i want a bike but..

[Jim]

Definitely some good advice in this topic. I would do the course first, then try on the bikes... Like Stew I like the look of the sport bikes but don't find them all that comfortable to ride. You should just try a bunch on, the dealer shouldn't mind you sitting on them.

Looking at a used bike cosmetic damage isn't a big deal if you don't care just make sure theres no structural or frame damage...

[mizke]

what signs of damage should i look for when buying a used bike ?

and ya cosmetics can always be fixed, new body peices and what not..

[Jim]

There's an article I'll try and find you... Things like bent forks, bent frame, and so on are not good :P

Fairings can get expensive I think on sport bikes if you want to replace them.


I dont know this might have been the one, http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/mo...buyer_sapy.htm

articles like that could help.

[mizke]

thanks, i will deff be reading that tonight..

[ctrucks]

This is from my personal experience and when I read your first post it reminded me when I was younger.

I have a few friends, all had or having bikes. From the normal Honda MB50 to the Suzuki GSXR and Honda Babyblade and Fireblade.

I wanted to start biking but was, like you, scared to do it. So I started small. First off was a 50cc. Just to get the hang of it. After a year or so I sold it and bought myself a GoMoto 125cc. Very cool bike, but learned to ride. Than I sold it, bought myself a car and few months later invested in a oldish Suzuki 750 which I bought from a friend.

After a few months of driving the engine seized and I sold it for next to nothing. I started with baby steps and at the end was able to drive my Suzuki on the open road visiting friends and family living very far away.

Starting small, like the others said, is what you can do to get more experience. Just remember one thing. When you are on a bike, you have to look around for yourself and the other cars. Be careful and try foresee every situation and enjoy the wind in your hair.

[mizke]

Originally Posted by ctrucks

Just remember one thing. When you are on a bike, you have to look around for yourself and the other cars. Be careful and try foresee every situation and enjoy the wind in your hair.

no doubt, i already have a habit of doing that in my car.. when i am at a red light, i am looking in my rear view. if it appears the car coming up behind me is going to fast by a certain point i put it in first and hold a slight rev. just incase i seriously think they are going to hit me i will dump the clutch of course watching for cross traffic when i do.. or the least it will make the impact less then it would be if i was on the brakes since i am already moving when they hit me.. i dont ride next to cars, always staggard.. its a good habit to get into, and i started doing all of that once i started investing money into cars outside of the price to get it off the lot..

[davidsonsgccc]

this is just my 2 cents but i wouldnt start getting into traffic until you are comfortable enough with the bike that you can pay more attention to the roads and what lies ahead than to your riding ability. this is just my opinion but i think the key to bike safety is tht extra split second to plan for what could be ahead or behind you watch your mirrors.

i hope this makes since and helps. if you like ninjas the r version is sweet.

[Cal25]

People without proper licenses make up 25% of motorcycle fatalaities. Dont become part of that statistic. Most accidents occur close to home.


I used to think it was wrong when they made it manditory to complete the motorcycle safety course prior to getting the motorcycle endorsement here in Texas. I now see its importance.

You asked for peoples oppinions and have recieved many. Please wait to buy that bike till after you get your license.

[BillR]

Originally Posted by Cal25

I believe here in Texas you Must complete the course prior to getting a license. Absolutely do the course first.

Also check and see if you can test out after the course. Tennessee allows you to take the written and road test at the MSF classes.

Originally Posted by Cal25

All the bad habits are nipped in the bud before you start them.

Tell me about it. All I heard when I took the experienced riders class was: "Bill, stop trailing the brakes into the turns :!: You're not on the race track :!: "
That was something I had picked up when I first started riding in the twisties, years ago.
The instructors were watching my stop light each time and knew I hadn't followed instructions to "complete all braking before entering the turn". They did say I was doing it "just right" to turn a good lap time... :twisted:
Bill

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by mizke

i have not found one bad review of the ninja, sounds like the bike i want.. on woods fun centers website i found they still sell the 2010 ninja 250r.. so this is what i want and the color i want..blends a nice shade of red with the perfect amount of black accents for a well balanced color scheme in eyes...
thinking i might need to go talk to them before they stop selling the 2010 models and only sell the 2011 and 2012 model bikes

Man, that looks alot like a Bennche Magelli. At $3399 they're worth a look. This is the bike that recracer won.

