New Biker- Possibly a new challenge?

[Jaymz]

So I browsed around a bit, and I have done some basic research. Unfortuently I have no co-signers (at best I will be buying a bike with my parents strong disapproval, at worst they claim to not pay for college but I know thats a load lol). Apparently my dad thought he could come home every day for 10+ years of being a motorcycle cop and have stories about awsome chases he got in and stuff and then expect me to not be interested... sigh

Anyway, I may pose some new challenges that I didnt see in the recent posts. I am probably looking new, or slightly used (leased and couldnt pay a few months later kind of thing). I am very careful and take a long time to learn what I have under me (I drive a Monte Carlo SS and with lesser consequences but it still took some practice hehe).

Anyway, I have a few questions here. I sent an e-mail off to some local shops to find out with no cosigning (to get back where I started) what kind of financing plans I can get at only 18, so that could be a limiting factor.

I am looking for something to last 4+ years, I want it to be good for learning, but more importantly in a year if I am now Mr. Biker I don't want to feel like I want a better bike, because on a college-student's income it just wont be possible. On top of that I think I am more of a cruiser candidate, but I like the look of the sportbikes and lets face it, I may not be looking to use the speed often but I am going to want to have the fun someday that comes with a sportbike. And possibly the greatest factor is my size, unfortuently im not like the lucky tall guys, I'm good 'ol fashioned just fat so I am sure this comes into play, a Ninja 250 isnt going to power me as far as a 100lb guy. I am also decently-strengthed I would say so I can handle something heavier if need be. One of my concerns with being big (though I don't plan on it for too much longer, because I planned for it so far ) is also look. Whether a Ninja 250 would power me just fine may not matter, but that may be similar to seeing an elephant in the back of an F150, maybe a dramatization but you get my point. I obviously want to look good lol.

Traffic situations, long (5+ hour) drives to and from college, and then city traffic. City traffic will be shorter though, my main concern is long drives. IE I would rather be comfortable long rides then short rides, of course a happy medium would be nice. Lets put it this way, the bike isnt to get me from point a to b (though it will be used that way I would assume many a time). It is to go out some weekend and cruise the state for fun, enjoy my 5 hours ride home, etc. etc. Also I live in the NW so while I don't plan on being out in pouring rain I could only imagine some bikes handle better in the rain and potentially snow than others. Luckily one reason I chose the Monte Carlo was for superior (compared to say a civic) snow handeling, I am going to college in spokane which can get a lot of snow in the winter (though it is generally plowed within 12 hours I hear).

I don't plan on insuring, maybe at the least the basic cheapest insurance, but the payments are probably going to be about half my income and so I can't afford too much, nor do I think I need it, as much as I love speed I am an extremly safe person, you could go as far as a wuss.

So, what are some recomendations. I know a lot of it is just looking around and finding a good fit, but A) I dont have a whole lot of time, looking for next monthish, B) we can knock a lot of wasted time out by telling me to look at nothing smaller than ____ lol.

I am not really brand specific, aside from my dad loving his Kawasaki the department had him on until a few years ago, and he loved his Goldwing back when dinos roamed the earth. Though some nice deals I am looking at is Hondas $20 a month per $1000 leased, and Suzukis $100/month for 60 months financing deal (and then pay off). I plan on being able to make much higher payments, but if I have some issues finding a job etc, need car repairs or whatever, I want to have small minimum payments. Also to you naysayers dont naysay yet, I will not be purchasing until I have a minimum 1 years payments in a bank account in the event of an emergency of being jobless etc. But I enjoy working so I am not real worried about it.

Okay sorry long post, but I think I may have posed some new questions, or at least brought back ollld ones, I hope I didnt cover anything too recent. Sorry if I blabbed too lol.

Oh P.S: One of the goals here is to try and take miles off my Monte Carlo. Mostly because I deliver pizza and absolutely love it, and it would be the perfect college job. Problem, I don't want to put miles like that on my buetiful (ugh sp) car, so I could take some miles off by doing more basic travel on the bike. Another goal, when I get out of college I will have a 6-10k dollar (pending I guess) bike paid off or about to be, and a 30k car. Not only good collateral set at the start of "life", but the great credit of paying for the bike on my own etc. It will be a good financial start I think. Not sure those facts change anything but I am pretty bored =P

PSS I wouldnt mind a cool dual-purpose rig, but I can't find any that look 5+ hour highway worthy. If some streetbikes are known better for offroad abilities that may be worth mentioning. I'm not talking jumps and supermans, I'm talking some basic dirt road kinda things, old logging roads. And again not crucial, especially seeing as how if I get into wanting to do that enough it seems I could find a decent off road for under 1k used.

