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I've decided I want a motorcycle....

D

DisgruntledVirus

Lifer
I want a sport bike for riding for fun. To work, to school, for fun, etc. Not long distance or anything, just fun driving around.

I rode dirtbikes growing up (125 and 250's), which I realize are different. This would be a first bike, and more for fun than serious riding (or racing). I personally don't think I should get anything over a 750CC (and a 600CC is what I'm leaning to) for the sheer fact that I'm new to street riding and getting used to a bike again. I don't have any price "limit" per se, but $5k-$8k is ideal and where I'm looking to spend.

I've been browsing craigslist, and other websites (cycletrader.com for example) and found some I like. I am leaning towards a used 600CC bike, 2005-2007 range, from a private seller.

Thoughts anybody?

EDIT: update polls with Ninja 250/500's

Also, I am going to be taking a rider safety course (lower insurance FTW) as an FYI
 
get a 250cc ninja. great first bike. does everything you want. also very cheap

and nearly every bike you listed are not for what you want and most are overkill.
 
Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I voted for posting this in The Garage.

KT
Click to expand...

Yes, but I wanted to get OT thoughts about it.

If mods want to move it to Garage, feel free but I would be sad 🙁
Click to expand...

I gave you my thoughts, so don't be sad. 🙂

KT
 
Originally posted by: waggy
get a 250cc ninja. great first bike. does everything you want. also very cheap

and nearly every bike you listed are not for what you want and most are overkill.
Click to expand...

I just picked a new one up about a month ago, and have had a blast with it so far. Took my MSF course first weekend in April, and wanted something to learn on and not kill myself 🙂.

The '08+ models look nice, insurance is cheap. Plus, you can turn around and sell it next year for close to what you paid for it.

 
Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I voted for posting this in The Garage.

KT
Click to expand...

Yes, but I wanted to get OT thoughts about it.

If mods want to move it to Garage, feel free but I would be sad 🙁
Click to expand...

I gave you my thoughts, so don't be sad. 🙂

KT
Click to expand...

True, and since you're a mod I guess that means I was asking for thoughts but yours make me sad. Hmmm.

Originally posted by: waggy
get a 250cc ninja. great first bike. does everything you want. also very cheap

and nearly every bike you listed are not for what you want and most are overkill.
Click to expand...

Thought about that as well as the 500CC ninja.

Both are cheap for new bikes, and would fit all the criteria I listed. Just would then require trading up when I wanted to move up in CC's (which I may not want to do).
 
Originally posted by: jlarsson
Originally posted by: waggy
get a 250cc ninja. great first bike. does everything you want. also very cheap

and nearly every bike you listed are not for what you want and most are overkill.
Click to expand...

I just picked a new one up about a month ago, and have had a blast with it so far. Took my MSF course first weekend in April, and wanted something to learn on and not kill myself 🙂.

The '08+ models look nice, insurance is cheap. Plus, you can turn around and sell it next year for close to what you paid for it.
Click to expand...


exactly. they are great bikes to get used to street rideing. So everyone wants them. you can find them very cheap and when you think you are ready for a bigger bike you can sell it easy for damn near what you purchased it for (unless you drop it a lot).

i cringe when someone says they want a motorcycle with no street experiance and talk about getting the types of bikes he listed. a 1000cc bike? are you fucking nuts? sigh.

*waits for someone to come in and say "my first bike was a 1000cc and i was fine!" heh.
 
I just went through the very same thing. I eventually decided to go with the Suzuki V-Strom 650, as I turned against sportsbikes.

A lot of people recommend starting with 250CC, but I decided that I would outgrow that almost immediately. I think the 500CC ninja would be a good bike for your needs.

Make sure you take the safety course though!

 
You're used to riding motorcycles, so you should be alright. I'd still suggest a motorcycle safety course before you even think about buying a bike. Once you have your license, find some friends with motorcycles and test ride thiers. Figure out what you want in a bike then go shopping.

600cc is plenty fast. My brother has a ZZR600 that has no problem getting to 130 mph in a hurry.

For your comfort and that of a potential passenger, I'd recommend steering clear of the true supersport bikes and look at something towards a standard bike (Yamaha FZ6R, Suzuki SV650, and similar bikes).
 
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: jlarsson
Originally posted by: waggy
get a 250cc ninja. great first bike. does everything you want. also very cheap

and nearly every bike you listed are not for what you want and most are overkill.
Click to expand...

I just picked a new one up about a month ago, and have had a blast with it so far. Took my MSF course first weekend in April, and wanted something to learn on and not kill myself 🙂.

The '08+ models look nice, insurance is cheap. Plus, you can turn around and sell it next year for close to what you paid for it.
Click to expand...


exactly. they are great bikes to get used to street rideing. So everyone wants them. you can find them very cheap and when you think you are ready for a bigger bike you can sell it easy for damn near what you purchased it for (unless you drop it a lot).

i cringe when someone says they want a motorcycle with no street experiance and talk about getting the types of bikes he listed. a 1000cc bike? are you fucking nuts? sigh.

*waits for someone to come in and say "my first bike was a 1000cc and i was fine!" heh.
Click to expand...

