Okay... I got the fever...

It'll be awhile before I can afford one (although it's getting harder to resist). I've got an inklin' to get myself propped up on two wheels. I wanna break free from the cage (and all that jazz).

Anyone got any advice for a n00bie motorcycle enthusiast? I've read the manuals, I understand the responsibility, I've been asking friends who've owned 'em for pointers...

It's not my brightest decision, especially in snow country... but I gotta do it.

Anyone got any recommendations? I'm bouncing between a new bike and a really old one...

An old one would allow me to learn how to repair motorcycles... but I'd hate to burn myself out before I got myself started by having to repair the thing all the time.

A new one would have a warranty, but if I wrecked it, I'd be out more.

Anyone offer any advice?

Start on an old bike... get used to riding first... You don't want to scuff up a nice and new shiny bike.. or better yet wreck it.

Tizakit is starting to learn driving a motorcycle.. I would too if I had the blingage for it.

I'm in the same boat as you...

Start learning on something like A honda 250c you can probably find one for around 600-1000 bucks
You ARE going to drop this bike at least once.

Take a MSF course... Motorcycle Safety Foundation They provide a bike for the class, In ohio and some other states, if you pass the course, you don't have to do anything but sign papers and the BMV for your license.

Move up bike sizes slowly... jumping from a light bike to a heavy bike doesn't work. *thanks dump bars on the harley*

Other considerations: With me, I can shift a bike fine, but I CANNOT learn to shift a car. I figure since your probably a stick guy, you might have problems with this as well.

Get a good helmet, gloves, and jacket.

Anything else, just ask. If I don't know, I can relay the question to my GF's dad, who is president of the Greater Akron Motorcycle Club.

Quote: Originally Posted by TiZakit I'm in the same boat as you... Start learning on something like A honda 250c you can probably find one for around 600-1000 bucks You ARE going to drop this bike at least once. Take a MSF course... Motorcycle Safety Foundation They provide a bike for the class, In ohio and some other states, if you pass the course, you don't have to do anything but sign papers and the BMV for your license. Move up bike sizes slowly... jumping from a light bike to a heavy bike doesn't work. *thanks dump bars on the harley* Other considerations: With me, I can shift a bike fine, but I CANNOT learn to shift a car. I figure since your probably a stick guy, you might have problems with this as well. Get a good helmet, gloves, and jacket. Anything else, just ask. If I don't know, I can relay the question to my GF's dad, who is president of the Greater Akron Motorcycle Club.

I enjoy manual transmissions. I bought my truck mostly because it was a stick and I enjoy driving it. I know it's a little different on a motorcycle...

I'll have to try to start small... I'm looking at a 250cc Ninja... but I'd really like to find a '78 Kawasaki KZ1000. I have a line on one, but the head is shot on it... and it's in Oregon... but I'm still thinking about it.

only problem with older bikes is that sometimes it hard to tell they need a ton of work..

Great thing about them, is you can get two of em, and use one for a parts bike.

I'd hold off on a bike thats over 450cc...

Quote: Originally Posted by TiZakit I'd hold off on a bike thats over 450cc...

IDK - 600s aren't that bad since he's looking at sports bikes. The big difference between low and big displacement sports bikes his how much you're shifting. That's kinda why I like smaller bikes, you can red line em everywhere. But then again that might be the reason I haven't let myself own one in ages.

yeah, but he is looking at that kz1000. weighs in at over 500lbs...

Thats all I was refering too.

I agree that 600 wouldn't be bad, though I don't know too much about sports bikes, not my cup of tea.

if you want to go out in the snow, a big single is the way to go - something like a Honda XL600 or XR600; if you want to ride to work every day, a mid size twin (e.g. CB450) ... but I don't really think the performance will be what you're after - so look at a CBR600 - light enough to pick up when you drop it, comfortable enough for rider & pillion, performance that whizzes all over 95+% of everything else on the road, good handling & brakes... it's not a full on sports bike, but I think anything less will bore you too quickly.

Notice all my suggestions are Hondas - the build quality is far superior to every other make I've had, so reliability is rarely an issue, and they're common enough that if you do want to sell it, no-one's going to be put off.

Quote: Originally Posted by Darksamurai I enjoy manual transmissions. I bought my truck mostly because it was a stick and I enjoy driving it. I know it's a little different on a motorcycle... I'll have to try to start small... I'm looking at a 250cc Ninja... but I'd really like to find a '78 Kawasaki KZ1000. I have a line on one, but the head is shot on it... and it's in Oregon... but I'm still thinking about it.

