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If useful, here’s an answer: The Suzuki DR-Z400S/SM motorcycle. As one example. It’s not a car! I know! The thing is that motorcycles are such good learning pl

If useful, here’s an answer: The Suzuki DR-Z400S/SM motorcycle. As one example. It’s not a car! I know! The thing is that motorcycles are such good learning platforms. They’re small, man-portable (in a pinch), there’s almost everything in there that’s in a car – but much less of it and more accessible. Single-cylinder motorcycles are also good for learning because there’s only one cylinder and one set of valves and one cylinder or fuel injector etc. :) One of everything and everything is smaller and more easily accessible than in a car. In short they’re very hackable machines. The DR-Z400 is reliable, ubiquitous and cheap. Parts are available. Lots of DIY information out there and easy to find. I knew NOTHING about cars. Got the motorcycle bug. A DR-Z400S was the most bike for the money here. Bought it. And that’s how I got into this by accident. Now I know how to swap out a carburator for a bigger one and tune it, tune suspension behavior by simulating the hydraulic valving inside the suspension, maintain brakes, replace tires and pick them for what road feel I want, fix flats on the side of the road, fix a stator if I need to, reduce vehicle weight etc. etc. All by chance. Has nothing to do with me being smart or industrious and everything to do with lucking into ownership of a bike that kind of teaches you how to work on it and has a great online community. I also really really really want a Miata!!!

RaoulP 4y ago
Now I really really want a Suzuki DR-Z400. Thanks!
BlueGh0st 4y ago
This is a great comment because in my motorcycle group of roughly ~60 or 70 people over the years, maybe 25% have owned a Miata. Apparently the motorcycle+miata crossover is huge. Usually along with an SV650 or DRZ at some point as well. I never had a Miata but I did buy a DRZ and have a blast on it for about 4 hours. The following morning it wouldn't start and after spending all the time I was willing to spend on doing valves/carb/etc, I decided that the 450 kit was to blame, so I just traded it for a 2stroke! I do hope a sumo will be in my future now that I live in a city, though. Good luck on your Miata endeavors, I'm sure you wont regret it!
- kube-system 4y ago
  > Apparently the motorcycle+miata crossover is huge. Going fast is all about power/weight. Some gear heads love changing the numerator. Some realize that the best option is to change the denominator. :)
  - ethbr0 4y ago
    There is no amount of power or setup that will make a heavy car handle lightly. Physics. And until a person has driven something in the Miata or lighter category, they don't know what they're missing.
agentwiggles 4y ago
Not in the budget right now, but damned if you didn't just sell me a motorcycle
- AnthonBerg 4y ago
  Big caveat which I forgot to mention: As it comes from the factory it’s a bit compromised! There are reasons why the bike taught me to swap and tune carbs and rework the suspension!! heh!!! It’s still a lot of fun to ride, and in bigger bike markets you’ll be able to find a bike that already has the stops taken out!

RaoulP 4y ago

Now I really really want a Suzuki DR-Z400. Thanks!

BlueGh0st 4y ago

This is a great comment because in my motorcycle group of roughly ~60 or 70 people over the years, maybe 25% have owned a Miata. Apparently the motorcycle+miata crossover is huge. Usually along with an SV650 or DRZ at some point as well. I never had a Miata but I did buy a DRZ and have a blast on it for about 4 hours. The following morning it wouldn't start and after spending all the time I was willing to spend on doing valves/carb/etc, I decided that the 450 kit was to blame, so I just traded it for a 2stroke! I do hope a sumo will be in my future now that I live in a city, though. Good luck on your Miata endeavors, I'm sure you wont regret it!

kube-system 4y ago
> Apparently the motorcycle+miata crossover is huge. Going fast is all about power/weight. Some gear heads love changing the numerator. Some realize that the best option is to change the denominator. :)
- ethbr0 4y ago
  There is no amount of power or setup that will make a heavy car handle lightly. Physics. And until a person has driven something in the Miata or lighter category, they don't know what they're missing.

agentwiggles 4y ago

Not in the budget right now, but damned if you didn't just sell me a motorcycle

AnthonBerg 4y ago
Big caveat which I forgot to mention: As it comes from the factory it’s a bit compromised! There are reasons why the bike taught me to swap and tune carbs and rework the suspension!! heh!!! It’s still a lot of fun to ride, and in bigger bike markets you’ll be able to find a bike that already has the stops taken out!