Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => NON LSR Posting => Topic started by: 116ciHemi on March 28, 2011, 11:25:09 AM
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So, the dorm fever up here at tech is starting to set in. As the roads are drying I started to think that a bike might be a nice thing to have, and would be more fun to ride than driving my DD Focus. Basically, what is a good bike to look at that will avoid getting myself in the local news? I was looking mostly at something like a ninja 250 since I know a friend who wants to upgrade from his, and I might be able to get that one for not to much.
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I know of an older (but running) Kawasaki GPZ550 that's for sale down here, Walt. I saw it on display at the boat & RV show last weekend. The guy is asking $950 for it. It's got a pipe and bright yellow spark plug wires - and that's all I noticed as I walked past. If something like that might be of interest to you -- call him. He's in Munising, and his phone number is 906 250 0202.
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Thanks for the heads, but right now I am looking to buy something after the June meet. I was going to drive the Escort up here next fall, but the logistics seem easier with a bike that I could put in the bed of a truck. I just need something other than the soul-sucking daily driver I have now. Right now I am more looking for information. My knowledge of motorcycles is mostly of their mechanical workings.
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Turbo-Charged 550+ HP Hayabusa is just what you need... :evil:
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Now that you're a married man - is Michelle putting down her foot and asking you to reduce the fleet? By the way - corngratulations.
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Turbo-Charged 550+ HP Hayabusa is just what you need... :evil:
I offer a fair price for said machine- All I have. One 1986 Escort with roll cage and an engine that idles well with $497.67 cash. After April ends I will include several lightly used textbooks, a jar of peanut butter, and a well used laptop running window XP. My roommate is gone for the week so I can probably offer you his refrigerator and it's contents if you are willing to make the transaction by Sunday.
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Turbo-Charged 550+ HP Hayabusa is just what you need... :evil:
I offer a fair price for said machine- All I have. One 1986 Escort with roll cage and an engine that idles well with $497.67 cash. After April ends I will include several lightly used textbooks, a jar of peanut butter, and a well used laptop running window XP. My roommate is gone for the week so I can probably offer you his refrigerator and it's contents if you are willing to make the transaction by Sunday.
What's in the Fridge?
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(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm57/RoninRDS/IMG_1268.jpg)
Sorry, nothing good. He drinks, but he knows that I would throw away anything that was in our room. I won't risk having any around due to ROTC's views on underage drinking.
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Those bananas look like they are well past their expiration date..... :roll:
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Cheap, late model entry-level bikes include the Ninja 250, Suzuki GS500, and Yamaha Seca 600. I leave out the cruisers, because you seem like a decent guy. -Dean
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The Ninja 250 seems like the predominant thing people have been telling me to look at. How do bikes like that stack up as far as insurance costs go? I assume that bikes follow basically the same insurance rules as cars, and I could just insure it PDLP if I own the bike.
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Not sure about insurance, but I would guess all the entry level bikes are about the same, maybe the small displacement 250 would be a little cheaper. Also slower :-D
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If you're thinking of maybe a new 250 -- Sport Rider magazine has a comparison of the Ninja 250, Honda 250, and the Korean 250 -- all in the current issue.
As for insurance -- you betcha you'll pay less for insurance with a 250 than with a larger-displacement scooter. You'll eventually note that there's at least one reason most bikes have engines 1 or 2 cc smaller than the nameplate (i.e. most 600s are really 599 cc) because insurance companies charge more for 600 than they do for 500 -- all the way up to 599. They've done it that way for years - don't ask me why. Hey, I even get a bit less cost when insuring the old Gold Wing and stating it's got the 1198 (or whatever) motor.
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It is hard to go wrong with a Kawasaki twin. The 500cc Ninja is a good bike, too.
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I'm a Buell guy and even though I'd never be caught dead on one, I'd suggest a Blast as a cheap first timer bike. It's an ugly turd of a bike that has a single cylinder version of your standard Harley engine.
I ride my Buell XB9S Lightning 120 miles a day and I can't imagine riding anything else. Probably the most maneuverable comfortable riding bike ever made.
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I see Buell Blasts for sale locally for 1500.00 ... low miles ... the riding schools here all use them ... I agree about the Blast, They are just like a fat girl. Fun to ride but you dont want your friends to see you on one
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I'm a Buell guy and even though I'd never be caught dead on one, I'd suggest a Blast as a cheap first timer bike. It's an ugly turd of a bike that has a single cylinder version of your standard Harley engine.
