I'm looking for a motorcycle. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

opentocomments · 02-19-2008, 11:46 AM

So i've been thinking to myself and was quite mused to think summer is coming quickly apon us. Then as i lay day dreaming i shot up and thought, I NEED A MOTORCYCLE. I however have a very limited knowledge of these beasts and was looking for some insight of a few more seasoned veterans.

Basic Guidelines for Bike purchase.
1. Cheap. At most $2k.
2. Reliable. Minimal unexpected break downs.
3. Fast enough to get my heart beating a little. 90-100mph at least.
4. Any brand at this point i have no real loyalties.
5. Preferably a smaller bike maybe 2 cylinder
6. An easy starter bike.

So I'm throwing that out there and if anyone wants to give me a few makes and models to research I would think highly of you and it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ilow · 02-19-2008, 12:07 PM

Well, I guess I'll be the jerk who says to use the search feature...

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle

$2k isn't a lot for a bike, even used, and you may be buying problems, but check out these threads first.

braisler · 02-19-2008, 12:14 PM

Um, #3 and #5 seem to be in direct conflict with each other. I mean, I'm not a motorcycle expert by any means, but I really doubt many 'smaller 2 cylinder' bikes are going to be getting you 90-100 mph. Not to mention that there is no where around St. Louis were you are going to be able to legally go 100 mph.

opentocomments · 02-19-2008, 12:29 PM

*sigh* mods delete thread.

Plan9 · 02-19-2008, 02:25 PM

Uh... 90% of motorcycles are... twin...

250-500cc bikes might be a good choice for you. Honda Nighthawk and Honda Rebel.

kinsaj · 02-19-2008, 08:49 PM

ninja 250

souzafone · 02-21-2008, 03:16 AM

I've had my bike license for over 30 years, got it when I was 16, so I've gotta try. Most any bike over 250cc's will get close to 100. The problem is, if it takes 9,000 rpms to reach 100 do you want to cruise on the hiway at 80mph taching 7 grand? But that's for later. First thing is safety. No it's not like a big, heavy, fast bicycle. People who learn how to drive before they learn how to ride have the worst habits to break. Imagine what happens, riding slowly even, going around an easy turn on a nice day when you hit a patch of leaves. Leaves are always wet. In a car you feel nothing, one or two tires roll over it, but the loss of traction isn't felt because of the wheels still making contact, the weight of the car, and the center of gravity. On a bike you lose traction on the leaves, then gain it back suddenly. The higher the speed, the less the handlebars are relied on to turn. You don't turn, you lean. Picture what happens when you're leaned over, lose traction for a sec, then regain it while rounding a corner on a vehicle with a high center of gravity. This is called high siding. Until you have enough expertise to negotiate something like that without thinking twice, you're a hazard to yourself. There's at least a thousand other examples, wet RR crossings not at 90 degrees, left over winter road sand, spilled fuel, coolant or oil. To be safe I would recommend learning to ride in the dirt first. Learning to ride slow is more beneficial than learning how to go fast. Learn how to ride up hills, down hills, and across hills, on wet clay, over rocks and downed limbs and you'll go a long way to becoming part of bike as you ride. Never go alone. What's your mechanical aptitude like? At your price range you're talking about carburetors instead of injection, and chain drive instead of belt, more than likely. Nothing worse than seeing a weekend warrior type on the side of the road waiting for AAA that hasn't the ability to even check a fuel filter. In my opinion, bike licenses are way too easy to get, because the consequences of learning the basics after you get licensed are to steep. Good luck.

cadre · 03-01-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinsaj

ninja 250

A ninja 250, and a Buell Blast would be good options. You can find them for 2k easy in the spring. Make sure you have enough money for gear too!

