Motorcycle wanted!

[HeartMyCpl]

I'm going to be taking a motorcycle class soon and after I finish it I want to get a bike. I know ZERO about motorcycles but I know I want something big and metal... ie: not plastic looking like the yamaha or suzukis tend to look. Think Harley Davidson choppers! yeeahhh! I'm on a college student budget though so I'm looking for something under $900 preferably. This bike is for learning, I don't need something fancy. I'm getting tired of muddling through all of the ads online. I keep finding nothing but dirtbikes in my price range! GRR. So anyway, if you have a bike sitting all lonely in your garage or know where I can find a used one reasonably priced, I'd love to hear about it!

I'm in southern california too if that helps at all.

[LoveDisappears]

Have you tried looking on Craigslist?

[redhead_navygf]

From an experienced rider, try to start on a 250 or 500. Don't go above it. Or else you WILL be more likely to hurt yourself, especially learning

Be sure to get a used and older bike. Even though suzuki has some sportbike models, and they do have cruisers and in between, they haven't changed their parts in over 10 years so if something goes wrong, it'll be super cheap to fix - no matter the model. New bikes will have warranties but the insurance is out the roof.

I'm a college student on an even worse budget but thanks to financing I got a 2009 kawasaki ninja 250R. I love the bike and I lucked out on insurance below $320 a year. Online quotes at progressive had me at 1,000 a year or more. A 250 is a great starting bike.

Harleys are incredibly expensive. You can still get the look on models like Honda. I'd recommend taking the course before you get the bike. You'll want to test drive EVERYTHING you view and you won't feel comfortable until you've taken the course. Plus they'll have 250 models for you to ride on and you can get an idea of the bike's strength and feel. Plus it'll give you an idea of what 250 models are out there.

[bec1750]

Originally Posted by redhead_navygf From an experienced rider, try to start on a 250 or 500. Don't go above it. Or else you WILL be more likely to hurt yourself, especially learning Be sure to get a used and older bike. Even though suzuki has some sportbike models, and they do have cruisers and in between, they haven't changed their parts in over 10 years so if something goes wrong, it'll be super cheap to fix - no matter the model. New bikes will have warranties but the insurance is out the roof. I'm a college student on an even worse budget but thanks to financing I got a 2009 kawasaki ninja 250R. I love the bike and I lucked out on insurance below $320 a year. Online quotes at progressive had me at 1,000 a year or more. A 250 is a great starting bike. Harleys are incredibly expensive. You can still get the look on models like Honda. I'd recommend taking the course before you get the bike. You'll want to test drive EVERYTHING you view and you won't feel comfortable until you've taken the course. Plus they'll have 250 models for you to ride on and you can get an idea of the bike's strength and feel. Plus it'll give you an idea of what 250 models are out there.

+2 to this!!!!

Plus I wanted to add to the get a used and older bike. You will be riding a motorcycle and I am not saying this to freak you out but it is the truth. There is a saying its not if I drop my bike its when I drop my bike. If you get a used bike then when you drop it you arent going to feel as bad. When I say drop I dont mean in an accident necessarially it can be as simple as making slow turn and your foot slips and you gently lay it down.

I have an SV650 it is a v-twin and an awesome starter bike. So is the ninja 250r. I have known and know tons of people who have started on both of these bikes and love them. Here is a picture of my bike





Goodluck with your course!!!!! Make sure you always ride with gear on!!!!

[Woogz]

Being that you're only learning, you want to try and buy used and older as to save some money on both the bike AND insurance. You don't really want to get a Harley right away because they are spendy. You sure wont find any for $900. If you're looking at riding something more of a cruiser-style you might want to find a Honda Magna or a Shadow. I believe there's a Suzuki Bandit as well. One thing you will want to keep into consideration when bike shopping is not only insurance cost but also maintenance. You'll be needing to do the same type of maintenance on the bike as you would a car.

Okay so back to bikes - If you're looking more of a sportbike-style, like others have suggested, there is the Kawasaki Ninja 250. The Suzuki SV650 is a WONDERFUL bike, you can start with it, but it's ballsy enough that you can grow with it. I had one and raced it on track days. Fantastic on the twisties let me tell you.

It is tiring trying to find one on Craigslist but there are time you may get lucky and find one in your price range or close to it. It's just difficult to find a streetbike for your price range. It's possible but a rarity, you may even have to look out of state. How about a Scooter? I'm not talking a moped now, but like a Honda Bergman or similar.