thinking about getting a bike

[posol]

i know i said i'd never do it.... but i'm starting to consider it.
3/4 of my friends have 'em and 1 or two more are talking about it.

i'm starting to feel left out

I have no idea what i want.

most of my friends have gone to cruisers (shadows, etc) but i really don't think i want one.... i'm more into the 'rocket' seating position

I really don't care about doing 190mph.

i more want it to just cruise around with.

i'm a big dude, and i really don't want a 250 more for looks than power....

frankly, i'm quite happy with the speed of an XR50

i'm thinking a 600 is good for me. with my weight on it, its still more than enough power that i'll ever want or need....

I'm probably going to sign up for the class that the local CC offers.

Tunxis Community College

Motorcycle Rider Education

Tunxis Continuing Education is the Winner of the National Motorcycle Safety Foundation's
Outstanding Community Training Sponsor Award!
Motorcycling is one of the most exciting forms of transportation. Part of the thrill is knowing that you are totally responsible for every action taken-from timing each shift to keeping a keen eye out for other motorists. To understand these responsibilities and get the most from your experience, a Basic Connecticut Motorcycle Rider course is the place to start. Expert instruction is offered to both the beginner and the experienced rider. Students must have a valid driver's license or current Connecticut motorcycle permit, the ability to ride a bicycle, and lots of enthusiasm (persons under 18 need a parent's consent).
A 10% insurance discount and exemption from the Motor Vehicle Department's on-cycle skills test are offered to students upon their successful completion of this program.
Basic Motorcycle Rider Course-Riding & Street Skills
The course, which includes six hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of on-cycle training is designed to help individuals with little or no riding experience achieve a better understanding of what is involved in operating a motorcycle. Classes are held eveings and weekends, & vary between three and four sessions. You must have a driver's license or motorcycle permit and be physically able to operate a motorcycle. Motorcycles will be provided.
Fee: $165 nonrefundable.

thoughts?

 

[nootrac22]

I have a friend on ebay who sells motorcycles. I started the busniess with him, just shoot him an email about what kinda bike you want, how much you wanna spend and so on, and he can almost always get it. if you're looking for a used bike that is. he purchases from auctions and last i knew his mechanic used to work for honda and was honda certified. atv tour is his screen name on ebay

 

[eg6sir]

i'm guessing B would go with a new bike since he's a ballin mofo

 

[nootrac22]

starting out on a bike I would recomend used and cheap, that way when you drop it you wont cry too much. 11k for a bike is not something i would want to drop

 

[Celerity]

B: I've got the thing for you.

Also, a 600 in a sport bike is very very fast. It's like... Ferrari F50 fast. It's no toy.

If you want to try the Ninja 250 out in a parking lot, lemme know. It's very easy to ride.

Get your ass on as many bikes as you can. Learn from the people you want to learn from, and ask questions. Also bike shops are more than happy to let you do anything to their bikes (except ride one). Go there, and pointout the bikes you want them to pull out so you can sit on. They'll let you try out gear on the bikes, try out riding positions, all sorts of shit. They want your business.

-> S

 

[Celerity]

Also, that advice about "Get a used bike, if you drop it you won't mind" That's false.

I've owned many cheap, used bikes. None of them were a pleasure because I had to work on them, they vibrated, were shitty or otherwise plain unpleasant. At this point in the game, you don't want an unpleasant experience to scare you away.

second fallacy, people always say "you're going to dump". Well, that's shit. That's like telling someone at age 16 "you're going to get into an accident". I've never been in an accident. If you respect the bike and the environment, you'll be fine. Get something that's going to run and give you lots of smile per dollar.

 

[micah]

be a baller and get a euro bike imo

mv agusta f4 ftmfw

 

[posol]

i won't be buying new... i'll probably be looking for a late 90's/early 2000's kawi or honda ~4k tops.

i realize 600's are "fast". the older ones are much slower than the newer ones though. but i think i'm mature enough to realize this and know that i need to respect it. i'm well used to fast things... and i know that there is a certain amount of respect you have to give with anything, else you get in trouble.

i won't be buying bike until i complete that course.

they have bikes there to ride (they are all old slow cruiser-types, probably 250s or something...) and i want to practice on those first.
i don't want to just jump on a bike and ride it around on the street until i've had some closed-course street time,

 

[BigJ]

Also, that advice about "Get a used bike, if you drop it you won't mind" That's false.

I've owned many cheap, used bikes. None of them were a pleasure because I had to work on them, they vibrated, were shitty or otherwise plain unpleasant. At this point in the game, you don't want an unpleasant experience to scare you away.

second fallacy, people always say "you're going to dump". Well, that's shit. That's like telling someone at age 16 "you're going to get into an accident". I've never been in an accident. If you respect the bike and the environment, you'll be fine. Get something that's going to run and give you lots of smile per dollar.

Dude. You think you know everything about bikes. The motorcycle forum should be renamed Celerity's forum on I know everything because I've been riding for about 3 months.

Well guess what. You're wrong. I got my bike mint for 5300. It's an 05. Just as good as it came off the show room floor. It's used. 5000 miles. I dropped it too within the first 6 months. Minimal damage. Replaced the frame slider/bar end, and its mint again..


You haven't even taken a course yet, and you talk like you could teach one.





