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| *Vultures Knob>>>Bike Insurance |
I need help picking out a motorcycle.? |
hey! i am a 21 year old female and i have always wanted a motorcycle - the sporty ones - crotch rocket!? anyway, i need some tips. i live in pittsburgh, pa and i drive a short distance to work everyday and it would be fun to have. i have a few questions though. first, any recommendations for a beginner? i have never driven one before. second, is it better to buy a used or new one - around how much? anything in particular i should look for when buying one? is insurance a lot? is there a place to learn how to ride one? do i have to own a bike before learning? and lastly, any tips? thanks so much! if i were u, in a city like pitts., i'd go for a cruiser. rockets are very hard to spot in heavy traffic, and cars will turn in front of u alot easier than on a cruiser. i've been in pitts...and there's no way in hell i'd try to ride a rocket in that town. they pay less attention than the drivers up here. pitts would be a very hostile learning environment on any bike much less a rocket If you want a crotch-rocket (sport-bike) then you will probably want to look at the 500 - 600cc bikes. Some sport-bikes require long legs though, so I'd advise visiting a couple dealers and sitting on some bikes to see if you are comfortable. Buying a used bike is the best way to go, as bikes depreciate in value much faster than they depreciate in useablilty. You can probably find a recent model used bike for 4-5k. Most large cities have motorcycle safety courses that teach you the basics of riding, and some let you rent a bike to do so. I've ridden Honda's for years and have found the very reliable. Tip: ride defensively and stay very aware of surrounding traffic. First recommendation: take the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) basic rider's course. If you've never ridden before this is a good instruction class and they use small bikes 125cc or 250 cc cruiser style bikes. you don't have to own a bike to take the course, some states waive a driving portion of their licensing test with a certicate that you completed the course. Usually you just wear jeans gloves, boots long sleeves and helmet. Some providers have a helmet you can use if you don't have one. a good resource also is http://motorcycles.about.com/ for some basic info. new bikes vs. used bikes: of course you get a warranty etc and know that nobody else trashed or abused the bike or it's systems but there are a lot of good used bikes out there where people thinking about it got a bike then decided it wasn't their cup of tea. Being a new rider make sure whatever you get you can touch flat footed on both sides while holding the bike upright sitting on the saddle. Insurance is not a lot, especially for used bikes Read a lot on the internet there are bunches of places to get basic info on bikes, and riding them. but again take the MSF course. Next. you may find, (i know a lot of people who have) that crotch rockets aren't real comfortable. you usually lean forward and a large portion of your upper body weight is placed on your hands, wrists and arms. so upper body strength and lower back condition may be a consideration. They do make sporty bikes that are "Cruisers" where you sit in a more upright, natural position. They can usually be dressed up with chrome and stuff to look good. I got back into riding a few years ago and bought a Yamaha vstar 650cc. I eventually bought a Honda goldwing for long trips but my wife now drives the 650. She is not a big girl at all but sits flat footed and holds the bike up just fine. its a good fit for her and she cruises along the freeways at 70 with the rest of us. Some may recommend a smaller 250cc bike but you won't want to drive it on the freeway, trust me. check out our club page at: http://www.dfwfreedomriders.org/... check out my own webpage at: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/adfw... a lot to think about. Huh? For a starter bike a 250cc is usually the best. I've heard the Ninja 250 can do just fine on the highway speed-wise, and is actually very comfortable for a sport bike. But like it's been said you'd be hard to spot on a pocket rocket. If you opt for a cruiser, check out the Yamaha Virago 250, or if you want more power for highway travel, check out the Honda Shadow VLX. (I don't know much about the Shadow, but it gets good mileage and looks nice. =P but I know Honda makes pretty reliable bikes) Either the ninja 250 or a vtr250 Honda. I would buy a used one. I bought a 88 vtr250 a few months ago for $500. You should be able to get a ninja for under a $1000 for a older one. Brand new $3000. The ninja 250 is the exactly the same 88 thru present, just the color changes. Take the msf course they provide you with a bike to ride, it may take you a couple times to pass, I've seen newbies struggle a little, but thats ok you're just getting your skills. Insurance for 250s is cheap. Make sure you wear your gear, skin rubs off really fast if you crash. I wear full leathers head to toe and a helmet. You can also wear cordura or some other protective clothing. There is a lot more riding gear for ladies recently. Good Luck! I have to agree with the aforementioned Ninja 250. Low seat height, not too powerful, Top speed of about 95 mph. I have to disagree with those who say you aren't as visible on a sportbike as you are on a cruiser. I would say that the opposite is true. A green or bright red Ninja is much more visible than a black cruiser. You also tend to be higher off the ground with a sport bike than with a cruiser. If you want something with a little more oomph than the 250 Look at the Ninja 650R. More power and a more up to date chassis. Get enrolled in the MSF too. Controlled training will help your confidence and insurance rates. http://www.kawasaki.com/products/detail.... |
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