PPS (I think im using the wrong system here lol). Again I imagine it makes a little difference, I could be getting too specific but eh can't hurt. Same way I am with cars, I am more about acceleration than top speed, who needs to go 150 if you can beat the porsche next to you to the next red light

[rapidblue]

from what ive heard, if your going new(ish) a ninja 500 or a suzuki gs500 arent bad beginner+ bikes for the sportbike type. Cruisers wise you're looking at problably a kawasaki vulcan 500 or a yamaha 650. And as far as Dual Purpose, the kawasaki klr650 is pretty peppy and comfortable on the street. There are plenty of reviews on the net to read more into each. They are all in the same price range $6000CDN-$7000CDN and all seem to be forgiving for the beginner.

Another option would be to pick up a soild 80s japanese bike, they're pretty easy to learn on and can be fairly cheap depending on type and engine size.

good luck

[Jaymz]

I can't seem to find a Yamaha 650, unless thats a pre-05/06. Tho I am looking at the 600R right now and it looks nice (meaning looks), I am not a huge fan of the Kawasaki's look, partially the bike partially the combination of the colors ewww lol. I know looks are far from everything, and I can't judge until I sit on 'em, but yea hehe.

The Yamaha passes my "sexy test" (though I am more of a black or yellow person) but it doesnt have any of those tasty nice financing deals. There is a good one but its based on 24 months. I have a feeling at not even 18.5 getting financing is going to be my biggest choke point. Though I am confident since I am willing to put everything (including my 30k dollar car) up as collateral I am that confident I can pay, and I have a solid 4 months of good hard regular credit card use with perfect payments (keeping it 100% payed off monthly).

I will hopefully know a lot more about my financing roadblock tomorrow though, I am getting antsy so if I don't hear back by the time I get back from work I will probably head out there and ask in person.

I also gotta look into the licensing class, I didn't think it was as big of a thing as it was, was thinking like a book test or something. Though Seattle is 15-20 minutes away so they big enough gotta have em regularly.

I am hoping my dad can talk to their mechanic and get me out on their traning courses on a stripped down police bike (harleys now tho =/). Not sure I would want anyone to teach me over my dad (except maybe one of them you see on TV haha), he tends to win the most awards at training for speed and abilities weee haha.

Getting me onto a training course for a large department on a police bike may be a stretch. But who knows, stranger things have happened. And they tend to be lax, specially since theres like 19 motorcycle cops and they all very veteren on the department so yea, anyway rather than blabbing on I think I will finally go to bed. I may be googled/these forums oute'd. hehe.

Thanks

[Jaymz]

Okay before I go to bed just have to ask, are BMWs generally more marked up than your other typicals? I tend to be a real bargainer (you should see me in action buying fireworks at the indian reservation ha) and yea. Saw the 1100S I like the look, listed at 12k but between either bargaining, good financing, or most likely used options, it may be possible. I know its a lot more power than people reccomend, but keep in mind im large and I dont know the ratio but the power wont be the same for me, and B) when I say I am really really safe I really really mean it lol.

And besides, that yellow/gray combo is just about the sexiest look I have seen yet. Maybe even sexier than that Honda orange/red/white/black combo that graces my desktop now lol.

[Wizzard]

First off welcome to the forums Jaymz,
And secondly ; "I don't plan on insuring, maybe at the least the basic cheapest insurance, but the payments are probably going to be about half my income and so I can't afford too much, nor do I think I need it, as much as I love speed I am an extremly safe person, you could go as far as a wuss. " If you intend to have a bike financed you will definitely have to have full coverage insurance . Don't kid your self . At least if you live in the states . Don't know about anywhere else altho it is hard to imagine it would be different cause the stealership will want to protect it's investment .
Regards, Wizzard

[rnr262]

Wizzard is right, as usual. The dealership won't let you take the bike out of the shop until you provide proof of insurance. The good news is it's pretty cheap in most cases. You may want to add that to your bike resea rch.

