[TogaLive]

Well I am going to be turning 18 in January, and then its off to college in the summer, and I am looking at getting myself a used bike as a graduation/belated birthday gift since I wont be doing much long distance driving in college, and the 18mpg my car gets is killing my wallet. anyways, the general rule in our household is that as long as you live under the roof, you cannot own anymore of a motorcycle then a dirt bike. So anyways, I will be reading up on the good bikes to start with, have had alot of suggestions lead to a Ninja 250, but I had a few questions for you guys so I could get some good solid responses to be able to tell my parents when they find out I've picked one up come the end of the year.

As most parents probably do, they are freaking out just at the thought of my owning a bike. In their own words, they are not worried of my driving it, I used to drive our little dirt bike up through the mountain roads all the time when I was in my early teens, but rather worried about other people not seeing me and smashing into me. I see that this is a valid point, but I am very much so a person who likes to be in control, and I work very hard to never be in a situation where I am not in control, so in a way I'm convinced that whether it be through counterdriving courses which I will take, or through other means, that I would have a very slim chance of ever being in a situation where I wont be completely aware of my surroundings and wont be able to catch and react to anything that might come up. Now this being said, I have spent a total of about 0 hours on a sport bike, and that is just why I'm shooting for something used and small so I can lay it down without worrying if I need to, and so I wont be strapped to something I feel is too powerful. Anyways, any suggestions to a perspective rider in a situation such as myself? any comments? Which year of the ninja's would be best you think? I'm planning on spending 2k or less when the time comes.

Oh and if anyone has the actual non-"omg your on a motorcycle your going to die in x days" statistics on crash rates and mortality rates of people riding motorcycles?

Also, anyone have a general number for insurance rates on a Ninja? Just curious

Thanks a ton!
TogaLive

 

[BuiltGypsy]

A Ninja 250 is considered a sportbike in California (can't speak about any other state) so you can still be expected to shell out some serious cash for full coverage.

The MSF class is a great course. I've been twice, and both times both the instructors and other course takers were a lot of fun to be around.

Personally, I don't know what you can tell your parents. Your option seems to be buy it and then sort of beg forgiveness, or don't buy it and wait until you can move out.

 

[peterpiper]

This is very similar to my situation. I had raced dirtbikes and four wheelers for over 10 years and rode jet skis for several years so I was not new to being on bikes and other "death machines" as my grandmother calls them. Okay now back to my point. Although my step mom is the one who always helped talked my dad into buying the bikes she told me she didnt care if I was 18 or not, I still wasnt allowed to have a street bike. So What I did was saved up the money and one day came home with a motorcycle. She totally flipped out but then I explained that the money I would save on gas driving to work and back would pay for itself in just one summer. And there was really nothing they could say since I was 18 and paid all my own bills.

The Ninja 250 was something I was looking at at first and for full coverage for me was just over $100 a month.

 

[Stick N Move]

Yep, a good majority of us have been there. In fact I remember that thread about parents reactions was a good read and had some GREAT stories in there and great advice.

The day I brought mine home my mother didnt talk to me for a full month. That was after I bought some of the best gear I could possibly afford, after I took the MSF and passed and had my license, and after I told her I was looking for a good beginner motorcycle. Nothing will really cushion the blow because as soon as you show up with it your parents will be hit hard. Just be prepared for the consquences and what will come. You can gain acceptance by proving to your parents that you are responsible. Show them statistics, take the MSF and get your license, buy a beginner motorcycle and show them your research. That definately won me some bonus points later on. Fast forward my story more than a year later and my dad owns a motorcycle and my mother warming up to the idea of being a passenger. I couldnt even keep my motorcycle in the garage because my mother was so against it, but now thats it's new home at my mothers own suggestion. After awhile they will warm up to the idea, I guess I was a bit lucky that my father wanted a motorcycle license too so he took a good deal of the heat from my mother also, which would have probably been on me.

Once you show up with the motorcycle it will be ugly but after awhile they will realize that you want to do what you want to do and they can only influence and not change you.

 

[Deavastator]

Well all the Ninja 250s from 198(whatever this last digit is) all the way up to like 2008 have been virtually the same bike. But now there is a newer and sleeker body style out and can run under a 5 sec 0-60. Good luck with your search man.

 

[TogaLive]

Awesome responses guys, its nice to be able to hear from people who were in the same situation that I am in now, I'm still reading so keep em coming!

Thanks again!

 

[MattR302]

Regarding your car's 18mpg hurting your wallet: unless you plan to sell your car when you buy your bike, 99% of the time, you wont actually be saving any money. You'll still have the expenses for the car- registration, insurance, maintenance, etc. Plus all that for the bike, along with the cost of safety gear (at least $500) along with the cost of the bike. Plus, all the time you just feel like going out for a fun ride, thats added gas burned that you wouldnt have burned if you only had a car.

