Buying a motorcycle

[Dire91]

I know there are a couple motorcycle heads out there on Nico and I didn't know where to make this thread. My father owns a BMW R1200C and is looking into to purchasing a motorcycle for my sister and I to learn on but can't seem to find a good one. He wants to stick to BMW but I'm open to any suggestions. Remember this bike is mostly to learn on, my sister will be riding it too so larger bikes aren't going to do it. So far my father has looked at a BMW k75s and k1200rs but they both are a little to heavy for my sister. Thanks, Dire91

[Koshin]

why not just get something small to learn on (not a BMW) becasue of teh cost involved with those bikes...

[seang]

A smaller, old-school BMW

[Koshin]

baller

[Koshin]

I had an R65 at one time a while back

similar to this one

[seang]

If you layed one of those down, would it f*** up the top of the head?

[snwbrdr435]

Ninja 250r cheap and small

[OutToWinPAHC]

Pick up an older honda 600. Easy to learn on, fun, light, easy to work on.

[Koshin]

If you layed one of those down, would it f*** up the top of the head?

I had carbon fiber sliders on the top of the heads on mine, but yeah I imagine it could potentially

Ninja 250r cheap and small

yes

Pick up an older honda 600. Easy to learn on, fun, light, easy to work on.

F2 or F3 yes...all would be good choices, but a BMW would not be

[Dire91]

I had an R65 at one time a while back

That bike was actually recommended already, I guess it's a good pick.

Ninja 250r cheap and small

That's a little to small, something a bit faster.

[snwbrdr435]

Resale value on the 250rs is sweet too.

[Koshin]

I wouldnt put a new rider on a R65 BMW, just for fear of ruining a classic....

actually, please dont do that...lol

[Dire91]

but a BMW would not be

Out of curiousity, why not a BMW?

[Fieldy]

My first bike was a Suzuki SV650S, they're light, tourquey, and easy to ride. Best of all they can be cheap (I paid $3000 for a 2003). It's essentially afuel injected 650cc V-twin sportbike/standard. not mind numbingly fast but not slow at all, in fact it can take most 600cc superbikes in first and second gear. Cheap to maintain and cheap to fix, and if you ever get into more technical riding and/or track days, it can grow with you with some cheap suspension mods. I loved mine but got in a wreck, got hurt and can't ride anymore.

[snwbrdr435]

What have you ridden? Parts for the ninja are a everywhere it will handle bedtter then that bmw

[Koshin]

not mind numbingly fast but not slow at all, in fact it can take most 600cc superbikes in first and second gear.

**facepalm**

no no

Out of curiousity, why not a BMW?

the lack of dealership support is a minus, not to mention just the overall price of owning/maintaining one is much higher than its japanese counterparts

an SV650 wouldnt be a bad bike at all...

and I again, please dont put her on a classic BMW cafe bike...these are getting very very hard to find and we dont need another noob rider wadding one up to be honest...I mean no offense to you or her by this statement, just being real with you....your monies do what you will with it

best choices: ninja 250R, Honda F2 or F3, SV650, Kaw EX500, or Suzuki GS500

just my proffessional opinion as I run a motorcycle dealership for a living and have been an avid rider for over 10 years

[Dire91]

Thanks for the help! Hopefully my Dad will be open minded to some of these suggestions and not just set his mind on a BMW. I go to get my motorcycle permit in a few days, wish me luck.

[sultan]

my first bike was an 81 suzuki gs850g i picked up for 600 bucks. sold it a couple years later with rattle can paint (way better than the brown oe paint) and rod knock (pegged the tach a couple times, 2k+ over redline ) for 400. buy something cheap and old that you don't care about, learn, then buy something newer.

in the last 6 months i've ridden over 6500 miles on my sv but carpal tunnel is kinda slowing me down.

[Rex]

buy something cheap and old that you don't care about, learn, then buy something newer.

That's pretty much the recommendation I make every time.

It's also a good "teaching bike" once all your friends want to learn to ride when they see how much fun you're having.

[ScrapMetal]

Busa

Why does it have to be BMW? Brand loyalty?

The only "small" BMW I can think of is the F800S, which they don't sell anymore and I think they only sold for a year or two. It uses a parallel twin instead of boxer engines like most BMWs.



Go with something used and Japanese.

I'd go with one of these three. They're great beginner bikes, but they're still big enough so you won't get bored of them quickly.

Suzuki SV650



Kawasaki Ninja 650R



Yamaha FZ6



I'm a big fan of the Yamaha, it has an inline 4 instead of a twin like the Zuki and the Kawi so it sounds real nice and I feel it a bit more powerful than the other two.

Be careful out there

[Dire91]

^ I'm really liking the SV650, but thanks for the Yamaha suggestion I haven't seen that one yet.I'm really hesitant and so are my parents to allow me to get my permit and buy a bike because a good friend of mine's father just died in a motorcycle accident.

