Where a NOOB should look to purchase motorcycles!

[viper15]

Hello everyone.. Yes, I am yet another newbie who is just itching to submerge in the sportbike world. I'm 5'9", 165 lbs, and 19 years old.

I believe, from what I've researched, that I should either purchase a Ninja 250r or a Suzuki GS500F. My concern, however, is a good price. I want to purchase an inexpensive bike, and it seems that the Ninja would be cheaper (around $3000 avg) than the Suzuki.

My question is, where do you look (other than craigslist, local classifieds, ebay, and cycletrader) for cheap beginner's bike? I'm interested in the Suzuki GS500F, but it seems that all I can find are $4000 or above.

Thank you very much for your help!

PS. I'm curious as to how much it would cost to add full fairing to the GS500F, as it seems like many of the bikes I see have half-fairings.

[Lion_Lady]

The cheapest way to buy a beginner bike is USED. And don't be picky about make/model. (Or even year for that matter... within reason.)
It may take some time for a good prospect to show up. Be prepared to call/go have a look ASAP. Another source is front yards!!! (Yes, really!) Put the word out among friends that you're in the market. I know several folks who found their first bikes on the way to work or elsewhere. Most of the good beginner bikes never make a listing anywhere, but are sold among friends and aquaintances by word of mouth.

Look for: Around 400-500cc (more okay in cruisers), around 50 hp, around 400 pounds. Clean mechanically - no obvious signs of stunting or abuse.

Stick with the "big 4" - Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki. They make reliable, relatively low maintenance cost machines. Anything over 10 years old may be "iffy" as far as parts availability. Get whatever you're interested in safety inspected by a shop. Cost should run around $60-$75. Money well spent.

Several advantages to this path: #1 - USED = cheaper insurance, #2 - pre-dropped less than lovely means no heart failure (or $$$ lost) if/when you tip it over in your driveway, #3 - count on getting BACK what you spent when you're ready to sell and move up (unless you wreck it). #4 - lighter weight means general bike handling is less stressful.

P

[jscof]

I just bought my first bike and it's a 2006 Ninja 250. You can get them for about $1700 - $2200. Mine had some light cosmetic damage but who cares cause it's a beginner bike. Fun to ride and easy to handle. Plus I'm actually bigger than you and it totes me around with no problem.

[R3sp4wN]

I have only been riding for a little over a month and I was in the same boat as you when I went bike shopping. I really wanted the 500cc ninja, but ended up getting a different style of bike when it came down to it. I tried out a few different dealers and looked around on craigslist. I ened up buying off of craigslist; the person I bought my bike from ended up being an old teacher of mine from the tech school =). When you are looking, dont be afraid to look AROUND. I really had my mind set on a ninja, but after sitting on my VLX, I fell in love. Plus my butt was comfy. Enjoy whatever you decide, and be safe.
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Mercedes Benz OC500LE

[BGee]

I just bought my first bike and it's a 2006 Ninja 250. You can get them for about $1700 - $2200. Mine had some light cosmetic damage but who cares cause it's a beginner bike. Fun to ride and easy to handle. Plus I'm actually bigger than you and it totes me around with no problem.

Where do you live? In Florida I can't find anything below $2500 for a 250 and I have successfully found one Ninja 500 that is as old as me... 20. And no GS500. The best priced bike I've found is a couple of Suzuki Katana's and they are going for pretty much their KBB value... but just from what I've read on here I'm not sure if its a good idea. I have found a couple of Honda Shadow 600's from the mid 90's that cost about $1500-$2500. Does that seem reasonable? If anyone has a lead on smaller ninja's in the Central Florida area it would be appreciated. Also try Kijiji. I couldn't find much but it all depends on what your looking for. Happy Hunting!