If you plan on keeping a bike at college and riding to class, definitely look for something cheap and sorta a "beater". That way it's less of a target for someone to steal or for drunk kids to mess with. I would recommend something like a dual sport, a street-legal dirtbike, like a DRZ or KLX or something like that, it would be awesome for ripping around campus. Plus then you can still take it up those mountain roads when you go home. While still getting 50+ mpg. Insurance would be cheaper, and maybe your parents would be a little more receptive to the idea.

Good luck!

 

[roadant]

You didn't say what price range you're in. How about a Yamaha wr250x. You can say it's a dirt bike (sorta is) and you can have more fun on it than a ninja. This 09' was bought used.

 

[usernamedoug]

+1 on matts comment on looking for something like a KLR. The ninja 250 is great if you're looking at moving on to sport bikes. If you just want something fun go supermoto like the pic above. DRZ400SM FTW!

oh and to this

. I see that this is a valid point, but I am very much so a person who likes to be in control, and I work very hard to never be in a situation where I am not in control, so in a way I'm convinced that whether it be through counterdriving courses which I will take, or through other means, that I would have a very slim chance of ever being in a situation where I wont be completely aware of my surroundings and wont be able to catch and react to anything that might come up.

It is SO easy to get schmucked on a bike. This was my first season riding and there was a couple times where the only reason i got out of a bad situation was because i identified that the car accross the intersection or beside me what have you flat out could not see me, and was able to make an emergency manouver (braking, throttle whatever) because i was really paying attention.

Just realize as good as you may ever be, theres always a chance of being put in a situation not of your doing, that you cant get out of.

sounds like you have a pretty mature attitude about all of this, just dont kid yourself on the risks.

 

[TogaLive]

Well after some prioritizing, im going to be taking my MSF classes in a few months, and probably waiting until about a month or so into my new college lifestyle so I can figure out how it would fit in. Plus it gives me time to start saving some money so theres more room and mabey I wont have to sell my car, just way too much in the headlights right now trying to get in colleges and whatnot. But I'm still up to any suggestions, im logging all the ones given

As far as a bike goes, Im trying to stay $2500 and under USED. Personally I really like the 08 and 09 Ninjas because of their new styling, and because I'd like a sport bike that looks pretty good and can handle the freeways comfortably if need be. Like I said, keep those suggestions and stories coming!

 

[Stick N Move]

Well after some prioritizing, im going to be taking my MSF classes in a few months, and probably waiting until about a month or so into my new college lifestyle so I can figure out how it would fit in. Plus it gives me time to start saving some money so theres more room and mabey I wont have to sell my car, just way too much in the headlights right now trying to get in colleges and whatnot. But I'm still up to any suggestions, im logging all the ones given

As far as a bike goes, Im trying to stay $2500 and under USED. Personally I really like the 08 and 09 Ninjas because of their new styling, and because I'd like a sport bike that looks pretty good and can handle the freeways comfortably if need be. Like I said, keep those suggestions and stories coming!

So where ya going to college?

 

[TogaLive]

So where ya going to college?

Well I've applied to all the CSU's, and I'm in the UC Top 4% program, so I've been accepted to Davis and UC Irvine as long as I apply. I'm hoping to either go to one of those two, Stanford (hey I can dream right? lol), or UC Berkley. Basically as of now its just a waiting game to see who accepts me and I'll figure where im going from that

I see your in Sacramento, my brother is actually down there at Sac State

 

[Stick N Move]

I see your in Sacramento, my brother is actually down there at Sac State

Me too

 

[R1100S-Rider]

If you really want to safe money, get a 4 door car. Long run, you'll save more.

A Ninja 250 is good. Or a Suzuki 500. Or you can be really bad ass (no joke) get a Zuma 50 and mod the hell out of it, I want to do this.

P.S
Please learn to make sense in your sentences.

 

[Justice06RR]

Couple of questions:
-do you plan to move out for college?
-what kind of vehicle do you have that only gets 18mpg?

There has to be some sacrifice somewhere. Regarding ur parents not wanting u to have naything b***** than a dirtbike, if you really wanted one (like a Ninja250R) you might have to move out first. If u stay at home ur folks will just get mad and probably force u to sell the bike.

Do you have an SUV/truck or any other gas-gussler? like MattR302 said you ultimately won't be saving money with the bike if you still have to spend a good amount of $ into ur vehicle. maybe u can consider getting a cheaper and efficient vehicle if you do get a bike.
A good friend of mine who really wanted to buy an R1 sold his 40k Chrysler300M SRT-8 (400+hp, 16mpg luxury car) so he can afford to have a bike. He now drives a Camry.