I ride my Buell XB9S Lightning 120 miles a day and I can't imagine riding anything else. Probably the most maneuverable comfortable riding bike ever made.
Ugly little son-of-a-guns, aren't they?
I might go pick up that magazine. I know that they are on the high side of my price range, but the looks of the '08+ 250Rs seem head and shoulders above the ones before that. Any thoughts on looking for a newer bike that might have fairing damage from a laydown or drop? A.) for the lower initial cost and B.) so I don't scratch something shiny when I am an idiot and drop it.
Then it also give me the excuse to put a racing fairing on it and take it to a meet and.... Wait. Bad idea. One money pit is enough.
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It's been 6 years since I've ridden (legally) on the street, but over the years I've had ~30 motorcycles, and about 200k miles, with only 2 accidents that required an ambulance, which both occurred in the first 3 years. For many years, I didn't even own a car. Hauling a week's worth of groceries on an Enduro is an art.
Visibility and attitude are the top issues with survival. Cars do not see you, and you need to assume that when riding. Pretending they are actively out there with no other goal than to run you over is not a bad idea.
The model of bike isn't really important when you focus on visibility and attitude. But, bikes that "tempt" you to play ricky-racer aren't good starter IMO.
I like Enduros (dual purpose, dirt/street) for starters:
You sit high, and have excellent visibility, you can be seen better. A simple/ cheap exhaust mod can increase the sound level (not obscene, just loud enough to be "visible"). Wear a bright colored jacket and helmet. No, I'm not talking DayGloReflectorVest, I had a yellow Malcolm Smith jacket I often wore, and a white helmet. When the helmet/jacket wore out, I got new. I pretty much looked the same from 1970's to 2000.
Enduros are nimble, light, and fuel-stingy.
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Pat - and everyone that might wonder what to do with a person that wants to start riding a motorcycle:
I've been asked about a zillion times (by the locals folks that have heard about our racing activities) -- I'm getting a Yamasuzida 65432 after school ends in June, and the first thing I want to do is buy a (insert: loud pipe, slick tires for racing, fancy bodywork, etc, etc). What should I spend my money on first?
And I always respond the same way -- "Spend about $500 and take a riding school". They complain that a school sounds boring. I respond by telling them that if they take a good school and try hard to learn -- that they'll probably be able to ride circles around their buddies, and that they'll be far more likely to make it through the dangerous rookie year without crashing.
Sounds dull -- but the few that have tried it have come back to me and thanked me. Walt is planning on visiting Nancy and me this weekend. Guess what story I'll be telling him?
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And I always respond the same way -- "Spend about $500 and take a riding school". They complain that a school sounds boring. I respond by telling them that if they take a good school and try hard to learn -- that they'll probably be able to ride circles around their buddies, and that they'll be far more likely to make it through the dangerous rookie year without crashing.
Hey SSS, riding schools aren't just for the inexperienced and/or rusty.
One of my best all-time riding weekends was a two day dirt track class with American Super Camp! It was quite a few years ago, but what I learned still makes me a much safer and considerably faster rider!
Mark
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Trust me, I know they're not only for newbies. I had about 150,000 miles total when I took the first of the 5 I've attended. And once, a few weeks after one of them, I was on the Gold Wing When Bambi the deer ran in front of me. I instinctively did what I had just been taught - and missed the deer. A mile down the road, where I stopped to change underpants, I also thought through the situation - and did it wrong! The school taught me a good thing, hey?
I would be happy to take another -- for instance, the MSF advanced rider school. But -- up here the only MSF school is the one for new riders, and while I betcha I'd profit from that - the school is "reserved" for new folks only - and always sold out.
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Yes, rider skill is perhaps more critical than the 2 items I listed, and a professional school is a great way to learn the "easy way" instead of the "hard way". Sometimes you only get one chance to learn the "hard way". :-(
Hijack Alert! Something can be said for the performance automotive schools.
I've done a number of them, but the Bondurant school in Arizona will always hold a special place in my heart. Took nearly a month to wipe the grin off my face, and I learned a lot, as well as improving my existing skill level. In 4 years when my kids are ready, they will have to go through such a school before getting a license.
