New member from Seattle

[rocketracer]

Hey!


I just joined a few days ago. nice to meet everyone! I'm 22 and I'm very interested in cafe racer-styled motorcycles! I don't own a bike but I'd like to in the next few months. To be honest, I've never even ridden one (unless you count the 125cc motorbikes i rode while backpacking in SE asia ). My dad rides a Speed Triple but I know better than to try and ride a bike that big.

What kind of bike should I start out with? I have basic mechanical skills from working on cars. I was thinking of a early 70's CB350 twin. I've heard honda bikes are reliable and I think the CB350's got a ton of attitude. Anything I should know about them? What's considered good mileage? I'm a total beginner here!

This video sold me on the bike:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmTM65a_qNI

 

[DaveWissman]

Welcome Rocketracer, this place is the place to start from what it seems, these guys are all very good in this area, and helped me alot. Maybe when I return to Washington in September, we will see each other on I5.

 

[Big R]

Welcome to the site man! The bike to start out with depends on you actually. Any parallel twin is going to be cheaper to repair and easier to tune. And if you are about 7' 300 pounds, you will look downright silly on a CB350, know what I mean?

The Honda 350 twins are reliable, fairly common, good aftermarket parts, and they do get good gas mileage (not sure of an exact number, but would guess around 50-60 mpg). If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!