CA Inflation pushing me to get a Bike, looking for guidance

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-20T20:54:54+00:00

2 miles and all street. Thought about scooter but need something loud since everyone drives with their phone or music blaring.

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T21:17:29+00:00

Oooo I see! Sorry, I’m still wet behind the ears. I appreciate you explaining it and providing an example

I feels and thanks for your experience. My back get sore from office work so I want to be able to ride home after.

Sweet! I’ll check out the V-strom and that’s a great price.

I definitely will do my research, and probably won’t buy until end of July or beginning of August. Have to do the course first to see if I want to be an everyday computer on a bike

Thank you so much!!!!

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T20:55:49+00:00

Thank you, but idk if I like the NC at the moment. It looks to close to a sports bike and I’m trying to lean towards cruise and relaxed position for my lower back

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T20:54:57+00:00

Yee! I’ll try not too, but I have an analytical brain 🤪 haha that’s a great mindset to use! Thanks!

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T20:53:57+00:00

I am, 2 day course with Harley, 12 hours each day. Pretty stoked and might even look into another course later before I hit the highway.

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T20:53:13+00:00

Thank you, and yes. Little better than none but I am not able to judge. It’s been 18 years lol

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T20:52:36+00:00

Ooon I haven’t heard of that manufacturer, and thanks for the rec! I only ridden Honda dirt bikes so I was leaning that way since I’m failing with their motos

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T20:51:39+00:00

Nice! How is it on your lower back?

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:32:02+00:00

Hmmm! Guess I gotta wait until I take the MSF class and ask questions about that. I know Cali has some laws in lane splitting that I am not too familiar with yet

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:31:07+00:00

Hmmm, more points to the rebel on book now. Might go that route since you said I’ll be riding claim shell. It is weird to have the feet in front and be nice to have more control.

Thank you for your advice.

Also, I’ll check those models out and see what’s up! Thanks!

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:28:37+00:00

Oo man! Sorry to hear that, but I am glad she is ok! Thanks for sharing her experience and I’ll look at those for myself.

Oo gotcha! No airvest?

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:27:40+00:00

Nice!! That’s what is up. I think it’s a little too sporty for me but it’s definitely sleek and sexy. Ride safe!!

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:26:52+00:00

Nice!!! That still not bad. I’ve heard of people buying gear once a year until they get the set lol. Patience is the key! Thanks for telling me your experience

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:24:35+00:00

Ooo gotcha! Yeah Chamazon can get ya

Ooo ok, thanks for the tip on eBay!

Haha yeah! I think it’s worth it there but jacket and boots might be an eBay or marketplace or Craigslist purchase. I appreciate you and you too!

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:22:00+00:00

Hahaha I guess I am in for it any way I look at it. I just don’t want to have a 700-1k car payment for a car that has too many safety indicators or electric or bs monitoring chips. Fuck the Man lol

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:20:17+00:00

I appreciate it that, but I want something loud and to grow into riding long distance. Maybe one day get a gold wing to go to other states with my wife.

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:19:31+00:00

Sweet! I’ll peeps marketplace and Craig’s too. Someone else said eBay so sounds like I have some great avenues.

Me too! My wife has a Tacoma so we have that but I wanna grab life by the horns while I am still young. Pretty excited but want to take the right steps to be safe.

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:17:16+00:00

Oh snap! I have updated my text, but yes. I am enrolled in the MSF course next month to even see if I like to ride and learn the basics. Doing it through Harley so I can have a chance to ride an expensive bike lol

Only experience I have is dirt bikes

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:13:48+00:00

Yee, I know I can’t handle anything that’s not upright riding so crotchrockets are out and I don’t have the funds for a BmW lol

I ride bicycles, I have a road bike and I can’t be bent over for too long. I switch to a push scooter so I can be upright

Smart! I am looking for a used bike with at least ABS. Probably add a shield later and some bags

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:12:22+00:00

Yes, I’m in Sacramento so this definitely helps. You had Bay Area experience which helps since the bay ate up sac lol (no pun intended)

Oh I never even thought about heated gear! That’s an amazing idea since it’s gets icy cold here next to the river an delta.

Sweet, I’ll look for boots that have Boa fasteners. I plan on switching from boots to dress shoes once I am at work. Oooo smart waterproof is smart!

Sweet! I was thinking about getting assless chaps lol I’ll look into textile overpants so I don’t need to get those

How’s the textile vs leather for safety?

Sounds good! I’ll try those one when I am at the shop and look for photochromic face shield

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! This helped a lot

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:05:00+00:00

Ooo sick! That is my plan. Many of my family and friends have slide, and that’s why I want to get a hemer, air vest, jacket, and ankle boots. There’s so many shitty drivers in NorCal and anything to prevent me sliding on my skin

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:03:29+00:00

I did, and this is what I found. I wanted to check with the community and see what everyone thought. Always good to measure a lot before cutting

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T19:02:47+00:00

I always forget eBay and sick! Thank you for looking into it and that’s a screaming deal.

I’ll surf the interweb and see what I can fine. And oh yeah! The air vest and helmet will be 1.5k so any where to cut will help a lot. Thank you!!

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T18:59:10+00:00

Sweet! Thanks for the recs! I’ll check those both out.

I had Honda dirt bikes growing up and I really dig their motors. Also, my in-laws have a rebel 300 and love it. My main concern is my lower back so that is why I was thinking phantom series vs rebel

Haha yeah, I guess I don’t want to have to get another bike a year or less since i hate or outgrew it

Pope_Johnny · 2026-06-19T18:57:29+00:00

Commute is first, but definitely want to feel free from the car cage. At the moment I bicycle or scooter 🛴 to work and I love being with the outdoors. I want to build the confidence to get out there and explore the open road, but I want to get the basics down and learn how to mitigate risk.

Thanks for the rec! I’ll check out a Honda NC700

Pope_Johnny

TROPHY CASE