Thinking of getting my first motorcycle

Kyon` · #1 06-20-2008, 02:11 PM

With rising gas prices and my old 80s Honda ready to tip over I'm thinking about getting a motorcycle. I use to ride dirt bikes as a kid and am not too rusty I'd hope. Been at least a decade. Not anything too powerful, especially not a Harley, I just don't have the cash. Really I'm looking for some type of commuter small bike, probably something like a Kawasaki Ninja which is the only bike I've ever rode on the streets. I actually really liked it and felt comfortable to ride. Anyone have any tips on what to look for, what I need for basic street commuting, maybe a Sunday ride with my girlfriend? I'm probably going to buy used and I'm just not too informed. I also would probably like to stick around 250cc.

RWP · #2 06-20-2008, 03:34 PM

Go bigger than 250CC. Especially if you want to bring a passenger. Not sure what it out there these days but look into at least 650. You need power on the roads to be safe.

iamlowsound · #3 06-20-2008, 04:12 PM

How big are you/your gf? If you are both small a 250 will be fine. A ninja 500 would be good as well. Do not get a 600+ cc sport bike, get a few years under your belt first. Take the course. Also, the ninja 250 is the only 250 worth spending money on.

lowsound

ulrich · #4 06-20-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

How big are you/your gf? If you are both small a 250 will be fine. A ninja 500 would be good as well. Do not get a 600+ cc sport bike, get a few years under your belt first. Take the course. Also, the ninja 250 is the only 250 worth spending money on.

lowsound

+1

NJL · #5 06-20-2008, 04:44 PM

+1 and i'm another speaking from experience, the ninja 250 has power and they are inexpensive on craigslist or ebay.

bout to hit 13000 miles on this bike...it's my daily commuter....

Philbiker · #6 06-20-2008, 05:53 PM

Go to www.msf.org and find the nearest MSF course. Take it as a refresher, you'll probably get the license endorsement you need from that if you don't already have it. Then find a good motorcycle forum online and read there. I recommend www.sportbikes.net and www.sport-touring.net. Ignore the knuckleheads. Get padded armored gear head to toe. Ninja 500 is nice. Ninja 250 is very popular with new and re-entry riders like yourself, though the new ones are impossible to find. Kawasaki just restyled and re-engineered the baby Ninja and VASTY underestimated deman.

iamlowsound · #7 06-20-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Go to www.msf.org and find the nearest MSF course. Take it as a refresher, you'll probably get the license endorsement you need from that if you don't already have it. Then find a good motorcycle forum online and read there. I recommend www.sportbikes.net and www.sport-touring.net. Ignore the knuckleheads. Get padded armored gear head to toe. Ninja 500 is nice. Ninja 250 is very popular with new and re-entry riders like yourself, though the new ones are impossible to find. Kawasaki just restyled and re-engineered the baby Ninja and VASTY underestimated deman.

I had a 1995 250 and a friend of mine has the new 2008 250. Lets just say that the new one is faster, has better acceleration, better brakes, better tires and handles much better. Not to mention that they look a bunch nicer. There is a reason no one can keep them in stock.

lowsound

JonathanD · #8 06-21-2008, 07:14 AM

I was also thinking of getting a bike. Then I hear about the guy that did my lsat tattoo the day after he did it. His kickstand came down on his bike, caught the ground, put his head in the curb, twisted his brain in his head.

He woke up 2 days later screaming and pulling the IVs out of his arms adn the breathing tube from his throat. His CT scan was last night.
I hope he is ok.

Wear a helmet even if your going 2 blocks.
Wear your leathers.
Don't be the guy in the hospital.
Don't be the guy with a helmet on the back of his bike as he rides.

Kyon` · #9 06-21-2008, 11:22 AM

Hm, I'm probably going to sign up for a MSF course. And yeah I'm going shopping today for a bike and needed materials for myself and girlfriend, probably only the wear. Full decked out protection is a must for me, I'm a wimp.

kasanovakarl · #10 06-21-2008, 11:59 AM

I'm going to do the same. I just got my permit today. Good luck with your journey.

flakeh · #11 06-21-2008, 03:37 PM

Get a 250 as your first bike. Don't got much bigger, Trust me, you can't handle anything much bigger. I ride a 250 now and can hit 140k/mh on it, trust me, thats enough speed. I can hit 100km/h with a passenger aswell.

Get full leathers, yadda yadda yadda. I won't tell yah how to ride the damn thing.

FL Knifemaker · #12 06-21-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonathanD

I was also thinking of getting a bike. Then I hear about the guy that did my lsat tattoo the day after he did it. His kickstand came down on his bike, caught the ground, put his head in the curb, twisted his brain in his head.

Damn!! That's freakish!!! Prayers for him being OK. I had my Dads old Goldwing fall over on me while my back was turned away from it. That episode could have been much worse

I got doubled over, face in the floor between my legs but no serious damage

I'm glad Dad was there to pull it off. He really felt bad.......for about 5 minutes