Hey guys, Have always been infatuated with bikes but have absolutely no experience with them, never driven or ridden on one- seems to be the least expensive way to have alot of fun... A few quick questions: 1. What would be a good beginner bike -- take into account I know absolutely nothing about ridding. 2. How bad is insurance (19yr old male) 3. Cost per year (maintenance and whatnot)? Thank you all very much, any and all input is much appreciated. -Kenny
Well, if your into sport bikes. A CBR600 is a good beginner bike. It's small enough for a first time rider, and has enough power to not get bored with it for a good while. I recommed sport bikes because they're actually safer than street bikes. They handle better, stop faster, and have power to get out of bad situations. They're also lighter, and are much safer in wet weather then regular street bikes. Sport Bikes get a bad rap because people don't respect the power these bikes have, and they get cocky, and all of a sudden they've lost control and have slid underneath an 18 wheeler, or have been thrown into a garage door after they've hit a parked car on a residential street doing 80mph. Insurance isn't bad. I recommend buying a used bike, and just get basic insurance. Maintenance is pretty cheap for the performance that you are getting. A CBR 600 is a good bike and is pretty reliable. The one thing I hate about motorcycles is dealing with the service centers. It's hard to find one you can trust.
Get yourself a twin, in the 600s, with a nice riding position. Like a Suzuki SV650, for example. Stay away from the racers, they do not forgive the slightest error. Don't know in your area, but for me, a 600 costs a lot less in insurance. If you get a new bike, maintenance will be very reasonable. Depending on your riding, though, you might have to change tires, brake pads and chain. A couple oil changes (engine, front forks and shock). IMO, you should only have to change what you break if you fall though.
How tall are you? How much do you weight? Step 1: Take the MSF Step 2: Buy proper gear Step 3: Look for some bikes that fit your body and that you are comfortable riding. My advice usually is to start with a dual sport. They are fast enough, light, built to handle falls and are much easier to ride in trafic than sport bikes. Ron.
I agree with zorro for the sv650 as well as jimangle on the cbr 600. Both are great bikes. You're young so full coverage will probably be pretty expensive. I'm 27 and full on my '04 zx6r 636 was quoted at 3,000+ so I just have liability. It also depends on your previous driving record. Definitely invest in the proper gear. I don't go anywhere without full leathers/boots/gloves. Remember...don't go for the cheapest helmet...you don't have a $100 head. Maintenance isn't bad...but that depends on the year and condition of the bike. New bikes will need basic maintenance...oil changes etc...plus tires. Take the MSF course.
Oh yeah, about helmets ... SNELL > DOT, hence snell is more recomended. BTW, I hate the styling of the SV650 (but think it's a great semi-sport bike), and am looking towards SuperMoto (ya know, putting street wheels on enduro bikes) for a first road bike (only been an offroader right now). Great agility, very instinctive, not too fast ... great.
Ron gave you some very good advice about taking a riding course: The information youll learn will invaluable. Small things like not riding in the middle of your lane (because thats where the Buick dropped all its oil) and never being first out of the gate at a traffic light (because the guy running the red light will hammer you) are the sort of things that are best learned from the errors of others. As for what sort of bike, well, buy what you want to ride. Modern machines are all so good its hard to go wrong, though in my opinion Honda has the best build quality of them all. Good luck, and dont forget at the end of the day you are buying into a vehicle that will want to fall over when its not even moving! Kram
First off I would tell you to take lessons or highly recommend taking the MSF course. And this will be a great way to see if you actually like riding bikes, cause I know people whom got scared after there first lesson. 1. Anything under 600cc, and stay away from 1996+ 600cc bikes they have loads of horsepower and very hard for a newbie to control. I'd recommend a Suzuki gs500, Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 500, Yamaha Virago 535. 2. When I started riding I was 20, have no accidents or tickets and was paying almost $200/month for a 1999 Suzuki Katana 600. 3. Not really a whole lot depends on how many miles you plan on riding. Just oil changes, tires (depends on your riding style), figure about $200-$400 a year depending on the bike some more some less. Hope that helps. I've been riding for over 5 years, just take it easy at first. It is a awesome experience. I just sold my bike last month cause we just bought a house. But soon I plan on getting another one. Good lucks
COUJER is right on the Money, I took a MSF course in Florida that was taught by off duty motorcycle cops.........suprising what they ride, one ride a honda goldwing and swears by it, say that he will never buy another bike without ABS brakes on it, the other a BUEL.......cost was $140 for two days well worth it cause they give you a certificate so that you can get your motorcycle licence as well without doind the dmv test......show you how to swerve, skid the rear tire, 90 degree turns without stoppinf all the good stuff...highly recommend it.............they also emphasize gear which is critical, no short, or t-shirts, helmet also, even in a state like Florida that does not require one....................P.S. the lady that petitioned to change the helmet law in Florida in 2000 and succeed, died shortly after for not wearing a helmet............
