Ok, so I think I want to buy a motorcycle. A sportbike.
I'm hate driving my truck and the gas prices are only going to get worse. I'll keep my truck though too.
I'm looking to spend no more than $5,000. I think I can get something decent for that price.
I'm going to get my friend to help me out and come with me to look at them because he owns one and knows some things about them.
Insurance rates? (AAA member)
Good bikes? Bad bikes? Cheesy bikes?
What's good mileage?
What to look for when going over the bike?
Anything else?
What other advice/tips should I know of when buying one? Thanks. unless you are tall ...the ninja 250 is a great starter bike and gets 75 MPG or so. regardless of what bike you buy take the local motorcycle safety class. it is cheaper and hurts less than learning the hard way .....like I did I can't really help you on what to buy, but are you an experienced rider? That should be a very big part in your decision of what you buy. Alot of drivers in cars pay no attention to motorcycles, so if you don't have much riding experience take a riding course, this will also help you get lower insurance rates. Good luck and ride safe!! Ok since your asking this question im assuming you are inexperienced which here is your important decision. Most bike get good gas milage so you wont need to worry abou that. On a 600 your looking at about 35-40mpg. Insurance rates vary greatly on where you live, how old you are, male, female, single, married, owning house, etc so i could not answer that. My insurance is pa was 350 a year. Now in sc its 734 a year with same coverage. I would definately suggest that you start out on something small. 5000 will be plenty for a used small bike. The ninja 250 is about as beginning as you can get. It struggles around 85 to do any higher. It is a perfect learner bike. I assumer you can pick one up in the 2000-2005 range for $1500-$3500. I also would look at the sv650 or maybe a ninja 500 if your comfortable riding one. bring someone mechanically inclined with you to look at a used bike. Just to check for leaks frame fractures abnormal noises etc.... Also buy during winter months as prices drop considerably. Invest in some safe riding gear. ex. - good helmet hjc brand will do, jacket and gloves. motorcycle safety course might be in your best interest as well if you would like. the only bad bike is one that is wrecked. Remember if you get something powerfull you will wreck it. i assure you. Be safe and good luck. 1. TAKE A MSF RIDERS COURSE.
2. Dont buy anything more than a 600cc bike to start.
3. Mileage is important (aim for less than 10k). But CONDITION is much more important. You want a CLEAN bike (no sign of major accidents). No evidence of misuse. Looks well maintained. Look for signs of oil leakage. Check chassis alignment. Definately carry an experienced rider or motorbike mechanic with you if you don't know how to do this.
4. Be aware of any after-market modifications (although they may not be 'bad' per sey). Some changes can affect reliability of your bike, and can add a few steps to maintainance or operation that wont be in your manual. You could also find yourself stuck with more expensive replacement costs if some of these parts are damaged.
5. If the bike is in good condition, HONDA, YAMAHA SUZUKI or KAWASAKI will all give you a good experience. Its not a bad idea to go with styling that matches YOUR personality! Feel out the rider position and see if it feels comfortable for you. Buying a Sportbike isnt really a business decision, so express yourself a bit. Ok I have triple AAA also but I have been riding more than 3 years so my rates are really good.
It helps when they ask you how long have you been riding to be able to say 3 years.
Here in a checklist format are the fastest steps to get your new bike and license. But first to answer your question, for that money get a Suzuki SV used.
Here are the steps you must do in this order to get your bike and license.
Step 1. Go to dmv and take the WRITTEN TEST only for your motorcycle license. Once you pass that you are now allowed to ride except on freeways and after dark. So you can practice right away in safe area. They even let you ride.
You need 2 things, not one, to ride all the time. The written test passed and a driving test past.
DO not make the mistake of signing up for the dmv driving test as most people fail it. Instead pay the money and go to the MSF school and by doing this you are legally allowed to BYPASS and SKIP the dmv riding test.
Instead the msf school will teach you and test you and give you even more one try to pass the test. You will pass it. When I went to the msf (type in msf motorcycle school on the internet to find it) class only 1 person failed and it was a girl who wasn't paying attention but the rest of us about 20 of us passed.
Now...once you pass the msf school (about 3 days long) you get a CERTIFICATE you then carry down to the dmv and you say 'Gimme my license' and you show that to them.
Now your drivers license will have a special designation on it saying you can drive whereever and whenever you want. Your insurance is also going to require that.
Now if you have ever trusted someone trust what I am about to tell you or you will kick yourself later.
When riding a bike the worst enemy a biker hates, and they hate hate hate it...is wind.
The lighter the bike the worst the wind blows you around
The heavier the bike the less the wind blows you around
So the dilemna is this. For a new rider they should not start with a bike over 400 lbs and most bikes like the Ninja 250 or the Suzuki sv I suggested arer around 350 so they are light and nimble and excellent on the streets.
However when you get on the freeway you then wish you had a heavier bike like the Suzuki Katana which weighs in at 500 lbs.
Now there are some things you can do to help cut down on the wind with lighter bikes. For example on the suzuki sv you'll see some have fairings (the plastic around it that makes it more aerodynamic) and some do not. You can find one with full fairings and good windshield for what you want to spend.
If you wan't to save money and get something mainly for the streets then the Kawasaki Ninja 500 is an awesome bike and a great bargain.
All bikes will have awesome gas mileage and especially if you don't mind staying off the freeways.
So there are two answers here.
If you are rarely going to go on freeways then the 2008 Ninja 250 is the best bet. It has the best gas mileage of any bike. See link below this thing is hot looking.
If you are going to go freeways DO NOT get less than a 500 or 600cc bike. It feels safer and less dangerous.
You are correct that you can get something at a decent price but all in all I would rather get a used Suzuki sv than a new more expensive 250 Ninja.
I'll put 2 links below one with the sv and one with the new ninja. SPORT BIKE INSURANCE RATES GO UP! CRUISER DOWN. FOR 5K U CAN GET A GOOD JAP BIKE Criteria:
What fits your body best
What you like
What you can afford If you already know and understand how to drive a manual transmission, it helps learning a motorcycle because it's one less thing you have to focus on when learning. If you can practice discipline and restraint when riding, you may be fine. It's not all fun and games on a sportbike. Even if you ride perfect you need to know how to react when other cars and bikes and trucks don't drive so perfect. That comes from building new instincts and reflexes, and driving habits.
When I ride on the highway, I assume that every car I pass or that passes me, doesn't see me and is looking to come into my lane. I'm ready for any move that car makes half a second before he makes it.
You have to learn aerodynamics. If you get to close behind a rig, the wind can trap you there. When you pass along side of a rig the wind will pull you closer to the truck at one point and push you away at another. You have to learn all this and have counter balence and movements programmed into your body reflexes. You need lots of practice.
People recommend smaller CC bikes for beginners because most newbies are into it for the speed and flashiness of it and often underestimate the seriousness of riding safe. The temptation to tap into that power is usually too great to overcome. If you know you can and will respect the bike and get at least 3 thousand miles of practice before hitting the highway, and before group rides, then maybe you can start on a 600cc bike. Otherwise, help yourself out and start small. | 