Thinking about getting a sport bike...

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
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So I currently drive about 45 minutes or so to work, which costs me around $350 a month in gas. I don't have a horribel gas mileage car either, 06 Mustang that gets about 24MPG. Im considering getting a little crotch rocket to save on gas and cause I think it might be fun. I live in FL, so driving weather is usually good. I have no clue what I'd really be looking for though. Ive never had a motorcyle and don't really know a ton about them. Im curious what type of gas mileage to expect, whether or not I should look at getting insurance. What brand/model to go with? I don't need anything crazy good, a used bike would be fine. Something fairly cheap but still nice looking/fun to ride.


Any input would be appreciated.
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
12,705
4
81
Please just get a cruiser instead, you will quickly find that with insurance/maintenance/gear for sportbikes you won't save anything.


Most of the sportbikes you talk about average about 35 MPG.
 

Crucial

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
5,026
0
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gs500, sv650, ninja 250....anything bigger and you'll kill yourself....make sure you spend $2000 on gear or you'll regret it...take a safety course...

Did I miss anything?
 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
No riding experience at all, but Ive always been somewhat interested in it. 5'10 150 pounds, roughly.
 
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: Cuda1447
So I currently drive about 45 minutes or so to work, which costs me around $350 a month in gas. I don't have a horribel gas mileage car either, 06 Mustang that gets about 24MPG. Im considering getting a little crotch rocket to save on gas and cause I think it might be fun. I live in FL, so driving weather is usually good. I have no clue what I'd really be looking for though. Ive never had a motorcyle and don't really know a ton about them. Im curious what type of gas mileage to expect, whether or not I should look at getting insurance. What brand/model to go with? I don't need anything crazy good, a used bike would be fine. Something fairly cheap but still nice looking/fun to ride.


Any input would be appreciated.

Can I take out a life insurance policy on you?

Seriously. If you've never had a bike before, the last thing you need is a crotch rocket.

Edit: Posted the same time as this

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
No riding experience at all, but Ive always been somewhat interested in it. 5'10 150 pounds, roughly.

Definitely look for something else. IF you insist on getting a bike get anything but a sport bike. Something that makes you sit upright and for God's sake.. take a safety class and learn how to ride first.
 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
Originally posted by: Crucial
gs500, sv650, ninja 250....anything bigger and you'll kill yourself....make sure you spend $2000 on gear or you'll regret it...take a safety course...

Did I miss anything?

I'll check those out. I guess Im looking for a bit more detailed information. What type of gear to look for. Where to go for a safety course? How much I should be looking to spend on a nice bike, but nothing crazy.

 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Originally posted by: Cuda1447
So I currently drive about 45 minutes or so to work, which costs me around $350 a month in gas. I don't have a horribel gas mileage car either, 06 Mustang that gets about 24MPG. Im considering getting a little crotch rocket to save on gas and cause I think it might be fun. I live in FL, so driving weather is usually good. I have no clue what I'd really be looking for though. Ive never had a motorcyle and don't really know a ton about them. Im curious what type of gas mileage to expect, whether or not I should look at getting insurance. What brand/model to go with? I don't need anything crazy good, a used bike would be fine. Something fairly cheap but still nice looking/fun to ride.


Any input would be appreciated.

Can I take out a life insurance policy on you?

Seriously. If you've never had a bike before, the last thing you need is a crotch rocket.

I never said I wanted to race. I just want something small, economical and somewhat fun to ride. Whats the problem?
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
12,705
4
81
www.msf-usa.org (or .com? I don't know)

Take that first and foremost.

Start on a Ninja 250/500 or GS500. That's the only way you will save anything (and even then it will take a bit to turn a profit, keeping in mind you might spend 2K on the bike, plus another 1K for various gear and insurance and other costs)
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
12,705
4
81
Depends on two things: How much you're gonna pay to insure the bike, and how much the bike is worth.

It's up to you to decide... can you afford to replace your toy in the event of a total loss?
 
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Originally posted by: Cuda1447
So I currently drive about 45 minutes or so to work, which costs me around $350 a month in gas. I don't have a horribel gas mileage car either, 06 Mustang that gets about 24MPG. Im considering getting a little crotch rocket to save on gas and cause I think it might be fun. I live in FL, so driving weather is usually good. I have no clue what I'd really be looking for though. Ive never had a motorcyle and don't really know a ton about them. Im curious what type of gas mileage to expect, whether or not I should look at getting insurance. What brand/model to go with? I don't need anything crazy good, a used bike would be fine. Something fairly cheap but still nice looking/fun to ride.


