Looking to get a motorcyle

[S Freud]

So I picked up the manual from the DMV today and will be studying that, then get into a class possible after the summer when I'm done working.


What I'm looking for is where to get information on bikes, gear, riding, etc. I've ridden dirt bikes since I was 14(22 now) and I know they are different I'm just pointing out I have some riding experience.

Does anyone know of forums, websites, books or anything I look at that will help me make an educated decision on a bike and everything that is included?


Thanks 🙂

EDIT: I'm looking to get a sport bike (aka crotch rocket). I like the style of them and don't plan to do long distance riding where I live.

 

[DVad3r]

Don't wait till summer is over, start now.

What kind of bike are you looking to ride?

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Don't wait till summer is over, start now.

What kind of bike are you looking to ride?

Well the only problem is that I farm during the summer. I work around 16 hours a day and only have one day off a week. Great money and the schedule helps to save it, but it leaves little time for anything else.

I figured I would use the time to study and take the class after the summer.

I'm looking to get a sport bike (aka crotch rocket). I like the style of them and don't plan to do long distance riding where I live.

 

[zylander]

How much do you want to spend?

The SV650s is a great bike. They can be had for cheap, the engine will last for ever and they corner really well.
An F4 or F4i is another nice, easy to ride beginner bike that you can usually find for pretty cheap.

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: zylander
How much do you want to spend?

The SV650s is a great bike. They can be had for cheap, the engine will last for ever and they corner really well.
An F4 or F4i is another nice, easy to ride beginner bike that you can usually find for pretty cheap.

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I don't know what brand of bike I should get or type or anything. Right now I'm trying to get info that will help me make a decision about that.

 

[caspur]

Suzuki GSXR750, fantastic street/race bike. Good amount of torque, with a great top end as the revs build. Not a beginner bike, but you do have selectable engine maps which is useful for some weather conditions where you don't need full power. The real benefit to some of the higher displacement bikes is the other components (suspension, brakes, etc.) are usually of higher quality as compared to the "budget" beginner bikes. You will never find a bike that is low displacement with top shelf frame/components other than perhaps some dedicated 2 stroke race bikes.

From your dirtbike background, a supermotard is a natural transition. Or if you want less dirtbike and more supersport the "hooligan" bikes such as the Triumph Speed triple, Aprilia Tuono, or even the MV Agusta Brutale are amazing, and expensive, all around machines.

Gear buy online. I like newenough.com...not the cheapest, but good return policy. Helmets usually buy local, since you need to try before you buy. I have an Arai-shaped head, but Shoei, AGV, etc are all good. For protective gear try to stick with leather for abrasion, though textiles are more versatile. Often overlooked...get good boots. I've worn my squeaky Sidi Vertigos for years, they survived two crashes, one drunken urination episode, and thousands of miles of riding.

MSF class is a good start for learning street riding. Check your local DMV website for approved courses. 8 years of dirt riding is sufficient in terms of bike control, however riding on the street does take some additional skills. "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough is a good read as is his follow up book..."More Proficient Motorcycling... Masturbating during the Ride". Check amazon.com for more.

 

[Fenixgoon]

you may want to look into something like a kawasaki ninja 250 or suzuki GS500, in addition to the tamer 600's like an SV650 or F4/F4i. people may complain about their power, or lack thereof, but they're generally regarded as the best starter bikes. you'd probably be able to handle the 600's with greater ease than most.

also, go to a motorcycle store and get your helmet fit to your head. something like 50% of riders are wearing the wrong sized helmets. the rest of the gear you can shop for online 🙂

motorcyclesuperstore.com newenough.com revzilla.com provide a wide selection of gear

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: caspur
The real benefit to some of the higher displacement bikes is the other components (suspension, brakes, etc.) are usually of higher quality as compared to the "budget" beginner bikes. You will never find a bike that is low displacement with top shelf frame/components other than perhaps some dedicated 2 stroke race bikes.

I have never in my entire life heard of anyone ever having a problem due to "low quality" components on a "budget" bike. You might as well say that it's better to buy a Ferrari because the "other components (suspension, brakes, etc.) are usually of higher quality" when compared against an Accord. They are indeed better, but 99% of all users will never even come close to needing that difference.

Hell, my old 1982 Honda 450 Nighthawk accelerates fast enough, handles well enough, and brakes well enough for any legal on-road use. Unless someone intends to run the bike on a track the "higher quality" of a superbike's components is irrelevant.