Ultimately its ur choice what u decide. Get a bike if you really want it. seems you're in the right track with MSF and starting out on a smaller cc bike. Good luck.

 

[Squid Killer]

One of the best things I have seen over the years is to have a parent come and watch their kid take the MSF class. It does wonders for their piece of mind.

You have to understand that most parents only know the bad part of riding because that is all they see and hear on TV and from friends. The general public never gets a chance to see or hear from competent, trained motorcyclist who ride for decades without an accident.


Even better, have a parent take the class with you. I have this happen in most every class I teach. The results are great.

 

[OskyATL]

haha, my dad is still giving me crap...I took the bike in for service not too long ago and I needed someone to drop me off so I got my dad to drive me over to the suzuki place and the whole ride over was a lecture about getting rid of the bike. . .

You just gotta deal with it, when I first told people I was getting a bike everyone I talked to was against it telling me all their horror stories, I noted them, and I note ever accident I hear about and how it happend. EVERY accident I've heard to date, was avoidable by the motorcycle. In a weird way, it gives me confidence, knowing that as long as I keep myself in check I'll be okay. I've been riding for about 6 months I guess, every month there has a been a fatality, each and every single one I've heard, was avoidable(plug MSF and SBNer advice too)- The riders just didn't take the right precautions. So every time my dad or anyone comes up to me with a story, I tell them exactly what they should have been doing...my dad just takes it as though I'm making excuses but what can you expect from parents...

It took me 4 months to tell my mom...I went to visit her one time with the intent to tell her. But once I got there and I told her my car was having some trouble on the drive over on the interstate she freaked out telling me that I shouldn't be driving if ANYTHING is wrong with the car....that set me back about 3 1/2 month's till I told her lol...


Another note. Sometimes It's very difficult to keep yourself in check, there is so much freedom and responsibility on a motorcycle it's just too easy to abuse. The danger is not anything you will really perceive- the danger is getting TOO comfortable with your surroundings.

 

[TogaLive]

One of the best things I have seen over the years is to have a parent come and watch their kid take the MSF class. It does wonders for their piece of mind.

You have to understand that most parents only know the bad part of riding because that is all they see and hear on TV and from friends. The general public never gets a chance to see or hear from competent, trained motorcyclist who ride for decades without an accident.


Even better, have a parent take the class with you. I have this happen in most every class I teach. The results are great.

Awesome advice, bringing it up tonight around the table!

 

[TogaLive]

haha, my dad is still giving me crap...I took the bike in for service not too long ago and I needed someone to drop me off so I got my dad to drive me over to the suzuki place and the whole ride over was a lecture about getting rid of the bike. . .

You just gotta deal with it, when I first told people I was getting a bike everyone I talked to was against it telling me all their horror stories, I noted them, and I note ever accident I hear about and how it happend. EVERY accident I've heard to date, was avoidable by the motorcycle. In a weird way, it gives me confidence, knowing that as long as I keep myself in check I'll be okay. I've been riding for about 6 months I guess, every month there has a been a fatality, each and every single one I've heard, was avoidable(plug MSF and SBNer advice too)- The riders just didn't take the right precautions. So every time my dad or anyone comes up to me with a story, I tell them exactly what they should have been doing...my dad just takes it as though I'm making excuses but what can you expect from parents...

It took me 4 months to tell my mom...I went to visit her one time with the intent to tell her. But once I got there and I told her my car was having some trouble on the drive over on the interstate she freaked out telling me that I shouldn't be driving if ANYTHING is wrong with the car....that set me back about 3 1/2 month's till I told her lol...


Another note. Sometimes It's very difficult to keep yourself in check, there is so much freedom and responsibility on a motorcycle it's just too easy to abuse. The danger is not anything you will really perceive- the danger is getting TOO comfortable with your surroundings.

Once again, this is great advice, and I value every bit of it! I've actually been watching videos of motorcycle crashes on youtube on purpose, and trying to analyze them to see what went wrong, or who was doing what wrong. Like you said, 90% of the accidents are on the bikers, either looking straight ahead on corners, or poor leaning stance, etc. But I am well aware that many accidents are caused by the drivers aswell, infact just over 2 weeks ago a young man died about 8 miles from my house because of another driver, god bless his soul, but even from that accident, I have questions on why the biker did certain things, or rather didnt do them. Still, I am reaffirmed in my belief that it could have been avoided, but the loss is no less an incredible tragedy. But on a brighter note, from what I've heard from most bikers, if they were to die anywhere due to another drivers poor judgement, they would have it happen while on a bike then anywhere else.