Fellow that is new to motorcycles.

[storm 64]

I've worked with Josh for about ten years. He is in his early 40's wife, kids, mortgage... Over the years he would check out Craigslist looking at different motorcycles. He would come over to me and ask me about this one or that one... I would always encourage him but also tell him the downside about a particular motorcycle

. Fast forward to about a month ago. He showed me a add for a 1982 Honda CB 750 custom. It looked to be in very good condition. I did a little research on the motorcycle. Electronic ignition is a plus, original owner, another plus, and local. I told him it would be worth checking out. He bought the Honda for $800!

Next, since he has no motorcycling experience he enrolled in the Ohio Motorcycle Safety Course. It's a two day course, he had a blast. Plus he learned some very useful information.

Last Monday I took off work at noon to go for a ride. Tuesday at work Josh asked me where I went riding to. I told him that I went to East Liverpool by the Ohio River for lunch. Then I went over to the Pittsburgh Airport to watch a couple of jets take off. He seemed so intrigued. It will be fun riding with him next summer.👍

[1978GS750E]

I see extended trips out west, and a bigger motorcycle, in his future if he starts following you around Norm!

[marvinsc]

Another convert! Excellent that you are giving him some guidance Norm.

[GS1150Pilot]

Those are actually really nice bikes. Almost 80 hp, shaft drive, 4+ gallon tank, 40+ mpg. I don't think he will need a larger bike for some time, and if it is in good shape, it was a great deal. What a cool story!

[GS1150Pilot]

Oops. Looks like the little CB-C is chain drive.

[steve murdoch]

Good on ya Norm for giving him some real world advice.
Great to hear he took the safety course.
He may have already discovered it but www.cb750c.com is an excellent site for the DOHC Customs.

[Redman]

I think your buddy will do good to have you as a mentor. (maybe in a couple years he will have a garage and basement full har har har)

[rphillips]

The Custom Honda's, like the "L" Suzuki's, just weren't "MY" style. But many like the customs & not the standards. As long as they are motorcycles, who cares? Great to hear of folks getting into enjoying motorcycles. Poke a little fun at Josh. Ask if he remembers the old slogan...You meet the nicest people on a SUZUKI... & let him know we'll let him on our site if he trades for a Suzuki.... Also give him congrats., seems he got a pretty dang good deal.

[alke46]

Another good deed done by Norm. Man if I didn't know better, I'd think you were related to Mary Poppins.

Seriously Norm, good on you for helping him out. You did stress ATGATT, right?

[RichDesmond]

At the risk of being Debby Downer, given his family situation I'd ask him three questions:

How's your medical insurance?
How's your life insurance?
Will up to date?

[rphillips]

Dang Rich, that's depressing !!!

[GS1150Pilot]

Dang Rich, that's depressing !!!

Ugh, yeah ........

[trevor]

I would recommend longer lessons. When my wife started riding she took a 6 day course...well worth it...Sounds like a good guy Norm

[GS1150Pilot]

I think getting out and riding in parking lots and then in less congested areas is one of the best teachers. A 6 day course might cost as much as his CB750-and might be completely unfeasible to someone who works a regular job, Trevor.

[earlfor]

At the risk of being Debby Downer, given his family situation I'd ask him three questions:

How's your medical insurance?
How's your life insurance?
Will up to date?

I have to agree with that. At that age with zero experience, it will be an uphill quest against the odds to ride daily without having a serious accident for the approximate three years it takes to develop required survival skills. If anything goes wrong before that, you're cannon fodder. There are a thousand insane ways the cagers can get you.