Buying a Motorcycle

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From time to time, friends have asked me for advice about buying a motorcycle. They’re interested, but are bewildered with so much information on the internet and not knowing whom to trust or what is accurate or potentially misleading.

I am glad they asked. Having “been there, done that,” perhaps I can assist. I am not an expert, but having owned and ridden motorcycles for over 30 years, I am experienced.

First of all, I strongly recommend taking the Basic RiderCourse offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (provided you are in the U.S. If you are in another country, find a beginner or basic motorcycle rider’s course equivalent). Such a course is available usually through a state’s motor vehicle administration, many community colleges, and some private groups. Riders are provided a small bike on which to take the range practice and tests. Upon completion of the course with a passing grade, riders usually qualify to receive a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s permit.

Then consider buying a previously owned motorcycle. Sure, you can buy a brand new bike, but it is likely that you will ride this bike for two or three years, then want to get a bigger bike. A used bike in the 500cc – 750cc range, like a Honda Shadow or a Kawasaki Vulcan fits the bill for a good starter bike. A new bike is worth less than half of what you pay for it the minute you drive it off the dealer’s lot. A used bike saves money, and is a better value for starting out.

I do not recommend buying a “crotch rocket” or sport bike for your first bike. These styles of motorcycles require more skill and experience to ride than a simple cruiser. Also, sport bikes can be very uncomfortable by requiring the rider to be seated on it in a forward-leaning position. For similar reasons, I do not recommend a touring class motorcycle for a first bike, either. A Harley Road King or a Honda Gold Wing require a lot of experience to handle them while moving slowly or stopped, and can be intimidating to a new rider due to their size and physical requirements to move them.

To find listings of used bikes, I recommend using CraigsList.org, if it is available for your area. It’s free, and there are usually a lot of listings of mid-range bikes for sale. While you will see lots of Harleys for sale, I really recommend a bike with an engine displacement no higher than 750cc for a starter bike. There aren’t any Harleys made with an engine of that size. Remember: the bigger the engine, the heavier the machine, making it harder to handle. If you are unaccustomed to handling a motorcycle, you want to get one that you can ride and that you can handle maneuvering into parking spaces and while it is stationary. Big V-twins, like a Harley, tend to want to fall over and go places you don’t want them to go, so start small(er) first. You will be happy that you did.

eBay Motors also lists used motorcycles, but often those bikes are far away and there’s no way you could physically inspect it or test ride it. I never recommend buying a bike sight unseen, even from your favorite Uncle Biker Mike. Look at it, ride it, test it: that’s the only way to buy a used bike.

When you find a bike that fits your price range and size, get a biker buddy to go with you and check it out. Here is a little known but very important reminder: wear the gear that you plan to wear on the bike when you go to check it out and test ride it. That is, wear your leathers and boots, as well as bring your own helmet. You want to feel how your gear that you intend to use while riding fits with you and that bike. Also, simply, you will be ready for the test ride since you will be properly geared.

Don’t even think about showing up to check out a motorcycle while wearing shorts and sneakers. Also, even if your state does not require a helmet, bring one anyway and wear it while test riding the bike for your safety. Also, a seller shouldn’t accept the responsibility for allowing someone to ride his bike without a helmet, because if the rider crashed and got injured, the bike’s owner would have a measure of responsibility.

Ask the owner about how the bike has been maintained: how frequently has the oil been changed? Brake fluid? Transmission fluid? Belts? Has the bike ever gone down or been involved in a crash? Check it over for tell-tale signs of damage or repairs from a crash. If you see such evidence, be careful because obvious damage may be indicative of more serious problems.

Get on the ground and look under the bike for leaks. Look under the engine and especially under the place where the oil filter is, as well as the transmission. Both oil and transmission fluids are prone to leaking, so check under the bike as well as on the engine itself for signs of leaks, drips, or even dried fluids that leaked at one time or another.

Ask how the bike’s electrical system has worked. Does it always start on the first push of the starter switch? Do all the lights and turn signals work? If your state requires an inspection, has the bike recently been inspected and may you see the inspection certificate? If the owner can produce such documentation, then it is evident that s/he is above-board and honest.

