first bike prices

[wilsonhls]

If your budget isn't too big and you dont mind used, what would you say for a first bike your price range would be/should be.
Just wondering what kinda money im gona prob be looking at.
Thanks

[Wrider]

Depends on the kind of bike you want, but you're gonna end up spending probably about 3-5K between the bike and the gear, especially if you're not your own mechanic. I think between the bike, registration, gear, MSF class, etc. I spent around 4K, but keep in mind that I already had a helmet, MSF prices vary around the country, and bike prices will be going up come spring, and going back down come fall.
Wrider

[vampyre]

My goal was $2500 for a bike, $1000 for gear.
Well, I couldn't pass up a killer deal (on Ebay) for a newer, nicer bike than i thought i could buy. I paid $3500 for it
Gear ran me about $700, so i did OK
MSF course was $175

[rt1maillady]

I got my 81 CM400T off ebay for under $400. Add about $200 in parts , labor etc to get it runninig and inspected And invested $300 in the MSF course. And I highly recommend the course for anyone. Experienced or not. About $400 in equipment- Helmet (snell 2005) -Armoured riding jacket - Good gloves and boots. And Don't forget the insurance.
So - My bike ended up costing about $1500.
But I love it! I didn't want to start with a new bike. Would hurt to much to see the scratches, dings and other inevitables on a new bike.
rt1maillady

[Dragonhawk]

If your budget isn't too big and you dont mind used, what would you say for a first bike your price range would be/should be.
Just wondering what kinda money im gona prob be looking at.
Thanks

I'm an advocate of getting really good riding gear. That is a place where one should never cut corners or go "cheap" in my opinion. I am of the belief that if you can't afford to spend at least $700-$800 on full leather gear (helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves), you shouldn't buy a motorcycle. Again, that's just my view. Lots of folks would disagree and tell you it's not that important ... Most of those people haven't highsided at 40MPH either.

After budgeting for that, then you can look at the bikes. Like used cars, the prices on used bikes will vary greatly and so will the quality. You can get an awesome used car for $2000 or a hunk of junk. Same with motorcycles. Since a brand new Ninja 250 is $3000, you might want to stay under 2500 for a used beginner bike.

[safety-boy]

One good thing about an older bike is that you learn to work on them. On the other hand, you want it in good enough shape that you get to ride, and it is safe to operate. A lot of older bikes will have old, bad tires, and you are looking at a bike price tag there.

My only old bike was a Kawasaki, and it was incredibly easy to work on, but I spent almost the price I paid in tires and small fixes.

The Ninja 250, Ninja 500, and Vulcan 500 are all reliable. The 500s have been using basically the same engine for more than 20 years (used to be the 450cc, then it was bulked up to 500cc). It is tough as nails, and I hear the same is true of the 250cc.

How often do you plan to ride? I ride everyday, so my old Kawa was getting to be a bit unreliable - not the engine, but all the controls started to die. If I rode weekends only, it would likely have stayed in better shape. I would try to stay withing the last 10 years, model wise, and get something with a good track record. I've never heard anyone dis the Ninja 500-R on reliability, and it is a bike you can enjoy riding for a long time. After my 636 was stolen, I was back on the wife's 500-R, and while the difference was noticeable it is still enjoyable to ride and a great commuter bike.

--Dave

[Shorts]

We aimed to keep our first bikes at $2500, and we were able to do that. +/- $200.

As for gear, we splurged on jackets (~$325ea.) and picked up your basic Shoei helmet. Boots were about $150, gloves about $50ish. We don't have riding pants or chaps yet.

Buy what is adequate and the most you can afford, but don't try to completely cheap out.

[qwerty]

Figure about $3000 total, a little less if you are lucky, for a decent basic beginner bike and gear. you could spend a heck of a lot more.

My advice is to visit a few retailers and try things on. When you find a good fit make note of the make, model, style, size, and begin shopping for the best price. For instance, you might find several brands and styles of helmets that are acceptable. Sure, you might prefer the $600 helmet because it is cool, but the $100 helmet will do the job just as well. Watch various online and local sources for sale prices. You're not really in a hurry to by gear, so wait for a good price. Start collecting your sale-priced gear now. Good shopping for gear can save you half the cost of a good used starter bike.

[MotoF150]

im selling my 2005 Suzuki Boulevard M50 for $2500 and it comes with saddlebags, saddlebag supports, and engine crash bars, it red in color. new front and rear tires, it has 8700 miles with "0" intrenal engine wear cause I used Amsoil since the first oil change, it has few minor scatches and one small dent in the muffler, clear title, owned since new, never wrecked or tipped over. Perfect bike for a beginner, bike is purchaced in "as is condition" and no refunds, and no test rides.