Tips on buying a new bike

[mjjdm1986]

Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to these forums and riding. I passed the safety course over a year ago and got my license and, due to several things, was unable to purchase a bike until this spring. I don't know a whole lot about different types of bikes or what to look for so please forgive my ignorance! I am seeking advice because I am now in the market for my first bike. I am looking for a sportbike. I have been offered what seems like a good deal through a friend, but it is for a 2006 Honda CBR 600RR (asking 3500) and after reading through this forum I am more inclined to buy a 250 or something like a Ninja 500 to learn on. I am looking for something that I won't get bored with too quickly, though. I would like to have the first motorcycle for at least a year. I have no interest in going 100 mph or anything like that. I am just looking for a bike that I can easily commute to work on, enjoy riding around town on the weekends, and possibly go on a long roadtrip with frequent stops (so something that does well on the highway).

Could you guys with experience mention some options for bikes like this to me? What did you all start on? So far I have read that a general consensus is that Ninja 250/500 are good to begin on. But I would like to have some other bikes to look up to so that I can widen my searching net and get a good deal.

Also, I found this (http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/2284669531.html) on craigslist (2001 Kawasaki Ninja 500 for $1200). Does it look like it could be a pretty sweet deal??

Thanks!

[mjjdm1986]

Oh, forgot to mention, I am 5'8" and 175 pounds...just in case that factors in

[Johnj]

A CBR600RR is quite the hand full, so IMO your making a wise choice. All the manufactures make a 250cc bike, and some make a 500cc, and a couple make a 650cc twin that's on the borderline of too much. I think 500lb and 50 bhp for the first bike.

[Marvin]

get an insurance quote before you buy, crotch rockets such as the CBR600RR are higher cost to insure, I know guys with simular bikes that are paying $3000 per year on insurance.
A cruiser, or a dual sport bike will cost much less to insure
I suggest a better alternative such as the Yamaha FZ6-FZ6R, Suzuki SV650S, or the Kawasaki 650 Ninja, or Verseys (same engine)
Excellent beginner bikes with more speed and power you'll ever need and when you exceed to an experienced rider these bikes will still please you.

[JVRR]

Go sit on some bikes. Ninja 500 is a good place to start, GS500 is great as well. I love my GS500 and went that route, to be fair I was already planning on a GS500, but I went that route after sitting on some and I much prefer the fit of the GS. But it is different for everyone!

I sat on a CBR and the 30 seconds was about all I could take. No thanks!

Unless a stellar deal pops up I don't see any reason to get a Ninja 250. I don't think 500cc is too much to handle at all, and though a 250 is hardly slow, the ones I normally see at least are not much cheaper.

Something to keep in mind is resale value. You already have expressed the knowledge that you are going to want to upgrade, get something you are confident will sell fast, and for a reasonable value.

get an insurance quote before you buy, crotch rockets such as the CBR600RR are higher cost to insure, I know guys with simular bikes that are paying $3000 per year on insurance.

I pay $220 a year! That is crazy!

[JC Viper]

Go sit on some bikes. Ninja 500 is a good place to start, GS500 is great as well. I love my GS500 and went that route, to be fair I was already planning on a GS500, but I went that route after sitting on some and I much prefer the fit of the GS. But it is different for everyone!

I sat on a CBR and the 30 seconds was about all I could take. No thanks!

Unless a stellar deal pops up I don't see any reason to get a Ninja 250. I don't think 500cc is too much to handle at all, and though a 250 is hardly slow, the ones I normally see at least are not much cheaper.

Something to keep in mind is resale value. You already have expressed the knowledge that you are going to want to upgrade, get something you are confident will sell fast, and for a reasonable value.

get an insurance quote before you buy, crotch rockets such as the CBR600RR are higher cost to insure, I know guys with simular bikes that are paying $3000 per year on insurance.

I pay $220 a year! That is crazy!

Full Coverage on a super sport along with inexperienced/ young riders hike up the price. If you live in a city like NYC it's even worse due to theft and/ or collisions.

I had to give up my SV650 and go back to the Vulcan after 6 months because the payments were quite steep (this was back when I was 20) as I felt more secure with full coverage on a 2001 SV... and it's NYC so collision is a must have IMO.

Heck insuring my GZ250 full coverage was $1800 a year as I bought my bike a month after getting my license for it. My mistake for buying brand new though...

[JVRR]

Full Coverage on a super sport along with inexperienced/ young riders hike up the price. If you live in a city like NYC it's even worse due to theft and/ or collisions.

I had to give up my SV650 and go back to the Vulcan after 6 months because the payments were quite steep (this was back when I was 20) as I felt more secure with full coverage on a 2001 SV... and it's NYC so collision is a must have IMO.

Heck insuring my GZ250 full coverage was $1800 a year as I bought my bike a month after getting my license for it. My mistake for buying brand new though...

I think the ticket here in Washington is that insurance is not required by law, so I am pretty confident it drives the price way down. I have to say its one of those rare (government inspired) times I feel lucky to live in Washington!

[JC Viper]

it would have been much less had I taken off Collision and increased the deductible to the max. Now that I'm 25 the insurance problems are over...