Catholic Motorcycle Riders

[Norseman82]

suzukicycles.com/Products/GSXR750K9

That’s what he wants…He likes the Suzuki models best.
So here are my questions, for whoever is patient enough to answer them.

1. I like the price–is this a good price for new? My dh and I have no clue. For new, it’s a good price, to us.

It is suggested retail price for a new one, although I’m sure the price can be negotiated down. However, you need to factor in the other “prep” and “doc” fees, as well as any taxes, which will most likely add a few hundred to a thousand to that price.

suzukicycles.com/Products/GSXR750K9

That’s what he wants…He likes the Suzuki models best.

1. Is this too fast for a 17 yr old to manage starting out?

Yes. The 600 cc bikes can top out at 140-160 mph, and I’ve read figures that this bike tops out at over 170 mph.

What is planning to use this for? Basic transportation (in which case if you are in FL he will need to prepare to either ride in the rain or not raide on rainy days), or is he planning on taking it to the race track?

1. Someone (I think in the other thread) said to buy used…why is that?

That was probably me.

Remember, unless he has has some experience riding (whether it be dirtbikes, cruisers, or smaller cc sportbikes), this will be a LEARNER bike. He should start out small to get the hang of it and respect the power and once he masters it, then move up.

Also, he might be tempted to “show off” stunts like wheeelies when he is with his friends. I’ve never met your son, and I don’t know if you’ve posted much about him much here, but remember he is a teenager.

Additionally, while learning, he may “drop” the bike. It may not be a high speed crash or him taking a turn too quickly, it could just be a matter of slipping on oil or braking too quickly. A GSXR 750 would be a very expensive learning curve. I’m not trying to alarm you, but the fact of the matter is that new riders often make small mistakes, and it is better to “get those out of the way” on a smaller, less expensive bike.

Another thing I want to caution you on is insurance. At 17, he will most likely face sky-high premiums; it is also possible that some insurers may not cover either riders his age or sportbikes at all. So I would advise that you and your son research the insurance angle together.

1. If you disagree with this model for a 17 yr old starting out, please post some alternatives for me to show our son.

Here are some smaller cc models:

suzukicycles.com/Products/GS500FK9

kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=359

kawasaki.com/Products/product-specifications.aspx?id=315

Also, a lot of people start out on the SV650:

suzukicycles.com/Products/SV650SK9

Another suggestion would be to start out with a dirtbike doing trail riding. Many bikers do that in addition to street riding.

Additionally, I posted this before from our local sportbike forum that he should read:

chicagolandsportbikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26786

That’s what he wants…He likes the Suzuki models best.
Grazie for your help! (in advance)

Nie ma za co!

 

[Debra_C]

Hello, to any and all biker buddies (even those who want to someday own a bike).

Several of us here in Arkansas are discussing starting a Catholic Motorcycle Group. Is anyone interested in being a part in the planning and future formation of this project?

Let me know
Mike

Kind of hard to do on a global scale, no? My husband and I ride with Southern Cruisers down here. It is a secular group, but we have found that there are several other Catholics and that the group rarely goes on outings we find inappropriate.

I wish you luck! It’s always nice to have folks to ride with that you have something in common with.

 

[Bennie_P]

Bump, Spring is coming. and it is going to be a great and dry weekend, down here.

[IMG ]http://i15.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/ef/70/e021_1_sbl.JPG[/IMG]

 

[K_Dog]

Hmm……well, enjoy a couple miles for me, then. I’m offering the inability to ride yet up as a penance.

 

[Bennie_P]

In reality I have only missed about four - five different weekends this winter not putting a few miles on the sporty. Sometimes because of rain, a couple because of a nasty head cold. and of course their was that ice storm… not to bad in my Town, but did havic to my feelow states a few miles north of me.

Appears you “yankees” have Lent beginning quit a bit earlier and lasting few days longer then 40 days.

 

[Baxman]

Hmm……well, enjoy a couple miles for me, then. I’m offering the inability to ride yet up as a penance.

I know the feeling… I was able to get the bike out a week ago and took a nice ride. Now Im fired up for the warm weather.

BTW, hows it going with putting the MM back together? I was curious because Im not that far from where you are.

SMR is going ok as an internet group but we have a lot of work to do before we can start the MM part of it.

My prayers are with and for you…

In Christ
Scott

 

[Belgarion]

…Hmm…A certain special young woman I know like Motorcycles…Its quite weird, yet strangely attractive…

 

[Bennie_P]

Hmm……well, enjoy a couple miles for me, then. I’m offering the inability to ride yet up as a penance.

My youngest and I put 118.7 miles on the sporty Saturday, it got up into the high 70s, Great day. A little windy but a great day…

 

[sylmarmike]

Andrew, this is really just the beginning. I think that it will be local to begin but I am hoping that it will include people from all over the US. From there we could begin local chapters and grow into something major that helps to promote this Catholic faith that we all know was founded by Jesus Christ and began fully in the upper room at Pentecost. As to you owning a motorcycle we are not limiting it to owning a bike to join. Our only limit is that anyone who joins is at least open to the Catholic Church being the church founded by Christ.

Peace
Mike

that will be a great idea.im a catholic rider in california.

 

[sylmarmike]

want to join a catholic riders club.any out there.

 

[Bennie_P]

St. Michael’s Riders Motorcycle Group
www.stmichaelsriders.com

 

[Baxman]

Bump and Plug…

I would like to bump the SMR site and give a plug to everyone who hasn’t had a chance to check it out. There are many new features including an arcade. You have to join to see the new features but its free so there is no reason not to. Also, thanks to our generous members in this bad economy, we have been able to switch to a pay server and no longer have down time and limited speed and space.

Check it out.

In Christ
Scott

 

[RazzsMom]

I’m sure you’re aware of how to avoid crossing those 1%er’s. Be sure to identify yourselves a “rider’s club”, NEVER an MC, or “motorcycle club” and NEVER wear any kind of three-piece patch. That is to say, avoid having an insignia with a top and bottom rocker. Be sure the patch is all together…not separate. The rider sporting an un-authorized patch runs the risk of having it removed.

The chances are remote that any 1%er would join a rider’s club, so you don’t have anything to worry about. I do know a couple of guys in an MC and they are good people…having served in the USMC…they’re alright.

This is eactly correct. My hubby & I have riden Harleys for over 30 years. He also now works at a MC dealership as the Harley-Davidson Service Manager. (Retired from a job at Verizon.) So - that said - he knows a LOT about 1%'ers and is friends with several. He confirms the above information.

We are in Ohio. I think I will mention this idea to Hubby and see what he thinks! He just joined K of C and several of them also ride. Maybe the club can be named “The Upper Room” with “branches” for different states.

Anyway – kewl idea. I am excited to get back to riding this summer after having back surgery and not able to ride for the last two years. We have a Road King that is calling my name…

 

[cathysboy]

Hello, to any and all biker buddies (even those who want to someday own a bike).

Several of us here in Arkansas are discussing starting a Catholic Motorcycle Group. Is anyone interested in being a part in the planning and future formation of this project?

Let me know
Mike

I think this is a brilliant idea. However, I live in Los Angeles. I would be more than willing to form up a LA chapter. Tell me what you think.

Yours in Christ,
Chris

 

[hstanco]

Hello to all

There is a Catholic Motocrcycle Minsitry available to you. We are called the Catholic Crossbearers Motorcycle Ministry. It is a new group with only a handful of riders, but we are located in AZ,OH,OK,LA,NY and NJ.

My name is Hank Stanco. I am the State Director for Oklahoma and if you would like to become involved, start your own chapter or help organize your state into chapters, your assistance would be welcomed and appreciated. It is about time we have a motorcycle ministry that caters to us catholics. There are several good groups out there but the vast majority are evengelical or non-denominational.

We have a website: catholiccrossbearersmm.com/ and you can find us on Facebook as well. Please feel free to contact me at CCBMMOK@cox.net

God bless you and keep you safe in your travels.

Hank

 

[former_Catholic]

We all are only lowly bicyclists here, but the really big ride routes all come through here to do scenic tours up and down the northwest coast, the Cascades and the Olympics, and so we all pray for the motorcyclists whenever we see them pass by because they go much farther and faster than we do.
Safe roads and blessings from the pacific northwest!

 

[hstanco]

Lowly bicyclists??? It has been years since I have been on my bike because of a bad back. Now my 16 y/o daughter takes it around town when she is not on her 600 cc Honda Shadow). Hey bicyclists make great evangelists too:

" I become all things for all men that some may be saved." (1 Cor 9:22)

Bless you in your travels.

Hank

PS I would love to take a trip through Olympus National Park

 

[former_Catholic]

Lowly bicyclists?/QUOTE]
Well, we are definitely lowly compared to the big rides where they are all decked out and there about 100 bikes all polished and gleaming with bikers in good leather and nice boots and flags and their sag wagons, some of which are just about full bike shops on wheels(!). They are really quite an impressive and spectacular parade of a sight compared to us at the side of the road with our water bottles. I am amazed at how big and how far some of the big rides are and how many I’ve met that have gone or are going entirely across the country. Oh yes, they all head for the Olympic Penninsula for sure, then down the coast to the also not-to-be-missed Columbia River Gorge!
Safe roads and blessings from the pacific northwest!

 

[andrew60]

Well I am here in the great state of Texas. The state is run by a confederation of clubs. Even motorcycle ministries go thru it. There are not alot of catholic ones to speak of, possibly count em on one hand. But if anyone is looking to join up I am in the process of starting one in the San Antonio area give me a buzz on this forum and we can talk!

 

[GodBlessJoanie]

Well I am here in the great state of Texas. The state is run by a confederation of clubs. Even motorcycle ministries go thru it. There are not alot of catholic ones to speak of, possibly count em on one hand. But if anyone is looking to join up I am in the process of starting one in the San Antonio area give me a buzz on this forum and we can talk!

Hi!,
Join us at www.StMichaelsRiders.com

God Bless,
Joanie