What can you tell me about motorcycles?

I'm almost 19 years old and am considering the possiblity of a motorcycle. I am thinking more along the lines of a crotchrocket but I think the harley sportsters are pretty cool (although they seem more like an older man/midlife crisis bike). I would probably use this bike for comutting and would like it to be somewhat stylish, but I don't wanna spend a lot of money maybe under 5,000 (is that reasonable). My main concern is finding something relatively good on gas since prices only seem to go higher. Also what do you do about insurance? First off is it expensive, second how does that work if i only wanna drive it in the summer. Also tell me about maintainence and problems likely to be encountered w/ a bike.

oh I'm 6'4" 180 lbs if that matters

ok, if you go for a modern sports bike, you've got megga high insurance premiums straight away, although as an example, by simply cutting the top of the fairing sides out and doing a high bar conversion will drop your insurance straight down, from a racer to a retro. if you like the sit up and beg riding position, choices go from, hornet 600, bandit 600, fazer six etc, if you just want a commuter then the honda cb 500 is a good bet, plenty of power for a twin, nice styling, very economical. maintenance is regular services, chain and sprockets checked and changed just before their wear rate, pads, tyres. spares are ok priced, second hand best unless you can afford new, pocket rockets are expensive if you drop them and these days it only takes a scratch on a frame for an insurance company to write it off. you might want to try a classic bike perhaps, something 15 years old or older, insurance for a cbx 1000z six cylinder is about 拢125 fully comp. but you have to be a member of a recognised motorcycle owners club to benefit from this but it's worth it in the end. look around in all the dealerships near to you, get test rides on bikes your interested in then check the web, be sure you know what you want, and for what your using the bike for, and don't forget the fun factor too, theres loads and loads of choice, so it pays to look around till you find the bike for you. good luck.

At 19 years old you'll have to get your parents to insure the bike under their name, otherwise you won't be able to afford it for a sport bike.
My town bike is a 600cc Honda Shadow.
50-70mpg.
New is about $5500
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/20...

I hate it when people answer the "my first bike" question with dont get a sport bike youll kill your self get a cruiser or bla bla bla or the infamas HD " a real bike ". bottom line is they all have two wheels and they all are just as hazardous ( when was the last time you heard any one say " oh i hit car that didnt see me and walked away because it wasnt a sport bike") and if you dont want to lay it down dont get on it unprepped it WILL happen eventually. Get what you like its your money and plan on spending more of it on the good gear. Take the msf class with your bike, i ve seen friends taking the msf class on old bet up powerless 500s and didnt learn to respect the bike get on theres and think they know it all tear it up and/or get badly injured within the first 100 miles.
Then they give up on a good thing. Ive had my 600 since i could drive, thats all ive had rain or shine, 30,000 miles later ive layed it down once. Be responsible with it, enjoy it, and love ignoring the hoopla about gass prices.

Forget crotch rockets and sportsters, get a HONDA 750 ACE. Find one with less than 10,000 miles and it will be just like new but
cost half.

I have couple bikes and the 750 is comfortable, looks good, gets 55 mpg and all you do is change oil.

Lots of cops have HARD ONS for crotch rockets. Don't get one.

Well the best all around bike out there is honda, get a CBR600rr, any years from 03 and up. they have the best handling and throttle responds, as well as the lightest 600 out there. it's a great starter bike, and insurance will run ya anywhere from $30 to 80. go through progressive.

Sport bikes are a mistake for young riders , they proform way beyond the abilities of novice riders many die from asking the bike to do things the rider cannot.

Get a 400 CC yamaha virago or the like to learn on .
Most bikes are very well built requiring very Little maintenance .

I quote : " What can you tell me about motorcycles? "

A lot kid. Too much too bother with on this site.

dont get a crotch rocket...you will kill urself man
my dad is a cop and....ya hes seen at least 50 deaths from those

if you are 6,4,dont get a sport bike.
Your wrists will kill you after 20 miles!You will be really putting all the pressure on your wrists if you are a big guy.
Also,sportbikes were not made for comuting.
Go for somthing with straight bars like a suzuki gsf650 or a honda hornet 600,a street bike.
Custom bikes are fine but they just dont have the handling ability and the engines are quite a lazy nature.
They wont really get the pulse racing!

You don't have to get a crotch rocket or a harley sportster, get something in between. Most beginners who get crotch rockets end up ruining the bike in one way or another, or they end up killing themselves.

What bike you get is not as important as what training you get. Take an MSF class before deciding what bike to buy. They provide the bikes, it's lots of fun, and some states give you your motorcycle license if you pass.
http://www.msf-usa.org
Good luck