Which Bike to choose ?, For those who ride ... Options

[NaderG]

So i finally managed to get my Motorcycle license and i am 95% done with convincing my parents to buy one , all i need now is some numbers so that i can put that one last presentation to seal the deal with my parents.

I have 2 bikes to choose from and i need help in order to pick one !

The Suzuki Gs500F :
it has a 499 CC , carburetted , 9.0:1 compression ratio , air cooled

It is basically old school technology in a somewhat good looking bike. i can get this baby for about 4900 out the door.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R
It has a 249 CC , also carburetted , 11.6:1 compression ratio ( this thing revs all the way up to 16K rpm , pulls pretty nice for engine size) , liquid cooled.

Bike is pretty quick for a 250 , GREAT LOOKING , Cheap , about 3400 Out the door .

The 250 is cheaper , better looking , nicely sized , gets better gas millage , doesnt go that fast so it is sort of safer , but its a 250
The 500 is also pretty nice looking , for some reason felt kind of big ( i was trained on a really tiny 200CC bike ) more expensive , more insurance , but it pulls much better than the 250 (duh) ..... so i cant seem to pick

i dont have much money , so price is a big thing , i know its less than 2k difference but every penny counts ....

So what do all the riders on here think ?

[playr158]

Ninja 250 is the universal best starter bike, and the only one i recommend for squids

[gt_driFFter]

Why buy new and take a depreciation hit on something you probably won't have for a real long time? My first bike was a naked GS500 for $1500. Couldn't have been happier with my choice.

[CelicaST_CALI]

in case u need pics:
The Suzuki Gs500F

Kawasaki Ninja 250R


This post has been edited by CelicaST_CALI: Dec 19, 2007 - 12:19 AM

[jdg371]

I have always liked the 250, It would be my first choice of newbie bike.

[NaderG]

That pic is for the old 250 ! the new one is much better looking

this is the new one right here



As for used bikes , well , i just dont think i would be comfortable riding a bike that i dont know the history of , riding is risky enough so i dont want to add the risk of having a some sort of defect on the bike , that i probably wont be able to spot when buying

hey Playr158 , what do you mean by squid ??

This post has been edited by NaderG: Dec 19, 2007 - 11:48 AM

[Jeunesse]

get the 250

[playr158]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

[NaderG]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

I finished my safety riding course but i dont know any Older riders .... do you know any riders forum i can look into ?

[SlickRick]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

A squid is more of someone that chooses to ride unsafely and take too many dumb chances. I mean u can be riding for years and still be a squid. He is just a noob. And if your getting a bike please get at least a leather jacket and some riding boots, even better if u get some proper riding pants. And i know it kinda goes without saying, but get a helmet that fits right. And if the place u buy your helmet from does not care enough to sit there and help fit you for a good helmet, walkout. And the 08 ninja is nice, but keep in mind in about 6-12 months your gonna be bored and want something more like a 500-600cc bike. I think some1 mentioned it b4, but just get a beater bike for a grand or 2 max, ride the crap out of it, then get a new one later.

This post has been edited by SlickRick: Dec 19, 2007 - 1:44 PM

[NaderG]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

A squid is more of someone that chooses to ride unsafely and take too many dumb chances. I mean u can be riding for years and still be a squid. He is just a noob. And if your getting a bike please get at least a leather jacket and some riding boots, even better if u get some proper riding pants. And i know it kinda goes without saying, but get a helmet that fits right. And if the place u buy your helmet from does not care enough to sit there and help fit you for a good helmet, walkout. And the 08 ninja is nice, but keep in mind in about 6-12 months your gonna be bored and want something more like a 500-600cc bike. I think some1 mentioned it b4, but just get a beater bike for a grand or 2 max, ride the crap out of it, then get a new one later.

i got riding gear already , license and finished motorcycle safety course , since my parents are in this game, they dont want me riding on a "fast" bike , so no 600s , actually that 500 is kind of pushing it ... , as for used , i DONT know what to look for in a used bike , i'd rather pay the extra grand and have peice of mind ...... i guess this post is leading towards the 250 ..... i'll hit the dealer tomorrow and ask for a test ride !

