First Motorcycle Buyers Guide! [Please Read before posting]

[Apex]

Hi, first post here; found this site thanks to M13's great learn to ride a bike vids. I am 5' 11" and 270lbs. I know im a big guy, but a mwondering if a cruiser 250 or a sport 250 would suit me more?

it's more a matter of preference than what actually suits you.

are you going for long rides/distances or are you just getting it for fun or mostly shorter rides (under 1hr or maybe a little more)?

what type of positioning on the bike to prefer? sitting like usual, or curled up like you want to go 200mph?

http://m13online.com/forum/index.php?topic=672.0&nbsp; <--this thread should help you out.

[Asatru]

What are some reliable websites to find used motorcycles?

[Simman]

What are some reliable websites to find used motorcycles?

You could use Ebay or Craigslist...however reliability is questionable. You could always get it inspected though 

[Asatru]

k

[Harleyjones883]

I am looking to get my first bike soon, I have always had a dirt bike growing up and have always wanted a street bike but didn't have the money. I was going to get a sportster for my first bike but after reading this I think I will get a 250cc starter bike. Thanks for the info.

[Finrod]

Most 250cc bikes are really good starter bikes, especially the Ninja!
Over here in Germany (where a driving license for motorcycles with more than 125cc is 1200+ Euros) the bike most frequently used in driving lessons is the BMW F650 because it's pretty easy to handle...
after getting your license (by absolving several required lessons and passing a test in theory and practice) you are a pretty good rider (otherwise you wouldn't have passed the tests) and it's not hard to go on with a 600cc+ bike.
(if you can afford an insurance and the taxes )

[hellburn999]

good a (Australian for good day) reading through your thoughts on what kind of bike a learner should get. you didn't recommend a bike over 600cc for someone starting out.
i had a quick question about that.
i myself am only just starting out on the road and got myself a gsx640f. but as a child i road dirtbikes off road a lot. between 125cc and 250cc. now i know riding off road the way we did is quite a bit different then on the road. and having not a lot of time on road. would you say it would be ok for someone who has had some off road skills to get a bike over 600cc. or still think it is a bit much?

[Phaqed]

I'm torn between a 250 and 650, the thing thats making want to get a 650 is that i might be having a passenger a lot of the time. The 250 has a low weight limit (300), I'm 150lbs, and my passengers will be about the same; I'm not sure testing those weight limits would be a good idea. Any advice? First bike btw.

They will be riding relatively short distances, probably nothing more than 10 miles maximum.

[orgAn.d0nor]

I'm torn between a 250 and 650, the thing thats making want to get a 650 is that i might be having a passenger a lot of the time. The 250 has a low weight limit (300), I'm 150lbs, and my passengers will be about the same; I'm not sure testing those weight limits would be a good idea. Any advice? First bike btw.

They will be riding relatively short distances, probably nothing more than 10 miles maximum.

The weight limit is 375lbs. That being the factory recommendation, I'd say you can add an extra 50lbs on top of that without much trouble.
So unless you are a chubby chaser, you have no reason to not get the 250 as your first bike.

However, if you think you can deal with more acceleration, by all means go with the 650. I know that if I started on a 250 I would've been sick of how much it lacks. I'm not exactly a relaxed street rider...nor does Los Angeles warrant me to be.

[LiverpoolSun]

hello all.  is there anyone on this site from CNY or just the state of NY?  I am looking where to get a nice decient first bike.  I'd like a road bike (no, not street). 

[Bandyman]

I think I might have found myself the perfect first bike.



It a 10 Year old Yamaha SR250 thats done 24,435km, thats just more than 2,400km a year which is nothing.

heres it's problems:
Front Shocks - Broken
Front break lever - Broken In Half
Left Stand - Spins around when foot is on it so no grip

Everything else seems fine and they are asking for €1,700, but they guy says he will fix the whole bike up, shocks etc and all will be inclusive in the cost.
What do you guys say? Good buy?

[Sammyy]

hey sorry to be a bother with yet another is this bike ok for me question... i've been thinking about my first bike for ages (and i still got another year to go!) and the 250s seem alright but more and more people are saying they're very temporary bikes, in my current financial position along with the prices of bikes around here i don't think buying a bike for a year will serve much purpose and was wondering if something like the GS500F would be a good beginners bike... ty for any help

EDIT: here's the site for legal bikes for learners
http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/Transport% ... otorcycles

ANOTHER EDIT: there's a restricted version of the SV650 is it worth looking into that also?

[chicken_hut]

hi

I'm completely new to motorbikes I'm only 16 at the moment so i still got to wait to get a motorbike. I am quite a tall person, just over 6ft, all the bikes i have been looking at are for people of a smaller stature, i found the yamaha yzf-r125 but i could not find out anywhere whether it is legal for learners, i know a learner bike cannot have a output larger than 11kw, all i know about this bike is that it is a 125cc.

can anyone help me find out if this bike is suitable for a learner.

Thanks   :D

[Musika]

I'm looking into getting a motorcycle but I'm having problems deciding on what bike to get.

I've been riden off-road motorbikes, ATVs, and stick-shift cars so I'm quite comfortable with a non-automatic set up.

My question is for somewhat experienced riders, and it is: How long did you ride a 250cc before you upgraded? I want to keep safety in mind and learn on a 250cc before I jump to something more powerful but I also don't want to spend three grand on something that I won't be using for that long.

[orgAn.d0nor]

I'm looking into getting a motorcycle but I'm having problems deciding on what bike to get.

I've been riden off-road motorbikes, ATVs, and stick-shift cars so I'm quite comfortable with a non-automatic set up.

My question is for somewhat experienced riders, and it is: How long did you ride a 250cc before you upgraded? I want to keep safety in mind and learn on a 250cc before I jump to something more powerful but I also don't want to spend three grand on something that I won't be using for that long.

I spent a good weekend(plus a day on a friend's 250) at the MSF.
Never have driven any type of manual vehicle before that day.

Bought myself a sv650s a year ago and have never looked back, in fact, I'm already thinking of upgrading to a 1ker(sv) or a duc 848-funds is what I lack.
If you're familiar with motorcycles, a nice 650 twin such as the sv or 650r would be a perfect choice, even a the sv1k wouldn't be much of a far-fetched choice.
Twins are perfect street bikes and have a beginner friendly torque curve.
In most cases, the rider gets deathly bored of the 250 within 6 months or less.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, take the MSF, try the 250, sit on a larger bike.....etc...what happens, happens.

Credentials: I've been riding on the streets of LA for a whole year, started on the 650, and haven't had one crash/drop/etc.

A good head on your shoulders can take you hundreds of thousands of miles without ever kissing the ground.