goose491 0 #26 April 20, 2005 Quote Thanks for the constructive advice. I'd guess you'd have me jumping a stiletto 120 too right? Pussy! Go for the 87 Velocity So I clicked this thread thinking you really were a Noob and that I would obtain some valuable advice. I really am a Noob. And I'm looking for a bike. So far, I have decided that I will buy used, to the tune of 3-4.5 grand CND. I am looking at either the Suzuki GS500, the Suzuki 600 Katana or the Yamaha FZR400. Can those of you responding to this thread give me some tips and things to look for when I go and see a private seller and his/her bike? My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #27 April 20, 2005 Quote I really am a Noob. And I'm looking for a bike. So far, I have decided that I will buy used, to the tune of 3-4.5 grand CND. I am looking at either the Suzuki GS500, the Suzuki 600 Katana or the Yamaha FZR400. If you're looking for that style of bike, check out the Suzuki SV650 and Kawasaki EX500/Ninja 500 as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #28 April 20, 2005 Hey Steven, You'll quickly find, especially after an MSF course, that a 750 won't be beyond your riding ability. Infact the extra power you'd have with a slightly larger bike will give you the ability to get out and away from potential traps. We're not talking a difference like you think it is. We're not telling you to get a R6 or anything like that.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #29 April 20, 2005 Wow, I can't believe the number of replies voting for a bigger bike to start back riding on!!! There's absolutely nothing wrong with starting on a Honda Rebel, in fact, it's a very smart thing to do! My only advice would be to buy one a few years older, that way, you won't take much of a hit when you're ready for something bigger and you resell it... Good call on taking the MSF course too, it was one of the smartest things I did when I decided to start riding again. Keep the rubber side down! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsisson 0 #30 April 20, 2005 Quote For the reason I stated above - twenty years since I been on a bike. I want something to learn on that I can handle and won't handle me. After I got all the skills back, THEN I'll start moving up the ladder if I want to. I've been riding for 15 years and I respect your decision to not bite off more than you are comfortable with. Take this advice... You can probably find a Honda Rebel used for around $1500 with less than 10K miles. Be careful on how much $$ you spend at a dealer for this bike, as they will probably hit you with all sorts of add on charges such as dealer prep and conditioning (which is similar to "freight & setup" for a new bike). Don't buy the service package, as you can probably figure out how to change the oil and plugs...and any deep engine work could be handled by any number of local independent shops for much cheaper than the dealer. I say be careful for how much you spend too, as this is a bike that can be outgrown very quickly as your skills improve. Would hate to see you finance something that you want out of within a year or two... Buy a good helmet, gloves, jacket and boots. Dress like you are going to crash... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #31 April 20, 2005 QuoteI say be careful for how much you spend too, as this is a bike that can be outgrown very quickly as your skills improve That was where my advice was really coming from. A 800cc-ish bike isn't that much bike in a V-twin and can easily be handled by someone starting out. Especially if they have gone through atleast a basic rider's course. Then they won't want to sell their bike within a few months due to a lack of power and ridability.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #32 April 20, 2005 QuoteA 250 dirt bike will kill you before you have a chance to realize you screwed up. which is exactly what happened 20 yrs ago! Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #33 April 20, 2005 QuoteQuoteA 250 dirt bike will kill you before you have a chance to realize you screwed up. which is exactly what happened 20 yrs ago! I nearly broke my back after a wreck on a KX100 a few years ago. I was screwing around and tried jumping a little hill at about 50mph and gave it a little too much gas. Ended up flipping it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #34 April 20, 2005 QuoteA 800cc-ish bike isn't that much bike in a V-twin and can easily be handled by someone starting out. If this is true, why does the MSF beginners course use 250cc bikes like the Honda Rebel for their classes? The bottom line is that for beginning riders, the 250cc bike is a much safer choice to begin riding on... that's why they don't start them off on bigger bikes. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #35 April 20, 2005 Quote If this is true, why does the MSF beginners course use 250cc bikes like the Honda Rebel for their classes? They're much cheaper. (about 70% less). In my MSF class, there was one 550 they were using, but it was pretty old, and the 250's were rather new. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #36 April 20, 2005 Once again....I strongly agree with most of the posts in here, including mine that started it DO NOT get a bike that small unless you are riding residential/campus style. For the same reasons that you would not train on a round to jump a square. The MSF course WILL start you on a 250 cc bike, your first 6 hours of riding will be on it, and you will be much more comfortable after that. Beyond that initial step you want to have a enough stability and power to ride safely. This is one step above taking a moped on a freeway. It is legal and can be done, but I would feel VERY unstable on one. Get a bike that you feelk stable on, and unless you are a much smaller than average person, that will not be a Honda Rebel. Everyone has their opinion. I have 20K miles under my belt on a Fat Boy, so obviously I have no qualms about a big bike (and yes it was my first road bike) A few questions need to be answered, mainly cruiser or sport? If cruiser I would recommend looking at the Honda Shadow, Suzuki Vulcan, or Yamaha something-star. IF you have the dough, I would recommend buying a HD Sportster 883 Custom. It can easily be a beginner and grow with you. Again, there is a lot to consider here, and engine size is really not as big as you think it is. The same way you feel under a really small canopy is the way you will feel on a really small bike....twitchy.