Inline Performance Magazine

Inline Performance Magazine

Looking For the Right Ride Is Harder Than You Realize

Posted: 03 Apr 2011 10:00 PM PDT


Remember your first motorcycle? Do you remember that feeling you had after passing the MSF test when you couldn't wait to go out to buy your first ride? It didn't take you long to get the thing because while supposedly studying through the MSF routines, you were basically already settled on the type of motorcycle you were going to get from doing all that fun research. Well that first feeling should have been cherished because after buying your first, second or even third ride, you mature and soon grow up to realize that the choices you make not only have an impact on your future, but they have to comply with your current life situations. And thus, the beautiful and ugly truth comes out about the motorcycle industry when considering your next ride.

Most people would agree that motorcycling is solely a sport; and it can be. To them it's a toy to be played with whenever they want, and then stashed away until they feel like playing with it again. It's hard not to fall into the trap of wanting something flashy and cool with all the trimmings, but that's the very thought that leads to a rider's doom if they ride everyday. With the evolution of the motorcycling world, motorcycles have become much more than a toy to a wide range of people. And for me, I don't ride motorcycles just to have fun every now and then. I ride them because it's the coolest, sexiest, and most economical and all around practical way of getting from place to place in life's fast paced movement. So since getting rid of my true love, I've had a hard time searching for another bike that fits me and that I can be completely satisfied with and proud of having. It's not just because of the fact that I felt so at home when riding my last ride, but a lot of economical factors apply when searching for a new bike that has put a burden on my thought process. With money being my biggest concern and still having a small amount of the loan left from my previous ride, I've had to narrow my pickings down to something I can afford. And being a little spoiled by the fact that my last ride was new when I bought it, I would prefer to keep that streak going. I've had ratty, I've had used, and there is just nothing that compares to being the first owner of a brand new ride.

During my search I have been very tempted to get a brand new Kawasaki ZX 10 or the Hayabusa 1300r, but from experience with my past liter bike and taking into account these poor economic times, I would be falling into a very expensive trap again; especially if I plan to ride everyday like I did my last ride. So I finally decided that the perfect bike for me would be inexpensive, very economical, but not lacking in style, speed, and sex appeal. And considering I've never owned a motorcycle lower than 600cc, a 250cc or 500cc seem like real good possibilities. Plus the fact that these fun little things are becoming more unique and futuristic looking got me more interested in owning one. Going through this thought process brought me to the conclusion that there will be many more new lines of 250s, 500s and 650s coming up real soon to fit more consumers like me. Now you might be asking "well why don'tcha just get the ninja 250?" And I say to you, I have to have something different from the rest, which is why I must continue my quest.

I almost despise the fact of not having a motorcycle because I can't enjoy buzzing by the cagers everyday and I miss out on all the motorcycle adventures and tests awaiting me, but reality has it that I must be careful about my next purchase. And everybody knows that deep down in your moto-soul, you know which bike turns you on the moment you oogle her body and hop on her saddle; it's just instant gravitational energy baby!

This is Studdly signing off and stay tuned to see which bike I finally decide to get with the little money I have saved up. And if reading this article stirs up any type of thoughts in your head, feel free to comment, don't be shy!

And be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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