VeeshanVault

I'm considering buying a cheap motorcycle.

Here is your chance to sway my decision.

I'm pretty set on a Kawasaki Ninja 250R....yes it's small, but it still goes 0-60 in about 5.7 secs, and top speed is reported between 100-135 depending on what fan group I go to.

That seems plenty fast to me. I mean it's like V8 sports car acceleration to 60....and the top end speed is higher then I'd want to go on a tiny little bike, and definately above the posted speed limit.

I just want something to tool around in (pun intended). Just like to go to the gym, or park etc...I work from home, and I have a car for errands/winter/rain and such...just always wanted a bike.

I can get one of these for around...$2,800 new. Yes, that's pretty cheap...but they get great reviews and judging from the acceleration and top speed, I'd say it's probably enough bike for a pussy like myself.

I hear as a part time vehicle liability insurance is cheap...like $100/yr.

Main concerns are like helmet-head, bugs in the teeth, sudden rain storms, inability to stop and get a gallon of milk, where to put the damn helmet when I'm at the park......is there anything else you would like to add?

I would say go for a road bike as opposed to a crotch rocket... although I am not into the whole bike thing since my friend lost his leg below the knee due to some dumbass in a minivan/suv last year.

Practice. Don't buy a new shining bike right off the bat. Find a parking lot and drive in circles and figure 8s til you get turning down. Lay your bike down at a low speed and learn how to land. Wear a helmet and leathers if you like your skull and skin. That is all.

Toshira wrote:Practice. Don't buy a new shining bike right off the bat. Find a parking lot and drive in circles and figure 8s til you get turning down. Lay your bike down at a low speed and learn how to land. Wear a helmet and leathers if you like your skull and skin. That is all.

Yep, first rain storm or two you're going to lay it down. No point in messing up something new. Crotch rockets aren't the best thing in the world to learn on regardless.

Get an older 500-750cc cruiser of some sort. They're cheap to buy, parts are cheap and most are super stable.

Jeans, boots/high tops and a helmet are a must. Jean jacket (or better) also, unless you like picking gravel out of your elbows/knees for the next 10 years.

The AMA mototcycle safety courses aren't bad, I learned a bit when I had to take one after ~10 years riding. Watching the guys on crotch rockets try to make it through the low speed/parking lot type course was hilarious. They look neat, but (most) aren't that good for day to day riding.

<- used to ride a bit when I still had one..

One thing learn to ride what you buy before going out on the open road
Like Toshira and Aabadino said get something older or even better, something that won't hurt the pocket to much wihle getting used to that style of bike you want .. you may find out its the wrong style for you...crotch rocket as opposed to crusier style.

Aabidano wrote:

Watching the guys on crotch rockets try to make it through the low speed/parking lot type course was hilarious. They look neat, but (most) aren't that good for day to day riding.

Denim jackets are good ... Leather is better....Here it tends to be Dri-rider jackets or leather mostly.

Fast isn't always the best either especially if it can be prone to mechanical problems or at worst uncomfortable to ride for those trips that get a little longer than intended. As for the 'gallon of milk'... backpack time.[/quote]

I don't think I'm a motorcycle kinda guy, but I did have a moped when I was 14 and I loved that thing. It was a red Spree. I was the coolest kid ever!

Workign on motorcycles is a hobby of mine although I suck at it.

If you are just learning to ride, I would stay under 500cc. The bike I learned on is a 1981 Honda CM200 Twinstar. Very small bike with only a top speed of about 70 MPH. This is a tool around town bike but it is so light that if you take spill you won't need three guys to lift it back up. It also sits really low so you can drop your feet easy. It is a great bike to learn on and they are usually pretty cheap (<$1000) if you can find one.

I am currently working on a 1973 Honda 500 Four that I will be upgrading to once I can get the damn thing running again. It is a bit heavier but has a lot of power and sits low for easy handling. It also isn't too heavy for one person to pick up. Great thing about these bikes is if you live in a city then they can usually be had for less than a $1000.

Deward

I strongly recommend one of these! With a new set of Leathers! You will be the talk of the biking community

Pils,


What part of the country do you live in? There are, erm, environmental factors to consider. Bugs in the teeth are one thing. A junebug going through a faceplate at 60 miles per hour and loosening teeth is something else entirely.


I used to ride quite a bit. Not for image, but because I am the cheapest bastard you ever met, and bikes are the cheapest form of motorized transportation around.

You will love the bugs around here on summer nights Pils. I bought a small Suzuki cruiser last year. Went with the 250 because I found a great deal and was able to pay 2000 cash and had a brand new bike. The good thing about the cruisers is that you can slap saddle bags on it and carry all the little things from the store. Even the 250s have plenty of speed and power unless you intend to get crazy. It will hold me over at least until I get this wedding over with and can get my Harley.

