motorcycle noob

[Gibson486]

So....thinking about getting a bike.

I do not care for performance that much, I just want to ride it on summer days and cruise on the highway. Pretty much looking for something that does not resemble a moped. It may even become my daily driver to work on good days.

What should I look for? How much would I expect to spend?

 

[PricklyPete]

My friend has an old Honda...really not sure what it is 250 something or another I think (I'm not a bike person). He uses it to cruise around Santa Cruz all the time and it seems like it would fit your bill perfectly. He got it for really cheap as well...although I think it is ~20 years old. Easy to fix/maintain though according to my friend.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

GS500 IMO, the naked version.

$2000 should get you a nice one that doesn't need much work (maybe tires or a chain..)

Another ~$750 on gear

$200 on the MSF (I'd sign up for this ASAP - if nothing else it gives you the chance to 'try out' riding a motorcycle before buying one. You can take the course in jeans and a borrowed jacket, might want to buy a helmet.

 

[DietDrThunder]

There are a lot of good used bikes on the market (check Craigslist) right now, at good prices. If I were you, this is the way I'd go until you are sure you like riding one. Save a few bucks on the bike but spend the money on the gear. Buy the best helmet, boots, gloves, jacket and pants you can afford. I rode a Honda 650 XLR (dirt/street bike) for 2 years, several close calls with unaware drivers, and rear ended once (flipped off the bike backwards onto the hood of the car that rear ended me, my helmet smashed the cars windshield). Luckilly only minor injuries (two broken ribs and a broken colar bone). It was fun to ride, but I gave up bikes after that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Get something small and light to start with. The Ninja 250 is a popular choice for beginners and should be plenty of fun to ride.

Take the MSF course before you do anything though. You don't need a motorcycle jacket to take the MSF, just a helmet, gloves (leather work gloves from Home Depot will suffice), and any boot that covers your ankles. Jeans and a basic leather jacket or something heavy with long sleeves will generally be fine.

I would definitely gear up for riding on the roads though.

 

[superccs]

Totally recommend a 1999-2006 Honda CBR 600 F4/F4i. The most comfortable and capable semi-sport bike out there. Pretty much does everything well. Both friendly and fun power, good looks, and just sporty enough.

 

[MiataNC]

Totally recommend a 1999-2006 Honda CBR 600 F4/F4i. The most comfortable and capable semi-sport bike out there. Pretty much does everything well. Both friendly and fun power, good looks, and just sporty enough.

FAIL!

The CBR600F/F4i is and has always been a race replica SuperSport.

Technology has advanced, and bikes have become MUCH more powerful in the last 10 years. Honda upped the ante and eclipsed it with the CBR600RR, but it is still the same Supersport it was when it was first introduced.

Supersports from 1999-2006 have not magically become easier or safer to ride for people entering the sport. The only thing that has changed is peoples perception of them.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Also lap times for the f4i are less than 5% away from the RR. The f4i is absolutely a full-out supersport.


I feel very strongly that an SV/650r is also too big (both physically and engine size) but they're much better than a 600ss.


Again.. Unless you're pushing 225+lbs then a GS500/Ninja 500 is the biggest starter bike you should get (unless you're looking at cruisers)

 

[Gibson486]

Like I said, I am not looking a for a speed demon. I pretty much want something that is like the Corolla of the motorcycle world.

 

[WackyDan]

Best advice... look for something in the 500 to 700 cc class. Many can be had for cheap with fairly low mileage. You don't need one that is mint as it is very likely you will set your first bike down accidentally anyway. Unless you are very short and small build, I'd stay away from a 250 class machine. The 500 to 700 size pending year of build will be light enough and small enough to learn on, but big enough to satisfy you over the course of a season or two of riding.

If you want riding comfort, stay away from the crotch rockets and find a naked muscle bike or even a cruiser. They will have a more upright riding position which you may find more comfy for a daily commute or longer rides.

Every used bike I've bought has needed new tires, chain and a tune up. Budget for that unless the used one you find has a fresh maintenance record and you can verify the miles on the tires and chain.

Don't skimp on the helmet or riding gear. My third accident... My helmet saved my noggin from some serious reshaping. - and that was in a state without a helmet law.

Do some research, talk to mature trusted friends or family that might be riders, and take them to look at prospective purchases.

 

[Occ]

