Total Motorcycle Community Forums

hi all! first off, i'll just tell you that im 17. next, i drive a 1992 toyota 4 runner that gets 10-12 MPG, finally, people from our local co-op say that gas here will be at $4/gal. by summers end. i cant afford that so im looking into a MUCH more fuel efficient car (perhaps a VW jetta TDI), or a motorcycle. im not a very materialistic person, but i do take pride in what i do have, so either way i go i refuse to get something that i dont like the way it looks, or that is older then say 99 (im trying to get out of an old car).

cars i know about.... motorcycles, well, i dont know crap. the only thing that i know, is that i cant picture myself on any bike other then a sports bike (nobody that knows me can) (aka if i get a bike i want a sports bike)... i dont care what i get so long as it is safe enough for me to get (im not a wild driver.. all my friends can tell you that....ive have to many people i know die in car wrecks from acting stupid including one of my really good friends this past summer... i dont even do 5 over)....

what are some recommendations you might give me? im not sure if im getting a new or used, it all depends on the prices..... (of course if i get a used one im going to have my uncle who is a mechanic look at it and all that good jazz).... the only thing that is really as important (or more important) is gas mileage... id like to get about 200 miles to a tank... any suggestions? any help would be appreciated.... i know as much about bikes as i do, say the reproductive habbits of giant squid.... thanks. Austin Eubanks

If you must have a sport bike, check out the Kawasaki Ninja 250, or the Alphasports(Hyosung) Comet 250.

They are both pretty affordable, good handlers, look pretty good IMO. Based upon what you said about how you drive, these should have plenty of power for you. The Ninja 250R is reported to do 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, and the quarter mile in the 14's.

The comet isnt quite as quick, but still has plenty of pep for city driving (I drive an alphasport GV250 cruiser that has the same engine, and it hauls me around just fine...and I weigh about 220, plus, the cruiser is 50lbs heavier than the comet.).

http://www.alphasportsmotors.com/pages/ ... naked.html
http://www.hyosungmotors.com.au/2WheelstoryJul03.html

http://www.kawasaki.com/product_detail. ... motorcycle

i hear this kind of thing all the time, people think since they are very responsible driver and such they can handle a race ready bike. but its not really the case. the bikes can get away from you with the slightest mistake unlike a car. lets say your in a viper at a redlight and go to take off and accidently give it too much gas. your body gets thrown back and so does your foot, pulling it off the gas pedal thus reducing your speed and chance of incident unless you make an effort to stay on the pedel. not to mention all 4 wheels are on the ground. on a bike same situation, you get a fist full of throttle and the bike takes off throws your body backwards. you tighten your grip on the handle bars out of fear, and the momentum of your body being thrown back increases the amount of throttle. with a death grip and no experience with a bike your not going to think about clutch or brakes when the front wheel is off the ground and your doing 100mph in a few seconds. no thing you can do about that its so common for beginners and even exp riders. without experience with those situations on a smaller bike you will panic and not have any idea what to do. ive seen riders hit a bump and cause them to get too much throttle and pull the front wheel up and panic. ive even seen some kids trying to go over a speed bump on crotch rockets and end up pulling wheelies and dumping them.

i dont want to sound like im preeching but really just because you can go 5 under the speed limit in an suv doesnt mean you can handle a race ready motorcycle with any level of confidence or skill your first go at a bike.

stick with a smaller sport bike like the 250 ninja.

What he said. Not to mention, you said you are trying to save money, a bigger cc sport bike will be ASTRONOMICAL insurance-wise... especially at your age. Before you buy anything, check with your insurance company on each bike you are looking at.

Best insurance prices for bikes: Standard or cruiser, 250cc, take the MSF.

A Ninja 250 or the Comet 250 wont be too much because they arent race machines... actually, the Comet is considered a standard I believe, so it might be cheaper on insurance.

Go here, take this class: http://www.msf-usa.org/

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