Newbie, What bike should I get? Have some specifics.
Newbie, What bike should I get? Have some specifics.
Hi guys, wow this site is awesome. I never thought I could get so much information. I already took a look at some past replies to other newbies with the same question I have, but I have some specific wants. I'm new to the motorcycle world and want to buy my first motorcycle soon. Basically, I want to get a motorcycle but I want to get one used. I want to spend under 700 dollars (I have found some in the classifieds that are about this price, some even 500 dollars) but I also need a bike that is safe going 65 mph. It's going to be driven in the suburbs and highways mostly, that's why I need to make sure it drives well and safe going 65 mph. I also want to make sure it doesn't take more than 12 seconds to reach 60 mph (it can be faster, just not slower). It can't be a crotch rocket (nothing flashy or too sporty) and it shouldn't be huge and bulky, definitely not a scooter either, I'm just looking for something in between (just a good ol' motorcycle). Also, occassionally it will be ridden with two passengers for a combined weight of about 310 pounds, so it will need to be able to drive safe at 65mph even with two people (I won't be riding it with two people until I am skilled and confident enough obviously, haha). I'm a small guy, about 5' 7" and 160 lbs. So whatever you think would fit me is fine. Also, I wouldn't mind getting one that tends to have lower insurance costs. Lastly (sorry this was so long, I've got so many things in my head), I want a motorcycle that is known to be reliable and safe. Thanks in advance to anyone who replies to me, I'm sure you're sick of these newby type questions. I really will appreciate any help that I can get.
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TechTMW
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Why not post some of the bikes that you've seen advertised, and we can point out strengths and weaknesses of said bike? Your biggest concern seems to be price, and since we don't know your home market, it's tough to make suggestions.
A $700 bike is going to require some maintenance, you didn't mention if you have any mechanical inclination...
A $700 bike is going to require some maintenance, you didn't mention if you have any mechanical inclination...
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)
What are your mechanical skills? A $500 bike will be broken within a month. Also, don't call yourself a 'newbie'. You're about to jostle and swerve with SUVs. Using a kindergarten term like that on yourself will get you killed.
Try to up your budget a bit. There's always someone trying to sell you some 20 year old piece of junk in the want ads for 500 bucks. Remember, a motorcyle is less forgiving that a car. Good maintenance is key for an old bike, but it costs money. New tires, battery, chain, well, that alone can be more than $500.
Like the last poster said, be more specific. We need to know more about you, and those jewels of motorcycling history you're seeing in the want ads.
Try to up your budget a bit. There's always someone trying to sell you some 20 year old piece of junk in the want ads for 500 bucks. Remember, a motorcyle is less forgiving that a car. Good maintenance is key for an old bike, but it costs money. New tires, battery, chain, well, that alone can be more than $500.
Like the last poster said, be more specific. We need to know more about you, and those jewels of motorcycling history you're seeing in the want ads.
"People who consider themselves brutally honest are usually putting the emphasis on brutality"
Paraphrase of some English guy.
Paraphrase of some English guy.
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DivideOverflow
- Legendary 1000
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- Sex: Male
- Location: Florida, USA
Thanks for the quick repies everyone. Sure, I'll list some of the bikes and costs of each that I've seen:
400cc 1979 Honda Stiletto CM400T went for 510 dollars (it looked a little small but seemed good for learning). It ran well and had about 18,000 miles on it.
'86 Honda 450 Night Hawk,
burgundy, good cond.
$850 (no other details, didn't call the guy).
'77 Yamaha 1100, $500 (don't think it had been ridden in a year but it was currently running, no idea about mileage)
'80 Suzuki GS850L $500 (was running and was not ridden much, no idea about mileage). (Also, I read a motorcycle diary of a guy who bought his first motorcycle and it was a gs850l also. He paid 600 bucks and it seemed to not give him any problems. You may have read it online, but the guy drove it across the U.S.)
I'm still looking for deals, these were just a couple that I found.