With the helmet, some bikes actually have a small metal clip that sticks out under the seat a bit that you can hook the metal clip of the helmet to. This will prevent it from being stolen (mostly...they could just slice the damn thing off). I never ride if I think there is a chance it is going to rain. Too damn much oil and junk that mixes with the water and will definitely put your ass down. As for "helmet-head", I have found that shaving your head pretty much prevents that. If you are really worried about it, stick a hat in the bags or whatever storage your bike will have.

Hehe, a Ninja 250 is a little girls bike.

Seriously, getting a baby crotch rocket is a bad idea for your first bike.
I'd recommend a used 500-750cc 'street' bike.

I grew up on a motorcycle, I raced trials and motocross when I was 10.
My first street bike was a beat up old Yamaha RD350.
I rode that that for 2 summers before I bought a 'new' bike.

I have a lot of fond memories of my RZ500 (mmm 2 stroke)




I see too many idiots on crotch rockets.
You can tell when people just bought a bike because they thought it was 'cool'. Other bikers laugh at people riding 250cc crotch rockets.

You should absolutely, positively take a course when you get your motorcycle license. Driving a bike on the street is a lot different from driving a car... you're not surrounded by ton of steel.
At the very least, you should always wear long pants and long sleeve shirt with a jacket (ideally you should wear leathers).


You're getting a lot of good advice here.
Just pick up a used cruiser/street bike... the money you save can get you some good leathers and pay for a good course.

When purchasing a motorcycle, don't look at crap like 0-60 times and top speed. Take the bike out for a test ride and find one that has a comfortable seating position (very important), handles well and fits your budget. As others mentioned, get a used bike for your first... you'd be stupid to buy new because you're gonna drop it.

I have a friend who just purchased a "crotch rocket". He is 6'5 300lb guy. Mistake for him imo. I think he looks silly on it.

As for you Pils, go with what you want None of us are spending the cash. If this is your first bike purchase a slightly used one might be the ticket to get a good feel for it. Plus, you dont want to lay out 3k on something you havent fully tried out, right? Might not be the power or size you want.

Do what you want Pils. I got a new 250R about 4 years ago to learn on and it suited me just fine (6ft 190lbs.) I've never dropped it or layed it down either, contrary to popular belief you always drop/lay down your first bike. It's not a crotch rocket in terms of power.. it just kinda looks like one.

It's got plenty of power for putting around town on, interstate is kinda scary on one though.

Take the msf course, and just get something your happy with. Steer clear of the 600 - liter class sport bikes for a first time out... cause you will probably kill yourself.

Zeep

If you plan to ride very far the crotch rocket is as uncomfortable as it gets, for me more then 50 miles or so hurts like hell.

Dont forget to put this on your car.

.) I've never dropped it or layed it down either, contrary to popular belief you always drop/lay down your first bike.

Maybe not, but if someone mentions 0-60 times, top speeds and the word 'Ninja' when talking about buying their first bike, the warning signs are easy to spot. The Ninja is tuned for performance and while it is easy to ride, it's not very practical.


If I was to make a serious recommendation for a new bike, I would probably go with a Virago 250. They are practical, bulletproof and stable at speed.... you can also bring along a friend. If you can find a used Virago 535, I'd recommend that as well.

I'm 5' 10", and 185 lbs. for perspective.

My first "learner" bike was a 1981 Yamaha 650 Special. CHEAP. SLow. Twin cylinder 4 stroke. Shook to beat hell at idle, easy to manuver. Pretty damn comfortable. 45 MPG @ 65 MPH.

My Second bike was a 1981 Kawasaki 550 GPz. OMFG! Gettin on this was like strappin into a Top Fuel Dragster compared to the Yamaha ! Much better gas mileage, Insanely better performance. Not too comfortable for long trips. 45 minutes of riding and I was ready to get off. 65 MPG @ 65 MPH.

3rd bike was a new 1993-94 Kawasaki ZX11 ! THe Biggest, Baddest, Fastest production machine on the PLANET (at that time) ! It made my GPz feel like a moped. I was too scared to ever really crank it up to anywhere near it's full potential. Surprisingly comfortable. Regular trips from San Antonio to Dallas/Denton were common, and I was not exhausted or in pain when I got there. Mileage? No clue... don't recall. Decent though. *** It was stolen from my apartment complex and never recovered.***

Last bike was a 1982 Honda V65 Magna. Heaven! Very damn comfortable for long trips from SA to DFW. Handled almost as well as either of the Kawasaki's, Awesome performance, very smooth shaft drive. This was the bike that had me cruising all over the Tesas Hill Country -- I could spend 12 hours on this thing. 60 MPG at 75 MPH.

My only advice is that you buy something that you are comfortable riding. A low center of gravity will make a profound differance in regards to how "tired" the bike makes you after a ride.

