Possibly...

S

'songsrflipnswt

Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
87
...Thinking of buying a motorcycle for the summer.


What would be a good SPORT cycle brand/model to be keeping an eye on? Not interested in Hogs or cruisers. Price is < $4G.

Any help is appreciated.

-John
 
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Moving to Gadgets & Gear. Read this and you'll understand why.
 
If this is your first motorcycle, check out the new Kawasaki Ninja 250. They redesigned it for '08 and it looks pretty darned sharp, even though I'm not a sportsbike rider.

It's probably the only sportsbike available new for under $4,000. Maybe some of the Chinese imports are in that price range too, but we don't have dealers for those around here.

First, get yourself into one of the rider safety classes, if they're available where you live.
Second, start pricing and budgeting for the expenses of motorcycle ownership - mainly gear and insurance.
Third, start reading online reviews, talking to riding friends and family, and visiting dealers. The only way to know if a bike fits or not is to sit on it.

Also, check out this forum where I'm also a member: www.beginnerbikers.org . Lots of new riders, thinking-about-becoming-riders, riding instructors, and super-duper experienced riders are members there and everyone is usually delighted to talk about entry-level motorcycles to a new guy.

Good Luck!
 
Bob W said:
If this is your first motorcycle, check out the new Kawasaki Ninja 250.
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+1 The 250 Ninja is a great starter bike. They actually hold their value pretty well and even if you rode it for a year you shouldn't lose much money if you trade up later on.

If you have some riding experience and want something a little bigger I'd say the Suzuki SV 650 would be your best choice. They're reliable, handle well and you should be able to pick up a decent used one in that price range.
 
+1 The 250 Ninja is a great starter bike.
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Even though it has a top speed of over 100mph, they're still very lightweight and apparently easy to handle; the MSF uses some Ninja 250s in their rider training programs.

I'd also like to make a reading suggestion, Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. Not only are the riding tips excellent, but the books really let you know what you're getting into - the training, the hazards, the safety precautions to negate the hazards, and the proper frame of mind necessary for a long riding career - the 'real scoop' on the risks you'll be accepting.
I strongly recommend reading these before you decide whether riding is for you or not. You can check these out from the library, or Amazon has (had?) a special deal if you buy both together.
 
Take a look at a Suzuki SV650. Not too much power to get you in trouble, but enough to last you more than a season.

I wouldn't pass on Ninja 250 either, or a VFR 250 if you can find one.

I also seriously recommend an MSF course and a full suit of gear...Do not skimp on this. There are good deals to be had on the net and there is no price too high to put on protecting your body.

Billyp
 
MSF for sure. Stick with a lower size bike, i started on a 750 and woah lol. I loved it though. But stick with 650 or lower. Look for a gixxer 650. Im kinda biased towards suzuki... look on sites such as craigslist.com (dk if i can post that here... sorry if im wrong for posting) or look through the paper. Get a good jacket and helmet at least. I got a top gear jacket with kevlar pads, it's a mesh material. And bought myself a shoei helmet. love it. But HJC will do you good too.
 
If you can already ride a bike and know what your doing something like a 600 is a good bet.
They have enough power to be usefull and fun but not totaly crazy.
If your a beginer id stick to 250s or a 400 maybe just to be safe.

As to gear the old saying "dress for the fall not the ride" is well worth keeping in mind.

I ride a Honda Hornet 600 and like it so much I just cant seem to bring my self to buy any other bike:p.
A friend of mine just got a Yamaha FZ6n (non faired fazer) and that is actually a pretty nice bike too.

:thumbup:
 
I second what everyone said about gear. A jacket, helmet, boots and gloves at the minimum. Remember that you don't have a 'cage' around you for protection and drivers often will look right through you. I prefer leather but there are some good mesh jackets out there.

