Help! How to buy a motorcycle..

Better get him some good equipment too, so he makes it to his 26th birthday.

Get him a 250cc dual-sport, like an XL250. Pretty much indestructable, and when he drops it, it won't get all busted up, like a sport bike will.

Also, the mellow power of a 250cc four stroke is perfect for a new rider.

Good luck.

I'd recommend settling on a budget, blindfolding him, and bringing him to a place that sells bikes rather than trying to pick one out for him. It's a great gesture but, unless you know exactly what he wants, buying it for him may ultimately be disappointing for both of you.

Vermicious has the idea. If you want to surprise him, why don't you get him some gear, such as a good leather jacket and pants (not a helmet; the fit for those is too individualized). Then take him to a shop with a decent selection of used and new bikes for him to check out.

I'd recommend a used EX500, you can find them for $1000-$1500, acceleration is roughly equal to a fast car which is helpful on the freeway etc.

Good enough for two people as well.

Look on craigslist, pay the seller to take it to a shop to get it checked out if you don't know any motorcycle ppl to help you determine if a bike is an OK buy

Good idea, this would actually work. A leather jacket with a card in the back “plus a bike of your choice”.

But a girlfriend choosing a bike for for the guy? Imagine da man in assless chaps pulling in front of the burger barn “Where the hell did you get that Rebel?” “Er, my girlfriend bought it for me”

-cruiz-euro

Do you have a large used bike shop by you?

Just north of Atl there is a bike shop called WOW. It's a 50,000 sq ft used bike shop. If you have something like that in your area it may be just the ticket. Keep the first bike under the $3500 range. That way when he drops it (it will happen more than once) he won't feel nearly as bad as dropping a $8000 or more bike. Suggestions:Kawasaki Ninja 250, Ninja 500, Ninja 650 (the twin),Suzuki SV 650 (it not really a beginner bike but it will last him a life time), GSF 650 (it's the Katana/Bandit replacement- also not exactly a beginner, but very durable- you'll only find them new, however), Honda 599, Buell M2 Cyclone, ANY Dual Purpose bike Honda XL, Kawasaki KLR, Suzuki DRZ bike would be great. Prices are coming down on the Suzuki DRZ400SM models. Sticky street tires and good off-road suspension. Well, that's all I have. Good luck. Happy Birthday to the guy.

Thanks

Thanks so much for all of the help. I know I want him to pick out his own bike, I just want to know more about them and know where I should start looking so I can have an idea about what to expect and what type of gear he will need. Also, I was going to sign him up for the safety courses, so if anyone knows a good place for those in the Orlando area, that would help. Thanks for all of the recommendations!

Kale said:

Thanks so much for all of the help. I know I want him to pick out his own bike, I just want to know more about them and know where I should start looking so I can have an idea about what to expect and what type of gear he will need. Also, I was going to sign him up for the safety courses, so if anyone knows a good place for those in the Orlando area, that would help. Thanks for all of the recommendations!

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KEN!- tell the lovely lady where to find a MSF course in FL. I suggest the state funded MSF courses- they are probably cheaper.

There are bunches of bike shops in your area. Pop the phone book open- look for used sales under the Motorcycle heading and call them. Ask how any used bikes they have on the floor. Go to the one with the largest selection. Get a website address if possible- that way you can see what they advertise on line. Good Luck ;-)

acecycleins said:

KEN!- tell the lovely lady where to find a MSF course in FL. I suggest the state funded MSF courses- they are probably cheaper.

There are bunches of bike shops in your area. Pop the phone book open- look for used sales under the Motorcycle heading and call them. Ask how any used bikes they have on the floor. Go to the one with the largest selection. Get a website address if possible- that way you can see what they advertise on line. Good Luck ;-)

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Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley Davidson of Pompano Beach does the course every weekend. (954) 580-0501. There are other choices, but I hear great things about the instructors there.

Used bikes in FtL: there are about 5 shops along Sunrise just East of I-95 with everything imaginable for sale from scooters to choppers to 250/500 cc sport bikes. Riva Powersports at Dixie Hwy and Sample Rd has about 100 used bikes at any given time of all sizes and types.

Love to see you out there, stay in touch!

Oh, yike, I just re-read her post. Orlando is way out of my area, Ace! So, I guess she'll have to move.

Kale said:

Thanks so much for all of the help. I know I want him to pick out his own bike, I just want to know more about them and know where I should start looking so I can have an idea about what to expect and what type of gear he will need. Also, I was going to sign him up for the safety courses, so if anyone knows a good place for those in the Orlando area, that would help. Thanks for all of the recommendations!

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A friend of mine works part time as an instructor at orlando HD. he's not a HD guy but says they offer a good program. Agree that letting him pick out the bike is best,but you cant go wrong with a Kawasaki EX 500. As far as gear,he'll need a good full face helmet,a good armored jacket and a good set of gloves as a minimum. Any over the ankle work boot will do if he already has some....good leather work gloves will also do. Florida's pretty warm so an armored mesh jacket with a removable liner would do for a start.