New Cyclist?

[123]

So I'll start with some basic information about myself. I'm Garrett, and I'm 17 getting ready for college. I live in California. Soon I will be without any form of transportation, besides public, to college and where ever I'll work.

There's nothing bad about public transportation, and I support it--but it would restrict me a lot, too much in my opinion, which is probably coherent with everybody else's on this forum. So I'm looking for a vehicle to use when I don't want to bother with the public system.

Motorcycles have grabbed my attention, especially the EX250. It's agile, sexy, great for beginners, efficient and cheap (even the insurance). Its basic cost brand new is almost nothing compared to a car. What more could one want?

The EX250 is stuck in my head; I feel that's what I'm going to take a loan and get. But the Blast is also plaguing my mind. I'll have to see 'em both in person and sit on them. What are your guys' opinions?

The thing with a motorcycle is in order to keep price down, I'll probably go with minimum insurance coverage and safety gear.

Risky, I know.

Edit: Oh, and should I opt for a used bike?

--Garrett

[shalihe74]

My first reaction after reading your post is that you should buy whatever bike is cheap enough to allow you to buy adequate safety gear. If you have to take out a loan to get the bike, tell your bank you need an extra $1000 for gear.

Gear is like insurance for your body. Skimp on the insurance for your bike if you want to save some pennies (and are willing to accept being bikeless if something happens). But don't skimp on your "body" insurance.

Second thought: if you're taking out a loan for the bike, "minimum" insurance coverage is probably going to include collision and comprehensive. CA may be different on this, but most banks require full coverage on financed vehicles so they can get their money in the event your collateral (the bike) gets crunched or stolen.

Used bike? Well, if you can afford to buy a used bike (and gear) outright, do that. You'll be able to put the minimum coverage insurance on it and won't feel so bad if you drop it while you're learning. Better to drop a beater than drop your "sexy" new bike.

Third thought (or fourth, I suppose): Be careful. You sound like a mature, thoughtful fellow but college (especially if you're living away from home for the first time, which it sounds like you might be), seems to bring out the party (and the stupid) in people. (That, by the way, is experience talking. )

As for an opinion on the two bikes you've mentioned: I'm categorically opposed to Buells (for no good reason), so go with the other one if you're going to finance a bike.

[gsJack]

The EX250 is a blast, the Blast isn't.

A Busa rider's opinion of the Ninja 250

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread ... =ninja+250

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For the gear, I don't believe it would be a problem cost-wise. I just want to keep things easy on myself in that sense, and I'm sort of apathetic about bodily security. So for me a helmet feels like enough, but I'm seriously considering getting a CE-approved jacket too (fear is taking in on me >_>). And on insurance, I just want to be legal. There goes your opinion on my maturity, eh? lol

What about financing from the dealer? I don't know anything about purchasing the vehicle yet. The purchase will be a few months from now, like right on my 18th birthday, unless I can get it done with my mother's signature earlier. Just whenever I can.

For a used bike I would also have to take a loan or finance. I have no money set aside.

As for the dropping part: the Blast is made of Surlyn, which is the stuff used on the outside of golf balls, and it's about $4,700; and the Ninja 250R is only $3,000.

Thanks for the warning, but you shouldn't have to worry too much. I've partied myself stupid already, and know what too much drinking is like, what addiction to Vicodin is like, and more. But that's not to ensure I won't get into it again, just push the idea. I'll also probably be quite careful around what's renown as such a deadly form of transportation.

Oh, so you know, I'm not leaving home right away. I have to transfer from a community college.

And for you opinion on the bikes, it would be much more meaningful if you gave me a reason.

[123]

Makes it sound like the perfect choice for myself, knowing nothing about motorcycles yet.

[blues2cruise]

The EX250 is a blast, the Blast isn't.

A Busa rider's opinion of the Ninja 250

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread ... =ninja+250

What a great write up. It makes me think I want one now.

[123]

Is it loud enough on a motorcycle riding freeways with a full-face helmet for me to look into earplugs to protect my hearing? Well, when the heavy SoCal traffic isn't around.

[shalihe74]

For the gear, I don't believe it would be a problem cost-wise. I just want to keep things easy on myself in that sense, and I'm sort of apathetic about bodily security. So for me a helmet feels like enough, but I'm seriously considering getting a CE-approved jacket too (fear is taking in on me >_>).

Good thinking on getting the jacket. Jacket, a helmet, boots and gloves are - in my opinion, minimum and they won't be that hard to haul around while in school. And it's a lot better (so I understand) than having a wire brush scrub gravel and road grit out of cut and abraded skin after a slide...

And on insurance, I just want to be legal. There goes your opinion on my maturity, eh? lol

Nope - you still seem to have it together. I don't have full coverage on my bike. I do, however, have a pile of insurance on myself. I figure if I'm ever in a serious-enough accident, I'm not going to be worried about the bike. I'll be worried about paying hospital bills.

Here's the thing about insurance, though. (Disclaimer: as noted before, things may be different in Cali, but...) if you a finance a bike - whether through your dealer or through your own bank - the chances are really good you're going to have to carry full insurance. You may only want the minimum, but the bank that gives you the money for your bike is going to want to make sure that - if anything goes wrong - they get their money back. So they're going to want you to carry collision and comprehensive, which are the expensive bits to insurance usually. Just something to think about when considering financing.

Your best bet, honestly, is to figure out what the payments would be on the bikes you want (and the insurance payments, if you like) and then set that money aside for several months. Assuming you set aside $300/month, (figure $200 bike payment and $100 insurance) after several months you have enough money to buy a good used bike that you can put minimum insurance on and forget about.

And for you opinion on the bikes, it would be much more meaningful if you gave me a reason.

I have absolutely no concrete reason for picking a bike over the Buell. I just don't like them. In the same way that a Packers fan will hate the Vikings just because they are the Vikings, I don't like Buells for the sole reason that they are Buells.

[Scoutmedic]

What about financing from the dealer?

I think you're nuts to finance through a dealer. Join a credit union or talk to your bank. You'll find the longterm rates much better without any hidden increases or changes. Many dealer or factory finance deals look great until you look a little closer and see that it's only a small payment for a short period of time. After that, the interest rate and payment skyrocket.

I don't think I read anywhere about you taking a safety course. You should definitely consider that as well.

When deciding on insurance, sit down and talk to actual agents. Don't just do the online quotes. You'll find that in most cases, an agent can get you a better rate. They can also explain what each part of the policy are far, what you'll really need etc (Assuming you find an honest one I guess. My guy is a rider and a friend so, I trust him.).

Stay Safe Out There!

[123]

At the maturity part, I didn't mean just because of the insurance, but rather the whole paragraph -- just to clarify things.

I'll see about the insurance later on, when I could first-hand. Perhaps I could use a student loan? I really do hope that's different in California or there's a way around it; a main incentive for going with a bike is getting it new, quickly, and cheaply; and being able to insure it for practically nothing.

The problem with a used bike is the EX250s are sold for about the price of a new one, and there's no warranty.

Thanks a lot, man.

lol at the bias. =P

Lastly, do you really consider the boots a big deal? I haven't seen any I liked... :/