OK this is only slightly off topic - moderators, you can delete it or move it if you like, but I figured fellow motorers on the forum would have some expertise. Especially considering how much a MINI resembles a 4 wheel motorcyle...

I want a motorcycle. Plain and simple, I want open-air-leaning-in-incredibly-accelerating motoring experience. What's a good starter bike? Money is a big concern, and I want to eventually graduate up to a Ducati 999.

PS: I saw the Ninja 500 in the marketplace and was extremely tempted but I'm in Southern California.

 

I'm no bike expert, heck I've never even ridden one... but I do know that my coworker, who does ride, is VERY happy with the performance of his Yamaha YZF-R1... not to be confused with the YZF-R6, which apparently is also a great bike just not as "incredible".

I'm guessing that either one is a lot cheaper than a Ducati, since you did say that the money is a big concern.

But considering how little I know about bikes, even those may be pretty expensive?

 

if this is your first bike a 100cc is too much as in the R1 the R6 might even be too muvh for you... the 500 might not be a bad start, also any *** sport bike in the 1000cc class will spank the duc 999 on the street, hell I could prob give it a run on my 600RR

 

Moved to Off Topic :: Autos :smile:

 

hey! was that my bike you saw in the marketplace?! well, it's sold now and you're also half the hemisphere away. Note: buying a bike when no one wants one (well... you're in socal, so this may not apply to you. unless you buy one in washington state) is good. I sold my bike for $500 more than i bought it for (and I bought from a dealership, and sold private party!)

If you're experienced with a bike, then by all means... Go above a 600. I felt like the 500 was plenty for my first time, and from what i've read, it'll do the quarter in mid-high 12's. That's pretty fast. right?

I hear lots of good things about the yamaha's and honda's.

If you want to be crazy, i've seen a couple hayabusa's for less than 8k.

 

Hey Jinubob - yeah that was your bike! Congrats on the sale! I figured since it wasn't getting bumped it was long gone.

I've never even ridden a motorcycle before, and I'm afraid my own machismo would get me in trouble if I got a 600.

I'm pretty much looking for something under $3500, under $3000 would be better.

And I like the Ducati becuase it's in my blood. I have 3 family members who have owned Ducati bikes in the past few years, I've been to the factory in Bologna, and the 996 is the motorcycle that convinced me I would own one someday. Plus, while I'm a proud American I'm also a proud Italian The Japanese bikes may be a good choice logically, but I think with my heart pretty often in these situations

And anyway, what's the Japanese word for motorcycle? "Baiku"? Is that even close to being as hot as "Motocicletta"?

 

Rule #1: You will drop the bike at least once, either in your driveway, the garage, or the parking lot. Seems silly to drop a new bike considering cosmetic damage can be expensive to repair.

Your thinking is 100% correct. The Ninja 500 is a perfect starter bike. Another good choice would be the Suzuki SV650. The 500 is a full size bike in a compact package, is easy to handle and ride, and has plenty of power. The SV650 is truly a full size bike, a torquey v-twin engine, and sweet handling. It is such a fine bike, and inexpensive to buy and own, that it has become a very popular racing machine. A very nice SV can be purchased for less than $4k. Since the SV650 is a v-twin, you can enjoy the sweetness of an engine similar to the Ducati without the overhead and fear of loss. You can tell which one I like best of the two.

Take the MSF riders course. Practice riding away from traffic. After 5-6k miles of practice, go to a track riding school, such as Reg Pridmore's CLASS, or if in NorCal, Lance Keigwin's Novice School. There you will receive real-world riding instruction. (I am an instructor for Keigwin)

Don't skimp on quality riding gear and WEAR it!

Stay away from 600cc and liter class sport bikes for at least one year, two would be better.

Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions.

Phil

 

Another possibility if you really want to go Italian would be the Ducati Monster. It has Ducati's wonderful two valve, air cooled V-twin motor and is available in 600, 750, 800, 900, and 1000cc's depending on model year. It also has a more upright seating position which is better for a beginner and great if your are doing any city riding in lots of traffic. They have plenty of that unique Italian style and a huge amount of aftermarket parts for customizing into your own unique creation. I am pretty sure you could find a 600 or 750 in your price range. By the way, do not confuse a 600 V-twin with a 600 inline four like the Yamaha R6. The v-twin is a completely different beast and is much more beginner friendly.

 

CafeJane - What are you doing on this message board!?!? Estimated delivery is today!!!

Anyway, I'm surprised there are so few motorcycle people on here, I was expecting a lot more considering the MINI's reputation!

What are your guys' thoughts on something like a nearly new Buell Blast for $3500? Or a SV650S (2000 miles) for the same price? Are either good deals?

By the way, I'm 6'1" and 175 lbs. I don't know if that makes much of a difference, but that's what I was asked on Cycleworld's forum.

 

Buell bad, SV good. What year is the SV?