I also recommend a motorcycle safety course, but remember, that's just teaching you how to rid a motorcycle. It's not teaching you what to look out for when you're riding in the real world. The MSF course is basic motorcycle control, braking, turning, etc.... Maybe take a defensive driving course as well.
Kenny: I only started riding three years ago, at the age of 46. In some ways, my maturity was a blessing, because i had, and still have, a healthy fear of what can happen on a motorcycle. I took the MSF course, and while i agree that it is a neccessary requirement, it is, as jimangle said, not a sufficient condition to become a rider. More later. I started on a Ducati Monster, handles well, light and maneuverable.
1. If you know nothing at all about bikes a rider safety course should be strongly considered. Check with your insurance company to see if you might get a discount for taking the course as well. 2. Without knowing your location, driving record, bike model, etc, it is impossible to say how expensive your insurance will actually be. Safe to say that for full-coverage on a 19y.o. in a major city it is not going to be cheap. 3. DOT vs. Snell. While Snell is a higher standard, any helmet will protect your brain about 1000% better than just your skull. Both DOT and Snell helmets will be very good. Buy one that you will be proud of and actually use (assuming your state does not have helmet laws). make sure to get yourself a jacket and gloves as well. Even falling at 10mph can make your hands look like hamburger. 4. For a first bike, avoid anything with full bodywork. Assume you will crash it because you probably will. Just falling over in the parking lot could cost you $1000 or more in plastic. My letter to Andrew Trevitt is published in Sport Rider this month. In his previous column he basically said that a 1000cc bike is too big, but something like an R6 would be perfect for a beginner and then spouted the reasons why. He missed the point that anything named CBR, YZF, or GSXR is probably not suitable for a new rider, much less so when novice riders read moronic columns about how easy a 600 supersport is to ride. Everyone of the Jap sportbikes made have more than enough power to get a beginner in fatal trouble. So what to pick for a first bike? I would second a twin like a Suzuki SV650 if you had to have new. But a better solution may be to get an old bike worth only $1500-2000 and learn to ride on that instead. Something like a Suzuki GS500 or Kawa EX500. Only keep liability insurance (to save money) and learn to ride for a summer. You will lose much less in trade when you move up, and might not worry so much about every ding that you almost assuredly will put in it.
