Which to get for first bike???

Baketech · 08-12-2004, 3:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

does any one think i should start off with a 400cc or 500 cc on/off road dirt bike?

Great choice...I like this kid...

TGZ13 · 08-12-2004, 4:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Great choice...I like this kid...

Sounds like he has a head on his shoulders at least... thats a good starting point

CBR929RE · 08-12-2004, 7:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

does any one think i should start off with a 400cc or 500 cc on/off road dirt bike?

sounds likea good idea but if you want a sportbike I'd go with the suggestion of a Kawasaki EX500 Ninja. I've been told it is probably one of the best starter bikes there is (my 86 ZX6 was very similar and was awesome) they basically haven't changed in almost 20 years so the parts are pretty easy to find and cheap. Not to mention the bike is pretty cheap to begin with even brand new.

So EX500 is my vote

HondaGalToo · 08-12-2004, 8:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Great choice...I like this kid...

Me, too, that's a very sensible option. I think the 400cc-500cc on/off road would be a great choice for a first bike!

G-Force Junkie · 08-12-2004, 9:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

does any one think i should start off with a 400cc or 500 cc on/off road dirt bike?

I would love to see you on a Honda XL250 or something. Dirt cheap, you can crash the hell out of it and never have to replace anything, an you can buy a used one, ride if for 6 months, and sell it for what you paid for it.

redrider69 · 08-13-2004, 8:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

I would love to see you on a Honda XL250 or something. Dirt cheap, you can crash the hell out of it and never have to replace anything, an you can buy a used one, ride if for 6 months, and sell it for what you paid for it.

how can you crash it and sell it for what you bought it for?

TGZ13 · 08-13-2004, 8:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

how can you crash it and sell it for what you bought it for?

I think he means find an older one dirt cheap this way it doesn't matter if you crash it... plus you can get in some wrench time and learn the other side of it too.... but I can be wrong

sheepofblue · 08-13-2004, 8:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

I am going to be driving soon and when i save enough money i am going to get a bike. i was wondering weather i should get a F4i, 600 rr, R6, GSXR-600 or a GSXR-750? thank you for your opion in advance.

For a first bike buy a used Rebel 250 and spend the rest on some good protective gear and gas. If you still love riding after a year or 2 upgrade the bike at a low loss in $$$ Then you will have a better idea of your wants and needs.

For instance the F4i has a 2 person seat and while the 600rr has a pod on the back I would not want anyone on it with me (well maybe if she was super hot and I rode super slow)

In case you think this is the old man picking on you cause you are a young punk I gave the same advice to a 30 year old recently at work.

redrider69 · 08-13-2004, 8:59 AM

sounds like i just might want to wait till i can get a small loan from the bank.

Kuss929 · 08-13-2004, 9:55 AM

You will definetly need money.
There is a lot more to riding than buying a bike and a helmet.

You need to make a list and budget out what the whole thing will cost you.

Helmet
Gloves
Jacket
Boots
MSF Course
INSURANCE
gas
maintenance-shop manual, chain lube, oil changes, tools (If you are just starting out with limited funds dealer matenance is probably out of your budget)
licensing
Other possible costs to get the bike road worthy - tires, brakes
Bike

I put the bike at the bottom because it is the last thing you really need if the above cannot be satisfied.

redrider69 · 08-13-2004, 2:42 PM

i would say that helmet, gloves, and jacket would be a must but boots i dont think. and as for maintenance, i will change the oil, and make all adjustments. the most i would have to do to repair it would be get the parts. my father is a mechanic so ive learned vast amounts of mechanical skills form him. as for licensing, cant you just ride with a permit and isnt that free?

coderedcbr · 08-13-2004, 2:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

i would say that helmet, gloves, and jacket would be a must but boots i dont think. and as for maintenance, i will change the oil, and make all adjustments. the most i would have to do to repair it would be get the parts. my father is a mechanic so ive learned vast amounts of mechanical skills form him. as for licensing, cant you just ride with a permit and isnt that free?

Yep Dude get a set of boots even if there just some military type boot. You want some kind of ankle protection and tuck in the laces. If I remember correctly you can't ride without another licensed motorcyclist with just a permit in PA, but the laws may have changed in 10 years.

redrider69 · 08-13-2004, 3:31 PM

ill have too check out that permit deal, i was thinking that you can ride with a permit but you could only ride until a certin time and no passengers.

coderedcbr · 08-13-2004, 3:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

ill have too check out that permit deal, i was thinking that you can ride with a permit but you could only ride until a certin time and no passengers.

For sure on the time and passenger thing. I would think that is all 50 states. You don't want to be out on a Sunday morning ride get stopped by the Po-Po an they take your bike that would really blow. Also some states will not let you ride on interstates or Hwy's.

redrider69 · 08-13-2004, 3:47 PM

that sucks, what if you want to go to your friends house in a different state? i guess you would have to take back roads and state roads.

coderedcbr · 08-13-2004, 3:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

that sucks, what if you want to go to your friends house in a different state? i guess you would have to take back roads and state roads.

Yep it does. Look to see if you take the MSF that you get your licenses after completing the test. I know you get your licenses after you pass the test here in Cali

l'timbré · 08-13-2004, 6:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuss929

You will definetly need money.
There is a lot more to riding than buying a bike and a helmet.

You need to make a list and budget out what the whole thing will cost you.

