need advice for my first bike.. thanks guys

H

halffttime

New Member
i got my m2 license already and have taken the msf course as well. i failed the first time mostly because of nerves and stupidness on my part on practicing only the fun drills. my experience with the motorcycle is very limited, basically about 12-15 hours of riding a cbr125 during the msf course.

these are my options:

2008+ ninja 250 - typical beginners bike, definitely reliable, not very original for a first bike, about $3500

1991 zxr 400 - mint condition from the dealer, looks nice as fukk, rare bike where i live, hard to find parts, about $5700, costliest of the bunch

1992 suzuki rgv 250 - mint from the dealer, looks nice as fukk, etc. same as above basically, will most likely be the fastest 250 on the road and could smoke bigger bikes lol, about $5000

1991 honda vfr400 - mint from the dealer, honda so i expect it to be reliable, rare bike, hard to find parts, about $5400

or buy a cheap honda cb or yamaha xs and cafe it out - cheapest option, could pay off bike and insurance for the whole year mostly, get to customize it to my liking, will have to work on it first and may take atleast a couple of weeks

what would you guys do? why? would the 400cc bikes i've listed above be about the same insurance as the new ninja 400? the insurance companies i called couldn't find them on their system.
 
I can't advise on the insurance, but as far as the bike is concerned - NO CONTEST ! 8)

Get an early model whatever takes your fancy and build it as you want.

Not only will it be the cheapest option, but will give you something that no OEM machine can give - uniqueness.

The process will also mean that you have put something of yourself into it - very satisfying.

As to the bike ? There's many options and many styles. This forum is an excellent place to start.
 
Were it me, I'd get the RGV, but mostly because I'd love to have one - not necessarily a good option if you intend to put any distance on the bike, though, as they're ungodly uncomfortable. Also not necessarily the best choice for a first bike as 2-stroke race bikes are not particulartly forgiving of errors.

The older the bike you get, the more mechanical aptitude you should have - or be willing to learn!

Like BC said, a lot of us here will argue that older bikes have some indefinable characteristic newer ones don't, and you'll get plenty of time to try to figure out just what that is while you're wrenching on it.

First time playing? Find something that runs well, at a price point you can bear, with some money left over for when things go sideways.

Welcome!
 
Get something that you can ride without working on off the bat. Its easy to get in over your head. Only do mods you can take care of over a weekend and etc.

How big are you? My first bike was my 750, keep im mind I'm 6'4 and around 220# or so. It needed to actually fit me.
 
Had a Hawk GT for my first bike and miss it still 7 years later. So that's my suggestion lol. Like already said get something inexpensive and you like. Doesn't have to be a beauty queen as there is a good chance you'll drop it at some point.
 
My 2 cents if worth anything: Get an older Japanese bike (they seem to be bulletproof), ride around with the regular stock setup bars as you get used to riding on 2 wheels in traffic and all that. After feeling comfortable, switch out to lower bars, then get all sporty if you feel.
 
I would agree with what everyone said and will add that your already starting out right. What i mean is your thinking smart and not wanting some 1000rr this or that ! Think alot of new rides make that mistake and go buy the biggest bike they can get and get hurt . Get the bike that fits you and runs good . Ride it for a season then sell it and go from there. Riding at speed with cages around you is way diff then riding in a open lot !!!
Dont forget to have some coin left over for good riding gear helmet,jacket,gloves,boots dont go cheap with this stuff as it can save your hide !!!! Good luck and let us know what you do :)
 
Garage Rat said:
Get something that you can ride without working on off the bat. Its easy to get in over your head. Only do mods you can take care of over a weekend and etc.

How big are you? My first bike was my 750, keep im mind I'm 6'4 and around 220# or so. It needed to actually fit me.
Click to expand...

I'm 5'10 about 195lbs... the plan is to lose weight though lol probably around 165-170...

Yeah, my friend just got his first bike too, a 1972 honda cb 550. He's cafe'ing it out right now, definitely a lot of time and work involved, it'll be interesting what the end results turns out to be.
 
i'm trying to find insurance quotes for the zxr 400 and haven't found an exact one. none of the insurance companies i called had the bike in their system, so we had to quote the insurance against "similar" bikes like the kawasaki 440 and the 2011 ninja 400.

the cheapest i got was for basic coverage $2678 for the whole year, quoted against the 2011 ninja 400.

anyone with a similar problem?
 
halffttime said:
i'm trying to find insurance quotes .......the cheapest i got was for basic coverage $2678 for the whole year.......
Click to expand...

Holy Crap! Thats a grip of Dough! Call E-insurance (Progressive) or Hagerty. Thats way too much :eek:!
I pay less than 300.00 a year on my CB.
I pay less than 250.00 on my old '78 Vespa
 
No shit that's out of hand I pay 80 bucks a month for 2 bikes and 2 trucks at full coverage !
 
No joke I only paid 180 for the whole year I mean its only liability but that's all I need with an older bike
 
halffttime said:
i'm trying to find insurance quotes for the zxr 400 and haven't found an exact one. none of the insurance companies i called had the bike in their system, so we had to quote the insurance against "similar" bikes like the kawasaki 440 and the 2011 ninja 400.

the cheapest i got was for basic coverage $2678 for the whole year, quoted against the 2011 ninja 400.

anyone with a similar problem?
Click to expand...

You'll get more accurate responses if you let us know where you are in the world. My insurance is a couple hundred bucks more than people who are a hundred miles West of me, and a couple thousand less than those who live across the border to the North. :)
 
rufio said:
Holy Crap! Thats a grip of Dough! Call E-insurance (Progressive) or Hagerty. Thats way too much :eek:!
I pay less than 300.00 a year on my CB.
I pay less than 250.00 on my old '78 Vespa
Click to expand...

where do you live? i live in ontario canada, and i'm under 25.. so unfortunately those are actually regular rates, pretty gay i know.
 
halffttime said:
where do you live? i live in ontario canada, and i'm under 25.. so unfortunately those are actually regular rates, pretty gay i know.
Click to expand...

I'm in sunny so cal and I look great for 40!
 
halffttime said:
or buy a cheap honda cb or yamaha xs and cafe it out - cheapest option, could pay off bike and insurance for the whole year mostly, get to customize it to my liking, will have to work on it first and may take atleast a couple of weeks

what would you guys do? why? would the 400cc bikes i've listed above be about the same insurance as the new ninja 400? the insurance companies i called couldn't find them on their system.
Click to expand...

Trust me...the cafe route, is NOT the cheapest route. It's going to end up being the most expensive.
 
Halftime.... Take the course, it will knock down your insurance by 15% and you might learn something that will save your life one day $425 well spent....CMA has one and Sheridan college etc.. Buy a modern bike, if you decide a year from now that riding isn't your thing then sell it.. Not always so easy to do with an older bike.... I'm not sure what your mechanical aptitude is but use your modern bike to learn basic maintenance... Once you have your first year done you'll have a better idea of what style of bike suits you, your riding style and the areas that you ride in...
 
Yea, you really can't get enough rider education! I'd agree that a running modern bike is the best way to start. You could pick up a cheap non-runner to mess with, but still have something to ride every day. It's very frustrating to have all that training and be itching to ride, but have a broke down POS in the garage mocking you :)
 
i'm trying to find insurance quotes for the zxr 400 and haven't found an exact one. none of the insurance companies i called had the bike in their system


It is a "grey import", never available in Canada, essentially a sleeved down gpz550
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom