Help me find / buy a motorcycle!

[amnesiac]

I have just realized I am totally obsessed with the idea of owning a crotch rocket. So, I'm taking the CHP/MSF course in a few weeks and will be buying a bike around September. Can anyone here recommend good bikes and places to find them in Southern Cali?

Been looking at the following:
1995 Honda CBR6000F3
2000 Suzuki GS500e

I'm thinking something with decent power but more control, low maintenance costs, and probably without fairings since I'll likely drop the bike after I get it.

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

Hondas been voted best in class for over 10 years and no i'm not a Honda salesman

 

[sugajay]

2001 Honda CBR600f4i

Or if you want a hell of a lot of power 2001 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300

 

[amnesiac]

Let me make it very clear that THIS WILL BE MY FIRST BIKE.
If I was stupid enough to even WANT a Hayabusa at this point I would deserve no less than for it to spontaneously combust with me on it.

I sat on the F4i today and it was very nice but probably out of my price range. I'm looking at around $4000-5000 used or new and remember this is a STARTER bike.

 

[dunn]

go buy a aprilia
or a yellow ducati
or better yet a blue yamaha R1 baby

 

[sugajay]

If it's your first bike then buy a Suzuki katana 600, they are perfect for starters and easy on insurance.

 

[Pliablemoose]

amnesiac 2.0,

The CBR600 is an awesome bike, I've owned 11 bikes & have taught about 40 MSF classes before I quit (owners of the class wanted to pass everybody, I didn't & just got burned out over arguing with them). I did write off 2 brand new motorcycles off on taxes though (you're required to own & ride so it was a business expense).

There's a reason Honda keeps winning awards with it's bikes, they kick serious ass over everyone else. In nearly every class of motorcycle Honda sells more (like 2:1 or 4:1) than everyone else. I've owned a CB750C & a PC800 Honda. The biggest argument that can be made against owning one is that they're so reliable & predictable, it's like owning an appliance (I think that argument came from Harley riders).

You can spend the next 5 years and some serious cash modding your CBR, they're so freaking intricate, it's like working on a computer.

After you've ridden your bike for 6 months or so, take the Exp. Riders Course.

 

[dunn]

yea man, honda cbr600's are sweet
especially the black and yellow one, WHEW!! its HOTTTT!!!!

600cc is enough for a beginner

 

[dunn]

pliablemoose, i think you need to upgrade your PC, it is too new and updated

 

[Pliablemoose]

I've heard the new 8088 & 8086 based PC's are pretty neat, but I'm scared cuz I don't know the difference between extended & expanded memory, and what the hell is up with the IBM DOS & PC DOS stuff?

Have a friend with an Amiga, it looks pretty neat.

You know you're raising a family of nerds when your 8 year old daughter demands to help assemble her new PC.

 

[Linh]

i'd go for the cbr's

 

[amnesiac]

Anyone have anything to say about the Suzuki GS500's? This month's Cycle World had a pretty positive article about it.

 

[cipher00]

The GS500 is a fine bike. With all due respects, esp. to Pliable, I'd go with Sugajay... read: Stay Away from the CBR! :Q

Why? If you've never ridden before, the CBR is too much of a bike, IMO. A beginner should stick with a nice bike with some power and a LOT of predictability. The Suzuki is perfect, as is a Kawasaki ES500 (I had the Kawi, like the Suzuki more).

A stable 500-600cc should be fine, preferably used (you *will* drop it ).

Can't comment on SoCal since I'm stuck in the d**n northeast.

Good luck, and safe riding.

 

[Fausto]

Cipher's right. You will drop your bike. Probably while maneuvering it around a parking lot or something stupid, but you will indeed dump it once or twice (I did). Therefore stay away from plastic (ie-CBR, etc) and get something with less expensive shiny plastic to crack up. Suzuki's SV650 is a very nice bike for the $ and plenty sporty. They can walk away from some bigger bikes in the tight twisties up in north GA. Plus they sound REALLY cool, being a v-twin and all.

Of course, once you have a hankering for something bigger, you could have a look at my Triumph Daytona I happen to have for sale.

Good luck.
Fausto

 

[perry]

I've been told by many people giving me advice on getting started with motorcycles to buy a cheap standard beater bike first. Like a 500, if not smaller. Find a bike that's less than $1000 since you know that you're gunna drop it, and learn how to ride with cars on the roads. Stay off the interstate until your comfortable, don't go blazing down at 100mph your first day out. Look into a MSF classs in your area, they'll give you a real good start, and possibly an insurance discount. Pretty cheap, a worthwhile investment

After you've ridden for 6 months or so, and feel that your comfortable on a standard bike, then start looking around at cheaper used sport bikes. You'll probably lay that one down too, no sense in buying new.

