So i know this has nothing to do with pipes or tobacco or anything but i have noticed that a lot of you guys on here have motorcycles and i am looking to get one sometime in the near future. So i was just wondering if you guys had any suggestions on where to start?? I would love to get a project bike one that may not be running right now but that i could fix and work on cause i love working on things and it would probably be cheaper haha. I am thinking of just getting a cheap one for my first and just toying around with it.
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Get a used Honda beater that you can learn to take spills on and repair yourself. Invest in some padded riding gear too :P
MY first suggestion is to go and take the MSF course. learn to ride properly then find a good used bike to refine your skills with. The object of riding a motorcycle is to stay rubber side down, not beat on it. Learn to ride and then go forth and enjoy the freedom it provides. When I used to instruct I always started class with "there are two kinds of riders in teh world, the ones that have and the ones that will..." you will fall down, just how you fall that is up to what you learn. Sorry my passion is motorcylces. Good luck with your quest.
Yuri
Yuri
Thanks Yuri, I actually have a good friend of mine that teaches the course so i am planning and have talked to him about taking it especially since i have no idea what i am doing when it comes to motorcycles haha. I cant wait to enjoy the freedoms and everything that comes with it.
Nice yamaha but you're probably looking at a new trans for it if it won't get out of first. $500 is a fair price point for a decent bike with all its gears, really.
Greetings,
I thoroughly agree, take the MSF rider training course FIRST! You'll thank us later.
No offense to cruiser fans, but a beginning rider should stay away from them, at least until they have a few miles/years of experience. The feet forward, leaned back riding position does little to instill confidence. The raked out front forks tend to flop over in slow speed (parking lot) situations. Very scary, and could lead to a needless spill. Yes, cruiser style bikes look cool and "badass", but a beginner should always choose function over style.
That being said, my personal recommendation, based on over 40 years and hundreds of thousands of miles of riding experience is as follows:
Honda CBR 250R - Neat looking, lightweight, decent power, easy to ride, great MPG, easy to maintain and CHEAP! $3,999.00 brand new! They're so popular, you need to reserve one and wait. I've been riding a long time and have owned 24 bikes, and I'm seriously considering getting one myself. Looks like FUN!
Kawasaki Ninja 250 - Again, like the Honda, great for someone learning. Light, easy to maneuver, and the same $3,999.00 price.
Both bikes have one drawback, though. The plastic bodywork vunerable in a spill, even a minor tip-over. These plastic panels can be expensive to replace. Something to think about.
A better choice might be any small (250-400cc) Dual Sport (enduro) style bike such as Honda XL, Suzuki DR, Kawasaki KLR, or Yamaha XT model bikes. Again, light weight, easy to ride and maintain. Minimal, if any, bodywork to bash and scrape if (when) you fall. Added plus, you can do a little off-roading if the mood strikes. Decent, low mile used examples can be a bargain. Just shop carefully and be patient.
Good luck and good riding.
CACooper
Riding since 1970
AMA Charter Life Member
Current ride: 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure
I thoroughly agree, take the MSF rider training course FIRST! You'll thank us later.
No offense to cruiser fans, but a beginning rider should stay away from them, at least until they have a few miles/years of experience. The feet forward, leaned back riding position does little to instill confidence. The raked out front forks tend to flop over in slow speed (parking lot) situations. Very scary, and could lead to a needless spill. Yes, cruiser style bikes look cool and "badass", but a beginner should always choose function over style.
That being said, my personal recommendation, based on over 40 years and hundreds of thousands of miles of riding experience is as follows:
Honda CBR 250R - Neat looking, lightweight, decent power, easy to ride, great MPG, easy to maintain and CHEAP! $3,999.00 brand new! They're so popular, you need to reserve one and wait. I've been riding a long time and have owned 24 bikes, and I'm seriously considering getting one myself. Looks like FUN!
Kawasaki Ninja 250 - Again, like the Honda, great for someone learning. Light, easy to maneuver, and the same $3,999.00 price.
Both bikes have one drawback, though. The plastic bodywork vunerable in a spill, even a minor tip-over. These plastic panels can be expensive to replace. Something to think about.
A better choice might be any small (250-400cc) Dual Sport (enduro) style bike such as Honda XL, Suzuki DR, Kawasaki KLR, or Yamaha XT model bikes. Again, light weight, easy to ride and maintain. Minimal, if any, bodywork to bash and scrape if (when) you fall. Added plus, you can do a little off-roading if the mood strikes. Decent, low mile used examples can be a bargain. Just shop carefully and be patient.
Good luck and good riding.
CACooper
Riding since 1970
AMA Charter Life Member
Current ride: 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure
Thanks for the help Cooper! Like i said i am open to any and all hints and tips seeing as i am completely new at this and know next to nothing. Thanks for your suggestions on which would be good starter bikes ill have to look those up and see if i can find any within my price range.
