New Member

[JeremyMetcalf]

Hello. I thought I'd post my first thread with a newbie question from a not-so-newbie. I have been into bikes for the past ten years. I am 18 now and finally am going to get a bike next year(hopefully)! I will be honest, all the hype from Honda Civics, and all the loud mouth Honda owners who say, "Honda owns all." or some stupid line like that, really made me steer clear from Honda. It made me Hondaphoebic.

I have since matured a little since then (lol, yeah right) and have decided to go to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando next fall. I have chosen Honda and Yamaha as my two electives. I know, I know, I'll get on with my question lol.

I need a "vehicle" next year. I have decided to buy used (something I also grew out of is used bike phoebia). I Understand very well on how bikes operate, my problem is I have never used any of my knowledge.

I want a bike that is anything but a 600. Anywhere from 1993-1999? maybe?
Something that won't cost me much more than 3500 bucks.

Any suggestions?

[Bacchus]

Welcome to the funny farm Jeremy!

[CBRVFR]

A used VFR in that vintage should be in that price range. Make sure you study the section on Regulator/Rectifiers, and you can sell it for pretty much the same coin when you're done with it.

There are other underpriced all purpose bikes - Bandits, Secas, Kanatunas, but a VFR is a jewel. For a few bucks more, you might find an early SV.


welcome!

[JeremyMetcalf]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I was thinking of an early vfr. Good gas capacity will help to get me around hell hole Orlando. I am solely going to choose a Honda for my first.


I might even go back as far as 87. I kinda like the older look a bit too.

[CBR929RE]

I know you said no to a 600 but why? an F2/F3 were nice bikes.

[sheepofblue]

What kind of bikes have you had? That is always key on what you should get.

Also consider that at 18 you will get hammered on insurance and CC is a prime determinate of cost.

[Hamburgler]

Sorta related question: Harley shops charge an arm and a leg. Does any of that make it's way to the mechanic or do Harley mechanics make about the same as a metric bike mechanic?

[sheepofblue]

Do what you love the money will follow.

Having said that if you just want $$$ go with the most popular make. Of course this may be also affected by type of person riding. Now my guess is the masses that want a Harley also can't fix squat .

[EDDIE110171]

You should be able to find a 1998 SuperHawk 996 if you around enough, in your price range. It's a lot of bang for the buck.

[Zop]

[ratter]

G'day and to the org

[colryn]

Originally Posted by JeremyMetcalf .......Good gas capacity will help to get me around hell hole Orlando. I am solely going to choose a Honda for my first. .

Hell hole. How dare you talk about "The City Beautiful" like that..... Sounds like you have visited Orlando before. Actually that is a good description of this traffic nightmare of a city.

Welcome to the .org and hope you find the right "HONDA" that suits your needs. There is no need to stray to the other manufacturers when Honda builts fine machines. This is coming from a orger that currently owns 2 Honda cars and one Honda cycle. And with the past weather calamities that Central Florida has had, A Honda generator will be in my possession very soon.

[JeremyMetcalf]

I have never ridden a bike in my life. Except bicycles. I don't want a 600 because I don't want a bike that needs to be revved high into the rpms to get sufficient power. I have been savvy over 750's for a long time now. Also I want something I can grow into. And thirdly, The vfr's get great gas mileage.

I don't want to be riding over to Orlando and have the fear of running on empty. The next reason falls into the last one, I want a bike that is more for sport touring than street riding right now. It will be good for me to have a bike with a more upright position. Also the resale value of an f4, f3, f2, and so on, is probably higher than an older vfr.

On insurance issues, with a used bike I am not going to worry about comprehensive insurance. I can get hooke dup with Progressive for pretty cheap on liability.

Ironicly also in Orlando is the company I want to get my leathers from. So I'll have to drive out when I get the cash, grab my custom made/fitted leathers.