ZV

 

[CZroe]

I'm very partial to my '08 Ninja 250R. 😉

I just started riding late last year and I've already crossed the country and pushed it up to 8K miles. 🙂

I bought it purely for the utility and fuel economy at a low price, but DAMN is it ever fun. :thumbsup: I couldn't imagine starting with any other sport bike. Show me a 600cc+ bike that's every bit as fun and cost $3,500 new and I may change my mind.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: caspur
Suzuki GSXR750, fantastic street/race bike. Good amount of torque, with a great top end as the revs build. Not a beginner bike, but you do have selectable engine maps which is useful for some weather conditions where you don't need full power. The real benefit to some of the higher displacement bikes is the other components (suspension, brakes, etc.) are usually of higher quality as compared to the "budget" beginner bikes. You will never find a bike that is low displacement with top shelf frame/components other than perhaps some dedicated 2 stroke race bikes.

From your dirtbike background, a supermotard is a natural transition. Or if you want less dirtbike and more supersport the "hooligan" bikes such as the Triumph Speed triple, Aprilia Tuono, or even the MV Agusta Brutale are amazing, and expensive, all around machines.

Gear buy online. I like newenough.com...not the cheapest, but good return policy. Helmets usually buy local, since you need to try before you buy. I have an Arai-shaped head, but Shoei, AGV, etc are all good. For protective gear try to stick with leather for abrasion, though textiles are more versatile. Often overlooked...get good boots. I've worn my squeaky Sidi Vertigos for years, they survived two crashes, one drunken urination episode, and thousands of miles of riding.

MSF class is a good start for learning street riding. Check your local DMV website for approved courses. 8 years of dirt riding is sufficient in terms of bike control, however riding on the street does take some additional skills. "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough is a good read as is his follow up book..."More Proficient Motorcycling... Masturbating during the Ride". Check amazon.com for more.

No way should a guy that's never ridden a sport bike buy a gixxer 750. Entirely too much torque, super crisp throttle and touchy brakes.
Plus the benefit of inverted shocks, floating brembos and high end suspension won't really make any difference to someone that doesn't know what they're doin.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: CZroe
I'm very partial to my '08 Ninja 250R. 😉

I just started rising late last year and I already crossed the country and ran it up to 8K miles. 🙂

I bought it purely for the utility and fuel economy at a low price, but DAMN is it ever fun. :^: I couldn't imagine starting with any other sport bike. Show me a 600cc+ bike that's every bit as fun and cost $3,500 new and I may change my mind.

Seconded, kawi did a fantastic job with the 250R refresh - love the fairings and it's still only like 3-4G brand new.

 

[zylander]

Originally posted by: CZroe
I'm very partial to my '08 Ninja 250R. 😉

I just started riding late last year and I've already crossed the country and pushed it up to 8K miles. 🙂

I bought it purely for the utility and fuel economy at a low price, but DAMN is it ever fun. :thumbsup: I couldn't imagine starting with any other sport bike. Show me a 600cc+ bike that's every bit as fun and cost $3,500 new and I may change my mind.

The MSRP was $3500, but how much did you end up paying out the door?

It may be different depending on the area you live in, but out here in California, those $3500 250r were going for over $5k out the door because they were in such high demand.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: CZroe
I'm very partial to my '08 Ninja 250R. 😉

I just started riding late last year and I already crossed the country and ran it up to 8K miles. 🙂

I bought it purely for the utility and fuel economy at a low price, but DAMN is it ever fun. :thumbsup: I couldn't imagine starting with any other sport bike. Show me a 600cc+ bike that's every bit as fun and cost $3,500 new and I may change my mind.

Seconded, kawi did a fantastic job with the 250R refresh - love the fairings and it's still only like 3-4G brand new.

My only fairing/style gripe is that the rear fender is probably the longest on any sport bike but I'm sure it's as longas they calculated it needed to be to do it's job and that's usually "the first thing to go" no matter how short. OK, I admit: I haven't so much as chopped mine, much less installed a fender eliminator/tail-tidy/undretail, even though I moved to San Diego where Inever have to worry about mud/rain getting thrown on my back. 😱

Anyway, even though I started with the MSF/H-D Rider's Edge course, I would've been way too scared of dropping a more expensive bike to ever get as comfortable with it as I have become with my baby Ninja. Sure, the li'l Ninja is no speed demon, but with the 13,000RPM redline and six gears, just downshift and it'll do anything traffic could ever require and do it comfortably.