SuzukiGS750EZ said:
Look for a gixxer 650.
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A GSXR 650? :confused:
 
BlackHills said:
I second what everyone said about gear. A jacket, helmet, boots and gloves at the minimum. Remember that you don't have a 'cage' around you for protection and drivers often will look right through you. I prefer leather but there are some good mesh jackets out there.



A GSXR 650? :confused:
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I meant GSXf. My b. The gixxer 600 is nice too. it's weird to say f...
 
David Hough's books are excellent. Addtionally, the suggestions to take a MSF course should be seriously considered.

A sport bike rider needs a full face helmet and some good, colored leathers and boots. One most look 'cool' when on a sport bike. Its part of the image.
 
Tough to beat an older Honda snottie...you can find a clean low mileage CB 750 for well under that price. and if you want it to look like one of a kind just contact this guy....he is offering this KO 750 for just 4500 and it will be a new bike when he is done with it.... Old school sport...Cafe Racer...

f54de064a9e41ad3060ff934807fa3ab.jpg


http://www.cb750cafe.com/
 
Here's a helmet ? i'm not sure about: Aren't their helmets that have intercom to another helmet for a passenger and ones that can get a bluetooth built in?
 
'songsrflipnswt said:
Here's a helmet ? i'm not sure about: Aren't their helmets that have intercom to another helmet for a passenger and ones that can get a bluetooth built in?
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Yes, there are. You can buy an intercom system and put it in any helmet as well.

As for the bluetooth....I don't see any reason for that, but that's me. Why would you want to ruin your ride with a phone call or some other noise? :confused:
 
A helmet is for keeping your brain inside your head, a phone is for phone calls :p

I see no need at all for a coms. helmet unless your on a mamoth group ride accross the country or something.
 
Yeah, there are helmets with communication abilities, radios, and all that stuff. And they might be of use to couples traveling for long periods on large touring bikes. But...

Sportsbike riders don't do two-up that much from what I've seen, nor do they usually ride long distances (there's always exceptions though).
Secondly, when you start riding, you won't have the skills necessary to carry a passenger. Maybe after a full year or two it'd be something to try out.

I've ridden two-up for short distances, and it sucks. It would have sucked ten times more if the passenger was talking to me...

I know you're not into cruising (don't knock it 'til you try it), but this topic calls for a photo anyway. :D

Highway1413.jpg
 
Bob W said:
nor do they usually ride long distances (there's always exceptions though).
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You're right, most just seem to want to pose around town but there are a few of us that actually get out and ride. My typical Sunday ride in the summer is 300+ miles.

I've ridden two-up for short distances, and it sucks. It would have sucked ten times more if the passenger was talking to me...
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+11ty billion. I've always felt a bike was made for one person and if someone wants to go riding with me they should get their own bike. :D

I know you're not into cruising (don't knock it 'til you try it), but this topic calls for a photo anyway.
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Beautiful country, where is that? My first thought was Moab.
 
You're right, most just seem to want to pose around town...
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That's true of cruiser riders too. In the summer I can see a dozen bikes riding back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth... Ironically, people come from all over the world to ride the rural highways of New Mexico (and Wyoming).

And the bikes I do see traveling long distances (lots of long-distance riders on I25) are almost always touring bikes, cruisers, or adventure bikes.

I wasn't trying to put down sportsbikes or their rides, it's just that those bikes aren't designed for long-distance riding. Most of them are too tall for me anyway, but even if I could get on one I doubt it would be comfortable for very long. It's difficult to mount luggage on many sportsbike models too.

+11ty billion. I've always felt a bike was made for one person and if someone wants to go riding with me they should get their own bike.
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I took the back seat off my bike. :) I don't care for group rides either, call me a Lone Wolf or whatever, but I really like to ride at my own pace and have the freedom to make any logistical alterations I see fit without having to consult with anyone or ask permission.

Beautiful country, where is that? My first thought was Moab.
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Not a bad guess. That photo is in Western Colorado between Natarita and Gateway.
 
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