[sultan]

i don't like the sv650s without the lower fairing, it's a prepainted part from suzuki, too bad it doesn't really match

ditched the 2bros can for a shortened leo vince, it's actually quieter somehow. also got rid of the gigantic rear fender

[ScrapMetal]

Just set aside some money to buy some gear. Don't be a squid and ride with out a helmet on and in shorts like most bikers down here in Miami.

Be responsible and don't do stupid s***, good luck buddy.

[dangeris]

Alot of good suggestions here but have you or your sister ridden before? If not, and you want something good to learn on, I'd get a used honda rebel 250. Here in Pa, the DMV offers free riding school to get your class C license. They even provide you with a bike to learn on and yes, they are Honda 250s. They're light, easy to maneuver and great to learn on! My wife took the course 06 and got her license. She did great in the course and felt really confident so I bought her a bike...her first bike... an 06 Honda 600RR! In hindsight that was bad move. Yeah it was fast and light but it intimidated her, so I got rid of it and got her a Yamaha 650 V-Star. Not so powerful but a little bit heavier. With this one she was afraid of dropping it because it was heavy. It got to the point that she didn't even want to ride anymore.

Moral of the story is get a cheap used bike that if you drop it, who cares! It's a learner bike If you get something fancy, like a bmw, you'll be too paranoid about dropping it and you won't be able to concentrate on your basic skills, like keeping the bike on it's tires. Take it for whats it's worth but I speak from experience. I've had my motorcycle license since 83 and my daughter just approached me wanting to get her motorcycle license and a Rebel 250 is what I'm starting her off with

[OutToWinPAHC]

I vote a used bike, no need for a brand new first bike. Chances are you gonna lay it down, or drop it somehow. Something to learn on for a year or 2 is the best. Then upgrade.

My first bike ran me about 6500 used, I dumped the same week (not fun).

Something older but not horrible, 90's bike under 20K miles.

Check brakes, fluids, chain and fork seals. Ask the owner when the carbs were last done, ask what oil brand and type they use. Ask them when the valves were last check, and if the CCT has ever been replaced.

My current bike is older, its a 1992 F2 with 98 F3 fairings. Needed wheel bearings, and fork seals. He wanted 2400, I tore the bike up and down needs this that and the other. Made an offer, he declined, 3 days later he called me and accepted 1350

[Dire91]

Alot of good suggestions here but have you or your sister ridden before?

Yea I should have clarified that. My sister and I have both ridden before, I forget what it was but we both rode this tiny little like 50cc dirt bike for a month then upgraded to an old 250 honda of some sort I believe but that was given away. That's why we're looking to go for another bike. My dad has started to open up his mind to other bikes thanks to the help from you guys. The best from what I've seen would be a Japanese, 500cc or 650cc, lighter weight 300lbs ish, used so when we drop it it doesn't matter.Thanks again dudes

[dangeris]

Yea I should have clarified that. My sister and I have both ridden before, I forget what it was but we both rode this tiny little like 50cc dirt bike for a month then upgraded to an old 250 honda of some sort I believe but that was given away. That's why we're looking to go for another bike. My dad has started to open up his mind to other bikes thanks to the help from you guys. The best from what I've seen would be a Japanese, 500cc or 650cc, lighter weight 300lbs ish, used so when we drop it it doesn't matter.Thanks again dudes

Then if you and your sister have ridden before and you guys a re confident on not dropping one then I would suggest a bike that is ergonomically friendly like a CBR F4 or Suzuki GS 550 or SV. Those bikes are more of a sport touring so you're sitting up more than hunched over as in a race bike like a 600RR or 650 Ninja These type of bikes are hell on your wrists and back in regards of long distance or extended riding.

Either way invest into frame sliders to protect the motor and plastics as those plastics can easily costs alot

[krazydriver]

I love how everyone suggests the SV as a starter bike.

I picked up mine little over a month ago

[ScrapMetal]

I would suggest a bike that is ergonomically friendly like a CBR F4 or Suzuki GS 550 or SV. Those bikes are more of a sport touring so you're sitting up more than hunched over as in a race bike like a 600RR or 650 Ninja

I think you meant to say the Kawasaki ZX6R, the 650 Ninja actually has a very comfortable upright seating position and it is by no means a race bike. I wouldn't suggest a CBR F4 to a new rider, they are very powerful and rev very fast and high.

Another very good bike I just remembered, which is easy to find and pretty cheap is the Honda CB750. Only draw back is that they are very old, but they are really cool bikes.



I love the CB750, would love to turn one into a little cafe racer.


Modified by ScrapMetal at 9:53 AM 12/23/2009

[dangeris]

I think you meant to say the Kawasaki ZX6R,

Yeah,..my bad..ZX6R

Another very good bike I just remembered, which is easy to find and pretty cheap is the Honda CB750. Only draw back is that they are very old, but they are really cool bikes.



I love the CB750, would love to turn one into a little cafe racer.

You can, you just need to change out the handlebar risers. My friend did it to his old triumph. The risers he installed actually mounted in the OEM position and the bars can be rotated up or down and everywhere in between.