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Q. I am planning to buy a sports bike for my 18th birthday and want to know what would be a great beginners bike? I have experience in riding? I am constantly dirt biking, and people tell me the two are very similar. I weigh 190 lbs. and I am interested in a Honda or Suzuki.
Answer
Buy something used and inexpensive for a starter bike.
Look for something old but not too old. You don't want something so old that it is a junker, but not something so new that you'll feel bad if you lay it down.
Look for something in the 500 - 800 CC engine size. This will be powerful enough so you don't get bored too soon, but not so fast that you will be afraid of it.
Look for a standard or cruiser bike for your first bike. They are more forgiving and usually have less power than a sport bike with the same size engine. Although cruisers are heavier than other bikes they have the lowest center of gravity and are easy to balance considering their weight. Stay away from the sport bikes for your first bike as they require more skill. Going with a sport bike for your first bike is like getting a Formula 1 race car for your first car, not a good idea. Also used sport bikes tend to be more abused.
Consider the fit of the motorcycle. People come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. So do motorcycles. When selecting a motorcycle consider how well it fits your body. Ask yourself how well you can put both feet flat on the ground. Ask yourself how well the seating position feels. Do you have to reach too far to the handlebars? Riding hunched over can get uncomfortable very fast. Is the foot peg location comfortable? Does the bike feel too big or too small? An uncomfortable motorcycle won't be much fun to ride for any amount of distance. However, a bike that fits you well will be lots of fun.
Avoid buying over the Internet. I would never buy a motorcycle site unseen. You could very easily end up paying too much for junk. Always do a visual inspection and test ride before buying a motorcycle. When you go to look at the bike, bring a helmet. If you do not have your motorcycle license yet, bring a friend with a motorcycle license and 2 helmets.
Watch the classified section of your local news paper. Some locations have shopper magazines with used motorcycles in your area. Reasonably priced used bikes are out there. Be patient. Don't buy too quickly, but if you find one you like, buy it right away. If you find a good starter bike, don't hesitate as they can sell quickly.
Don't get hung up on any particular brand. All of the name brands are about the same. Pay more attention to the bike's condition. If any one brand were really superior to all other brands, this would be the only brand bike on the road. In addition, if any brand bike was really inferior to the other brands, nobody would buy them and the company would be out of business.
Learn on this bike. Make your mistakes on it. You will make mistakes. Nearly all new riders will lay their bike on its side at least once. Would you rather make your mistakes on an older bike or your nice shiny expensive new bike?
The most important thing you should do when getting your first bike is to take a motorcycle safety course.
After you have been riding a while and gain some experience, you can sell your starter bike and get the one you want. If maintained properly and not abused, you won't lose too much money on your starter bike. Put the money from the sale towards the bike you really want. By this time, you will have figured out what style bike best suits your riding style and needs.
If you settle on a sport bike for your next bike, avoid the used ones. Young riders think they are racers on racing bikes and tend to beat the crap out of them so they are likely to be more abused. So if considering a sport bike, consider something new.
I know I used variations of this answer before. However, I feel this is good advice.
Use your head while riding. Remember, Stupid Hurts.
Have fun - Ride safe
Beginner bike list -
Suzuki GS500F (Sporty)
Kawasaki Ninja 500R (My current bike...dated but sporty)
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD (cruiser)
Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (Cruiser)
Suzuki DR-Z400SM (Dual Sport)
Honda Shadow Aero/Spirit 750 (Cruiser)
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 XL Low (Cruiser)
Suzuki GSX650F (sporty)
Triumph Bonneville (Cruiser)
BMW G650 Xcountry (Dual Sport)
Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Sporty)
Suzuki SV650F (Sporty)
Suzuki SV650 (Naked)
Hyosung GT250R (sporty)
Buy something used and inexpensive for a starter bike.
Look for something old but not too old. You don't want something so old that it is a junker, but not something so new that you'll feel bad if you lay it down.
Look for something in the 500 - 800 CC engine size. This will be powerful enough so you don't get bored too soon, but not so fast that you will be afraid of it.
Look for a standard or cruiser bike for your first bike. They are more forgiving and usually have less power than a sport bike with the same size engine. Although cruisers are heavier than other bikes they have the lowest center of gravity and are easy to balance considering their weight. Stay away from the sport bikes for your first bike as they require more skill. Going with a sport bike for your first bike is like getting a Formula 1 race car for your first car, not a good idea. Also used sport bikes tend to be more abused.
Consider the fit of the motorcycle. People come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. So do motorcycles. When selecting a motorcycle consider how well it fits your body. Ask yourself how well you can put both feet flat on the ground. Ask yourself how well the seating position feels. Do you have to reach too far to the handlebars? Riding hunched over can get uncomfortable very fast. Is the foot peg location comfortable? Does the bike feel too big or too small? An uncomfortable motorcycle won't be much fun to ride for any amount of distance. However, a bike that fits you well will be lots of fun.