The Buell is an odd ball, it vibrates really bad and is kinda low for a guy your size. And it is gut-less. It's really a toy that you'd be tired of quickly. The Ninja 250 is like that also. It's appealing at first but the lack power becomes annoying. The Ninja 500 is much better in that regard, but it might feel a tad cramped for you. The SV will fit you nicely. I'm 6.3 and am fine on an SV.

Of all the bikes on the market, nothing beats the SV650 as an all around bike, for beginners to expert riders. 2,000 miles is nothing on a bike these days. The water cooled engines of today are different animals than the air cooled engines of the old days. The latter would be worn out in less than 15k miles. These modern engines are just nicely broken in at 15k.

Hey, notice the motorcycle guys are in Napa?

BTW, I'm with CJ's thoughts on a Ducati Monster, either the 620 or 750 for you. It would be a good choice. The main downside is the cost of parts if you should/will drop it. Ha! The Dark models are pretty reasonable.

 

Once again I fully agree with Monkey Boy. The Buell Blast is not something that will keep you interested for very long. It was built to be a beginner bike for Harley. They even had a special were after a year they would by it back from you when you were ready to move on to a bigger Buell or Harley. The SV650 has been praised by many people as a great beginner bike but still a ton of fun for experienced riders.

For most people the SV650 is certainly what I would reccommend. However, I am one of those strange people that feel many Japanese bikes, though technically excellent, lack something in character that many Italian bikes possess. With your stated feelings for things Italian I think you may be happier with the Monster. It would certainly be something worth looking into.

As far as today being my delivery day, I was waiting around all morning for my MA to call and tell me it had arrived. In the early afternoon I realized today was her day off. Argh! I can not pick it up until Saturday anyways. These last few days have been really long.

 

All excellent advice. Figure about $500-1000 of your budget will go into riding gear. Boots and pants are as or more important than a jacket.


If you have money to burn on a starter bike, the 500 or the SV650 are reasonable choices.

There are a whole host of bikes that you can get for around 2k that will be reliable and fun. We had a Ninja 250 when my wife was learning to ride, and aside from the body work that is an excellent first bike. Don't let the CCs scare you, it has plenty of power to ride on the street and learn on. You could go so far as to call it fun because they are so light. They are under $3k new and have a reslae value similar to the MINI.

The Suzuki 500 is another great starter bike:
http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/3/8/78430938.htm

A older Nighthawk would be ok, but it might be a little heavy.
http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/6/4/78215464.htm

Smaller cruiser bikes are good for learning on as well.
http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/7/1/78165771.html

The best starter bikes are light and comfortable, have a low seat height, not too much power to get you into trouble, good brakes, are new enough to be reliable and have no bodywork to damage when you drop them. I would buy something cheap, because you are bound to learn alot about what you do and don't like on a bike, and want something else anyway.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I appreciate the clarification on mileage issues- I noticed that there are only a few bikes with more than 10k miles in the classifieds I've seen, and I was hoping it wasn't just because they've all been crashed by then

I'm going to look into the Ducati Monster and the Suzuki SV650 - I still haven't seen a Monster in my area under 5 large yet, but I'll keep looking

Good luck Cafejane! Getting on the board for a while can help, but it's like a bad drug- as soon as you get off it you feel worse than you did before! I'm jealous of your weekend, though- I remember my first drive like it was yesterday

 

OK I chose my bike- now it's matter of finding one.

I was a hair from bidding on this bike-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

it's a 2002 SV650 with under 10k miles that went for $2600. Plus, it's closer to me than a girlfriend's house How much of a difference does the salvage title make? Is the guy full of crap for saying it was "just scratched"? It's gone, I was just hoping to get the knowledge for next time.

I'm pretty sure I can pick one up for under $3000 if I'm willing to take one with a dented tank.

And there's a gorgeous red one nearby with a tag that says 3200 on it. Does that sound reasonable? After seeing this bike on Ebay I don't know

I haven't been this excited about spending money since Sonja came into my life! (my CR/B MCS )

Sadly, I'm going to wait to buy until I enroll in an MSF course. I want to have some idea of where to put my feet before I roll off on my beautiful, expensive machine!

 

I have never heard of a bike receiving a salvaged title because of a scratch on the tank. I have not dealt with a lot of wrecked bikes but I am pretty sure a salvaged title happens because the insurance company totaled the bike and then someone else bought it to repair and sell. I seriously doubt an SV650 was totaled because of a scratch on the tank.

An experienced rider who knows what to look for and knows how a bike should handle may be able to determine if the bike should be purchased or not but as a beginner I would stay away from any salvaged bike. And, to purchase one on eBay without even a chance to inspect it seems really foolish to me. If the frame is bent or there is some other problem handling and safety may be severely affected. I would not be affraid to buy a bike with a few scratches, dents, or whatnot. Chances are you will add a few yourself as you learn to ride. But my advice is to stay away from salvaged bikes.

Take your time. Los Angeles is a great place to buy bikes. There are so many available and they are much cheaper than up here around San Francisco. The right bike will come along.

 

If the frame was scratched it could easily be totaled. The worst part about a salvaged title vehicle (assuming it runs ok) is that they are a bear to resell.