[Lion_Lady]

Where do you live? In Florida I can't find anything below $2500 for a 250 and I have successfully found one Ninja 500 that is as old as me... 20. And no GS500. The best priced bike I've found is a couple of Suzuki Katana's and they are going for pretty much their KBB value... but just from what I've read on here I'm not sure if its a good idea. I have found a couple of Honda Shadow 600's from the mid 90's that cost about $1500-$2500. Does that seem reasonable? If anyone has a lead on smaller ninja's in the Central Florida area it would be appreciated. Also try Kijiji. I couldn't find much but it all depends on what your looking for. Happy Hunting!

The problem is this is now "high season" for used motorcycle sales. So the market is HOT, and folks can ask higher prices and get them. You're gonna just have to plan to spend more, or lower your sights a bit... either way, you'll probably end up waiting a while. Try to be patient, shucks, you've waited this long. Don't let desperation cause you to buy a less than ideal bike.

P

[BGee]

What about the Suzuki Katana's? I've seen ads for five or six older ones and they all seem to be going for their KBB Value. Is that a good choice for a sport touring bike? Or is it just way outa the league of someone who has done some dirtbiking and is a beginner on the road? I posted this somewhere else. But only got one or two responses. Also, if its important it will be my primary mode of transport. You know all the reasons... Gas, Insurance, just too high for a college student but having some kind of transport makes life a heck of a lot easier. And a bike is ideal in Florida where the riding season pretty much doesn't end.

[Pittance]

A bike wont save you money over a car. Cars are almost always cheaper to maintain. The gas cost wont offset the cost of gear, tires, and everything else. If you want to try to save money, a scooter would probably work. But not a sport bike.

From the TMW website:

GSX600F Katana
Years Made:
1988 - Present (2003+) (88-91 in AUS)
Style: Sport Standard
Engine Type:
600cc Inline-Four

Seat Height:
785mm / "
Weight: 458lb HP: 80
Torque: 39
Top Speed: 140mph MPG: 50

80hp is too much for a first bike I would say. That sounds like a speedy sport, not a forgiving bike. But I have not ridden one so I don't know how they handle throttle and brake wise.

[BGee]

I've been researching cars as well. I can buy what seems to be a reliable beginner bike. Though, if I go with something off of the list in the alternative bike discussion, it will be a cruiser which I am fine with. I can buy the bike for between 1200$ and 2000$. On top of that you have tax, tag, title, gear and insurance. I'm not sure how much the tax, tag and title will be. My dad says it will probably cost me around 500$. Then 600$ or so in gear. The bike initially costs me around 3100$. After that, gas is a much less expensive bill every month. Around 50-60$ as opposed to 200$ or so... Now here is where I feel like I will save the money my insurance cost in a car would be about 2,500$ a year while my motorcycle insurance is 1190$ or about that in all of the quotes that I have gotten. Also, in Florida if you wear a helmet you are not required to have insurance for your motorcycle. Now I would never do that because it seems idiotic. So maybe I won't save a single dime, but if I get an older car for 3000$ in my limited experience with friends and stuff. Its always in the shop and breaking down. I can't afford that happening. I need something that I can maintain and it will run well and continue to run well. So even if I need to spend a little more money maintaining it, I feel like the insurance will save me at least a little money.

[flynrider]

Bikes can be more economical transportation, assuming you buy an economical bike and you can do some of the maintenance yourself. Buying an older used bike gives you a cheaper entry point. As you pointed out, insurance is less expensive. If the bike is not worth a lot, you can skip the comprehensive and collision and just go with liability. You'll have to replace tires more often, but that should be offset by the money you'll be saving on gas.

I started riding as a poor student during the last big gas crunch ('80-'81). I used a bike as my only transportation for about 4 years.

The Kat is not the best choice for a first bike. If economy is your goal, look at some of the smaller bikes that turn in 55+ mpg. Ninja 250/500, Honda VLX, Vulcan 250/500, Virago 250/535, Suz S40... All of those bikes have enough power for street and freeway use, yet they still sip fuel.