• Take the MSF, this will let you gauge your enthusiasm and initial skill level. It shouldn't even be a question of whether or not you should take this. Learning from friends/family is not a substitute (google the hurt report). Don't be that guy that buys a bike and has to have it trailer'd or have someone else ride it home.
• Sit on a bunch of bikes.
• Buy gear. Helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, pants. Make sure it all fits properly so the gear can do its job. If you feel smart, you'll get all of it. If you're somewhere hot, you'll probably want textile type gear. Jeans protect you about the same as shorts when you go down, by the way. Riding boots are ideal, work boots that support and go higher than your ankle are acceptable (but will be stupid with riding pants), and tennis shoes are worthless. Get your gear before you get your bike.
• There is no motorcycle equivalent of the Corolla. There just isn't. It doesn't even compare at all. Not even a 250. The Corolla of the two wheeled world is probably a scooter. That said, it sounds like you are looking for a Ninja 250.
• Pick a bike you like, that you feel confident and in-control on, probably something under (and certainly no more than) 600 cc. Don't let people pressure you into getting a bike you don't feel confident on. Keep in mind you are in high likelihood of damaging your first bike, so used bikes are a good choice.
• Buy frame sliders. ~$30 parts that can conservatively save you hundreds of dollars.
• Insurance on a super sport type bike for someone in their 20s with no previous experience will absolutely murder you (expect regular quotes in the $1500 a year range), even if you currently have a clean driving record. If you have good credit that will help somewhat. Getting a bike that's not a super sport and < 600 ccs will make insurance bearable.
• Ride at your own pace at all times. Don't feel you have something to prove just because of the bike you got.
• You will most likely have some sort of incident within 6 months if you ride at all on a regular basis. That could be a drop, a low-side in a turn, or a car could run into you. You could do everything "right," start on a 250, full racing leathers, ride conservatively and "with respect," and you could still end up dead. Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. All you can do is minimize the risk involved by making good choices. Really, you will get all kinds of advice, but how much risk you feel comfortable with is ultimately up to you.

 

[superccs]

FAIL!

The CBR600F/F4i is and has always been a race replica SuperSport.

Yeah and a race car back in the day had like 215hp, wouldn't recommend that to anyone now, probably too much to handle. D.

That bike is the easy to ride bike I've ridden. It was my first street bike and I took it from learning to turn and brake, to doing track days. Try doing that with any other bike recommended so far.

 

[jlee]

Yeah and a race car back in the day had like 215hp, wouldn't recommend that to anyone now, probably too much to handle. D.

That bike is the easy to ride bike I've ridden. It was my first street bike and I took it from learning to turn and brake, to doing track days. Try doing that with any other bike recommended so far.

And yet you're suggesting a motorcycle that will pull a quarter mile as fast as a modern-day supercar?

 

[Zenmervolt]

And yet you're suggesting a motorcycle that will pull a quarter mile as fast as a modern-day supercar?

You're expecting logical responses from someone who's fool enough to recommend a 600cc race bike as a knee-jerk reaction every time someone asks about a good beginner bike?

Someone like that isn't going to understand that the "back in the day" for 215 hp racecars was the 1920's which is just a wee bit different than the 1990's when the CBR 600 was produced. He's probably not even able to realise that even those 1920's ~200 hp race cars are quite difficult to handle even today.

Squids are going to be squids. Not much that can be done about it, but on average it's a self-correcting problem.

ZV

 

[BoberFett]

This forum has such a hard-on for crotch rockets.

If you're just looking for a bike to putt around on, something like a 750-800 Shadow, Intruder, VStar or Vulcan is a good place to start.

And of course, as others have said, take the MSF. It's money well spent, you'll learn on a 200cc bike and it'll give you a good foundation for riding a bigger bike.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

This forum has such a hard-on for crotch rockets.

If you're just looking for a bike to putt around on, something like a 750-800 Shadow, Intruder, VStar or Vulcan is a good place to start.

And of course, as others have said, take the MSF. It's money well spent, you'll learn on a 200cc bike and it'll give you a good foundation for riding a bigger bike.

I think your definition of "putt around on" differs from mine and most of the bikers I know.

Those new to riding don't have the experience to know how easy it is to trade up with a bike. If you've never rode before, a 250 Rebel will give you quite a kick. Plus, it will get you to work with a smile on your face and allow you to wave at the gas pump for quite a while.

Unlike cars, you don't take a massive hit just driving off the lot. You can always get a more powerful machine but the learning curve for riding is quite steep. Don't let preconceptions about what you 'should' be riding get in the way of learning.

When I got my very first bike, a 125 Honda, there were two young kids on Harleys with massive ape hangers snickering at me. At the DMV I offered to let them use my bike to pass the road test. They opined something to the effect of "wouldn't be caught dead etc." Sure enough, they failed the low speed and cone portion of the test.

 

[BoberFett]

I think your definition of "putt around on" differs from mine and most of the bikers I know.

Those new to riding don't have the experience to know how easy it is to trade up with a bike. If you've never rode before, a 250 Rebel will give you quite a kick. Plus, it will get you to work with a smile on your face and allow you to wave at the gas pump for quite a while.

Unlike cars, you don't take a massive hit just driving off the lot. You can always get a more powerful machine but the learning curve for riding is quite steep. Don't let preconceptions about what you 'should' be riding get in the way of learning.

When I got my very first bike, a 125 Honda, there were two young kids on Harleys with massive ape hangers snickering at me. At the DMV I offered to let them use my bike to pass the road test. They opined something to the effect of "wouldn't be caught dead etc." Sure enough, they failed the low speed and cone portion of the test.

That is true, cycles hold their value. But I don't know that I'd ever recommend to anyone that they buy a Rebel for their first bike. Sure, take the test on a little bike. I don't know how it works in other states but when I took the MSF course ten years ago, the test at the end of the course counted as the state exam, so passing the course meant you passed the exam and just needed to go down to the DMV and pay for the endorsement. For the course I rode one of their bikes, a little Suzuki 250, which was great for taking the test. I wouldn't have wanted to own one though, and and 800cc cruiser makes a great first bike, assuming you're tall enough to stand over it and strong enough to pick it up when you drop it at a light.