Bring a tire pressure gauge with you. Check the tire pressure. Ask the owner to show you the label on the bike, or the bike’s owners manual, or the label on the tires so you know what the proper tire pressure should be. It is quite common that the pressure in motorcycle tires is a little low, as tire pressure is the most frequently overlooked regular maintenance requirement. Before test riding, try to get the tire pressure to where it needs to be if it isn’t.

Also, while looking at the tires, check for signs of unusual wear. Is there wear on one side of the tire more than the other? That could be a sign of riding on improperly inflated tires for a long time. See if there are any large rocks embedded in the treads. Ask if either tire has gotten a leak or hole in it, and how it was repaired (or if it were replaced.) Also, ask when the tires were last replaced. Look to see if quality tires made by a reputable company are on the both the front and rear.

While looking at the tires, examine the rims. See if there are unusual dents in the rim as it meets the tire. If the wheel uses spokes, look to see if the spokes are all straight, undamaged, and none are missing. Damage to rims or spokes could be an indication of the bike having been involved in a crash, or the tire having been damaged such as by striking a curb.

Sit on the bike and feel how it fits you. Can you reach the controls on both of the handlebars without stretching (or cramping?) Can you reach the rear brake peddle and the gear shifter without stretching or cramping? (Ask yourself: is your gear getting in your way? Too tight? Boots too tall? You really don’t know how leather gear works with a motorcycle until you actually try to ride one with your gear on.)

The fit of the bike to you — your body and your height — is incredibly important. If it doesn’t fit well, then you’re not going to ride it. Don’t let the owner tell you about after-market products that can adjust the fit of the bike for you, such as a new seat or shocks. Listen, if the bike is already two to five years old, you’re not going to keep it for more than another few years anyway, so investing a lot more money to adjust the fit isn’t a good investment.

While sitting on the bike, look down the fork. Is it straight? A bike that has been down may have a twisted or damaged fork, which can be costly to repair. A fork that isn’t straight will cause the bike to be off center and not ride correctly, particularly at highway speeds.

Check the mileage. Ask how the bike has been ridden. A bike ridden for many short trips has incurred a lot more engine wear than a bike ridden for fewer longer trips. Bikes are made to be ridden, but frequent stops and starts are hard on an engine, and cause it to wear much quicker than a bike that has been ridden for longer trips. The total number of miles is not quite as important as the total number of trips — especially short trips. So ask about that. If the owner is factual about how the bike has been ridden, then you’re building confidence in him as a seller. If he isn’t giving you detailed information, than he may have something to hide.

Ask to see mechanical maintenance records, and if the state requires it, annual inspection certificates. If the bike has been serviced regularly and usually at the same location, that’s another good sign. Sure, an owner may change his own fluids (oil, brake, transmission), but repairs beyond that, such as belts, cables, electrical, etc., should be done by a professional, and there should be records to validate that.

Ask about the brakes and how recently they were serviced. Usually brakes require servicing a bit more frequently than other parts nowadays. (During a test ride, listen for squeaks or squeals. Try both the front and rear brakes separately and listen for rubbing or unusual noises.)

Ask about the battery. Most motorcycle batteries last just two or three years. Ask how old the battery is and when it was last replaced.

Ask how the bike has been stored for the winter. If it were stored in a garage or heated storage facility, that’s good. Even better if a trickle charger were kept on the bike’s battery during prolonged periods of non-use. If the bike were kept under a cover out in a parking lot, then that’s not so good. Bikes kept out-of-doors while not being ridden for months can develop some serious problems that you can’t see, such as condensation inside the gas tank causing it to rust from the inside out. Or gumming of the fuel lines, or a host of other maladies. I would shy away from a bike that was stored out-of-doors for long period.

Prepare for a test ride. If the owner wants a deposit, offer to let him hold your car keys instead (but you keep the registration in your possession). Look, if you want your car back, you’re going to return the bike. If he wants money just for a test ride, then back off. Something’s wrong.

