Motorcycles

[TS John]

So it prolly won't be till next summer (if then) that I could reasonably afford a bike and would feel confident enough in my riding ability to actually buy one, but it pays to start researching early, right?

 

I was wondering if anyone knows any good sites with reviews and information, or even forums to get onto? Just trying to figure out what to look for, what to avoid, all of that.

 

If I were to buy a bike right now it'd prolly be one of the following:

--Honda Rebel 250 (good, cheap starter bike) -- $3200 msrp

--Kawasaki KLR 650 (dual sport with great mileage) -- $5400 msrp

--Suzuki SV 650 (two of my friends have these and seem very pleased) -- $6000 msrp

 

Basically not looking for anything too fast -- I'm the guy who only hits VTEC around once a week, remember? Just want to be able to cruise around with my friends and have a little fun with it.

[90IntegraC1]

Start with a Honda CBR F4i 600

 

 

it's a great first bike and you'll still beat the crap out of Ferrari's haha

 

that was my buddies first bike and just recently he upgraded to a Honda CBR 1000 RR...fastest thing i've ever seen haha

 

 

if you wanna go really slow and max out at 100 mph you could always get the kawasaki ninja 250

 

[TS John]

I am deffo not above going slow and maxing out at 100 mph. When am I ever gonna want to go faster than that? Only time would be on a track, and by the time I'd be getting into tracking my bike I'll be moved on from my first bike for sure...

 

I guess I'll go ahead and add these to the list of possibilities:

--Kawasaki KLX 250S (the slower version of the KLR basically) -- $4900 msrp

--Suzuki GS 500 (the slower version of the SV basically) -- $5200 msrp

--Kawasaki Ninja 250R (from what I hear it's the ultimate beginning sport bike) -- $3000

 

I think the CBR is too much for me to handle, honestly. I really would expect the KLR and the SV to be too much now that I think about it...

[Jesterlyone]

I am deffo not above going slow and maxing out at 100 mph. When am I ever gonna want to go faster than that? Only time would be on a track, and by the time I'd be getting into tracking my bike I'll be moved on from my first bike for sure...

 

I guess I'll go ahead and add these to the list of possibilities:

--Kawasaki KLX 250S (the slower version of the KLR basically) -- $4700 msrp

--Suzuki GS 500 (the slower version of the SV basically) -- $5200 msrp

--Kawasaki Ninja 250R (from what I hear it's the ultimate beginning sport bike) -- $3000

 

I think the CBR is too much for me to handle, honestly. I really would expect the KLR and the SV to be too much now that I think about it...

 

It looks like you are leaning toward a sport bike or a dual purpose. If you are not about going super fast or pushing it through the turns then I don't think you will like the design of a sportbike. They are mostly about performance. And the majority are geared for quick take off which could be dangerous with an intimidated rider (first timer)

 

The dual purpose would be great if you will be doing alot of off roading. If all you are doing is cruisin on the streets I would recommend a cruiser.

When it comes to cruisers/streetbikes I would recommend something in the 500 to 800cc range for power vs. weight ratio. The rebel is a nice bike if you are small (under 6ft and under 150lbs). Make sure you don't get a tank (heavy and unbalanced). You need to be able to handle it at a stop with only one foot on the ground.

[TS John]

Yeah, right now the three ones I've read the most favorable reviews for beginners are the Rebel (cruiser), Ninja (sport) and KLX (dual purpose). They all are small, light, and get great gas mileage. They won't be too fast but I'm a little guy (5'6" 135 lbs.) and don't want anything too quick as a first bike anyway.

 

Honestly, if the new KLX was the same price as the Rebel or the Ninja it would be no contest but it looks like they just revamped it for 2009. The great reviews I was reading for it were from 2007, though, so maybe I could look for an older model...

[Rick B.]

i say either the rebel or the ninja, depending on your style.

 

both bikes are going to to be pretty equal in performance. its just one looks sporty, and the other is a straight out cruiser.

my first bike was of the cruiser variety (82 honda nighthawk 450) and it was fun. comfy as hell too sit on, just a relaxed laid back bike.

with my ninja, since its a cross between a rocket and a cruiser almost with the posture of the rider, its a little more aggressive but still easy on the back since youre not hunched over a gas tank all the time. Personally, with my bike it just feels like the slightly more aggressive stance helps with reaction time and just makes you more alert. then again, that just may be my need for speed, but who knows.

