A good motorcycle for a 16 year old?

Awkward Si

after a year, I've finally saved up $9000 for my first vehicle (and I'm getting another $5000 from my parents)

I've given it a lot of thought, and I've realized that I don't want to blow this money on some ugly, ratty Honda Civic or some other sedan or a truck that I won't be able to pay the gas for-I want a Motorcycle..

and before you shoot me down, I don't want it because I'll look "badass" going down the street way faster then I should or some other stupid reason-I mean I want a cool bike, but that still isn't it. My parents supported the idea after explaning why it made sense...

I just think it makes a lot more sense-I'm mainly going to be using it to get to/from school and for general transportation. School is about to start up and I can get my Motorcycle license by September, as opposed to my driver's license which I would have to wait until april to get and would have to wait until senior year to get a parking space at school..

So what do you think would be a good bike for me? Of course I first checked out the Hayabusa and other sport bikes, but after reading some other Hayabusa related questions on here, I'm guessing I should just completley rule it out.

please help!
I live in Texas and I know I have to have a Learner's Permit and I have to complete a MSF approved MSC and get the certificate before I can apply for my Motorcycle license
and I'm 5'9 and weigh about 150..if it matters...
In Texas, there's a 250cc limit if you're under 16 (15 year olds can hold a Motorcycle license), but there's no restrictions if you're 16 or over

Answer
Reasonable information finally, decent question- you give state and local laws as basis for your wanting motorcycle- at your size a 500cc two cylinder medium size makes sense, you can get a full size sport bike not just a low cruiser like Ninja or Rebel. So start with considering Suzuki Savage/S40- light , simple , can do legal limit if not much more. Yamah Virago V twins- fairly light and narrow, easy to handle. The older Honda, Suzi, 4 cylinders at 500 to 750cc- widely available, workable, still reasonable weight and highway capable. Older 900 Sportster would be close to you capabilities to handle if you like Harley- reasonable price a lot of times, the $4500.00 repurchase/trade in program has helped maintain resale value. As a school bike a lockable tail trunk that can hold books and helmet is good to have, small windshield or fairing desirable - especially if you do some 100 mile rides. Suggest getting a bike a few years old- cost and expendability if dropped, also good learning experience maintaining them. Little 5'3 lady I'm teaching on CM 400 Honda having fun now- she got her legal permit last month and is riding bike to work, has learned to pick up dropped bike by herself..

I have granddaughter 4 months old. Is there a proper, safe, bike helmet for this age?

sequim2005

They live in Florida, so it is biking is all the time. What helmet do you recommend? I am more concerned about safety not price. Cost not a problem. It takes a minute for a tumble and at this age, so vulnerable. Also what type and brand for a almost 5 year old.

Answer
Don't you mean four YEARS old? If not, this would be neglectful on your part. Babies are not meant to ride at four months old. They do not have the correct muscles. Bicycling happens after they learn how to walk. Furthermore, they do not have sufficient motor skills at four months.

About the helmet: you can search for a child's helmet either online or at a bike shop. (Wal-Mart's selection is too limited). Find one for her size or age. It is better to bring a child to get one fit, that way it stays on better, and works better in a crash.

All helmets sold have to meet ANSI II standards, you will see the proof on the packaging. The reason why helmets can cost upward of $300 is because more money buys more vents (serious cyclists like ventilation).

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5 year old on a bike?

Q. is it legal to transport a 5 yr old with a helmet, on bicycle back panels? a child seat is too small, trailers and towing bars are expensive and inconvenient.

Answer
I think u can see this one best bikes.
WeeRide Co-Pilot Bike Trailer
Product Features
* Sturdy bike trailer for teaching your child how to ride a bike
* Attaches quickly and easily to almost any bike with a seat post
* Acts just like a regular bike, with handlebars, seat, and pedals
* Quick-release detachment system; safety flag and handlebar pad
* Holds up to 75 pounds; weighs 24 pounds; recommended for ages 4 to 9
http://www.amazon.com/WeeRide-56455-Co-Pilot-Bike-Trailer/dp/B000I4255G?tag=knapaaai-20

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Is a Ninja 250 a weak bike for somebody that's 5'10'' and 175lbs and 25 years old?

Matt P

I'm trying to find a good bike to buy and my firend is telling me I can handle a 600. I'm not afraid of the speed of a 600, but what should I do?

Answer
First off, I STRONGLY suggest a motorcycle safety foundation training course. (The final exam earns you your license.) http://www.msf-usa.org/

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)

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Does your family wear helmets when going for a bike ride?

Moonlight1

I do not put a helmet on my 5 year old when he is on his bike. When we go for family bike rides we so lots of other families biking and EVERYONE is wearing a helmet. I never wore a helmet when I was a kid. Are other people looking at me like I'm a bad mother because I do not have a helmet on my son? Do your kids wear helmets? Should I make my son wear a helmet?
It is not a law where I live to wear a helmet.