Helmet
Gloves
Jacket
Boots
MSF Course
INSURANCE
gas
maintenance-shop manual, chain lube, oil changes, tools (If you are just starting out with limited funds dealer matenance is probably out of your budget)
licensing
Other possible costs to get the bike road worthy - tires, brakes
Bike

I put the bike at the bottom because it is the last thing you really need if the above cannot be satisfied.

cbriderdan · 08-13-2004, 9:45 PM

I think you've been given some sensible advice on good bikes for beginners. However I have one other bit of advice for you...

Respect the bike, and respect others on the road. No matter what you ride.

The first motor vehicle I owned when I turned 16 was a mototcycle--a 1983 500 Virago. I've been riding on the street for over 18 years. That same respect will hopefully keep me riding for much longer!

HondaGalToo · 08-14-2004, 8:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

ill have too check out that permit deal, i was thinking that you can ride with a permit but you could only ride until a certin time and no passengers.

I think when you're riding on a permit, you have to have a licensed rider with you on their own bike. In PA, the MSF course is free. One of my coworker's husbands just took it. It's a great thing to do. Get your permit, sign up for the beginner MSF. I'm pretty sure they supply the bike in the beginner course, like NJ does. You supply riding gear, a helmet, over the ankle boots, gloves. After successfully completing it, you will be granted your license. You won't have to got to DMV and put up with that crap. Plus, the MSF teaches you valuable street riding skills. IMHO, that's the only way to go to get your license. I think it's 1-2 nights of lecture, and a day riding on the range.

TGZ13 · 08-14-2004, 9:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

I think when you're riding on a permit, you have to have a licensed rider with you on their own bike. In PA, the MSF course is free. One of my coworker's husbands just took it. It's a great thing to do. Get your permit, sign up for the beginner MSF. I'm pretty sure they supply the bike in the beginner course, like NJ does. You supply riding gear, a helmet, over the ankle boots, gloves. After successfully completing it, you will be granted your license. You won't have to got to DMV and put up with that crap. Plus, the MSF teaches you valuable street riding skills. IMHO, that's the only way to go to get your license. I think it's 1-2 nights of lecture, and a day riding on the range.

You are right... with a permit you can ride but with a licensed rider and I do think that after dark is a

As for the MSF class... best thing I did when I first got my bike. I was already riding a few weeks by the time I took but the things they really helped my riding out

CBR929RE · 08-14-2004, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

I think when you're riding on a permit, you have to have a licensed rider with you on their own bike. In PA, the MSF course is free. One of my coworker's husbands just took it. It's a great thing to do. Get your permit, sign up for the beginner MSF. I'm pretty sure they supply the bike in the beginner course, like NJ does. You supply riding gear, a helmet, over the ankle boots, gloves. After successfully completing it, you will be granted your license. You won't have to got to DMV and put up with that crap. Plus, the MSF teaches you valuable street riding skills. IMHO, that's the only way to go to get your license. I think it's 1-2 nights of lecture, and a day riding on the range.

free? I wish it was free in Mass but it was well worth the $275. they provided the bike, and helmet if you needed one, you just had to bring yourself, over the ankle boots, and some type of motorcycle or leather gloves, and a pen for the classroom stuff. I did the weekend deal which was like 4 hours friday night, then 5 hours riding saturday and a few more hours in the class then another 5 hours riding sunday (the other group flopped the saturday/sunday routine). to get your license in the shortest time you could go to the registry and prepay the license fee then after completing the course MSF just sends the stuff to the registry and they mail your license. it was also a lot of fun, I messed up on one part of the test (going around the corner/bend) I took it way too tight (on the wrong side of the cones) which made it harder casue that way its a tigher turn. if I had done that the right way I woulda finished first inthe class cause I did everything else the best, I was the only one who did the u-turns inside the lines.

but I like the way this kid is thinking about getting a bike rather than just going out and buying one and doing all sorts of squid stuff. I have another suggestion though, stop mowing lawns and get a real job, mowing lawns won't even pay for the gas on a bike as you'll soon be out just riding all the time with no destination. sure 4 gallons (about $7 around here) doesn't seem like much but when you actaully don't get anywhere and you do that a couple times a week it adds up but hey its way too much fun. plus after riding for a season with a chepaer helmet you'll want one thats got nice ventillation and is really light. I recommend a KBC helmet, they are pretty cheap but seem to be really nice, my friend has had 2 and loves them. another friend crashed tested one, worked good, no head injuries to speak of. Plus they are flying off the shelves around here so people must like them. riding a bike is like a tatoo once you get into it you can't stop.

redrider69 · 08-14-2004, 4:40 PM

i hope it is not 275 here in pa, as for a real job, that is sort of hard where i live. im about 5 or 6 miles from town and i have no way of geting there.

i think next summer im going to help my cousin, he washes houses, and that will pay better than cutting grass i hope.

CBR929RE · 08-14-2004, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrider69

i hope it is not 275 here in pa, as for a real job, that is sort of hard where i live. im about 5 or 6 miles from town and i have no way of geting there.

i think next summer im going to help my cousin, he washes houses, and that will pay better than cutting grass i hope.

5 or 6 miles that sucks, there's no place right near your school you can go to right after school. How about a bicycle? you can pretend its a motorcycle before you actually get one. Imagine scraping some pedals and stuff on a bike that'd be fun.