Total Motorcycle Community Forums

OK, subject line aside I'll try not to make it too much of a repeat 'cause I know they get boring. Besides, I asked a similar question a couple weeks ago so this is really a refinement after having already received guidance.

Having followed the group advice, I just finished the MSF class. I have a budget of $4000 MAX to spend. I've already got the basic gear (helmet, gloves, jacket, need pants), so the 4K is pretty much all available for the bike. Less is better.

I need a good commuter bike. Highways mostly, no really vicious traffic. Ninja 250 is probably ideal.

Used bike prices are wickedly high around here from what I've seen. E.g. '03 EX250R goes for $2700! Since I can supposedly get a new '05 or perhaps '06 out the door for $3200, that seems totally out of line to me. I'm a little concerned about getting an older EX250 because it might have been punished or left in a garage to rot, and since my commute will be over 110mi/day I don't want to be dealing with mechanical issues at first.

Once I have some basic skills (20K miles) I'm going to head in the dual-sport/adventure touring direction...at least for fun riding. I figure 20K miles will take less than a year, since I drive my car 45K miles a year on average, and weather is usually pretty good around here.

I'm seriously thinking in terms of building up an EX250 with .8kg/mm fork springs, an EX500 rear shock, and 15/44 sprocket set to as my commuter...but it seems like that will cost almost as much used as new, and almost as much as a more capable bike. I've seen '04 GS500Es and old style (round tube) SV650's below $4000.

As everyone says, you can get a early-90s 500-750 for $3000 all day long, but I'm concerned about reliability, MPG, and suitability for really learning to ride on (I believe the cure for boredom is more challenges, not more speed...and I have plenty of challenging environments available to me). You can also get Buell Blasts cheap, but I'm concerned that they won't fit well (I'm only 6' tall but I've heard that they are cramped even for relatively short people).

Some of the dual sports (KLR650) get very cheap once they hit the 90s... but I have this image of people riding the crap out of them and selling a worn out husk of a bike. Espeically with a bike sold as off-roadable.

Am I needlessly worried about the reliability of used bikes? I only want 20K miles of "maintenance only" riding. If it starts getting crunchy after that I'll either fix it or get another bike. I don't want to be dealing with engine woes as I'm learning basic riding skills though.

Any options I haven't considered?

If I were you I'd just buy the EX500 or GS500. The 250 does get old after a while (Like a year mind you but the 500 may last 2+) and won't get to highway speeds as fast as a 500.

As far as the used concerns go, I'd say they're legitimate concerns but it's also a risk you take. Have a mechanic look it over or take it into a dealership to get it looked over.

Standard practicie is for both parties to split the bill since, at this point - unless something shows up wrong with the bike - the person is pretty interested in buying.

I rode my Ninja 250 for 16,000 miles before getting my second bike. It ran fine on the highway. I even took it up the 5 from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

The upgrades you want to do many not be necessary. Just get the bike and see how you like it. After you have ridden a stock bike for awhile, then you can decide what upgrades are worth it. Personally, I rode my Ninja 250 completely stock. Never changed a thing. Was always happy with it.

if your thinking about getting a dual sport why not just get a KLR 650, they are pretty much bulletproof and tend to lead easier lives than sportbikes.

My advice is buy used, ride it for a year or two, sell it and get something else that really want. It's going to suck the first time you drop the bike but it won't hurt as bad with a lower cost used bike as it would if you drop a brand new one.

Cool.

Dragonhawk... yep, keeping things stock for a while might be smart. I suspect I'm heavier than you though. From what I've read, the stiffer springs really help and they are pretty cheap.

What I don't understand about the EX250 is the number of <1000 mile bikes for sale. E.g. someone is selling an '05 w/ aftermarket exhaust, rejetted carb, "perfect condition" and 70 miles on it. That's not the craziest thing I've seen, but it is close to the scariest in the sense that I've got to wonder what changed their mind about riding the bike?

To show what I mean about the used market being nuts...I just found this: "2005 KAWASAKI NINJA 250 , blue, low mi, 300 mi, immac cond, pp, $4000" You can buy a brand new 2005 for $3300 out the door....probably less really

I'd prefer owning the KLR, but I'd prefer fueling the 250 ninja. In the end I'd like both... one for getting back and forth to work cheaply, and the other for having fun with.

I probably won't sell whatever "first bike" I get. I've got plenty of room and I long ago discovered the joys of the "non-op" on vehichles that don't need to pass smog inspections... you can keep a few on hand and, if you ever need one, it takes just a few minutes at the local AAA to make it street legal again. Much easier than renting a car when something happens to your primary transportation.

dieziege wrote:What I don't understand about the EX250 is the number of <1000 mile bikes for sale. E.g. someone is selling an '05 w/ aftermarket exhaust, rejetted carb, "perfect condition" and 70 miles on it. That's not the craziest thing I've seen, but it is close to the scariest in the sense that I've got to wonder what changed their mind about riding the bike?

Fear.

Usually those super-low-mileage bikes are sold by people who didn't take a training course, went out and bought a motorcycle with no knowledge of how to ride it, almost slammed into something or lost control in some way and are scared to death to ride anymore.

A few people are even man enough to admit it. The rest will claim their "lives got too busy to ride" and stuff. But that's a lie. The truth is usually "I went off the road taking an off-ramp because I don't know what I'm doing and got terrified."

They are usually sellling these low mileage bikes with a helmet and or other riding gear as well.

Your question about what bike to start out with I would go for the ninja 500. If your 6' tall that 250 will be too small for you & you'll get bored with it very fast.

I still don't understand how someone could get bored on a motorcycle.

Sevulturus wrote:I still don't understand how someone could get bored on a motorcycle.

x2, any motorcycle. I have more fun on my bike @ 40 mph than anything else.

I'm not a speed freak, I think motorcycling is just plain fun any way you take it.