Thank You For Great Information. I'm New Rider. That's Very Useful Information For Me. Again Thanks.....
New Rider? Read this thread FIRST!
These forums get a lot of questions from new riders or returning riders who want opinions as to what bike would be best. The old hands here give pretty much the same advice every time -- take a training class (the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course is a good choice, and available all over the US), get full protective gear (a full-face helmet, leathers or armored mesh jackets and pants, leather gloves, and boots that cover your ankles), and find a smaller, used bike to learn on.
That said, we're merging all the "new rider" threads into this one. Read it and learn, and if you have any questions after all of this, then fire away! And welcome to motorcycling and MO!
Sachiwilson
MO Moderator
----------------------------------------------------
Hi guys,
my name is Robbie, I'm 16, so i obviously and lacking in experience with motorcycles. But I love anything with two wheels, and am going off to college next year, so I want to buy a motorcycle for commuting. Now I realize that I dont have any experience with motorcycles, other than riding dirt-bikes, and that i need to be careful picking my first bike. I think its safe to say that most of you can sympathize with my hope that i could find a "sport" bike to buy. But I'm thinking that most "sport" bikes i have looked at so far have way to much power for me at this point, not to mention that i have to fund myself seeing how my parients being good parients told me only way i could do it is if i pay for it haha.
So i am just hoping that someone could throw in some good advice as to what bike to buy and what gear to buy. Such as jacket, helmet, etc.. .
Thanks.
That said, we're merging all the "new rider" threads into this one. Read it and learn, and if you have any questions after all of this, then fire away! And welcome to motorcycling and MO!
Sachiwilson
MO Moderator
----------------------------------------------------
Hi guys,
my name is Robbie, I'm 16, so i obviously and lacking in experience with motorcycles. But I love anything with two wheels, and am going off to college next year, so I want to buy a motorcycle for commuting. Now I realize that I dont have any experience with motorcycles, other than riding dirt-bikes, and that i need to be careful picking my first bike. I think its safe to say that most of you can sympathize with my hope that i could find a "sport" bike to buy. But I'm thinking that most "sport" bikes i have looked at so far have way to much power for me at this point, not to mention that i have to fund myself seeing how my parients being good parients told me only way i could do it is if i pay for it haha.
So i am just hoping that someone could throw in some good advice as to what bike to buy and what gear to buy. Such as jacket, helmet, etc.. .
Thanks.
421 - 440 of 459 Posts
I have been looking into the ninja 250 and 500, but i'm not sure whether or not it would be a good choice or not. if anyone can tell me?
New to motorcycles
I'm not exactly a youngster but am suddenly having the urge to start riding a motorcycle. I really want a cruiser style bike and I am looking at used bikes. I am interested in the older styles because they seem to be in the price range I'm needing. Which is a better type the Honda magna or Yamaha Maxim? 80s vintage. I notice the magna is liquid cooled ant the maxims are air cooled is that a big deal? Im really glad to join this site and hope to be here for a long time to come. I found this one on craigslist for 899 seems almost too good to be true, might go take a look at it this week if its not gone before I can get to it.Its an 86 magna 700.
I'm not exactly a youngster but am suddenly having the urge to start riding a motorcycle. I really want a cruiser style bike and I am looking at used bikes. I am interested in the older styles because they seem to be in the price range I'm needing. Which is a better type the Honda magna or Yamaha Maxim? 80s vintage. I notice the magna is liquid cooled ant the maxims are air cooled is that a big deal? Im really glad to join this site and hope to be here for a long time to come. I found this one on craigslist for 899 seems almost too good to be true, might go take a look at it this week if its not gone before I can get to it.Its an 86 magna 700.
hello everyone.. am newbie here.. i signed up primarily to learn something about motorcycles and maybe get friends here..
THnaks!
THnaks!
Avoid the early (pre-1987) Honda V-4s like the plague. They are terrible bikes with weak transmissions and valve gear. 80's Kawasaki and Yamaha 4s are bulletproof. Some of the Suzukis from that era have alternator issues.I'm not exactly a youngster but am suddenly having the urge to start riding a motorcycle. I really want a cruiser style bike and I am looking at used bikes. I am interested in the older styles because they seem to be in the price range I'm needing. Which is a better type the Honda magna or Yamaha Maxim? 80s vintage. I notice the magna is liquid cooled ant the maxims are air cooled is that a big deal? Im really glad to join this site and hope to be here for a long time to come. I found this one on craigslist for 899 seems almost too good to be true, might go take a look at it this week if its not gone before I can get to it.Its an 86 magna 700.
Hell, some of the Hondas from that and the next-two decades have "alternator issues".......Avoid the early (pre-1987) Honda V-4s like the plague. They are terrible bikes with weak transmissions and valve gear. 80's Kawasaki and Yamaha 4s are bulletproof. Some of the Suzukis from that era have alternator issues.