My main on-line hauntings are a motorcycle forum called BergmanUSA. While super sized scooters might not be your thing, there's plenty of great information about the sport in general. [end commercial]

I have to fully agree with the MSF course. It wil show you wether or not you really get into bikes, or if it is a passing thing.

Also get a lightly used 250cc. They're cheap and disposable (usually). Most people grow out of them within a year to six months.

If you're looking to do commuting mostly on the bike, then keep it between 400cc and 650cc. You'll find that after around 600cc you get dimishing returns on your investment, or really poor mileage. The big bikes have nothing much on the smaller ones in traffic, in fact the small ones have much better handling in smaller spaces.

If sport riding is what you want out of it, then your next step should be to the 600cc range to get used to the handling and such of a larger bike. Insurance usually jumps around the 600cc to 700cc range.

Of course this is just my opinion and your mileage may vary...

DS look for a Yamaha XS650. It's an older bike. Made from 1971 to 1984. The 79 and up are cruiser style bikes. Pretty reasonably priced, and easy to work on. This is what I have in the garage.

Yamaha XS 650 Classic Club Motorcycles, twins, xs650 motorcycle, parts, piston kits, race bikes, choppers, and vintage classic bikes, VM mikuni carbs, and pro porting cylinder head engine modifications

Attached Thumbnails

 

i would assume your looking for something with a little performace in it, so i would have to agree with a CBR600 or something in the 600cc class. there is a big difference in power when you bump up to 750cc + on sport bikes.

also, my first bike was a yamaha FZ600 i paid $2k for it used. 3 weeks latter had major loss in power. cracked open the vavle case and one of the head clamps was broken. the dealer basicly laughed at me. so learn from my lession and if you buy a used bike, asolutely have a mechanic look it over before you drop any cash. also, look at the tires. if they are bald, try to get a lower price for the bike. rear tires can set you back easily $200+.

i plan on buying a bike when i get back home from Iraq. not sure which one i want really. the red one is such a classic, and has been a long time dream of mine to own. but really i just love the body style, which is why i think i might get the newer one ( Yello one) also bigger engine.
the red one will cost about 6.5k and the yellow one about 10.5k.

Thanks all.

I generally like the looks of the old Kawasakis, and I have to admit, I thought Slider's suggestion looked pretty good. Still, TCG has a point... I don't know d*ck 'bout repairing motorcycles at this point, and I don't want to lose me arse on one.

If I go with a new bike, I'll keep the Hondas in mind, JE. I have a '99 civic I'm not that impressed with, but the kid who owned it before me was a ricer, so I'm thinking it's quirks are his fault... I've always heard Hondas are solid vehicles.

Also, you should check out about state motorcycle driving courses, most qualify for college credit as an elective. PLUS, it saves you a ton of money on insurance.. My friend has a Harley Fatboy Appraised at 30K.. his insurance for it is 700 a year. His wife also Has a Harley.. 700 for that one too (Her bike is appraised around 24K).

Something important to really think about is bodywork.
Since your a new driver ANY newer bike with expensive bodywork is a bad idea.

But heres a contridiction ,just about any bike without it is a slug.
Older small bikes have sucky brakes ,terrible suspension and are many times hard to get parts for.
Believe me, i've owned dozens and dozens of bikes in my life.

Soo i'd say as others have ,look at a Cbr600 ,Fzr600 etc. small bore sportbike.
Just stay away from the dog slow, 2 cylinder bikes that offer almost no room for improvement or after market products.

And get a good Carbon fiber /Kevlar helmet ,gloves and jacket .
Cause I can tell you from the tens of thousands of laps ive done on the track, that you Are going to drop it sooner or later ,and you need something between you and the road.

Bike brand is REALLY unimportant ,as long as its in decent shape and the owner cared for it you'll be ok.
Dont listen to the fanboys ,look for a good deal instead!!!
Adult owned is best, as in over 30'ish.

The best training you'll find is not on the street ,but the dirt.
If you know anyone with a dirtbike, ride the hell out of it ,you'll learn more about riding and body position in one weekend offroad then a month on the street.

And dont be a spode and ride over your head.

Ive been in intensive care 3 times .
Crashed once on a backroad in the middle of nowhere at 2 or 3 AM.(sober)
I ended up walking for a couple miles, bloody and broken with a major concusion before I could get help.
Other 2 times were at the track.

I've been riding/racing for 33 years and i'll never stop.
Only thing i can think of that would be better is flying a jet.(little pricey!)

