Moving out West....

[giladl]

So I have a new job, and that means that I am moving out to the SF Bay Area probably in the summer. I am planning to take my bike (1999 750 SS) of course and have had some differing opinions regarding being able to register it in CA. From what I have red so far I should have no problems with emissions or other since it is old. Does anybody have any experience or opinions? Please chime in and share your wisdom.

Also since I am going to have a long commute I am in the market for an affordable (read cheap) commuter bike to lane split and ride the OHV lanes. I don't mind if it is a "beater" as long as it is reliable, and it doesn't have to be a Ducati either. In fact I have noticed that the Suzuki Bandit is a hell of a deal right now in the used market. Once again please share your infinite wisdom - anybody?

BTW next time this year, I am not going to miss you, as I cruise the twisties on a sunny Feb. weekend      
 
(cross thread from iDesmo.org)

Thanks
- Gilad

[exmayor]

pm my son tehrawr (ian).  he lives in so cal and is current on the registration requirements out there.  he also has had some experience riding in the bay area so he can probably connect you with a good ride group.

rick

[Desmocrat]

Ducati.ms will probably get you a lot of replies as well as some riding buddies/connections.  Plenty of reliable beater Ducatis out there...why defect?

[sTD]

Sorry to hear about the move, but good luck nonetheless....

A Supermoto of some kind; a DRZ400SM comes to mind.

[giladl]

Thanks Rick, I sent a PM to 'tehrawr' and hope to get some info soon.

Sure there are cheap Ducs out there - hey I own one. But commuting on a supersport in traffic and home- office-in-a-bag is not really pleasurable? If I was to go Ducati I would think an ST or Multi, but I have yet to find anything. An ST2 should be reasonable?

A Supermoto, really? I know they are great for splitting lanes and traffic, but a 45 mile commute each way with no wind protection - what do you think?  I was actually looking at older XTs and XLs but I am not completely sure yet.

Thanks for all the input.
- Gilad

[Grifo]

I would look into a multistrada or an ST.  One member just picked up a ST2 in Indy well taken care of, for a steal. 

[agaduc996]

Gilad
   I like my st2. it is a great long distance bike but still very agile in traffic and in the twist and turns. With the saddle bags you could pack your lunch briefcase and laptop but remember that you are  a bit wider so you don't take off any car mirrors. That being said I can see where Troy is coming from with the supermoto. I However have ridden my 900SS for some very long distances and do not find it to be that bad. I used to ride every day from Bolder to Denver for a year and it was fine. I would stick with the SS for riding to work and pick yourself up a nice enduro like a nice KTM 690. There are some great places out there where you can pack up your bike and get lost for the weekend. Get away from the hustle of San Fran and play in the dirt.

[sTD]

Hmmm... I thought about the KTM 690SE, but that's a lot of coin.  What about a 640 Adventure?  That gets you the wind protection you wanted, and something that can roost in the mountains/desert around San Fran.  I know a guy in Indy trying to sell a really clean one for around $4k.

[giladl]

What about a 640 Adventure?  That gets you the wind protection you wanted, and something that can roost in the mountains/desert around San Fran.  I know a guy in Indy trying to sell a really clean one for around $4k.

Now your talking, I never even consider something like that. Please send me more info. You know maybe I should look at big adventure bikes as well, just not sure they come that cheap?

[agaduc996]

G
   I would not get to crazy with the big adventure bike. Yes they can be nice for the long roads and maybe some big open dirt roads. I would stick with things like the 600 class bikes. Got that GSA thinking I would be able to do some good long touring and get to the top of some great trails out in CO. only to realize that it is a heavy under powered pig in the mountains and when the trails go from fire road to single track it is like driving a hummer through aspen groves. Next year the Dakar is switching to 450's and if that is good enough to race across south America it is good enough for Cali

[giladl]

Ah, compromise, compromises. If I had enough money I would be one of each 

Unfortunately I also need to buy a home for the family in the bay area, so if I really take a look at my finances I probably can only afford a bicycle  . You see my strategy - get it here before I start pouring all the money into a home 

In any case thank for the excellent advice. I have all my cragislist searches configured. Please if you know of anybody wanting to sell a bike in $3k range let me know.

BTW I found that the bike prices in CA are comparable to here, but there are many many more to choose from - I may have to wait?

Thanks
- Gilad

[sTD]

Bad news, Gilad... the owner took a deposit on it Sunday... sorry.

But look around, there are plenty of them out there.

Here's what I'm talking about:

[Desmocrat]

When I lived in Berkeley, all I had was a bicycle and commuted every day to a job that was five miles away...so you could be serious in your statement about a bicycle.  I thought I had seen it all, moving to CA from NYC.  I then discovered that rent was about 120% of what I paid in New York.  Everything was expensive.  I was thankful that there were so many affordable Etheopian and Indian restaurants in that area.  Take lots of sweaters as you'll need them most every night of the year.

[giladl]

40+ miles will be a bit out my league to pedal and I will take my sweaters with me