You may choose to meet for a test ride at a parking lot. That’s a good idea, because you can have room to practice turns, stops, starts, and the braking. Do a couple emergency stops, and make sure the bike remains true and straight, and doesn’t skid. (If, as a new rider, you are uncomfortable doing that, have your buddy do that for you while you watch.)

If you liked the answers to the questions that you asked and if the test ride went well, then you’re about ready to make a purchase. Ask to see the bike’s title. Only consider buying a bike that has a “clean” title. Never, ever, accept a bike’s title that has anyone else’s name on it than the person you are dealing with. And never do a title transfer without indicating the real name of the owner and the buyer, their addresses, and the actual mileage. Don’t allow the mileage to be under what’s true. There are various reasons why a seller or buyer would want to leave the mileage off of a title during transfer, but that is never a good idea. Doing so can catch up with you when you want to sell the bike when you’re done with it, and put you in a position of claiming more mileage on it than you put on it, thus lowering its value and any return you may get on it in a future sale. (In many states, stating inaccurate actual mileage on a title during transfer is illegal.)

It is a very good idea to use a bill of sale or contract to conduct the sale. If the owner can’t produce one, be prepared and have one ready. You can find a sample motorcycle bill of sale on the Internet just by searching “motorcycle bill of sale.” Download it and adapt it for your needs.

Hope this helps. Get out and ride!

P.S.: Only after writing the information above did I find a more thorough Used Motorcycle Buying Guide by Adam Glass. None of the content in what I wrote above was taken from Adam’s copyrighted work, though there are a lot of similar ideas and concepts (but Adam’s is more comprehensive as he has been working on it for a number of years.)

17 Years With The Man of My Heart

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Today marks our 17 year anniversary. Yep, 17 years ago, I met the man who fundamentally and profoundly changed — and improved — my life.

I wrote a rather sappy but sincere blog post about him titled Bootprints of Our Journey on March 31. I decided to post it then rather than wait until now. It gives a rather strong description of just what I think about my better half, and would serve as an appropriate anniversary tribute. My brother’s blog post yesterday was much appreciated by both of us (thanks, J!)

I debated about writing another long, sappy blog post, but decided against it. Not because anything is wrong or has changed. I sense that visitors to this blog know darned well that I am committed to my partner, and that I love him with all of my heart, and every fibre of my being. Another long sappy post spilling out my inner-most feelings gets rather boring for readers. I mean, it is my partner and I who share these feelings. We know it, that’s enough. But if you wish, you can read my previous anniversary tributes for 2008, here and for 2009, here.

So, just what DO you say after 17 years of a strong partnership? “I love you” seems inadequate. “Bend over” strains the limits of the G-rated nature of this blog (giggle.) “What’s on TV?” is probably more like it.

I think what has led us this far is mutual trust, respect, and feeling secure and appreciated. We ensure our finances are sound, and we owe no debt. We take care of each other and our home, and those in our lives whom we love. We have worked hard to earn what we have, and have worked equally hard to earn each others’ commitment in the true sense of what a partnership — for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish — truly means. Yeah, we’re as equivalent as being married. It’s a nice feeling.

I will spend the day with my beloved better half. We will probably do what he considered to be fun: work around the house. But I will also take him out to dinner. We rarely go out, but we’ll make an exception. I will dress in my leather finest, and he will dress comfortably (it’s a casual restaurant). We will raise a glass (of Coke) and give a toast to our partnership and another year since that memorable moment when I met the man who has become my heart, my soul, … my “better half.”

Happy anniversary, my love. I LYAWM!

Life is short: celebrate!

Family Well Wishes

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Guest blog post by BHD’s twin brother, J

I asked to write today’s post on this blog since I wanted to wish my brother and his partner a very happy anniversary, and be the first one to do it. Their actual anniversary is tomorrow. I’m sure my brother will post something about it.

My brother and his partner will be celebrating 17 years of being together. I most sincerely regret that they can’t think back to a wedding like my wife and I do, and sit and review photos in an album like we do. As gay men, getting married is not permitted where they live — yet — so they do what most gay men do, and celebrate their anniversary as the day they met, rather than the day they had a formal civil ceremony where the state recognizes their relationship.