 

[The Stigenator]

good atleast you have come to a realisation that you dont need a really fast one.

I have the Suzuki GS500E and its a nice bike but I wish I had got something a little more comfortable. I find that I am leaning on the handlebars..

Look into the Buell Blast.. same price as teh suzuki.. but a lot more comfortable.

A few more pointers.. since your in LA.. dont even consider the crotch rocket. Check insurance prices.. shop by insurance. See what you get. I picked the bike based on the insurance quote. I suggest you do too. Cause I got quoted upto 2000/yr with certain insurance companies.

Since we both are in LA.. it would make things easier if you know which companies I checked out with.

But I suggest try the Buell Blast.. I found it very very very comfortable. Not that my GS500E isnt comfortable, but there are certian preferences that I like.

 

[GasX]

Triumph Speed Triple

fast and classy

 

[Mungla]

If you already have a drivers license, do you have to get a motorcycle license as well? I was reading my states drivers manual and it appears that you must take the driving test again, is this right? I've been wanting to get a motorcycle for a couple of months now. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation say's that their Motorcycle RiderCourse will qualify the graduate for a motorcycle license. How much does this 2-day course usually cost?

Also, at the age of 17, are there any size restrictions? Such as nothing over 600CC?

 

[Mungla]

^ bump

 

[perry]

Most states require a motorcycle endorsement on the license.

List of locations that offer the MSF course. They should have all the info you need on each webpage.

 

[TerreApart]

Here ya go.... links galore!

SV650 website

Another Excellent SV650 site

Cycleworld Forums

Hit the Cycleworld forums, there are alot of experienced riders over there. They will agree a CBR or rocket-bike to learn on is silly... expensive repairs, and way too easy to get in-over your head, etc...

Read some of the riding stories these guys have, they link them to national articles also. Everyweek some rookie on a rocket bike bites the dust needlessly-(their own fault).

I own both a 2001 SV650S and 93 ZX-6E-(bought it new). Later this summer i'll be selling my ZX-6, the SVS is just sooo much funner to drive. Besides the fact i finally got my insurance below $460 a yr including my truck, and 2 bikes... So speeding tickets would ruin this...

Best of Luck to you...

 

[Mungla]

I've been doing some looking, and for a very inexpensive, fast, and good looking bike, I've found that the Kawasaki Ninja 250R fits. Even thou it's only in the 250CC range, a person of my weight (120lbs) should have a blast on it.

 

[iamfried]

I had a 98CBR600F3. Completely loved the bike. My friend had 99ZX6 and I also rode it. Diference for me was the mobility. The CBR I could totally just throw around. The ZX6 required a little more effort to get down in the turns. You will understand after your course what I am talking about. So yes, I would recommend a CBR over a kawasaki and that is tough. I used to race motocross and always had a Kawasaki kx---.
As for people saying a 600 is big enough for a beginner... A 600 is big enough for anybody (as long as you are not really big). Find me a bike that goes block to block faster than a 600? Also, just because it is a 600 doesn't mean it is easy to ride. It is just easier to get down in the turns and you can throw it around -- lighter. I did get into a tank banger once on my CBR though. Supposedly, it is supposed to be the hardest bike to get to do this. When I told the guy at the motorcycle place what happened, he was all suprised and said things like that happen on Susukis and Yamahas but very seldom on Hondas.
As for where to buy in SoCal. If in San Diego, stay away from House of Motorcycles. They ripped me off and my friend was much happier with the one down by national city. (the name escapes me though)

 

[bUnMaNGo]

<< If you already have a drivers license, do you have to get a motorcycle license as well? >>



In CA, you can get a permit to ride only during the day, and without any passengers. To ride at night, and with a passenger, you'll need an M class license. If you're < 21, you need to take the MSF course that everybody has been talking about and take the written test (permit). If you're > 21, you don't have to take the course, but you have to take both the written test AND the riding test at the DMV, or you can take the written test at the DMV and take the MSF course. < 21, the course is ~$75, whereas > 21, the course is ~$180. I'm taking it this coming August. Hopefully I'll have a bike before I go back up to school this fall... so far I'm looking at either a '99 or '00 CBR600... everybody that I've talked to said that it's a good beginner bike.

 

[Mungla]

Thanks bUnMaNGo. I've looked into the MSF classes around here, and I plan to take it as soon as possible.