Professor Bainbridge has compiled his very helpful wine reviews into one Excel file, which is available at Professor Bainbridge on Wine. I have a few disputes with his grades — at least to my inferior palate, he occasionally undervalues the pota-goodness of certain red Zinfandel’s, and is far to Franco-philian in his vibe (or, based on his location, perhaps he splurges on French wines and drinks any old California wine that comes his way).
Perfect agreement, however, is not the goal on matters of taste. For all but hungry ghosts, there is no "ultimate" or "best." A wise and knowledgeable guide to the gradations of imperfection is the best one can do. On this right measure, Bainbridge’s wine guide is exceptional. Do check it out.
Hey, hey, I thought you were busy with work and Halo II.
It was wine-tasting. Much better excuse 😉
I’m sick and tired of you redstaters and your condescending, effete ways.
As an amature enologist, I try to stay far, far away from any attempts to educate my palate as to what good wines taste like. After all, I’d hate to find out the wine I currently make and enjoy is total crap. I have friends that do persue this education, and I’ve observed they start a never ending spiral into buying more and more expensive equipment, or purchasing ever more expensive bottles, and never really being satisfied with the cup thats actually in their hand.
Becoming an enthusiast can sometimes have the opposite effect, its true. For example, I genuinely enjoy riding anything with two wheels, with the one I’m on usually my current favorite. Riding anything from rat bikes to expensive European jobbies just tends to enhance that passion. But all my friends just seem to become wine snobs instead of enthusiasts, so perhaps its something i n the nature of the hobby?
On that note, Neolith:
I’m having a pre-mid-life crisis (or, perhaps factoring in my prior allegiances to nicotine, a true mid-life crisis). If I were to buy a used bike, what would you recommend? (And since — as I recall — you live roundabouts where I live, where would you buy it?)
Keep in mind that I’m a novice rider, not interested in dropping a ton of money, and looking for something that has a visible engine — and not much into brightly-colored plastic.
Boy, he really skimps on the Australian stuff. Grant Burge makes an excellent Shiraz, and had a 2000 Semillon that was incredible. And there’s a little, tiny winery called Bethany who makes a white port that I would knock over my own grandmother to get another bottle of. It’s not available here in the States.
Not all that familiar with Aussie wine, but Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet is some might tasty stuff, especially for the price.
What I’m drinking now is single-vintage Fonseca port, quite yummy. Not to mention, doesn’t set me back an arm and a leg.
Joseph Phelps Merlot?
Penfolds, well in two years when my last child graduates from college, a bottle of Grange will be opened.
Finally, hard to beat MD 20/20.
What I’m drinking now is single-vintage Fonseca port, quite yummy. Not to mention, doesn’t set me back an arm and a leg.
I could wax rhapsodic all day about the joys of port; damn my dad for getting me hooked on the stuff. I’m sadly limited to Warre’s Warrior (and the occasional higher-end tipple if I’m celebrating) on a grad student’s salary, but one day, mon ami, one day…
I, fwiw, am “drinking” a homemade mushroom-and-barley soup that’s surprisingly tasty and filling. But I’ve got my eye on a snifter of my Camus Napoleon cognac for later.
Well von, I’d recommend a mid-sized bike in the style of your preference. By mid-size I’m talking 600cc’s or thereabouts. This will provide adequate power — not intimidating, but definately not boring. It will be far faster than any car you’ve been in.
I also recommend Japanese and used. I say Japanese because they’re going to be less expensive then American and European counterparts. Used for the same reason. The reality is, even if you don’t wreck it, which you will, you will most definately do something stupid like drop it at a gas station. So you don’t want a brand new bike right off the bike. You seem to be tuned into this part of the advice, which makes you a leg up 90% of the novice riders.
More than that, I’d have to know your preferences. You say you don’t like plastic, so no sport bikes, but perhaps you don’t want something too cruisery either. Or maybe something in between. I can recommend specific models if you give me a few more hints.
As far as dealers; they all suck. I actually had the best buying experience getting a suzuki off a harley dealer. Go figure. Dreyer is awful. I kind of like the guys at Flat-out on the east side. I’ve never bougth a bike off of them, but they are honest and will sometimes let you take test rides on some used bikes, which is almost unheard of. But they’re funny about you sitting on the bikes without asking, which is weird. Sitting on a bike is a very important part of the decision making process. Sit on as many as you can. Stand them up. Throw their weight around. Put one leg on the peg, then the other. Work the handlebars from lock to lock. That kind of thing.
But generally all dealers try to screw you. I’ve had good luck in private sales. There is a certain biker mentality that makes it unlikely for a serious biker to screw over another. There’s certain things to look for to protect yourself from ignorance on the owners part, but I’ve never felt taken advantage of in the two dozen or so transactions I’ve made in the past ten years. Have you ever ridden? And how mechanically inclined are you?