Also, in terms of my mechanical skills, I basically don't have any. I can learn to fix things but the closest thing to a motorcycle I've had was a '77 Sachs moped that was 50cc, haha. I figured that if I was just starting out, that I should go pretty cheap and learn to fix things on it as problems arise so I can better maintain my next future motorcycle. But at the same time, it's supposed to be a present for my father ( he's always wanted one but my mother wouldn't let him have one until recently). It will be his first motorcycle and he's the same size as me, so basically I was put on assignment to get him a starter bike. He's not mechanically inclined at all either and I only get to see him on occassion. So I would need a bike that would run well without a great deal of maintenance (such as only fixing it about twice a year). I'm scared to spend too much on a motorcycle and have something go wrong that I can not learn to fix and then waste a great deal of my investment. That's why I wanted to go cheap, and not worry about losing much if something major did go wrong. But if you think it's too hard to get a good starting motorcycle for 700 bucks or less then I may have to open up my pocket book or else try and find a police auction to buy a motorcycle. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
400cc 1979 Honda Stiletto CM400T went for 510 dollars (it looked a little small but seemed good for learning). It ran well and had about 18,000 miles on it.
'86 Honda 450 Night Hawk,
burgundy, good cond.
$850 (no other details, didn't call the guy).
'77 Yamaha 1100, $500 (don't think it had been ridden in a year but it was currently running, no idea about mileage)
'80 Suzuki GS850L $500 (was running and was not ridden much, no idea about mileage). (Also, I read a motorcycle diary of a guy who bought his first motorcycle and it was a gs850l also. He paid 600 bucks and it seemed to not give him any problems. You may have read it online, but the guy drove it across the U.S.)
I'm still looking for deals, these were just a couple that I found.
Also, in terms of my mechanical skills, I basically don't have any. I can learn to fix things but the closest thing to a motorcycle I've had was a '77 Sachs moped that was 50cc, haha. I figured that if I was just starting out, that I should go pretty cheap and learn to fix things on it as problems arise so I can better maintain my next future motorcycle. But at the same time, it's supposed to be a present for my father ( he's always wanted one but my mother wouldn't let him have one until recently). It will be his first motorcycle and he's the same size as me, so basically I was put on assignment to get him a starter bike. He's not mechanically inclined at all either and I only get to see him on occassion. So I would need a bike that would run well without a great deal of maintenance (such as only fixing it about twice a year). I'm scared to spend too much on a motorcycle and have something go wrong that I can not learn to fix and then waste a great deal of my investment. That's why I wanted to go cheap, and not worry about losing much if something major did go wrong. But if you think it's too hard to get a good starting motorcycle for 700 bucks or less then I may have to open up my pocket book or else try and find a police auction to buy a motorcycle. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
"86 Honda 450 Night Hawk, burgundy, good cond. $850 (no other details, didn't call the guy)."
That't the best of the bunch on first glance. Do you at least have a friend who can go with you and assess the condition of these dinosaurs?
You have NO mechanical skills? You've never even ridden dirt bikes?
Do you have a friend who is an experienced biker and can check the bike out for you?
That't the best of the bunch on first glance. Do you at least have a friend who can go with you and assess the condition of these dinosaurs?
You have NO mechanical skills? You've never even ridden dirt bikes?
Do you have a friend who is an experienced biker and can check the bike out for you?
"People who consider themselves brutally honest are usually putting the emphasis on brutality"
Paraphrase of some English guy.
Paraphrase of some English guy.
One of the major things you want to check out on a older used bike is the tires. Even if the tread looks fine, look for cracks in the sidewalls.. One thing you don't want is to be going down the road at 65 mph and have a tire blow out. You can also check out the date of the tire on the sidewall.
