Your First Bike: New or Used

[Big B]

used 1981 honda cx500custom

kinda wish i still had that bike running, was a great starter bike

[blues2cruise]

Well....I bought new. I had put off learning to ride for so many years...
I started off looking for a used bike, but then decided I was worth a new one with a warranty.
I did not drop it during the learning phase. It may be true that a lot of people drop their bikes, but not everyone does.

[ofblong]

Well....I bought new. I had put off learning to ride for so many years...
I started off looking for a used bike, but then decided I was worth a new one with a warranty.
I did not drop it during the learning phase. It may be true that a lot of people drop their bikes, but not everyone does.

well im not experienced by any means but I have been riding 2 years now without dropping the bike. Though i woke up in pure sweat one night cause I dreamed I droped my Ducati (you know the one I will someday get in the future).

[mrflamewerks]

My brother and I bought a Honda 305 Dream in '67. We tried to teach my sister how to ride and wound up with a broken Dream...

[Funderbird]

It was easier to buy a new bike than old...Financing a used bike is at times a PITA...I was working with the bank to buy a used shadow...Two weeks later they wanted 1000 down...I went to the new bike store and financed the intire thing...140 something a month...

[Dragon on Wheels]

I bought a new bike. The price difference between a used version of the bike I bought and a new one wasn't really all that much. Also, I've had very bad experiences buying or taking something that was used. I've had bad experiences with new stuff too, but at least they usually have a warranty of some sort.

[ofblong]

I bought a new bike. The price difference between a used version of the bike I bought and a new one wasn't really all that much. Also, I've had very bad experiences buying or taking something that was used. I've had bad experiences with new stuff too, but at least they usually have a warranty of some sort.

if your buying from a dealer you can ALWAYS negotiate some sort of warranty no matter what the age of the bike is.

as for financing its always been cash for toys.

[Funderbird]

As my primary form of transportation, I wanted something that was reliable and had not been road hard. My nieghbor bought a 2003 r-6 for 3800...It seemed like a good deal but after we got it home the front shocks leaked and the rear disks had to be repaired and after looking under the faring we found some indications it had been dropped... he almost dumped it in the steet because of the brakes...But, if you do get a used bike I suppose you can have a mechanic look it over. I did this with most of the used cars I ever bought...

[redcoat]

I know I'm a bit late but I just joined the forum.

First bike was an 82 Yamaha 250 Exciter, bought in 89 for $700- my total of tips for valet work for the month of April- times were good (pay was a pittance bu paid the rent for a garret and food). Bike was beautiful, till I dropped it a week later. New riders should always buy small and used!!

Good thing it was light weight, I was a long way up a back country logging road outside Squamish. On a hill I grabbed the front brake, rear wheel came up, and kept on going. Pitched over the bars, I did a spread eagle on the rough stone trail, and then the bike fell on me. Red hot exhaust on my legs, and the engine on my back. I learnt very quickly not to ride in shorts, and the difference between street bikes and enduros. And I carry the scars well.

Did Winnepeg and back the next spring, and later it got stuck hauling a sidecar and was pushed into being a working vehicle. Not bad for a $700 250cc bike!

[Bluebabe]

Glad to hear that's ALL that happened wearing shorts, holy cow!!

My first, second AND third bikes were all used. This one was new....glad I waited.