beginner extra questions

[rockyfaith]

Hey.. well new here, I read the stickies on the best begginer bikes, and have a few more questions, as you can guess, im looking to buy a bike. Im 5'9 and about 150lb, not a big guy, after reading what ive read id like your opinions on my choices.

Ninja 250 or 300.. I love the looks, but I live in a rural area, im wondering if the rattle at hey speeds and ive read they can get "blown" around on the hwy by the wind.I will be doing a majority of backroad hwy riding.

Used bike.. id like to get used, but i didn't read any recommendations here on models, elsewhere I read that the used gs500 are good, alone with the Kat 600, and the older cbr600s were a good choice. I also read the "why not to get a 600 and totally respect and get it. Id like to buy used, cuz chances are I'll lay her down a few times, and I don't mind riding a beat up bike till I get skillset to jump to a new 600. Also, I don't want to ride scared, but i don't want to lose respect for the bike either, because riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles when I was younger taught me thats a good way to get hurt.

Anyones 2 cents would be welcomed, all advice will be taken to heart, I don't want to end up as a smear on the road.

[Transient]

500 or smaller. If you want used, you can't be too picky. The ninja 250 and CBR250 both ate very light, which is great for handling but they're more susceptible to wind. That and highway vibes aren't the end of the world, unless you plan to spend the majority of the time on long rides above 80 mph in 20 mph winds.

My fiancée loves her CBR250, which she uses to commute on Dallas freeways.


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[snlsmith]

Originally Posted by Transient

...The ninja 250 and CBR250 both ate very light...


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I knew you posted from an iPhone as soon as I saw this 'typo'. My phone does the same damn thing.

To the OP, don't consider the new 300 because, well, it is new. Won't be finding any deals on them any time soon. I would suggest an older, slightly beat up 250, as long as it runs well. I bought a beater 250 for $400 to teach my son. Sold it a year later for $350. Not a piece of fairing on it and I had to work on the carbs (clean them and replace bowl gasket) cause they were leaking. Repair cost me all of $20.

The key with buying an older 250 is that as long as you don't destroy it, you will likely get close to your buying price when it comes time to sell and upgrade.

[rockyfaith]

Thanks fellas.. exactly how quick/forgiving are they? Im leaning towards the ninja, mostly because it doesn't look as well, for lack of a better word "weak" lol (yes im a noob and I know I shouldn't let my ego get in the way, but im human) anyways, ive seen vids on YouTube of guys popping the clutch and doing a wheelie and then some acrobatics that would make a bullrider cringe the smack to the pavement, im just saying if it does happen, after all I am human, will it behave like that and take me for an 8 sec ride? Im not going to stand there with the throttle wide open and let loose, just saying ive read about the throttle response. I might be dumb but I ain't stupid.

My buddies are already ripping on me for thinking about a 250, but pride aside I know a 250 is right for me. Telling me its a scooter... blah blah.. I just wanna have fun on a bike, not stupid fun tho.

Hows the dependability on them, I imagine their little motors work pretty hard all the time?

Looking at spending 2g to 2.5g on one.

Is there any place other than cycleworld or eBay to see used bikes?

Thanks again!

[max384]

Originally Posted by rockyfaith

Thanks fellas.. exactly how quick/forgiving are they? Im leaning towards the ninja, mostly because it doesn't look as well, for lack of a better word "weak" lol (yes im a noob and I know I shouldn't let my ego get in the way, but im human) anyways, ive seen vids on YouTube of guys popping the clutch and doing a wheelie and then some acrobatics that would make a bullrider cringe the smack to the pavement, im just saying if it does happen, after all I am human, will it behave like that and take me for an 8 sec ride? Im not going to stand there with the throttle wide open and let loose, just saying ive read about the throttle response. I might be dumb but I ain't stupid.

My buddies are already ripping on me for thinking about a 250, but pride aside I know a 250 is right for me. Telling me its a scooter... blah blah.. I just wanna have fun on a bike, not stupid fun tho.

Hows the dependability on them, I imagine their little motors work pretty hard all the time?

Looking at spending 2g to 2.5g on one.

Is there any place other than cycleworld or eBay to see used bikes?

Thanks again!

First off, the stories about 250s being bad on the highways (getting blown around, vibrating, not being able to handle the high speeds) are mostly BS and/or exaggerated. Any sportbike will get blown around. You get used to it, and it becomes a complete non-issue. The highway vibration or 'buzz' isn't bad at all. I wish my SV only vibrated as much as my Ninja did on the highway!

Don't worry about lifting the front wheel on the Ninja and getting taken for a ride. You've really got to work to get a 250r to wheelie. I had mine for a bit under 15,000 miles and never once lifted the front wheel in the air. I never tried to lift it, but I also accelerated from a stop with the throttle wide open on many occasions and it never felt even close to coming off the ground.

Don't worry about your friends ragging on you for the bike you choose to get. Do they even ride?

Craigslist is your best bet for finding a used bike.

[rockyfaith]

K cool man, thats what I was hoping to hear.

And yeah two do, ones got a hd rocker and the other has a gixxer600. The rocker owner is doing the ripping tho, my gixxer friend just wants to ride with me. Other friends that don't ride are giving me gas too.. but oh well. Lol

Being 5'9 I wont dwarf the bike right? it'll fit me correctly I guess is what i mean?

[max384]

Originally Posted by rockyfaith

K cool man, thats what I was hoping to hear.

And yeah two do, ones got a hd rocker and the other has a gixxer600. The rocker owner is doing the ripping tho, my gixxer friend just wants to ride with me. Other friends that don't ride are giving me gas too.. but oh well. Lol

Being 5'9 I wont dwarf the bike right? it'll fit me correctly I guess is what i mean?

It's certainly not a big bike, but you won't dwarf it. I'm 6' and 200lbs and made out fine with it. I mean, my SV fits me better, but I never really felt out of place on it.

[Sequentialshift]

Originally Posted by rockyfaith

K cool man, thats what I was hoping to hear.

And yeah two do, ones got a hd rocker and the other has a gixxer600. The rocker owner is doing the ripping tho, my gixxer friend just wants to ride with me. Other friends that don't ride are giving me gas too.. but oh well. Lol

Being 5'9 I wont dwarf the bike right? it'll fit me correctly I guess is what i mean?

The little 250 will tear the HD a new arse on the road .

[OldSchlPunk]

No matter what you get, always ride your own ride, it's all too easy to get over your head. Don't let others make you feel as you have to prove something.

[Menotomy]

Just to second what Max says, I commute regularly on my 2006 Ninja 250, and the vibration is not a problem at all at/above highway speeds. I've yet to be blown around to the point where I couldn't handle it, but then again VA doesn't get winds that the midwest can get.

[OldSchlPunk]

The key to wind is to stay loose, let the bike move around. It will want to correct itself if you aren't fighting it. Lane positioning is a good idea also, stay to the side of your lane that the wind is coming from to give you some room to move when the wind hits you.

[rockyfaith]

Thanks for all the
advice guys, now its just a matter of finding the right one. Looking at gearing up too, I plan on getting the full deal, armored and boots. Can you guys recommend any places other than eBay to get good deals? I'll wear used... also a good brand that makes quality stuff? Was looking at alpinestars gear?
Thanks again!

[OldSchlPunk]

Motorcyclegear.com and Sportbiketrackgear.com have good deals. Check Motorcyclegear's closeout section, the selection is limited sometimes but the prices can't be beat!

[max384]

Revzilla is also a great company to do business with. Their customer service is second to none.

[F4sSprintST]

www.compacc.com


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