[playr158]

Nader i'm not sure what forums cover your area.
you can do research and learn a lot from www.dcsportbikes.net
My sn there is "dubplaya" and I can point you around there on some good information, just do a yahoo search or talk to your local bike dealer about clubs/forums and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

glad you already got gear! you are on a good start.
the GS500 is a good bike as well, but 250s are a bit sportier to say.

FYI anyone can be a squid, new people = squids, people who ride stupidly = squids.....but like any other term it can vary through groups to its specific meaning,

In a used bike you are going to want to look at a few things

a) sprocket condition, you want the sprocket teeth to look even on both sides of the tooth, if the tooth curves like a peak pretty badly its worn out

b) chain condition, is it stretched out?

c) The motors are pretty exposed so you want to look around the various covers for signs of leaks.

d) rash, does the bike have visible damage? Plastics are scratched up, dented tank? Has the bike been dropped before?

e) wheels, are they dented or bent?

f) the gauge cluster, make sure it all works, and lights up ect.

g) tires, how worn are they?

If you need more information/advice PM me

[NaderG]

Just visited a couple of dealers and the new 250 arrives in April 08 .... so no 250, i think the 500 will be the best choice , but i just lost my job and i need to find another one before i buy anything .... thanks Playr158 but i am still convinced that i am better off with a new bike.

[808celica]

well i dont ride but i also am looking for a bike. i like the ninja.


anyone have thoughts on a Katana??? i forgot the maker..........but my friend told me i could get this bike for cheap. i think its suzuki!?!?!?!? but yeah........

[SlickRick]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

get a used 250 for 2 grand and learn on it slow. Take the course and go out riding with RESPONSIBLE OLDER riders, this will keep you alive longer. We had to put up a few crosses this past summer, don't need to keep doing it.

A squid is more of someone that chooses to ride unsafely and take too many dumb chances. I mean u can be riding for years and still be a squid. He is just a noob. And if your getting a bike please get at least a leather jacket and some riding boots, even better if u get some proper riding pants. And i know it kinda goes without saying, but get a helmet that fits right. And if the place u buy your helmet from does not care enough to sit there and help fit you for a good helmet, walkout. And the 08 ninja is nice, but keep in mind in about 6-12 months your gonna be bored and want something more like a 500-600cc bike. I think some1 mentioned it b4, but just get a beater bike for a grand or 2 max, ride the crap out of it, then get a new one later.

i got riding gear already , license and finished motorcycle safety course , since my parents are in this game, they dont want me riding on a "fast" bike , so no 600s , actually that 500 is kind of pushing it ... , as for used , i DONT know what to look for in a used bike , i'd rather pay the extra grand and have peice of mind ...... i guess this post is leading towards the 250 ..... i'll hit the dealer tomorrow and ask for a test ride !

I think a test ride might be out of the question on a new bike. I have never heard of any1 that bought a bike that has gotten to test ride it first without full cash deposit. And that was on a used one. And have u sat on any of the bikes yet? Best thing it to leave your preconceived notions about what bike u like at the door, and dont have your heart set on a bike until u throw a leg over it and see how it feels. How tall are you? That can play a big role in what bike u want. And buying a used bike can be hard for some1 that does not know what 2 look for, but Playr158 has a good idea of what u need 2 look at for a used bike.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

I always heard as squid being someone who doesn't ride with any protective gear on. It shows how different definitions can get between states.

Both my friends started on 600s. One was a CBR 600 F4i and the other was I think a SV600. They both loved them. They are now riding 600RRs.

This post has been edited by BLINKYxMUNKEY: Dec 19, 2007 - 6:33 PM

[NaderG]

yes , test rides apparently are not allowed

600 is a bit too much power than i would want to be using , and the suzuki katana is kind of ugly

[808celica]

yes , test rides apparently are not allowed

600 is a bit too much power than i would want to be using , and the suzuki katana is kind of ugly

hahah yeah but whatever good starter bike comes my way i'm taking it ........plus my darkside 6gc will make up in looks.