 

you cant go wrong with either bike. it all depends on your personal style.

you just have to ask yourself, does johnny sabre don a midnight black leather jacket, wear an open faced helmet with a pair of dark sunglasses while cruisin down the highway on a rebel.

 

Or, does he throw on motorcycle armor with a full faced helmet and rocket down the street with the precision and grace of a jet fighter.

 

ok, maybe i may have exaggerated a bit on the cruising part, or the grace of a jet fighter part, it would be more like a sopwith camel bi-plane with the 250cc motor, but who cares about that anyway.

 

get the 250, and eventually when you need a bigger big, ill sell you mine.

[sup]

Hayabusa Turbo. Go big or go home

 

 

but srsly if it were me, I'd pick up a used Yamaha R6 and have it restricted for now until I learn the ins and outs of the bike and how to ride. That way you don't end up paying more money to upgrade when you're ready (which you will be eventually).

[TS John]

Rick, I deffo appreciate your advice and I honestly see myself as more of a Rebel rider than a sport biker in general. But I am really intrigued by this KLX 250 S. There's lots of off-roading to be done in this area, and having the opportunity to do it would be nice, especially since I know I will never buy a vehicle only for off-roading since that would also entail owning a truck... But I think what will happen is I will save up for now and look for any of the three and the first one that I find a deal on that I could go for I will.

 

Gary, I agree with your advice in general, but part of the reason I'm even considering a bike is because the starter bikes are actually cheap enough to get sooner rather than later (ie money is tight). Also, I'm not exactly sure where I'll end up after college, so getting a bike that I'd know I'd sell eventually wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

[Rick B.]

personally, i wouldnt buy a dual sport. but maybe thats because i think of it as a pre-op transvestite thats having second thoughts and cant decide what it wants its identity to be.

 

if you really are going to be off-roading with it, then by all means go ahead. but keep in mind, you have a much better chance at wrecking in dirt than you do on asphalt, and any wreck you have might break blinkers, tail lights, head lights, or any other such thing that makes your bike street legal. and broken, its less than legal.

 

look up the msf safety courses. the beginners course gives you a bike to learn on. once you pass that course, they give you a waiver that you take to the dmv and the dmv automatically gives you your license since the msf tests you more so than the state would.

then for the advanced course, you use your own bike that way you can learn how it handles. I took both courses, and i must say, its saved my life on more than just a few occasions.

[TS John]

That's true what you say about being more likely to wreck off-road. I've just always sort of wanted to get into both scenes and the KLX seems to be my chance to do both at once. Also the KLX and KLR are the only two dual purpose bikes that get reviewed as legit in both worlds. Wouldn't be a bad thing to get a Rebel or Ninja and wait to be a bit more experienced before I got the KLR, though.

 

Also, I will deffo be taking the safety courses to get my liscence. On top of being a good way to not kill yourself, it gives you a nice little insurance break too...

[Rick B.]

being a good rider on the street isnt going to make you any better in the dirt. they are just two different worlds with a completely different set of rules.

 

a dual sport is a nice idea and all. but its a bike thats moderately tuned for both worlds. its not going to have stellar performance and handling like a proper bike for each scenario would be. youre always going to be giving up something. you might come to a nice dirt turn off road that a dirt bike would handle easily with its light weight design and its 1 cylinder engine but your big and bulky at least 2 cylinder engine bike might cause you to slide into a tree.

 

yes, you might be able to go over a few small bushes and down an open dirt path and then 20 minutes later be sitting at a traffic light, but straining to reach the ground with your foot without tipping the bike past its center of gravity and falling on top of you (you really do sit much higher on a dual sport than any other street bike).

 

if youre gonna do something, do it right. if you wanna go off road, get a dirt bike. it will handle the punishment better and be much more fun and you dont really have to care about getting a ticket for a broken blinker. besides, used dirt bikes are cheap to buy and can be found anywhere. no sense in dirtying up your street bike, the grease and grime from the road will do that enough for ya.

 

if you want to ride on the street, get a street bike.

[solinmysol]

buell blast - check themmout, SUPER reliable, 500cc's and great for beginners...... not the best looking bike but, hey it gets the job done and you can find them for 2000 bucks in mint condition

[TS John]

I will look into the Buell -- I've liked the look of them before though am not familiar with that one in particular.