Quote: Originally Posted by RBIEZE Something important to really think about is bodywork. Since your a new driver ANY newer bike with expensive bodywork is a bad idea. But heres a contridiction ,just about any bike without it is a slug. Older small bikes have sucky brakes ,terrible suspension and are many times hard to get parts for. Believe me, i've owned dozens and dozens of bikes in my life.

Good to know... I was thinking they all handled pretty much the same. I'm an ace car driver, so I usually can consider how four wheels work together. I've driven 2WD, 4WD, AWD, FWD, RWD, trucks, cars, non-commericlal grade Semis, sports cars, the top and the bottom... but two wheels, I'm learning I don't know much about!

Quote: Originally Posted by RBIEZE Just stay away from the dog slow, 2 cylinder bikes that offer almost no room for improvement or after market products.

That is really good to know! I was looking at a 250CC Kawasaki Ninja to get my butt to work and back (I've had a lot of car problems lately, I'm thinking I want a newer bike)... I guess I'm going to want something a bit more scalable...

Quote: Originally Posted by RBIEZE And get a good Carbon fiber /Kevlar helmet ,gloves and jacket . Cause I can tell you from the tens of thousands of laps ive done on the track, that you Are going to drop it sooner or later ,and you need something between you and the road.

Yeah, I've been studying up on the gear involved. I got a subscription to "Cycle World", I got the book they're supposed to teach the DOT classes from on the way (should have been here by now!), and as soon as I can get some wheels under me, I'm going to practice a little, and go down and take my Motorcycle License test.

I don't believe in leather (vegan), so most of the gear I'm looking at is fiber or plastic. Is there a recommended body-armor level recommended for a guy who's going to be doin' 40 miles a day, most of it highway? The jacket I'm looking at has elbow and shoulder pads, but I've seen them with spine-guards and other pads. I don't want to be a ninja-turtle, but I also don't want to get scraped off the street with a spatula.

Quote: Originally Posted by RBIEZE Ive been in intensive care 3 times . Crashed once on a backroad in the middle of nowhere at 2 or 3 AM.(sober) I ended up walking for a couple miles, bloody and broken with a major concusion before I could get help. Other 2 times were at the track. I've been riding/racing for 33 years and i'll never stop. Only thing i can think of that would be better is flying a jet.(little pricey!)

Mayyyybe I won't mention that to my girlfriend

Quote: Originally Posted by Darksamurai That is really good to know! I was looking at a 250CC Kawasaki Ninja to get my butt to work and back (I've had a lot of car problems lately, I'm thinking I want a newer bike)... I guess I'm going to want something a bit more scalable... Yeah, I've been studying up on the gear involved. I got a subscription to "Cycle World", I got the book they're supposed to teach the DOT classes from on the way (should have been here by now!), and as soon as I can get some wheels under me, I'm going to practice a little, and go down and take my Motorcycle License test. I don't believe in leather (vegan), so most of the gear I'm looking at is fiber or plastic. Is there a recommended body-armor level recommended for a guy who's going to be doin' 40 miles a day, most of it highway? The jacket I'm looking at has elbow and shoulder pads, but I've seen them with spine-guards and other pads. I don't want to be a ninja-turtle, but I also don't want to get scraped off the street with a spatula.

The ninja 250 is great if you want to get your experience in on two wheels. I wouldn't think it would be too good in a commute, though. I would stick to the 600cc camp. You'll get the excitement of a larger bike and have more manuveability than the big boys (not to mention better gas mileage).

A great place to find and leave reviews on bikes of all sorts is:
Motorcycle and ATV reviews, specifications, prices, used motorcycles by PowerSports Network

As far as body armor is concerned... Here's acouple of hints:
Get as high a "Denier" value as you can afford. The higher the number, the tougher the fabric.
Get CE rated pads or better. The flimsey foam stuff will only protect you from bumps, not real road rash.

A good place to look for all sorts of protective gear at good prices is:
New Enough Motorcycle Leathers sells leather and textile riding apparel, boots, gloves, luggage, helmets, etc

I hope this helps.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tygre II I hope this helps.

That helps a lot actually! I was wondering why two jackets that looked identical had such a massive price difference. I thought it was a brand thing.

Man, I hate being this much a n00b, but I guess everyone has to start somewhere...

Of course, since I've decided to get into motorcycles, the weather dropped to 20 degrees (single digits tomorrow), and it snowed 3". Oh well. Spring isn't that far off...

Well iduno if u like going off road and stuff or not. But u could always get a off road bike/street bike (basically a dirt bike thats street legal). Those are made to take a beating.