[playr158]

Squid is the term for new people/riders to motorcycling.
someone who is bad/doesn't know how to ride, just learning.

I always heard as squid being someone who doesn't ride with any protective gear on. It shows how different definitions can get between states.

yea that counts as a squid too....squid is probably the largest and most general term in the motorcycle world.

A Katana is a Suzuki.


and suzuki rules...I rock a GSXR-750

This post has been edited by playr158: Dec 20, 2007 - 9:36 AM

[njccmd2002]

how bout a moped



just kidding. I would get this one, but thisis me.

A Hayabusa.

[808celica]

just kidding. I would get this one, but thisis me.

A Hayabusa.

man that would spell death for me

[SlickRick]

Speaking of a Busa for a noob, any here about some rich young rich kid in the So Cal area... Well the story goes like this... I young man 18 years of age and from a some what well to do family wants a motorcycle for his grad present. He has been riding dirt bikes for years, 500cc and better. So come time for his street bike he (and his parents obviously) think the Busa is the right bike for him. He gets it, his parents go home to get something and and leave him there with the new bike for no more then an hour, upon their return the kid is in the street dead. i heard this on a bike forum, can anyone confim this type of story?

[808celica]

yup like i said DEATH!!!! if i had dirt bike exp. i would want a R6..........a 99 R6

[SlickRick]

yup like i said DEATH!!!! if i had dirt bike exp. i would want a R6..........a 99 R6

my friend just crashed his 07 r6, they r wide and make u feel short but my friend was fine, only a bruised ego

[playr158]

man you think an 07 R6 is wide?!
haha you should sit on my 00 gsxr-750 that baby has a nice wide seat. I find the new bikes to be a bit slimmer.
everyone keeps saying i have a huge gas tank

sux that your friend crashed though, i know how that feels.
I was run off the road and hit a concrete barrier @ highway speeds back in sept. put my bike outta commission until next year

[NaderG]

Speaking of a Busa for a noob, any here about some rich young rich kid in the So Cal area... Well the story goes like this... I young man 18 years of age and from a some what well to do family wants a motorcycle for his grad present. He has been riding dirt bikes for years, 500cc and better. So come time for his street bike he (and his parents obviously) think the Busa is the right bike for him. He gets it, his parents go home to get something and and leave him there with the new bike for no more then an hour, upon their return the kid is in the street dead. i heard this on a bike forum, can anyone confim this type of story?

it is possible that it is a true story , but yet it sounds pretty made up ..... Hayabusa is too much bike anyways , who needs that much power !

[808celica]

man you think an 07 R6 is wide?!
haha you should sit on my 00 gsxr-750 that baby has a nice wide seat. I find the new bikes to be a bit slimmer.
everyone keeps saying i have a huge gas tank

sux that your friend crashed though, i know how that feels.
I was run off the road and hit a concrete barrier @ highway speeds back in sept. put my bike outta commission until next year

i think my cousins friend has the same bike as you............he crashed is a week ago.......he was making a left at a stop light........hit some puddle of liquid, slipped and lost control. he ditched the bike and hit the concrete wall.

that was a crappy day and a good day also i got to drive my cousins 97 s14 to go get his truck and then get to his friend.

for that say i was a nissan silvia guy

[NaderG]

Looks like i am not getting **** ! .... i talked to my parents before i posted this and they were very nice about it but now that i am done with my semester finals and ready to buy , they dont like it anymore !! ya , once **** gets serious , they back out of it . the funny thing is that i am paying for it , and i payed for my gear and everything ....

[thespacepanda]

Dude, I'm in no way condoning disrespecting your parents, but its your money, your life, your decision. If your parents won't grant you the respect as an adult to make your own decisions, then you owe them nothing.

