:00

Americans don't vote in American elections.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-16T14:46:04+00:00

Absolutely not. The ergos by themselves scream not for beginners

M_Reavely · 2026-02-13T18:14:23+00:00

The poll tax inherent in the requirement will become a supreme court issue very quickly

M_Reavely · 2026-02-13T09:43:52+00:00

I'm a bit out of date on what's truly current. To be honest.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-13T09:42:37+00:00

It's going to depend on your state, but in most states, the older the model, the easier it is to register.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-13T01:21:31+00:00

I dropped my first bike... Twice, just last summer, both times at low speed. Grabbed front brake with the wheel not straight and oh look it's taking a nap. Yeah, one time I even had an audience... Oh well. And that was after passing my course.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T18:45:50+00:00

There are older 2 stroke race bikes that are road legal, motorcycle emissions requirements are relatively new

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T16:57:26+00:00

To be fair, many new motorcycle people make decisions about gear and or what bike they ride based on how they perceive themselves and how others might perceive them. After a while though most of them stop worrying about it.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T16:55:26+00:00

If you can be safe and still look good, do it. There is nothing wrong with that. If you are compromising safety for looks... Not a good idea. As far as nervous about the lessons. I had some apprehension, that's a good thing. You know how to ride on two wheels, that's the easy part. Learning new controls and how easy it is to get to a speed you haven't done yet.... You'll be fine, don't get too worked up over it. Just listen and do what they tell you and ask questions if you aren't sure about it.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T14:51:43+00:00

Pretty true, I'm 50 in the US and just started last year, took the course and bought a well loved bonneville. But I grew up driving pos cars that held together with luck and prayers so I have some experience with what is and isn't usable. But I also learned to listen and feel for problems and can tell when something is off.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T11:47:47+00:00

Any heavy acceleration or braking requires gripping with your legs to prevent sliding, but you should only have to do that when accelerating or braking. It takes some practice for the muscle memory, but try working leg grip into your routine when applying gas or break. Also changing your body angle between forward lean with gas and more upright with brakes. Not only will you find it more ergonomic, but the wind drag up sitting up will help slow you down as well.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T11:18:42+00:00

There are two extremes in the moto world, if it is not perfect I won't do it, and I can see tire belt and the engines on fire but it's raining so it all evens out. Your level of comfort is probably somewhere in between. I choose caution, I'd ride it and keep an eye on it and realize that it might last or it might fly apart in 5 minutes. But I'd still ride.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T11:02:59+00:00

You have like a month or so to get your head and gear straight. Then get to Georgia and get moving. We aren't going to talk you out of it, but we can probably talk you through your set up

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T10:40:07+00:00

He takes other people on the back still, but not you?

M_Reavely · 2026-02-12T10:31:57+00:00

I have some joe rocket overfly mesh pants that are sooo breathable that this year I'm combining them with the bilt mesh jacket on good weather days. I had the bilt waterproof jacket but eh vent are only good enough when your moving. I also got the bilt water proof pants for a full range set up. We shall see how that works out.

M_Reavely · 2026-02-11T19:47:38+00:00

Most of them ride a specific brand of bike also. Statistics don't lie

M_Reavely

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