New to motorcycles, washington dc area

Message

rockershocker · Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:26 am

Hi my name is Ryan. I've wanted a bike for a little while now, I plan on buying one in about 3 months probably. I'm in college so i need to save up for school before i can save up for a bike, and I may not even be able to buy one at all this year.

First off I'll let you know that I know little to nothing about riding a motorcycle and the only info i have is from having ridden a dirt bike once and reading stuff online. I'm gonna sign up for the MSF sometime soon, most of the ones in my area are full up until october though so I may be out of luck. When I do buy a bike I plan on getting a ninja 250, a nighthawk, or if I can find one in good working order, one of those really oldschool interceptor 250's.

so ive got a couple questions (ill admit I havnt searched the site yet

but i have read the stickies at least) first off, I was wondering if anyone can suggest a place in the dc area that will check out a used bike before i buy it since i dont know a thing about them and I plan on getting a used one off of craigslist. second off, does nayone have an old interceptor 250 in the dc area that wants to sell it in 3 or 4 months (just thought id ask, doubtful i know). and finally what type of maintenance is necessary on a used bike? is it do it yourself type of stuff? im not extremely mechanically inclined, I can change my oil and stuff but thats about it.

any advice you can offer to a new guy would be helpful, even if all you want to do is lecture me about the dangers of riding thats alright. im gonna look through the other posts in this section later but ive got to go to work now, thanks in advance for all the advice.

#2 Unread post by **Wrider** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:40 am

Hey! What's up Ryan? I'm Ryan too! lol But yeah, good idea with the MSF class. I can't rave enough about it! As for getting someone to check it out. Do you have any friends that ride? If so take them with you, they'll know what to look and listen for. It'll help quite a bit...

250s are great starter bikes, and since the Ninja 250 is redesigned it doesn't look bad anymore... Granted that's just 08. But seriously, it's a great starter bike, can be found for cheap, and is CHEAP on insurance...
Wrider

Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:46 am

Fairfax cycles and crossroad cycles will check it out for you. I also suggest brookscyclecenter. He posts alot on craigslist and has a posting at monkeyriders.com (more of a local to DC forum with a few yahoos elsewhere) Or if you don't buy one until June or after just pm me. Until then I have grad school finals, term papers and an MCAT at the end of may following by a double shift coaching BRC's.

Anyway- welcome to the fun world of motorcycling. Have fun, stay safe and let me know if you find any awesome local rides!

rockershocker · Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:42 pm

well i knew one very experienced rider, ive lost touch with him recently though, he worked with my dad but hasnt for a couple months, i know he was on a couple local dc forums. i googled dc motorcycle forums but found nothing. other than that I've got a few acquaintances who ride, and im sure theyd be more than willing to come along if i offer to pay for a beer or two haha. anyways, good to know theres someone on here that can suggest a shop, thanks so much stories.

and wrider, as much as id like to have an 08 ninja id rather just get a used one off craigslist for cheap, college isnt cheap haha.

#5 Unread post by **Wrider** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:29 pm

Hehe, tell me about it! I'm 21 and down in Phoenix AZ at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute... Compared to when I went to Colorado State, it's MUCH more expensive per year, and they don't even have dorms here! Ah well... But yeah, since like you said you're not ready to work on your own bike, find one that's less than 10 years old, otherwise shops won't usually touch it (value is too low for most people to pay for repairs).
Wrider

rockershocker · Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:52 pm

ahh, gotcha, less than 10 years is a good guideline, i was looking at some of the super cheap really old ones but i believe in the get what you pay for rationale.

I just signed up for the MSF today, i've pretty much never ridden in my life, you think ill be able to pass?

Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:53 pm

rockershocker wrote:I just signed up for the MSF today, i've pretty much never ridden in my life, you think ill be able to pass?

You'll learn something. Not everyone passes and we don't know you so it's hard to say yes or no

Where/when are you taking it?

#8 Unread post by **Wrider** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:06 pm

If you actually try to learn the material and to ride you should pass no problem... I assume the Prelude is a manual right? If so you've got half the battle won right there.
When I took it I had taken a Honda Rebel 250 around the parking lot for all of 5 minutes. I ended up getting the 2nd highest bookwork score and the highest riding score. (Fair warning, they don't like it when you scrape pegs on their bikes... They tell you something about slowing down or some bologna like that!

)
Wrider

rockershocker · Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:56 am

yeah its a manual

. I'm signed up at montgomery college for the august 9th class. I'm really excited for a while this was something that was just a dream and i thought id never get around to getting a bike.

flynrider · Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:51 am

Good luck finding a VTR250 in the states. There are not many good ones for sale. Althogh the bike is still sold around the world, it only sold in the U.S. for a couple of years in the early 90s. If you can find one in good shape, buy it. They are great little bikes. Failing that, Kawasaki's little Ninja 250 is not a bad substitute. They've sold 10s of thousands of these in the last 20 yrs., so finding a good one should be a lot easier.

Good Luck!