[SlickRick]

Well i hope you can figure a way out 2 ride. But if you want to sell your gear i could always use some more stuff! j/k i mean if every potenial rider stopped or didnt ride bcuz of what others say or do, no bikes would be on the road.

This post has been edited by SlickRick: Dec 23, 2007 - 12:20 AM

[NaderG]

Well i hope you can figure a way out 2 ride. But if you want to sell your gear i could always use some more stuff! j/k i mean if every potenial rider stopped or didnt ride bcuz of what others say or do, no bikes would be on the road.

well , rick ... i still want to ride for sure , but it is pretty hard if i dont have a bike .... and i dont think anybody has spare bikes sitting around to lend

[SlickRick]

Well i hope you can figure a way out 2 ride. But if you want to sell your gear i could always use some more stuff! j/k i mean if every potenial rider stopped or didnt ride bcuz of what others say or do, no bikes would be on the road.

well , rick ... i still want to ride for sure , but it is pretty hard if i dont have a bike .... and i dont think anybody has spare bikes sitting around to lend

I think u mentioned it, but u took the class right? I mean if your gonna get a 250cc, i dont see what why parents wont let you get it. Those are pretty safe compared to what (600cc+) most people start with. I mean if its your last option to ride, u may have to save some $$$ and just buy a 250cc for $2000 or less.

[NaderG]

Well i hope you can figure a way out 2 ride. But if you want to sell your gear i could always use some more stuff! j/k i mean if every potenial rider stopped or didnt ride bcuz of what others say or do, no bikes would be on the road.

well , rick ... i still want to ride for sure , but it is pretty hard if i dont have a bike .... and i dont think anybody has spare bikes sitting around to lend

I think u mentioned it, but u took the class right? I mean if your gonna get a 250cc, i dont see what why parents wont let you get it. Those are pretty safe compared to what (600cc+) most people start with. I mean if its your last option to ride, u may have to save some $$$ and just buy a 250cc for $2000 or less.

Price isnt the problem , i am actually decided on getting the Gs 500 , its much more comfy than the 250 ( i am 6'3" ) , i took the MSF class , got the license and gear , but now my parents think biking is childish , irresponsible and an overall waste of money , that is ofcourse beside being so unsafe that when you touch the bike , lightning strikes you dead !

This post has been edited by NaderG: Dec 23, 2007 - 12:45 AM

[SlickRick]

Well i hope you can figure a way out 2 ride. But if you want to sell your gear i could always use some more stuff! j/k i mean if every potenial rider stopped or didnt ride bcuz of what others say or do, no bikes would be on the road.

well , rick ... i still want to ride for sure , but it is pretty hard if i dont have a bike .... and i dont think anybody has spare bikes sitting around to lend

I think u mentioned it, but u took the class right? I mean if your gonna get a 250cc, i dont see what why parents wont let you get it. Those are pretty safe compared to what (600cc+) most people start with. I mean if its your last option to ride, u may have to save some $$$ and just buy a 250cc for $2000 or less.

Price isnt the problem , i am actually decided on getting the Gs 500 , its much more comfy than the 250 ( i am 6'3" ) , i took the MSF class , got the license and gear , but now my parents think biking is childish , irresponsible and an overall waste of money , that is ofcourse beside being so unsafe that when you touch the bike , lightning strikes you dead !

Well maybe u have to sit them down and tell them the truth. Its is very dangerous. But you have a responsible and safe attitude about riding. Tell them u have full knowledge of how dangerous it CAN be if not taken very serious. And let them know they should trust your judgement on the bike. I mean u seem like u have taken all the correct steps to ensure a safe and fun riding experience for a beginner. But just from a money stand point, its saves u money. I mean the right gear is the first big hit u will take as far as $$$ and u already have that. Insurance even for full coverage will be about $100-150 a month depening on you, could be as low as $80 a month, or even $30 for just liability. And gas is cheap, i mean if i go just to work then home, i only use about $10 a week. And u cant put a price on extra time u have living life and not sitting in gridlock. Then there is maintenance, let the dealer do the first one just for warranty issues, then i will teach u how to do the rest, that save your serious $$$ doing it yourself, and its SO easy on a bike, much less work then cars.

