Light weight motorcycles

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jacob
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Light weight motorcycles

Post by jacob »

We live in Chicago where owning a vehicle and parking it in the streets is a major hassle. However, we do have access to a basement/corner of living room. Also, we would like to travel for a couple of hundred miles on occasion without having to rent a car, so are there any ... would a light weight motorcycle that can be hauled down/up a flight of stairs be an option?

Seneca
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by Seneca »

jacob wrote:We live in Chicago where owning a vehicle and parking it in the streets is a major hassle. However, we do have access to a basement/corner of living room. Also, we would like to travel for a couple of hundred miles on occasion without having to rent a car, so are there any ... would a light weight motorcycle that can be hauled down/up a flight of stairs be an option?
Not really good options.

This is about the smallest/lightest modern bike I'd suggest would haul two people 200mi in any sort of comfort and safety, and it's 357lbs advertised (which means low).

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cbr250r.aspx

A 2 stroke closed course racing 250cc dirt bike is 225+lbs, which is about the lightest you can get a full sized motorcycle to be. So, there's not really going to be anything with decent power that you can carry up your stairs.

Bikes go up elevators just fine though, not that I'd know. :twisted:

Seneca
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by Seneca »

One caveat- scooter clubs will do 200+mi rides, so it is technically within the realm of possibility.

An older 2 stroke Vespa might be just light enough to drag up with much effort.

Not really most people's idea of a practical solution though.
Last edited by Seneca on Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

dot_com_vet
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by dot_com_vet »

How about a pair of Honda CT70 clones? (Monkey Bikes!)

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C40
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by C40 »

How strong/fit is your wife? The stairs will make it really tough..

There are options like this below, but this is 200# like others mentioned..

http://www.peirspeed.com/madass125.htm#specs

jacob
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by jacob »

@C40 - I'm confident that I can push #200 up the stairs. DW's job would be to keep the dog away from under my feet.

(If I keep it in the basement, I would really only have to conquer 5 steps.)

@all - Another question is how sane it would be to get a motorcycle in the first place. I see a lot of 30+ people swearing them off due to risk/responsibilities/dependents. I don't mind dying as much as ended up a cripple/incapacitated.

Seneca
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by Seneca »

Nothing you are going to drag up stairs would meet my definition of safe on the open road. Motorcycles make up for the lack of steel and airbags with rider skill, better visibility, maneuverability and power to squirt out of bad situations.

I still ride on dirt, street and race track with a baby at home, but I've been riding since I was 8YO.

Motorcycle accidents are more likely to be alcohol related than car accidents (the typical Harley ride on the weekend is bar to bar), and also the majority are now middle aged new riders who go out and buy very large/heavy/awkward bikes (again Harleys) as their first bike.

More info here, with link to the actual study inside- http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/1 ... ycle/?_r=0

Bikes are more dangerous per mile, but if you take out alcohol, and poor training, and badly chosen first bikes, and lack of excellent safety gear, and unfit/uncoordinated humans, I'd guess it gets much closer.

Seneca
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by Seneca »

jacob wrote:@C40 - I'm confident that I can push #200 up the stairs. DW's job would be to keep the dog away from under my feet...
Not saying you can't, but it's a lot harder than it sounds. Figure out a way to try it before you spend money.

EDIT- I'm assuming a flight of stairs up to a second floor and not a few stairs to a raised porch. Also, be careful with your ground clearance on the top step. Many (probably most) street only bikes would have a clearance issue there.

sshawnn
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by sshawnn »

Comments from another lifer...

Seneca's words are wise. I even try to justify my own risk as he does! The truth is that Seneca is right if you have never had a serious disfiguring accident and Toska is right if you have. In a utopian world of transportation I would ride two wheels everywhere.

Freedom_2018
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by Freedom_2018 »

Given other options, riding a motorcycle around just as a means of conveyance does not make much sense.

Ride a motorcycle because you enjoy riding. Also would highly recommend a MSF class.

My 900 cc vulcan weighs 610 lbs dry, before I've attached my cargo trailer with which we plan to tour the US next spring. Glad I have a small garage for now.

If your 200 mile trips do not involve freeways, would a couple of motorized bicycles suffice?

tommytebco
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by tommytebco »

I am a life time motorcyclist. First bike at 15 . still have two.

Getting any bike up and down stairs is a major deal. Not really feasible. Unless a trained stunt/trials rider, you're not riding it.