It’s sad for me that my brother and his partner don’t have the same rights and recognition that my wife and I have — just because he loves and is committed to a man and I love and am committed to a woman. It’s just blatantly unfair. I know my brother is among those who are “working on it.” But he also works hard on a number of issues that pertain to the health, well-being, and safety of the community. Especially of his beloved seniors for whom he cares.

All of us in the family embrace our brother and his partner as our own. We love them. We hold them closely in our hearts. We cherish their relationship and commitment, and stand by to assist in any way we can. That is what family is for, and what our parents taught us and would expect. But it’s more than that: we do it because we want to.

Happy anniversary, brother & [*] (Gosh, I wish you let me use your names on your own damn blog, bro’!)

May you share joy, peace, and contentment for many more years to come.

Warm hugs always,

Your whole fam-damily!

Boots and Ankles

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Last December, well before I broke my leg, I ordered a cool pair of Nocona cowboy boots. They have a dark blue full quill ostrich foot, and black shafts with blue stitching. Unfortunately, the boots were backordered. I finally received them on Wednesday of this week. (I guess Nocona had to wait to have sufficient orders to set up the line to make this style and color of boots again.)

However, as delighted as I am to receive these new boots, I can’t pull the right boot on my leg. My darned ankle is still swollen and the doc says that I will continue to experience swelling of the ankle for up to a full year! Arrggghhh!

I am able to wear more of the boots in my collection, but I can’t wear cowboy boots yet. Biker boots — particularly engineer boots — fit fine. I am learning that cowboy boots have a tighter fit where the instep meets the shaft, right at the ankle. I probably could force the boot onto my foot, but it would hurt. Also, I probably couldn’t take it off by myself without damaging the boot or my ankle, or both.

I’ll just have to suck it up and wait. This is so darned frustrating. Oh well, I have said before and I’ll say it again… I am a patient man. At least I try to be. 🙂

Life is short: appreciate unswollen ankles if you have them! Then wear your boots!

Delete … Delete

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Any time you’re “out there” on the internet and you connect your email to your blog and/or website, then sooner or later you will receive messages from people who are, well, rather bizarre, or who say strange things.

I get email from Pakistani leather vendors all the time. They’re not strange, as they are persistent. They do not see or read the message on my page that says clearly that I don’t want to hear from them. … delete … delete …

Then occasionally I get propositions for sex. Well, I take that as a compliment in a way, but also find it annoying. … delete … delete …

From time to time someone will write to ask if he can “service” me or my boots. … delete … delete …

Every now and then, I get messages from some very lonely men. I feel sorry for them, but I’m not a matchmaker. Sometimes they write just to communicate with me. That’s okay, but most of the time, they write with odd requests, bizarre notions, or write so confusingly that I have no idea what they’re asking or what they want. … delete … delete …

I have received messages from children less than age 21. Either they don’t read my message that says that if you’re under 21, I won’t respond, or it could be the cops testing me. For my own safety … delete … delete …

I swear, on nights of the full moon, I have received very odd email messages offering things like a new pair of boots in exchange for [bleep] or wanting me to meet the person somewhere (more like a demand than a request). … delete … delete …

I even received a message from a guy who begged me to let him stay with us in our home because he wanted to “see for himself how a gay couple lives.” Oh Jimminy Crickets … delete … delete …

A few times, I have received a rant or negative message from a jealous wacko or one of those ultra-religious zealots … delete … delete …

Then there’s the guy who wrote me an email, and when I didn’t answer in an hour, wrote again and kept writing until I responded. I tried to explain that I don’t sit at my computer waiting for email to come in. I have a life. I’m busy. When someone gets demanding and rude about it … delete … block … delete … (“block” referring to blocking that person’s email address from writing to me again.)

While I am a tolerant and accepting guy, there are some times when I have received email from a U.S.-born-and-raised person who cannot spell, use grammar, write, or otherwise compose an intelligent sentence. Or even a sentence for that matter … delete … delete …

——————
In reading the above, it sounds like I receive a lot of email and that most of it is from strange or bizarre people. Actually, neither are true. I don’t receive a lot of email … enough to make things interesting, but not enough to overwhelm me. And most of it is well-composed, written by adults acting like an adult, and recognizes and respects that I am a gay man in a monogamous relationship.