[NaderG]

Well i hope you can figure a way out 2 ride. But if you want to sell your gear i could always use some more stuff! j/k i mean if every potenial rider stopped or didnt ride bcuz of what others say or do, no bikes would be on the road.

well , rick ... i still want to ride for sure , but it is pretty hard if i dont have a bike .... and i dont think anybody has spare bikes sitting around to lend

I think u mentioned it, but u took the class right? I mean if your gonna get a 250cc, i dont see what why parents wont let you get it. Those are pretty safe compared to what (600cc+) most people start with. I mean if its your last option to ride, u may have to save some $$$ and just buy a 250cc for $2000 or less.

Price isnt the problem , i am actually decided on getting the Gs 500 , its much more comfy than the 250 ( i am 6'3" ) , i took the MSF class , got the license and gear , but now my parents think biking is childish , irresponsible and an overall waste of money , that is ofcourse beside being so unsafe that when you touch the bike , lightning strikes you dead !

Well maybe u have to sit them down and tell them the truth. Its is very dangerous. But you have a responsible and safe attitude about riding. Tell them u have full knowledge of how dangerous it CAN be if not taken very serious. And let them know they should trust your judgement on the bike. I mean u seem like u have taken all the correct steps to ensure a safe and fun riding experience for a beginner. But just from a money stand point, its saves u money. I mean the right gear is the first big hit u will take as far as $$$ and u already have that. Insurance even for full coverage will be about $100-150 a month depening on you, could be as low as $80 a month, or even $30 for just liability. And gas is cheap, i mean if i go just to work then home, i only use about $10 a week. And u cant put a price on extra time u have living life and not sitting in gridlock. Then there is maintenance, let the dealer do the first one just for warranty issues, then i will teach u how to do the rest, that save your serious $$$ doing it yourself, and its SO easy on a bike, much less work then cars.

Yes, i know that si what i am supposed to do but they dont take me seriously, they think the protective gear is a joke and that i dont know what i am talking about when i say that the risk can be lowered by taking certain measures , i am looking foreword to the savings , specially that i can get upto 50% discount on insurance with my MSF card and 10% on any purchase ( parts and gears) .... maintenance is tricky , i read in a forum that it is critical because something as simple as setting the cahin ( or something related to it ) can cause real wheel weave which on high speed and under acceleration and cause tank slap and ETC ... so maintenances will be done by professionals for the most part...

[SlickRick]

Maintenace on a new bike is not hard if u read your owners manual. The chian is not hard to do work on at all, just lube it every 500 miles or so, check your tire pressure b4 u ride. For the most part all the maintenance, is oil changes, checking your cables, checking your chain, sprockets, tires, and brakes. U can do most of it yourself, and honestly when is come to things that important i dont trust anyone be me to make sure they r all ok to ride on. I mean i know most big shops dont check out all they say they do.

[NaderG]

Maintenace on a new bike is not hard if u read your owners manual. The chian is not hard to do work on at all, just lube it every 500 miles or so, check your tire pressure b4 u ride. For the most part all the maintenance, is oil changes, checking your cables, checking your chain, sprockets, tires, and brakes. U can do most of it yourself, and honestly when is come to things that important i dont trust anyone be me to make sure they r all ok to ride on. I mean i know most big shops dont check out all they say they do.

Yes i know , shop mechanic dont do that much work with anything , very careless for the most part. however , it is kind of too early for me to worry about this before i even get a bike .

[NaderG]

lol , i think this post should be removed now. I just tried to have a "grown-up" talk with dad and he ended up calling me names and making fun of how serious i was about the whole thing which ofcourse got me angry and we ended up fighting , which leads to him hitting me and telling me i am **** and stuff , and i thought i was actually going to have a nice Christmas break.

[808celica]

hahaha playr yup my friend does have the same bike as you. its red and black. yeah that thing is wide.......but very good driving on it. i learned some basics on that bike.