I am 6'1'' - when I started I was older than you and I was not comfortable for long rides on my first bike - an EX500 (old Ninja 500). It is (along with the GS500 and Ninja 250) among the best "first" street bikes - but somehow my wrists got numb after about an hour of riding. Some people do not have these issues - others do. At 6'' - I would suggest something like a DR650, XR650L, old NX650 (if you can find one) dual sport - you sit up, there is a lot of space, they are light, if they fall - usually nothing happens. Another option is the KLR650 - good bike - but tends to be a bit top heavy because of the huge gas tank. If you have more money to spend - the BMW F650 is maybe the best "road oriented" new dual sport available (sort of a new incarnation of the old Honda NX650). If you are comfortable on smaller (physically) bikes - the mentioned small Ninjas or GS500 are good. If you need more sit up riding position and do not want to go the Dualsport route - look into a used Honda Nighthawk (750) - a bit more space than the other mentioned bikes - but no bodywork. The SV650, I am sure, would be another good choice. Sounds like tons of fun to ride too. Just remember to stay safe out there. If you do - one day you can graduate to a real cool bike - like a Multistrada or a KTM Duke
It really depends on what you want to do with the bike. I'd say most bikes out there fall into about 3 categories right now. Sport Bikes... Even a beginner can handle a 600cc sport bike. They dont have a lot of horsepower until you hit about 10,000 rpm or more. So you can put around in the low rpm range without having to worry about losing control. But if you plan to ride 50 or more miles at a time on average a sport bike is pure hell. The newest bikes have very cramped riding positions, and are only meant to be ridden for about 30 min at a time. Mainly they put a lot of pressure on your wrists and your legs are tucked up underneath you and your hips and knees will get sore after awhile. I had an '03 CBR600RR, I got rid of it this year and picked up an '04 CBR1000RR. The 1000s are a little bigger and have riding positions that arent quite as cramped. I wouldnt recommend a 1000 for a beginner though. Naked Bikes... Naked bikes combine the engine and chassis of a sport bike with more friendly ergonomics. They usually have more distance between the footpegs and seat, as well as higher handlebars. Bikes like the SV650 mentioned earlier are considered naked bikes. They also dont have the full fairings sport bikes have (that's where the naked comes in). Usually they are much more comfortable to ride, but dont have the pure performance of a sport bike. Kind of a cross between a sport bike and a cruiser. Cruisers... Honda Rebels, Shadows, Harleys, etc etc etc. Probably the most popular bikes on the road. Very comfortable, can be fast in a straight line depending on what you go with. I'd recommend buying some magazines like Cycle World and start trying to figure out what you want from the bike. Narrow it down to at least a style of bike you are interested in, then start hitting some dealers. Sit on different bikes and price them, shop around as long as you can stand it. It is not uncommon for one dealer to be $1000 or $2000 more than another dealer on the exact same brand new bike. BTW. I have a motorcycle problem, always have, always will. Currently I've got my CBR1000RR, a YZ250, and a Harley Chopper.
Go with the SV 650 I am 6'1" and I do not feel cramped on one. I would say 80% of the people riding cannot use even 50% of the bikes capability. (myself included) I know guys who use them as track bikes and will run circles around most people on the 1000 cc bikes. Size doesn't matter. Besides, you can pick them up cheap used (under $4k) and maintenance is almost nothing, just do the oil changes. If you start to get bored on it, get a slip on pipe and the sound will have you grinning. I concur with the riders course and respect the power of the bike. Remember even a 250 goes fast enough to end up dead. Welcome to the 2 wheeled world and have fun.
No what I said was if your average ride is going to be more than 50 miles then they are hell. I also said that they are only meant to be ridden 30 min at a time. Ie they are designed to keep the rider in an attack position for racing (and most races last less than 30 min). I've ridden my CBR1000RR for several hours at a time too, when I'm done my legs are asleep and my wrists, ass, and neck are sore. Go for the same 3 hour ride on a cruiser bike and nothing is sore or asleep. I'm not saying you have to be superman to ride a sport bike for a long distance. I am saying a cruiser is more comfortable on long commutes.