I have no clue on if harley guys get paid more. The reason why they dish out more is because people are stupid enough to pay the rediculously high maintenance fees. I would rather buy a new Suzuki c50 black cruiser than a harley any day.

[sheepofblue]

Looks like you have thought this through pretty well but I still recommend you get online quotes. CC matters in liability also I believe.

[cbr99xx]

Welcome to da .org!

[JeremyMetcalf]

I have gotten qoutes in the past on insurance and here goes:
Premium: $360.00 Policy Period: 12 month

Drivers

Jeremy 05/08/1986

Driving History
Jeremy:
0 Violations

Vehicles

1996 HONDA SUPER HAWK

Coverages
General Coverages

Bodiy Injury and Guest Passenger $10,000 person/$20,000 accident $240.00
Property Damage Coverage $10,000 property damage $120.00
Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorists Bodily Injury Coverage No Coverage $0.00
Medical Payments Coverage No coverage $0.00

1996 HONDA SUPER HAWK

Comprehensive Coverage No Coverage $0.00
Collision Coverage No Coverage $0.00
Roadside Assistance Coverage No Coverage $0.00
Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage No coverage $0.00



That's pretty good for that. I did it with a 96 super hawk.

For some ungodly reason, when I go into the dealership by my house, I sit on almost every bike there, and for SOME reason, the super hawk always catches my eyes the most. So I might try and find one for cheap.

Also remember, I won't be getting a bike until late next year, if possible.

[sheepofblue]

Not a bad rate at all. You might consider theft if you can get it at a reasonable plus up. Unfortunately the world has scum.

PS my 1000RR is a higher rate and that is for and old innocent sheep

[maxib]

Jeremy,

It sounds as if you are really using your head, asking for advice and having done some research. Props to you for that.

I won't give bike advice, as I really don't know what to tell you. I love Interceptors...I've owned the original '83 and a '98 VFR. Of the two, I would recommend the '83 for a newbie only because the '98 was way more topheavy and would give a starting rider fits. It would be easy for a newbie to drop and ruin $k in plastic. I don't know about the newest generation, but valve train maintenance on the Vtec is mucho dinero. If you are really interested in Interceptors, Julian Rider's book V-Force is a fun read even if it is 5 years old.

However, my purpose was to segue regarding your gear. You said...

Originally Posted by JeremyMetcalf Ironicly also in Orlando is the company I want to get my leathers from. So I'll have to drive out when I get the cash, grab my custom made/fitted leathers.

Perhaps I misunderstood, but it seems to me at your age, new bike, insurance, taxes, tags and fuel...

Look into good gear at reasonable prices. Check out newenough.com and there are others. I like them because of great service and reasonable cost. Unless you know somebody (like a relative of yours that makes custom leathers willing to sell at cost) you'll have more money in the budget for other bike expenses (like the bike) if you hold off on the custom fitted/made leathers. Then again, if you are anatomically individual (three arms??) you may not have a choice!

Good luck!

[929_Nupe]

to the org...

[Zeeman]

Originally Posted by JeremyMetcalf I have never ridden a bike in my life. Except bicycles. I don't want a 600 because I don't want a bike that needs to be revved high into the rpms to get sufficient power. I have been savvy over 750's for a long time now. Also I want something I can grow into. And thirdly, The vfr's get great gas mileage.

and to the .org

On 600cc subject - I don't know what it is about you yanks, but seriously, 600cc bikes are VERY powerful and VERY fast. Seriously, the first time you ride a 600... FFFFFFAAAARRRRKKKK!!! (to quote Rossi - kinda)

Having said that, at least you are looking at something sensible in the way of a VFR, and not a gixxer. Just be careful though, bikes with 600cc and 750cc capacities can very quickly get you into trouble - there is way too many vids on the net of newbies crashies bikes into trees and dropping them in driveways. Just take it slow and get someone who knows what they are doing to help you out.

Z...

