I just finished a MSF course, and now I need a bike. I have a couple of questions about motorcycles in general. I'm only 19 (turning 20 this coming apr 16th!), "sheltered," and I'm a small asian girl (5'2", ~121 lbs). Some of these questions may be no-brainers for u guys, but I'm just confused so it'd be appreciated if u guys help me out :)
1. OK so I know larger engine=more power. Does this mean it also determines the range of gear-shifting on the bike? (ie. larger bike = higher mph on first gear, etc)
2. Is there a big difference between a 250 and a 500?
3. Is it harder to ride a sportbike vs. a cruiser? at the MSF course range, I practiced on a Suzuki 125 cruiser and it was a breeze.
3. This is a stupid Q, but do dealers lease bikes like they do cars? (probably not right) U would pay for the bike in monthly payments right?
4. What is the cheapest/best insurance co. for bikes?
5. Lastly, what 250s & 500s would you recommend for me (after all the info I gave u)?
Thanks =) 1. Not at all. Two bikes can have the same engine displacement (cc's, as its normally called) and yet have totally different gear ratios. A bike geared low is easier to accelerate and a bike geared high (tall) has smoother on-freeway cruising (in general). A bike geared "flat" is best for a beginner, in my opinion.
2. You're asking the wrong question.. For someone like you, a small, light woman (like me too, actually!), the weight of the bike and the seat height will matter a LOT more than the engine dispmacement. I have a 550cc bike, it was my first, and I had an easier time riding it than I did a friend's 250cc bike because mine weighed less and because when I sat on the bike, I could put both my feet flat on the ground. Wheras on his bike, I was on tip-toes, and had a harder time managing the bike because of that.
3. Probably, but instead of that, try finding a used bike. Dealers often have used bikes for sale, and they are a safe bet. Buying a used bike from another person can be done, but unless you yourself are, or you have a friend that is knowledgable about the mechanics, this is prtty risky.
4. It will depend a lot on your location. I have progressive ins. for my bikes, and farmers ins for my truck. A friend uses geico, but I've heard horror stories about them. State Farm is another good one. Though, because you are female, and have taken the MSF course, insurance should not cost much unless you buy a brand new bike, or even worse, a brand new sports bike.
5. Depends on what you want. I found my ideal in a kawakasi zephyr 550, but they are insanely rare and go for a lot of money when they are sold (cult classic, just about). If you like its feel, a honda rebel is a good start unless you mean to do a lot of freeway (it doesn't accelerate well enough for me to feel safe suggesting it for freeway use). Or, check out a maxi scooter like the suzuki burgeman or the honda reflex. A kawasaki gpz 550 might be a good bet. Or a suzuki gs500.
First, go to a local dealer and sit on all the smaller bikes, make a list of the ones you can sit comfortably on, with handlebars easily within reach, and with your feet on the ground. Also make note of how hard or easy it is to push the bike up off its side-stand. Make SURE you talk to a dealer sales person before sitting on any of the bikes, and let them know you are new! They'll show you how to do it safetly and without damaging any of the bikes.
Then, look up online the seat heights and weights of the bikes you felt comfortable on. Then, start looking up online what other bikes have that seat height and weight, and there you'll have your own custom list of bikes good for you :)
Might be a bit tedious and complicated, but its your life at stake here. And speaking of your life at stake, plan on spending as much, or more, on protective gear as on your motorcycle. At a minimum, armored pants, armored hacket, helmet, armored gloves, and sturdy full-leather boots that cover your entire ankle, or higher (work boots for construction people is what I started with, begore I got my daytonas)
If you need more help, or another little female biker to talk to, feel free to email me! I was once in your place, and I can't thank enough the person who helped me through the first year of learning to ride :) (snow_fires(at)yahoo(dot)com)
Good luck!! the bigger the motor the the more power and speed so a 250 cruiser will take you up to around 70mph were as a 600 cc sport bike will take you to 150 mph real quick, and sport bikes for a beginner the best one out is the Kawasaki Ninja 250cc plenty of power to have fun on, as for cruisers the Honda Rebel 250cc is a good one for someone starting out as well get a used bike if you can and don't get anything over a 600cc in cruisers as most of the modern sport bikes in this range are not for a beginner ,and I don't know if any company's lease motorcycles ,as far as insurance goes I have Foremost and pay $321.00 a yr ,insurance it goes up quite a bit if the bike is a sport bike another thing to keep in mind when your looking at bikes 1)i know on certian street bike it depends on the maker of the bike i also think that suzuki is the highest reving bike that they make from production,but one thing to look at is that the higher the bike revs the sooner that u might have to get your vales tighten
2)kinda there is a difference between the 250 and the 600 b/c of the accelaration the 600 will go alot faster and have alot more accelaration it really all depends on what u want
3)in my own opinion a sport bike is easier to ride b/c it handles alot better and is not a heavy
4)i know that here in virginia where i live they do not lease bikes out but you are able to but the bike and make monthly payments
5)where i live all state,and nationwide is good here,but a friend of mine hade a 2007 gsxr-600 and wrecked it and the insurance co. payed it off all except 1000 dollars of it witch he had to pay himself
6)i had a 250 honda vtr witch it was a good bike but i do belive that the 250 is a good starter bike for someone who has never rode a bike before but if you r experienced then i would go for a 600 b/c u have more power and accel > Does this mean it also determines the range of gear-shifting on the bike?
To some extent. Don't worry about it.
> 2. Is there a big difference between a 250 and a 500?
Yes. It's a difference in how fast you can accelerate to 65 mph.
> 3. Is it harder to ride a sportbike vs. a cruiser?
Depends on your sportbike and cruiser. Your sportbike will reward you with handling in the twisties. Your cruiser may be more comfortable for 300 mile trips, and not be "squirrely."
> 3. This is a stupid Q, but do dealers lease bikes like they do cars?
No. You buy them.
You can finance and make monthly payments, but the bike's yours, you don't turn it in at the end of a "lease period."
> 4. What is the cheapest/best insurance co. for bikes?
I use Progressive. $75/year, for minimum legal in California. Some people here use GEICO. Call both.
> 5. Lastly, what 250s & 500s would you recommend for me (after all the info I gave u)?
You're short. For your first bike, buy either a used Kawasaki Ninja 250 or a used Honda Rebel 250. After six months, sell it, and buy something bigger -- sit on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. The 600cc Honda Shadow VLX is a great first bike. It is easy to control and handle and had enough power for the freeway when you are ready for it.
Welcome to riding and have fun. 1. No
2. Yes
3. Yes, sportbikes are different riding style. (leaning forward, wrist positions, turning etc...)
3a. You can rent bikes.
4. Check Geiko.
5. Whatever you feel most comfortable on and that's not too heavy for you. That's most important. You NEED to start with something small. If you like sport bikes your only option (because of your height) is the Ninja 250 (unless you feel confident that you can handle a taller bike). You need to visit the dealership and try to sit on different bikes.
Questions:
1. Yes - for the most part, but not always.
2. Yes, no, maybe, depends.....500's are bigger physical size.
3. It's not harder, but sport bikes sit MUCH higher. That will be a problem for you because of your height (untill you've gained more experience.
3. (second #3....) I have never heard of motorcycle lease.
4. You need to call around different companies.
5. Ninja 250, Ninja 500 (both Kawasaki), Suzuki GS500F if you like sporty bikes. Or Honda Rebel 250 or Suzuki Savage 650 if you like cruisers. Other options are Honda Nighthawk 250, Suzuki GZ250, Kawasaki Vulcan 500, and Yamaha Virago 535 (only available used, since they stopped making them).
P.S. I'm a certified MSF instructor. |
