Motorcycles

[OVerLoRDI]

Ever since I was little I've always wanted a motorcycle. The lightweight and the incredible acceleration that results is just awesome to me. I'm going to be moving out soon and I want to look into getting one. Obviously I won't be able to afford a brand new one but possibly a lightly used one. The question is where do I start looking and what is decent model? I really like the look of the Asian sport bikes, kawasaki ninja etc. No interest in American Hogs.

 

[NoShangriLa]

Check the local bike shop or newspaper for a used bike.

Get a 750 or bigger for a first bike if you want to kill yourself. Other wise, purchase a 400cc or less as a learner...IMHO, a 250cc is the way to go.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: NoShangriLa

Check the local bike shop or newspaper for a used bike.

Get a 750 or bigger for a first bike if you want to kill yourself. Other wise, purchase a 400cc or less as a learner...IMHO, a 250cc is the way to go.

Yeah I was thinking about getting a Ninja 500R after looking around a bit. Although the 250R is dirt cheap. Thanks for the advice.

 

[NoShangriLa]

GOOD FIRST MOTORCYCLES

 

[Captante]

Depending on how tall & large you are, a 500cc bike might even be too big ... although if you are roughly 6ft & of relatively normal proportions you should be able to handle it, learning on a 250cc class sport bike or even a dual-purpose bike would be a better bet because of their light weight & easy handeling will allow you to focus on getting used to riding, instead of staying in control.

I also strongly suggest lessons if you've never ridden before & be sure to get yourself a good, comfortable helmet plus protective jacket & gloves, then use them EVERY time you ride.

Also remember that somthing like 75% of motorcycle fatalitys that are the fault of the rider happen during the first year of ownership & don't get overconfident ... until you can counter-steer on pure instinct you arn't ready to ride aggressively at all.

 

[Zugzwang152]

This is something I've always wanted to do as well.

 

[ballmode]

I own a 2002 SV650. That is the perfect sport starter bike. Search my review of it.

For a cruiser... the best deals would probably be a Honda Shadow 600

for sport bike, Kawi ninja 500's

You'd grow out of the 250's very quickly and unless you want to sell it mid season, I'd get the 500 and remember that tires and judgement can save or kill you depending on the situation.

Take it easy, learn from friends, if not take a course or just practice in a neighborhood alot.

Watch out for cold tires, slow turns, and always be watching EVERYTHING around you when driving... even the on coming. I only really relax when I'm the only thing on the road for at least half a mile. Plus WEAR YOUR LEATHERS/HELMET/GLOVES!!!!

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: ballmode
I own a 2002 SV650. That is the perfect sport starter bike. Search my review of it.

For a cruiser... the best deals would probably be a Honda Shadow 600

for sport bike, Kawi ninja 500's

You'd grow out of the 250's very quickly and unless you want to sell it mid season, I'd get the 500 and remember that tires and judgement can save or kill you depending on the situation.

Take it easy, learn from friends, if not take a course or just practice in a neighborhood alot.

Watch out for cold tires, slow turns, and always be watching EVERYTHING around you when driving... even the on coming. I only really relax when I'm the only thing on the road for at least half a mile. Plus WEAR YOUR LEATHERS/HELMET/GLOVES!!!!

I'll take a look at the SV650, if it is out of my price range I'm going to go definitely settle on the Ninja 500.

Also does anyone have any idea on what to expect insurance wise? That could really make or break my quest to own a motorcycle. I'm 18 (or well will be in a month).

 

[state 08]

Got my first Motorcycle last summer. Got a Kawasaki Ninja 650R.

Take the MSF course, and it's definitely not scary to ride it, but has enough power so that when you're "ready", you won't feel necessary to upgrade anytime soon!

pic:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/amrit123/650Rii.jpg

 

[The Stigenator]

Ninja 250 is a good starter.. i love riding it even though i ride a suzuki GS500.

The deal with the beginner bikes esp ninja 250, they have a very high resale value, they are so much in demand. Buy one today for 2999 sell it 3 years for now for 2799 no probs and ppl will buy it.

I would say look at no bigger than a 500, the SV650 is a bit too big (anything 600cc+ is too big). Its a bit of a wheelie machine. the point of riding is not going in a straight line but taking those corners that life throws at you properly. Learn to corner properly at a proper speed and being smooth at it while keeping the suspension evenly loaded at all times. Trust me even a 250 cc and a great rider can out do newer more powerful bikes on a canyon. I ride my 500cc and trust me when i say my GS500 can keep up and nor beat the best of them out there. Its all in the rider.

By the way i highly recommend MSF course since you dont know what you are doing. They will teach you teh basics, in CA you need it if you are under 21 (and in many states too). www.msf-usa.org (find your state)

Here is teh reason why 600+ is too big on teh sport bike. Yes they are docile at lower revs, but you get into a higher rev, or you make one too much twist of the wrist at an inoppourtune moment and you are on teh ground. Trust me on this.. i've been riding for 6+ years here in teh US and longer otherwise.

 

[IGBT]

..make shure you get an organ donor card.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..make shure you get an organ donor card.

Already got one on my driver's license, do I need on one my future M1 license

All silliness aside I know the risks of riding a motorcycle, that's why I'm asking for advice and not running out buying a Hayabusa.

