The WSJ did a piece on expensive bikes that I was quoted in. I guess I got to play the cheepskate. Enjoy…

Posh Bikes Rev Up Amid Slowdown

By JONATHAN WELSH
March 26, 2008; Page D1

…Mr. Allgood, who is 31 and works in marketing, also writes the blog WhyBike.com and is a member of a motorcycle group called the Bay Area Riders Forum. He says members typically ride inexpensive, “get-around-town” motorcycles, but others gravitate to Ducatis, Harley-Davidsons and other expensive brands.

“People are looking for the image or the history associated with certain brands,” he says, which is fine if it makes them happy. “It’s not my money,” he adds.

So I rode down to Tucson last Friday, 15 hours, left at 4am. In between Blythe and Quartzite I see AZ D.P.S. behind some bushes. I know it is too late so I pass the truck next to me, slow to 75mph and wait for my medicine. I watch as Smokey pulls out and catches up. Lights on and I pull over and stop.

I have been pulled over about 10 times in 15 years. I got a ticket every time. Why is this time different? Nothing went right and I tried not to admit to anything. I was tired and didn’t care anymore.

He asks if I knew how fast I was going. I refused to answer a couple of times until he gets mad and says “GUESS!". I told him the speedo read 90 and the GPS says 86. He clocked me at 87. He wants to know if I know the speed limit. I did. He wants my insurance, DL, and registration. Registration is expired. Paid but I never received my stickers or new paper. Drivers license has an old address. He walks back to his car and get on the radio.

I was thinking back to my last ticket on Martin Luther King day. Less than 18 months. I was wondering if the traffic school 18 months counted if it was out of state when I see him writing. That has never been good before. He walks back and tells me I am getting a warning. I signed and got on my way thinking WTF in my head.

So the lesson is the more you don’t want the ticket, the worse it will be. If you don’t care you won’t get a ticket.

Or maybe it is do the opposite of what you think will work and you will get a warning.

Or maybe the lesson is move to Arizona.

Or maybe people should drive around with expired registration and old licenses.

There is a lesson in there somewhere. In case you don’t get sarcasm, this whole post is in jest.

Scott wrote:

Hi, I recently just got my motorcycle license, and I’m considering purchasing a 1998 Sportster 883 XLH…for what seems to be a great deal at $3,000. screaming eagle exhaust, chrome everywhere…(I’m in Rhode Island) However, it has 26,000 miles on it. What do you think? Is it worth $3k? Right now he is asking $3,500, but I wouldn’t pay that. Is it risky buying a bike with this many miles on it ? Any help is appreciated. thanks, newbie

This is an interesting question and one I have seen on a few forums recently. The proposition of buying a “high” mileage motorcycle is a mixed bag. On one hand, you are avoiding all the deprecation and costs associated with a brand new bike. On the other, a motor only runs for so long and an old bike can nickel and dime you to financial death. So is it worth saving a buck and buying a “high” mileage bike?

I would say it depends. In your situation, with limited experience a used entry level bike is perfect for you. You don’t know what will happen in the next year and you don’t want to hand over a wad of cash for a starter bike. You want a bike that is reliable, since as a novice you don’t want to have problems while you are riding it, and you probably don’t have the mechanical skills to fix a bike that breaks down. Your used bike will not have the cutting edge technology, the modern aesthetics, or the cool paint schemes that the new bikes have but as you ride you will figure out whether that is important to you. Once you have a couple years under your belt you will have a better idea of what kind of bike you want.

I love older bikes. If the engine still runs strong and smooth after 50K miles you can be sure it will run strong for another 50K with the right care. You also have to look at the person selling it. If they are doing wheelies and stoppies, the bike probably has a shorter life expectancy than if a retired auto shop teacher uses it on the weekend. If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is, so take someone down to look at the bike with you or take it to a mechanic. I hope you get a good deal and that you get a really good bike.