Two final thoughts: This spring, take an ABATE course. And set aside 750-1000 bucks for safety gear. You’ll want a nice helmet, armored jacked, purpose-made boots and gloves. Not only will it keep you safe and more comfortable on the bike, but it also inspires confidence which is important.
If you get a bike, I’ve got a fairly regular group of riders. We spend a lot of time in Brown county spring, summer, and fall. We’d love to have another.
Neolith —
Thanks for the (very welcome) response. I’m a true novice (i.e., nothing over 50 ccs, and that was a bit ago) and mechanically uninclined. I’m leaning toward something fairly small — 500 ccs or so — and pretty cheap. I want to learn to walk, so to speak, before I try to run.
Well, there’s not a whole lot of difference between 500 and 600/650 in terms of power, nor is there in terms of used prices, but you do usually get significant brake and suspension upgrades. 600 models and up come with all disc brakes, 500 and lower sometimes don’t. 600 models and up have some type of suspension and control adjustment, 500’s most often do not. This might not be important if you are of average height and weight, but is a big consideration for taller or heavier guys.
I don’t know how new you want to go, but if you’re leaning cruiser, the Honda Shadows are really nice bikes, and I know of a very clean one that a medical student in Indy is wanting to get rid off. Its a 650, has custom pipes, a really nice sound, and handles well for what it is. Its black and chrome, the way a bike should be. Again, I’m not as enthused about the cruiser realm, but I’ve ridden this bike, and strongly considered it for my 18 year old brother this summer. He ended up liking a sportier bike, so its still available. I don’t know how cheap is pretty cheap, but he was talking in the three grand range.
On the other hand, if you think you’d like to experiment with a sportier ride, a suzuki sv650 would be a great investment. They are light and being a v-twin, narrow. They are torqy and a lot of fun to ride. They aren’t intimidating for the beginner, but they’re not boring either. They come in completely naked (ie, plastic free) form, and the naked ones have the benefit of having standard bars (not the clip-on sportbike style) and a lower-back and wrist friendly upright riding posture. Again, you’re going to be paying in the three grand range for a bike with a couple of thousand miles on it.
If you’d like to do some distance trips, Kawasaki’s concourse is a very fine bike. Its a bit big (1000cc) but it handles well and has a very predictable power band. These too can be had in the 2500-3500 range.
If you’d like a still older bike, there are many to choose from. Honda nighthawks and CB (not the R!) models, of course a personal favorite, suzuki’s bandit 600 (I have the 1200 model). Kawasaki’s Vulcan cruisers come in 750 and maybe 600 cc flavors. These will come in the 2000-2500 range. Less if you get one that has been laid down and is scuffed a bit, of course. There are many classic UJM’s from the 80’s too that can be had for a thousand bikes or there abouts. They are all pretty bullet-proof, in that if you put fuel and oil in them, they will keep running. My dad has a gs850 that has 60k miles, that I bought as my first bike with 14k miles on the clock ten years ago. I did replace a few engine gaskets when I got it, because it spent about five years sitting in the back of a semi trailer, but that’s just because I found the weeping of fluids unsightly. It ran and continues to run just fine.
If you’re not mechanically inclined (and I wasn’t) bikes are a kind of fun way to get aquainted, as they are easier to work on and more accessible than cars, with the bonus of them not being a primary form of transportation. So you can tear into them without fear of depriving yourself of a way to get to work if you hit snags. Especially over winter.
Anyway, I’m tempted to write essays about every time I talk about bikes. Let me know if you have other questions or anything. God knows I love to talk about them. There are quite a few other serious bikers on this board, I’m kind of surprised they haven’t chimed in as well. Where you guys at? 🙂
Thanks! I’m not quite ready to buy, because I need to do a little more work on THE POWER THAT BE. She barely consents to my driving a car (and, yet, bizarrely makes me drive everywhere), and has been none too thrilled about my statements regarding buying a bike. (I mean, I’ve only been saying that I intend to buy a bike for all of the ten years we’ve known each other — so it must be a massive surprise.)
All intra-spousal sniping aside, however, I need to get her on board (so to speak) before I go any further. You’ve convinced me, however, to look in the 600-650 range — and I’ll surely bother you again as I get closer to taking action.
Ah, the wife. They can be a formidible hurdle. I have no problems on the bike front, as I have a suspicion that’s what got me the nod over better qualified suitors seven years ago. 😉 At any rate, she likes them almost as much as me. Computer hardware, oy vey, that’s another topic. She doesn’t get that I NEED a new graphics card. Not want, NEED.