New Biker- Possibly a new challenge?

Message

Nibblet99 · Thu Jul 21, 2005 4:45 am

Jaymz, as much as I hate to say it, but I reckon you should start college first, then look to see if your finances can handle a major purchase aswell. The reason I say this, is it's amazing just howmuch money you can drink your way through in college, and it's better to make the most of an easy fun life there, than a skint life....

Jaymz · #32 Unread post by **Jaymz** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:33 am

hehe, no I do have money but wanted to put it in the bank for a full years worth of payments before I bought. I will try and look in some papers, I tried one of our major ones though and there still wasn't much (I'm wondering if there will be less for sale due to less volume due to the NW steretypical crappy weather?). Then again the middle of summer is probably the worst time to look for used bikes, at least out here everyone and their brother is on one hehe.

I still wanna through the idea by my dad but I'm thinking I may wait to start college and take it from there. My roomate may be interested in buying some off road bikes to toy around on (and there are a good amount of used of those here) and see if it goes anywhere from there.

I see I am not going to get the loan under any normal conditions (meaning without absurd conditions etc.). Until then I think I shall just keep my eyes peeled in the classifieds, I kinda wanted to try and stick with a store/dealership just so I am more confident what I am getting is in good condition etc, but it seems pricewise the way to go is personal.

So I leave with one last question, I was reading some reviews of ~250cc bikes, and they were "complaining" (or maybe just stating) they cant really get up more than 65-75(mph), is this statement true-ish? I'm not sure I would want to go faster than that (on a cruiser especially) so that may not knock those outa my shopping, but just to have some basis to know what to expect would be nice.

Thanks,

-James

mattf · #33 Unread post by **mattf** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:00 am

Jaymz wrote:I was reading some reviews of ~250cc bikes, and they were "complaining" (or maybe just stating) they cant really get up more than 65-75(mph), is this statement true-ish?

I would say this is tru-ish. A Ninja 250 may beat that. An Aprilia 250 two stroke will blow that away. But for a Nighthawk 250 or Rebel 250, that's probably true.

oehlerts · #34 Unread post by **oehlerts** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 9:13 am

I apologize to everyone if someone mentioned it already...but have you checked craigslist.com? there are a ton of used bikes available in the greater seattle area so you should be able to find something you like if you insist on going through with this...thats where i'm looking anyway

Jaymz · #35 Unread post by **Jaymz** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:32 pm

Ahh I will have to check craigs list then!

And to those frustrated, dont think you didnt help or that I wasted your time (well I guess thats up to you). I don't see how I am stuborn, sure I came here basically convinced on financing around 8-10k new sportbike. Now I am looking for a used ~2k cruiser... I'd call that a significant change!

EDIT: OMG thank you I have never used Craig's list before and I am going down the first page and already found *several* bikes that look good.

If I take the class now but dont get a bike for a few months is that going to be bad at all? Is it hard to remember stuff or is it pretty basic. Id rather wait and take it when I have a deal finishing so I am confident I am ending up with a bike, but at the same time being in college will make it more difficult to find a time and such for the class.

Craig7220 · Sun Jul 31, 2005 4:38 am

Jaymz wrote:I know I need gear, I am mostly concerned about helmet obviously lol, other gear I am not sure how into I am. I know a lot of people reccomend against riding without the protective gear but especially at first I am not concerned because I will be taking it so slow. Secondly I will have some more money to purchase gear that I am not including in my available finances.

.

Back in 1980, I was taking it slow, 20mph, and almost was killed by a vehicle that wasn't taking it slow. I would suggest that if you are going to ride, gear up....

iwannadie · Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:50 am

Craig7220 wrote:
Jaymz wrote:I know I need gear, I am mostly concerned about helmet obviously lol, other gear I am not sure how into I am. I know a lot of people reccomend against riding without the protective gear but especially at first I am not concerned because I will be taking it so slow. Secondly I will have some more money to purchase gear that I am not including in my available finances.

.
Back in 1980, I was taking it slow, 20mph, and almost was killed by a vehicle that wasn't taking it slow. I would suggest that if you are going to ride, gear up....

exactly, no matter how slow you take it another vehicle not taking it slow will kill you. i dont like when people have that attitude that because they will take it slow they will be ok. cant forget about all the other hazards on the road

#38 Unread post by **Kal** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:20 pm

That was an interesting roller coaster ride. For a minute there I wanted to shout at you - mainly because I didnt want to see you become a statistic.

Good gear is the way to go. Trust me denim dosnt cut it when you lay the bike down even at low speeds. Shop around and you should be able to get some good gear, lethers, boots, gloves etc for acceptable prices.
I picked all my gear up at Bike rallies - the traders there are usually very good.

The only thing I recomend you pay top dollar for is your lid - get one from a motorcycle accessories retailer who has a good range and have the assistant there help you pick one out that fits right.

Insurance - definatly, paying out for repairs to your bike or someone elses vehicle just after an accident is adding insult to injury.

On the same subject: Buy a big, big lock that you can use to tether the bike to street furniture with. Bike thieves ought to be crusified, but sadly arent.

Good to hear you are going to MSF.

On your question about guys complaining about 250's. I would suggest that they hve done something to their bikes and either dont realise or dont want to admit it.

My Honda CG125 with its 11bhp will do between 65 and 70mph.

A 1980's CB250 will crank out 90mph two up with a weekends camping gear. I would quote the friends I was told that by, as they arent too far from here, except that such speeds are illegal in the UK