Craig
2005 Suzuki C-50 Limited
2005 Suzuki C-50 Limited
Thanks for the info, yeah, I wouldn't want to deal with dry rotted tires or anything that had cracks in the sidewalls. And yes, I barely have any mechanical skills. Around where I live, not many people at all have a motorcycle (it's about 1 in every 50-maybe more- people or so may have one). I know some guys that like motorcycles, but they've never had one themselves either. Like I said earlier, I'm sure I could learn to maintain the bike with some practice, that's why I would rather practice on something cheap rather than expensive. Maybe someone could tell me what to look for (safety issues, possible problems) when I go and buy one? Thanks again.
amodoko, having a good mechanic check it out is best, but I'm assuming that isn't in your budget. So, here are some rough tips.
Yea, the tires. Talk to the seller. The worst bet is a bike that's been sitting for years. That's an invitation to rebuilt carbs, bad wheel bearings, a new chain, etc.
Talking to the dude, and seeing some tangible evidence of regular use and maintenance is the best bet. Buying good tires is a good bet, but look at the chain, (if it has one), for evidence. Is it clean and well lubed? Look at the adjustment marks for signs of stretch. Bounce the front end with the brake locked. Is there slimy chit on the fork?
Make sure the bike is ice cold when you first start it, (feel the side of the engine to confirm this), then see how well it starts and warms up. Look for leaks, and listen for piston slap. Listen to the valves at the top, they sould be ticking. If there's a knocking coming from the bottom end you need a new engine. Pass.
Once warmed up bounce the throttle from idle. It should RPM fast to 3 grand or so, then settle right down to a smooth idle. Check the action of the controls. Smooth clutch, smooth throttle, and firm brakes. Roll the bike and check the brakes.
Are you going to ride this bike? If not, at least slip the clutch in 1st and 2nd gear. In second you should slip the clutch with the front brake engaged and at 2,000 rpm or so it should stall pretty quickly.
Do you have a flashlight? Open the gas tank and look inside. Look for any rust. If you do ride the bike, well, you have nothing to compare it to. But it should ride smoothly and brake in a straight line. Run it up to redline and engine brake. Look behind. If there is blue smoke coming from either pipe your oil rings are shot. Give it a good workout on the freeway, then come to a complete stop at idle. Pay real good attention to any noises coming from the engine now. If you hear knock, pass.
Since you're not a mechanic realise that any operational problems will add big money to your ownership.
btw, where do you live where there aren't many motorcyclists? Alaska? Good luck.
Yea, the tires. Talk to the seller. The worst bet is a bike that's been sitting for years. That's an invitation to rebuilt carbs, bad wheel bearings, a new chain, etc.
Talking to the dude, and seeing some tangible evidence of regular use and maintenance is the best bet. Buying good tires is a good bet, but look at the chain, (if it has one), for evidence. Is it clean and well lubed? Look at the adjustment marks for signs of stretch. Bounce the front end with the brake locked. Is there slimy chit on the fork?
Make sure the bike is ice cold when you first start it, (feel the side of the engine to confirm this), then see how well it starts and warms up. Look for leaks, and listen for piston slap. Listen to the valves at the top, they sould be ticking. If there's a knocking coming from the bottom end you need a new engine. Pass.
Once warmed up bounce the throttle from idle. It should RPM fast to 3 grand or so, then settle right down to a smooth idle. Check the action of the controls. Smooth clutch, smooth throttle, and firm brakes. Roll the bike and check the brakes.
Are you going to ride this bike? If not, at least slip the clutch in 1st and 2nd gear. In second you should slip the clutch with the front brake engaged and at 2,000 rpm or so it should stall pretty quickly.
Do you have a flashlight? Open the gas tank and look inside. Look for any rust. If you do ride the bike, well, you have nothing to compare it to. But it should ride smoothly and brake in a straight line. Run it up to redline and engine brake. Look behind. If there is blue smoke coming from either pipe your oil rings are shot. Give it a good workout on the freeway, then come to a complete stop at idle. Pay real good attention to any noises coming from the engine now. If you hear knock, pass.
Since you're not a mechanic realise that any operational problems will add big money to your ownership.
btw, where do you live where there aren't many motorcyclists? Alaska? Good luck.
"People who consider themselves brutally honest are usually putting the emphasis on brutality"
Paraphrase of some English guy.
Paraphrase of some English guy.