As do I.

Which is why I don't really want a 1000cc for my first bike. I posted them to see if people would go "Just get a 1000cc and call it a day"

PS I updated the poal with the Ninja 250/500's
 
Originally posted by: JLee
Used SV650.

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I voted for posting this in The Garage.

KT
Click to expand...

That too.
Click to expand...

Concur on both counts.

New bikes lose a shitload of value as soon as you roll out of the parking lot. Buy used.

The 600s that were out about 15 years ago were too much for new riders (yes, I know many survived). A current 600-4 puts out @100HP - things happen fast. An SV650 will be user-friendly enough that it's not too intimidating to a new(er) rider, but with enough zap that you won't be bored in four months, ala Ninja 250.
 
I vote for a classic Suzuki GS which is a late 70's early 80's bike. Then again, I might be biased, being an '82 GS650 owner 😀
 
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
I vote for a classic Suzuki GS which is a late 70's early 80's bike. Then again, I might be biased, being an '82 GS650 owner 😀
Click to expand...

a buddy of mine has a GS650 its a nice bike.

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
As do I.

Which is why I don't really want a 1000cc for my first bike. I posted them to see if people would go "Just get a 1000cc and call it a day"

PS I updated the poal with the Ninja 250/500's
Click to expand...

ok good to know. i have seen a few new riders get such bikes and then hurt themselves. new riders are not really ready for as much power as some of the bikes have. Last bike i had was a 600CC cbr and sometimes i was even suprised by the power (and i been rideing for over 20 years) it would have.

IF i was just starting out again (depending on budget) i would get the 250 (maybe 500 cc) ninja to start. ride that for a year or two. then get a 600cc whatever.

IF you don't want a streetbike 65-750 cc is also good.

im actually thinking of getting a 600cc scooter. lol looked at one the other day and it was pretty nice.
 
Buy a used Ninja 250R. They're dirt cheap, and much more forgiving than a 600ss. Once you get tired of it, you'll be able to sell it for close to what you bought it for, and you'll be a much better rider when you jump on that 600 I-4. Buy a used one, because you'll drop it, and it really sucks to drop a brand new bike. It's much easier on the ego to drop one that's already a little dinged up. Since you have dirt bike experience, an SV650 or a Ninja 500 might be a great choice too (I'd take the SV over the 500 if you were to choose between those two). Take the MSF course.

Ride safe, and keep the shiny side up!
 
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
As do I.

Which is why I don't really want a 1000cc for my first bike. I posted them to see if people would go "Just get a 1000cc and call it a day"

PS I updated the poal with the Ninja 250/500's
Click to expand...

ok good to know. i have seen a few new riders get such bikes and then hurt themselves. new riders are not really ready for as much power as some of the bikes have. Last bike i had was a 600CC cbr and sometimes i was even suprised by the power (and i been rideing for over 20 years) it would have.

IF i was just starting out again (depending on budget) i would get the 250 (maybe 500 cc) ninja to start. ride that for a year or two. then get a 600cc whatever.

IF you don't want a streetbike 65-750 cc is also good.

im actually thinking of getting a 600cc scooter. lol looked at one the other day and it was pretty nice.
Click to expand...

I do work for an auto/home insurance company and took new auto claims. Motorcycles claims always had injuries, and getting a larger engine just increases those odds. I know myself well enough that I would try to tap into the 1000cc's which would be bad. I don't need that, nor want that. I love "extreme" stuff (skydiving among other "extreme" activities), but am not going to put myself in a stupid spot enjoying those activities (in this case buying a 1000+cc bike).
 
Originally posted by: lxskllr
Originally posted by: Farang
500 CC, 412 lbs of quality Indian engineering: http://www.enfieldmotorcycles....models/classic-g5.html
Click to expand...

That's a sharp looking bike. I wonder what the reliability is.
Click to expand...

Supposedly it's pretty good at not leaving a rider stranded. The engine really isn't heavily stressed (~27 horsepower) and it's built to survive on India's roads, which are harsher than ours. They're a bit crude and old-fashioned though and seem to have a tendency to expect mechanical knowledge from their owners. They seem to be regarded as reliable but "finicky" bikes. Basically they seem to behave just like a motorcycle from 1955 would have. 😛

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: lxskllr

That's a sharp looking bike. I wonder what the reliability is.
Click to expand...

Supposedly it's pretty good at not leaving a rider stranded. The engine really isn't heavily stressed (~27 horsepower) and it's built to survive on India's roads, which are harsher than ours. They're a bit crude and old-fashioned though and seem to have a tendency to expect mechanical knowledge from their owners. They seem to be regarded as reliable but "finicky" bikes. Basically they seem to behave just like a motorcycle from 1955 would have. 😛

ZV
Click to expand...

I can live with that. Most of the vehicles I've ever owned have been finicky. Even my Jeep(97), which is the newest car I've had, requires tricks to operate :^D
 
For the Enfields you're paying something like $3200 just to import the bike. You can find a good running used one in India for under $1k. Fun to ride because they are loud as hell.
 
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