 

Rick -- agree to disagree. I've read a lot of things about these bikes that don't at all paint the picture you do and those are from both reviewers or people who own them and go on multi-day rides off-road regularly. I see what you're saying, but ... Anyway it's not a big deal since the price/availability of the KLX will prolly mean that if I wanna get a first bike it'll be a Rebel or Ninja anyway, and I'd be waiting to pick up a KLX or KLR later anyway.

[BrIaN EG2]

I started out on a 90cc kawasaki dirt bike when i was 7, then i got a 250cc Ninja when i was 14 and got my motorcycle liscense so i could drive to school, then when i was 16 i got a 600cc GSXR and now Im thinking about getting the Ninja ZX10R soon, and taking the 186mph governer off lol thats going to be fun! lol

 

from what i read the ZX10R is the fastest bike up to 185, and the ZX10R tops out at 185 in 5th gear, still having a 6th gear to run through

 

yeah im gonna die, lol

[TS John]

I can't imagine how scary it would be to go almost 200 mph on a bike...

 

Still so up in the air about what to do about getting a bike. Really want the KLX but would settle for any of the three. Really want to cruise around with my friends on their bikes too but for the money I'd spend on a bike I could fix up my del sol to the point I'd like to have it easily. Then there's the fact that I don't have money for either yet...

[Kegger]

Just go with what you're comfortable with....

 

Unlike me, lol, I plan on picking up a CBR600RR murdered out.

[TS John]

Well, still reading up on bikes while I'm bored at work. Every time I drive my sol I just wanna keep my cash reserved for making that even more fun than it already is, but every time I sit here for hours I just wish I was out there learning the ropes.

 

Got it narrowed down to a couple different things that I'm gonna have to watch for:

 

Dual purpose (still thinking about it since starting two hobbies at once wouldn't be bad):

--Honda XR 650L

--Kawasaki KLR 650

--Kawasaki KLX 250S

(^^all used)

 

Sport bikes (got rid of the cruiser idea since it ain't me):

--Kawasaki Ninja 250R (this year's model)

--Kawasaki Ninja 500 (older model)

--Buell Blast (used)

--Suzuki GS500 (used)

[BrIaN EG2]

seems like everybody wants a bike nowadays, i guess because of gas prices, i wouldnt know i havent been in the states since feb... i want another bike because they are soo much freaking fun!!! maybe one day we could have a hondaforums bike meet that would be pretty cool

[TS John]

I hold no illusion that a bike is gonna save me money -- by the time I have the bike I'll be keeping I'm sure it won't be getting much better mpgs than my sol and the savings would more than be balanced out by the insurance rates for sure. I've just always wanted a bike and now that my friends have them and cruise around all the time I think the days has come.

 

Leaning very strongly towards the Buell Blast. There's just something about it that I really like, though I admit I've never even sat on one. That, of course, will be the final deciding factor, but I'm going to start watching for a good deal and sign up for the MSF course as soon as I can.

 

Check out all its majesty:

[wannaBstuntin]

maybe one day we could have a hondaforums bike meet that would be pretty cool

It would be, except I don't think anyone's gonna want to travel very far on a bike.

 

The Buell looks good, Johnny Saber.

[BrIaN EG2]

very very true, man my plan went to poo >_<

[TS John]

Don't worry -- maybe it'll still work on your fiance and she'll let you get a bike for the gas savings... Plus, if you have a car that's really a gas guzzler and can content yourself to getting something 500cc or under you shouldn't be paying that much for insurance and you will get about twice the mileage, so it still can make some sense.

 

It's funny, though, how much people overreact (and in the wrong ways) to the rising gas prices. Gas goes up (temporarily -- the stations around here are already back to 3.53, which isn't terrible though I'd like it back to 2.50) and lots of people put themselves through the transaction costs of selling their bigger car to get a smaller one that won't save them much at a time when demand for their big car is low (meaning they have to sell for less) and the demand for a small car is high (meaning they have to buy for more). So they prolly end up breaking even. That, or they keep their big car and buy an extra small car so now they have two cars on the insurance and that extra expense cancels out any savings realized by their improved fuel efficiency.

 

All this instead of car-pooling or simply driving less.