No used motorcycles anywhere...have to buy new...help!

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Andy G · #1 Unread post by **Andy G** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:21 am

OK so used bikes are impossible to come by here where I live. They just don't exist, and if they do they are sold right away when (if) listed in the paper.

So, I'm almost forced to buy new. I would consider ebay or cycletrader.com, but I am not comfortable buying something like a motorcycle without being able to at LEAST sit on it, if not actually ride it.

I really wanted a used bike because of less cost, and with me being 6'4" tall, I really don't think a Rebel 250 or a Nighthawk 250 will fit me...but I don't know, because the local dealer doesn't have any and isn't getting any.

I know...I know...cry me a river...!

Any taller riders out there that comfortably fit on a Rebel/Nighthawk 250? I will only be using the motorcycle to commute to/from work and around town (a small town). No road trips, no cruising...just to/from work (5 miles each way).

If anyone has any suggestions, I'm more than open to hearing them!

EDIT: Also, I stopped by the Honda dealer today. Told him I was interested in a beginners bike. He suggested the Honda Shadow Spirit or Sabre...both 1100cc bikes. I thanked him and walked out.

Thanks!
Andy
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

dieziege · #2 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:30 am

Why Honda again? The rebel is famous for being tiny, and the 250 nighthawk is famous for being lame (or at least a bad deal).

Virago 250, Ninja 250R, Suzuki GZ250, and a few other (bigger/more expensive) bikes are fairly cheap and might fit better.

moto_hanki · Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:31 am

My first bike was an 85' Rebel. I am 5'7" and it was unbearably uncomfortable after about 15 minutes. Hurt my knees and my back. My friend had an 82' CM250, standard, similar to the nighthawk that was much more comfortable. Don't get the Rebel you'll hate it.

Are you close enough to a larger city where you could go for a couple of days and spend some time looking at used bikes? Both Detroit and Mineapolis have listings on craigslist. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/

Shiv · #4 Unread post by **Shiv** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:32 am

Well a Rebel 250 is pretty small so you probably wouldn't like it.

As for sitting on a bike, just sit on the ones at the dealerships. See if they fit you.

Cycletrader and Craigslist are the best resources I've found for finding local bikes.

Off e-bay they're always like 20 states away and I can't travel that far to get a bike.

But on Cycle trader you set your mileage and on Craigs you pick cities near you.

I know you said you've tried CT already but you might have to put down the 200 mile option, maybe more. A good bike is worth traveling for.

camthepyro · Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:32 am

Have you checked craigslist in your area? And how long have you been looking? When i was looking for a bike, I checked craigslist and ebay everyday for a month or two before I finally found a bike that hadn't been sold yet.

dieziege · #6 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:36 am

he wasn't kidding about no bikes in his area... I pulled his zip code and went to a few online classifieds

... nothing.

DivideOverflow · Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:37 am

Nighthawk was the most uncomfortable bike I ever sat on. I am 6'0, and I cramped up after about 10 minutes on it at the MSF... I had to change to the Eliminator 125... much more comfortable! lol

I've bought 2 bikes from online forums and craigslist... I always go check them out, but they are a good place to find them. Check craigslist, or if you find something you like locally on cycletrader or ebay, give the seller a call and try to go take a look at the bike.

EDIT:
Check out the Shadow Spirit 750 (if you are interested in that type of bike). That actually isnt a bad beginner bike. It only has 40ish horsepower.

Shiv · #8 Unread post by **Shiv** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:54 am

I'll throw my two bits in here.

I'm 5' 11" and the Nighthawk 250 wasn't really uncomfortable for me. BUT the distance between the peg and the gear shift was way too small. My foot wouldn't fit and made for difficult shifting.

camthepyro · Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:58 pm

My nighthawk is perfect for my size (about 5'10"-11"), but yeah, the distance between the foot peg and shifter is really small. When I wear boots (which I should while riding) I have to use the side of the boot, where the rubber sticks out, to shift.

Andy G · #10 Unread post by **Andy G** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:35 pm

Thank you to everyone that has replied.

I looked at a Shadow VLX as well as the Spirit 750 - the biggest drawback to those bikes was the price. Too much $$$ for a first bike.