Any input would be appreciated.

Can I take out a life insurance policy on you?

Seriously. If you've never had a bike before, the last thing you need is a crotch rocket.

I never said I wanted to race. I just want something small, economical and somewhat fun to ride. Whats the problem?

You were asking for input and that is my input. It's your life. Do whatever you want. But stats don't lie. Inexperience + crotch rocket = disaster waiting to happen.
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,317
10,814
136
Originally posted by: Cuda1447
No riding experience at all, but Ive always been somewhat interested in it. 5'10 150 pounds, roughly.


With no riding experience & weighing 150lbs the 250cc Kawasaki Ninja mentioned above is about the only sport-bike you should even consider ... if you were to buy a cruiser or better still a standard upright bike you could go with a little bigger displacement (maybe up to a maximum of 500cc's) but the most important thing is that you learn to ride instinctively before you consider getting anything very fast. Also consider that sport bikes are uncomfortable for extended riding.

You should give serious thought to getting riding lessons before taking to the road & also be sure to buy boots, gloves & a quality riding jacket plus a comfortable helmet and wear them on every ride.

 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
I'd most def. take a class on riding and take all the proper precautions before I rode in any heavy traffic or anything like that. Of the bikes I was looking at it seemed like a lot of them were around 400-500 CC's. Would that be an alright range to consider? Also, what type of gas mileage could I expect out of a bike in that range?>
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,317
10,814
136
Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Originally posted by: Crucial
gs500, sv650, ninja 250....anything bigger and you'll kill yourself....make sure you spend $2000 on gear or you'll regret it...take a safety course...

Did I miss anything?

I'll check those out. I guess Im looking for a bit more detailed information. What type of gear to look for. Where to go for a safety course? How much I should be looking to spend on a nice bike, but nothing crazy.


You don't need to spend anywhere near $2000 on gear to be safe ... +/- $400 should do it with careful shopping.


Heres my suggestion for a good first bike:

1997 Suzuki GS550E


This or a slightly newer version of the same model would be ideal ... fast enough to be comfortable on the highway, comfortable riding position & no fancy/expensive stuff to smash WHEN you drop it. (note I didn't say if)

You should be able to find a decent one for between $1200-$2000 maximum if you shop around.

 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Mind if I ask how old you are?

22. I understand where you're coming from with the 'killing yourself' stuff. I respect that and to be honest, the danger factor is one of the MAIN factors holding me up. But Ive always considered myself to be a very good driver. Never had any accidents is my 6 years of driving. Ive had many friends that have owned bikes and often times they've told me the horror stories we all hear. I completely respect the power of a motorcycle and the danger that comes with one.

With that said, there are plenty of people that ride and do so safely. You just need to be careful and learn what you're doing.


This is something I've always had an interest in. I figure if I can get a bike AND save money at the same time, it might be worth it. I haven't made up my mind for sure, just want to gather the information I need to make a good decision.


 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
with NO experience i would not get a crotch rocket. unless you get one of the lower models.

if i was getting a bike to save on gas etc i would get a cruiser. far more conferable and better gas mileage. not to mention you will be less likely to do something stupid.
 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
Well I wasn't planning on getting one of the higher models. Something at or below 500cc I was thinking.

I see your point about the cruiser, only problem is Ive never really seen any cruisers I'd enjoy riding. They dont appeal to me, asthetically. Not like a sport bike does. Kinda like why I drive a Mustang rather than a Camry. I don't race it or anything, I just like the sport look a lot more.
 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
One of the bikes that seems to be getting good reviews for a beginners bike is the Ninja500. Nice looking bike. From what I've read it could get 50MPG, which would be double what I get in my car, thus cutting my $350 a month gas bill to down maybe $200. Also seems to be a fairly inexpensive bike.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: Cuda1447
One of the bikes that seems to be getting good reviews for a beginners bike is the Ninja500. Nice looking bike. From what I've read it could get 50MPG, which would be double what I get in my car, thus cutting my $350 a month gas bill to down maybe $200. Also seems to be a fairly inexpensive bike.

that wouldnt be to bad. you can find one pretty cheap (had a 250 myself).