My first bike (a little direction, please) (Harley, ride, credit)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm going to be buying a motorcycle this year, and it will be my first motorcycle... I've had my endorsement now for over a year, but just haven't had the money to buy a motorcycle... Now that I'm getting ready to be able to buy one, I'd like some direction. I realize that much of it has to be what just "fits" me, but perhaps some of you can give me some direction.
I'm about 6'1", 190 lbs., and I'm mainly just going to use the bike for commuting... especially after I move the family across the country toward the end of next year. I'm not going to have a passenger, and I don't need something that has to be comfortable for 300+ miles. The longest drive I'll probably be doing on the bike will be about 40 miles.
My budget is somewhere around $5,000. I don't really want to spend more than that, as the wife and I are going to be buying a house in the next couple of years and we don't want to go heavily into debt. But, having a bike would be nice as it would give us a 2nd, low-cost vehicle with which I could use to drive to work.
I've looked at the Kawasaki Ninja 500, and it seems like that bike might be a good fit for me. It has a nice feel to it, and I love that it's so responsive.
Anyway, do you have any thoughts? If possible, I'd like to buy a new bike, and here's my reasoning why. There isn't much protecting me when I'm on a bike.. so I want to know EXACTLY what that bike's gone through. But, again, my budget is only around $5K... I don't want to spend more than $6K.
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
68,351 posts, read 54,502,307 times
Reputation: 40814
If you haven't done so already your first purchase should be a Motorcycle Safety Foundation riding course.
Second purchase should be good, protective riding gear.
I agree the KAW 500 would make a fine first bike, I'd suggest shopping the used market. It's just about a given with a first bike that sooner or later you'll have brain at parking lot speed and drop it.
You may also want to consider something like the Suzuki Burgman(sp?), I know quite a few experienced riders who've been very impressed with this modern scooter.
Feel free to DM me with any questions you might have. I've just entered the 41st year since my first bike and still enjoy it
Definely wear a halmet. I know alot of guys that they screwed back together as long as they didn';t have head injuriies. I also know of 5 that have permanent disabling head injuries.
1. MSRF course, and if you've taken that, take the advanced one (I think they still offer it.)
2. In that range, that's a fine bike, I had imports and later went through 2 HDs.
3. I rode year round even in the winter, budget for good, motorcycle specific clothing to keep you dry, visible, and if you want, protected (lots of the new gear has pads/kelvar inserts). That stuff can get expensive if you are on a budget.
4. Where you going to carry your stuff? I don't think it's smart to ride with a backpack or bag of any kind on your body. I've seen what they can add to the mix when you go down. Your call.
If you like the Kaw 500, it's a good bike, a very good choice for a first bike. Well supported by aftermarket accessories as well. But, look around, there are a lot of good bikes that can be bought used for $5000 or less. So many good used bikes out there that I don't see much sense in buying new. You can tell if a bike has been abused, wrecked, or neglected.
Are you staying in Washington State or going to the other coast? I'd get where I was going before buying the bike, would be one more thing to ship if you buy it first.
If you haven't done so already your first purchase should be a Motorcycle Safety Foundation riding course.
Second purchase should be good, protective riding gear.
I agree the KAW 500 would make a fine first bike, I'd suggest shopping the used market. It's just about a given with a first bike that sooner or later you'll have brain at parking lot speed and drop it.
You may also want to consider something like the Suzuki Burgman(sp?), I know quite a few experienced riders who've been very impressed with this modern scooter.
Feel free to DM me with any questions you might have. I've just entered the 41st year since my first bike and still enjoy it
What he said! ^^^
Being 6'1" and about 190lbs, you might want something bigger than a 500. Also, you might want to consider staying away from the Crotch Rocket/Sport Bikes. The insurance on them is very high - and for obvious reasons.
I've got a late-model Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, and absolutely love it! You might want to think about the Vulcan 900. It has only been out for a year or two, but you could probably find one used for $5,000 or less. If it has been serviced and inspected by a dealer, you've got nothing to worry about. Here's one that's on Craigslist, in Minneapolis - where my sons live. $4200, and 4,000 miles is NOTHING for these bikes. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/956059163.html (broken link)
If you are interested in a Harley type, you can get a nice Sportster for that amount. Good handling and plenty enough power to get you into trouble. For me, the upright riders are infinitely more comfortable than the forward leaning sport bikes.
Since you mentioned the Ninja, I'll go with the following as well. I favor naked bikes (no fairings like on a sport bike) for the looks, relaxed sporty riding position, more comfort than a sport bike, and lower insurance costs that a faired bike, so that colors my choices, but I'd say:
Suzuki SV650 - 04 or newer - you can get them with fairings or "naked"
Yamaha FZ6
Honda 599
Aprilia Shiver (but it will prob be hard to find one in your range now)
You'll want more than a 250, something in the 500-700 range will offer enough power to be useful without too much power and weight for a new rider. A mid-size engine will also put out less heat if you're ever sitting in traffic, and the lower bike weight is a benefit. If you get a faired bike and drop it, you'll have to repair all that plastic - one reason they are more expensive to insure.
The saying that there are two types of riders - those that have fallen and those that will is true, but falls aren't so bad if you're prepared. Being mindful on a bike is the best way to stay safe and upright.
Remember, all the gear, all the time! 70% of head injuries are to the lower face - so get a full face helmet. Your hands are the only part of your body that can't take skin grafts, but are usually the first part to hit if you fall, so wear gloves. Having protective clothing makes the difference between getting up and walking away and going to the hospital - even for a minor fall at 10 mph.
Budget $1000 for gear - even a basic DOT/Snell helmet can run $250, and they go up from there - two shields, one for day, one for night, maybe. A leather jacket can be $300, you'll need boots and gloves, $300... Pants too? maybe, plus maybe special geat for hot/cold/rain - if you have a car, you can get started with one set of good gear. I prefer leather, but textiles are okay. Its what protects you in a bad event - so don't skimp!
Okay, to answer some of the questions on here.... Yes, I've taken the motorcycle safety course. The good gear is taken care of. And yes, I've ridden a motorcycle before. I don't have a TON of experience, but I have been on a bike before.
Again, though, my budget for the bike is somewhere around $5K. Again, the gear is already taken care of. I appreciate the encouragement to wear protective gear. I assure all of you though, that there won't be a single time when I ride without a helmet. There hasn't been up to this point, and there never will be. I really don't want to damage the only thing I've got going for me (my brain)! I really can't afford to spend more than that, as the wife and I will be moving across the country next year, and we need some money for both the move and a downpayment on a house. And, insurance isn't as huge of a deal as it could be... I'm 25 now, so my insurance has gone down, and I've never been in an accident.
M3 Mitch, I'll be moving to Tennessee, probably, assuming my transfer goes through toward the end of next year. I live in Eastern Washington State (Spokane) right now, and the wife and I both want to move somewhere that's warmer, has lower property taxes, and a lower overall cost of living. And I grew up in West Virginia... Tennessee will fit me perfectly. Washington would fit me if it didn't cost so damned much to live here and it was warmer in the winter.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
