Sound right?

[sapaul]

I had three years on a dual (Kawa KL250) in my youth and myself and my young (then) wife went everywhere and did everything on that bike, including holidays. We even put it on a train once or twice. Man , that bike was fun and I never once thought it lacked power. I kinda gave up on bicycles about the same time I stopped sucking my thumb.

[Shiv]

You are saving and plodding around on your bicycle, because of your unwillingness to ride a 250. (Nice ... go 35mph tops instead of 95) Great that's your choice. Have fun.

Like I said I live on campus. It's a LOT more practical to have a bicycle than a motorcycle.

For one a motorcycle can't go ona sidewalk (well, not legally at least).

Two, there's no parking near the buildings where my classes are at.

Three, I live in the center of campus. My classes radiate around my dorm. Streets don't even get to a lot of my classes.


It'd be very impracticle as well as a downright hassle to use my motorcycle to get to and from class. That and I'd have to buy a permit for every lot that was near every one of the buildings that my classes are in (about 6 different permits there) which run about $100 each.

Now tell me that a 250cc is still a good idea.

[TechTMW]

What works for you may not work for everyone

He got One opinion, and he got another .... that's what we're here for

[Shiv]

I never said that my opinion was absolute.

But I would still think it wise to save his $1000 for a bike he won't outgrow and that he can use for everything. Commuting and just riding.


But it's a matter of whether he thinks the $1000 is worth the ride time he gets vs the bike he wants.

[TeeMan]

Shiv - Your logic is based on the bike being worth nothing in a year (or whenever he sells it). He's not "wasting $1000", he's using it for transportation and will probably get back $800+. Look at the prices of used bikes, after a certain time (8 yrs), an older model year only drops the price by tens of dollars.

That's exactly the reasoning I went through when I got my '92 GS500 last month, it was $800, its a great starter bike, if I outgrow it in a year I'll sell it for maybe $100 less which means I paid $10/month to ride this particular bike (not counting insurance). Good deal in my book and a no brainer.

Of course, he has to make his own decision, based on everyone's differing viewpoints.

[Shiv]

True enough.

By the way where'd you get a GS500 for $800? I'd kill for a deal like that....where do you live

But seriously did you get it off cycletrader or just locally?

[cb360]

250s are fine for city commuting. Ever been to an asian capital city? There's millions of 125s getting people to and from work every single day.

The money on a used bike isn't gone unless he wrecks it. I see used rebel250s still selling for $1500 and up that are 20 years old. My wife got an '01 with 6k miles on it for $1650 - if I want to advertise it and deal with tire kickers I have little doubt I could move it for 2k or close. Not that I bought the bike to make money - but to hear some people tell it buying a 250 is like setting fire to your wallet.

[Jamers!]

But it's a matter of whether he thinks the $1000 is worth the ride time he gets vs the bike he wants.

The bike i want i wont get. A BMW k1200s. That would be a dream bike, but no way im gettin that as a first bike, and probably not a 2ed bike. I think im going to get the 250. Its a good deal, and its a good bike to start on.


Thanks for the help all



JWF

[sapaul]

The bike i want i wont get. A BMW k1200s. That would be a dream bike,
JWF

You want what I have, good choice man, but you better take out some life insurance, can I be the beneficiary

All jokes aside, go with what you are comfortable with, if you are into biking it never goes away and you will have many bikes over the years.

[TeeMan]

Shiv - I'm in SanFran and that bike was local, a buddy I play poker with found out I was taking the MSF course and said "I've got the perfect bike for you". He had recently bought an Aprilia and his old bike was just sitting around.

It was a good deal but not amazing, I checked used bike prices (its 14 yrs old after all) and it was on the low side but not way low. Personally, it was a great deal considering that I knew him and how he treated the bike. If he sold me a lemon he'd hear about it for months & months so I knew the bike was in good shape.

Went out for my first 'night ride' last night (thanks daylight savings time, grrr). Was not as scary as I thought and I think the big light on the front made me more visible to the clueless cagers.... next stop on the learning train, highways...