I'd simply quit riding before I'd ride a cruiser. They are just down right embarrassing, especially all the othodontists that play dress up in the cheap, non-protective black leather "accessories" and do-rags. At least full leathers or an Aerostich has function. What amazes me is that all the people who dress up EXACTLY the same, i.e., black T-shirts, jeans, cheap chaps, do-rags and novelty helments do it because they fancy themselves "individuals"...just like every other Harley and Harley-clone bad*ss. So, don't go down that road, it's too pitiful. End of hijack and rant.. ADDENDUM: Ryan, if I started the "Why Cruisers suck thread" would that be baiting?? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Kenny, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to buy a Honda 100 dirt bike and ride the snot out of it in the dirt. The MSF courses are great, but the best way to learn how to live on the street is to do it in the dirt first. Here's the first lesson I always teach somebody -- 1. Get on a nice and flat area of dirt. 2. Get going in 1st gear (and get your @#$!@% feet on the pegs don't try and duck walk a motorcycle while it is moving) up to 30 MPH. 3. Slam on the front brake. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you finally fall down. 5. Pick yourself up and realize that this wasn't so bad. 6. Get going in 1st gear and then shift to 2nd gear. 7. Slam on the front brake. 8. Fall down 9. Pick up, get going up to 3rd gear, slam on brake, fall down. 10. Repeat as necessary until you run out of gears. Once you finally figure out that your front brake is your friend, you can then move onto your next lesson which is counter steering. More later. Dr "Peter Fonda" Tax
I concur with Dale. I'm in the same boat (23, no riding experience, etc) and after talking to everyone I know who rides (MSF instructors, racers, etc) my conclusion is that the best way to learn is to pick up a used 125cc dirt bike and go ride that. Get proficient with it, maybe move up to a 250 so you get some feel for a little power, and be SURE to learn the fundamentals. Sliding, locking, countersteering, jumping, whatever. The environment is much more controlled too (no bus drivers gunning for you). --Dan
Just name it "Why I don't like cruisers" or something like that. Sadly there are retards everywhere, even on two wheels, as is apparent by a certain poster on this thread.
Kenny: after i took and passed the MSF course, i still didn't have the confidence to ride, thinking that the skills i started to learn there would not serve me on the street, in traffic, with idiot drivers who can't see me, etc. I was ambivalent about even buying a bike, but after a few weeks, the memory of the fun i had-even in the big parking lot during the MSF course- prompted me to go shopping; i wound up with a Ducati 750 Monster, which i think you've seen. I started at a parking lot at a nearby college campus that was on summer leave; i then started tooling around the neighborhood, working the clutch and brake, and learning to accelerate from a stop smoothly. Sometimes i did good; sometimes, after a ride, i would think about what i did, and the next tiime i got on the bike, i was able to execute better. My first goal was to be able to ride to Bear Mtn. I got there after a few weeks, not that far, maybe 25 miles from my house, but a good mix of hi-speed highways, hills, sweepers and twisties. I worked this route repeatedly, and also learned that a certain amount of speed made the bike easier and smoother to handle; that balance, and countersteering made a huge difference, as did my mindset in approaching the ride. There were times when i felt at one with the bike--not all the time-- but that sensation was what kept pulling me back for the next ride. I do find the Ducati a bit grueling for a day-long ride, but i'm fairly large: 6'1", 240lbs. I bought a tricked-out V-Rod earlier this summer, and have been having a great time on it. I can ride hundreds of miles without fatigue, its much more comfortable and stable at highway speeds than the ducati, which tends to dart, and once you crack the throttle at 5k rpms, the bike really starts to fly. There are some pretty good books out there, which start to make sense if you read them, ride, think about what you've read afterwards, and try a little better to apply the learning. Both Twist of the Wrist books by Keith Code are fascinating, largely because his approach is "mental" : targeting your fear reactions, and natural tendencies to do what is probably the worst thing you can do in panic situations. Code, like others, tends to force you to focus on technique at lower speeds, and gradually increase your competence and confidence. I love riding, have a healthy respect for the process, and as someone else here said, approach it with some degree of humility. I have also found that comfortable gear makes a huge difference, from boots that don't feel too clompy, to pants and jackets that fit and work in a given weather condition. (Oh, one other thing- when i started riding, i rode alone; i didn't want the pressure to keep up with others, and rode at my own pace. I'm not sure that riding alone is encouraged, but riding at your skill level certainly is, for a beginner. I now ride with an assortment of others, some have sports bikes, some choppers or traditional cruisers, some sport touring bikes, and have learned from them as well: but i always stay at a level i'm comfortable with).