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #37 April 20, 2005 QuoteIf this is true, why does the MSF beginners course use 250cc bikes like the Honda Rebel for their classes? More due to the fact of money and that the states regulate exacly what size bike you can use for those courses. The cost of 1 800cc bike would buy 2-3 250cc bikes. Now those bikes are going to get dropped quite often and parts will need to be fixed. Also, the state (most states that I know of) mandate that nothing smaller then a 250cc bike will be used for a beginning rider course. That's like stating that since DZ's use a Navigator to teach AFF students, then you should buy a Navigator for your first rig. Is it a bad choice? Not necissarily, but a jumper will quickly get bored of that Nav 220 after they get their license and a Sabre2 190 would have also been a safe and prudent choice for their first canopy in their first rig.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #38 April 20, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteA 250 dirt bike will kill you before you have a chance to realize you screwed up. which is exactly what happened 20 yrs ago! I nearly broke my back after a wreck on a KX100 a few years ago. I was screwing around and tried jumping a little hill at about 50mph and gave it a little too much gas. Ended up flipping it. holy shit - almost the same....back end came out from under me, I land flat on my back and the bike almost landed on top of me.Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #39 April 20, 2005 QuoteI would recommend buying a HD Sportster 883 Custom. It can easily be a beginner and grow with you. Hahaha, you've never met Jumper03 before. He's my height, he'd look like a man trying to hump a football on a Sportster 883.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #40 April 20, 2005 I would NOT pay money for a Rebel. A small V twin would, imho, a much better choice than a bike with that little bitty single cylinder engine. Go through a motorcycle safety course and get a reasonable bike. Just my $.02 Peace~ linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #41 April 20, 2005 Thanks for saving me a lot of typing Dave.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #42 April 20, 2005 HEY, he is the one asking about a rebel, are you kidding???? If he was askign about a rebel, I was recommending smaller bikes. Now that i know that...HELL NO to the rebel.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #43 April 20, 2005 QuoteQuoteI would recommend buying a HD Sportster 883 Custom. It can easily be a beginner and grow with you. Hahaha, you've never met Jumper03 before. He's my height, he'd look like a man trying to hump a football on a Sportster 883. Whoa, hang on a minute. I'm not in your gorilla size class by a long shot! I just checked - we'll be using a mix of sport and cruiser bikes from 250 up to 550 in our class. Three day class, damn.... I'd like a cruiser - just checked out the vulcan, I like the way it looks, but I'd have to sit on it.Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #44 April 20, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteI would recommend buying a HD Sportster 883 Custom. It can easily be a beginner and grow with you. Hahaha, you've never met Jumper03 before. He's my height, he'd look like a man trying to hump a football on a Sportster 883. Whoa, hang on a minute. I'm not in your gorilla size class by a long shot! I just checked - we'll be using a mix of sport and cruiser bikes from 250 up to 550 in our class. Three day class, damn.... I'd like a cruiser - just checked out the vulcan, I like the way it looks, but I'd have to sit on it. It'll *sit* a helluva lot better than that Rebel you were thinking about....and people won't be quite as likely to laugh at you. Doh! Hey....I just found out that our little exam we were supposed to take on Friday's been cancelled. So....I have officially FINISHED medical school!!!! YIPPEE!!!! linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #45 April 20, 2005 ....so on that note, I think I'll take the Wide Glide out for a little cruise around town (which only takes about 5 minutes for this particular town) linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #46 April 20, 2005 Quotepeople won't be quite as likely to laugh at you. I've never been worried about that. and congrats Doc.Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #47 April 20, 2005 Quote....so on that note, I think I'll take the Wide Glide out for a little cruise around town (which only takes about 5 minutes for this particular town) linz Congrats, doc, but change that sig line first!"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bouda 0 #48 April 20, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteYeah, dude no offense, but that thing will leave you with NO power when you need it. Why not at least a Shadow? For the reason I stated above - twenty years since I been on a bike. I want something to learn on that I can handle and won't handle me. After I got all the skills back, THEN I'll start moving up the ladder if I want to. then get a dirt bike don't waste money on that thing i mean kids now days ride bigger bikes than that now grab your balls and go look at a bigger bike. you only live once Thanks for the constructive advice. I'd guess you'd have me jumping a stiletto 120 too right? nah that is dangerous Look what i made at work today mom!! Put it on the fridge http://www.bouda.moonfruit.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #49 April 20, 2005 Dude, by time you finish that class you will be confident and craving the road, just like after your jumping student progress. I still remember that....it was awesome. Took me another six months to get my fat boy after that. Talk about butterflies walking out of the parking lot.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #50 April 20, 2005 You saw my bike when you visited last. That's a Vulcan 800 Classic. It rides bigger then it is, no that's not a canopy cope out, I mean the weight and feel of the bike. Its still very zippy. Ask FlyingFerret, he can give you a good comparison between his bigger FatBoy and my Vulcan since he's ridden my bike before after I hurt my back (long story). Anyways, my min payments are $50 and I get around 40mpg, with a lot of city riding and some playing around (rolling on the throttle). Insurance is really cheap as well. All in all I'm really happy with my Vulcan, although I'd recommend getting a Corbin seat when you get yours, since the stock seat sucks...BAD.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