For all those thinking that you need a bigger bike to compensate in faster traffice: traffic doesn't require wheelies. That said, stop signs don't require going vertical on your front tire in a stoppie either, though I've seen both done on the bike (no way am I risking mine!). The brakes are more than adequate for the muted power of this bike. The only time the Ninjette ever had trouble with my 235lb ass was when I was loaded down on my cross-country move and I entered the EXTREME winds of New Mexico.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: zylander

Originally posted by: CZroe
I'm very partial to my '08 Ninja 250R. 😉

I just started riding late last year and I've already crossed the country and pushed it up to 8K miles. 🙂

I bought it purely for the utility and fuel economy at a low price, but DAMN is it ever fun. :thumbsup: I couldn't imagine starting with any other sport bike. Show me a 600cc+ bike that's every bit as fun and cost $3,500 new and I may change my mind.

The MSRP was $3500, but how much did you end up paying out the door?

It may be different depending on the area you live in, but out here in California, those $3500 250r were going for over $5k out the door because they were in such high demand.

I had two of them sold out from under me in GA even *WITH* deposits on them (agreed at MSRP)... shady dealer knew that they could get more than MSRP and "accidentally" double-sold them to clients at their sister dealership and knowingly stung me along for months trying to delay/upsell me. After waiting most of the year, I finally got in on the last shipment of the '08s (Kawi canceled the rest to jack up the MSRP $500 and apply the manufacturing capacity to '09s). Even then, I had to drive 500mi away to get it in Bluefield Virginia/West Virginia! Yeah, demand was high there too... they unexpectedly got four and had already sold three one business day later ("unexpectedly" because they were not supposed to get the quota alotted to another dealership which they bought).

As for total cost, the dealer only charged me for uncrating/setup (IIRC, ~$80-150). It's hard to figure a true OTD price because I got a 2-day tag in GA before leaving, purchased the bike in VA tax-free, and paid my taxes in GA the next day, so it wasn't part of my OTD price like it otherwise would have been. IIRC, it was over $200, but they were charging me taxes on bullshit like the setup, uncrating, delivery fee, etc (aren't those supposed to be NON-TAXABLE SERVICES?!). All in all, it was still under $4K, but I still spent every bit of $5K on gear, training, bike, taxes, transpportation, etc.

 

[BZeto]

I don't think a 600cc supersport would be too much to start on for a smart, mature dirt-experienced person. I know plenty of people who got them as their first bikes and did fine.
The ninja 250 suggestion is a pretty good one since they hold a good resale value. But is it really worth the trouble (assuming it doesn't save you money or your life) if you'll only have it a couple months? Not to me. I wouldn't be able to keep up with people I ride with on a 250, therefore it wouldn't be fun at all.

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: BZeto
I don't think a 600cc supersport would be too much to start on for a smart, mature dirt-experienced person. I know plenty of people who got them as their first bikes and did fine.
The ninja 250 suggestion is a pretty good one since they hold a good resale value. But is it really worth the trouble (assuming it doesn't save you money or your life) if you'll only have it a couple months? Not to me. I wouldn't be able to keep up with people I ride with on a 250, therefore it wouldn't be fun at all.

This is one thing I have encountered in doing some reading online. A lot of people start out on a 250, good bike for a beginner. But quickly outgrow it within the first few months and want something different.

Thanks for the input guys keep it coming.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: S Freud

Originally posted by: BZeto
I don't think a 600cc supersport would be too much to start on for a smart, mature dirt-experienced person. I know plenty of people who got them as their first bikes and did fine.
The ninja 250 suggestion is a pretty good one since they hold a good resale value. But is it really worth the trouble (assuming it doesn't save you money or your life) if you'll only have it a couple months? Not to me. I wouldn't be able to keep up with people I ride with on a 250, therefore it wouldn't be fun at all.

This is one thing I have encountered in doing some reading online. A lot of people start out on a 250, good bike for a beginner. But quickly outgrow it within the first few months and want something different.

Thanks for the input guys keep it coming.

That's what I've been told as well. I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

 

[jlarsson]

09 Ninja 250r's are $3999-4099 MSRP, '08's were ~$3500.

I took my class in April, and picked up a red '09 250. I'm having a blast learning on it. Also, if you do decide on a 250, you'll be able to sell it in a year (or whenever you decide to upgrade) and get most, if not all your money back on it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: JLee
I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

Your car is significantly faster than a 5.5 second 0-60? The MR2 Turbo (stock at least) runs between 5.5 and 5.7 depending on which magazine one reads. I know you've worked on yours, but I didn't think you'd be much past a 5.0 second run with your car. Or am I making terribly bad assumptions? (Which is quite possible.)