My advice. Don't listen to celerity's all ending truth, hit up jeffie, and the others that have had sport bikes longer than 4 months and have serious experience. Get on some forums, and get your MSF if you're planning on riding anything before you buy it.

That's what I'd do, now looking back, but I got lucky too on my find.



And older 600's vs. newer 600's is like .3 in the 1/4 mile I shit you not. They just tend to be trickier because they have carbureators and the suspension isn't as "dialed" in as a new bike. Always remember this when you get in the sport realm. They all run 10's.

 

[TurboMirage]

check out an early 90's seca... great little bikes! the 650 isnt very powerful

buell blast? nah... you're too big.

i'll sell you my 79 for a grand. its in GREAT shape! 55k miles.

 

[BigJ]

check out an early 90's seca... great little bikes! the 650 isnt very powerful

buell blast? nah... you're too big.

i'll sell you my 79 for a grand. its in GREAT shape! 55k miles.

55k? More than my car?!?!?! Shit.

 

[TurboMirage]

yup. runs like a top too. doesnt leak anything. has good power. shaft drive for the win.

 

[Celerity]

Damn kid, you're way busy hating on me to realise how your words hurt my feelings.

So allow me to change the language a bit so you don't get your panties in a twist, Rosie.

You aren't guaranteed to get into an accident. I'm sorry if you did get into one. Really, I am sorry.

But so many people spend so much time on scare tactics with bikes that we tend to lose perspective. Get that perspective back.

Also, good luck with the course thing. They are all pretty much booked here. Start looking for one now, because it's upwards of 4 months wait time. I have to renew my permit before my classes start.

And the class is optional. You can take the cone course at the DMV and just get the permit. The cone course is infamously hard, but it's no harder than what you do in class - you just get a more forgiving hand and several tries at it during a class.


And now that I've been thinking about your post for a long time, I see here that you are considering it because other people you know have bikes. This is the WRONG reason to get into biking. It's something that you should want for yourself. Like, even if you knew no one with a bike, would you want to get one for yourself ?

That's the common bond between everyone I know who got into accidents and those that didn't.

 

[BamaBoy22]

yo, i got a bike for sale....i dont have any pictures up at the moment but if u are really intrestwed in a really nice bike pm me and lets see what we can do. Shipping to anywhere in the su would be pretty cheap too. Its a 2002 gsxr 750, custom paint, lots of carbon fiber, 20k miles i have had it since 5000. power commander III, fuel retard, 3up sprocket and chain from DID, lowering link, undertail, clear corners, arkapovic titanium full exhaust,hel brake lines and pads, dunlop tires cant rember wich ones but they are pretty new. other stuff i cant think of right now....oooo also i got like 2grand worth of helmets and jackets and tires i would give to you for free when you bought the bike. anyway thought i woukld give it a shot.

 

[BamaBoy22]

by the way i hope you have a nice set of cahones for soemthing like this.......it aint no honda, ya feel me.

 

[micah]

:roll: lol gixxer boy to the rescue

seriously though

awesome bike for 3500- Melch's V7 CBR Superbike,officially for sale - 13x Forums

thats a sweet bike and awesome deal.
its setup for track though might be too much for you on the street lol

brian, for reals, a 600 is fine for you. no offense to celerity, but you got like 100 lbs on him last i remembered and a little 250 would get old really quick.
if you get one be ready to upgrade in a month.

ive been riding my 750 everyday for 2 months, i think around 500 miles all city driving, and i havent dropped it or went down yet.
people always say its inevitable, but its no more inevitable then wrecking a car. with an attitude like that i dont see how people have the balls to leave there front door.

 

[Celerity]

I'm only offering my 250 so that he can get on a bike and see what it's like, around a parking lot and what not.

No, no one weighing more than me should be on a 250.

 

[Celerity]

people always say its inevitable, but its no more inevitable then wrecking a car. with an attitude like that i dont see how people have the balls to leave there front door.

exactly!

What I do firmly believe in is that your first bike has GOT to be a great, fun and rewarding experience. And if you over-size the bike I think you may find that it's too tough to handle, and the idea of riding will be queered in your head.

If you can find a bike that will give you nothing but fun and reward, you'll want to to take it everywhere. And even if it's a tiny, "girls bike", like mine, if you have a great time doing something you WILL get really good at it, and in no time flat be ready (and more educated) to upgrade to a bike that you really want.

 

[BamaBoy22]

let me tell u something bro....my 750 was the first bike i had ever riden period, and i loved it from day one. its been three years since i bought it,and to be honest if i didnt need the money so bad i would keep it. But for sure im going to try to have at leats a 600 for the rest of my days.
Buying a bike is a lot like buying a turbo......they both are ridiculously fast and can be expensive depending on how nice you like your product. Really though get soemthing that exceeds your expectations slightly, because like a turbo once you get used to it after about a week or too you want a bigger one.
all my boys told me to get a 600 which is the same thing any sane person would tell you to do since its your first bike in all. But bottom like if you want to go on a ride like no other get a 750 w/ heavy mods liek mine or a 1000 and you will never have to worry about wanting to go faster. By the way....u thinku could handle 184mph

 

[BamaBoy22]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo also this is like the biggest part of this whole equation u must take the bike course and get your endorsement.....trust me here! it will make u such a better rider...u couldnt understand what i mean until after u ride initially and after the course. good luck be safe...ive seen a lot of mu buddies get hurt real bad trying to be cool and shit.