[mizke]

the 250r is i think less then a grand more then the other bike. i think with a motorcycle i want to stay name brand.. but who knows, maybe after some time with them being out and seeing how they hold up and what not i might consider it looking at one.. plus parts supply is a huge deal with me for the bike i pick out. i dont want to have to match stuff of and track things down.. just go down to woods fun center and pick up brake pads, or a oil filter or whatever other part i need..

but it is a nice ass bike, i was reading the review last night about the kick stand scraping on a shallow left hand turn... seems to be a good bike, just want hear from more people who ride it after its been out for awhile

[Cal25]

Do some looking on Craigslist at used Ninja's. You will save LOTS of money on a gently used bike. The 250 Ninjas in particular are quite numerous on the used market. Thats good for a buyer but not the seller.

[2LZ]

MSF Course, no MSF course, whatever bike you choose to ride....it doesn't matter.
If you're truly afraid. Don't ride!

I'm 51 years old and have been riding since I was 9. Trust me....Fear will get you killed faster than anything, because it effects your decision making process.

It's that simple.

[mizke]

its the fear of the unknown. i was scared to ride a atv the first time, cuz i didnt know the controls and i didnt know what to expect.. im smart enough to not let the fear effect my choices on the road.. i just need to get comfortable and learn what to expect on a bike. i dont have the kind of fear that causes some one to lock up and freeze or to panic and let go of the bars or anything like that..

[lego1970]

Some of this has probably been already covered, but if not here is my list.

Choice of bike.

Ninja 250. You generaly either buy a sportbike for speed or for dragging knees around corners. With a 250, you will get bored quickly with the speed, especially considering that most cars will beat it from 0-60, Harley riders will get a even bigger head from being faster then a sportbike (despite the 1000cc difference) and compared to a 600cc or larger sportbike....well just don't even think of it. Having said that a 250 is still fine if not better for turns then their big 600cc and 1000cc brothers. I would try to get a 08 or newer because they are set up from the factory to drag knees without dragging hard parts (foot pegs, muffler), put more of the riders weight up front, plus you can get sticky tires for them. If not the older generation if fine since it can still be modified, plus they have a more comfortable riding position.


What to look for in a bike,

Steering stops. They are little dog ears on the steering head and easily bent of broken off when a bike takes a spill. If you can't see them because of the instrument panel or fairings then turn the handlebars from left to right. If the bars turn further in one direction then odds are it was laid down on that side.

Uneven or bent forks. Look at where the forks stick out from the Triple Tree (top) and make sure there is an even amount sticking above the clamps. Then look at the profile of the bike and look to see if the forks align up.

Miscolored body work or lots of imitation carbon fiber is a good sign that it's been wrecked and then they tried to cover it up with imitation go fast goodies.

Mismatched tires or cheap tires sometimes indicates a previous owner who prolonged maintenance. (not always the case)

Newer looking gaskets, silicone gasket sealer or newer bushing show signs of work done. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes that's a bad thing. Depends if it was routine maintenance done by somebody competant, or a cheap fix to just get it running by somebody that's not good with wrenches.

Sproket teeth should be straight up. If they are curved over (like a ocean wave) they are old or the bike has been rode hard. (not likely to show up as much on a 250)

Overall alignment of bike. Look at it straight up and down and check for overall alignment.


Safety,

1. Make sure your good to ride. Trust your instincts, don't ride after drinking, tired, sick, mad, etc, etc. Think about your ride and safety before you ride.
2. Know the weather, and prepare for night or day riding. Rain, sleet, etc makes riding more challenging. Don't get caught in the day without tinted visor or sunglasses, likewise don't get caught at night with only a tinted visor. Practice riding with gloves and make sure you can still operate the controls
3. Check your bike over before each ride.
4. You go where you look. If you look at a tree, car, slippery spot, piece of debree in the road, you'll hit it. Therefore if you get in a bind where you took a turn to fast or a car pulls in front of you, look at the exit of the turn or for the safest spot out and only focus on it. Go where you look!
5. Look far in advance.
6. If in doubt lean it out. If you take a turn to fast, stay off the brakes and just keep leaning. It's much better to wash out in a turn then high side it. Google it if you don't understand what I mean.
7. Look left, right, left again before taking a left onto traffic. Always protect that left side. There is no room for error there. If you pull out in front of a car, the driver on the left won't have a chance to brake or avoid you, where as the driver on the right has a much better chance of detecting you pulling out, and either brake, hit a shoulder, or whatever before hitting you.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head even though I know there is much more to talk about in regard to your bike choice, what to look for in a bike, and riding safety. Good luck.