Thinking of buying a motor-bike. I need advice!!
- Thread starter 12sec. Civic
- 69 comments
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- 642
Ok, if you're looking for 250cc fast bikes, you'll be looking at two-strokes, such as Aprillia's RS250. Its a race-rep based on the 250GP bike. It's damn fast, kicks out 62 bhp at the crank, and weighs in about 140kg. Its often viewed as the best-handling bike in general, its really flickable. Top speed is about 130-140mph, and acceleration is about 0-60 sub-5 seconds. Drawbacks include I don't know how common they are in the US, and they require very careful servicing and warming up unless you want to pay $2k for a rebuild every so often!
Otherwise, you'll be looking at 400-600cc bikes. If you want a 'naked' (non-faired) bike, Yamaha's Fazer is a good, cheap strong bike with a decent de-tuned R6 engine. Others in the class to look at include Honda's Hornet.
If you want a race-rep/Sports bike, then there's the Suzuki GSXR600, Yamaha R6 and Kawasaki ZX6R. The Suzuki and Yamaha are a little quicker and lighter, but more pure racers; while the Kwaki has a more comfortable seat. All of them kick out 95-110bhp (crank),
should do around 0-60 4secs and about 160mph top speed.
The Honda CBR600 has two styles: a slightly softer CBR600F and a proper race-rep from the RCV, the CBR600RR. The RR is probably out of your price range, because its pretty new. The CBR600F, however, is a fantastic all-rounder. It's willing to do anything, from flat-out riding to comfortable cruising or 1000 miles in a day.
A 1000cc bike like the GSXR1000, R1 or Honda 'Blade (CBR994RR) is going to be putting out about 120-150bhp at the rear wheel, or 140-180bhp at the crank.
The GSXR1000 was recorded at 0-60=3.2 ,0-100=6.0 0-150=13.1. so its a real handful and so you're right, not really a starter bike.
My pick: 1st: CBR600F (or RR if you've got the money!), 2nd Suzuki GSXR600, 3rd Aprillia RS250, 4th Yamaha Fazer.
Good luck, if you've anymore questions I should be able to help.
Otherwise, you'll be looking at 400-600cc bikes. If you want a 'naked' (non-faired) bike, Yamaha's Fazer is a good, cheap strong bike with a decent de-tuned R6 engine. Others in the class to look at include Honda's Hornet.
If you want a race-rep/Sports bike, then there's the Suzuki GSXR600, Yamaha R6 and Kawasaki ZX6R. The Suzuki and Yamaha are a little quicker and lighter, but more pure racers; while the Kwaki has a more comfortable seat. All of them kick out 95-110bhp (crank),
should do around 0-60 4secs and about 160mph top speed.
The Honda CBR600 has two styles: a slightly softer CBR600F and a proper race-rep from the RCV, the CBR600RR. The RR is probably out of your price range, because its pretty new. The CBR600F, however, is a fantastic all-rounder. It's willing to do anything, from flat-out riding to comfortable cruising or 1000 miles in a day.
A 1000cc bike like the GSXR1000, R1 or Honda 'Blade (CBR994RR) is going to be putting out about 120-150bhp at the rear wheel, or 140-180bhp at the crank.
The GSXR1000 was recorded at 0-60=3.2 ,0-100=6.0 0-150=13.1. so its a real handful and so you're right, not really a starter bike.
My pick: 1st: CBR600F (or RR if you've got the money!), 2nd Suzuki GSXR600, 3rd Aprillia RS250, 4th Yamaha Fazer.
Good luck, if you've anymore questions I should be able to help.
- 642
My friend's cousin died on a RS250, doing 80mph on clear road. Landie pulled out of a farm track and took him clean off.
Don't know how he didn't hear the bike. He lost his licence for 12 months and was fined £450.
It's still seriously fast, but I'd suggest a CBR because they're much smoother and reasonably easy to ride. Sorry about recovering some of the points other people made in the post above, I missed a page reading the thread! Ooopps!
Don't know how he didn't hear the bike. He lost his licence for 12 months and was fined £450.
It's still seriously fast, but I'd suggest a CBR because they're much smoother and reasonably easy to ride. Sorry about recovering some of the points other people made in the post above, I missed a page reading the thread! Ooopps!
- 389
TsLeng
Nope it was only ridden several times, the guy he bouhgt it from had won the lottery before so had bought a bike, and now sold it because he didn't ride it much.
What is MSF?
- 642
I'm guessing its the US term for what the UK call 'Direct Access'. Basically, if you're old enough you do something like a three-day course followed by the test, and then you can ride ANY size and power bike. You have to be at least 21 here to do it though.
- 389
Where is here?
- 642
Sorry... 'here' in UK. I'll change avatar to 'Southampton, UK' instead of just Southampton.
Holy thread ressurection, Batman!
Hey everyone, I've been thinking about getting my hands on a nice, fun little street bike. I've already pretty much made up my mind on what kind -- an 80s or early 90s Kawasaki EX250 Ninja -- but I'll gladly take into consideration any other suggestions you guys might have for a first-timer who isn't looking to spend a whole lotta dough.
Despite having pretty much made up my mind on which bike to get, I'm posting to ask for suggestions and tips on getting this whole process started -- what kinds of things to look for on a used bike, whether I should get insurance through my auto insurance company or a specialty motorcycle-insurance company (do those exist?), what I need to do to get the license (I'm already planning on taking the MSF course), etc etc.....pretty much anything that the veteran riders around here feel is important.
Hey everyone, I've been thinking about getting my hands on a nice, fun little street bike. I've already pretty much made up my mind on what kind -- an 80s or early 90s Kawasaki EX250 Ninja -- but I'll gladly take into consideration any other suggestions you guys might have for a first-timer who isn't looking to spend a whole lotta dough.
Despite having pretty much made up my mind on which bike to get, I'm posting to ask for suggestions and tips on getting this whole process started -- what kinds of things to look for on a used bike, whether I should get insurance through my auto insurance company or a specialty motorcycle-insurance company (do those exist?), what I need to do to get the license (I'm already planning on taking the MSF course), etc etc.....pretty much anything that the veteran riders around here feel is important.
- 1,727
You should get insurance from whomever is cheapest or offers you what you believe to be the best value for your money. (example statefarm is more expensive, but if there's a collision the agent will come out and meet you at the scene, I think and more things like that).
Here's a helpful article on buying online: http://motorcyclistonline.com/howto/avoid_motorcycle_scams/
The March 2006 issue of Motorcyclist had a bit of a guide on buying used as well, it's possible your local library will have the issue.
As for your license, this site should cover all those related questions: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/types/motorcyc.htm
Here's a helpful article on buying online: http://motorcyclistonline.com/howto/avoid_motorcycle_scams/
The March 2006 issue of Motorcyclist had a bit of a guide on buying used as well, it's possible your local library will have the issue.
As for your license, this site should cover all those related questions: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/types/motorcyc.htm
