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Definitely need good gloves. I wore some POS gloves when I went down wearing a full face helmet, riding boots, kevlar jeans, and a thick leather jacket. All my gear 'worked' except for the gloves. This was the result. Attachment 112693
Ouch.
What brand gloves were you using?
I don't know much about kevlar jeans. They worked well?
I had a 2004 HD Sportster 1200 that I bought new and just recently traded in on a 2012 HD Road King. I never had a single problem with my Sportster and enjoyed riding it very much. I traded it in because I like to take long trips and my sportster was a little tight for touring with luggage. My new bike is more comfortable on 1000 mile trips and I like being able to carry and lock my cargo (as well as cruise control)! My friend bought a 2000 883 used around the same time I bought my old bike. It too has run like a champ and we continue to take long trips. He paid $3500 for it 8 years ago and could easily sell it for what he paid for it.
That's the beauty of a used bike...most depreciate to a point during their "useful" life...at which point, buying and selling them is easy, and the financial commitment to the item is nearly nill. When I purchased my 02' SV650 in 2009 I paid $2800, when I sold it in 2011 I received $2600, listed it for $2800 and had offers coming through left and right overnight. I like used bikes...but I really love OLD used bikes, such as the $300 Honda CB650SC I purchased and sold in primer a year later for $700, or the $300 CM400T I bought, painted, and sold for $1200 after 3 years of riding it...cheap bikes tend to hold their values pretty well too...least compared to new and expensive bikes.
I don't know much about kevlar jeans. They worked well?
They were no-name gloves that were very comfortable but thin like a batting glove.
Kevlar jeans, also known as draggin' jeans, are just thick denim jeans with a kevlar lining. some of them even have extra thickness or plates on the knees and butt. They worked for me, and I was going about 35 mph when I went down. They are not meant to be a substitute for an aerostitch track day suit, but they are something that you can wear to work or to an event and be significantly more protected than regular jeans.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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No OP?
First time license may be cc / displacement restricted.
If road riding any great distance I would look to 600cc+.
I like Dual sport, so would get a ~500cc version of something dependable and NOT too tall.
I ride vintage, so have picked up 3 Yamaha XT 500's to keep at different destinations in USA. (each under $900). I keep some 250cc Trials stuff for econo fun, and a couple XS 650 Yamaha twins, including my first bought new in 1972.
I have been riding for over 50 yrs and never felt the need / urge to buy a HD. When we road trip we often trade bikes, HD has never impressed me. BUT a Honda Goldwing is a CRUISER for places like Nevada and Utah 120mph +.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts - I really appreciate them. There's no CC restriction for the license designation, and I have taken the advice to get great protective gear to heart. I haven't gotten a bike yet, but am looking at an Iron 883 as a distinct possibility.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts - I really appreciate them. There's no CC restriction for the license designation, and I have taken the advice to get great protective gear to heart. I haven't gotten a bike yet, but am looking at an Iron 883 as a distinct possibility.
The Iron is the only HD that I like. They are pretty bikes. You should also look at the Honda Shadow Phantom and Yamaha Star Bolt.
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I like used bikes...but I really love OLD used bikes, such as the $300 Honda CB650SC I purchased and sold in primer a year later for $700, or the $300 CM400T I bought, painted, and sold for $1200 after 3 years of riding it...cheap bikes tend to hold their values pretty well too...least compared to new and expensive bikes.