Assuming you get approved for financing (as you mention, your age being a major factor) with one dealer, the chances are other dealers would try to work with you to make a similar deal. The larger dealerships have plenty of folks to work with to get you approved. Another thought, and I hesitate to mention this, is putting your bike on a regular credit card, especially if you can get the low interest rates. Just make sure you make those payments!! (Lecture over) One advantage is that you would own the bike out right (in the dealers eyes) and your insurance would be much cheaper. (please consider keeping insurance. Nothing like seeing your investment gone and not having the funds to replace it)

Glad you're looking into the MSF class. It will also help your insurance, possible make getting your license easier, and give you a chance to learn some invaluable tools. I'm sure your Dad can then continue to reinforce them with you.

Check out the Suzuki SV 650. A nice little standard bike that should do the job of cruising and playing in the twisties. Otherwise, for now it sounds like a cruiser would best suit your needs.

Good luck!

[Sev]

Traffic situations, long (5+ hour) drives to and from college, and then city traffic. City traffic will be shorter though, my main concern is long drives. IE I would rather be comfortable long rides then short rides, of course a happy medium would be nice. Lets put it this way, the bike isnt to get me from point a to b (though it will be used that way I would assume many a time). It is to go out some weekend and cruise the state for fun, enjoy my 5 hours ride home, etc. etc.

I'm going to tell you right now, that if you want to be comfortable for long periods of time, a sportbike os probably the wrong option. They simply aren't designed for it, and it takes a very special and rare build to find someone that is. Imagine sitting hunched over at the waist at about 45 degrees for 5 hours. I'm not joking, the guy who comes up my street on his gixxer will actually take both hands off the bars as he downshifts, straighten up, put them in the small of his back and stretch, then lean back forward to grab the bars and stop.

I'd suggest looking for a standard, or a cruiser as that is what they are designed to do. Cruise, long rides in comfortable positions. Oh, and pretty much any stock bike will out accelerate a stock car up to the speed limit.

If you want a size limit for yourself as a good starter, under 750cc for a cruiser/standard, and under 500cc* for anything sportbikish. There are exceptions, some people swear by the SV650, personally I hate the ergos, though it might be closer to what you're looking for.

Best of luck, take the MSF, and yes, you need to have insurance to get a bike.

[Jaymz]

Well theivery insurance is certainly something I would be interested in, so I will look into that part. I thought about the credit card option, and I will look around but it appears at my age I cant get that high of a limit. Though I am looking at an American Express, so far my Student Visa goes a whole $600 lol.

I do live in WA state where no motorcycle insurance is required. So I am not sure if you mean legally I have to have it so no one will met me buy one without it, or rather most places will want me to be insured to protect their motorcycle they still partially own.

I'll have a look at some cruisers, if I started used cheap enough I could really experiment with a couple and find what I like I guess, that would be one advantage. I think I may nothave explained myself well, comfort is important but I understand a sportbike isn't like (as I have seen cruisers described) driving a la-z-boy down the freeway. So I don't expect to be too comfortable hehe. But I guess I meant more outa the sport bikes comfort is important.

But like I said I know I gotta go sit on em first.

The Suzuki looks allright, though I'm not a huge fan of that (I'm probably not using correct terms here) the open bodied look where its not more covered up. But hopefully I will get in and sit on some today and whatnot.

Thanks all!

[Wizzard]

My spousette and I have 3 scoots insured thru Foremost and it costs us a whopping $81.00USD a year .
Granted that is only your basic PL & PD , but that's all we need .
Kind regards, Wizzard

[iwannadie]

if your having serious money issues your going to get in over your head really fast before you know it. dont finance a bike you can barely afford. go dirt cheap get a beater for under 1000$. dont forget you need gear. helmet at the very least will will knock half of your visa cards limit. then insurance registration. if you buy a used bike likely youll need tires, brakes, fluids. dont forget the riding class, and dmv license fees.

if you max out your budget on just the bike youll be hurting. or if you go to a dealer and let them push your financing through youll be looking at a nice 20% loan rate that will haunt you making you pay Way more for the bike than you ever should.

plan out the costs fully before taking the plung. remember if you cant make the loan payment they Will repot your bike faster than you imagine, and your still stuck paying the loan off with no bike.