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Ask Pork Pie about the rigors of getting his high-speed license in Germany. The license is "only" for regular driving - not the race track. But it shows that some places require higher levels of learning before granting higher levels of driving privileges.
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I agree with the rat a street legal dirt bike is one of the best beginner bikes there is. easy to ride cheap to insure and cheap to maintain good on gas. super motard bikes are also a good choice. the suzuki drz 400 dual sport/drz 400 super motard are both good choices for a first bike.
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Hey, sorry to bring up a dead topic but does anyone know anything about CB350s? I am going to look at one tomorrow and I was wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for.
-Walt
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Tough engines ... Honda made thousands ... there have been some sharp cafe racers made out of them ... Make sure it starts and runs - doesnt smoke excessively and goes through the gears ...
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Hondas are very similar to hammers. They thrive on abuse. :evil: :evil: :evil:
When I used to go grocery shopping I never used a basket in the store. I figured that anything I could carry in my arms I could tie onto the bike. I also got the groceries bagged in paper, not plastic. Carry lots of bungees! :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Well, I guess it's time to find a basic rider course now. $850 for what seems to be a decent runner. Starts on the first tap of the button. I brought a friend with me and he test rode it and reported that everything worked well. Good tires, decent battery. I go to pick it up on Monday.
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The rider course is a great investment. You're starting down a road that can provide much enjoyment for many years. Good luck with it! :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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I saw this one done awhile ago and love the look of it ...
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The rider course is a great investment. You're starting down a road that can provide much enjoyment for many years. Good luck with it! :-D :-D :-D
Pete
I'm looking forward to it. I just need to convince my parents that I did not just buy certain death...
-Walt
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Pictures. Sorry, I'm excited and I have to share.
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm57/RoninRDS/CB350craigs1.jpg)
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm57/RoninRDS/CB350craigs2.jpg)
I bought a motorcycle!
Ok, caging excitement.
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Nice, has it been used much lately?
They're a good simple bike, going to service it yourself?
As far as your parents you got to prove it to them not convince them, speaking form experience as the rider and the parent.
Cheers
Jon
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It was regularly ridden two years ago, last year it was only ridden a few times. I also found out that this one is a CL350, not a CB. For all of my purposes, that is just as good.
I plan on doing as much work as I can myself. I don't know much about bikes yet, but I have three weeks before my rider course, so I plan on getting things cleaned up and go through things before I ride it.
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This is the site I have found for questions and were to get parts.
Www.hondatwins.com
Good forum with very knowledgeable people.
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opps I mean http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/
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The youngest two of my children learned how to ride off-road really well before doing anything else. That, and a riding course, are helpful. That bike has high pipes. It should be good for trail riding.
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Hey, there hemi-kid! Sorry I missed your question about the CB350. I can assure you that they are a great starter bike. They are fairly easy to work on once you've mastered pulling the motor out (right side only), 'cause there's not much you can do to the motor while in the frame. I have two of them, one a race bike, and one a cafe street version. That said, I'd leave the one you have fairly stock if it's running good. If you decide to build the motor, there's tons of info on the internet as I believe it is about the most popular vintage race bike out there. Almost indestructable, although I somehow managed to blow two motors in two successive weekends!
Tom
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Tomorrow I should actually get it on the road. I spent the weekend taking the MSF basic riders course, so tomorrow I can go get my endorsement. I can't say enough good things about the MSF class. While I am sure that I could have successfully made the bike move down the road, I feel like I have a far better chance of not killing myself.
I don't know how long I'll be hang on to the bike. If I do decide to hang on to it for more than a year or so I want to build a cafe racer styled bike styled after to one in the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. LED turn signals and taillamp, HID headlamp and a better charging system are also on the list for better nighttime visibility and less load on the electrical system. Till then, I am just cleaning, painting, and fixing little things. I still need to learn more about working on and riding motorcycles, so stock and simple for now. Also, I plan on following Slim's recommendation about finding a riding school to work on becoming a better rider.
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Life starts about 6000 rpm on the 350. I have several. I have one that has gotten 6 people their motorcycle license. I had a room mate that always asked me why I kept it around when I have faster "better" stuff to ride. He took it around the block and couldn't stop grinning. I said, "Reminds you of why you started riding doesn't it?"
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The thing is a hoot to ride. Having never really ridden before yesterday, it was a blast. I'm looking forward to my chance to ride it again. I may just have to go for another ride for the heck of it.