Decent motorcycle ideas?
Thinking about an old Harley, or one of those Shadows like cubs has..
I want a motorcycle so I can drive to school on just a permit..
Doesnt matter how many CC.. would like around 600 (dad says that would be good enough without being overpowered) as I will wait 'til im 16 so there isn't a law saying under 250cc
Ideas? Ill be looking around for a good 10 months, but still
I want a motorcycle so I can drive to school on just a permit..
Doesnt matter how many CC.. would like around 600 (dad says that would be good enough without being overpowered) as I will wait 'til im 16 so there isn't a law saying under 250cc
Ideas? Ill be looking around for a good 10 months, but still
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quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
I have a 78 XT 500 Yammahammer. I'd bet it will start the second kick when I get home in the spring. It has done so for the last seven years. Simple one lunger thats got great low end, easy to work on if requred, no brain box chips or fuel injection. 50 mpg or if ridden as sane guy.
I was going to recomend buying an old kawasaki tripple HP 500 Three cylinder Two stroke.
Three puffs of blue smoke and he is at school!0 -
When I bought this place I started finding bike parts in the barn and shop. Eventually I realized I had a complete, practically new Yamaha RD400 missing only the pistons. I bought a set of ported and polished Wiseco racing pistons and put the bike together. I hit 60mph before I made it out of the driveway or into 3rd gear. Parked it out front with a 4-sale sign on it and a fella stopped within an hour and gave me $800 for it.
For your purposes I would get the Susuki Savage 650 single. Very easy to ride for a beginner and easy to work on with just a few tools. Also if you need parts or accessories, older model Harley Sportster stuff will bolt right on and are about half the price of Savage parts. I bought my wife on to learn on and even though she has moved up to a Fatboy Dresser we kept the Savage for the kids to eventually learn with. The bike is 20 years old and needed only oil changes and the occasional spark plug.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bigdaddyjunior
I bought a set of ported and polished Wiseco racing pistons and put the bike together. I hit 60mph before I made it out of the driveway
Whatever you buy Jacob, make sure no one put port and polished pistons in it[:o)]0 -
New to bikes?
Strong advice. Stay away from anything that is stretched and raked to the gills. For they are hard for a new comer to ride and take a lot to get used to in the way they handle.
RD/RZ Yamaha's were great bikes in their days. But you will have a hard time finding parts for one now. Avoid them unless you just want something to tinker with.
Their are many great little dirts out. Take the quarter and half liter (250-500cc) dual purpose bikes. Kawasaki KLR's, Yamaha TT's, Suzuki DR's and the KTM's for example. They offer plenty of smooth power to buzz around town and you also have the option to take them off road for trail riding. Also the nsurance will not kill you like it would on a larger cc or Sport bike.
Locally the Sport bike craze is dyeing fast. Guys are dumping Yamaha FZR's cheap and going to Duel Purpose bikes..0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
Actually there is one for sale around here, I know its a good bike, arent they illegal to import now? thats what I heard anyways
I had a few and guess I was still not clearing thinking last night.
The RD/RZ/RS are 2 strokes the RD/RS is a street legal track bike and the RZ is more or less a Drag bike. The RZ is a good choice, but parts will be had to find. The engine wouldn't be too bad to as they were the same engine on the Banshee's.
Your right about the RS not being imported. They are 2 stroke and can't make emmissions.
I think for a beginner the power band on a 2 stroke might get you hurt. If you become a better rider and you like to tinker, than a 2 stroke would be a good choice in the future. You can make tons of power on a 2 stroke fairly cheaply. I've had 100 hp plus out of Banshees. I've seen Banshee's pushing over 125hp.
If you want a C-rocket. Look at the 250 ninja's They are good bikes and great to learn on. They are also very inexpensive and you can get one that's new or almost new.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
Think this is just suicidal?
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/516980982.html
It is until you have lots of riding experience. You don't want to start out on a raked out (extended front fork angle) bike until you have a lot of riding experience under your belt.
A Honda Rebel (250cc twin) or a Honda Shadow VLX (583cc v-twin) would be my suggestion for a started bike. I started my 16 year old grandson on the Rebel. You would be surprised how fast it runs. He has no problem keeping up at 70 on the freeway. I will upgrade him to the Shadow VLX this year, and we'll save the Rebel to teach the others on as they learn to ride.
If you live in the city, you might want to start with the VLX because it is water cooled and will not overheat in traffic.
PS, there are still some brand new red 06 models of the VLX Deluxe available from Honda with new factory warrenties with a huge discount. They look good and are cheap.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
Think this is just suicidal?
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/516980982.html
It is until you have lots of riding experience. You don't want to start out on a raked out (extended front fork angle) bike until you have a lot of riding experience under your belt.
A Honda Rebel (250cc twin) or a Honda Shadow VLX (583cc v-twin) would be my suggestion for a started bike. I started my 16 year old grandson on the Rebel. You would be surprised how fast it runs. He has no problem keeping up at 70 on the freeway. I will upgrade him to the Shadow VLX this year, and we'll save the Rebel to teach the others on as they learn to ride.
If you live in the city, you might want to start with the VLX because it is water cooled and will not overheat in traffic.
PS, there are still some brand new red 06 models of the VLX Deluxe available from Honda with new factory warrenties with a huge discount. They look good and are cheap.
I was kidding about the chopper, i just think it looks cool0 -
I've taught a few people to ride. Been riding 42 years.
Had a lot of bikes . Now on a Victory cruiser.
So:here's my advice:
1)Sign up for a MC safety course. Accidents (and they are all bad) are more likely in the first 2000 miles .
