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Signed up for my MSF course! (Now with bike)

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DirthNader

Senior member
I'm stoked - I've wanted to ride since I was in college, and that was 10 years ago. I finally bit the bullet and signed up for and MSF course on May 7th-8th.

My plan is to take the course, buy my gear, and move about $3000 from my online savings account to a local account. Post a wanted ad on Craigslist for an 08+ Ninja 250R, and bite on the first nice one that comes along.

Update 5/2 - Bought a bike over the weekend. Details in a post below.
 
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You'll outgrow a 250R in a month....get a SV650 or something that will at least last the summer, before you get bored.

Correct me if I am wrong though...I don't own any bikes ^_^.
 
JulesMaximus said:
That's the kind of advice that will get someone killed.

SV is a great bike but not exactly n00b friendly. It makes around 75hp and almost 50 ft-lb of torque so it will sprint to 60mph from a standstill in about 4 seconds flat and run the 1/4 mile in 11 seconds in skilled hands. Also, because it is a V-twin you have a lot of engine braking off throttle which requires some finesse to operate smoothly.

Still, it's a lot better choice than a 600cc sport bike, but we don't need to rehash that nonsense again here.

Buy the Ninja 250 used and then sell it in 6 months when you're ready to move on to a bigger bike. I bet you don't lose any money on it as long as you take good care of it.
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My BiL got a SV 650 S and I learned how to use it, but you're right, if you are utterly new to the concept of a motorcycle, a 250 is probably a better start ... personally i'd skip to 650/600 area...

I am still trying to find a early 80's honda for me, haha.
 
I thought we had decided that a liter SS with a turbo and nitrous system was the best starter bike? Did I miss the memo?
 
DirthNader said:
I'm stoked - I've wanted to ride since I was in college, and that was 10 years ago. I finally bit the bullet and signed up for and MSF course on May 7th-8th.

My plan is to take the course, buy my gear, and move about $3000 from my online savings account to a local account. Post a wanted ad on Craigslist for an 08+ Ninja 250R, and bite on the first nice one that comes along.
Click to expand...

Congrats man. I, too, have wanted a bike for about 7+ years and finally bit the bullet and signed up for my MSF course at the end of this month (April 29-May 1st). I'm looking forward to taking it, hopefully doing really well and getting my first bike!
 
i just finished my MSF and now on the hunt for the bike.

at first i had the mindset of " get anything cheap that wont kill myself for the first year"

Then right now i got a 06 SV650S 10k miles for $3800 and a 04 GS500F,9k miles, had a minor drop on one side for $1900. I dont know what to go for. the SV i most likely will keep longer and the GS i expect maybe 2 years out of before i sell it. Both solid bikes and diffrent price and performance. I'm leaning towards the GS if i can get it for 1300-1500 but i'm going to throw out $3k for the SV.

I was on a 225 dual sport yahama at MSF, wasn't exactly fun.
 
Regarding the bike, I mentioned an EX250 for a few reasons:
1.) My commute is in light traffic on roads where the speed limit never exceeds 45mph
2.) Around town riding would be on roads where the speed limit never exceeds 55mph
3.) Cheap to buy, and cheap to maintain
4.) Good resale value

I'm just putting it in perspective with the cars I've owned. Honestly where I live now I've had more fun with my stock RX-8 than I did with my LS1 Z28 w/ boltons. It's frustrating to have something with so much power and not be able to use it. I'd imagine that's how I'd feel regarding bikes.

Granted, if I find a good deal on an SV650 I'll go that way in a heartbeat. Love the way they sound.
 
MSF is a great way to start or get reacquainted.

I took it a couple years ago. I will take it again if I ever decide to get a bike again.
 
Bought a bike on Friday.

Was out at KSC for the shuttle launch (bummer), and stopped by the Honda / Kawasaki dealership on my way home just to look around. Sales guy pointed out that they had just gotten in a 2011 Ninja 250R with 255 miles on it. Wasn't planning on buying, but I got it for $3400. This is in an area where the dealer gets $300 over MSRP, and where there are ads on CL looking for an '08+ 250R for $3500, so I felt pretty good.

I sat on everything from the Ninja 250R and CBR250R to 1000cc supersports. Even at 6'1" the low seat height of the 250's felt really good - I like being able to have both feet flat on the ground.

Negotiated delivery as part of the price, and it showed up at my house on Saturday morning. I'm fighting the temptation to ride around my neighborhood, as my MSF course is only a few days away.

As silly as it may sound, I also think the desire to keep this bike in good shape so as to not kill the resale value may make me a bit more cautious when I ride.
 
DirthNader said:
Bought a bike on Friday.

