First bike

[RVM]

Alrighty then, I'm getting ready for my first bike. It's gotta be California legal. I found a new Ninja 500 on eBay in AZ. It seems "too good to be true", so I've asked the seller quite a few questions that he has yet to respond to.

Anyway, I read the stickies at the top of the forum concerning bikes, and I have decided that buying a Honda CBR 600 or anything like that is probably not the most intelligent move. I am going to find a Ninja 250 or 500, but was wondering if there were any other sporty-type bikes besides this one that would be a good choice for a beginner to learn on. I would like to stay within a budget of about $4000, and I've got about $1500 put aside for helmet and other appropriate riding attire.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to respond!

[Ian522]

Suzuki GS500 comes to mind.

[intotherain]

call them

520-622-2780

are you sure that ninja is cali legal? It'll be a pain in the "O Ring" if you haul it over here to find out that its not cali legal. most other states dont carry cali models because they generally have smaller gas tanks and such..

[RVM]

I just got a reply to my email. They ignored my request for the VIN#. They stated it had never even been started and did not give a reason for auctioning it off with no reserve. They also did not answer whether it was legal in CA or not. I'm seriously thinking I'd prefer a used bike anyway, and if I do I'll probably buy it in CA just to be sure it is legal. I'll pay more in taxes and whatnot if I buy it there, but that's better than buying a bike that I cannot even drive there at all.

call them

520-622-2780

are you sure that ninja is cali legal? It'll be a pain in the "O Ring" if you haul it over here to find out that its not cali legal. most other states dont carry cali models because they generally have smaller gas tanks and such..

[RVM]

I really like that picture of the green bike in the middle picture! Is that yours?

call them

520-622-2780

are you sure that ninja is cali legal? It'll be a pain in the "O Ring" if you haul it over here to find out that its not cali legal. most other states dont carry cali models because they generally have smaller gas tanks and such..

[intotherain]

I really like that picture of the green bike in the middle picture! Is that yours?

call them

520-622-2780

are you sure that ninja is cali legal? It'll be a pain in the "O Ring" if you haul it over here to find out that its not cali legal. most other states dont carry cali models because they generally have smaller gas tanks and such..

Thanks, yes the bike is mine.

[ANDS!]

There are a ton of bikes in CA that you can get that you don't need to worry about going through some eBay auction or shipping or "dealer fee" for a used bike.

There have to be local dismantlers who fix up old bikes and offer them at a GREAT price. Motorjava, and Rancho Motorcycles spring to mind.

[RVM]

That sounds like a great idea. Are the dismantlers doing it to salvaged bikes or what? Are the bikes they "put back together" in good shape?

Thanks!

There are a ton of bikes in CA that you can get that you don't need to worry about going through some eBay auction or shipping or "dealer fee" for a used bike.

There have to be local dismantlers who fix up old bikes and offer them at a GREAT price. Motorjava, and Rancho Motorcycles spring to mind.

[ANDS!]

Some are salvaged, some are not. A salvaged bike just means the damage done was more than the cost of the bike. That doesn't mean a mechanic cant go in, buy it for cheap and put it back together with existing pieces around the shop. I've test rode dismantled bikes - they run good:

http://www.ranchomotorcycle.com/builder.asp?Type=1

The VF500 1985 there was going for 1200 - iirc it just needed a carb cleaning. Can find some good deals at the "junk heap".

[matthew5656]

I am going to find a Ninja 250 or 500, but was wondering if there were any other sporty-type bikes besides this one that would be a good choice for a beginner to learn on. I would like to stay within a budget of about $4000, and I've got about $1500 put aside for helmet and other appropriate riding attire.

I have no clue why no one mentions the old Yamaha XJ600 Diversion S & N. I have never sat on one of these so they could be top heavy for a beginner, but I have read several reviews claiming that the Seca is not as fast as the EX500 but still provides a great ride for starters. Whichever suits your tastes better. I think the EX500 looks nicer, but Yamaha can make a great bike! The only con i've heard for the Seca is how cold blooded it runs and how long you need to warm it up. There could be other disadvantages that i'm missing, I haven't read much about them.

I have found several used Secas on Craigslist anywhere from 1500 to 4000, but you could definitely afford an older one with 4 Gs!

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersgu ... ersion.htm