Answer
My 5 year old son wears a helmet every ride. My twelve year old step-son wears a helmet every ride. My wife and I wear a helmet every ride. Even short rides down the block to the store we strap on a helmet before we go.

There are a thousand things that could go wrong leading to a head impacting the pavement.

There was a local news story where one of the news anchors was out for a Triathalon training ride and went down and got very injured, including a smashed helmet. Her doctor said without a helmet on she would have died. This is someone who rides 100+ miles per week.

I have a friend that, two years ago, was riding down to the pharmacy and had a car door open in front of her. 1 second later she was flying endo and landed on her head.

These are experienced riders-- crashes happen. A helmet is cheap protection I won't go without.

A good motorcycle for a 16 year old?

Awkward Si

after a year, I've finally saved up $9000 for my first vehicle (and I'm getting another $5000 from my parents)

I've given it a lot of thought, and I've realized that I don't want to blow this money on some ugly, ratty Honda Civic or some other sedan or a truck that I won't be able to pay the gas for-I want a Motorcycle..

and before you shoot me down, I don't want it because I'll look "badass" going down the street way faster then I should or some other stupid reason-I mean I want a cool bike, but that still isn't it. My parents supported the idea after explaning why it made sense...

I just think it makes a lot more sense-I'm mainly going to be using it to get to/from school and for general transportation. School is about to start up and I can get my Motorcycle license by September, as opposed to my driver's license which I would have to wait until april to get and would have to wait until senior year to get a parking space at school..

So what do you think would be a good bike for me? Of course I first checked out the Hayabusa and other sport bikes, but after reading some other Hayabusa related questions on here, I'm guessing I should just completley rule it out.

please help!
I live in Texas and I know I have to have a Learner's Permit and I have to complete a MSF approved MSC and get the certificate before I can apply for my Motorcycle license
and I'm 5'9 and weigh about 150..if it matters...
In Texas, there's a 250cc limit if you're under 16 (15 year olds can hold a Motorcycle license), but there's no restrictions if you're 16 or over

Answer
Reasonable information finally, decent question- you give state and local laws as basis for your wanting motorcycle- at your size a 500cc two cylinder medium size makes sense, you can get a full size sport bike not just a low cruiser like Ninja or Rebel. So start with considering Suzuki Savage/S40- light , simple , can do legal limit if not much more. Yamah Virago V twins- fairly light and narrow, easy to handle. The older Honda, Suzi, 4 cylinders at 500 to 750cc- widely available, workable, still reasonable weight and highway capable. Older 900 Sportster would be close to you capabilities to handle if you like Harley- reasonable price a lot of times, the $4500.00 repurchase/trade in program has helped maintain resale value. As a school bike a lockable tail trunk that can hold books and helmet is good to have, small windshield or fairing desirable - especially if you do some 100 mile rides. Suggest getting a bike a few years old- cost and expendability if dropped, also good learning experience maintaining them. Little 5'3 lady I'm teaching on CM 400 Honda having fun now- she got her legal permit last month and is riding bike to work, has learned to pick up dropped bike by herself..

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How closely do autistic children need to be supervised?

bike helmets 5 year olds image

Q. We have a 5-year old neighbor who is not potty trained and does not communicate well. She is still in diapers, yet she roams the neighborhood unsupervised...no shoes, no helmet when on her bike. I am considering calling social services, if she is not mentally of the age to be potty trained or communicate like a 5-year old, I wonder if she should be unsupervised outside so much. I don't have much experience with autistic children, so wondered if this is more of a concern than if it were a child without autism.

Answer
Hun i have to agree with the other poster my son Thomas pictured left is 10 he also has severe autism non verbal and also still in nappies/diapers, there is NO way i would allow Thomas to go out alone unsupervised he knows nothing about danger and he would i know go off with anyone, i think the mother is just terrible for allowing this to happen, there is times i would love to see him out the front of the house with the other children but you have to think about the safety side which this mum isn't doing, either this or shes having a hard time dealing with her child and is allowing her to do as she pleases ..

Do kids need helmets to ride small plastic tricycles?

Ivy has Tw

They would be riding them in our house, at the playground, and in our parking lot.

The pediatrician handout says to have them wear helmets on tricycles, but it just seems unnecessary to me. They are 2.5 years old and we are getting them their first trikes, so they will be small ones.

I just can't see how a child can get a head injury on a small low to the ground plastic tricycle?

Answer
But any SMALL bump or knock can cause serious head injuries or brain problems.

We told our girls that if they wanted to go on bikes, trikes, roller skates, boards etc they have to wear a helmet.

Not only does it protect them, but it becomes second nature to wearing it. They have no problems wearing their helmet but a friend, who never really has made them wear them, has trouble now that they are that little bit older.

Better safe than sorry.

KD

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