ZV

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JLee
I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

Your car is significantly faster than a 5.5 second 0-60? The MR2 Turbo (stock at least) runs between 5.5 and 5.7 depending on which magazine one reads. I know you've worked on yours, but I didn't think you'd be much past a 5.0 second run with your car. Or am I making terribly bad assumptions? (Which is quite possible.)

ZV

He said the two-fiddy would be slower than his car... not his current bike.

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JLee
I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

Your car is significantly faster than a 5.5 second 0-60? The MR2 Turbo (stock at least) runs between 5.5 and 5.7 depending on which magazine one reads. I know you've worked on yours, but I didn't think you'd be much past a 5.0 second run with your car. Or am I making terribly bad assumptions? (Which is quite possible.)

ZV

He said the two-fiddy would be slower than his car... not his current bike.

MR2 is a car...

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JLee
I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

Your car is significantly faster than a 5.5 second 0-60? The MR2 Turbo (stock at least) runs between 5.5 and 5.7 depending on which magazine one reads. I know you've worked on yours, but I didn't think you'd be much past a 5.0 second run with your car. Or am I making terribly bad assumptions? (Which is quite possible.)

ZV

He said the two-fiddy would be slower than his car... not his current bike.

MR2 is a car...

And the 250, a bike, is slower.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JLee
I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

Your car is significantly faster than a 5.5 second 0-60? The MR2 Turbo (stock at least) runs between 5.5 and 5.7 depending on which magazine one reads. I know you've worked on yours, but I didn't think you'd be much past a 5.0 second run with your car. Or am I making terribly bad assumptions? (Which is quite possible.)

ZV

I've read that the 250 should be in the 14.5 - 15.5 second range for quarter mile - I haven't ran my 2 yet, but I have yet to see one remotely similar to mine run anything slower than a high 13.

If I can hook up, I'm hoping to be somewhere near 13 flat. JDM 3SGTE (more aggressive ECU), LSD w/Exedy clutch, CT20B at 15psi (manual boost controller - probably 18psi on race gas), intake/intercooler/downpipe/exhaust, fuel cut defender, plus a pile of suspension stuff. Not gonna beat a 600R, but I'm quite confident that I can take a 250.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: BZeto

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JLee
I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

Your car is significantly faster than a 5.5 second 0-60? The MR2 Turbo (stock at least) runs between 5.5 and 5.7 depending on which magazine one reads. I know you've worked on yours, but I didn't think you'd be much past a 5.0 second run with your car. Or am I making terribly bad assumptions? (Which is quite possible.)

ZV

He said the two-fiddy would be slower than his car... not his current bike.

MR2 is a car...

And the 250, a bike, is slower.

Last I checked, 5.5 seconds is the same as 5.5 seconds, not slower than. (Both have essentially the same 0-60 time stock against stock.)

Now, as he points out, the 250 falls behind in the 1/4 mile (even stock against stock). I was using a different measure which explains the differing perceptions. He should be able to take a 250 in 0-60 with his mods if he gets a decent launch; I just hadn't realised how much work he'd done to the MR2.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: S Freud

Originally posted by: BZeto
I don't think a 600cc supersport would be too much to start on for a smart, mature dirt-experienced person. I know plenty of people who got them as their first bikes and did fine.
The ninja 250 suggestion is a pretty good one since they hold a good resale value. But is it really worth the trouble (assuming it doesn't save you money or your life) if you'll only have it a couple months? Not to me. I wouldn't be able to keep up with people I ride with on a 250, therefore it wouldn't be fun at all.

This is one thing I have encountered in doing some reading online. A lot of people start out on a 250, good bike for a beginner. But quickly outgrow it within the first few months and want something different.

Thanks for the input guys keep it coming.

That's what I've been told as well. I had toyed with the idea of getting a Ninja 250..but I'm not too sure I'd be happy with a bike that's significantly slower than my car. 😱

So, get the 250 and learn on it for 6 months or so and then sell it and buy something faster.

A bike is completely different than a car. You really cannot compare the driving experience of a car to the riding experience on a motorcycle. They are completely different. Everything feels faster on the bike and honestly I find that riding the bike well is much more visceral and rewarding than driving a car. Even if I owned a certain car that I love I'd keep my bike or a bike.