I say that I will respond to every legitimate email message that I receive. That’s true. However, I reserve judgment as to what is or is not “legitimate.”

Life is short: be normal, and I’ll write back. Be bizarre, and I won’t. Simple as that.

Wear Whatever You Like

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My fellow blogger, Straight Jacketed, amused me yesterday when he closed a post on his blog with a line, “To adapt a catchphrase from the indefatigable BHD, life is short: wear whatever you damn well like.”

You know, he’s right. He’s damn well right. The other day when I went with my partner to a trolley museum, I knew that it was likely that I would see neighbors and even some local elected leaders there. Regardless, I chose to wear a pair of comfortable lightweight leather jeans and my Wesco combat boots with the jeans bloused into them. (That is, the ends of the leather jeans tucked a little bit into the top of the boots, and then the remaining leather bloused over them so they have a sharp appearance.)

For me, it was comfortable. I also like the masculine appearance of the boots and leather. Funny, I noticed when I processed the picture for this blog that I have grass stains on the boots. Yep, I have been mowing the lawn while wearing them, and it shows. At the stage of recovery from my broken leg, the lace-up, taller combat style boots give the support I require, as well as are comfortable for all-day wear.

One of the museum visitors looked at me and said, “you look like a ‘storm trooper’.” Ha! I got a big laugh out of that. The other people I knew, including community leaders, didn’t bat an eye. They talked to me, looked at my face, and not at what I was wearing.

I am comfortable in my own skin, and comfortable in a cow’s skin, too. Nobody cares what I have on my feet or legs. Seriously. For those who obsess about what other people think about what you’re wearing: forget it.    N-o    o-n-e    c-a-r-e-s!

Life is short: wear whatever you damn well please.

P.S.: I am highly honoured to be labeled “indefatigable.” Thanks, man. I get fatigued. I just hide it well (giggle.)

Social Stigmas in Choices of Jeans

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I received an email message the other day from a guy who wrote to me with a question about jeans:

Are there any stigmas associated with guys who wear Dickies jeans to say, a western dance club or concert?

He probably wrote to me after reading my tutorial on jeans and boots. Lots of guys obsess about whether to wear jeans inside or outside of boots. Some have questions about the “right” type of jeans to wear with boots. This probably was the case with this writer.

Here is what I said in reply:

There’s nothing wrong with wearing Dickies jeans. If that’s what you like, then that’s great. Dickies jeans aren’t as common in some parts of the country as in others. I have seen lots of guys wearing Dickies jeans and boots in Oklahoma, for example. I don’t see them much around Maryland where I live, but they’re just not found in our local stores as much as Levis and Wranglers.

Dickies jeans are less costly than Wranglers or Levis, but are well made so they are a better value. Wranglers and Levis have a cost mark-up just for the name. Dickies doesn’t have that reputation. So actually, you’re making a statement when you wear Dickies jeans that you appreciate good value and quality.

In my opinion, people who judge others because they’re not wearing the most popular name-brand apparel have some growing up to do. Believe me, I live with that all the time where I live in the DC area.

One thing to consider is that people make judgments by how people LOOK in what they wear, and not only on the actual clothing. Stand tall, smile, and look confident. That can go a long way into what others perceive about you, regardless of your clothing choices.

So wear your Dickies proudly. Thanks for asking.

Life is short: wear what you like, proudly.

Weekends are Too Short

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Whoever arranged things so you have only two days off on a weekend didn’t get it right. Don’t we all feel that we need or at least want to have twice the time? Too bad we all can’t convince our employers to reverse things, and give us five-day weekends and only have to work two days each week with no reduction in pay. (giggle.)

Yes, my doctor cleared me to ride my Harley when I saw him on Friday. The joy, though, is bittersweet. I do not have much time to take a “journey ride” on it. Sure, I got out for an hour on Saturday, but that was all that I could manage to squeeze in.