Of course, Honda took the typical German Approach to those issues "Our Engineering is SOUND - there IS NO Alternator/Rectumfriar Issue!"
If your off to college than you would definitely need a scooter.
The cross between a scooter and a sport bike is Yamaha Tmax 500cc.
It has an excellent breaking system (ABS) and it is easy to use.
The cross between a scooter and a sport bike is Yamaha Tmax 500cc.
It has an excellent breaking system (ABS) and it is easy to use.
Hi everyone,
I am a 24 year old guy, 6'3" 275lbs. Ive finally decided to get a bike and am lost when it comes to what to buy. I am going to take the MSF Course and whatnot.
I have wanted a harley VROD since they came out and finally am financially stable enough to do it. I also have been looking at the Suzuki Boulevard C109R (1800).
Basically, ive narrowed it down to two... a New 2008 Suzuki Boulevard or a 2009 Harley Night Rod with 2k miles.
If i am going way out of my league here, let me know, im not afraid of a little constructive criticism, I would like any and all opinions i could get.
Thanks in advance!
I am a 24 year old guy, 6'3" 275lbs. Ive finally decided to get a bike and am lost when it comes to what to buy. I am going to take the MSF Course and whatnot.
I have wanted a harley VROD since they came out and finally am financially stable enough to do it. I also have been looking at the Suzuki Boulevard C109R (1800).
Basically, ive narrowed it down to two... a New 2008 Suzuki Boulevard or a 2009 Harley Night Rod with 2k miles.
If i am going way out of my league here, let me know, im not afraid of a little constructive criticism, I would like any and all opinions i could get.
Thanks in advance!
Oh i might add, i have NO street bike experience, ive ridden ATVs alot, but i know it is absolutely nothing alike. Ive ridden dirt bikes a couple times, but not much.
Welcome.Oh i might add,
I might add that it's best to post your question in ONLY ONE place.
Please see the answers in the other thread.
Yeah, sorry... im also new to the forum world.
Okay, I read this entire thread like you guys recommended. I'm 38 and just getting into riding. I am taking the safety course in two weeks, and I'm looking to buy my first bike. I'm too old to want go fast, so I'm looking for a cruiser. I'm 6' 2" / 215lbs. I was thinking about a V Star custom for a first bike. Any suggestions? I've noticed you guys like to talk smack, so don't hold back. I've been active duty military for the past 20 years, I'm used to the verbal abuse.
One of the main questions I have is about finding a fair price to offer a seller.
Many of the ads I see especially around the spring/summer time seem to add the "it's summer and I can charge an extra $500-1000 over Nada/ kbb tax" into their asking price.
Granted if i find a bike with accessories I like I'm willing to pay a fair amount over book value but my formula is this.
Take the NADA value +KBB value then ask for something in between. Sound good or is there something else I'm missing.
Many of the ads I see especially around the spring/summer time seem to add the "it's summer and I can charge an extra $500-1000 over Nada/ kbb tax" into their asking price.
Granted if i find a bike with accessories I like I'm willing to pay a fair amount over book value but my formula is this.
Take the NADA value +KBB value then ask for something in between. Sound good or is there something else I'm missing.
Truth IS that there is very little "smack" or outright abuse that goes on here......unless maybe you went WAY back to some folks that aren't here much anymore......OR read some of the political threads in "off topic."I'm 6' 2" / 215lbs. I was thinking about a V Star custom for a first bike.
I've noticed you guys like to talk smack, so don't hold back.
A really quick Google search indicates that Vstar's run all the way from 250 CCs to 1300. For a guy your size, a 250 is probably too small, a 650 would probably be just right, maybe even a 950......but no bigger than that.
Suzuki makes a nice 800, known as the M50.
Honda Shadows are good too; 750 is the most common size.
You will know a LOT more about what size might be good for you after you take the course. It likely will be on a 250......or less.
Unless you are planning to ride 2 up, 650-800 cc is plenty of bike. In fact the 800cc are a lot more nimble and powerful.
I just picked a 'new' used bike as I decided to go back to riding again.
My first bike was a 600cc sportsbike. Though I had years of dirt bike experience....so the 600cc I felt was just right. But a skiing accident where I broke my wrist really made it difficult for me to continue to ride a sports bike for a longer time, I sold it and quit riding for a while.
I recently acquired a '99 Intruder 1400 with 7000 miles for $2800.
While shopping for a new used bike, there are lots of great deals out there. Hardly ridden bikes from riders who bought these bikes as their first bikes and are now moving to mid size cruisers.
There are lots of bikes in the 600cc - 1000cc bikes that have very few mileage on them.
But the '99 Intruder came up and can't walk away from it as the condition was pristine. Owner was a professional person who maintained the bike very well ---- not a single scratch on the bike.