Yep. Take the safety course so you can scratch up someone elses' bike while you learn. The school is no replacement for riding experience, but it really helps and gets you started with some good habits right off the bat. Then ride a couple different types of bike if you can and find out what kind of rider you are. The save up some $$ and get a bike you can afford.
Good advice on the MSF course, your insurance will also probably give you a discount.
You can find a lot of good running Japanese bikes on Craigslist for under $1000. That $500 Kawasaki that doesn't shift might need at least in transmission parts. I'd pass.
I've ridden my neighbors 250 Rebel. If you are a average sized guy, you might find it a little small in size. They also make it in a 450 cc size, which if you can handle a bike, would last you longer. You will use a 250 on on the MSF course,see how that agrees with your riding skill level. If you are comfortable, try a 400-500cc bike for a starter. My daughter paid $1500 for a beautiful Ninja 500 twin and even with my 30 yrs of riding experience enjoyed riding.
You can find a lot of good running Japanese bikes on Craigslist for under $1000. That $500 Kawasaki that doesn't shift might need at least in transmission parts. I'd pass.
I've ridden my neighbors 250 Rebel. If you are a average sized guy, you might find it a little small in size. They also make it in a 450 cc size, which if you can handle a bike, would last you longer. You will use a 250 on on the MSF course,see how that agrees with your riding skill level. If you are comfortable, try a 400-500cc bike for a starter. My daughter paid $1500 for a beautiful Ninja 500 twin and even with my 30 yrs of riding experience enjoyed riding.
Are you going to tear down the whole engine to fix the trans problem? If not, it is going to be costly to have it done by a regular mechanic. likely 500 to 700.00 in labor
The Suzuki GZ250 is a great inexpensive first bike. Wife rides one still. A Kawasaki KLR 650 is an inexpensive all around bike. Handles dirt, street, even some of the more inclement weather some bikes would never be out in. I love my KLR. You need to be a longer in the leg than some bikes, though. I am 6'8" and it fits me fine. I think the seat height is 32" on it.
I definitely recommend some riding gear. At minimum boots, helmet, gloves, and a riding jacket. I have a hard time finding riding pants in my size, so jeans are what I usually wear. Well, jeans are what I usually wear anyways. Many good online and B&M sources for riding gear.
Good luck and let us know what you get.
I definitely recommend some riding gear. At minimum boots, helmet, gloves, and a riding jacket. I have a hard time finding riding pants in my size, so jeans are what I usually wear. Well, jeans are what I usually wear anyways. Many good online and B&M sources for riding gear.
Good luck and let us know what you get.
Frankly, my advice, again based on experience, is STAY AWAY from it. I've restored quite a few Japanese bikes over the years, and parts are EXPENSIVE. For example, a gas tank alone, for a two or three year old sportbike (GSXR, Ninja, etc.), can cost $1000.00 or more! Insane! Unless the bike is a classic, such as a Honda CL77 (250 or 305 Scrambler), Dream, or '75-'76 CB400F, the cost of replacement parts usually exceeds the value of the entire bike.
Honda is the only Japanese manufacturer that stocks parts for almost every bike they ever imported into the U.S. So, they're easier to restore, and you can still get newly made parts for the older ones. Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha obsolete parts after 5 years or so, and make one last production run, then no more. Ever. The older the bike, the more expensive the part.
Several years ago, I was asked to repair an old 70's vintage Kawasaki 2-stroke enduro bike. The drivechain had broken,and piled up around the countershaft sprocket, breaking the left crankcase, and bending up the shifter shaft. I visited the local Kawasaki dealer, and asked them if any left side crankcase halves were still in existence and, lo and behold, there was ONE available...for the lofty sum of nearly $800.00! The entire bike was worth about $300.00 at best. I informed the owner and, of course, the bike became scrap.
Moral: Lube and adjust your chain regularly!
There are plenty of good, used bikes out there. You don't need to get a basket case and throw good money after bad trying to make it run. Sadly, the economics aren't there. Start with a decent runner, then spiff it up with a few new parts if needed. You'll be way ahead, in money and headaches. Like I said before, just be patient and look at a lot of bikes.
Most of all, have fun!
CACooper
All of the above is very sound advice.
Once you have some serious miles under your belt you will want to build a cruiser up from a grease spot.
Now that the weather has begun to cool a bit here I have been putting a good bit of milage on mine.
One thing to ALWAYS keep in mind...
Ride like you are invisible to everyone.
Once you have some serious miles under your belt you will want to build a cruiser up from a grease spot.
Now that the weather has begun to cool a bit here I have been putting a good bit of milage on mine.
One thing to ALWAYS keep in mind...
Ride like you are invisible to everyone.
Thanks for all the advice guys i am going to pass this one up. Man CACooper you are the best advice giver ever haha ill keep searching until i find something that i like and probably one of the ones you suggested and in my price range. I am excited to get started in this new world and may be a little to excited for my own good.
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