Future rider needs some advice

[CmHall9]

man, wish i had the money. there's a cx500 with sidecar on craigslist right now for 1500...

I've been craigslisting myself for a used Honda Rebel. I've come across a few. Just hope there’s a used one in good condition when I’m ready to buy.

[Kuhnfyoozed]

man, wish i had the money. there's a cx500 with sidecar on craigslist right now for 1500...

I've been craigslisting myself for a used Honda Rebel. I've come across a few. Just hope there’s a used one in good condition when I’m ready to buy.

If the winter is the slow season for selling bikes, and I've seen dozens of ads for Rebels, then by the time you are ready to buy, there should be plenty.

By the time I'm ready to buy, the weather will be turning cold again (a long ways off, unfortunately) and no one is going to be selling the bikes I want for a price I can handle. So we'll see how that turns out.

Is the 5-600cc a good range for a first cruiser, or should I be looking for something smaller than that? I know that my taste in bikes may change post-BRC, but I have my doubts about that. I don't like racing bikes, and I haven't seen many Standards posted on CL.

[dean owens]

man, wish i had the money. there's a cx500 with sidecar on craigslist right now for 1500...

I've been craigslisting myself for a used Honda Rebel. I've come across a few. Just hope there’s a used one in good condition when I’m ready to buy.

If the winter is the slow season for selling bikes, and I've seen dozens of ads for Rebels, then by the time you are ready to buy, there should be plenty.

By the time I'm ready to buy, the weather will be turning cold again (a long ways off, unfortunately) and no one is going to be selling the bikes I want for a price I can handle. So we'll see how that turns out.

Is the 5-600cc a good range for a first cruiser, or should I be looking for something smaller than that? I know that my taste in bikes may change post-BRC, but I have my doubts about that. I don't like racing bikes, and I haven't seen many Standards posted on CL.

it might not change. i never thought mine would. and i still don't dig things like the cbr's, but my tastes have grown. my point is more, keep an opened mind because it might be the difference between getting a bike and not getting a bike.

as far as engine size... with a v-twin anything around that 650-800 range is ok for a starter bike. just depends on how comfortable you are on it and if you can handle it. you don't want to get too big for the first bike because it will cause you to learn slower and possibly develop bad habits. if you can find one in your range, i sat on a friends shadow 600 i believe... it would be a great starter bike IMO. it was small and light.

[NewGuy]

I am having a hard time finding a suitable bike on craigslist, and the listings in the paper are all out of my price range. I'm looking for a cruiser style bike, I'm trying to stay under 2000 dollars (although I will go over if its well worth the extra money).

Well trying to stay under $2000 might be a bit tricky if you're looking for a cruiser, and want something a little bigger than a 250cc bike.

However, I got my 2001 Yamaha V-star 650 with less than 4K miles for $2700, and I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't have even fit comfortably on a Rebel, so I had to get something a little bigger.

You'll find that asking prices on craigslist are usually very high. What I did was use Kelly's Blue Book (kbb.com) and usually offered something about halfway between the Blue Book Trade-In Value and the Retail Value.

In addition to the V-star you may also want to look for a Kawasaki Vulcan 500, and Suzuki Savage 650 (aka S40).

If you're willing to get something other than a cruiser that opens your options quite a bit too. For example a Buell Blast could be a very good first bike.

Keep in mind if you stay with a 650cc or smaller bike you can usually save quite a bit on insurance. That was one of the factors that caused me to buy the V-star over a couple slightly larger bikes I looked at.

[Kuhnfyoozed]

Well trying to stay under $2000 might be a bit tricky if you're looking for a cruiser, and want something a little bigger than a 250cc bike.

Yeah, I think I'd be okay with anything under $3000, because most of what I've seen have been around that range, with the few exceptions that are less than that.

You'll find that asking prices on craigslist are usually very high. What I did was use Kelly's Blue Book (kbb.com) and usually offered something about halfway between the Blue Book Trade-In Value and the Retail Value.

In addition to the V-star you may also want to look for a Kawasaki Vulcan 500, and Suzuki Savage 650 (aka S40).

Keep in mind if you stay with a 650cc or smaller bike you can usually save quite a bit on insurance. That was one of the factors that caused me to buy the V-star over a couple slightly larger bikes I looked at.

Good information

[Brackstone]

I think you have the right attitude now. Under $3k is ok but under $2k is asking too much imo.

You'd have to find someone selling the bike cause they were moving or really needed the money.

[Kuhnfyoozed]

I think you have the right attitude now. Under $3k is ok but under $2k is asking too much imo.

You'd have to find someone selling the bike cause they were moving or really needed the money.

Speak of the devil, I just found a Suzuki Intruder with 9000 miles on it for $1200 because it won't start in the cold weather and the guy is going off to school. Its very tempting, but I have a bad feeling about buying a bike before I know how to ride. Still, thats 1800 dollars less than the next closest price for an Intruder...

I wish I could ride now

[CmHall9]

I wish I could ride now

I know what you mean.
I've gone to several dealers and bike stores to look at the bikes and try on the gear.
I've been putting money into savings for the last three months. That plus the next couple of months and my tax return, I should have enough to take the class then get a used bike by late March early April.
Until then I'm just going to half to chat with all of you.

[Thumper]

I've been craigslisting myself for a used Honda Rebel. I've come across a few. Just hope there’s a used one in good condition when I’m ready to buy.

Well dang...too bad you're not on the West Coast. I have an '06 Rebel in primo condition that needs a good home...

[dean owens]

I think you have the right attitude now. Under $3k is ok but under $2k is asking too much imo.

You'd have to find someone selling the bike cause they were moving or really needed the money.

Speak of the devil, I just found a Suzuki Intruder with 9000 miles on it for $1200 because it won't start in the cold weather and the guy is going off to school. Its very tempting, but I have a bad feeling about buying a bike before I know how to ride. Still, thats 1800 dollars less than the next closest price for an Intruder...

I wish I could ride now

you know, sometimes it feels like you're an idiot for passing up a "deal" but there will always be deals. ALWAYS. don't worry about it.