 

[loic2003]

I started off on a Honda NSR125 (legal neccessity over here to start on a 125cc) then hopped on a Triumph Daytona 955i as my first heavy bike. I went from a 125cc with 30HP that could hit 100mph -eventually- to a 150HP, 3.2second 0-60, 180mph superbike, and haven't looked back. Shockingly, if you don't want to go so fast, just don't twist the throttle thingy so much. Build up experience, always assume there's a d!ckhead/pile of horse crap around every corner. Went to france a few weeks back, going through the mountainous massif centrale, and am hitting the alps in August.

Defo start on a small bike to get used to everything, but my point is, if you're careful, you can go big fairly soon after and still be absolutely safe. Also bear in mind my superbike has huge tyres and massive brakes which allows it to out-stop just about anything, thus making it that much safer when poottling around at a sensible speed.

Jap bikes are awesome, but do consider the Triumphs when you get into a heavy. You're wise to reject yank hogs.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI

Originally posted by: ballmode
I own a 2002 SV650. That is the perfect sport starter bike. Search my review of it.

For a cruiser... the best deals would probably be a Honda Shadow 600

for sport bike, Kawi ninja 500's

You'd grow out of the 250's very quickly and unless you want to sell it mid season, I'd get the 500 and remember that tires and judgement can save or kill you depending on the situation.

Take it easy, learn from friends, if not take a course or just practice in a neighborhood alot.

Watch out for cold tires, slow turns, and always be watching EVERYTHING around you when driving... even the on coming. I only really relax when I'm the only thing on the road for at least half a mile. Plus WEAR YOUR LEATHERS/HELMET/GLOVES!!!!

I'll take a look at the SV650, if it is out of my price range I'm going to go definitely settle on the Ninja 500.

Also does anyone have any idea on what to expect insurance wise? That could really make or break my quest to own a motorcycle. I'm 18 (or well will be in a month).

18 years old.. you'll get owned if you want collision (in the thousands / year).

I'm 23 and my 97 CBR was $28/mo, 2002 f4i was $35/mo and '03 GSXR will be around 35/mo also. None of those have collision.

 

[markgm]

Take a safety course before you get one. Start small, you can always sell it for what you paid for it in a year and it'll teach you all of the basics better than a more powerful bike would. After that, then you can start wasting all of your money on something more powerful that you will spend a lot of time modding to make it 'your own' I have a Yamaha FZ6 and I love it. Spend money on good gear, your life is worth that!

 

[imported_Imp]

Cool. Unless you've been driving a while, go with something that isn't blacklisted or over 500cc. Hear some people (new cyclers) paying over $5k a year just for collission insurance. I'm about to get my M1 too (this week I hope), and been researching this stuff like crazy. Not sure if I'll get a bike or not, but if I do, probably going with a Ninja 250. Could score one for about $3k used if I'm lucky.

 

[Zekial]

i just bought me a 800cc a month ago. lovin' every minute of it.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to work this summer and save up money and keep my eye out for used ones on craigslist or whatever.

 

[Superwormy]

Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation motorcycle course, it gets you an insurance discount and usually they waive your DMV license test.

Get a smaller bike, Ninja 250s and Ninja 500s are greater starter bikes. You can find them used for reasonable prices too. ninja250.org is a great resource for the Ninja 250.

- Keith

 

[Superwormy]

On a side note, I have a Ninja 500 for sale if you're anywhere near Connecticut...

 

[cirrrocco]

check cycletrader.com as well

 

[Mellman]

Don't forget to look into all the gear you'll be needing to purchase before you ride...helmet, pants, jacket, boots, gloves... I spent around $1800 on all my gear if i remember right, my bike only cost $3200

and remember, its not a matter of IF you fall, it is a matter of when, and how often...

I am 240 5'10" and bought a used YZF600R as my first bike, perfect first bike if you're a normal, sane person. If you want to just get out and go fast, don't bother getting a bike unless you have a death wish. Not everything on the road is under your control.

The YZF is a perfect starter bike in my opinion if you can handle the responsibilities of riding and staying under control on the street. www.yzf600r.com is our forum, we're not your typical sportbike forum, and don't take kindly to squids

 

[imported_Imp]

Dang, all I budgeted was about $500 for helmet, gloves and jacket. I can get really nice boots for free from someone, and just going with jeans. Maybe I'll have legs in a month, maybe I won't...but I'll still have that extra $100.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Imp
Dang, all I budgeted was about $500 for helmet, gloves and jacket. I can get really nice boots for free from someone, and just going with jeans. Maybe I'll have legs in a month, maybe I won't...but I'll still have that extra $100.

I spent $350 for the helmet alone. I picked up a jacket and boots for about another $400 on top of that.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Imp
Dang, all I budgeted was about $500 for helmet, gloves and jacket. I can get really nice boots for free from someone, and just going with jeans. Maybe I'll have legs in a month, maybe I won't...but I'll still have that extra $100.

I spent $350 for the helmet alone. I picked up a jacket and boots for about another $400 on top of that.

350 on a helmet might be overkill. Some people don't mind spending that much, but I haven't found a study yet that shows the Arai's and Shoei's were better then the Scorpions, HJC, KBC's. I personally had an HJC, then a Scorpion and then an AGV.

I would recommend the OP get a $200 helmet, $50 pair of leather gloves, $100 pair of leather boots, 100 for a pair of textile overpants, and $200 on a leather jacket.

Hell, I have an A* spinner leather jacket, MotoGP overpants with upgraded CE knee armor and a size 10 pair of Tourmaster I'll sell for 350.

http://newenough.com/protectiv...ycle_sport_jacket.html
http://newenough.com/closeouts...orcycle_overpants.html
http://newenough.com/boots/wat..._motorcycle_boots.html