A Rider’s Journey: This is the sixth in a series of blog posts by DeAnna DeCaluwe about her journey to recreate her father’s last ride.
It’s been a little more than a month since I took my Motorcycle Safety Foundation BasicRider class, and I’m still searching for a motorcycle. The process has been a bit more cumbersome than I anticipated. I thought this would be easier than car shopping—all I’d need to do is find something cute that didn’t break the bank, and then sign the check. It turns out there’s a lot more to think about when you’re purchasing a bike. Here are just a few of the items I learned should be taken into account:
The first bike I looked at was a 750 Honda Shadow. It was a beautiful bike, and, looking at the pictures, I was certain I was going to buy it. When I sat on the bike, however, the larger width of the tank forced my knees to point out. It was not a comfortable seating style for me. Others love it, but I found that I would like something a bit narrower. There are, of course, pros and cons to both. A wider, bigger tank size means less stopping to fill up. The bike with a narrow tank doesn’t hold as much, meaning you won’t go as far on a tank of gas. Again, these are just a few things that need to be thought of to ensure you’re purchasing something that’s the right “fit” to ensure you’re comfortable and alert on the road. Price, the age of the bike, overall condition, mileage and add-ons also need to be considered. My husband, for example, has told me I will need a bike with a windshield because getting hit with a June bug (size of a quarter) at 55 mph is not a pleasant experience. There are lots of bikes on the market and I’m still working to find one that will suit my needs. I’m optimistic that I will find something soon!
DeAnna DeCaluwe, a married mother of two boys, is the newest member of the Dairyland Cycle family. To recreate her father’s last ride, DeAnna is learning to ride this summer. Join her as she takes a rider’s journey.