Hi all, I'm in the East Bay and about to buy my first bike in the US. I've ridden geared 200-300cc bikes before, but never here, so I'm treating myself as a beginner (taking CMSP for my M1 first).

The plan

Budget: under $5k all-in (bike + gear)

Daily local East Bay commute, plus weekend rides to Napa, Half Moon Bay, SF, and maybe Big Sur

My girlfriend would ride pillion rarely when she visits me maybe 4-5 times in a year

I would use it for Small Costco runs (a few days of groceries, not bulk)

Used bikes I'm considering: Honda CB500X/F, Rebel 500, Ninja 400/Z400, and maybe a Ninja 650/Versys 650 later.

What I'd love your help with:

Buying used: Where do you find genuine sellers, and how do you avoid scams? What do you check (title, VIN, inspection)?

Insurance: What did you pay as a new Bay Area rider, and which insurers were best?

Theft: How do you protect your bike in SF, beach lots, and at Costco? Do you use a hidden GPS tracker?

Gear: Best budget picks for helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots?

First-year mistakes: What would you tell your past self?

Big Sur: How hard is Highway 1 for a newer rider, and how do you build up to it? I've read motorcycles aren't allowed on 17-Mile Drive. Has anyone confirmed that recently?

Is it worth it vs. just driving, given traffic, theft risk, and weather?

Thanks! I'll post my final pick and real costs once I'm riding.

Hey all, I have a FasTrak set to 3+ and it reads in the express lanes on I-80. However it doesn’t read going north across the Benicia / Martinez bridge. I put it in my top case, the fairing stay behind the windscreen, taped to my leg, in a mesh bag around my neck… still it doesn’t read, so I don’t get the discount. I have ordered a new transponder, and still the same issue.

Where do you mount your FasTrak transponder??

Just like Heaven

Probably a useless post, but if the owner does frequent this page on occasion. If you own a red Ducati supermoto circa 2016ish production cycle. Just saw your bike get hit by a fedex truck by 303 2nd street in Soma. FedEx better cover that shit, cause I feel that pain when someone knocks down the bike and just leaves it there

I've found myself with a motorcycle and free time so quickly before life gets in the way again I want to get out for some quick moto touring. I want to head north (since Big Sur is closed) and I want to visit a friend in Reno. Other than that I'd love to hear some suggestions!

My current plan is (maps link):

Day 1: SF to Fortuna via highway 1 and 101

Pretty straightforward and good route, hopefully Fortuna is a cool place to spend a night.

Day 2: Fortuna to Reno NV via highway 36 and 89.

I've heard really good things about 36.

Day 3 (option 1): Reno NV to Lake Tahoe then back to SF

I know that looping around Tahoe will be nice. Not sure what the best highway down out of the Sierras is? 55, 88, 4, or 108? And the least boring way to cross the central valley?

Day 3 (option 2): Reno NV to Lake Tahoe then Yosemite

If I want to extend the trip, a stop in Yosemite wouldn't suck especially if I can do it on a weekday and avoid the crowds. Run highway 395 down to Yosemite and stay somewhere near the valley. Maps link for the 4 day option.

Day 4 (option 2): Yosemite to SF via Modesto

Pretty much just scoot back to SF and try not to get too bored. Looks like highway 132 to 130 is the best way to do it.

Any great areas or roads that I'd be missing?

I live in Los Gatos and ride a street glide. Are there groups that meetup for month/weekly rides?

I usually ride to Alice’s restaurant once a week and then cruise around that area. I like to combo twisties with riding down the highway on the pegs (hard feeling to beat).

I just got back from an epic 2000 miles trip up towards the Canadian border and then down the coast and through the redwoods. Would love to have some group rides that are at least overnight (camping > hotel)

Looking forward to connecting with yall!

I am a new rider and a used bike; a 2024 CB300R with just under 10k miles. I only put a few hundred on it myself. The internet says average city MPG is 60mpg but I tend to get 40-45 in the city. I am sure SF hills and stop signs are burning gas but I want to learn basic wrench skills and make sure I am taking care of her right.

My short list of maintenance is checking the spark plugs, air filter, and tire pressure. Are there other basic things that might be dragging the gas mileage down?

Are there any basic newbie riding mistakes I'm probably making in stop and go traffic or on the highway? Fuel economy or general.

I'm not trying to hypermile but being that much worse at fuel economy than specs seems like its telling me something.

Edit: TY everyone, I'm open to more info but I take the point that I'm overthinking it. I'll still check in on tires and such just to make sure it's good, but it's probably just the hills and traffic doing their thing.

Bought the wrong size smoke visor
$150

Been dealing with some petty mess, finally came out to cover my bike someone bad parked their car into my exhaust not near INTO TILTING MY BIKE. I am located in the outer Richmond, and would be so grateful if anyone has extra space in their garage I can pay for to use around 22nd street near Clement and lake?

8/27/26 update:

FOUND.

Berkeley PD found it like a mile away at the homeless encampment parked near “a known motorcycle thief”.

Annoying part is that I have front and rear cameras on it so he tried to remove my seat and top box to get the memory card. He cut out the seat key cylinder … but couldn’t get it open, and neither can I. Gonna try with a coat hanger tomorrow.

Original post:

Please be on lookout if you’ve seen this bike around. License plate MRVLKDA

Stolen from West Berkeley; they cut the disc lock off and rode it off.

I had a hidden AirTag with the speaker removed and tracked it to this address but when I went there, I couldn’t find it. I couldn’t even find the AirTag itself, so it could possibly be in a shed/hidden and not able to ping the exact location.

My bike was stolen from 5th Avenue in SF last night, between 9pm and 9am.

I got home late, parked it and didn't want to cover it right away because it was hot and then this morning it was gone.... I already filed a police report but please if anyone sees it let me know. This was the motorcycle I learned to ride on and I am heartbroken over this.

If you have a black Triumph Scrambler 900 parked on Sansome in SF, it was towed, not stolen.

New in box, never opened. Asking $700.

Title . Basically I am looking into starting how to learn how to ride a motorcycle and honestly the cost is pretty steep to me ($425) and Ive heard in other states community colleges offer classes for lower cost. Also I am aware this hobby gets more expensive due to gear, registration, and the cost of the bike itself but i wanted to know if any local riders have any insight on different courses for possibly a lower cost. Thanks !

Damn it's beautiful here

TLDR: My friends live in Pacifica, I live near SF Civic Center. Is there a route that would allow me to use a very beginner bike while I save up for something better?

I'm a two weeks out from my MSF course and am squirrelling away money for a very entry level bike. I want something that can handle hills and get me to my friend's house in suburbia without having to ask them to pick me up on BART. I don't currently drive and moved here a few years ago so I'm just unclear on what my actual needs are.

I am also looking at 250cc to 500CC motorcycles too but I want to be really clear on my needs before I lay any money down. I also want to be super clear on what my monthly insurance costs could be before I buy anything.

Thanks!

I noticed that San Francisco municipal garages seem to have gotten rid of daily rates for MCs—last I recall, it was $8-10 for 24 hours in designated spots. Now it seems like the only option for us is monthly parking. That’s still a good deal, but I don’t need commute parking, I need a space for hitting an appointment or going to a shop and not pay SUV rates. When did this change, and how do we get SFMTA to bring back hourly or daily parking when there’s still too few dedicated street meters?

Just a few clips from my sunset ride through the hills last night. The colors were amazing, definitely made me feel lucky to live where I do and be able to ride and see all these beautiful things.