Avoid buying over the Internet. I would never buy a motorcycle site unseen. You could very easily end up paying too much for junk. Always do a visual inspection and test ride before buying a motorcycle. When you go to look at the bike, bring a helmet. If you do not have your motorcycle license yet, bring a friend with a motorcycle license and 2 helmets.
Watch the classified section of your local news paper. Some locations have shopper magazines with used motorcycles in your area. Reasonably priced used bikes are out there. Be patient. Don't buy too quickly, but if you find one you like, buy it right away. If you find a good starter bike, don't hesitate as they can sell quickly.
Don't get hung up on any particular brand. All of the name brands are about the same. Pay more attention to the bike's condition. If any one brand were really superior to all other brands, this would be the only brand bike on the road. In addition, if any brand bike was really inferior to the other brands, nobody would buy them and the company would be out of business.
Learn on this bike. Make your mistakes on it. You will make mistakes. Nearly all new riders will lay their bike on its side at least once. Would you rather make your mistakes on an older bike or your nice shiny expensive new bike?
The most important thing you should do when getting your first bike is to take a motorcycle safety course.
After you have been riding a while and gain some experience, you can sell your starter bike and get the one you want. If maintained properly and not abused, you won't lose too much money on your starter bike. Put the money from the sale towards the bike you really want. By this time, you will have figured out what style bike best suits your riding style and needs.
If you settle on a sport bike for your next bike, avoid the used ones. Young riders think they are racers on racing bikes and tend to beat the crap out of them so they are likely to be more abused. So if considering a sport bike, consider something new.
I know I used variations of this answer before. However, I feel this is good advice.
Use your head while riding. Remember, Stupid Hurts.
Have fun - Ride safe
Beginner bike list -
Suzuki GS500F (Sporty)
Kawasaki Ninja 500R (My current bike...dated but sporty)
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD (cruiser)
Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (Cruiser)
Suzuki DR-Z400SM (Dual Sport)
Honda Shadow Aero/Spirit 750 (Cruiser)
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 XL Low (Cruiser)
Suzuki GSX650F (sporty)
Triumph Bonneville (Cruiser)
BMW G650 Xcountry (Dual Sport)
Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Sporty)
Suzuki SV650F (Sporty)
Suzuki SV650 (Naked)
Hyosung GT250R (sporty)
How many miles is to many when puchasing a used street bike like a yamaha r6 600 or similar?
David_ruh
I am in the market for a street bike and cant afford a brand new one and would like to buy used. I am familiar with riding but want to know how many miles the average bike tends to last and when it is to high milage to buy. Any other advice is welcome, Thanks.
Answer
Miles on a motorcycle is relevant to where it was used.
I live in a northern climate. Believe it or not the weather forecast for today is for 2 to 4 inches of snow. My motorcycle spends nearly half the time in storage. I usually bring it out for the spring in mid April. So far I have only put on about 100 miles this year. My bike will be pickled for winter storage usually around the last week of October or the first week of November. Winter riding in this location is definitely out of the question. Everyone in this area stores their motorcycles for the winter. So it isn't uncommon to find older bikes around here with relatively low miles.
In a warmer climate this will be entirely different. There are locations where I'm sure people can ride all year long. Bikes from these locations will have much higher miles than bikes where I live.
So bikes from warmer southern climates will usually have many more miles on them than bikes from cooler northern climates. This is a judgment call depending where you live.
My first observation is that you are looking at a used Sport Bike. Sport Bikes are generally owned by younger riders who think they are racers on racing bikes. They tend to beat the crap put of their bikes. So look the bike over very closely for signs of abuse.
This is what I would do if I were you.
Actually inspect the bike with your own eyes. It is not a good idea to buy a used motorcycle over the Internet sight unseen.
Bring a friend. If you do not have your motorcycle license yet, bring a friend with a motorcycle license. Bring two helmets.
Motorcycles come in many different shapes and sizes. So do people. You need to find out how well this particular motorcycle fits your individual body. Sit on the bike with your hands on the handlebars. Sit for at least a few minutes. Is it comfortable? Does the riding position feel natural? How well can both feet touch the ground? Is the seat comfortable? A bike that doesn't fit well and is uncomfortable will not be very enjoyable to ride for any length of time. If you can not put both feet flat on the ground this may be a problem while stopped in traffic. If you have to lean over even slightly while stopped to hold the bike up you could easily lose your balance and drop the bike. This could be dangerous, or at the very least embarrassing.
Check some of the obvious items. It will give you an idea of how the bike was maintained.
Look at the chain. Is it rusty? Is it adjusted to near its limit? Do the sprockets look worn?
If it has adjustable brakes, are they adjusted to their limit? If it has disk brakes, are the disks rusty, pitted or grooved?
If the bike has a center stand, put it on the center stand. Have your friend hold the bike steady. Pull on the rear wheel from side to side. Is there any play in the swing arm?
Look at the tires. Is there good tread? Is there any weather checking?
Look at the oil. Does it look black and neglected or does it look like it had a recent change?