I just picked a 'new' used bike as I decided to go back to riding again.
My first bike was a 600cc sportsbike. Though I had years of dirt bike experience....so the 600cc I felt was just right. But a skiing accident where I broke my wrist really made it difficult for me to continue to ride a sports bike for a longer time, I sold it and quit riding for a while.
I recently acquired a '99 Intruder 1400 with 7000 miles for $2800.
While shopping for a new used bike, there are lots of great deals out there. Hardly ridden bikes from riders who bought these bikes as their first bikes and are now moving to mid size cruisers.
There are lots of bikes in the 600cc - 1000cc bikes that have very few mileage on them.
But the '99 Intruder came up and can't walk away from it as the condition was pristine. Owner was a professional person who maintained the bike very well ---- not a single scratch on the bike.
Thanks for the info. I plan on using it for a commuter. I trave about 90 miles each way (couple times a week). I do like all the V-Stars from the 650 to 950cc range, so I'll be sure to check them out. I appreciate the assistance. Once again, thanks!
Motorcycles
Yeah, I am also new to riding motorcycles, I appreciate some tips given here. Been riding just for a month maybe.
Yeah, I am also new to riding motorcycles, I appreciate some tips given here. Been riding just for a month maybe.
yet another noob
i figure rather than start a brand new thread i'll just ask in here. hopefully this is in the right place.
I recently completed Harley's "Riders Edge" course at the end of may and am now looking at getting a bike. For the time being i'm looking more at sport bikes. While i would ideally like a triumph daytona i know it is not going to happen. After flip flopping between reading posts on here and talking with people i haved decided to go with either a ninja 250 or the new cbr250.
what i'm asking here is for opinions of you all that have had experience with both/either bike.
some of the reviews i've read said that they can be a little uncomfy for taller people (I'm 6'3 and about 200lbs). For the rider course i took we were on Buell Blasts (if that helps at all).
If i go ninja i would like an 08 or newer just mainly because of the updated looks. if i go cbr250 then i realize i will have to get a new one seeing how i can't find any used ones right now. A few other things i have considered too (and please feel free to "put in my spot" with any of this). I like the digital speedo better on the cbr than the non-digital on the ninja. I like the way the exhaust looks on the ninja than the cbr, along with the mirrors.
I realize these are all cosmetic details and can probably be fixed once i own the bike.
One other thing i was wondering about was the carbureted ninja vs the fuel injected cbr. Thoughts on both carbureted and non? The bike would be my main mode of transportation. I live in NM so its sunny and dry 360 days of the year. from my understanding the carbureted bikes need time to warm up when its a little cooler out, true?
i think this is about it for now.
please don't hold anything back, if you think i'm being totally dumb let me know. I don't take offense to anything and i'm looking forward to hearing all your opinions.
i figure rather than start a brand new thread i'll just ask in here. hopefully this is in the right place.
I recently completed Harley's "Riders Edge" course at the end of may and am now looking at getting a bike. For the time being i'm looking more at sport bikes. While i would ideally like a triumph daytona i know it is not going to happen. After flip flopping between reading posts on here and talking with people i haved decided to go with either a ninja 250 or the new cbr250.
what i'm asking here is for opinions of you all that have had experience with both/either bike.
some of the reviews i've read said that they can be a little uncomfy for taller people (I'm 6'3 and about 200lbs). For the rider course i took we were on Buell Blasts (if that helps at all).
If i go ninja i would like an 08 or newer just mainly because of the updated looks. if i go cbr250 then i realize i will have to get a new one seeing how i can't find any used ones right now. A few other things i have considered too (and please feel free to "put in my spot" with any of this). I like the digital speedo better on the cbr than the non-digital on the ninja. I like the way the exhaust looks on the ninja than the cbr, along with the mirrors.
I realize these are all cosmetic details and can probably be fixed once i own the bike.
One other thing i was wondering about was the carbureted ninja vs the fuel injected cbr. Thoughts on both carbureted and non? The bike would be my main mode of transportation. I live in NM so its sunny and dry 360 days of the year. from my understanding the carbureted bikes need time to warm up when its a little cooler out, true?
i think this is about it for now.
please don't hold anything back, if you think i'm being totally dumb let me know. I don't take offense to anything and i'm looking forward to hearing all your opinions.
No it really isn't the right place.i figure rather than start a brand new thread i'll just ask in here. hopefully this is in the right place.
some of the reviews i've read said that they can be a little uncomfy for taller people (I'm 6'3 and about 200lbs).
You should start your own thread so we don't clutter this one up.
At 6'3" and ~ 200, I think you will be happier on something just a bit bigger .......like a Ninja 500 maybe. This has been discussed in other "first bike" threads.
We can discuss it more if you make your own thread.
421 - 440 of 459 Posts
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