Your First Bike: New or Used

[Tennif Shoe]

bought used only because i got a damn good deal on my 1st bike then on the second bike i could not afford without buying used and i had my heart set on a 1800 honda

[tymanthius]

I just bought mine, used. The exact bike I wanted, even in the colors I wanted, and a decent price. I jumped on it.

If it had bags that'd be even better.

[redwing]

I bought new. I found the make and model used but the dealer had no idea or any reciepts about the maint. The used was about 60% of the real cost. The new bike I bought is a 2008 BMW R1200R for $15059.00. It has shields or scuff plates like on the K1200GS. I considered crash bars but liked the shields and the valve covers were well covered. I dropped the bike at sloooow speeds .... 3 mph or less ... 6 ot 7 times. The worst damage was a mirror, $70.00 to replace. The bar weight at the end of the handlebars got scratch a bit and one of the rear turning signal got knocked off but by design it just popped back on. Most every drop was when I was coming to a stop. I had forgotten about looking a head when stopping instead at the road. Once a stall when taking off. That was the first 100 miles and riden in one day. Now got 600 ... 500 without a drop so I think I must be getting better.

[Johnj]

My first bike was used. All the rest have been too.

[thag]

My current Star 1300 is the only brand-new bike i've ever owned.

[Amdonim]

I'd say go used. My first bike was a 99 Marauder, and the first thing I did was drop it on like the 2nd day I owned it. Made me glad my first bike wasn't the New Shadow Aero I had wanted at the time.

[Wardruid]

David, I did the MSF here in AZ and it was past awesome, gave me the confidence I needed and 98% of the class, 33 in all people. 7 of us had bikes already. I had purchased mine in ADV of the class. It was a Used bike from a pal. 1500cc cruiser lol. OK don't do that as your first bike. OMG scary first 3 weeks. and learned a very valuable lesson never wear cargo shorts....... what’s that burning smell oh it's me.

And if your worried about the Dropping it question you may or may not. That’s why you should all ways invest in an Engine BAR!! & always have a Good Helmet.

I have not laid my bike "down" but the highway Pegs kept it from being dropped tilted over at a 45 degree angle on the pegs.. Only when turning in to a parking spot at very low speed.

So some words of advice from a 1 year rider with a MSF course take it easy and Practice allot.

GL with your investment in the bike and the best thing to do is stay at 550cc-750cc for first 2-3 years. My father in law a 41 year biker told me this.

[clouie]

The first bike that i have used is new. It was actually a 16th birthday present. I really ask for a new one because i don't want to use a old or used bike. Anyway, my dad agreed with it because according to him if he buys a old one, maybe he still needs to fix some problems of it. And, he doesn't like that. So, he gets me a new one.

[Ltdave]

1991. i bought this 1981 yamaha xj550 maxim...

it was originally black and when i got it, it had bondo on the tank and more black paint only it was from a spray bomb...

when i got out of the Air Force a few years later, i stripped it all down and repainted it. now i see the yamaha symbol surrounded by flames in a lot of places...

who knew i would be a trend setter...

[William]

My first bike was a '98 Kawasaki KLR250 dual-sport that I bought new in the crate as a leftover model in 2001. The original MSRP was $4500, and I paid $3000. Plus it was still covered by the factory warranty.