Total Motorcycle Community Forums

TorontoBoy wrote:The type of bike you may consider depends on you as a rider and what you want to do with the bike.

What type of roads do you want to travel (highway, rural roads, local)? How fast do you want to travel? What are the speed limits of these roads? Are these roads paved, dirt, combination? What kind of riding do you want to do (commuting, carrying stuff, riding with someone else on back, inner city bumper-to-bumper)? What motorcycle/scooter/moped riding experience do you have? Do you want to buy new or is used Ok? Are you mechanically inclined or willing to learn?

You need to tell us more info so we can narrow down the options. Choosing a bike is quite individual.

P.S. Don't be too put off by the idiots in motorcycle stealerships that are unwilling to help you. It happens to me all the time, even when I arrive on my bike and walk in with helmet in hand. These characters are unworthy.

I mostly want to travel locally and on the highway. The speed limits are from 25 - 65, so a lot of variety. All the roads are paved. I will be alone most if not all of the time, and sometimes I will have to carry things, but not anything bulkier than books and stuff like that. The city I live in is a fairly decent sized place, but not really any heavy traffic. My Dad has a Kawasaki Duel Sport bike that is so gigantic I can't touch the ground, I've ridden a few dirtbikes and driven my friend's motorcycle with him on the back, but thats about it. Used is definitely alright, especially for my first bike. I am willing to learn how to take care and service my bike. I would really like a small bike, but I would like it to have enough power so it doesn't seem like I'm riding a dirtbike on the highway.

I recommend a used 250cc road bike. As others have recommended the Kawasaki Ninja 250 has a great following but can be hard to find used. The Honda Rebel 250, Honda Nighthawk 250, Yamaha Virago 250 are all options. All these will be under 350lbs, 20 bhp and great beginner bikes. Getting a larger bike like a 500 will slow down your learning, IMHO. On small bikes you'll learn faster.

Getting a good used bike will depend on your area. Take a friend or your Dad who knows bikes. Used bikes can have crashes. An '80s Japanese bike can be very reliable after you replace tires, battery, chain and other wear items. Check with eBay to ensure your bike has lots of used parts. Here in Toronto you should be able to get a good used bike for about $2,000, maybe add $500 for tires, battery, chain, etc. You should also consider the MSF rider course. A good helmet and safety equipment will protect you if you crash.

What was your budget?

I was thinking of topping out out 2,000, but would like to find something cheaper....

Okay, I figured out which one I want- A Yamaha Virago 250. I went and sat on one at the dealership, and several others, and decided this is the one I want! I can either buy a new one ($3000,) or have a used one ($1500) shipped to me from Alabama. (I live in NW OH)

About how much does it cost to ship a motorcycle? Is it worth it to ship it?

I have looked around here EVERYWHERE and there are no used ones ANYWHERE!

if you had mroe cash I would say the Guzzi Breva 750 with what Guzzi calls the "lady seat", but I'm partial to overpriced quirky italian machinery

Check out a 650 suzuki boulevard S40. Pretty light standard cruiser. User friendly!

tcreeley wrote:Check out a 650 suzuki boulevard S40. Pretty light standard cruiser. User friendly!

that's what my friend has- he said he would sell it to me, but now my heart is set on the Virago...

The S40 (Savage) looks like a great beginner bike. It's slightly more powerful than a 250, sorta half way between a 250 and a 500. At 380lb wet it's not super heavy, though you need to get on one to find out.

If your friend has one s/he's selling you should consider it.

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadte ... evard_s40/

A good used Honda CM400 is a great bike to learn on....as for the sales people ignoring you, walk up to them, smile sweetly, and drive your heel into the arch of their foot......you will soon have their complete and undivided attention.......shan't tell how a tiny female MP I served with got the undivided attention of Hell's Angles wanna be who was mucking about on the base....