Oh yes and take an MSF course.

opentocomments · 03-02-2008, 02:57 PM

I have both experience with mopeds (i know its a little gay but i had access to one for very very cheap) as well as manual transmissions so i think as long as i take it easy, my plan is to use it just around town like driving to the gas station over the summer and such. I do intent to take a motorcycle saftey course though just as a precautionary measure. I'm a new rider so i think a 250cc or round about would be a fun way to get around town and look cool at the same time. Mopeds are like fat chicks they're fun to ride until your friends see you. lol

cadre · 03-02-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opentocomments

I have both experience with mopeds (i know its a little gay but i had access to one for very very cheap) as well as manual transmissions so i think as long as i take it easy, my plan is to use it just around town like driving to the gas station over the summer and such. I do intent to take a motorcycle saftey course though just as a precautionary measure. I'm a new rider so i think a 250cc or round about would be a fun way to get around town and look cool at the same time. Mopeds are like fat chicks they're fun to ride until your friends see you. lol

A 250 is best for riding around town anyways, you won't be needing much power. The Ninja is probably your best option, you can usually sell them for about what you paid for them also. Check your local newspapers and craigslist and make sure to take someone experienced with you when you look at a used bike to reduce your chances of getting screwed.

Hyosung also has a 250 model that's more styled if you're looking for a sportbike but they're pretty new so it will cost you (not worth it if you ask me).

opentocomments · 03-28-2008, 11:43 PM

So I found a bike i'm looking at tomarrow its a 1989 honda cbr 600 F. Its been turned over once so it has a salvage title but all damage was cosmetic except a fueltank that has sense been replaced 20K miles. I'm having a buddy of mine who is really good with bikes come and look at it with me tomarrow. The seller said he wanted a thousand then 900 then 800. I'm thinking I'll throw around 500 but i know i don't want to pay more then 650 or 700 for this bike. Its in pretty good condition when i looked at it and it runs he fired it up for me so the outlook is good. Also this guy who is selling it lives near my house and its been for sale for a while and its a buyers market so if i show up with 500 he might sell it right then.

Just an update.

smoore · 03-29-2008, 12:24 AM

20 years old? Drop it like a hot rock.

Get something sensible for $1500 that's 10 years old. No crotchrockets! No "cool" bikes. You need grandma bike for $1500, it'll teach you and be plenty fun if you've spent your driving life in a cage.

catback · 03-30-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoore

20 years old? Drop it like a hot rock.

Get something sensible for $1500 that's 10 years old. No crotchrockets! No "cool" bikes. You need grandma bike for $1500, it'll teach you and be plenty fun if you've spent your driving life in a cage.

Nothing wrong with a 20 year old bike so long as it's mechanically sound

opentocomments · 04-01-2008, 10:56 AM

I've seen the bike fired up it runs fine from what i understand. One of my motorcycle enthusiast friends is coming to test drive it and give it a once over (he's quite mechanically inclined too). One of my other friends already went up and test drove it, I'm just getting a 2nd opinion on the mechanics of the whole things seeing as i tend to embarass myself in a real garage. It seems like a solid starter bike. I already started calling some places in the phone book for a motorcycle saftey course, its relatively inexpensive.

02-19-2008, 11:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
opentocomments Psycho Location: St. Louis	I'm looking for a motorcycle. So i've been thinking to myself and was quite mused to think summer is coming quickly apon us. Then as i lay day dreaming i shot up and thought, I NEED A MOTORCYCLE. I however have a very limited knowledge of these beasts and was looking for some insight of a few more seasoned veterans. Basic Guidelines for Bike purchase. 1. Cheap. At most $2k. 2. Reliable. Minimal unexpected break downs. 3. Fast enough to get my heart beating a little. 90-100mph at least. 4. Any brand at this point i have no real loyalties. 5. Preferably a smaller bike maybe 2 cylinder 6. An easy starter bike. So I'm throwing that out there and if anyone wants to give me a few makes and models to research I would think highly of you and it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. __________________ How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all color-blind?

02-19-2008, 12:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ilow Junkie Location: Pats country	Well, I guess I'll be the jerk who says to use the search feature... http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=motorcycle $2k isn't a lot for a bike, even used, and you may be buying problems, but check out these threads first. __________________ "Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about" --Sam Harris

02-19-2008, 12:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Um, #3 and #5 seem to be in direct conflict with each other. I mean, I'm not a motorcycle expert by any means, but I really doubt many 'smaller 2 cylinder' bikes are going to be getting you 90-100 mph. Not to mention that there is no where around St. Louis were you are going to be able to legally go 100 mph. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---

02-19-2008, 12:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
opentocomments Psycho Location: St. Louis	sigh mods delete thread. __________________ How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all color-blind?