Also, another thing to consider is that used motorcycles are notorious for being neglected in regards to regular scheduled service. Bike shops charge an arm and a leg, and a lot of people will ride the wheels off of a bike rather than taking it in and having the valves adjusted etc.

In the long run, it's all up to you... Buy something you will be comfortable on.

Edit spelling

I see some people suggesting to stay under 500cc and others sayign to get 600+cc...the 250R is just that..it's about 250cc, it's like the smallest bike out there.....like the one guy said other bikers will laugh at me...I fully expect that....I don't care tho.

I'm not too concerned witht he 0-60 speeds or the top speed, I only listed those because I thought someone would go "250cc? that's like a moped" and I wanted to make sure that wasn't a question.

OMG Zeep! Hi!
So you like your 250R? How many miles you have on it?


And I'm a beginner and this is my first real motorcycle....but when I was a kid I had a lot of practice on a dirt bike...which granted is different then a crotch rocket, but it probably weighed the same since this puppy only weighs 300lbs or so dry...which counters the point about needing 3 people to help lift it up...I can lift 300 fine by myself....some of the exercises I do I put 300lbs on the bar...and that's lifting it, I'm not pickign the bike up, just tilting it so it will only be like lifting 150lbs because I will have the tires as a fulcrum.

I'm not going to drive it in the rain (chances are if it looks overcast I won't drive it, and 2 of my 4 typical destinations I would use it for would give me a ride home), and I have enough experience here I doubt I'll lay it down on dry roads.

As far as uncomfortable at 50+ mile drives....I think the longest drive I plan on is maybe 15 miles each way....with a couple hours in-between. Like I said to the park (2 miles), gym (8 miles), maybe my dad's house (4 miles), or claritins (12 miles).

I'm not buying this bike to "look cool" if I was I'd get a bigger bike or just buy a new car...my car is shitty...I'm considering a bike because I like bikes....I hate harleys and such tho, I like crotch rocket styling.

Think of it like you would a ATV, this isn't practical, it's not for safety.....it's for a little bit of fun. A toy.

Off topic: You know that girl I said wouldn't keep her hands off me even when I said no? Ya she's moving in next door now. I found out after I started this thread. She won't share a wall with me but from what I heard, her backyard will touch mine...she can definately see my house from her window. She broke up with her fiancee, and she has been trying to get ahold of my phone number via my brother and my friends...but they say they don't have it on them. fun fun. Potential stalker material.

My first one was a '68(I think) 85cc Honda, got it as a frame and 3 grocery bags of parts for ~$15

I've ridden just about everything you can think of at one time or another, cruiser/"generic" mototcylces are the only ones comfortable enough for long rides/general transportation IMO. If it's not comfortable and you have alternatives, it will just sit in the garage.

Anything under 400cc is really going to suck with a passenger. There's just not enough power there, especially at 45+. Decent for a single person though.

I've had some bikes up through the years, but haven't for the last 4 or so. Am a bit out of date on the newest bikes out but here goes anyway.

A few things to consider:
- How tall/heavy are you?
- What kind of driving will you be doing?
- Where do you live?
- What do YOU want?

I am 6'1 and 185 or so and I've always prefered "crotch rockets" to touring bikes. I sit more comfortable on them with better weight distribution. I am way more relaxed after a long drive on a sports bike than a Virago style bike for example, also because of how the wind pressure is handled.

The 250 Ninja isn't a bad bike if you plan to drive mostly short trips aroudn the neighboorhood. I considered it as a "campus bike" back then, but decided against it because I needed it to make some long rides (from San Antonio to Dallas etc). The 250 Ninja is NOT a real good highway/interstate bike because it frankly lacks the power.

Bottom line is: Test drive it. I like the idea of buying a slightly used bike since it is your first. Personally I am looking into a GSX-R 750 right now. Oh and btw: Harley's suck, you pay so much for the name it isn't even funny. They spend more time in the shop than on the road.

Why not buy a used bike for much less and see how you like it first? The papers are usaly full of motor cycles that are for sale cause someone can not afford it or has lost interest in bikeing. Some really good deals out there and it may not be flashy but it gets you started with out a commitment you may regret later.

IMO

If you buy a 250 you will want a new bigger bike in 3 months tops, just not enough power.

Kelshara wrote:A few things to consider:
- How tall/heavy are you?
- What kind of driving will you be doing?
- Where do you live?
- What do YOU want?

5'11" or 5'10" somethign like that..170lbs ATM but I fluctuate 165-190....My goal is to hit 165 now that I go to the gym but then add some more muscle and get back to maybe 185.

Mainly short trips gym, park, dad, brothers..all local but mostly 45-55mph zones...not interstate tho.

Cincinatti airport area...which is actually not in ohio, it's in kentucky. I live in a surburb type location, not rural or big city.