Travel of any distance requires 250cc or larger engine. This weighs about 300 lbs. Highway travel, two up, really requires 500cc. You can putz along in the right lane, but highway travel at slower than average involves its own perils.

a 250cc scooter can handle two up light weight touring, if you stay off of interstates. My youngest daughter rides one in San Francisco and goes "to the ocean" two up. But a scooter is not going up and down stairs.

I'm kind of tempted to get a "China Boy" Motor Bike.
https://www.google.com/search?q=motor+b ... =652&dpr=1
The engine kit costs $175 or so (google it) It bolts onto a conventional cruiser or mountain bike. Top speed is 45/50 mph. It would be a reportable event to travel 100's of miles on one though.

sleepnot
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by sleepnot »

What about a Honda PCX http://powersports.honda.com/2013/pcx.aspx ? There's a 125 and 150 version. It's cheap, rather light, has a small turning radius and has extremely low fuel consumption. A forum for all your questions: http://www.hondapcx.org
Some even manage to drive across your big country: http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1726

And it's fun to ride too! yes, I have one :)

jacob
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by jacob »

The way I think of this [MC] is really a kind of back roads deal, like if I was going on a bicycle, but faster and maybe a couple of days in a row. On a bike, I can maybe optimistically travel 200M in a day if I started at sunrise. And that's a big maybe! I'd like to be able to go a bit further than that.

sshawnn
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by sshawnn »

sleepnot wrote:What about a Honda PCX http://powersports.honda.com/2013/pcx.aspx ? There's a 125 and 150 version. It's cheap, rather light, has a small turning radius and has extremely low fuel consumption. A forum for all your questions: http://www.hondapcx.org
Some even manage to drive across your big country: http://www.hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1726

And it's fun to ride too! yes, I have one :)
This scooter was new knowledge to me. I have thought and read about it quite a lot and it may be worth considering upgrading from my 49cc simply to be at the same speed as the traffic around me!

jacob
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by jacob »

@tommytebco - I've seen a few MTB engine kits around here in the city. Those things are foul [smelling], very loud... and quite intriguing.

BobLandish

Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by BobLandish »

I think the problem is, once you get it light enough to carry up/down the stairs, then it's too small to carry a +1.

In theory, I don't think a motorcycle is much more dangerous than a bike, the fatality rates are skewed high due to young idiots riding like maniacs. $7,000/$3,000 (new/used) will buy you Ferrari level performance. I reasonably slow (20lbs/hp or more) motorcycle paired with a responsible trained rider is pretty safe. Motorcycle helmets are much more substantial than the bicycle helmets, and they even make jackets with built in airbags.

Once you include the investment in gear, it ends up being a pretty expensive hobby. A much simpler solution would be to rent a car occasionally.

tommytebco
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by tommytebco »

re:@tommytebco - I've seen a few MTB engine kits around here in the city. Those things are foul [smelling], very loud... and quite intriguing.

They can be quiet. Add more expensive muffler. I see folks riding them on sidewalk at moderate (jogging) speed. they are quiet then.
Two stroke are always smelly, they burn the lubricating oil by design.

The design I'm jonesing for has the drive tied to the multispeed hub that the pedals use. I would carry it in van and go off road at destinations.
http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p8zFZzrdAo

sshawnn
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by sshawnn »

jacob wrote:@tommytebco - I've seen a few MTB engine kits around here in the city. Those things are foul [smelling], very loud... and quite intriguing.

Yes they are intriguing!


Silly, but I once used this stuff....

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/936 ... s-Additive

7Wannabe5
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by 7Wannabe5 »

If you are both skinny and tough, a used Honda Ruckus with a buddy-seat add-on "might" work. Or you could maybe get two. The advantage of a scooter is that you don't have to carry any insurance. The advantage of this particular model is that it is more reliable and easier to work on than cheaper ones. I was considering trading in my car for one of these and a zipcar subscription but my feasibility test informed me that I still have to provide "taxi" service for too many teenagers and young adults for this to work for me...yet.

Also, one other factor to consider in the motorcycle option is whether your wife is comfortable being seen in public dressed in boots and tight zippered leather (necessary for comfort unless it is over 75 degrees) and occasionally being referred to as your "babe." Also, I highly recommend a working stereo system for the entertainment of passenger. One minor ongoing debate I have with my DH is whether or not it is possible to fall asleep on the back of a motorcycle. I say "Yes."

Seneca
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Re: Light weight motorcycles

Post by Seneca »

7Wannabe5 wrote:... The advantage of a scooter is that you don't have to carry any insurance...
State dependent. As are licensing requirements.
One minor ongoing debate I have with my DH is whether or not it is possible to fall asleep on the back of a motorcycle. I say "Yes."
I've fallen asleep at the controls!

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