Look at the overall appearance. Is there lots of rust? Are pieces missing or broken? Are there any bad scratches or dents that you are unwilling to accept? Is the seat ripped?
Start the engine. Did the owner warm it up before you got there or was the engine cold? Was it easy to start? Did it turn over well or did the battery sound weak? Did it smoke when it started? Any unusual sounds? Is there excessive valve clatter?
Take it for a ride. How does the engine run? Does it smoke? Is there excessive valve train clatter? Are the muffler(s) in good condition? Does the transmission shift smoothly? Does the clutch slip? Are the brakes firm? Do the brakes squeal? Are there any unusual rattles? Does the suspension work well or easily bottom out?
Any defects you find are something that you may need to deal with in the future. Some items can be inexpensive to repair. However, some motorcycle parts can be surprisingly expensive. If it is an older bike, spare parts may not be readily available. Once you buy it, any repairs required to keep it on the road will be your responsibility.
It helps to know at what price bikes of similar size and age sell for in your local area. This will help you judge if the bike is priced correctly. Watch the local classifieds.
If you decide to buy it, get yourself a maintenance manual. I got a Clymer manual for my bike on eBay for about $35. It will pay for itself the first time you use it. Even if you do not make your own repairs, you will understand your bike better and know what it needs when you bring it to the repair shop.
Miles on a motorcycle is relevant to where it was used.
I live in a northern climate. Believe it or not the weather forecast for today is for 2 to 4 inches of snow. My motorcycle spends nearly half the time in storage. I usually bring it out for the spring in mid April. So far I have only put on about 100 miles this year. My bike will be pickled for winter storage usually around the last week of October or the first week of November. Winter riding in this location is definitely out of the question. Everyone in this area stores their motorcycles for the winter. So it isn't uncommon to find older bikes around here with relatively low miles.
In a warmer climate this will be entirely different. There are locations where I'm sure people can ride all year long. Bikes from these locations will have much higher miles than bikes where I live.
So bikes from warmer southern climates will usually have many more miles on them than bikes from cooler northern climates. This is a judgment call depending where you live.
My first observation is that you are looking at a used Sport Bike. Sport Bikes are generally owned by younger riders who think they are racers on racing bikes. They tend to beat the crap put of their bikes. So look the bike over very closely for signs of abuse.
This is what I would do if I were you.
Actually inspect the bike with your own eyes. It is not a good idea to buy a used motorcycle over the Internet sight unseen.
Bring a friend. If you do not have your motorcycle license yet, bring a friend with a motorcycle license. Bring two helmets.
Motorcycles come in many different shapes and sizes. So do people. You need to find out how well this particular motorcycle fits your individual body. Sit on the bike with your hands on the handlebars. Sit for at least a few minutes. Is it comfortable? Does the riding position feel natural? How well can both feet touch the ground? Is the seat comfortable? A bike that doesn't fit well and is uncomfortable will not be very enjoyable to ride for any length of time. If you can not put both feet flat on the ground this may be a problem while stopped in traffic. If you have to lean over even slightly while stopped to hold the bike up you could easily lose your balance and drop the bike. This could be dangerous, or at the very least embarrassing.
Check some of the obvious items. It will give you an idea of how the bike was maintained.
Look at the chain. Is it rusty? Is it adjusted to near its limit? Do the sprockets look worn?
If it has adjustable brakes, are they adjusted to their limit? If it has disk brakes, are the disks rusty, pitted or grooved?
If the bike has a center stand, put it on the center stand. Have your friend hold the bike steady. Pull on the rear wheel from side to side. Is there any play in the swing arm?
Look at the tires. Is there good tread? Is there any weather checking?
Look at the oil. Does it look black and neglected or does it look like it had a recent change?
Look at the overall appearance. Is there lots of rust? Are pieces missing or broken? Are there any bad scratches or dents that you are unwilling to accept? Is the seat ripped?
Start the engine. Did the owner warm it up before you got there or was the engine cold? Was it easy to start? Did it turn over well or did the battery sound weak? Did it smoke when it started? Any unusual sounds? Is there excessive valve clatter?
Take it for a ride. How does the engine run? Does it smoke? Is there excessive valve train clatter? Are the muffler(s) in good condition? Does the transmission shift smoothly? Does the clutch slip? Are the brakes firm? Do the brakes squeal? Are there any unusual rattles? Does the suspension work well or easily bottom out?
Any defects you find are something that you may need to deal with in the future. Some items can be inexpensive to repair. However, some motorcycle parts can be surprisingly expensive. If it is an older bike, spare parts may not be readily available. Once you buy it, any repairs required to keep it on the road will be your responsibility.
It helps to know at what price bikes of similar size and age sell for in your local area. This will help you judge if the bike is priced correctly. Watch the local classifieds.
If you decide to buy it, get yourself a maintenance manual. I got a Clymer manual for my bike on eBay for about $35. It will pay for itself the first time you use it. Even if you do not make your own repairs, you will understand your bike better and know what it needs when you bring it to the repair shop.
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Title Post: What would be the best beginner sports bike for me?
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Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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