Crotch rocket...that's what I want, not necessarily fast, just I like the look...my car is a 96 sunfire it's not fast or flashy, but I liked it and it treated me well the last 7 years, has the power I need, and it wasn't ugly...my bike doesn't have to be fast or flashy either, but I have to like it.

Also to Oreck, I don't think the 250 is going to be all that light in power, the 0-60 and top speed ratings seem powerful enough....if my sunfire keeps me happy powerwise as a car....then this bike might keep me happy also. If you knew me better then you would know why I am actually avoiding a fast bike.....I have issues when it comes to engine size, if I paid for the extra power...I'm going to use it. And that's dangerous....

I mean seriously....3 months after I bought my sinfire I had to take it to the shop to get it repaired and they put a regulator on it....because I melted parts from driving 120 MPH+ for several hours straight in pennsyvania. Now it caps at 105 MPH....and in a way I am thankful for that. Recently I have slowed down and I try not to go over 90 MPH....but I am always real tempted.

Buying a fast bike would just tempt me to show off like an asshole and drive 150MPH down the HWY like a nut job or try to do wheelies....it's sick but I cant control myself when I have that kind of temptation.

Smaller is probably better in my case.

Pils,

Unlike the majority of VV'ers I know you.

First, to get a license you have to do a course, to do the course on a crotchrocket is a hassle, and you should make two priorities when picking your first street legal bike.

1. Cost
2. Comfort

Get a simple street bike, like a gimpy junk low end Honda/Kal/Suz etc. Then 3 years down the road, when you have put in 10k or so miles and have a good feel, buy the UltraPlatinumUberPenisEnhancerLeetNinja 3003003.

Or you will regret it.... simply put, you will and I promise you, you will regret it.

Hehe that ninja is cost effective...$2,700 NEW.....comfort isn't an issue because the rides are so short.

You like to drive fast?

Have you ever been on a mini crotch rocket at high speeds?
Those things are twitchy as fuck over 50-60 mph.

My old RZ500 was a heavy bike (450) and it's wheelbase was about 2" more than a 250 ninja (weight + wheelbase = stability).... and anything over 100 mph was twitchy... The fastest I ever had the thing was 140 mph and it was totally fucking scary.


If you drive a sunfire 120+ you'd probably be inclined to drive a bike to it's limit as well... quite simply baby crotch rockets are not the safest or most stable bikes at highway speeds.

I've known a few people who wanted to buy a 'racing' bike for the exact same reasons you do. Both of them thanked me when I talked them into checking out street bikes.

I enjoy motorcycles...but I really hate the asses who do 100+ down the freeway. Last group of these morons I saw were doing wheelstands at 90+ down I-85 in Atlanta at 11 o'clock at night. Was just waiting for one of them to wipe and get run over by the traffic.

Crotch rockets look cool...I'll admit. But give me a street bike anyday.

Miir, I said I don't do that anymore, but I'm tempted to at times and a fast bike would just tempt me more...because if I pay for a 600cc engine...I paid for that power and to not use all of it would be silly.

It's like buying a super fast sports car.....your never going to use all that engine in viper, corvette, etc.....it's not safe, other cars are in the way, and it's illegal.

But if you buy one of those cars, your more tempted to hit the pedal harder.

You didn't see me speeding in my step-moms van much...because when I got it past 80 the damn thing would feel like I was going to lose control. I like speed, I try not to anymore, but i'm definately not careless....if it feels twitchy at 50mph then I probably won't be going 80mph.

Besides I don't plan on hitting the HWY on this...so with the stop lights and such hitting even 70 MPH is going to be hard. Because although I said it can do 0-60 in 5.7 or so secs....I assume unlike a car...on a bike that's going to be a very scary experience when the front end trys to come way up and the tires get squirrley.

I'd rather lay a 300lb bike down at 50MPH then a 400lb bike down at 80MPH.

You think because you talked me into a larger engine bike that's more stable at high speeds it's going to stop me from speeding? I'd say the opposite....just makes the crash results more devastating.

Can't really do power wheelies on the 250... it's pretty tame. You don't have to worry too much about it getting squirly under hard acceleration. Sounds like you made up your mind already Pils.. From my experience, the 250R was a fine route to go for a first timer. If you have your heart set on it, it's not a bad little bike.

I've had no problems in 10k miles with mine except for a snapped clutch cable I replaced myself for 40 bucks I think. Rides over 45min or so get sorta uncomfortable, but it dosen't sound like you'll be doing much of that...

PM me if you have specific questions on it, or theres a website around somewhere with a board and faq etc just for the 250R... google should dig it up pretty quick (they are all pretty biased there tho heh...)

After a few years.. I do want something larger now, but I just don't ride enough for the wife to let me drop 10k on a new sportbike to toodle around town on... bleh...

Zeep