02-19-2008, 02:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Uh... 90% of motorcycles are... twin... 250-500cc bikes might be a good choice for you. Honda Nighthawk and Honda Rebel. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

02-19-2008, 08:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
kinsaj Psycho Location: somewhere out there	ninja 250 __________________ boom

02-21-2008, 03:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
souzafone Insane	I've had my bike license for over 30 years, got it when I was 16, so I've gotta try. Most any bike over 250cc's will get close to 100. The problem is, if it takes 9,000 rpms to reach 100 do you want to cruise on the hiway at 80mph taching 7 grand? But that's for later. First thing is safety. No it's not like a big, heavy, fast bicycle. People who learn how to drive before they learn how to ride have the worst habits to break. Imagine what happens, riding slowly even, going around an easy turn on a nice day when you hit a patch of leaves. Leaves are always wet. In a car you feel nothing, one or two tires roll over it, but the loss of traction isn't felt because of the wheels still making contact, the weight of the car, and the center of gravity. On a bike you lose traction on the leaves, then gain it back suddenly. The higher the speed, the less the handlebars are relied on to turn. You don't turn, you lean. Picture what happens when you're leaned over, lose traction for a sec, then regain it while rounding a corner on a vehicle with a high center of gravity. This is called high siding. Until you have enough expertise to negotiate something like that without thinking twice, you're a hazard to yourself. There's at least a thousand other examples, wet RR crossings not at 90 degrees, left over winter road sand, spilled fuel, coolant or oil. To be safe I would recommend learning to ride in the dirt first. Learning to ride slow is more beneficial than learning how to go fast. Learn how to ride up hills, down hills, and across hills, on wet clay, over rocks and downed limbs and you'll go a long way to becoming part of bike as you ride. Never go alone. What's your mechanical aptitude like? At your price range you're talking about carburetors instead of injection, and chain drive instead of belt, more than likely. Nothing worse than seeing a weekend warrior type on the side of the road waiting for AAA that hasn't the ability to even check a fuel filter. In my opinion, bike licenses are way too easy to get, because the consequences of learning the basics after you get licensed are to steep. Good luck.

03-02-2008, 02:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
opentocomments Psycho Location: St. Louis	I have both experience with mopeds (i know its a little gay but i had access to one for very very cheap) as well as manual transmissions so i think as long as i take it easy, my plan is to use it just around town like driving to the gas station over the summer and such. I do intent to take a motorcycle saftey course though just as a precautionary measure. I'm a new rider so i think a 250cc or round about would be a fun way to get around town and look cool at the same time. Mopeds are like fat chicks they're fun to ride until your friends see you. lol __________________ How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all color-blind?

03-28-2008, 11:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
opentocomments Psycho Location: St. Louis	So I found a bike i'm looking at tomarrow its a 1989 honda cbr 600 F. Its been turned over once so it has a salvage title but all damage was cosmetic except a fueltank that has sense been replaced 20K miles. I'm having a buddy of mine who is really good with bikes come and look at it with me tomarrow. The seller said he wanted a thousand then 900 then 800. I'm thinking I'll throw around 500 but i know i don't want to pay more then 650 or 700 for this bike. Its in pretty good condition when i looked at it and it runs he fired it up for me so the outlook is good. Also this guy who is selling it lives near my house and its been for sale for a while and its a buyers market so if i show up with 500 he might sell it right then. Just an update. __________________ How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all color-blind?

03-29-2008, 12:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
smoore Crazy Location: West of Denver	20 years old? Drop it like a hot rock. Get something sensible for $1500 that's 10 years old. No crotchrockets! No "cool" bikes. You need grandma bike for $1500, it'll teach you and be plenty fun if you've spent your driving life in a cage. __________________ smoore

04-01-2008, 10:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
opentocomments Psycho Location: St. Louis	I've seen the bike fired up it runs fine from what i understand. One of my motorcycle enthusiast friends is coming to test drive it and give it a once over (he's quite mechanically inclined too). One of my other friends already went up and test drove it, I'm just getting a 2nd opinion on the mechanics of the whole things seeing as i tend to embarass myself in a real garage. It seems like a solid starter bike. I already started calling some places in the phone book for a motorcycle saftey course, its relatively inexpensive. __________________ How do we know that the sky is not green and we are all color-blind?