2)Get the Kaw 250 Ninja that Cutiegirl suggested. It's a fine easy to learn MC , sporty with great gas economy and durability.
3)Wear proper safety gear
4)Ride like the cagers are out to get you or they will.
5)Trade up to what you think you want (that will change many times) after the 2K mile mark and you will only loose$1k max on the Kaw.
Be safe and may the weather be on your side.
Stan0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
I was kidding about the chopper, i just think it looks cool
I would rather see you on the chopper than the 188MPH sport bike. Either way, neither is a good starter bike, and you want to learn the best riding skills you can because the folks on the cell phones and the distracted and low skilled car drivers will run you down unless you learn to expect them to do the wrong thing, and allow yourself and escape route for when they do.
I tell you this after over 40 years of riding the roads with these fools. They hurt me real bad once, and I hurt myself real bad once out of foolishness. After surviving both events, I love the sport but hate riding in the city.
Don't know your laws there, but always ride with long pants, boots, a protective jacket and a helmet even if the law doesn't require it. You have twice the chance of telling your stories if you do.0 -
Start on something you can handle very easy and learn off road or on the back roads.
I have seen to many start off with something with to much power, and get hurt. Learn slow, ride defensively always, and live long!
Jim0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
I was kidding about the chopper, i just think it looks cool
I would rather see you on the chopper than the 188MPH sport bike. Either way, neither is a good starter bike, and you want to learn the best riding skills you can because the folks on the cell phones and the distracted and low skilled car drivers will run you down unless you learn to expect them to do the wrong thing, and allow yourself and escape route for when they do.
I tell you this after over 40 years of riding the roads with these fools. They hurt me real bad once, and I hurt myself real bad once out of foolishness. After surviving both events, I love the sport but hate riding in the city.
Don't know your laws there, but always ride with long pants, boots, a protective jacket and a helmet even if the law doesn't require it. You have twice the chance of telling your stories if you do.
I hear ya.
Yeah, I think its pretty narrowed down to an older bike, or a multi-purpose bike, offroad or street.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
I hear ya.
Yeah, I think its pretty narrowed down to an older bike, or a multi-purpose bike, offroad or street.
In that case, there are lots of older Honda CB400's and CB500's for less than $1,000 that will do a great job.0 -
Whatever you do don't get one like this. I had one like this at about
your age, and somehow didn't get killed, but had way too many close calls.
It I scared me so bad one time, I pulled over, layed it down, and had
to sit there a couple hrs to quit shaking enough to get up and dial
a phone for someone to come haul it/me home...and didn't ride it for
2yrs thereafter.
It's a 360 Yamaha Enduro. Scarey powerful, and had to run it wide
open all the time or it would foul plugs...and KICK like a mule, my
leg was always various shades of purple/blue/black and yellow.[:0]0 -
Don't buy a GS1000. They're a great bike, but I want to keep all of the spare parts to myself. A '76-'79 GS750 would be a good bike for you. 0 -
As long as we're talking what not to get.
Don't get a Futura either. Very comfortable riding bike's, but 1 liter is too much for a beginner.0 -
Best advise I've seen yet is to take the BRC (Basic Riders Course). You can find that through the MSF or your local Harley Davidson dealer (Riders Edge).
If I might suggest, stop over to MCUSA http://forum.motorcycle-usa.com/default.aspx and have a look around. We've got a good bunch of folks there.0 -
Triumph America!!! 0 -
Nice ride CGR. Good advise too, race replicas ain't for beginners. Had a guy from work tried to learn on a Gixxer. It didn't last him three months, totaled his ride and tore himself up bad to boot.
Jacob, figure what you intend to spend and put 10-20% of that into good riding gear. A helmet, jacket, gloves and boots at minimum and make shure the boots lace up, no slip-ons.0 -
Combat boots make nice ridding boots. I wear a pair of Altama 4157, full leather and the reinforced toes work great with the shifter. 0 -
It's funny you should mention Gixxer's AC.
Here's mine
At the time I got this bike. I was told by my bf that I couldn't get one. So I got rid of the bf and got the bike.[:)]
The Futura is a sport touring bike, but ride one and there's no mistake that this still a Aprilia.0 -
quote:Originally posted by asphalt cowboy
Nice ride CGR. Good advise too, race replicas ain't for beginners. Had a guy from work tried to learn on a Gixxer. It didn't last him three months, totaled his ride and tore himself up bad to boot.
Jacob, figure what you intend to spend and put 10-20% of that into good riding gear. A helmet, jacket, gloves and boots at minimum and make shure the boots lace up, no slip-ons.
Ive got boots, gloves, helmet, and a leather jacket.
Just not a bike.0 -
I also like the V-star 650, low seat, good looks and low cost for a used one. 0 -
Jacob, check out Buell Blasts, they are fun to ride and affordable. Great starter street bike. My 2 cents. 0 -
The local Honda/Yamaha shop has knocked down prices in a BIG way on some of their bikes. You can get a NEW old stock 2006 1300 VTX for $5600. That's about what I paid for the VT750C that I had. 0 -
Shadow Sabre. The plain-jane Shadows are small cc bikes. 0 -
Nevermind. My brother just bought the Honda 1300 VTX. [:D] 0 -
U missed-out on my old Z1-R.Would have been a GOOD "learner" BIKE...[;)]
jUST A LITTLE "SNEEKY-PETE" Nos. on there.
Got too quick for me....[;)]0 -
How well did that thing turn with that stretched swing arm? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
How well did that thing turn with that stretched swing arm?
Not too bad. as well as a cop-car...[;)]0 -
Now this is a bike!!!!
[img][/img]0
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