Have you seen teh prices for a restored 23 window splitscreen van with no rot???
Very New Newbie Learning about Bikes
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dean owens
- Legendary 500
- Posts: 562
- Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 8:34 am
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: '06 Yamaha Fz6
- Location: Pittsboro, NC
alright, let me start by saying i'm not a machanic. and i have not had to buy a bike yet. my first one was given to me. so keep that all in mind with what i have to say.
1st, those bikes (honda cb's, suzuki gs's, yahama seca's and kawasaki kz [as well as other equivalents]) are solid bikes. this one is in good shape and only has 4200 miles on it. so unless it was completely dogged and not taken care of for those 4200 miles i would say the engine is in good shape.
2nd, in buying a bike you have two choices.
--- get new. you shouldn't have an troubles and you have a warranty. but you also pay a lot more in insurance. then there's the whole - it's your first bike and you might drop it (money down the tubes) or that since you've never riden before you might decide you don't like it after a year and now you have to unload it and take a hit on it.
--- get used. insurance is much cheaper because you should only get liability (assuming you have health insurance). hopefully you have no payments. and if you get a "starter" bike you know that you won't have any problem unloading it later on because there are always starters looking for a starter bike. BUT, you will have to figure in some work for a used bike.
3rd, i think these bikes will continue to go up in value personally. so being that it's in good shape, if you got it fixed, rode it for a season or two and kept it up, i think you would be able to sell it for more than you bought it for.
with all of that i'll say... the guy who is giving me my bike once told me that carburator is french for leave it the heck alone. he has rebuilt a few bikes in his time and he HATES carbs. so i don't know that i would attempt carb work on my own for a first project.
if i were you i would do one of two things.
1 - find a local shop with a good reputation and give them a call. tell them what you know and ask for a worst case senario on the carbs and ask them how much it would cost. if the worst case would be $500.00 you have that to work with. hopefully it won't be the worst case
2 - assuming you have been going to church while in bible college i'm sure you have to have some sort of machanic in your church. or one of the members knows one. or there's someone who rides bikes or something. seek this person out and ask them to go with you to look at the bike and see if maybe they would even be willing to help you fix the carbs.
if i could get number 1 or 2 solid and could get the bike for 500ish, i would probably go with it. but before you pull the trigger, what for someone who knows what they're talking about to confirm what i just wrote
1st, those bikes (honda cb's, suzuki gs's, yahama seca's and kawasaki kz [as well as other equivalents]) are solid bikes. this one is in good shape and only has 4200 miles on it. so unless it was completely dogged and not taken care of for those 4200 miles i would say the engine is in good shape.
2nd, in buying a bike you have two choices.
--- get new. you shouldn't have an troubles and you have a warranty. but you also pay a lot more in insurance. then there's the whole - it's your first bike and you might drop it (money down the tubes) or that since you've never riden before you might decide you don't like it after a year and now you have to unload it and take a hit on it.
--- get used. insurance is much cheaper because you should only get liability (assuming you have health insurance). hopefully you have no payments. and if you get a "starter" bike you know that you won't have any problem unloading it later on because there are always starters looking for a starter bike. BUT, you will have to figure in some work for a used bike.
3rd, i think these bikes will continue to go up in value personally. so being that it's in good shape, if you got it fixed, rode it for a season or two and kept it up, i think you would be able to sell it for more than you bought it for.
with all of that i'll say... the guy who is giving me my bike once told me that carburator is french for leave it the heck alone. he has rebuilt a few bikes in his time and he HATES carbs. so i don't know that i would attempt carb work on my own for a first project.
if i were you i would do one of two things.
1 - find a local shop with a good reputation and give them a call. tell them what you know and ask for a worst case senario on the carbs and ask them how much it would cost. if the worst case would be $500.00 you have that to work with. hopefully it won't be the worst case
2 - assuming you have been going to church while in bible college i'm sure you have to have some sort of machanic in your church. or one of the members knows one. or there's someone who rides bikes or something. seek this person out and ask them to go with you to look at the bike and see if maybe they would even be willing to help you fix the carbs.
if i could get number 1 or 2 solid and could get the bike for 500ish, i would probably go with it. but before you pull the trigger, what for someone who knows what they're talking about to confirm what i just wrote
Just want to point this out, sorry if someone already did though.NightNurse wrote:I got my boots on clearence since Winter was over...
25$ (not exactly motorcycle boots, but nice thick leather)
Took a helmet from my boyfriend, he has several (Actually fits well)
There are some good helmet deals on Ebay - Its a good idea to go try some one to see waht size you need, and what kind you like best
(Leather jacket on Ebay for 30$
Another jacket on Ebay for 89$
Gloves 20$ at the motorcycle shop
and I already own jeans.
It doesnt have to be that expensive! I can buy nicer stuff later on.
Good luck and have fun!
If you plan on going the ebay route, Make sure you try the helmet on first at a local shop or maybe your dads, proper fit is critical and size varies by brand. NEVER EVER buy a used helmet. and as far as gear in general goes, I would rather look a little funny wearing full gear on a cruiser than laying in a hospital bed!
Buy the best gear that you can afford. Cheap gear may be just as safe in some cases but may be less comfortable.
Gloves are a must as stated in an earlier post. boots are a given. Skid lids and novelty helmets are dangerous and read those books and there are some great magazines that you can subscribe to. I like Motorcyclist because it has good reviews and interesting stories.
They did a helmet review a couple of months ago that said that the DOT helmets are better than Snell because the snell ones are harder and don't absorb shock as well! I prefer modular types though since I wear glasses. I find it easier to put on and take off.
good luck and ask your dad for help and maybe he will give you some pointers and maybe let you ride his wing in the lot or something!
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car!