Motorcycle Question (Scottsdale: 2014, how much, neighborhood)

[mzbk2l]

Originally Posted by MNSvenska

Check on insurance.
We are from MN and spend winters here. We can insure 3 bikes back home for the price of one, here.
The motorcycle license tabs are $17 back in MN, no matter what the valuation of your bike. But you pay the full valuation of your bike here. Just sayin.....

Interesting... the one bike I brought out with me from Michigan cost about 1/3 as much out here to insure. I think I pay $26 every 6 months for liability insurance.

One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is that motorcycles can be registered for five years in AZ. I renewed two of mine last year for $65/ea, and they don't expire until 2019.

[maverick974]

The biggest difference is that the riding here is all year long. Not having to put the bike away for winter is a wonderful thing.
I had an air cooled bike for a while. The bike itself was fine as long as you don't sit idling for too long. Unfortunately the heat coming off the engine was almost unbearable when your sitting at even a short stop light. I got a 1300 water cooled and life is good.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by MNSvenska

Check on insurance.
We are from MN and spend winters here. We can insure 3 bikes back home for the price of one, here.
The motorcycle license tabs are $17 back in MN, no matter what the valuation of your bike. But you pay the full valuation of your bike here. Just sayin.....

Really? For me it cost next to nothing to insure a bike here. Maybe it depends on the city in which you live? I found the insurance rates to be dirt cheap. I'd have to double check but I think I pay around $300 for the year.

[MNSvenska]

Originally Posted by mzbk2l

Interesting... the one bike I brought out with me from Michigan cost about 1/3 as much out here to insure. I think I pay $26 every 6 months for liability insurance.

One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is that motorcycles can be registered for five years in AZ. I renewed two of mine last year for $65/ea, and they don't expire until 2019.

Wow! What kind of bike & where do you insure?
We have 2 trikes, here, right now. A Harley & a Suzuki.
We live in Sun City.

[locolobo13]

Air cooled bikes work fine here. I've ridden several smaller bikes from 90-500cc around the valley in the summer heat. Stop and go traffic is hard on them because there is no cooling at 0mph.

The heat is something you just have to get used to. It literally feels like an oven on a 115°F plus day. The dry air sucks the moisture out of you. Hydration is very important.

[sunluv]

I ride all year. Without a doubt, some of the best conditions on the continent. Sure, there are some days it's less desirable-I avoid rain whenever possible, which is easy here. Only on the very hottest days usually in June do I worry about it by staying out of the sun during primetime 11-6pm, though I have ridden on the hottest days just to see. The main issue on hot days is waits at stop lights. I just wear a T-shirt and shorts and a lot of sunscreen. An iced or wet vest is a good idea for some.

It's no worse to me than riding a mountain bike through Manhattan, which I did, in fact I'd say it's safer if you're a defensive, aware driver. In the colder months Dec-Jan, sometimes Feb., you dress accordingly, and don't drive too far at night if possible. Another thing is that I wouldn't advise lots of night freeway riding on weekends, here or anywhere else, given the driving at those times, coupled with reduced rear visibility on a bike. I got some smaller mirrors that attach to the rear views, that help in eliminating blind spots.

Otherwise and overall, smooth sailing.

[Gunluvver2]

One thing to remember: When it has been several days since the last rainfall when it does rain for the first few minutes the highway will be even slicker than riding on ICE. Get off the road until all the built up oil and grime has been washed off.

[flyinlow007]

Do they calculate the motorcycle registration tax the same way they calculate it for cars? IIRC its 60% of the base price, them subtract 16.25% for each year since the vehicle was first registered, then its $2.80 for every $100 of value.

[locolobo13]

Originally Posted by Gunluvver2

One thing to remember: When it has been several days since the last rainfall when it does rain for the first few minutes the highway will be even slicker than riding on ICE. Get off the road until all the built up oil and grime has been washed off.

Good advice if you can do it. For me I didn't ride in the center of the lane during the rain. Watch for oil slicks, especially at intersections where cars sit for longer periods. It's a good idea to watch for oil slicks during dry weather too. Never had any problems with it, tho I did avoid a few.

[matyoka]

We have at least a dozen if not more motorcycle clubs in the Phoenix Metro area. There are some amazing 2-300 mile rides with mountain scenery that include curvy roads as well as straights to open that bad boy up. There is a huge Harley culture in the valley and pretty much there is a bike event every weekend including charity rides and concerts. As far as safety... if you rode enough you know that cars cause 90% of the accidents and unfortunately there is a fatal crash every week on the news. Registration is a PITA however insurance is not that bad. My full coverage premium for a '13 Ducati is $144.27 and includes road side assistance with gas and so on...

As other have mentioned, Arizona is Bike heaven and we welcome you!!!!