Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi everyone, I'm Keaton, and I want to buy a motorcycle!

At this moment I've got about $5,000, and I'm gonna get a bit more over the summer (maybe a little more after I sell my car).

I'm about 5'10" 150/60 lb, and I've never ridden a motorbike before, but I'm gonna learn and get my lesson this summer.

I really like sport bikes, and I have a few questions.

- Can anyone suggest me some good bikes/brands/models?
- How much can I expect to spend for a decent bike?
- For someone with a clean (automobile) record, how much can I expect to pay on insurance each month?

Also, I'd like it to maybe come in this color if possible:



Thanks for all your help, sorry that I'm a little clueless!

EX500







You're gonna have to sandblast teh red one a little to get it to look the color you want, but you get the idea. It'll be a great starter bike, sportbike looks, and great power/handling for the price.

My fullhearted endorsement.

- buy a suzuki

- your $5,000 will be enough to buy a new GS500F, it's a nice sporty looking bike for beginners.

- depends on other stuff too like your age, grades in school, number of policies, long time customer, vehicle price and many more, best to shop around too since many companies charge a lot and some charge lower.

i got insurance from AAA, it's a lot cheaper than all the others i've tried. they do require though that you have a car insured w/ them before they insure your bike.

- as for the color, i haven't seen a crappy red color on bikes yet.
you might have to crappify it on your own.

VermilionX wrote: - as for the color, i haven't seen a crappy red color on bikes yet.
you might have to crappify it on your own.[/img]

It is called "Breton Red"

The Suzuki was my first choice, but what's the difference between a beginner's bike and a more experienced bike?

The blue ninja is a nice model, too.

Are people gonna see me on my beginner bike, be able to see from how it looks that it's a newbie bike, and be able to make fun of me?

I do hope that you don't want that color to match your cap as you'll be wearing a helmet.

Right? Right.


Take the MSF by the way. And $5,000 is more than enough for a good first bike. An EX500 (NInja 500) is generally $2000-3000 used.

$5,000 will get you the bike, MSF course, and gear probably. Might even have some left over for gas!

Heh, it's not my cap. I don't want to lose my face in an accident (or swallow bugs) so I'll definitely be wearing a helmet.

Can you elaborate on this MSF business, and maybe suggest some bikes you think are good?

The Suzuki was my first choice, but what's the difference between a beginner's bike and a more experienced bike?

Engine size primarily. Horsepower and torque, too.


And no, people won't make fun of you. At least you have the balls to ride a cycle. Most people go 'Oh they're dangerous!' and don't bother with it.

Enjoy the ride, dont' worry about what others think of you. Biker's will still wave to you if you're on a 500cc as opposed to a 1000cc.

You're best starting on a 500cc.


Cycletrader.com
craigslist.com

Good places to start looking.

Can you elaborate on this MSF business, and maybe suggest some bikes you think are good?

MSF is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

http://www.msf-usa.org/

It'll teach you teh basics of motorcycling and get you licensed.



GS500, EX500, SV650 (maybe, it's grey area really), Bandit 500,

Keaton421 wrote: The Suzuki was my first choice, but what's the difference between a beginner's bike and a more experienced bike?

Are people gonna see me on my beginner bike, be able to see from how it looks that it's a newbie bike, and be able to make fun of me?

difference is that you pay more if you mess it up, insurance, and probably even maintenance, etc

also if you make a mistake on the throttle, the effects are more dangerous on a real sportsbike since they have very high torque and horsepower.

and you shouldn't worry about being seen as a newbie. you should just concentrate on improving and keeping safe.

What do you mean a real sportsbike?