Need a first bike (not sport bike)

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ziggystardust · Mon May 15, 2006 3:05 pm

Ok so my parents have pretty much agreed upon me getting a motorcycle. The problem is, insurance for a 16 yearold driver with a sport anything is alot. So I need a good beginner bike, but it cannot be a sport bike, so no kawasaki ninja's like i had previously wanted/ hoped for. I guess my options now are a cruiser like the honda rebel, or a standard bike. My questions are what are some good "standard" bikes, as I am unfamilar with them, and as far as the cruiser goes, I would much rather have a standard.

please give me input thanx.

camthepyro · Mon May 15, 2006 3:19 pm

You could get Nighthawk, that's what I have, and '82 Nighthawk 450, and it works well, very good for a beginner. Standards like the nighthawk are nice because they're in between a sport bike and a cruiser, so after you've ridden it for a while, you can decide what kind of bike you want to get once you move up to your second bike. Like, from riding on my standard, I've realized I want either a faster standard, like the 599, or a sport bike like the CBR600, but I know I don't want a cruiser.

#3 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:22 pm

yes you are 16, yes insurance blows for you, but have you gotten any quotes for a bike like a ninja250 or 500, even being 'sport' bikes it should still be reasonable, and dont base your bike off of your insurance, base it off of whats comfortable and what you like, if you buy a bike that you dont love cause you can afford it, then your buying for the wrong reasons.

JWF

ziggystardust · Mon May 15, 2006 3:28 pm

Jwf505: Yes this is what I am basing my whole question off of, When my dad called up our insurance company and asked how much it would be if I, being 16, with a permit, and even with MSF, bought a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc "sportbike" it would be $1000 more then if I had a standard bike, or a cruiser, such as the rebel.

it would be $1500 for me for a year with a ninja 250, while with a rebel, or a standard bike, it would be 500 or so.

#5 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:29 pm

ziggystardust wrote:Jwf505: Yes this is what I am basing my whole question off of, When my dad called up our insurance company and asked how much it would be if I, being 16, with a permit, and even with MSF, bought a Kawasaki Ninja 250cc "sportbike" it would be $1000 more then if I had a standard bike, or a cruiser, such as the rebel.

it would be $1500 for me for a year with a ninja 250, while with a rebel, or a standard bike, it would be 500 or so.

man, thats insane, who do you have for insurance? as for bikes, go to dealerships, ask for standard small CC bikes and go sit on em, see how they feel, see how you like em, then make your choice, if a dealership trys to tell you that you want bigger or that you will get bored, tell em to "pee" off and go to anouther, you dont need their crap.

JWF

#6 Unread post by **bok** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:50 pm

i see the word "permit" there...not a full license?

anyway if you can find a decent older model standard then grab that for a year. after you have had your full license for one year, most places will drop your insurance by probably 20% or so since they know that in the first year of riding is the most dangerous/costly to them.

so as a 16 year old, buy a mechanically sound bike to learn and get cheaper insurance on, and while you wait the year for insurance cost to drop a bit, you will get more riding skill and time to save up for a bike that is more your style.

it is said a lot, but this will be your first bike but not the only bike you ever own.

sadly you will be hooped as far as insurance goes for another 9 years or so.

another good resource that you may have seen referenced here is http://www.californiabikenights.com/learn lots of good ideas for "starter bikes"

camthepyro · Mon May 15, 2006 4:00 pm

I only pay $212 a year with progressive, because my bike is so old.

ziggystardust · Mon May 15, 2006 4:04 pm

well yes, I would be getting my permit in a few weeks, and I am fully aware that this will not be my only bike I ever get. With that said, I found a 2004 used honda rebel for $2400 in the local pennsyaver near my house, and will most likely buy it as a first bike.

camthepyro · Mon May 15, 2006 4:36 pm

That sound pretty decent, if you're not mechanically inclined, take it to a mechanic and have him check it before you buy it. You should be able to split the cost of this check with the seller.

Dragonhawk · Mon May 15, 2006 4:40 pm

The Honda Rebel sounds like a good choice for you. Check out the 250 Nighthawk too before you buy the Rebel.

In fact, learnt o ride before you buy ANYTHING.

Here, read this:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

It's a page I made to help beginners figure out what order to do things in when learning to ride. Should help guide you in the right direction and answer a lot of your questions.