Was out at KSC for the shuttle launch (bummer), and stopped by the Honda / Kawasaki dealership on my way home just to look around. Sales guy pointed out that they had just gotten in a 2011 Ninja 250R with 255 miles on it. Wasn't planning on buying, but I got it for $3400. This is in an area where the dealer gets $300 over MSRP, and where there are ads on CL looking for an '08+ 250R for $3500, so I felt pretty good.

I sat on everything from the Ninja 250R and CBR250R to 1000cc supersports. Even at 6'1" the low seat height of the 250's felt really good - I like being able to have both feet flat on the ground.

Negotiated delivery as part of the price, and it showed up at my house on Saturday morning. I'm fighting the temptation to ride around my neighborhood, as my MSF course is only a few days away.

As silly as it may sound, I also think the desire to keep this bike in good shape so as to not kill the resale value may make me a bit more cautious when I ride.
Click to expand...

this whole thread reeks of silly

what are you supposed to do when you can't accelerate on the highway to get away from that SUV mom because the engine is too small?
 
I've never had a problem getting away from an SUV mom on the highway in my RX-8.

I won't be riding the bike on the highway. I guess you missed the post above where I mentioned my commute is 45mph and under the whole time and just riding around town for fun will never have me on roads with a speed limit over 55mph.

Thanks for the concern though.
 
DirthNader said:
Bought a bike on Friday.

Was out at KSC for the shuttle launch (bummer), and stopped by the Honda / Kawasaki dealership on my way home just to look around. Sales guy pointed out that they had just gotten in a 2011 Ninja 250R with 255 miles on it. Wasn't planning on buying, but I got it for $3400. This is in an area where the dealer gets $300 over MSRP, and where there are ads on CL looking for an '08+ 250R for $3500, so I felt pretty good.

I sat on everything from the Ninja 250R and CBR250R to 1000cc supersports. Even at 6'1" the low seat height of the 250's felt really good - I like being able to have both feet flat on the ground.

Negotiated delivery as part of the price, and it showed up at my house on Saturday morning. I'm fighting the temptation to ride around my neighborhood, as my MSF course is only a few days away.

As silly as it may sound, I also think the desire to keep this bike in good shape so as to not kill the resale value may make me a bit more cautious when I ride.
Click to expand...

Congrats man. I just finished up the MSF course this Sunday. Passed the road test with ease (thanks to the great coaches/teachers we had in our class) and just waiting to go to the DMV tomorrow to get the "M" on my license.

I'm actively looking for a 2007-2009 Harley Nightster right now. Would like to keep it under 7 grand if possible. Can't wait to get a bike...and actually want to get one ASAP so I can hone my riding skills around my neighborhood/local area as much as possible.
 
The Ninja 250 is one of the most fun bikes ever built.

No one needs a bigger bike, but most people decide they want one. Bigger isn't better by default. The wee-Ninja is on my short list for a second bike to sit beside my Triumph 1050. I can't wait to get my hands on something I can ride the hell out of and still be in the zip code of legal limits.
 
soccerballtux said:
this whole thread reeks of silly

what are you supposed to do when you can't accelerate on the highway to get away from that SUV mom because the engine is too small?
Click to expand...

the bike still accelerates at highway speeds better than alot of vehicles on the road

I loved my short affair with my ninja250
 
Great choice for a first bike. The "smaller" bikes are very good at teaching you the basics so that you can get the most out of your larger bikes down the road.
 
nice!

i just did my MSF and picked up a 04 gs500f. still working on my gear before i go out and really ride. Just ordered new set of avon roadrider ( i think your 250 and my 500 use the same tires)

Man i'm kinda jealous, i think i should of aimed for the 250r myself. I actually think your 250r might be faster then my gs500f. But i love the way your 250r looks. I love my standard riding style. Be safe riding.
 
ViviTheMage said:
You'll outgrow a 250R in a month....get a SV650 or something that will at least last the summer, before you get bored.

Correct me if I am wrong though...I don't own any bikes ^_^.
Click to expand...

soccerballtux said:
this whole thread reeks of silly

what are you supposed to do when you can't accelerate on the highway to get away from that SUV mom because the engine is too small?
Click to expand...

Summer must be here, the squids are out and about.

Congrats OP.
 
vivithemage said:
my bil got a sv 650 s and i learned how to use it, but you're right, if you are utterly new to the concept of a motorcycle, a 250 is probably a better start ... Personally i'd skip to 650/600 area...

I am still trying to find a early 80's honda for me, haha.
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cb550 ftw


op: even in IL thats a SMOKIN price on that bike
 
soccerballtux said:
this whole thread reeks of silly

what are you supposed to do when you can't accelerate on the highway to get away from that SUV mom because the engine is too small?
Click to expand...

Are you aware of the fact that 250cc sport bikes have better 0-60 times than a lot of cars out there?
 
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