My partner wanted to go to a newly re-opened nearby trolley museum yesterday. While I would rather be out riding, and I would love to have him with me as my passenger, he is physically unable to join me as a passenger any more, so our joint activities no longer involve the bike.

The museum visit was lame, I have to admit. Not much to see. My partner was disappointed. We have ridden the trams in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, Vienna, Munich, Frankfort, and the world’s largest system in Melbourne (Australia), among other places. What we saw at this local museum was negligible in comparison with real, active trolley/tram systems elsewhere.

But it was what he wanted to do, and considering that he gave up his life to take care of me while I was recovering from my broken leg, doing something he wanted to do was the least I could do for him. I went along and we made the best of it. He loves trolleys, and they are the feature of this museum, but there wasn’t much to see. The “free ride” went around a little loop and was all of two minutes. It was kinda cheesy. But… there we were.

By the time we got home, I got busy editing a video for another political candidate I am supporting. Then it was time for bed. Where does time fly? Well, obviously, not from the seat of my Harley (LOL!)

As I started this post, I’ll say again, weekends are too short.

Life is short: starts on a weekend.


Feels Sooooo Good!

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Within my crazy-busy weekend, I carved out some “me time” to get back on my Harley since the doc said the broken leg was history. It was wonderful!

First, I carefully checked the bike over from front to back, from tires to seat to cables to lights to controls. The bike has been sitting idle on a trickle charger since last I rode it in the middle of January. Then I broke my leg, and couldn’t ride…. What a long, dreary wait. Fortunately, everything was fine and the tires only needed a little air.

I wasn’t sure I would have time to go for a ride on Saturday. I had some friends offer to come over in the morning and ride with me, but I had to turn them down because I had commitments for my community work. A meeting, building a website for a political candidate, taking some elder buds grocery shopping, caring for my aunt… all these things plus some work around the house take time.

My partner and I had a meeting of the minds, and he agreed that I just had to get it out of my system: I had to ride! So by early afternoon, the critical things were done, and I had time to get booted and on the saddle of my beloved Road King.

I pulled on my new Champion Attitude harness boots that have burgundy leather shafts that match the Harley’s colors, and black ostrich feet. Kinda cool, and different. They fit well over my jeans.

I pulled on my leather jacket, rolled the bike into the drive, and it started up right away. I carefully engaged the clutch, dropped it into first, and off I went … around the cul-de-sac to get used to riding again. As I was doing this maneuver, a biker bud who I know rode over. He said that he thought he would check to see if I were going for a ride since he saw a post I had made on a public forum. His timing couldn’t have been better!

We rode on some back roads and byways, slowly but surely. My bike loves to ride, and the boots enjoyed their first experience being used as they were designed: biker’s boots!

We didn’t stay out long. I had another meeting to attend in the late afternoon. But it sure was nice to get out.

My leg is a little sore, in all honesty, and as I am writing this post on Saturday night, I have ice on it. But I also have the biggest smile on my face! Woo-hoo! I am reintroducing you to Booted Harleydude: biker, community caregiver, spirited worker, … all these things. But most of all, I’m a very happy man.

Life is short: there is life after a broken leg!

Oh Doc, Sneakers? Ya Gotta Be Kiddin!

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I saw the orthopedic specialist yesterday afternoon, and as expected, he said that I have recovered from the broken leg and I can resume my regular activities “as tolerated.” Woo-hoo!!!

At the close of his examination, he turned to me and said, “wear sneakers for the next few months.” Yeah, right.

I said, “really, why?”

He said, “you will still have some swelling, so the sneakers can expand to accommodate it.”

I said, “what about boots that lace up?”

He didn’t know what to say. He just smiled and said, “sneakers will be fine. You won’t be able to wear boots for a while.”

Little does he know. I’ve already been wearing boots for three weeks. I have choices of boots that can accommodate the minor swelling that I have and do not cause me any discomfort. So to heck with the sneakers: “resume normal activities as tolerated” means, to me, wearing boots. That’s that.

Now, to work on carving down that huge list of “gotta-dos!” then get out a ride!

Life is short: wear your boots!