[JeremyMetcalf]

The leather company is called SYED leathers. I can get a suit from them for about the same as an off the peg from Joe Rocket(Highside $500.00). Not only that, it will be custom fitted to my body.

Less material hanging off your body means better slides when lowsiding than tumbles . I am not quite, quite sure as of yet what I want. All I know is I want something comfy(good ergos, foot placement, nice shaped tank, etc) and easy handling, but nothing that feels small. I like the larger mass of the bigger bikes, just not the weight.

The only reason why I am using my head is cause I have had about 6 years of nothing but looking, wanting, looking, research, etc. The cycle is almost beginning to be more than I can bear.

Not really worried about theft, as I am going to put my bike inside the apartment when I go to Orlando. Hoping to get a downstairs one .

[JeremyMetcalf]

Also I was thinking of finding out how you guys in Europe restrict your bikes. If possible, even getting a larger sized bike, I'll have it restricted to a lower hp level from say 120 hp to around 70-85? I know that may sound rediculous to alot of you, but I refuse to ride something I don't like or feel comfy on.

I just like the feel of a bigger bike, sadly, most larger bikes have alot more power. So I see nothing wrong to restricting the power. Who needs 120 horses anyway? Will the real Duhamel please stand up?

[Hamburgler]

VFRs are bigger and carry around 500 pounds. They hit 90ish hp at the wheel. Same thing for Superhawks. I think either of those will be fine.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by JeremyMetcalf Also I was thinking of finding out how you guys in Europe restrict your bikes. If possible, even getting a larger sized bike, I'll have it restricted to a lower hp level from say 120 hp to around 70-85? I know that may sound rediculous to alot of you, but I refuse to ride something I don't like or feel comfy on. I just like the feel of a bigger bike, sadly, most larger bikes have alot more power. So I see nothing wrong to restricting the power. Who needs 120 horses anyway? Will the real Duhamel please stand up?

BAAAA! I need more that is why I have a CBR1000RR

[smkeatr]

Originally Posted by JeremyMetcalf The leather company is called SYED leathers. I can get a suit from them for about the same as an off the peg from Joe Rocket(Highside $500.00). Not only that, it will be custom fitted to my body. Less material hanging off your body means better slides when lowsiding than tumbles . I am not quite, quite sure as of yet what I want. All I know is I want something comfy(good ergos, foot placement, nice shaped tank, etc) and easy handling, but nothing that feels small. I like the larger mass of the bigger bikes, just not the weight. The only reason why I am using my head is cause I have had about 6 years of nothing but looking, wanting, looking, research, etc. The cycle is almost beginning to be more than I can bear. Not really worried about theft, as I am going to put my bike inside the apartment when I go to Orlando. Hoping to get a downstairs one .

Syed will build you the best suit you'll ever wear.

As far as theft goes, good luck getting away with putting a bike into an apartment. At home is not the only place bikes are stolen around here. Save some money for at least a disc lock or other such protective devices. 2 guys and a truck will ruin your day as far as theft goes.

[GhostRider]

aboard!

[JeremyMetcalf]

Thanks for all the kind welcomes guys. I have was looking around for quite a few days and have discovered a bike that actually made me go, "I WANT IT!". It's a 750 from 1989 and it's BEEEauutiful. Why don't I just show you?

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/G...0R_wb2_450.jpg

It's a Limited Edition 1989 Suzuki GSX-R 750. Only 500 made. Now I know I wont be able to get a hold of one of these NOW, but I can always get one of the non limited ones for dirt cheap. I have been reading forums of guys picking up these for like 500 bucks!

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/s...750_bw_500.jpg 1988 model.

Old school race bikes of the day are fascinating to me. It's incredible the hp they rolled out of those things. Even in the 50's-70's they had bikes pulling around 120 hp!

[GhostRider]

An excellent choice my friend!!

Just name sure you get one that hasn't been thrashed too much.
Be careful.

[Outkastxleo]

Welcome to fireblades......good luck on gettin a bike! ride safe when you do